30 Years of Inside Info: The Power of Play

June 10, 2025 by Michele Cavin, Creative Services Director

At Inside Information, we’ve always known that play isn’t just for kids. Long before companies like Google or Facebook began branding playtime as innovative “culture,” we had recess. Literally. We played HORSE in the parking lot, took walking breaks in the fresh country air, and way back in 2004, we even hosted our own week-long hillbilly game Olympics.

The spirit of joy and play has always been a cornerstone of how we collaborate, connect, and create.

It’s so important to our company ethos that our #1 core value is: We are fun team players that don’t take ourselves (too) seriously. We bring a playful spirit to work, work together to get things done, and are genuinely interested in others’ cares and concerns.

Why Play Still Matters

At the recent NRECA Connect Conference in Kansas City, keynote speaker Marli Williams reminded us why play isn't just nostalgic—it’s necessary. Her message? Play is powerful. Especially in uncertain times.

“Play and joy are the antidote to burnout,” she said. “Happiness is a fleeting emotion, but joy comes from within.”

That really resonated with me. As Marli explained, play isn’t frivolous—it’s restorative. It’s a practice, much like meditation. It’s productive, healing, and vital to creativity and well-being. She encouraged us to build a personal “playlist”—a list of activities that bring us joy—and to make them a priority. Mine? Pickleball, water aerobics, LEGOs, painting, video and board games.

It was a great reminder that joy is something we can actively cultivate, not just wait for. She also reminded us that the cleaning and laundry tasks will always be there, so don’t WAIT to experience play, especially when our kids reach out to spend that time with us.

Balloon Volleyball & Surprise Recess

Inspired, I brought a little play into the office. Recently, I showed up after lunch one day with a balloon, and surprised our amazing design team, Trinity and Nicole, by asking them to put down their work so we could have a recess. For around 10-15 minutes, we played balloon volleyball (just like in elementary school). We tapped the balloon around, trying to keep it off the floor. And you know what? We laughed. We got energized. We returned to our work with more focus and fresh eyes. It gave us a chance to talk and reconnect, separate from our tasks at hand.

Later that evening, I tried it at home. My sister gave me a skeptical look and said, “I don’t think anyone but YOU really wants to do this.” So I sat down with my balloon and pouted. But soon enough my sorrow turned to joy, when my son and nephew came out of their rooms, ready to play. What started as an experiment ended in belly laughs and bonding. The balloon comically hit the ceiling fan several times, and the game wasn’t over until it deflated. The boys quickly formed a team to take on the moms and started calling each other “brother” instead of just “bruh.” Play created connection. Magic.

Cultivating Everyday Joy

Marli also shared simple daily practices that can help us build joy into our routines:

• Start a gratitude practice by writing down things you're grateful for each day.
• Turn “have to” into “get to” and shift your mindset.
• Create a “jelly jar of joy” and drop in daily notes of what brings you joy.
• Look for the good—the more you are looking for it, the easier it is to find.

She reminded us that even a one-degree shift can create a ripple effect of positivity in mindset, energy, and perspective.

Poll: What’s Your Recess Game?

If your office adjourned for recess today, which game would you choose to create more joy? To celebrate 30 years of play at Inside Info, one lucky quick quiz participant will be randomly selected to receive a sweet treat! 

Take the poll >>>

Featured Idea of the Month: More Time for Joy

This month’s feature comes from Cullman Electric Cooperative in Alabama. They created a simple email reminder for auto pay members with expiring credit or debit cards, prompting them to update their information.

Subject: ⚠️ Action Required: Your Credit Card on File Is Expiring
Link: https://comm.cullmanec.com/resources/2025-emails/250125-credit-card-expiration-notice.html
Preheader: Please update your information ASAP

The result? Their member service team experienced a significant drop in time spent mailing letters to members and making calls to follow up.

And what happens when you spend less time on tedious tasks? More time for meaningful connections—or maybe a round of balloon volleyball in the breakroom.

Learn more about Marli and her mission to be a facilitator of possibility, purpose and play:  https://www.marliwilliams.com/