Moms Talk Autism Podcast

In this episode, we’re looking ahead to 2026 and talking honestly about what we want more of (health, growth, adventures) and what we’re actively working on letting go of (burnout, guilt, and doing everything the hard way). We dive into personal and community goals, the role of accountability, and why self-care isn’t optional—even when family life is loud, busy, and occasionally unhinged.

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2026 with a special bonus episode because this is the year to stop doing motherhood alone. This one’s all about building your support system, finding your people, and creating real community for you and your family. Let’s go.

We’re joined by Megan Champion, the creator of Mothers Together—a first-of-its-kind global community designed specifically ...

Our 2025 Year-End Episode is here! We’re looking back on the wins, the hard moments, the lessons our kids taught us, and all the laugh-out-loud chaos that came with being autism moms this year.

We answer questions like:
• What did our kids teach us in 2025?
• What were our biggest mom wins—and our toughest moments?

In this episode of Moms Talk Autism, we let go of the heavy stuff and dive straight into the hilarious, totally unhinged conversations only close friends have. From “Who would go missing first?” to “Which one of us is getting arrested?” to a full-on zombie apocalypse strategy session, nothing is off-limits.
We also tackle the really important debates—like the ultimate sandw...

In this episode, we sit down with Medina Faizy-Hashemi, an Afghan-American mom raising an autistic son. Medina opens up about navigating diagnosis, cultural expectations, and the unique challenges families in the Afghan-American community face when seeking support. We talk about representation, storytelling, advocacy, and why every culture needs more understanding, visibility, and acceptance. It’s honest, powerful, and a conversati...

In this episode, we sit down with Daniella Mini, who moved to the U.S. 25 years ago in search of answers, services, and support for her son, Diego. She shares her family’s journey through diagnosis, acceptance, and the ongoing evolution of raising an autistic child into adulthood. Daniella talks about the hard work, the hope, the constant transitions, and what independent living really looks like when caregivers ...

In this episode, we’re sharing our go-to gift ideas—practical, cozy, creative, and a little unexpected. From the comfort items we swear by to the surprisingly life-saving stuff (yes, even blue tape), we talk about why the best gifts don’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s the simple, everyday things that bring the most joy, especially in our world.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com f...

In this episode, we share the practical, annoying, random, and downright hilarious things we never expected to be grateful for as autism parents. From the little lifesavers that get us through the day to the weird wins only our community understands, we read your submissions and add a few of our own. It’s light, relatable, and a reminder that sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

Hosted by Simplecast, an A...

In this episode of Moms Talk Autism, Tash and Shannon chat with Brenda Kennedy and Amanda Harpell-Franz from Canine Companions about the incredible impact of service dogs on families. Brenda shares how these dogs are trained and matched with their handlers, while Amanda opens up about her son Evan’s life-changing bond with his dog, Calvin. Together, they explore...

In this episode, Rita Miceli shares her powerful journey as a mom raising her autistic son, Giaci. From early diagnosis to navigating therapies and fostering independence, Rita opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. She talks about the importance of family support, resilience, and celebrating small victories, offering encouragement and real advice for parents at every stage of the autism journey...

Dad and author, Daryl Potter, joins us today as we talk about the ups and downs of caregiving for adult children with disabilities and complex medical conditions. As you can imagine, grief is a recurring theme, and finding joy in everyday life amidst the stress and strain of extreme caregiving is always the goal. No one signs up for this, so now what do we do about it? Real, honest, raw, heartfelt moments with our guest today...

Holidays with neurodivergent kids can feel like a game of “expectation whack-a-mole” — plans change, sensory overload hits, and suddenly we’re rethinking everything from costumes to candy routes. In this episode, we talk about how our priorities as parents shift, why simple traditions often mean the most, and how to give ourselves some freaking grace.

Whether you’re dealing with surprise weather, overstimulation, or That Relative w...

MTA is honored to have Dr. Daniela Owen and Jake Loupe on to talk about parenting neurodiversity and the importance of community support. Dr. Owen is a clinical psychologist and author aimed at helping kids understand their emotions. Jake shares his journey as a father to his neurodiverse son. Together, they host a podcast all about parenting and caregiving for all kids, regardless of diagnosis. In this episode, we cover the ...

This one’s full of feel-good vibes! Tash and Shannon sit down with Melissa Smith, founder of Backlight Productions, a nonprofit that partners with professional artists and organizations to give individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the spotlight they deserve—literally! From leading roles in integrated performances to the magic that happens when inclusion meets creativity, this conversation will leave you insp...

In this episode, JJ McLeod shares her journey as a special education teacher and mom to her son Milo, who was diagnosed with autism. She opens up about the shock of diagnosis, the challenges of navigating both autism and other health needs, and the stigma families often face. Through her story, JJ reminds us of the resilience it takes to parent neurodivergent kids—and the power of community and compassion along the way.

Today Emily Zavala returns to share her journey of navigating autism care for her son, Justin. From the struggle of finding the right group home, to the heartbreak of rejection, to the relief of finally discovering Hope House—Emily opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of advocacy and caregiving.

She reflects on the resilience it takes, the community that makes it possible, and the positive changes Justin has experienced since...

We’re talking about the “Autism Tax”—not a bill from the IRS, but the hidden costs families like ours face every day. From therapies and medical expenses to careers put on hold and time stretched thin, this invisible weight is heavy.

In this episode, we share our own stories and shine a light on the resilience it takes to carry it all. Because while the “tax” is real, so is the strength of our community.

Want to share your Autism o...

Today, Shannon and Jean sit down with Dr. David Amaral and Carolyn Komich from Autism BrainNet to talk about a topic that’s not always easy, but so important—brain donation for autism research.

Dr. Amaral shares the emotional side of this conversation, why understanding autism at a deeper level matters, and how families can play a role in shaping the future of research. Carolyn walks us through what Autism BrainNet is doing to incr...