The Heart of Work: What Rural Hubs Teach Us About Community & Resilience, with Maria do Ceu Bastos
What if the future of work is being quietly shaped in small, rural coworking hubs, places built around belonging, creativity, and care?
In this episode of Powering Productivity, Suzanne speaks with Maria do Céu Bastos, founder of NOWHERE Desk in Portugal – a rural hub that’s become a home for freelancers, founders, and community change makers.
Together, they explore the emotional and economic impact of local coworking, how to build belonging in small places, and why the future of work might just begin far from the city.
💬 We talk about:
- Building community and resilience through local hubs
- Turning isolation into opportunity
- The power of reconnection with people, place, and purpose
💛 Explore more:
ShowNotes TimeStamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Powering Productivity Podcast 00:48 Meet Maria do Ceu Bastos: A Journey from Translation to Coworking 02:21 Challenges and Realities of Rural Coworking 07:29 Building Community and Overcoming Isolation 13:18 Navigating Bureaucracy and Renovation Hurdles 16:08 Funding and Financial Challenges 18:18 The Vision for Education and Reskilling 23:34 Navigating Emotional Challenges with AI 24:38 Finding Balance in Nature 25:19 Building Resilience Through Hobbies 26:13 The Importance of Community Support 26:54 Managing the Invisible Load 29:40 The Power of Networks and Collaboration 33:37 Sustainable Living and Upcycling 38:08 Rural Regeneration and Education 46:04 Conclusion and Resources
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
S4E9 Audio TRANSCRIPT
Here’s the video:
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I’d love to hear your stories, experiences in these areas….
If any of this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more then I’m here to help.
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I’m Suzanne Murdock and I help micro business leaders and neighbourhood coworking operators lead with purpose, find clarity, and create spaces where people and communities thrive.
If you’d like support on your journey:
Suzanne Murdock
MD & Co Founder
Hi, I’m Suzanne Murdock - Co-Founder & Operator of The Hub Newry, a neighbourhood coworking and flexible workspace in the heart of Newry. For over 13 years I’ve worked closely with micro business owners, remote workers, growing teams and coworking operators, helping create calmer, more sustainable ways of working that support both people and performance. Alongside running The Hub, I also coach and mentor purpose-led business owners and neighbourhood coworking/flex space operators who are often quietly carrying a lot behind the scenes. My work focuses on helping people create more clarity, structure and momentum within real-life time, energy and capacity - without losing the human side of what they’re building. Much of what I write about here explores: • flexible and hybrid working • neighbourhood coworking and local business ecosystems • leadership, energy and decision fatigue • creating supportive environments where people can do their best work • balancing ambition with real life If you’re exploring workspace options, navigating change in your business, or simply trying to create a steadier and more sustainable way of working, you’re very welcome to get in touch. You can connect with me through The Hub Newry or email me at suzanne@thehubnewry.com 💛
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