Episodes

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski speak with Alexander Limpert, the founder behind RentalReady and GuestReady, to unpack how automation, data, and AI are transforming operational efficiency in short-term rentals. 💡 Highlights include: 🤖 How RentalReady became the first PMS to integrate OpenAI, now powering a third-gen AI assistant 💬 Why AI replies to “confident messages” but escalates complex ones to humans 🏗️ Why GuestReady is shifting toward entire b...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Jason Hardman, Head of UK Living at CBRE, to explore how policy, planning, and private capital are reshaping the UK’s housing future. 💡 Highlights include: 🏡 Why housing models must evolve to reflect modern lifestyles and longer life spans 🏘️ How institutional investment is fueling growth in single-family rental 📊 The UK’s 1.5 million homes target—and how to balance quality, speed, and sustainability 🤝 Ho...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and co-host Kristian Lupinski sit down with Asli Kutlucan, CEO Europe at TFE Hotels, to explore how the company is bridging the gap between hotels and homes with its fast-growing Adina and MM:MT (Moment) brands. In this episode, Asli shares: 🏨 Why casual living is the next evolution of modern hospitality 🏗️ How adaptive reuse is unlocking new value from underused city buildings 🤖 How the new GXP platform is transforming guest experience and...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Stephanie Smith, Head of Residential at Muse, to unpack how thoughtful design, data, and collaboration are shaping the next era of residential living in the UK. 💡 Highlights include: 🏡 Why responsive service and maintenance matter more than flashy amenities 🌍 How early engagement with residents and local schools drives better design and safety 📊 Why “tech for tech’s sake” is out — and data-driven benchmar...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Joe Persechino, COO of Yugo, to unpack the global growth trajectory of student accommodation and the strategies needed to meet demand. 💡 Highlights from the conversation: 🌍 Why student numbers are rising from 240M to 400M by 2050 📊 Why markets like the UK are 30% penetrated while Italy lags at only 5% 🏢 How Yugo blends global brand consistency with local market nuance 🤝 Why partnerships with universities ...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Jonathan Burridge, Founder & CEO of Utopi, to explore how his company is helping operators cut costs, reduce carbon, and improve resident engagement through data-driven technology. 💡 Highlights include: ⚡ How Utopi uncovered 1,400% energy consumption variance in one building 📊 Why ESG is shifting from “compliance” to performance and ROI 🎮 Behavioral change campaigns that save energy and build community 🤖 ...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Josef Vollmayr, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Limehome, to explore how the company is reshaping hospitality across Europe with efficiency, design, and digital-first operations. 💡 Highlights include: 🌍 Why most travelers now value clean, functional stays over luxury touches 🤖 How Limehome achieves 85% automation without losing the guest experience 🏗️ The building strategies behind 72% space efficiency ...

In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Kevin Murphy, Co-founder & COO of Renew, to explore how multifamily operators can turn one of their biggest weaknesses—renewals—into a relationship-driven advantage. 💡 Highlights include: 🏘️ Why renewals should start on day one, not 60 days before expiry 🏨 How “hotelification” is reshaping expectations in the rental world 📊 Why fragmented operators struggle with loyalty—and how networks can solve it 🤖...

In this week’s Pillow Talk Sessions, we go behind the brand with Philip Grace, CDO at Bob W, to unpack the company’s vision of hospitality-first, asset-light, and tech-forward living across Europe. 💡 Inside the episode: 🏘️ Bob W’s vertical villages that combine apartments, workspaces, restaurants, and rooftop pools 🤝 How strategic partnerships beat in-house ownership for long-term profitability 📲 What it means to run guest services across 13 countries 🤖 How AI is helping scale operations—without...

This week on Pillow Talk Sessions, hosts Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Nuno Jorge Trigo, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of FEEL GROUP, to discuss how the company is reshaping hospitality through its vertical building model. 💡 Key insights include: 🏙️ How combining co-working, serviced apartments, and events is changing the way we live and travel 🤝 Why proactive collaboration with city councils leads to smarter, more balanced regulation 📲 How FEEL GROUP’s tech ecosystem and proprie...

This week on Pillow Talk Sessions, hosts Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski welcome Ed Ellerington, Founder & CEO of Packaged Living, to explore what it really means to bring a customer-first, tech-smart, and vertically integrated mindset to rental housing. 💡 In this episode: 🏘️ Why the UK needs garden living and better single-family rental options 🏨 How hospitality principles can elevate resident experiences without over-servicing 🧩 Why flexible tech platforms are essential for future-pro...

This week, we’re joined by Suraiya Comunello, CMO at Nido Living, for a deep dive into what truly matters to today’s students—and how operators can meet those expectations through service, design, and wellbeing. From cultural contrasts in booking behavior to the rise of digital-first decision-making, Suraiya offers a rare, international perspective on how the student accommodation sector is evolving. 🎧 Here’s what to expect: 🌱 How biophilic design helps ease student anxiety and promote wellbei...

The coliving industry is booming—but how you scale matters. In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, hosts Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Mayank Pokharna, CEO of Fllat.com and Founder of Everything Coliving, to unpack the operational, cultural, and economic realities of coliving on a global scale. 💡 Key topics: 🛠️ Why getting the basics right is still the biggest growth unlock 🌍 Why cultural context makes global expansion uniquely complex 💡 How affordability vs. experienc...

This week on Pillow Talk Sessions, we’re excited to release our first live-recorded episode, where we brought industry leaders together to unpack the future of resident experience in front of a live audience. Hosts Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski are joined by: 🔹 Freya Richard (Vertus) 🔹 Philippa Wagner (PeoplePlacesSpaces) 🔹 Mitch Hammond (OnTheMarket) 💡 In this episode, we explore: 📊 Why renters are prioritizing belonging, values, and community over physical amenities 🏨 The influenc...

This week on Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski are joined by Rachel Hanniquet-Brooking, Managing Director of APO Group LTD, to explore the state of the UK rental market—and how Build-to-Rent operators can prepare for seismic change. 💡 Tune in to hear Rachel’s perspective on: 🧾 The impact of the Renters Reform Bill on no-fault evictions and lease terms 📉 Why tighter regulation could drive traditional landlords out—and open new doors for BTR 🏘️ The fine balance betwee...

Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Simone Puorto, Founder of Travel Singularity, to unpack how technology, empathy, and adaptability are reshaping the future of hospitality. 💡 Tune in to explore: 🔹 How tech can amplify human connection, not replace it 🔄 Why hospitality design must respond to human rhythms, not rigid formats 🏠 What rental living can teach hotels about personalization and experience ⚙️ How to avoid “tech for tech’s sake” and future-proof your operations This ...

In this episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Kristian and Jessica chat with Robert Birch, Head of Operations at Gravity Co, about creating meaningful living experiences across co-living, BTR, and hospitality. Tune in for insights on: 💬 Why community is central to modern rental expectations 🔎 How Gravity leverages data to detect and solve issues early 🌐 The innovative membership model that connects residents globally 🏗️ Gravity’s strategy to revitalize underperforming assets and integrate sustainabil...

In this brand-new episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica and Kristian chat with Steve Davis, CEO of Operto, about the powerful intersection of hospitality, multifamily, and smart technology. 💡 Listen in for key takeaways like: 🔑 How Operto grew from digital locks to a full-service guest/resident management platform 🏘️ Why STR tech is uniquely positioned to enhance multifamily and hotel operations 💬 Why real-time communication and service feedback loops are the future 📉 The risks of poor tech ...

In this week’s episode of Pillow Talk Sessions, our founder, Jessica Gillingham, and co-host, Kristian Lupinski, chat with Bart Sasim, CEO & Founder of Spatial Experience, about the evolution of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and what’s next for the sector. Bart shares insights on: 🏢 The transition from traditional student housing to modern, service-driven PBSA. 🔄 Subscription-based living models that offer flexibility and affordability. 🤖 How data-driven personalization is enhancin...

Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski are joined by Begum Agca Okutgen, Head of Partner Network at Blueground, to explore the ongoing transformation of the rental market driven by remote work, technology, and evolving guests needs. 💡 Tune in to discover: 🏠 How remote work is reshaping demand for flexible, furnished rentals across 35 cities worldwide. 🤖 The role of technology in streamlining operations and enhancing client experience. 🛋️ Why quality standards and curated design are key to main...

Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski are joined by Mitch Hammond, Build-to-Rent Manager at OnTheMarket, for a candid discussion on defining and differentiating Build to Rent (BTR) in the UK and beyond. 💡 Tune in to explore: 🏗️ Why a unified understanding of BTR terminology is crucial for market growth. 🤖 Balancing technology with human connection in resident services. 📊 Evolving resident expectations for security, amenities, and community spaces. 🏘️ OnTheMarket’s strategy following its acqu...

Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski sit down with Philippa Wagner, founder of PeoplePlacesSpaces, to unpack the shifting landscape of hospitality and how it influences sectors like Build-to-Rent. 💡 Tune in to explore: 🔹 How guest expectations have evolved – prioritizing wellness, social engagement, and authentic connections. 🌍 The balance between global brand identity and local storytelling. 🏡 Hospitality principles inspiring multifamily living and intergenerational developments. 🔄 Emergin...

Jessica Gillingham and special co-host Iain Murray, Head of Operational Living at Bidwells, sit down with Benjamin Hall, Founder of LOFT, for an insightful conversation on how design and sustainability are shaping the future of multifamily and co-living spaces. 🎧 In this episode, we dive into: 🔹 The power of design in fostering resident retention and satisfaction. ♻️ Sustainability in multifamily interiors, featuring the circular economy approach. 📈 The rise of flexible living spaces that blend...

This week on Pillow Talk Sessions, Jessica Gillingham and Kristian Lupinski welcome Katherine Rose, Managing Director of VervLife, for an in-depth conversation about reshaping the future of mixed-asset management. Key highlights from the episode: 🏘️ Strategic Asset Management – Overcoming the challenges of managing diverse property types. 📊 Flex Rentals – Strategies for meeting the demands of short-term and long-term tenants. 🌍 Building Diverse Teams – Why team diversity is a game-changer in pr...