Drawing from her own journey as the mother of a child with disabilities, Karen talks about how the lack of information, training, and accountability in schools inspired her to take action and teach others to do the same. She opens up about building the Epic IEP Academy, training teams nationwide, and writing her upcoming book The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates.
Simone and Olivia dive into real-world challenges — from walking into intimidating IEP meetings to advocating for accommodations in college and beyond. Karen explains why preparation is key, how federal law empowers parents, and why collaboration (not conflict) should be the focus at the table.
Through humor, honesty, and bold insight, Karen reminds listeners that confidence isn’t about perfection — it’s about conviction, persistence, and refusing to walk away when children need you most. This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, aspiring advocates, and anyone passionate about creating change in special education.
✅ Actionable Takeaways
Be Prepared Before the Meeting: Request the full draft of the IEP in advance so you can make informed decisions and avoid being rushed or sidelined.
Weekly Learning Matters: Ongoing training — not one-time meetings — is essential for parents, educators, and advocates to stay effective and confident.
Stay at the Table When It’s Uncomfortable: Advocacy isn’t about being liked — it’s about getting results for the child, even if that means pushing back or slowing down the process.
Explain Accommodations to the Child: Kids need to understand the purpose of their support to feel empowered instead of embarrassed.
Use Federal Law as a Tool, Not a Threat: IDEA and Section 504 establish parents as key decision-makers — confidence comes from knowing your rights.
Collaboration Over Compliance: An IEP should be about serving the child, not just checking boxes or rushing through paperwork.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 — Introduction
01:25 — Karen’s background and advocating for her daughter
07:10 — The Epic IEP Academy and weekly training model
13:42 — Serving parents, educators, and advocates nationwide
18:55 — Social media, reach, and educating the masses
20:48 — The upcoming book The Epic IEP
24:35 — Accommodations in college and federal protections
27:06 — Assistive technology and changing expectations
30:22 — Addressing embarrassment around accommodations
32:17 — Preparing parents before IEP meetings
36:45 — Why schools often lack training
39:38 — Confidence, coaching, and hope in special education
44:09 — Advice from the women in her life
46:28 — Humor, resilience, and staying unshakable
46:59 — Where to find Karen
✨ About Karen Mayer Cunningham
Karen Mayer Cunningham, widely known as the Special Education Boss®, is a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, and advocate who equips parents and professionals to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes at the IEP and 504 table. As founder of Special Education Academy™ and author of The EPIC IEP™, she brings clarity, humor, and practical strategies to one of the most complex systems families face. Karen’s mission is simple: empower every voice at the table so children receive the education and support they deserve.
🔗 Connect with Karen Mayer Cunningham
Website: specialeducationacademy.com
Book Info: theepiciep.com
Instagram: @specialeducationboss
LinkedIn: Karen Mayer Cunningham
Facebook: Karen Mayer Cunningham
Services: Records review, representation, professional development, advocate training
👉 💬 Connect with Us
Don’t forget to subscribe to Her Unshakeable Confidence for more empowering stories and actionable insights. Leave us a review, share your favorite moments, and tag us on social media!
✨ Take our new
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Season 5
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.