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Decorative image — In the lift with: Francesca Tighinean of the Psychology Podcast
Psychology educator Francesca Tighinean shares the thinking behind her 3M+ following, from building genuine connection to showing up for yourself and setting healthier boundaries at work.
Find out more about Francesca's work

You’ve built a 3M+ audience organically. What’s been the biggest lesson?

That we’re far more alike than we think. I hear from thousands of people every month and coach individuals across the world, India, Canada, the US, and the same patterns come up again and again. Different situations, but very similar challenges.

Was there one post that changed everything for you?

There have been a few, but one that really shifted things was the idea that annoyance is the price we pay for connection and community. It reframed something people experience every day, turning frustration into something more meaningful. It also helped people understand what my content is really about: honest, human psychology.

What’s one rule about social media you think creators or brands should ignore?

Posting for the sake of it. Consistency matters, but not at the expense of quality. I’d always choose one strong, valuable post a week, or even a month, over constant content that doesn’t land.

And on the flip side, what’s one principle people should stick to?

Offer real value, and make it engaging. If people are giving you their time, it should feel worth it. Insight is important, but how you deliver it is what makes people stop, connect and remember.

What’s one small shift that can instantly change how someone is perceived at work?

Start with warmth. We tend to judge people on two dimensions, warmth and competence. Competence matters, but warmth builds trust. Open body language, a genuine smile, making people feel at ease, it makes a real difference.

When work starts to feel overwhelming, how can people set boundaries without guilt?

Make your priorities visible. A simple way to do it is to say, “I can take this on, what would you like me to deprioritise?” It creates transparency and helps others understand your workload. Most managers don’t have full visibility, so it shifts the conversation in a constructive way.

Do you think people can ever be fully themselves at work?

I think we show up differently across different areas of our lives. You’re not the same with your friends as you are with your family or your partner, and work is no different. That’s not inauthentic, it’s adaptive. We all play different roles, and that’s completely normal.

If you could give every workplace one golden rule for better connection, what would it be?

Create psychological safety. So many companies focus on surface-level culture, events, perks, team days, but overlook the foundation. People need to feel safe, respected and included first. Everything else builds from there.