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.

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 influence of hospitality on rental living

📲 How technology must serve experience—not drive it

📍 Why authenticity, service, and local context are essential to resident loyalty

Don’t miss this dynamic panel discussion packed with real-world insight and forward-thinking perspectives.

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 between automation, cost efficiency, and real service

📲 Why resident-focused tech needs to be built in early—not just added later

Rachel draws on 25+ years in hospitality and property to provide grounded, actionable insight into a sector at a turning point.

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 episode delivers forward-thinking insight into how we can create meaningful, guest-first spaces in an ever-changing world.

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 sustainability

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 rollouts—and how to do it right

🔮 What IoT means for future personalization and resident satisfaction