Piera Gelardi is a creative entrepreneur, speaker, and artist best known as the co-founder of Refinery29 and the visionary behind 29Rooms. Now the founder of Numa Luma and author of The Playful Way, Piera helps individuals and organizations tap into creativity, connection, and joy through the power of play. Blending art, business, and personal development, she brings a fresh perspective on how play can be a serious advantage in both life and work.

On this episode we talk about:

Why play isn’t a reward for hard work—but the fuel behind it
How to integrate a “playful mindset” into your daily work and leadership style
The concept of “plork” and blending play with productivity
How Piera overcame burnout by reconnecting with her creative instincts
Balancing intuition with expert advice when scaling a business

Top 3 Takeaways

Play is not frivolous—it’s a powerful tool that enhances creativity, resilience, and problem-solving in both business and life.
You don’t need to separate work and play; adopting a playful mindset can transform even the most routine or high-pressure tasks.
Trust your intuition as a creator or leader, but use outside input as collaboration—not a replacement for your vision.

Notable Quotes

"Play is actually the fuel in your tank to do the hard work—and to do it with more creativity, connection, and joy."
"In any moment, we can choose the pressured way or the playful way."
"Why do you think you have to become a different person to get to the next level of success?"

Connect with Piera Gelardi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piera-luisa-gelardi-3493336/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieraluisa
Other: Website: https://www.pieragelardi.com
Nooma Looma App: Available for download
Book: The Playful Way

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