Cherie Clonan, Founder and CEO of The Digital Picnic, is transforming the landscape of digital media and workplace culture. Guided by her own late diagnosis and idenitification as an Autistic PDA woman, she's pioneering a new standard for workplaces that empower neurodivergent individuals to succeed on their terms. In episode 49 of Classroom 5.0, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cherie, to hear first hand how she's implementing everyday leadership practices and workplace policies that reflect her deep understanding of what it takes for neurodivergent individuals to thrive. While traditional narratives frame PDA as an anxiety-driven response to everyday demands, Cherie, like me, challenges this reductionist view. Instead, she describes PDA as a complexity of her neurobiological wiring that fuels her creativity, autonomy, and fierce sense of justice. I found myself wiping away tears and roaring with laughter as Cherie shared personal and professional anecdotes that vividly captured the fierce determination, creative problem-solving, and sharp humor that embody the strengths of PDA, and highlight her unstoppable drive as a leader fostering inclusive impact and innovation. Learn more about Cherie, watch the full interview on YouTube, and explore the resources discussed by visiting the episode page here: https://www.marianepower.com.au/blog/49 If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend, or take a minute to rate and review on your favouritie podcasting platform! Conversation Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Origin Story 02:27 Understanding Neurodiversity and Late Diagnosis 05:20 Unmasking and Leadership 08:07 Creating a Psychologically Safe Workplace 11:21 The Dance of Authenticity and Boundaries 13:31 Masking vs. Compensation Strategies 16:39 Exploring Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) 27:06 Embracing PDA Leadership 30:32 Radical Inclusion in the Workplace 37:48 Creativity and Flow in Neurodivergent Teams 44:16 Impact Mindset and Legacy Connect with Mariane: IG : ‪@marianepower‬ LinkedIn @marianepower www.marianepower.com.au