In this episode of Create A Place, Kristina sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Tessa Jennings, founder of Spatial HQ, to explore why the most successful projects—and the healthiest client experiences—are built on intentionally curated teams.

With a background spanning architecture, construction, and owner representation, Tessa brings a rare, holistic perspective to commercial real estate. Together, they unpack how advocacy, trust, and chemistry shape not only the outcome of a space, but the experience of getting there.

This conversation goes beyond square footage and schedules, diving into the emotional and psychological side of complex projects—and the responsibility leaders and advisors share in protecting clients from unnecessary stress while guiding them toward confident decisions.

At its core, this episode is about tribe: who you surround yourself with, how you build the right team, and why that collective matters more than any single role or title.

In this conversation, they unpack:

- Why advocacy is critical on complex workplace projects

🎧 This episode is a reminder that when the right people are at the table, everything—from the process to the place—works better.

Connect with Tessa ::

Connect with KY ::

Recorded inside his newly designed Tampa office [by CREATE+CO], this episode features Taylor Ranker—founder of Questmont Virtual Family Office and author of Dead Cats & Wealth Advisors. Kristina and Taylor dive into what it means to create a place that fosters trust, intimacy, and long-term legacy—not just for clients, but for teams and communities.

Taylor shares the evolution of Questmont’s boutique family-office model, his unfiltered critique of traditional wealth management, and how thoughtful design (and leadership) play a critical role in client experience. The conversation also explores the power of planning, behavioral investment counseling, and the impact of creating a space that puts people at ease during some of life’s most personal conversations.

Inside the episode:

Connect with Taylor ::

Connect with KY ::

📍 Recorded in the custom-designed TBBW office by CREATE+CO

Stories Shape Culture. And sometimes, one story can transform an entire company or community.

In this episode of Create A Place, Kristina sits down with Bridgette Bello, Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine, to explore how storytelling shapes leadership, culture, and connection.

From co-founding TBBW with a vision of uplifting stories, to curating leaders who embody vulnerability and integrity, Bridgette shares why stories have the power to build trust, pride, and belonging.

They jump right into:

- Why one “bad apple” can derail an entire culture

It’s a candid, human-centered conversation about the stories we tell, the spaces we create, and the cultures that emerge from both.

Connect with Bridgette ::

Connect with KY ::

📍 Recorded Live at NeoCon/Design Days 2025

What if design wasn’t about fitting in—but about reflecting who we really are?

In this episode of Create A Place, Kristina sits down with Oren Sherman—artist, educator and workplace innovator—to explore why the next era of design is rooted in individuality, customization and belonging.

They dive into:

It’s a thoughtful, story-rich conversation about dignity, belonging, and creating places where people feel seen. And Oren gives us a glimpse of what’s next in workplace design through his inventive 3D pattern technology—turning static surfaces into dynamic, immersive experiences.

🎙️ At the heart of it: Oren reminds us that great design has the power to both create and transform.

Connect with Oren ::

Connect with KY ::

📍 Recorded Live at NeoCon/Design Days 2025

Straight out of the MillerKnoll Fulton Market showroom, this episode brings the energy—and a fresh perspective on our evolving relationship with the office.

Kristina sits down with Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research & Insights at MillerKnoll, to unpack the new RTO. Not Return to Office—but Reattach to Office—and why that shift might be the key to rebuilding connection, creativity, and culture.

They get into:

Why people crave connection from their workplace more than ever

How to design for relationships instead of just roles and routines

What AI can take off your plate—and how to reinvest that time wisely

The real challenges (and opportunities) of leading distributed teams

How communicating a space’s why can change how people show up

If you’re rethinking hybrid work, rebuilding culture, or designing spaces people actually want to be in—this one’s for you. It’s a sharp, human-centered take on what the new RTO really requires: clarity, connection, and a deep understanding of who it’s all for.

🎙️ It’s not just about why people show up—it’s about who they show up for.

Connect with Ryan ::

Connect with KY ::

📍 Recorded Live at NeoCon 2025

In this episode of Create A Place, Kristina sits down with Amanda Schneider—Founder of ThinkLab, host of Design Nerds Anonymous, and recent TED speaker—to explore how generational shifts, bold research, and a willingness to rewrite the playbook are reshaping the workplace as we know it.

From her viral TED Talk to her upcoming book The Hidden Genius of Gen Z at Work, Amanda brings insight, clarity, and challenge to the way we think about leadership, loyalty, mentorship, and what it means to create a workplace that actually works—for all of us.

🎧 Listen in to learn:

Amanda also introduces Baseline, a short-form data podcast from ThinkLab designed to help the product side of the design industry navigate uncertainty. Released every Friday and available exclusively to survey participants, Baseline delivers quick, actionable insights drawn from fresh industry data.

Whether you’re designing space, leading people, or trying to understand the next generation of talent, this episode challenges you to stop assuming—and start asking better questions.

Connect with Amanda ::

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What happens when a company chooses not just to include—but to truly see and support every individual exactly as they are?

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Kristina continues her discussion with Kelly Colón—professor, coach, strategist, and lifelong advocate for the neurodivergent community. Together, they explore the emotional and practical realities of inclusive work—how time blindness, executive function, and unspoken expectations affect performance, and why we must look beyond surface-level solutions to build environments where people actually thrive.

This episode was recorded live at AIS headquarters during Mental Health Awareness Month, where Kristina and Kelly had the opportunity to experience the Radiance program firsthand—a manufacturing initiative that’s integrated over 100 neurodivergent individuals through intentional design, empathy, and scaffolding. The result? A model of belonging that Kelly says “should be on every news channel.”

From workplace policy to personal wiring, from missed deadlines to sourcing talent like you would a sports team—this conversation is a call to rethink how we lead, design, and support the beautifully varied minds around us.

🎧 Whether you manage people, design spaces, or are just trying to show up more fully—don’t miss out on part two of this conversation.

More about Kelly ::

It all started with one neurodivergent human’s frustration over a world that wasn’t built for minds like hers. Tired of seeing too many policies, programs, and workplaces overlook neurodivergent individuals, Kelly decided to leap off the executive ladder and launch Eledex Consulting, a neurodivergent coaching & consulting business. Her mission was simple yet powerful: support neurodivergent people and spark greater awareness around truly inclusive practices.

Connect with Kelly ::

- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycolon/

- Eledex Coaching & Consulting : https://www.eledexconsulting.com/

- Book : Life Interrupted [a novel by Kelly] https://a.co/d/bsOekVe

Connect with KY ::

👊🏼LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinayorkofficial/  

📐Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  

🎙️Podcast : https://createaplace.net  

📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE

🎧Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208

🎧Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4

🎧Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com

Leaders everywhere are being asked to support people in more human-centered ways—but what if the systems we’ve built weren’t designed for how most brains actually work?

In this raw and revelatory two-part episode, Kristina sits down with Kelly Colón—professor, coach, strategist, and lifelong advocate for the neurodivergent community. They unpack the lived experience behind the buzzwords and explore what it truly means to design for neurodivergent humans in a neurotypical world. Along the way, they reveal why most well-intentioned “inclusive” efforts still fall short—and what it takes to do better.

Recorded live during Mental Health Awareness Month at AIS headquarters in Boston , their conversation blends personal story with professional insight—unpacking late diagnosis, systemic bias, and the invisible barriers that keep even high-performing people from thriving. They also had an opportunity see first-hand how AIS has successfully integrated over 100 neurodivergent individuals into their factory through their Radiance program. 

From parenting and identity to policy, process, and place—this episode challenges leaders to listen differently, design more intentionally, and recognize that thriving isn’t about doing more. It’s about being understood.

🎧 Whether you’re a leader, a designer, or a parent trying to navigate it all—this one’s for you. Like, comment, share and stay tuned for part TWO coming soon!

More about Kelly ::

It all started with one neurodivergent human’s frustration over a world that wasn’t built for minds like hers. Tired of seeing too many policies, programs, and workplaces overlook neurodivergent individuals, Kelly decided to leap off the executive ladder and launch Eledex Consulting, a neurodivergent coaching & consulting business. Her mission was simple yet powerful: support neurodivergent people and spark greater awareness around truly inclusive practices.

Connect with Kelly ::

- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycolon/

- Eledex Coaching & Consulting : https://www.eledexconsulting.com/

- Book : Life Interrupted [a novel by Kelly] https://a.co/d/bsOekVe

Connect with KY ::

👊🏼LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/createaplacepodcast  

🎙️Podcast : https://createaplace.net  

📐Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  

📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE

🎧Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208

🎧Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4

🎧Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com

In this episode of Create A Place podcast, Kristina York sits down with Rita Lowman—a 45-year banking veteran, author, and passionate advocate for mental health and leadership with heart. From decades of shaping institutions, mentoring top talent, and setting a new standard for human-centered leadership, Rita brings a legacy of influence that reaches far beyond banking. One of the few women in the boardroom early in her career, she not only earned her seat—she used it to elevate others. In this episode, she shares candid stories, life lessons, and the emotional realities of transitioning from high-stakes leadership into a slower—but still deeply meaningful—season. Together, they explore:

The emotional side of retirement and the inevitable identity shift

Grieving while leading—how Rita found strength after losing her son

How to listen in leadership and why it matters more than ever

Creating space for associates to thrive, not just function or perform

How leaders grow by walking with—their teams, not ahead of them

🎧 This vulnerable, wise, and uplifting conversation speaks to the head and the heart. Whether you’re a rising leader, a seasoned executive, or navigating your next chapter—this one’s for you.

Connect with Rita ::

- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-lowman-a541a910/

- Auto-Biography : From the Farm to the Boardroom: Leadership Lessons : https://a.co/d/dh2datX

- Contributing Author : Stronger than Stigma : https://a.co/d/j1ohLIT

Connect with KY ::

👊🏼LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/createaplacepodcast  

🎙️Podcast : https://createaplace.net  

📐Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  

📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE

🎧Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208

🎧Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4

🎧Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com

In this episode of the Create A Place podcast, Kristina talks with Dino Ninassi, founder of Dino+Associates, about why acoustics are no longer an afterthought—they’re foundational to workplace culture, trust and wellbeing.

Dino breaks down his simple ABC framework (Absorb, Block, Cover) for assessing and solving acoustic challenges in today’s hybrid spaces and shares why different environments—from HR offices to open collaboration zones—require different solutions. They also explore the impact of post-pandemic sensitivities, neurodiversity, and why sound is often the most overlooked equity issue in design.

From real-world success stories (like a transformed call center at Wounded Warrior Project) to costly missteps that happen when acoustics are left out too late, this episode makes the business case for getting sound right—and doing it early.

🎧 Listen in to learn:

Why our sensitivity to sound has changed—and what leaders need to know

How to use the ABC method to diagnose the real problem

What sound masking actually does (and what it doesn’t)

Why retrofitting can cost 145% more—and how to avoid it

What you can do right now to create more inclusive, high-performing spaces

🎧 Whether you're planning a workplace refresh, designing for neurodiverse teams, or just trying to make your space sound and feel better, this conversation is for you!

Connect with Dino ::

- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dino-n-3856411a/

- Dino+Associates : https://www.dino-associates.com/

- Acoustic Solutions : https://www.dino-associates.com/acoustic-solutions

Connect with KY ::

👊🏼LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/createaplacepodcast  

🎙️Podcast : https://createaplace.net  

📐Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  

📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE

🎧Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208

🎧Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4

🎧Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com