Free Daily Podcast Summary
Autism for Badass Moms: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Rashidah Cartwright
Autism for Badass Moms is a powerful podcast that amplifies the voices of mothers raising children with autism. It challenges outdated narratives, advocates for meaningful change, and celebrates the extraordinary strength of women who continue to show up for their children despite overwhelming obstacles. It has become a global community where mothers can feel seen, heard, and understood. The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of anything you seen or heard from the podcast.
Latest Episodes
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- 6 days ago1h 0m
Ep. 156 - Breaking Generational Silence: Autism in African American Families with Lekana
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Lekana Williams, a wife and mother of two sons, ages 26 and 14. Her eldest son received his autism diagnosis at 23, while her youngest was diagnosed at 11.Lekana opens up about raising two sons with very different autism journeys and the unique challenges of navigating diagnosis, motherhood, and acceptance through the lens of her African American community.Together, Rashidah and Lekana discuss the silence and stigma that can exist around autism in Black families, the expectations parents may have for their children before diagnosis, and the importance of creating space for honest conversations across generations.Lekana also shares how she learned to embrace her sons’ individuality, find gratitude in their journey, and encourage them to be proud of exactly who they are.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Meet Lekana1:00 — Oldest son and early signs5:11 — Processing guilt and grief10:26 — Meltdowns, work struggles, and getting an adult evaluation14:12 — Community denial and fear of stigma17:37 — Youngest son's ADHD and Autism diagnosis story20:02 — Incident at school26:42 — School supports, IEPs, and bullying30:11 — Connecting with each son emotionally34:09 — African American community and mental health43:26 — Relief through son's therapy sessions45:17 — Career as a hairstylist and model49:39 — Advice for moms afraid of stigma54:33 — What makes Lekana badassConnect with Lekana:Instagram: Instagram.com/LekanaWillModeling inquiries: lekanawillmodel@gmail.comIf this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstoodFollow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook .com/theabmpodcast
- 1 weeks ago54 min
Ep. 155 - Breaking Free While Parenting a Child with Autism with Erin
This week on Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah sitsdown with Erin S. L. Jackson for a powerful conversation about autism motherhood, domestic violence, survival, education, and what it takes to rebuild your life when walking away feels impossible.Erin opens up about something many women experience but may be afraid to say out loud: sometimes leaving an abusive relationship is not as simple as walking out the door.Financial dependence, childcare challenges, missed work,isolation, fear, and the responsibility of raising a child with additional needs can make leaving feel impossible.Erin shares how public assistance programs helped providesome of the financial security she needed to begin separating herself from her abuser — and how higher education eventually became another part of her pathtoward freedom. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 – Meet Erin0:54 – Pregnant during COVID2:53 – Her son's RSV hospitalization 4:26 – Developmental regression6:22 – Getting the autism diagnosis8:12 – How the diagnosis shifted the relationship12:06 – Using ChatGPT to cope 12:57 – Building the escape plan23:51 – The car accident that changed everything25:21 – Police escort 26:32 – Co-parenting and contact today32:37 – Mental health and suicidal thoughts33:32 – Finishing her master's in social work34:29 – The Title IV fellowship42:44 – Where to find Erin 43:54 – Advice for moms still stuck 46:22 – What makes Erin badass Connect with Erin:Facebook: Erin JacksonInstagram: Instagram.com/ hopez__Dreams If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast A Note to Our ListenersThis episode contains conversations about domesticviolence, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and trauma. Please listen with care.Abuse does not always look like physical violence.It can include controlling money, interfering withemployment, isolating someone from family and friends, intimidation, manipulation, threats, emotional abuse, coercive control, and other behaviors designed to maintain power over another person.If something discussed in this episode feels familiar,please know that help and confidential support are available.You do not have to navigate abuse alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing domesticviolence, please reach out to a trusted person or a domestic violence organization. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services.
- 2 weeks ago53 min
Ep. 154 - Autism in Rural Australia with Prue
Host Rashidah sits down with Prue for a candid conversationabout raising her son Jock, who has both autism and ADHD, from the early signs and long diagnostic wait times to daily life on a remote Australian cattle ranch. Prue opens up about grief, anxiety, celebrating small wins, and the community that has rallied around her family, offering heartfelt, hard-wonwisdom for any parent navigating a new neurodivergent diagnosis.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 – Meet Prue1:38 – Early signs before diagnosis2:03 – Long wait for a diagnosis 3:55 – Behaviors that led to seeking an assessment5:46 – Autism and ADHD10:33 – Processing grief and shifting expectations12:00 – Managing anxiety and hypervigilance 15:53 – Life on the cattle ranch 17:09 – Being open about the diagnosis 22:25 – Feeding issues and celebrating small wins25:52 – Balancing attention between siblings 29:02 – Helping sibling understand neurodivergence30:05 – Mom guilt, masking feelings, and self-compassion34:21 – Making time for self-care36:12 – Why Prue decided to share her story39:10 – Finding community with other special-needs parents42:20 – Jock's therapy team45:55 – Advice for a mom newly navigating diagnosis47:55 – What makes Prue "badass"49:27 – Get in contact with Prue Connect with Prue McCormack Facebook: Prue McCormackInstagram: www.instagram.com/prue.mccormack If this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
- 3 weeks ago41 min
Ep. 153 - I Thought I Could Wear the Cape-Then My Body Said No with Lexus
On this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidahsits down with Lexus Sheffield, a 29-year-old mother of four from Texas.Lexus is the mother of 4-year-old twins, Journie andJamarion, Jr., who were both diagnosed with autism in May 2025. As she navigated developmental concerns, services, and learning how to advocate for both of her children, Lexus was also facing a life-changing diagnosis of her own.In 2024, Lexus was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.In this candid conversation, Lexus opens up about what itwas like learning that both of her twins were autistic, recognizing their early developmental differences, navigating Early Childhood Intervention, and confronting her own declining health while continuing to care for her family.She also shares how her experience with MS has changed theway she views strength, motherhood, and self-care. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 – Meet Lexus1:00 – Twins' NICU journey and early signs of autism5:26 – Fight to get both twins properly evaluated9:30 – Health crisis dismissed by doctors13:30 – Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis18:00 – Burnout 22:15 – Therapy, Part-time work, and starting CrossFit24:53 – How the twins are thriving now31:41 – Reach out to Lexus33:20 – Advice for overwhelmed moms Connect with Lexus Facebook: Lexus LynetteInstagram: www.instagram.com/lexuslynette If this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
- Aug 18, 20261h 5m
Ep. 152 - Preparing for Baby #3 While Parenting Two Children on the Spectrum with Ashley
Rashidah sits down with Ashley — model, brand ambassador,life coach, rideshare entrepreneur, soon-to-be nursing school grad, and mom of two (with baby #3 on the way!) for a raw, honest conversation about motherhood, autism, healing, and showing up unapologetically. In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Meet Ashley1:11 — Raising two kids with differing needs2:49 — Amir's autism diagnosis 5:14 — Generational silence 9:15 — Learning to pinpoint 12:11 — Navigating daughter's mental health alongside Amir's autism17:12 — Giving each child a different version of herself25:38 — Self-love journey and healing her own childhood26:20 — The power of one true friendship 32:01 — Co-parenting with intention36:27 — Self-care amid it all39:53 — Nursing school, career hustle, and knowing her worth45:48 — Modeling career51:10 — Her advice to moms 55:23 — What makes Ashley badass58:08 — Closing thoughts Connect with Ashley:Facebook: Love LadyashInstagram: Instagram.com/RespectTheLadyEmail: respecttheladymgmt@gmail.com If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
- Aug 11, 20261h 4m
Ep. 151 - I Survived Child Loss. Then I Learned to Fight for My Autistic Daughter with Emily.
Host Rashidah introduces a raw episode of Autism for BadassMoms on grief, autism parenting, divorce, and coping, featuring guest Emily Fell, a 45-year-old Wisconsin mom to 15-year-old Grace, diagnosed with autism at 2.5. Emily recounts the 2008 pregnancy and birth of her first daughter,Katie, who had hydranencephaly, was delivered by C-section with Emily suffering severe blood loss and transfusions and lived two days. Emily describes Grace’s traumatic birth in 2010, vaccine-related reactions, developmental regression,extensive early interventions including ABA, and later conflicts in her marriage—especially over vaccines—leading to her husband moving out in 2016 and divorce finalized in 2018, plus financial stress and foreclosure. Emily shares past self-medicating with alcohol, recent sobriety, homeschooling Grace using spelling to communicate, and plans for a center/community for non-speakers with respite and ABA partners targeted for April 2026 and provides her TikTok contact. In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Podcast Intro00:43Grief and Autism02:46 Meet Emily Fell04:52 Pregnancy and Shocking Ultrasound08:50 Katie’s Birth and Medical Crisis13:20 Saying Goodbye to Katie16:04 Pregnant Again After Loss17:44 Grace’s Birth Complications23:19 Regression and Autism Diagnosis26:15 Marriage Strain and Vaccines29:11 Husband Moves Out and Fallout32:58 Black Cloud and Getting Sober34:21 Quitting Alcohol Clarity35:24 Divorce Boundaries Strength36:44 Grace Therapy Reflections39:49 First Word Mom Moment42:04 School Battles Presume Competence46:55 Homeschool Spelling Breakthroughs49:24 Spiritual Walk Revelation52:14 Building Non-Speaker Community56:15 How to Reach Emily58:09 Advice for New Moms01:03:22 Final Encouragement Outro01:03:56 Guest Application Call Connect with Emily: TikTok: emilygrace.do.homeschool(Emily & Grace Do Homeschool)Instagram: www.instagram.com/amazing_grace_homeschoolThreads: https://www.threads.com/@amazing_grace_homeschool?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091213029569&mibextid=LQQJ4d LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-fell-presume-competence/ If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
- Aug 4, 202652 min
Ep. 150 - Holding Down the Career While Holding Up the Family with Julia
In this powerful episode, host Rashidah sits down with Julia Faith Parker, a single mom from Memphis, Tennessee, who opens up about navigating her son Shamar's autism diagnosis, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to pour from an empty cup. Julia's story is raw, relatable, and full of gems for every autism mom who's ever felt alone in the journey.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Meet Julia from Memphis, Tennessee 1:04 — Shemar's early development and red flags1:55 — Born during the pandemic3:54 — Shamar is diagnosed with autism at age 3 — and Julia breaks down10:24 — Closing the business17:26 — Moving back to Memphis18:22 — Starting school & navigating the ABA waiting lists25:15 — Julia's biggest regret41:39 — What about Julia? How she carves out time for herself amid it all41:51 — The importance of being intentional: scheduling self-care 41:51 — Julia's vision for special needs families in Memphis41:51 — Advice for the mom who is alone with no support system46:03 — "Double P": Prayer + Positivity46:07 — What makes Julia a Badass Autism MomConnect with Julia:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1juliafaith_Facebook: Julia Faith ParkerAutism for Badass Moms is the award-winning podcast where no autism mom is left behind. Each week, host Rashidah shares honest conversations with mothers around the world of autism, advocacy, resilience, and the realities of raising neurodivergent children.Website: https://www.autismforbadassmoms.comFollow Autism for Badass Moms:Instagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
- Jul 28, 20261h 1m
Ep. 149 - Autism Moms in Spain...Same Fight, Different Place with Dalisse
In this powerful international episode, Rashidah sits down with Dalisse — originally from Honduras, now living in Barcelona — who is raising two boys on the autism spectrum: Adrian and Guillermo. Both boys were diagnosed around 17 months old, but while Dalisse was learning to navigate autism evaluations, therapies, and advocacy for her children, she was also beginning a life-changing journey of her own—receiving her own autism diagnosis as an adult.Together, Rashidah and Dalisse discuss the emotional realities of parenting while discovering your own neurodivergence, the similarities and differences between autism support in Spain and the United States, and why community is essential for autism moms everywhere. Out of her family's journey came something powerful. Dalisse is the co-founder of Loving Pieces Books, a publishing company dedicated to creating inclusive children's books where autistic children can see themselves represented. What began as a way to support her own sons has become a mission to help families around the world embrace neurodiversity through meaningful storytelling.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Meet Dalisse from Barcelona, Spain1:09 — Early Signs & The Road to Diagnosis2:00 — "Wait and See" — A Universal Experience Across Borders5:43 — The 2 AM Google Spiral6:53 — Explaining the Diagnosis to Family & Grandparents9:19 — Processing the Guilt: "Am I a Bad Mom?"9:57 — Two Boys, Two Very Different Journeys21:05 — Autism Resources & The System in Spain vs. the US28:41 — From Digital Marketing to Children's Books35:07 — Loving Pieces Book42:47 — Traveling with Autistic Kids51:40 — Dalisse's Own Autism Diagnosis & Healing Her Inner Child54:32 — Advice for the New Autism Mom55:30 — What Makes Dalisse a Badass Mom?Connect with Dalisse: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingpiecesbooksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovingpiecesbooks/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/loving-pieces-books-autism-childrens-books/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: lovingpiecesbooks.comAbout Loving Pieces BooksDalisse and her husband created Loving Pieces Books — a series of illustrated children's books written for autistic kids and their families, available in 4 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese & Catalan). Books mentioned:Autism: My Invisible BackpackAutism: This is How I PartyAutism: A New School YearAutism: Calming the ChaosAutism: Confidence Starts Here(Coming soon) Autism: Our Travel AdventurePurchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0iRC3eRCAutism for Badass Moms is the award-winning podcast where no autism mom is left behind. Each week, host Rashidah shares honest conversations with mothers around the world about autism, advocacy, resilience, and the realities of raising neurodivergent children.Website: https://www.autismforbadassmoms.comFollow Autism for Badass Moms:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/theabmpodcastIf this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another autism mom, caretaker, or provider. Together, we're building a global community where every mom feels seen, heard, and supported.
About Autism for Badass Moms
Autism for Badass Moms is a powerful podcast that amplifies the voices of mothers raising children with autism. It challenges outdated narratives, advocates for meaningful change, and celebrates the extraordinary strength of women who continue to show up for their children despite overwhelming obstacles. It has become a global community where mothers can feel seen, heard, and understood. The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of anything you seen or heard from the podcast.
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