NUGGETS is a weekly podcast about human behaviour, emotional intelligence, mindset shifts, psychology, and personal growth — designed to help you think clearer, communicate better, and lead with more confidence.
In every short, practical episode, Pellegrino and Francois explore the ideas that shape how we live and work: motivation, stress, happiness, relationships, decision-making, leadership, communication, culture, and the stories we tell ourselves.
We break big concepts into simple insights you can use immediately — to improve your mindset, boost emotional resilience, increase self-awareness, and show up as your best self in everyday life.
If you're interested in leadership development, self-improvement, emotional intelligence training, better communication, or understanding why people behave the way they do, you're in the right place. Modern life is noisy. NUGGETS cuts through the noise — giving you clarity, grounded thinking, and wisdom you can use in minutes.
Because one good insight can change everything.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
NUGGETS is a weekly podcast about human behaviour, emotional intelligence, mindset shifts, psychology, and personal growth — designed to help you think clearer, communicate better, and lead with more confidence.
In every short, practical episode, Pellegrino and Francois explore the ideas that shape how we live and work: motivation, stress, happiness, relationships, decision-making, leadership, communication, culture, and the stories we tell ourselves.
We break big concepts into simple insights you can use immediately — to improve your mindset, boost emotional resilience, increase self-awareness, and show up as your best self in everyday life.
If you're interested in leadership development, self-improvement, emotional intelligence training, better communication, or understanding why people behave the way they do, you're in the right place. Modern life is noisy. NUGGETS cuts through the noise — giving you clarity, grounded thinking, and wisdom you can use in minutes.
Because one good insight can change everything.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Francois is out with a heroic case of man flu (he’ll survive), so today it’s just Pellegrino — alone in his man cave — reflecting on a moment that changed his entire working life.
This episode is about identity, reinvention, and the psychological power of acceptance. Not the passive kind. The kind that creates clarity — and movement.
Pellegrino shares how, when COVID hit and his entire calendar vanished in a week, he didn’t just lose work — he lost identity. And how a forgotten guest room in his cellar became the place where he rebuilt everything from scratch.
In this episode you’ll learn:
This short, intimate Nugget sets up next week’s episode on Control — why humans hate powerlessness, why uncertainty triggers ancient threat systems, and how to reclaim agency in everyday life.
Francois returns next week… assuming he survives the man flu.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dig into one of the most common questions they get: How do you stay confident on stage?
Spoiler: confidence isn’t magic — it’s preparation, perspective, and the right kind of nerves. From silent preparation to authentic delivery, from controlling your message to controlling your mindset, they break down how anyone can turn stage fright into stage presence. Expect practical tips, honest stories, laughter, and one brilliant tale involving Sir Ken Robinson, a six-year-old girl, and a drawing of God.
If you present at work, speak at weddings, moderate events, or simply want to feel calmer before you stand up in front of people — this is your episode.
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Is love a miracle… or nature’s smartest con?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dive into the messy, magical, biochemical force that hijacks our brains and convinces us to jump head-first into love.
Drawing on Helen Fisher’s research, dopamine science, evolutionary psychology, Love Actually, and one unforgettable cameo from Francois’ real soulmate — Caesar the dog — they unpack:
Funny, relatable, and surprisingly emotional, this episode is for romantics, realists, dog lovers, and anyone who’s ever wondered why we love the way we do.
Because the biggest scam in nature… is also the one we keep running toward.
That’s today’s Nugget. See you next time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why do we treat “busy” like a badge of honour?
In this NUGGETS episode, Pellegrino and Francois dive into one of the great modern addictions — busyness. From bees and lions to burnout and balance, they explore why constant motion makes us feel valuable, why mild stress quietly erodes creativity, and why slowing down often feels scarier than speeding up.
You’ll hear:
This is an invitation to pause, breathe, and notice what your mind does when you finally stop.
Because the smartest people don’t just know how to move — they know when to stop.
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Why do we avoid talking to strangers — and what does it cost us?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois explore the quiet power of everyday encounters: the compliment that opens a door, the one curious question that changes the mood on a bus, and even the story of an English bulldog named Caesar who turns heads (and starts conversations).
From Walt Whitman — beautifully read by Sir Kenneth Branagh — to Norway’s Generation M pairing youth with elders for honest, meaningful chats, this episode digs into why small talk isn’t small at all. It’s human. It’s how we escape our echo chambers. It’s how we grow.
You’ll learn:
✔️ Why we look down, plug in, and pass by — and how to reverse it
✔️ How a simple “entry ticket” (a compliment or a question) transforms a moment
✔️ What reading the room like a great taxi driver really means
✔️ Why people want your presence, not your perfection
✔️ And Ram Dass’s reminder that says it all: “We’re all just walking each other home.”
A gentle challenge closes the episode: notice one person today — and offer a moment of connection. Not perfect. Just human.
Because connection beats perfection, every time.
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Success feels amazing… until it starts slowing you down.
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois explore the paradox of success — how comfort, routine, and “doing well” can quietly kill curiosity, creativity, and long-term growth.
From Vanilla Ice to The Matrix, from business stories to brain science, they unpack why the very thing that made you successful can also hold you back.
You’ll hear why the brain prefers safety over exploration, how success creates a “comfort trap,” and why curiosity — not achievement — is the real engine of momentum. The boys share personal stories, practical tools, and one powerful reminder:
Success is not a finish line — it’s a temptation. Curiosity is the antidote.
Tune in to learn how to stay hungry, keep taking risks, and keep the buzz alive… even when things are going great.
Because growth doesn’t stop when you win — it stops when you get comfortable.
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What happens when loyalty meets stinginess?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino tells the unforgettable story of being charged €30 for a 3-kilo “overweight” bike bag — after 25 years of loyalty to the same airline.
But this Nugget isn’t about luggage. It’s about the psychology behind stinginess, fairness, fear, and the Norwegian word RAUS — the exact opposite of stingy.
Together, Pellegrino and Francois explore why stinginess hurts more than money, how rigid rules weaken trust, and why generosity boosts connection, loyalty, and even brain chemistry.
From Marcus Buckingham’s experience makers to cultural insights about fairness and recognition, this is a playful but powerful dive into one of life’s most annoying traits — and what it teaches us about leadership and being human.
Your Nugget: Stinginess comes from fear. Generosity comes from strength.
And the real cost of stinginess isn’t €45… it’s relationships.
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Why is it so hard to take a compliment?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois explore the strange psychology of compliments — why we squirm, why we downplay them, and why the right one can make someone’s whole day.
From British awkwardness to Norwegian modesty, from As Good As It Gets to neuroscience, this conversation uncovers how compliments fuel connection, trust, and belonging.
We break down:
If you’ve ever brushed off praise with “oh, it was nothing,” this one’s for you.
Because the right compliment isn’t ego… it’s connection.
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Why does being different feel so dangerous — especially today?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dig into the ancient fear of standing out, why our brains still treat “being too different” as a threat, and how social media has cranked that fear up to maximum volume.
From tribal survival wiring to Steve Jobs, Prince, Bowie, and the stories we hide even from the people closest to us, this episode unpacks:
Inspired by Pellegrino’s daughter Emily, this Nugget asks a simple but life-changing question:
What’s riskier — being laughed at today, or regretting a life where you never showed who you really are?
Because the courage to be different isn’t the end of fear —
It’s the beginning of belonging.
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Why does being left out literally hurt?
In this powerful episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois explore the deep human need for belonging — and what happens when it’s missing. Drawing on Brené Brown’s famous words, “In the absence of love and belonging, there is only suffering,” they break down the science, the psychology, and the lived experience of feeling left out, rejected, or invisible.
You’ll learn why the brain processes rejection like physical pain, how small relational signals (“You matter. We share a future.”) shape trust, and why belonging at work is more than culture — it’s a performance driver. From the Cyberball experiment to the loneliness epidemic, this episode reveals why connection isn’t a luxury… it’s survival.
Tune in and ask yourself:
How are you creating belonging where you lead? Where you live? And who around you needs the signal: “You matter”?
Because belonging isn’t soft — it’s human strength.
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What does it really mean to grow up poor?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois open up about childhoods shaped by scarcity — no holidays, no pocket money, sometimes just one chocolate bar split between five kids. From immigrant families to life in the “richest country in the world,” they explore how poverty gets into your head, and why some of those habits never fully leave.
They unpack the psychology of growing up with “not enough”: how it affects stress, decision-making, ambition, guilt, and even generosity. And they explore the emotional side too — the pride, the shame, the resilience, and the strange tension that comes when you succeed, but part of you still feels like the kid counting coins at the shop counter.
This isn’t just a conversation about money. It’s about identity, survival, and the invisible inheritance of scarcity.
If you grew up with less — or love someone who did — this one will land deep.
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Why does silence feel so awkward? And why do so many of us avoid it?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dive into the strange truth about modern silence — from the famous experiment where people preferred electric shocks over fifteen minutes alone with their thoughts, to why stillness used to be a natural part of daily life.
Through stories, science, and plenty of laughter, they unpack what silence does to the brain:
If silence feels uncomfortable, that’s not a flaw — that’s a message. Your brain is trying to tell you something.
Your Nugget: Real connection begins with presence — and presence begins with silence.
Perfect for listeners curious about mindfulness, boredom, phone addiction, mental health, creativity, reflection, and emotional intelligence.
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Behind every emotionally healthy man, there’s usually a Francois — or a Pellegrino. A friend who sees your mess, sticks around, and laughs and cries with you anyway.
In this episode of NUGGETS, we explore the secret power of male friendship — why it’s often awkward, why men struggle to say “I love you,” and how a real bromance can literally save lives.
From ancient stories like Gilgamesh & Enkidu to Chandler & Joey, male friendships have always mattered… but today, they might be more important than ever.
We dig into:
This one is raw, honest, awkward, funny — and surprisingly moving. If you’ve ever had (or needed) a Francois in your life, this episode is for you.
Listen in — and maybe send this episode to your Francois.
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“There is a crack in everything — that’s how the light gets in.”
Leonard Cohen wasn’t talking about pottery. He was talking about us.
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dive into the real meaning of vulnerability — why we crave it in others but fear it in ourselves.
From emotional armour to awkward dinner parties to Norwegian oil-rig crews who literally became safer after vulnerability training, this conversation exposes why letting people see the cracks might be your greatest strength.
We unpack:
Vulnerability isn’t oversharing.
It’s appropriate openness.
It’s the courage to go first — even just a little.
If you’ve ever wanted deeper relationships, safer teams, or a life with less pretending, this episode is your reminder that your cracks aren’t flaws — they’re where the light gets in.
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Why do women in emergency rooms wait up to 30 minutes longer than men to receive pain relief? And why are women’s symptoms still dismissed as “emotional,” “unclear,” or “overreacting”—even today?
In this powerful episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dive into the science and story behind one of the biggest credibility gaps in modern healthcare: gender bias in pain.
From ER research on 20,000+ patients to the staggering fact that most medical trials historically used only male bodies, we uncover why women’s pain is consistently downplayed — and how that delay leads to slower recovery, more complications, and more chronic pain.
We explore:
This isn’t about one doctor or one hospital. It’s systemic.
And for women, “we’ll get to you when we can” has gone on long enough.
Nugget of the Day:
Believing women isn’t empathy — it’s evidence-based care.
Listen in, and share this one. Someone needs to hear it.
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Why do women wait up to 30 minutes longer than men to receive pain relief in emergency rooms? Why are female symptoms still dismissed as “unclear,” “emotional,” or “atypical”?
And how did decades of medical research exclude women entirely?
In this powerful episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dive into the uncomfortable truth about gender bias in pain, backed by real science and real stories. From ER studies of 20,000+ patients to the legacy of male-only medical trials, we explore how women’s pain has been ignored, misdiagnosed, or minimised — not because the science doesn’t exist, but because the system wasn’t designed with women in mind.
You’ll learn:
A sharp, eye-opening, deeply important episode that reveals a truth too many women already know: pain isn’t treated equally.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gratitude isn’t just a warm feeling — it’s a brain-changing habit that boosts mood, memory, connection, and emotional resilience.
In this feel-good episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois explore why gratitude works, how it rewires your chemistry, and why small moments — like two sandwiches on a park bench — can stay with you for decades.
With stories, science, and a serotonin fact-check from ChatGPT, they break down:
If you’ve been moving too fast, feeling the pressure, or just need a reminder that small thanks have big impact, this episode is your reset button.
Gratitude isn’t an emotion — it’s a practice. And it starts now.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if the most powerful thing you could do this summer… is absolutely nothing?
In this episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois dive into the hidden science behind disconnection, dopamine, and the JOMO effect — the Joy of Missing Out. From the addictive pull of social media to the neuroscience of constant noise, they explore why our brains are burning out… and how stepping away from the slot machine in our pockets can reset your mind, mood, and creativity.
You’ll learn:
If you’ve ever felt fried, overstimulated, or trapped in an endless scroll loop, this episode is your invitation to take your brain on holiday.
Because sometimes the most important things happen when no one else sees them.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if the hardest battle in life isn’t work, ambition, or relationships… but simply being yourself?
In this raw and thought-provoking episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois unpack what authenticity really means — and why it’s becoming harder in a world full of filters, roles, expectations, and silent pressure to conform. From stage personas to real-life regrets, they explore the emotional and biological cost of inauthenticity, and why being true to your inner author is an act of rebellion.
You’ll learn:
Packed with stories, neuroscience, and the kind of honesty that hits deep, this episode is a reminder that being yourself hurts sometimes — but pretending hurts more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does ambition have to do with beauty? And why do men and women still get judged by such different standards?
In this thought-provoking episode of NUGGETS, Pellegrino and Francois unpack one explosive sentence — “A man without ambition is like a woman without beauty.”
From gender roles to cultural ideals, from John Lennon to Pamela Anderson, they explore how society teaches men to chase achievement and women to chase appearance — and why these outdated scripts can still quietly shape how we measure our worth.
You’ll hear stories, science, social commentary, and sharp humour as they dig into big questions:
A spicy, reflective, modern conversation about ambition, beauty, pressure, and what really matters.
Listen, rethink, and maybe… rewrite your own script.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.