Episode Summary

In this episode, Bernie sits down with Shamena Nurse-Kingsley, founder of Cowo & Crèche in Washington, DC, to explore how coworking spaces become quiet sanctuaries in uncertain times.

Shamena shares how her "Pause & Pour" gathering gently brings people together—freelancers, working parents, federal workers, anyone navigating life’s messy transitions.

It's a real conversation about loneliness, courage, vulnerability, and why the simple act of holding space for someone can mean everything.

This one's about more than desks and meetings—it’s about creating places where people feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Timeline Highlights

[2:46] – What Shamena hopes people see in her.

[3:55] – The deeper reason behind “Pause & Pour.”

[6:41] – The messy truth about working parents.

[10:16] – Loneliness in Washington DC and why we struggle asking for help.

[13:35] – Where the courage for community comes from.

[17:42] – Coworking spaces can be safe spaces and why neutrality matters.

[20:34] – Why boundaries make better coworking spaces (and lives).

[22:52] – The quiet power of being surrounded by others.

[24:44] – Walking away from comfort and discovering your courage.

[27:05] – Shamena’s fearless take on imposter syndrome.

[28:56] – Where to find Shamena and Cowo & Crèche online.

Detailed Episode Breakdown

Holding Space in the Messy Middle

“Pause & Pour” isn’t just an event—it’s breathing room for people caught in uncertainty.

Shamena explains how gathering people in quiet community helps ease the tension of transitions, anxiety, and feeling stuck.

Coworking spaces, she reminds us, are perfectly built to offer kindness and understanding exactly when people need it most.

No More Juggling Acts

Forget "work-life balance"—Shamena shares why "ruthless prioritisation" is a better, more honest way of understanding the realities facing working parents.

Cowo & Crèche adapts around parents, allowing them space to work, breathe, and feel respected rather than rushed. It's not complicated, it's just human.

Loneliness, Community, and the Courage to Connect

Loneliness hits hard, especially in big cities like Washington DC. Shamena describes the quiet courage it takes to build real community—checking in with honest intention, truly listening, and refusing to let people disappear into their struggles alone.

It’s about creating moments of genuine human connection in a world that often feels too busy to care.

Why Coworking Spaces Feel Like Home

Coworking, Shamena suggests, uniquely bridges the gap between home comfort and office practicality.

More than just convenience, it provides a space that feels safe, neutral, welcoming—a kind of "Switzerland" away from office politics and household distractions.

It’s where real work meets real life in the best possible way.

Audacity and Vulnerability: Rejecting Imposter Syndrome

Finally, Shamena passionately rejects the concept of imposter syndrome, challenging us all to see the strength and resilience we already carry.

Life may get messy, uncertain, or even scary—but we’ve made it this far. Sometimes we just need a gentle nudge to believe it.

Links & Resources

* Cowo & Crèche

* Pause & Pour on Instagram

* Register for European Coworking Day, May 2025

* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

* Join The Coworking Community Builder Cohort

* Join the 8k Members in the LinkedIn Coworking Group

* Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn

* Connect with Shamena on LinkedIn

One more thing

Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores the core values driving coworking: Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability.

These values aren’t just ideas—they shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.

We hope this resonates with you.If it does, please rate, follow, and share the podcast.Your support amplifies our reach, helping others discover how coworking can enrich lives, build careers, and strengthen communities.

Community is the key 🔑

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