COWORKING PODCAST 153
Justin Gurland, Founder & CEO of The Maze
What if the best social club in New York didn’t revolve around alcohol, but around connection?
On this episode of the GCUC podcast, we sit down with Justin Gurland, Founder & CEO of The Maze, an alcohol-free members club in New York City that’s redefining how adults gather, connect, and build community. After nearly two decades of sobriety and a career in behavioral health, Justin saw a gap: plenty of places to drink together, but almost nowhere designed for meaningful connection without alcohol at the center.
Enter The Maze, a thoughtfully designed social club where professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs can meet, collaborate, and form real relationships in a hospitality-driven environment rooted in wellness and intentional programming.
Justin joins GCUC Founder Liz Elam to talk about the growing alcohol-free movement, the loneliness epidemic in big cities, and why rebuilding social networks is one of the most powerful drivers of human wellbeing. They also dive into the surprising rise of sober-curious culture, the role hospitality plays in community spaces, and what coworking operators can learn from the next generation of membership clubs.
From morning routines and meditation streaks to building a business when “everything finally clicks,” this conversation explores what happens when purpose, timing, and community align.
In this episode, Justin and Liz explore why alcohol-free social spaces are booming, how The Maze is helping tackle loneliness in New York City, and what coworking operators can learn from the world of hospitality and social clubs. They also discuss the surprising scale of the sober-curious movement and why building intentional communities can have a real impact on people’s lives.
If you’re interested in the future of community, wellness, and hospitality-driven spaces, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Learn more about The Maze
Connect with Justin Gurland
Connect with Liz Elam
Learn more about GCUC & get your tickets for GCUC North America
Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube