GCUC Blog

GCUC Podcast Recap: Georgia Norton

By Stormy McBride On October 28, 2025 In Community•GCUC Podcast

The Future of Work & Family: Georgia Norton on Co-Located Coworking, Care & Community

What if work, childcare, and community could all coexist under one roof?

That’s the question journalist and researcher Georgia Norton is exploring through her groundbreaking work with Playhood – Family Club, Research & Consulting. On the latest episode of the GCUC Podcast, hosted by CEO Liz Elam, the two dive deep into how co-located coworking spaces are reshaping what it means to work, parent, and belong.

The Rise of Co-Located Coworking

Georgia’s journey started with a simple need familiar to millions of working parents: how to stay productive while caring for young children. Her research uncovered a growing global movement of family-centered coworking spaces, hybrid environments that combine workspace, childcare, wellness, and community.

From London to Baltimore, Athens to Austin, founders (mostly women) are building spaces that reflect real life, where work and care don’t compete, but collaborate.

“The ‘co’ in coworking isn’t just about sharing space,” Georgia explains. “It’s about collaboration a mindset that can transform how we build communities.”

A Model with Deep Impact

Through her audit of co-located coworking models, Georgia found four consistent benefits:

Fairer work for caregivers: When childcare happens alongside professional work, visibility and respect for care workers rise.
Healthier parenthood: Parents no longer have to toggle between their professional and personal identities.
Equity in relationships: Shared caregiving responsibilities strengthen family and community bonds.
Empowered children: Kids grow up seeing what work looks like, and knowing that care and collaboration are valued parts of life.

These insights point toward a future where work-life integration replaces work-life balance, and neighborhoods thrive because people can truly live, work, and raise families where they are.

Beyond Convenience: Toward Culture Change

While some “family club” models target the high end of the market, Georgia’s research also highlights grassroots and nonprofit approaches that make flexible, family-friendly work more equitable. From crowdfunding and shared community hubs to employer partnerships, there’s growing potential for local innovation.

“We don’t just need companies to offer childcare on-site,” Georgia says. “We need them to invest in neighborhood-based solutions that give families flexibility and choice.”

The Next Frontier: Policy, Equity & Mental Health

Liz and Georgia also touched on what comes next, how employers, policymakers, and coworking operators can play a role in reshaping the social fabric of work.

Universal childcare, parental leave, and flexible working remain essential foundations. But there’s also a bigger cultural question at play: How can spaces help people feel seen, supported, and connected?

As Liz points out, “We all celebrate spaces with gyms and yoga rooms, but what are we doing for mental health? Real wellbeing comes from human connection.”

Why It Matters

Co-located coworking isn’t just a clever design solution, it’s a social innovation.
It challenges outdated systems, uplifts caregivers, and models a better world for the next generation.

As Georgia’s research continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of work is not just flexible, it’s human.

Listen Now

The Future of Work & Family: Georgia Norton on Co-Located Coworking, Care & Community
Available now on The GCUC Podcast or wherever you stream your media!