Episode Summary

What happens when a trauma psychologist redesigns workspaces?

In this episode, Bernie talks with Paula Madrid, a clinical and forensic psychologist turned founder of Blue Panda Office Spaces in New York City.

Before launching her coworking business, Paula spent years responding to some of the world’s most catastrophic events—9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Haiti earthquake—supporting survivors through grief, chaos, and the rebuilding process.

That experience didn’t just shape her—it rewired how she thinks about space.

Paula explains how emotional safety, visual calm, and intentional design became the foundation of Blue Panda, a coworking space that feels more like a sanctuary than an office.

They dig into everything from the psychology of colour and comfort to the discipline of bootstrapping a space without investors.

Paula also breaks down how she runs virtual offices with the same level of confidentiality and care you’d expect in a therapist’s office.

This episode is a goldmine for anyone building workspaces, community spaces, or simply trying to make “where we work” feel more human.

And yes—she has strong feelings about plastic plants.

Timeline Highlights

[00:06] Emily’s reminder: Unreasonable Connection link in the show notes

[01:21] Paula’s journey from trauma psychology to design and workspace creation

[04:39] The quiet beginnings of Blue Panda—before it had a name

[06:22] Designing therapy rooms to create safety and trust

[10:27] What workspace operators get wrong about “wellness”

[14:17] Spending smart: the ice cream spoon principle in real life

[16:04] Bootstrapping with purpose and pride—no investors, full control

[18:16] How design keeps Paula grounded after difficult client work

[21:20] Paula’s love of people, strangers, and unexpected conversations

[25:07] Virtual offices as hospitality—not just handling mail

[29:50] NYC–London idea: small operators sharing virtual office networks

[30:13] Why Paula calls them “tenants,” not “members”

[32:19] Where to connect with Paula and what she’s proud of

Detailed Episode Breakdown

From Trauma Work to Workspace DesignPaula opens up about her early career in disaster mental health, supporting survivors of 9/11, Katrina, and the Haiti earthquake.

That experience deeply shaped her understanding of what people need to feel safe, and how that translates into space.

Designing for Emotional SafetyA breakthrough moment came at a refugee trauma training in Italy: design a therapy space that helps someone heal.

That prompt never left her.

Today, it’s a design principle that runs through every room in Blue Panda.

The Wellness TrapMost spaces chasing the “wellness” trend miss the point.

Paula breaks down the visual noise, trend overload, and bad furniture decisions that make spaces feel off, even when they look good on Instagram.

Why Bootstrapping is FreedomBlue Panda was built without outside investment, by design.

Paula shares how doing it her way—not just creatively but financially—lets her control the experience, the standards, and the soul of the space.

Virtual Offices, ReimaginedIt’s not about mail. It’s about trust.

Paula treats virtual office clients the same way she treats therapy patients—with confidentiality, care, and deep understanding of what’s at stake when your address is on the line.

Obsessed with People (and It Shows)Paula talks about the joy of street conversations, curiosity-fueled wanderings, and how talking to strangers makes her a better space operator, business owner, and community builder.

Links & Resources

* Blue Panda Office Spaces – Website

* Blue Panda on Instagram

* Paula A. Madrid & Associates

* Unreasonable Connection – Sign up on Luma

* Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

* Coworking Community Builder Cohort Waitlist

* Register for European Coworking Day

* Visit the Workspace Design Show

* Join the 8k+ Members in the LinkedIn Coworking Group

* Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn

* Connect with Paula A. Madrid on LinkedIn

One more thing

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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.

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