Create A Place

About Create A Place

Welcome to CREATE A PLACE podcast! I’m Kristina York, co-founder and principal at CREATE+CO architecture and interior design studio. As workplace alchemist and advocate, I’ll be your guide through the art of designing spaces where people truly work, live, and thrive. With over 25 years in human-centered design, commercial space optimization, and leadership development, I’ll be breaking down the complex ecosystem of workplace culture and employee wellbeing.

Publisher

Kristina York

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Nov 2024

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   Episode 28: Legendary Hospitality with Roberto Torres

   📍 Recorded at Blind Tiger Coffee at Tampa City Center What turns a coffee shop into a place people build relationships? In this episode of Create A Place, I sit down with Roberto Torres, co-founder of Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters, to talk about what he and his team are really creating beyond coffee: places with identity, soul and a genuine sense of belonging. Blind Tiger has grown alongside Tampa, but Roberto’s approach has remained deeply local. Each location responds to its neighborhood, its customers and the way people actually use the space, whether they’re meeting a friend, working for an afternoon, gathering with a group or simply taking a moment for themselves. As Roberto puts it, even a great drink can become a small escape, and the spaces around it help shape that experience. Roberto has also been a longtime CREATE+CO client and friend, particularly through his relationship with Angela and our design team. Together, we’ve had the opportunity to help translate the Blind Tiger brand into several physical locations — balancing its recognizable character with the individuality of each place. Roberto shares candidly why trusting the design team has become part of that process and why creating a successful hospitality environment takes many different people interpreting and supporting the same vision. In this episode, we explore: - What Blind Tiger is creating beyond coffee as a lifestyle brand- Why “legendary hospitality” starts with employees - How neighborhoods, walk-ability, and gathering spaces - The role of design, music, seating, and flow shaping experience- Why every Blind Tiger should feel connected to the brand - How local hospitality businesses help create neighborhood identity- The opportunities and responsibility of growing a local brand Coffee may be what brings people through the door, but the places we return to are usually about something more: connection, familiarity and the feeling that there is a place for us there. And as Roberto reminds us, local coffee shops can become the backdrop for everyday life — first dates, church groups, study sessions, meetings and quiet moments alone. That’s when a space becomes part of a community. Connect with Roberto ::- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertoatorres/- Blind Tiger Coffee : https://blindtigercoffeeroasters.com/- Locations : https://blindtigercoffeeroasters.com/pages/locations Connect with KY ::👊🏼 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinayorkofficial/📐 Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  🎙️ Podcast : https://createaplace.net  📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE🎧 Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4🎧 Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com

2. 

   13 Jul 2026

   Episode 27: Hospitality Beyond the Table with Chon Nguyen

   📍 Recorded at Alter Ego in Tampa When most people think of hospitality, they think of restaurants or hotels. But what if hospitality is really a mindset that belongs in every business, every workplace, and every interaction? On this episode of Create a Place, I sit down with my friend Chon Nguyen, CEO of Nugentek, Co-Founder of FusionPrep, and Partner at Proper House Group. Chon and I have crossed paths for years through Tampa Bay's business and hospitality community. As fellow business leaders, we've shared conversations through organizations like the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council and the Automatic Network, so I was excited to finally bring one of those conversations to the podcast. At CREATE+CO, we've long believed that hospitality isn't a building type. It's a mindset. Whether we're designing workplaces, hospitality venues, or multifamily communities, our goal is always the same: creating experiences where people feel welcomed, supported, and connected. That's why I found so much alignment in Chon's perspective. He approaches technology with that same philosophy, using it to remove friction, strengthen relationships, and improve the human experience. In this episode, we explore: - Why hospitality extends far beyond restaurants- Using technology to enhance the human experience- Balancing operational efficiency with empathy- Building systems that scale without losing the human element- Creating cultures rooted in service and intentional leadership- Why people will always be at the center of great experiences 🎙️ If you're looking to build a better business, start by creating a better experience for the people you're serving. Connect with Chon ::- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chonnguyen/- Newgentek : https://newgentek.com/- FusionPrep : https://www.fusionprep.com/- Proper House : https://www.properhousegroup.com/ Connect with KY ::👊🏼 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinayorkofficial/📐 Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  🎙️ Podcast : https://createaplace.net  📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE🎧 Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4🎧Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com

3. 

   16 May 2026

   Episode 26: Scaling What Matters with Trent Morano

   📍 Recorded at Power Design HQ in St. Petersburg, FL What happens to culture when a company grows from hundreds to thousands of employees? In this episode of Create A Place, I sit down with Trent Morano, Senior Vice President at Power Design, to talk about leadership, growth, and what it really takes to scale without losing the people, values, and culture that made the company successful in the first place. From hiring for attitude over aptitude to building systems that reinforce trust, accountability, and connection, Trent shares how Power Design has intentionally protected a strong people-first culture while continuing to grow across the country. Our conversation also explores leadership accessibility, field and office alignment, and how workplace design can support collaboration, transparency, performance, and belonging at scale. Recorded inside Power Design’s St. Petersburg headquarters [where CREATE+CO has designed multiple spaces across the campus] this episode offers a thoughtful look at how leadership and environment work together to shape culture over time. Trent and I also serve together on the board for the CoreNet Global Tampa Chapter. In this conversation, we get into: • Scaling leadership from 300 to 3,000+ employees• Hiring for long-term potential and cultural fit• Protecting culture during rapid growth• Supporting field and office connection• Leadership accessibility and transparency• Workplace design as a tool for collaboration and performance• Why culture is built through action, not statements on a wall 🎙️ At the heart of it all, culture isn’t just something you talk about...it’s something people feel. Connect with Trent ::- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttursi31/- PowerDesign : https://www.powerdesigninc.us/- Project Photos : https://www.createandcompany.com/powerdesignhq Connect with KY ::👊🏼 LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinayorkofficial/📐 Design : https://www.createandcompany.com  🎙️ Podcast : https://createaplace.net  📺 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CREATEAPLACE🎧 Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-a-place/id1779942208🎧 Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/7fIVCgnR433sniYRvrRwNZ?si=b77e418c27524bc4🎧Podbean : https://createaplace.podbean.com

Who has been a guest on Create A Place

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lauren Campbell
• Tessa Jennings
• Taylor Ranker
• Bridgette Bello
• Oren Sherman

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

10,521

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

21

Social presence

91

YouTube

72

Engagement

32

Contact Create A Place

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Create A Place