April 18, 2026

INTERVIEW | Make Money by Unlocking Creativity Through Play with Piera Gelardi

INTERVIEW | Make Money by Unlocking Creativity Through Play with Piera Gelardi
Apple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconYoutube Music podcast player icon
Apple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconYoutube Music podcast player icon

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

  1. Play is not frivolous—it’s a powerful tool that enhances creativity, resilience, and problem-solving in both business and life.
  2. You don’t need to separate work and play; adopting a playful mindset can transform even the most routine or high-pressure tasks.
  3. 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:


Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.

Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.

Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices