TL;DR: I love podcasting because unfiltered, non-judgmental conversations can turn heavy topics into shared belly laughs. I’ve been quietly recording the first episodes of the Indie CRONE Conversations Podcast with four incredible self-employed guests. As I seek support for full production, I’m building a bank of stories to remind us we aren’t alone – and looking for more guests to join me.
I absolutely LOVE podcasting, mostly because I just love chatting! For me, a podcast is an unfiltered opportunity to connect with another human being who wants to get into the realness of a topic. It is a space where we can find a way to chuckle – or actually belly laugh – about things that, on paper, can feel heavy, isolating, and deeply difficult.
It never ceases to amaze me what the human spirit can bring to a conversation when it is met with zero judgment and pure understanding.
While the new website has been coming together, I’ve been quietly meeting on Zoom calls and pressing record. I am so incredibly grateful to the first four brilliant guests who have trusted me with their stories. Here is a little glimpse into what we’ve been chatting about:
Karen Arthur | Menopause Whilst Black
It was an absolute joy to chat with Karen, who shared her menopause experience, starting Menopause Whilst Black and life now as a post-menopausal self-employed creative, writer and advocate. She shared some beautiful nuggets on setting boundaries, listening to her body, and allowing oneself to transform and claim a unique path forward. Karen’s wisdom is a reminder to be gentle with ourselves, to trust the process, and to recognise that rest and creativity are essential parts of the journey as an entrepreneur.
Kiran Patel | Illustrating Rain
A huge thank you to Kiran for sharing her perimenopausal journey so far and the profound impact this transition can have on self-employed artists. Kiran opened up about how perimenopause revealed a raw honesty in her self-expression, which necessitated some shifts in her creative and business practices – including developing new courses and changing her approach to social media. We talked honestly about the challenge of balancing business needs with personal health, and the immense value of community companionship along the way.
Sharon Worth | Sharon Worth Coaching
I recently discovered Sharon’s work through Instagram, where she focuses on the intersection of perimenopause, menopause, and neurodivergence. Sharon shared her personal journey of discovering both her perimenopause and ADHD diagnoses around age 43–44, a pivotal moment that led her to pursue coaching and co-author two books, including Meno Wars. She also shed light on how practical support, like the DWP Access to Work grant for body doubling and accountability, allowed her to build her business. Sharon’s insights on self-compassion and trusting your instincts when navigating these overlapping life transitions are vital for anyone who works for themselves.
Natalie Lue | Baggage Reclaim & Author of The Joy of Saying No
Natalie shared her experience of navigating perimenopause for nine years, opening up about symptoms like freezing, overthinking, and a decline in confidence that affected her ability to generate an income. She discussed having a hysterectomy and the logistical tightrope of balancing medical appointments with business responsibilities. Natalie also described how she has recently prioritised her art practice, realising she needed to make her artistic identity a priority. We both looked ahead at entering our 50s, sharing our plans to be gentler on ourselves and lean into our creativity over traditional business metrics.
What’s Next?
I am now actively looking for support to produce the podcast. In the meantime, I am going to keep pressing record and building a varied, rich bank of incredible stories. My hope is that these conversations will help us feel a little less alone, understand ourselves a bit more, and provide some inspiration along the way.
Could you be next? If you are an independent income creator and navigating the hormonal shifts of any stage of menopause and would like to be a guest on the podcast, please get in touch! I would love to chat with you.