In this fiery, vulnerable, deeply human conversation, I sit down with Cherie Clonan — Founder of The Digital Picnic, workplace culture visionary, autistic leader, and one of the most heart-led humans online — to talk about perimenopause, identity shifts, leadership, boundaries, and what it looks like to rebuild yourself during a season you never saw coming.
Cherie shares candidly about her hysterectomy, the sudden onset of perimenopause, and the emotional and hormonal rollercoaster that followed. We talk about grief for former versions of ourselves, the brain fog that feels like gaslighting, and the profound change that comes when you stop abandoning yourself and start protecting your energy like it’s sacred.
We dive into friendship breakups, standards, letting go of hyper-explaining, and the surprising empowerment of entering your “villain era” — that season where being disliked is no longer a fear, but a sign that you’re finally living in alignment.
She also opens up about team culture, leadership, founder loneliness, neurodivergence, and the world-first policy at The Digital Picnic that put her on the global map.
Highlights include:💬 Navigating sudden perimenopause, identity grief, and emotional recalibration💬 Why letting go of draining friendships can feel like a spiritual cleanse💬 The “villain era”: reclaiming power, voice, and energetic sovereignty💬 How to protect founder energy while leading a large and growing team💬 Neurodivergence, diagnosis accessibility, and TDP’s world-first policy💬 Why appreciation, kindness, and micro-moments can transform workplace culture💬 Predicting “the big break” that’s coming in 2026 — personally and professionally
“Villains aren’t cruel — they’re just women who stopped abandoning themselves.” — Cherie Clonan
