What happens when wellness, work, love, and ambition collide?

In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, founders Espoir Michalek and Connor Michalek pull back the curtain on how they built Gevity, a bold new concept redefining coworking through wellness, recovery, and deeply intentional community.

From an “ice bath epiphany” and a chance meeting abroad to launching one of Austin’s most talked-about spaces, Espoir and Connor share their raw founder journey, the power of building a business as partners, and why sustainable ambition, not burnout, is the future of work. Expect insights on recovery-first workplaces, community-driven growth, and what it really takes to protect culture while scaling.

The conversation is guided by Liz Elam, host of the GCUC Podcast, who brings her signature curiosity and industry expertise to an episode that blends heart, hustle, and the next evolution of coworking and wellness.

If you’re curious about the future of work, wellness-led spaces, and building something meaningful, this one’s a must-listen.

Antonette Benting doesn’t just build community; she is designing belonging across an entire continent.

As the leader behind GCUC Africa and a powerhouse operator in the coworking industry, Antonette has helped shape what community-first workplaces look like in one of the most dynamic and fast-growing regions in the world. Her work is proof that coworking is not a one-size-fits-all model, it’s a movement deeply influenced by culture, people, and place.

From leading coworking teams to scaling member experiences without losing soul, Antonette brings sharp insight, real talk, and a deep belief that community is a strategy, not a buzzword.

In this episode, Antonette sits down with Liz Elam, founder of GCUC, for a candid conversation that puts a spotlight on GCUC Africa, regional leadership, and what operators everywhere can learn from the innovation happening across the African coworking ecosystem. Together, they explore leadership, resilience, cultural nuance, and why the future of work belongs to operators who lead with intention and local relevance.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about community, culture, and the global evolution of coworking.

Connect with Antonette Benting:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonette-benting/

Learn more about GCUC Africa:

https://africa.gcuc.co/

Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam

Learn more about GCUC & get your tickets for GCUC North America: https://na.gcuc.co/

Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos

In this episode of the GCUC Podcast, Amanda Neanor, founder of NEANOR Projects, brings a behind-the-scenes perspective from the worlds of private membership clubs, luxury hospitality, and coworking. With leadership experience at Soho House, NeueHouse, and Platinum Clubs of the World, Amanda has spent her career designing and operating spaces where community, culture, and commercial success actually align.

Amanda joins host Liz Elam, founder of GCUC, for a candid conversation about the invisible details that separate “nice space” from truly magnetic experience. Together, they unpack what most operators miss, from service culture and onboarding to brand identity, surprise-and-delight moments, and why community is built through intention, not amenities.

They dive into:

Why hospitality thinking is essential to the future of coworking

The first signals that tell you whether a space will be special or forgettable

What coworking operators should steal from private clubs and luxury hotels

How to balance aesthetics, operations, and revenue without compromising experience

The role of rules, rituals, and human connection in building lasting communities

If you’re creating, operating, or rethinking coworking spaces, private clubs, or experience-led environments, this episode is packed with sharp insight, real-world examples, and ideas you can apply immediately.

Bonus: Amanda will also be joining us live at GCUC New York, making this episode the perfect primer before meeting her in person.

Connect with Amanda:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-neanor-980a20109/

Learn more about NEANOR Projects:

https://www.neanorprojects.com/

Connect with Liz Elam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam

Learn more about GCUC & get your tickets for GCUC North America: https://na.gcuc.co/

Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos