The Playful Way with Refinery29 Founder & Author Piera Gelardi: April Book of the Month
I was serious.
At 16, I started working at a local Seattle radio and television station. By 17, I was at KOMO, the ABC affiliate—already stepping into what would become my career. I built a persona that was polished, protective, and professional.
By 27, I had started my own business.
And by my mid-40s, I was asking myself: Who am I on the inside?
CEO. Founder. Those titles were everything I knew. But underneath them was someone I had barely knew. I’d see people out enjoying their weekends, going to movies, being spontaneous, and I’d think to myself what a waste of time.
Can you imagine? More than once, people told me: "You need to lighten up." "You’re so serious." "You need to learn how to play.”
They were right.
That’s why I chose April’s book of the month, The Playful Way: Creativity, Connection, and Joy Through Everyday Moments of Play by Piera Gelardi, founder of Refinery29 and author of this fabulous new book. She invites us to give ourselves “radical permission” to experience life differently through play. An invitation I needed years ago.
And what if it’s that simple? Piera reveals how small moments of play can shift perspectives, deepen connection, and bring more curiosity, wonder, and joy into everyday life.
One idea I love is her concept of a “PLAY shift,” a small but powerful reframing when you feel rigid or reactive. Or creating intentional “play dates,” where the goal isn’t productivity, but possibility: Plan a loose adventure. Start somewhere and let yourself wander. Say yes to detours. Follow curiosity. Collect stories. Even the mishaps become part of the magic.
RevelEleven Advisory Board member, Monica Huntsberry, will be speaking with Piera on April 22nd at 12:00 pm PST. I hope you'll join us for this fun and empowering live conversation where you'll get the chance to ask your questions directly to the author. You can sign up for the free event HERE.
I chose this book as a reminder that life doesn’t have to be so serious.
So I’ll ask you what I’m asking myself: How will you invite more play into your life?
Joanie Parsons
Founder/Adventurist of RevelEleven