Today, you will get to the heart of coworking and community building with guest host Tony Bacigalupo.
A pioneer in the coworking world, Tony spearheads this series called Belongfulness, focusing on our innate desire for connection – not just within coworking spaces but extending to our broader communities and personal interactions.
We explore the essence of human connection and the powerful role coworking spaces play in knitting the social fabric of our society.
In this episode, Tony engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jon Alexander, a remarkable voice from the UK, the author of “Citizens” and co-founder of the New Citizenship Project.
Together, they unravel the concepts presented in Jon’s book and discuss practical ways to foster a sense of belonging and community.
Their conversation stretches beyond the confines of coworking spaces, touching on the broader implications for societal cohesion and individual fulfilment.
It’s a must-listen if you are passionate about community building, coworking, and the transformative power of collective action.
Episode Highlights:
3:15 – Tony introduces Jon Alexander and the core ideas behind his book, “Citizens,” setting the stage for a discussion on active community participation.
7:30 – Exploring the evolution of coworking spaces as community hubs and their impact on local engagement and connectivity.
12:45 – Jon shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in building inclusive communities in the digital age.
18:20 – The conversation shifts to practical strategies for coworking spaces to enhance social bonds and support local initiatives.
24:50 – A deep dive into the concept of “belonging” and its significance in today’s fragmented society, with examples from Jon’s experiences.
30:10 – Tony and Jon discuss future possibilities for coworking and community-building trends, offering predictions and advice to listeners.
Links & Resources:
A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster by Rebecca Solnit.
Citizen Friday vs Black Friday
Article about Citizen Space – one of the first coworking spaces in San Francisco.
Civic Square in Ladywood Birmingham, UK (Grew out of Impact Hub Birmingham.)
Jon and Tony
Jon Alexander’s Book Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything Is All of Us.
Tony Bacigalupo and the Belongfulness Project.
Get the State of Belonging Report here.
We hope today’s conversation about building deeper connections and fostering a sense of belonging resonated with you.
We encourage you to dive into Jon Alexander’s “Citizens” for further inspiration.
SAVE THE DATE
In April 2024, Jon will do a live Q&A at the London Coworking Assembly Breakfast Show led by Joyce Ogunade, Head of the Affordable Workspace Programme for the London Borough of Islington.
You must be on the London Coworking Assembly weekly newsletter to get an invite.
We created this event specifically for coworking space owners, operators, and community managers keen on strengthening their ties with the local economy and community.
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave the Coworking Values Podcast a review; it helps our show’s impact in ways you wouldn’t believe.
It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects and work.