Episode Summary
Picture an icy, pre-dawn seaside where a ragtag bunch plunges into freezing water, bonds over silly world-record attempts, and turns a regular newsletter into a launchpad for an unbreakable community.
That’s the spirit Mark Masters brings to the mic.
In this episode, Bernie teams up with Mark, the force behind You Are The Media (YATM), to uncover how ridiculous challenges and genuine moments create lasting connections.
They explore how smaller coworking spaces can shine by sticking to their values, why newsletters are the secret weapon for building communities, and how real connections thrive when we let our guard down—like tossing Ferrero Rocher at breakneck speed.
Along the way, Mark and Bernie discuss YATM Creator Day 2025 plans, which will feature early morning sea swims, collaborative workshops, and European Coworking Day’s potential to unite coworking spaces to celebrate local connections and community spirit.
Because if life’s too short for tedious coffee hours and ‘don’t forget to bring plenty of business cards!’
It’s too short to keep quiet about what brings us together.
Timeline Highlights
[0:05] Emily shares how Third Place Works helps coworking professionals thrive.
[0:29] Mark Masters drops by to share his journey with You Are The Media.
[1:36] The wild story of Mark’s Friday cold swims and why they’re a metaphor for life.
[5:03] Why selling values (not discounts) creates lasting loyalty.
[9:38] The hidden trap of Black Friday deals for coworking spaces.
[12:26] Mark’s big 2024 lesson: trust others to lead and watch magic happen.
[17:43] How to uncover the secret talents of quiet community members.
[23:31] Why pizza and casual chats beat speed-dating-style networking every time.
[37:07] Mark’s unapologetic love for newsletters and why consistency wins.
[41:13] Creator Day 2025: collaboration, creativity, and early morning sea swims.
Detailed Episode Breakdown
Freezing for Friendship: The Cold Swim Effect
When Mark invited his community to a cold swim during the pandemic, he wasn’t just starting a tradition—he was proving that doing something tough (and slightly nuts) together builds trust and camaraderie like nothing else.
Values Over Discounts: The Long Game
Mark and Bernie discuss why slashing prices can backfire and how adhering to one's values creates a deeper, more sustainable connection with one's community.
Passing the Torch: Letting Others Lead
Mark shares how stepping back and letting others take the reins—whether for events or projects—boosts creativity, confidence, and collective ownership.
Spotlighting the Underestimated
With Gordon Fong’s story, Mark reminds us that the quieter voices often have the most impactful contributions.
All they need is the right platform to shine.
Flipping the Script on Networking
Forget awkward elevator pitches.
Mark’s events encourage meaningful conversations over shared meals and collaborative projects, making connections feel effortless.
Why Newsletters Still Rock
Mark’s You Are The Media newsletter has been his community’s heartbeat for over a decade. He explains how showing up consistently (without spamming) builds loyalty and keeps conversations alive.
Creator Day 2025: Come for the Ideas, Stay for the Swim
Mark gives a sneak peek of Creator Day 2025, where attendees will workshop, collaborate, and celebrate—all capped off with an early morning sea swim.
Bernie also hints at exciting plans for European Coworking Day on 14 May.
Links & Resources
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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