Autism for Badass Moms

Autism for Badass Moms

Are you a mother of a child with autism, struggling to maintain balance, feeling overwhelmed, and frequently second guessing your decisions? Do you often feel like you're navigating a maze with no map, grappling with feelings of isolation, anxiety and exhaustion? Are you seeking ways to manage your stress, regain your strength, and find joy and fulfillment. "Autism for Badass Moms" is the podcast you've been waiting for. This show is your guide to becoming that badass, mentally and emotionally strong mother you know you can be. I am your host, Rashidah Cartwright, a fellow autism mom, personal development coach, and experienced mental health and substance use professional with over 18 years of dedicated service in the field. I am also a proud mother of four beautiful children, two of whom have been diagnosed with autism. One of my children also has a diagnosis of ADHD. Each week is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. We shed light on the often unseen emotional journey through heartfelt conversations with autism moms, we uncover the raw and authentic experiences that shape your life. In each episode, we discuss everything from finding balance in the chaos, mind shifts, regulating your nervous system, and setting healthy boundaries. You'll not only find a supportive community that understands your struggles, but you'll also equip yourself with the tools to become a more confident, resilient, and empowered autism mom. Step into your power. Unleash your inner badass. Start listening now and transform your struggles into strengths. Welcome to "Autism for Badass Moms" - the space for autism moms who want to become unapologetically badass. * * * *The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of anything you have seen or heard from RASHIDAH CARTWRIGHT, PODCAST GUESTS OR THIS PODCAST.

Episodes

December 9, 2025 59 mins
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tawana Chealy, a mother of two sons, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. They discuss the unique challenges of finding love as a single mom, the emotional toll of raising a child with autism, and the journey of healing and hope after heartbreak. Tawana shares her personal experiences, including the struggles of processing her son's ...
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In this episode Julie M. Green discusses her experiences as a mother and a writer. Julie shares her journey of discovering that both she and her son are autistic, discussing the challenges and the learning curve involved with raising an autistic child in a time when information and resources were limited. She touches on her diagnosis process, the isolation she felt, and the eventual realization that understanding her own autism hel...
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November 18, 2025 35 mins
In this episode, Rashidah welcomes Sierra, a mother who shares her personal journey of raising her son, Christian, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and also exhibits signs of Pica. Sierra explains the early signs, including tiptoe walking and delayed speech, that led to his autism diagnosis. She discusses the challenges of managing Pica, a condition where Christian has an urge to eat non-food items like lotion and ha...
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In this powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah sits down with Chanel Grant, an educator, advocate, and the fierce force behind Rise of the Phoenix: The M.O.D.Y. Manifesto. From the sunny state of California, Chanel opens up about her deeply personal journey—one shaped by resilience, advocacy, and an unshakable love for her son, (“Lex”), who was diagnosed with autism and a language impairment at age three. When Chanel...
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In this episode, Alicia Renee, founder of the IEP Files and advocate for neurodivergent children, shares her personal journey of raising her son, including her struggles and triumphs in navigating the special education system. She discusses the diagnosis process, her relentless pursuit of appropriate services, and her fight against systemic failures in education. Alicia emphasizes the importance of advocacy, both personally and pro...
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October 28, 2025 53 mins
In this powerful episode, host Rashidah sits down with Erica Johnson, a remarkable mother, advocate, and law school graduate whose story embodies strength, perseverance, and purpose. Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Erica became a mom during her final year of college. Her son, Sean, was diagnosed with autism at just 3 years old — a moment that forever changed the direction of her life. Balancing single motherhood, full-...
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In this week’s powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Emely Vanessa Zavala, a proud Latina mom from Los Angeles whose story will touch your heart. At just 2 years old, Emely’s son Justin was diagnosed with autism — and like so many of us, she thought the hardest part was behind her. But when Justin turned 8, his aggressive meltdowns and self-injurious behavior became more than Emely could manage a...
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In this powerful and transparent episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Keena White, a licensed therapist and intuitive healer, to discuss what it truly means to co-parent with grace, balance, and intention after separation. Keena opens up about her personal journey — learning how to put her child’s needs first, even when feelings toward the other parent were complicated. Together, we unpack the real chall...
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In this episode, we meet Paul Winder, who shares her powerful journey as a young mother navigating the intersections of cultural expectations and raising a daughter on the autism spectrum. She opens up about the deeply ingrained biases in Indian culture against having daughters, and the added complexity of dealing with her daughter's autism diagnosis. Despite facing societal and familial pressures, Paul Winder emphasizes the import...
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In this week’s episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Brandie Frost, a 28-year-old dedicated mom and bonus mom to three boys from Southeastern Kentucky. Her youngest son, Ruger, age 4, faced many health challenges during his first two years of life that have now mostly been resolved. At age 2, Ruger was diagnosed with Cavum Septum Pellucidum, and by age 4, he received diagnoses of Level 2 Autism and ADHD. By the time ...
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In this episode, Rashidah speaks with Marlene Soto-Riera, disability advocate, author, and founder of Helping Swans Co. Marlene shares her journey as a mother and grandmother of children with autism, her mission to build inclusive communities, and how she made history by organizing Newton County, Georgia’s first-ever Autism Awareness and Inclusion Event. What we discuss: 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:57 AJ's Early Challeng...
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September 16, 2025 61 mins
In this conversation, Brigiette shares her personal journey as a mother of two children diagnosed with autism and epilepsy. She discusses the challenges of navigating the diagnosis process, the emotional impact of seizures, and the importance of advocacy and self-care. Bridget emphasizes the need for parents to trust their instincts and seek support, while also highlighting the unique experiences of raising children on the spectrum...
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September 9, 2025 35 mins
Join host Rashidah as she welcomes fellow Jerseyan, Nicole Pierre-Louis, a 35-year-old autism mom from Essex County, NJ. In August 2021, Nicole experienced a pivotal moment when both of her children were diagnosed as neurodiverse. Her son Blaise, now six, was diagnosed with autism at two years old. He is considered non-verbal and communicates using an AAC device. Although she initially felt overwhelmed and stuck in “fight or flig...
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In this conversation, Shannon shares her personal journey as a mother of a child with autism, detailing the challenges and triumphs she faced from diagnosis to advocacy. She emphasizes the importance of being an informed advocate for one's child, navigating the medical system, and finding community resources. Shannon also offers valuable advice for new parents, highlighting the need for resilience and the power of shared experience...
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In this heartfelt conversation, Jasmine shares her journey as a mother of a son with autism, discussing the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way. From navigating the early signs of autism to the emotional toll of parenting a teenager, Jasmine emphasizes the importance of community, vulnerability, and self-care. She also highlights her experience as a nursing student while raising her son and the impact of writing chi...
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August 19, 2025 37 mins
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah speaks with Macy Evans, a young mom from Indiana, about her journey raising her six-year-old son Jackson, who has autism and ADHD. Macy shares her experiences of navigating autism as a young mom, the emotional challenges she faced, and the resilience she found along the way. She discusses the significant impact early intervention and therapies have had on Jackson. Macy also...
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In Part 2 of this powerful 100th episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah Cartwright reflects on the journey of motherhood while raising children with autism. She discusses the challenges, emotional struggles, and the importance of community support. Rashidah emphasizes the need for self-care, vulnerability, and resetting expectations as essential components of being a badass mom. The conversation highlights the strength an...
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In Part 1 of this powerful 100th episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah Cartwright takes listeners on an unapologetically real journey through the highs, lows, and in-betweens of raising children with autism. From the moment of diagnosis to the endless fight for services and understanding, Rashidah opens up about the raw emotions, relentless advocacy, and unshakable love that define this path. This milestone isn’t just ab...
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In this empowering episode of 'Autism for Badass Moms', Donie, a resilient single mom from California, shares her journey of overcoming an abusive relationship while raising a son with autism. She discusses the challenges, emotional battles, and the determination required to provide the best life for her child. Donie's story highlights the importance of self-care, community support, and never giving up.
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In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Claudia Cervantes, a proud special needs mom born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Claudia is raising two incredible little ones: Christian, her curious and energetic 5-year-old on the autism spectrum who also has sensory processing disorder and a speech delay, and Jessie, her joyful 2-year-old who keeps the whole family on their toes. As a Latina mom navigating autism...
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