181. Liz Elam on GCUC's 50th Event, Mental Health in Coworking, and the Future of Flex

What happens when the Queen of Coworking returns to share her vision for the industry's future—and announces a mission that could save lives? This week, Jamie and Gio sit down with Liz Elam, founder of GCUC and Link Coworking, for a conversation that spans everything from neurodiversity and AI to hospitality standards and why coworking should be the first industry to offer free mental health services.

Liz just returned from Australia where she toured The Commons' 19 locations and experienced hospitality so exceptional it left her stunned. She shares what made every unannounced walk-in feel like visiting a new friend, why Cliff Ho's spaces are profitable when so many aren't, and the one thing American operators can learn from how The Commons hires and trains their teams.

We talk about:

• What makes The Commons' hospitality so extraordinary (and why 90% of coworking spaces fail the walk-in test)
• Why GCUC's 50th event in New York will feature coworking-adjacent content, not just operators talking to operators
• Liz's mission to make free mental health services standard in every coworking space
• The mega trends shaping 2026: AI as invisible concierge, wellness integration, neurodiversity, and the Great Reconnection
• Why younger generations take calls on speakerphone (and why we need better acoustics)
• How The Commons uses different local designers for each location and why it works
• Why design innovation in coworking has stalled—and what needs to change
• The rise of insiders buying existing coworking brands (Second Home, Kahoots, Bond, The Yard)
• Why bringing your team to conferences makes them more likely to stay
• How Judah Space became GCUC's New York venue and why the conference business is actually working for coworking operators

If you care about the future of coworking, mental health advocacy, or just want to hear from someone who's been shaping this industry for 14 years—this episode is essential listening.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Liza on LinkedIn

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