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 opens up about balancing parenting with work, being an advocate fo...
Aug 19, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 101
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 and resilience of mothers navigating the complexities of autism, en...
Aug 12, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 100
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 about a number—it’s a celebration of a community built on grit, gra...
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 100
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 through the lens of her Mexican heritage, Claudia opens up about ...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Michelle who shares her journey as a mother navigating the complexities of autism diagnosis for her son, Cameron, and herself. She discusses the challenges of seeking a diagnosis, the impact of vaccinations, and the struggles of single parenting. Michelle emphasizes the importance of advocacy, education, and self-care while also highlighting the need for support systems. Her personal experiences with autism have shaped her perspective a...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In this conversation, Brittany shares her journey as a mother of a child with autism, discussing the challenges and triumphs she has faced. She reflects on her son's diagnosis, the emotional toll it took on her, and the importance of advocacy and support. Brittany emphasizes the need for mental health awareness and the significance of finding peace and purpose in her life after relocating to Florida. She encourages other parents to seek help and to advocate for their children, highlighting the p...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 97
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with LaTonya Winfrey—a proud autism mom, educator, licensed professional school counselor, and founder of the nonprofit Happy: Joseph’s Journey. LaTonya shares her powerful story of transformation—from a mother receiving her son’s autism diagnosis at just 20 months, to becoming a community advocate, educator, and trusted support for other families navigating similar paths. Despite years in the classroom, ...
Jul 15, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 96
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Bronx native and powerhouse mom, Debbie Mercado, 47, who has faced life's toughest moments with strength, humor, and heart. Debbie is the proud mother of three beautifully unique children: a 26-year-old trans daughter, a 15-year-old autistic son named Logan, and a 12-year-old daughter who’s making moves on the basketball court. Logan was diagnosed with autism between the ages of 3 and 4, with cognitive delays that made Debbie’s solo par...
Jul 08, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 95
In this powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms , we sit down with Ashley Zazueta , a 29-year-old mom from California, wife, and entrepreneur who is raising two sons—one neurodivergent and one neurotypical. Her oldest son, Sebastian , was diagnosed with Autism at 22 months , followed by a second life-changing diagnosis: Fragile X Syndrome . Ashley shares the emotional rollercoaster of navigating a dual diagnosis and how it completely shifted her view of motherhood, advocacy, and identity. We ...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 94
In this powerful episode, we journey to the United Kingdom to hear from Grace Mbuthia, a devoted mother of three. Grace opens up about raising her eldest daughter, 13-year-old Lexi, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3—alongside other complex medical conditions including Selective Mutism, Hydrocephalus, and Epilepsy. Grace shares how the early years were filled with confusion, as Lexi didn’t present with the typical signs of autism. With so many overlapping medical concerns, the autism diagnos...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this week’s episode, Rashidah sits down with Danielle Desiree, a powerful voice in the neurodiversity community and a proud autism mom from Atlanta, Georgia. Danielle’s 17-year-old son, Jordan, was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 7—a moment that reshaped her entire journey. Danielle previously served in the United States Air Force, where she experienced a structured and supportive environment while raising her eldest child. After transitioning out of the military, she faced the c...
Jun 17, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Jessica Burrus, a single mom of four children diagnosed with autism, joins host Rashidah to share her emotional journey of parenting on her own — while navigating four different diagnoses. From early intervention to late discoveries, Jessica talks about what it means to carry the weight alone, yet never give up. Hear how she balances motherhood, meltdowns, mental strength, and moments of doubt with fierce love and resilience. Want to connect with Jessica? Instagram: @4.brightstars Follow Us: @th...
Jun 10, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 91
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with a powerhouse advocate who’s helping families shift from surviving to thriving—Sharon Webber. Sharon, 55, is a proud mother from Montclair, New Jersey. She’s a divorced mom of two: a daughter who graduated from Emerson University, and a teenage son, Christopher, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and lives with limited communication skills. Sharon’s journey as a parent led her to a deeper calling—advocating not only for her ...
Jun 03, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 90
In this heartfelt and powerful episode, we’re joined by Iesha Glover, a 32-year-old DMV native now living in Southern Maryland. A strong and compassionate mother of two—with a third on the way—Iesha shares her deeply personal story of navigating the complex and emotional road of parenting a child with multiple diagnoses while managing her own mental health. Iesha opens up about her son Phoenix, now 5 years old, who was diagnosed with autism shortly after his second birthday. But Phoenix’s journe...
May 27, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 89
In this inspiring episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with the phenomenal Chelsea Jackson, from New Jersey. Chelsea is a powerhouse wife, devoted mom of three, and the proud mother of 12-year-old Layla, who was diagnosed with autism at just 18 months. Chelsea opens up about her emotional journey — from moments of burnout and grief to powerful breakthroughs of release and relief. Instead of running from her daughter’s diagnosis, she chose to run toward it with fierce determination. Wit...
May 20, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 88
In this inspiring episode, Rashidah sits down with Jattu Kallon , a passionate advocate, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Bold Kidswear —a UK-based modern clothing brand that uplifts children through confidence, self-expression, and inclusive representation. As the mother of a 10-year-old son, Maksimus, who was diagnosed with autism and sensory language delay in 2020, Jattu brings a deeply personal and powerful perspective to parenting, perseverance, and purpose. Jattu opens up about recognizing ...
May 13, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with the incredible Arte’a Funderburk, a 37-year-old mom of three from Maryland, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about parenting twins with different developmental journeys. Arte’a opens up about her son Aiden’s autism diagnosis in November 2023 and what it’s been like raising him alongside his neurotypical twin sister, Arie. From noticing early developmental differences during the pandemic to immersing herself in advoc...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 86
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Richera Jones, a dynamic mother, advocate, and entrepreneur. A native of Glen Cove and Queens, New York, now residing in New Jersey, Richera shares her powerful journey of resilience and discovery. As a devoted wife and mother to two daughters, Sahar and Merci, both diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, Richera’s life took a dramatic shift when she had to move between states and leave her career behind. But in the midst of uncertainty, she found her true c...
Apr 29, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In this powerful and faith-filled episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Jenelle Thompson—a dynamic wife, mother, Pastor, author, advocate, coach, and autism mom. Jenelle shares her journey raising her 17-year-old son, Nazir, who was diagnosed with autism at age 5 and is considered verbal. As the Pastor of a church, Jenelle brings a unique and courageous perspective on navigating faith, ministry, and autism. She opens up about the importance of transparency with her cong...
Apr 22, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In this heartfelt episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with the incredible Evy Soto, a 36-year-old powerhouse from North Carolina and mama to her 2-year-old son, LeVian, who is on the autism spectrum. Evy opens up about the emotional rollercoaster she faced while navigating a divorce, becoming a single mom, and receiving her son’s autism diagnosis—all at once. Evy gets real about the mental and emotional toll of facing the unknown without the support of her mother, who passed away 10 y...
Apr 15, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 83
In this heartfelt episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Tiphanie McKinley, a 37-year-old powerhouse from Detroit, Michigan, and mom to 5-year-old Taryn, who was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old. Tiphanie opens up about the emotional reality behind her smiles—navigating single motherhood, letting go of her corporate career, and stepping fully into entrepreneurship and advocacy. As the founder of Thee Doll Enterprise, Tiphanie blends her drive for business with her deep passion f...
Apr 08, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 82
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Anita, a mother, educator, and advocate. Her journey with autism advocacy began long before her daughter, Darlene, was diagnosed with autism and a speech impairment at just three years old. Having grown up with a twin sister who has a disability, Anita understands both the struggles and the strengths that come with navigating life as both a sibling and a parent of a child with special needs. She opens up about her personal e...
Apr 01, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 81
This week, we sit down with the phenomenal Shá Summerlin, a powerhouse mom, entrepreneur, and former R&B/Soul recording artist, to discuss her unexpected autism journey. Shá’s youngest son, Qian, was diagnosed with autism at 12 years old, a revelation that came as puberty brought aggressive and unexpected challenges to the forefront. Before that, autism was never on their radar, leading her through a long and emotional journey of specialists, ER visits, and tests before finally getting answe...
Mar 25, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 80
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, Johnnie is an incredible mom from Bakersfield, California. Johnnie is the mother of two boys, 10-year-old Sebastian and 4-year-old Leo, who was diagnosed with autism shortly after turning three. Thanks to her background as an ABA therapist, Johnnie was able to recognize early signs of ASD in Leo before he turned two, allowing him to receive early intervention services. Johnnie openly shares her personal journey with clinical depression and anxiety, not ...
Mar 18, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 79
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms , Rashidah sits down with Shelly Abdy, a School Shop Coordinator from North Yorkshire, to discuss the emotional rollercoaster of raising children on the autism spectrum. Shelly is a mother of two—Tynisha, 21, who received a late autism diagnosis at 12, and Tyreece, 17, who was one trait short of an official diagnosis in the UK. Shelly opens up about the struggles of navigating motherhood as a teen mom, the challenges of delayed diagnosis, and the emotion...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 78
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Charbonnae Evans, a 25-year-old single mom from Donaldsonville, Louisiana, who shares her powerful journey of raising her 4-year-old son, Caiden, who was diagnosed with autism at just 2 years old. Before receiving an official diagnosis, Charbonnae had a gut feeling—but that didn’t make it any easier. She was overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, and self-blame, struggling to navigate the emotions that came with the journey. At first, sh...
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 77
In this powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Susie Thomas, a dedicated mother, cosmetologist of 21 years, and licensed massage therapist of 14 years, balancing work and family life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Susie and her husband, Gerard, are parents to three children—Caydell (19), diagnosed with ADD; Mugen (7), who has sensory processing disorder; and Saya (4), who was diagnosed with autism at just 22 months. Susie opens up about how their journey into autism began in the mid...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 76
In this powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Dr. Alexis Bromley, an Emergency Room Doctor, wife, and mother of three boys, including Julius, her 5-year-old son diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 3. Alexis shares her journey as a medical professional and autism mom, shedding light on the urgent need for improved education, awareness, and accommodations for autistic individuals in emergency room settings. She is currently conducting a quality research project on...
Feb 18, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 75
In this episode, we talk with Shamaya Burks, a 34-year-old mother from Georgia, about her experiences raising three children on the autism spectrum. Her son, Xolani, 5, is moderately verbal, while her twin daughters, Nyjah and Najari, 2, are non-verbal; Nyjah also has Cerebral Palsy, and Najari faces more severe challenges. Shamaya shares her initial lack of knowledge about autism, the emotional journey following her children's diagnoses, and how she has found strength and purpose in advocating ...
Feb 11, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 74
In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, we sit down with Allysa Parker, a dedicated Certified Dental Assistant and fierce advocate for her 6-year-old son, Julian. Julian was diagnosed with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (H.I.E.) just two days after birth and later received an Autism diagnosis at 4.5 years old. Navigating these diagnoses has been an emotional rollercoaster for Allysa, bringing moments of helplessness and anxiety. But through it all, she has remained committed to ensuring Juli...
Feb 04, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 73
