What if the real ROI in events isn’t in the budget spreadsheet, but in the relationships behind it?

In this episode, seasoned event leader Gabriella Robuccio joins Nika to unpack why emotional intelligence, mental health, and relationship management aren’t “soft skills” – they’re the foundation of sustainable success in the events industry.

In this powerful conversation, Nika sits down with Gabriella Robuccio, an event professional with over 15 years of experience, to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable, human-centered career in the events industry. Drawing on her journey from a middle child comedian and natural connector to a respected leader, Gabriella reflects on how much the industry has changed – and how far it still has to go when it comes to mental health, emotional intelligence, and relationship management.

Gabriella shares how, when she started out, there was no training around mental health, emotional intelligence, or how to handle the emotional load of high-pressure event work. Today, the industry is finally beginning to recognise that “burnout isn’t a dirty word” and that it’s okay – and necessary – to talk about wellbeing, boundaries, and support. She explains why investing in your own emotional skills and self-awareness isn’t indulgent; it’s essential to preventing burnout, reducing conflict, and leading teams with clarity and care.

Together, Gabriella and Nika break down the myth that relationship management is “just a soft skill.” From attendee and employee retention to sponsor loyalty and stakeholder trust, Gabriella argues that relationships are the backbone of successful events – even if they don’t show up as a line item in the budget. She offers practical strategies for leaders: asking better questions, really listening to their teams, setting clear expectations, and building psychological safety without micromanaging.

The episode also dives into the power of self-awareness and the “why” behind our decisions. Gabriella talks about understanding how you best receive and process information, why misaligned expectations and fuzzy boundaries fuel conflict, and how naming your needs helps people work with you instead of around you. Along the way, she shares empowering reminders: it’s okay to invest in yourself, to name burnout, and to build a career that doesn’t require sacrificing your health.

If you’re an event professional, leader, or anyone working in high-pressure environments, this conversation is a practical, compassionate guide to building relationships that last, leading with emotional intelligence, and protecting your mental health along the way.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague in the events industry who might be quietly battling burnout or struggling with stakeholder relationships. Subscribe, leave a review, and let Nika know: What’s one relationship skill you wish you’d learned earlier in your career?

What if the key to happiness and professional fulfilment isn’t about changing who you are, but finally allowing yourself to be seen as you are?

In this episode of The Pink Nest Podcast, I sit down with Isidora Laur Vukovic, a marketing and project management professional based in Brussels, whose personal story beautifully blends courage, growth, and authenticity.

After a decade in Belgrade working in business and marketing, Isidora moved to Brussels to start fresh, only to find that experience and qualifications weren’t enough to guarantee belonging. Through setbacks, difficult managers, and career transitions, she learned that authenticity and self‑acceptance are the foundation of resilience, fulfilment, and genuine connection.

Together, we explore how living authentically transforms both personal and professional life: how embracing who you truly are can open doors to opportunity, support emotional wellbeing, and help you create meaning beyond success.

This conversation is a gentle yet powerful reminder that you don’t need to fix yourself to grow, you only need to understand yourself.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re navigating change or feeling uncertain in your career.

• You’ve struggled to fit in or felt pressured to perform at work.

• You want to reconnect with your personal values and authenticity.

• You’re seeking deeper fulfilment through self‑discovery and self‑acceptance.

What if emotional intelligence isn’t about fixing yourself, but about finally understanding yourself?

In this episode of the Pink Nest Podcast, I’m joined by Sara-Louise Goode, mentor to teen girls and midlife women, and an emotional intelligence expert.

Sara-Louise shares her journey from a difficult childhood to the work she does today, supporting women to turn pain, trauma, and insecurity into deep self-knowing rather than self-judgement.

Together, we talk about emotional intelligence, sovereignty, and what it really means to be aware of your inner world. not to control it, but to understand it. We explore how self-awareness expands your choices, strengthens communication, and creates more honest, connected lives.

This is a gentle, thoughtful conversation about learning to listen to yourself and how that can quietly change everything.

This episode is for you if:

• You want to communicate more honestly without losing connection
• You’re noticing old emotional patterns and want to understand them, not suppress them
• You’re curious about sovereignty as awareness, not control
• You’re learning to trust yourself more deeply.