In this episode of Curious Blend, Keller sits down with longtime Createscape member Oliver—one of the community’s most well-loved personalities. Oliver shares his perspective on navigating coworking life, why he splits his time between being serious and not-so-serious, and how Toastmasters challenged him to open up with vulnerability in public speaking.

We also dive into his passion for climbing and adventure travel, from 13-hour ascents to spontaneous road trips through five countries with nothing but a guidebook and a car. Oliver explains what drew him into the world of venture capital, what he’s learned about supporting founders and evaluating early-stage companies, and clears up common misconceptions about VC money.

This conversation blends insight, humor, and wanderlust—from the value of discomfort and adaptability, to the joy of mailing home dirty laundry so you have room in your suitcase for wine.

In this solo episode, Keller dives into the idea of the “third place” — those informal spaces that exist outside of home and work, where connection and community naturally happen. From coffee shops to parks to neighborhood libraries, these gathering spots are becoming rarer in our increasingly online world. But as Keller shares, coworking spaces like Createscape can fill that gap in unexpected ways.

Drawing on over a decade of running Createscape, Keller reflects on how a coworking space can serve both as someone’s workplace and their “third place,” fostering friendships, sparking creative collaborations, and offering a steady, welcoming presence during life transitions. You’ll hear about why simply being around others — even without constant conversation — can boost mental health, nurture creativity, and help us feel more connected to the world around us.

Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote worker, or just someone craving more casual, meaningful connection in your week, this conversation will inspire you to find (or reclaim) your own third place — and maybe see coworking in a whole new light.

In this episode of Curious Blend, Keller sits down with lighting designer and Createscape member Derrick Hurst, founder of Direction + Current. From his roots in ceramic sculpture to crafting high-end lighting products for global brands, Derrick shares a thoughtful and fascinating journey through creativity, technical problem-solving, and the art of functional design. Hear about his time working in Taiwan, collaborating with Italian studios, the weirdest light he’s ever helped make (spoiler: it flickers like a campfire), and why he’ll always choose beautifully designed objects over the boring stuff. Bonus: cat stories, curious foxes, and a mini ode to Marfa.

In this solo episode, Keller Davis (owner of Createscape Coworking in Austin) gets into the ever-evolving world of coworking—from its humble beginnings to the post-pandemic shifts in what people want from a workspace. You’ll hear how Createscape grew from a few desks in a temp space to one of the most “coworkiest coworking spaces” around (yes, that’s a compliment). Keller also shares 4 practical tips to help members get the most out of their coworking experience, plus a quick roundup of what’s happening in Austin right now. It’s part love letter to community spaces, part handy coworking survival guide.

In this episode of Curious Blend, host Keller Davis sits down with Createscape member Haley Salzwedel for a wide-ranging and delightfully nerdy conversation. They dive deep into Haley’s recent obsession with semiconductors—how they’re made, why they matter, and how one Taiwanese pioneer helped shape the global tech industry. From clean rooms and UV lithography to perfectly flat German mirrors, Haley explains it all with passion and clarity.

The two also explore the surreal experience of hearing obscure songs exactly when you're thinking of them, the value of boredom and unplugging, and why Haley traded downtown coworking chaos for the cozy charm of Createscape. Plus: Love Island confessions, White Lotus appreciation, and a shared appreciation for lists, structure, and living dangerously (but just a little).

This episode is for the curious mind who loves diving down rabbit holes—scientific, musical, or existential.

Welcome back to Curious Blend: The Createscape Show! Host Keller Davis kicks off Season 2 with a fresh new format—more casual, more spontaneous, and more bite-sized. In this episode, Keller shares what's changing this season, why the podcast matters to the Createscape coworking community, and what kinds of episodes and interviews to expect. Whether you're a longtime member or just curious about the creative souls of East Austin, this episode sets the stage for a season full of connection, creativity, and community.

In this engaging and insightful episode of Curious Blend, host Keller Davis sits down with Phillip Gazca, a seasoned real estate leader with over 14 years of experience and a passion for creative problem-solving. Phillip shares his story, from his early days in the industry to managing teams of agents and launching successful brokerages. Together, they discuss how his upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs shaped his approach to leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the power of mentorship in personal and professional growth.

Phillip also opens up about the challenges of balancing creativity with the demands of a high-pressure career, his methods for thriving in chaos, and how understanding the psychology of fear has become his latest research passion. With plenty of practical takeaways on building resilient teams, staying grounded, and embracing discomfort for growth, this episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to elevate their leadership and entrepreneurial journey.

Tune in to learn from Phillip’s experiences and discover how to transform challenges into opportunities—all while keeping the spirit of curiosity alive.

Learn more about Phillip Gazca:

https://www.instagram.com/phillipgazca

In this episode of Curious Blend, host Keller Davis sits down with Jaclyn Schiff, a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of Spoke, a content transformation agency. Jaclyn shares her fascinating journey from healthcare journalism to founding a business that helps B2B marketers turn audio and video content into compelling written material. She discusses the power of content repurposing, the strategies that drive success, and how she built her business from the ground up—ultimately leading to its acquisition.

Jaclyn offers valuable insights into entrepreneurship, from learning how to scale and rebrand, to knowing when to pivot or sell. We also dive into her personal motivations, leadership style, and approach to avoiding burnout while maintaining passion for her work. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, content creator, or curious about the world of content marketing, this episode is packed with wisdom on the art of turning ideas into impactful results.

Learn more about Jaclyn Schiff:

LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynschiff/

Spoke: https://spokeagency.io/

In this episode of Curious Blend, host Keller Davis sits down with Michelle Ates-Wright, the executive director of TWA Cares and TWA College. With over 15 years of experience in sales, account management, and customer service, Michelle shares how she’s applied her skills to support student athletes as they transition to college life. From tackling the challenges of balancing academics and athletics to creating a space where students can embrace their identities beyond the field, Michelle’s passion for education and community-building shines through.

Michelle talks about the inspiration behind founding TWA Cares, the unique needs of young athletes, and how her own upbringing has shaped her drive to give back. She also shares stories of resilience, the power of mentorship, and her dedication to breaking down barriers for students facing roadblocks in their journey.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, compassion, and helping young people achieve their full potential both in and out of the classroom.

Learn more about Michelle here:

https://twacollege.org

In this episode of Curious Blend, host Keller Davis sits down with his husband-- indie game developer and market research expert, John Baxa. John shares the story behind his award-winning game Vessels and his journey from psychology student to video game designer. We dive into the creative process, the emotional depth of narrative-driven games, and how John balances his passion for indie game development with a full-time career in market research.

Together, Keller and John explore the intersection of creativity and authenticity in storytelling, the challenges of working independently, and the lessons they've learned from collaborating on creative projects. Whether you're a gamer, a creative, or someone curious about the world of indie development, this episode offers a unique perspective on bringing passion projects to life.

Learn more about John Baxa:

https://johnbaxa.com

https://thursdaystrategy.com