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-proofing operations across asset types
🌍 What makes Spain the ideal launchpad for flexible, mixed-length stays in Europe
🤖 And where AI will help optimize ops while keeping human interaction at the core

From cultural nuance to tech stack strategy, Ed shares a grounded, thoughtful roadmap for the future of rental living.

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 wellbeing

🧠 Why Nido developed a 4-year mental health program with expert Dr. Tara Quinn

📲 What it means when 66% of students book housing without ever visiting

💬 Why localized, authentic content is outperforming polished marketing campaigns

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. experience play out differently across regions
📈 Why operators need to balance community-building with scalability
📊 And why "community" isn’t a cost center—it’s a revenue driver when done right

From India to Europe to the US, Mayank offers practical, data-driven insights for anyone in Build-to-Rent, flex living, or residential operations.