Shape My Book Get your name in it! There’s an incredible joy in discovering and devouring a great book. Browsing the book store shelves to find that one book that speaks to you has always been one of my favorite date nights. (You know I’m a nerd, right?) Buddy - choosing a book to devour... The book campaign I’ve been running for Play Works is different. The book isn’t done yet. It’s headed into revisions before it hits the bookstore shelves. So you have an entirely different opportunity....
6 days ago • 1 min read
The Power of Play What the Research Says I’ve been doing a deep dive into the impact of play and the state of our world in researching for my book. That’s why I have become so passionate about recognizing that Play Works! Regular play reduces the level of cortisol ("the stress hormone") by up to 30% Those who play regularly are 35% more likely to bring problem-solving skills and creativity to work Only 20% of employees globally identify as being engaged according to Gallup polls. Once they’ve...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Play Re-Sets September 2026 I’m hoping to get 50 people in my author community before the book campaign closes in 2 weeks. I'm almost half way there. I’ve shared some of the programs already, but involvement in the campaign starts with just $50. That’s a signed copy, but also any opportunities I share with my author community: early access to a chapter, a gathering to talk about the research, or to play a game together. If you’re on this email list, I think you’d enjoy the extra invitations...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Original Play September 2026 My piano came back to me this month. My grandmother was a concert pianist. This is the piano she received as a wedding gift and played for years. I didn’t know her, but my sister and I became the beneficiaries. Playing piano is what first taught me about discipline and practice. I performed and competed through high school. When I decided “professional musician” was not the career path I was ready to devote myself to, it became my hobby, a love, occasionally a...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Breakthrough Session September 2026 I was not a kid who played with LEGO® bricks. But now, they’re in almost every room of my house. After hearing about LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY™ (LSP) from multiple podcast guests, I decided I had to give it a try myself. I became a convert. It isn’t just a release, it helps me think. That’s what I hope it can do for others as one of the perks I’m offering in my book campaign: a LSP Breakthrough Coaching session. When I trained in LSP facilitation and coaching...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Permission to Play August 2026 As an adult, do you play the same way you played as a kid? When did you last play? …not for or with your kids, or in the way somebody else likes to play, but unabashedly your own, joy-filled, no-obligation, time flies play. When did you last do that? What did it look and feel like? What if you could do that more often? I developed Permission to Play because I kept hearing adults say they didn’t have time, they didn’t really know how they played any more, or they...
29 days ago • 2 min read
Sneak Peek August 2026 My podcast - Lead With a Dash of Play - was born of curiosity: does play have a place in the professional world? After 40+ interviews with CEOs, executives, and experts, I can say with certainty: play is a leadership skill. My book is the extension of that realization. And leadership is not just for business. Leadership is when we take the first step to connect with another person. Leadership is when we take a stand for what’s needed in the world. And yes, leadership is...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
The Book August 2026 Happy Sunday! I’m headed off to paint with the “School of Imperfection” this afternoon. A casual painting of "Jimothy" (for those who've heard of the imperfect raccoon). I’ll try not to overthink the fact that the founder of “School of Imperfection” told me I could teach there. (ha ha) The way I use and share art is through play, not perfection. I'm going to take it as that, rather than me being a model of imperfection. I hope your weekend is also filled with delight and...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
August 2026 Many of you know me from a particular way I play - with transformative journaling, storytelling, and brick-building with LEGO Serious Play - or perhaps from the conversations I have with people about play in professional spaces on my podcast, Lead with a dash of Play. Here’s why I decided to dive into the research, deep thought, and writing to bring these ideas into book form. The joy and curiosity that light people up when we talk about not leaving play out of our work. The...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read