Autism for Badass Moms

In this heartfelt episode of Autism for Badass Moms,host Rashidah Cartwright sits down with Essence “Essie C.” Myrick, a mother of three who opens up about the emotional journey following her youngest son Damair's autism diagnosis at just two years old.

Essie shares how feelings of guilt, self-blame, anddepression led her to question whether she was a good mother. As she struggled to process the diagnosis, she found herself withdrawing from others and burying herself in work and motherhood, often neglecting her own emotional well-being.

But through education, understanding, and learning torecognize her son's unique strengths, Essie began to see autism—and herself as a mother—through a different lens.

What started as a journey filled with uncertainty eventuallybecame a mission of advocacy, representation, and community empowerment.

From creating children's books that celebrate neurodiversityto co-founding a nonprofit supporting autism families, Essie is turning her personal experiences into opportunities for connection and inclusion.

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Meet Essence

01:12 Early Signs Noticed

03:34 Early Intervention Steps

05:04 Guilt and Fear Spiral

09:28 Diagnosis Day Story

13:07 Harsh Prognosis Fallout

14:59 Coping Through Research

16:51 Keeping It Private

17:48 Second Opinion Hope

23:28 Power of Words

24:38 Power of Self Talk

25:50 Trust Their Signals

26:38 Grace on Bad Days

27:23 Building Mom Community

31:22 Revamping Parent Council

33:16 Royal Reigns Mission

40:05 Advice for Autism Moms

ABOUT OUT GUEST

Essence “Essie C.” Myrick is a mother of three fromLinden, New Jersey, author, and passionate autism advocate. Inspired by raising her youngest son, Damair, she created the Syiah Family Adventures children's book series to promote inclusion, empathy, and neurodiversity awareness. As Co-Founder of Royal Reigns and Uniquely Us NJ, a nonprofit providing sensory-friendly resources, Essie is committed toempowering families, building community, and celebrating the uniqueness of every child.

CONNECT WITH ESSENCE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/essiemyrickofficial 

Website: syiahandsupremeadventures.square.site

Instagram: www.instagram.com/syiahandsupremeadventures

Business: Royal Reigns

Website: royalreignsdesign.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/royalreignsstudio

Whether you're navigating a new autism diagnosis, strugglingwith mom guilt, or learning to embrace your child's unique journey, this conversation reminds you that you are not alone, your child's differences deserve to be celebrated, and your motherhood journey is not defined by fear.

Listen, Share & Connect

If this episode resonates with you, share it with another autism mom, caregiver, educator, healthcare professional, or anyone who needs a deeper understanding of profound autism.

Connect with us:

Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

YouTube: @theabmpodcast

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Autism forBadass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Jillian Eisloeffel, autism advocate and founder of Bobby's World – Profound Autism Advocacy, for an honest conversation about the realities of raising a child with profound autism.

Jillian shares her journey raising her 11-year-old son, Bob,who was diagnosed with autism at just one year old. With significant communication challenges and self-injurious behaviors, Bob requires an extraordinary level of care, supervision, and environmental support.

From transforming her home into a safer environment tonavigating gaps in crisis intervention services, Jillian offers a raw look at the physical, emotional, and mental demands that many families experience behind closed doors.

The conversation also explores the often overlookedexperiences of siblings, the impact of constant caregiving on a mother's nervous system, and the difficult but necessary conversations surrounding long-term care and planning for a child's future.

This episode goes beyond autism awareness. It's about therealities families live every day, the systems that continue to fall short, and the urgent need to turn awareness into meaningful action.

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 — Meet Jillian

00:23 — Emergency C-section

03:30 — Medical Complexities and PANS/PANDAS

04:20 — Becoming Their Own Crisis Team

08:22 — Head Banging Origins

09:53 — Layered Communication Strategies

10:38 — Advocating for PANS/PANDAS Diagnosis

13:24 — Medication Journey

15:47 — The Enema Story – Real Life

25:34 — Marriage Dynamics

29:21 — Why Families Need Trained Support

32:00 — "You Can't Bubble-Bath Your Way Out of this Complex PTSD"

32:50 — Nationwide Caregiver Database 

36:38 — The Mall Model: Therapy, Businesses, and Housing Under One Roof

38:01 — The "Care Force"

41:03 — Hurricane Sandy and Finding Purpose

43:20 — Advice for Autism Moms

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Jillian Eisloeffel is a mother, autism advocate, andfounder of Bobby's World – Profound Autism Advocacy, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of families raising children with profound autism and complex support needs. Her advocacy is inspired by her 11-year-old son, Bob, who was diagnosed with autism at age one and is non-speaking withself-injurious behaviors. Jillian is passionate about ensuring that siblings are not automatically responsible for lifelong caregiving, and advocates for meaningful solutions that improve the lives of individuals with complex support needs and their families. Jillian's mission is to move conversations beyond awareness and toward real solutions, stronger resources, and meaningful systemic change.

CONNECT WITH JILLIAN

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bobbysworldprofoundautism/

Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/jillianeisloeffel/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bobbysworldprofoundautism/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bobbysworldprofoundasd

Email: [email protected]

Website: bobbysworldadvocacy.com

Purchase on Amazon: Moments Between the Madness(devotional) and Comprehensive Care Guide for Your Loved One (printable binder)

 Jillian’s Message to Autism Moms

"Start something. I don't care if it's a little local support group or something worldwide online. Do something because it'll bebetter for your mental health. It'll be your safe space, and that's how change happens." "You're not alone. There are people that want to help. I want to help. Reach out to me."

Listen, Share & Connect

If this episode resonates with you, share it with anotherautism mom, caregiver, educator, healthcare professional, or anyone who needs a deeper understanding of profound autism.

Connect with us:

Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

YouTube: @theabmpodcast

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Gerri Tennyson—autism advocate, author, interior designer, and domestic abuse survivor—for a raw and deeply personal conversation about survival, motherhood, and reclaiming her life.
As a mother of fraternal twins, including her son Dwight, who was diagnosed with autism at age three, Gerri spent 17 years navigating an abusive marriage while advocating for her son's educational needs.

In this episode, Gerri opens up about the realities of domestic abuse that people often don't see, the challenges of raising children in an unhealthy environment, and the courage it took to leave and rebuild her life.
She also reflects on the financial hardships she faced as a single mother, the impact of domestic violence on her children, and the lessons she learned about independence, self-worth, and finding her voice again.
In this episode, we discuss:
0:00 -  Meet Gerri
0:51 -  Dwight’s Autism Diagnosis
5:52 -  Regression in Language Development
7:15 -  Sibling Bond
9:17 -  Enduring Abuse in Her Marriage
12:16 -  Living Through a “House of Horrors”
13:54 -  Filing for divorce in 2010
14:28 -  Withholding Support for the Children
15:04 - The Escape Plan
16:44 -  Creating a Strong Support Network
22:54 -  Father Stops Showing Up
23:23 -  Dwight’s Improvement after Parent Separation
24:54 -  Fighting the School System
26:15 -  Letter to First Lady Laura Bush
28:28 -  Life Rebuilt
33:24 -  Dwight Today
37:34 -  No Shame, Ask for Help
42:47 -  The Reason I Breathe
42:59 -  Building Her Business
52:06 -  Advice for Autism Moms
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Gerri Tennyson is a mother of fraternal twins, Dwight and Taylor (now 28). She is the owner of Diamond in the Rough Designs (an interior decorating and staging business), and the author of the memoir; The Reason I Breathe; (published August 2024). She is also working on her second book. Gerri has been a fierce autism advocate for over two decades, helping counsel families navigate resources, and she shares her story to give hope to others.
CONNECT WITH GERRI
Gerri Tennyson, The Reason I Breathe: My Journey with Autism Against All Odds
Purchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0blrrp7l
Purchase on Barnes Noble: The Reason I Breathe | Barnes & Noble®
Interior Design Business: Diamond in the Rough Designs
Instagram: www.instagram.com/DITR_Design
TikTok: Autism Big Mama
Gerri’s Message to Autism Moms
1. Reach out to someone you trust — your church, a neighbor, a friend. Your
support system doesn’t have to be blood related.
2. Make a plan — it doesn’t have to happen overnight. Take the time to prepare but
always prioritize your safety.
3. “Squirrel” away resources — set aside small amounts of money wherever you
can.
4. Know that staying for the kids isn’t protecting them — children see, hear,
and feel what’s happening, even when you think they don’t.
5. Believe in yourself — the life on the other side of leaving is so much better,
even when the lean years are hard.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available:
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
-For free, confidential support 24/7, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
-Begin building a support network by contacting a local church, community organization, or trusted neighbor.
-If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If 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 someone you know would benefit from this episode
Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com
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In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah sits down with Maria DeVoe, a Baltimore native now living in Atlanta and mom to two teenagers on the autism spectrum—Princess Brianna, who is turning 17, and Robert Jr., 14.

Maria opens up about a journey that began nearly two decades ago, when autism awareness, resources, and conversations looked very different than they do today.

Maria speaks candidly about the parts of autism motherhood people often don't see—the sleepless nights, meltdowns, isolation, constant worry, hypervigilance, changing medical providers when something doesn’t feel right, and the reality that even something as simple as taking a shower or finding someone you trust to watch your child can become complicated.

She also talks about balancing motherhood with work and entrepreneurship, finding small ways to decompress, building CMD Marketing Enterprises/CMD Design Lab, and working to reboot her son’s show.

Through it all, Maria reminds autism moms that strength does not mean pretending everything is easy.

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 – Meet Maria

00:16 – Princess Early Signs

01:46 – Diagnosis During Pregnancy

02:28 – Finding Services

05:05 – School Struggles Begin

08:05 – Advocacy with Receipts

11:00 – Two Kids Two Profiles

12:46 – RJ Diagnosis and Supports

17:37 – What People Don’t See

22:16 – Finding Joy and Self Care

24:12 – Building Her Business

27:10 – Advice for Autism Moms

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Maria DeVoe is a mother, entrepreneur, and autism advocate originally from Baltimore and now based in Atlanta. She is raising two teenagers on the autism spectrum, Princess Brianna and Robert Jr., and has spent years navigating therapies, school systems, medical care, and the everyday realities of autism motherhood.

Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to advocacy, documentation, and ensuring her children receive the support they need to thrive. Outside of motherhood, Maria is also the founder of CMD Marketing Enterprises/CMD Design Lab, where she channels her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into her work.

CONNECT WITH MARIA

Website: www.cmddesignlab.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mariadevoe_

Maria’s Message to Autism Moms

You don't have to pretend you have everything together. You can be tired. You can be frustrated. You can be scared. You can need help. It is okay to not be okay. Seek support. Ask for grace. Protect your peace. Trust yourself enough to speak up when something doesn't feel right—and keep showing up for your children without forgetting that you matter, too. Because sometimes the moms who make it look easy are carrying more than anyone realizes.

Autism for Badass Moms celebrates the fierce, determined, and courageous mothers raising children on the autism spectrum while creating space for the conversations about autism motherhood that are too often left unsaid.

If 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 misunderstood

Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Follow Us:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Andrea Jordan, a Chicago-area mom of three whose 8-year-old daughter, Zuri, was diagnosed with Level 3 autism shortly before turning three.

Andrea opens up about receiving Zuri’s diagnosis during an already difficult chapter in her marriage, the loneliness she experienced, and what life has looked like since her divorce. She shares the realities of parallel parenting, advocating for services when both parents are not always on the same page, and carrying the weight of appointments, school needs, insurance battles, and major decisions.

She also shares one of her greatest sources of comfort: knowing that Zuri has two older brothers who love her fiercely and can help advocate for her when she cannot advocate for herself.

Two years after her divorce, Andrea is still rebuilding—balancing motherhood, a 13-year career with the VA, family, friendships, fitness, healing, and the dreams she still wants to pursue.

In this episode, we discuss:

1.0 – Meet Andrea

1:04 – Early Signs of Autism

2:04 – Autism Research

2:29 – Early Intervention

3:10 – Denial

3:49 – Emotional Impact

4:38 – He Wants a Divorce

5:41 – Beginning Therapy

9:56 – The Turning Point

10:14 – Marriage Retreat & Final Realization

10:44 – Filing for Divorce

11:25 – Parallel Parenting

11:46 – 50/50 Custody

15:27 – Attempts at Co-Parenting

17:44 – Involving Children in Conflict

21:15 – Back to Court

29:31 – Gym as a Mental Escape

35:45 – Advice for Moms

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Andrea Jordan is a poet. She is currently working on a book that incorporates her poetry that was written during her marriage and divorce. Andrea is passionate about helping other moms understand that choosing yourself is not selfish – it’s essential. Her message is rooted in faith over fear, self- advocacy, and the belief that the most important promise you can keep is the one you make to yourself.

CONNECT WITH ANDREA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drea_delena

Facebook: Andrea Jordan

TikTok: drea_delena

LinkedIn: Andrea Jordan

If 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 misunderstood

Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Follow Us:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with entrepreneur, mentor, and autism mom Chastity Hankins for an honest conversation about what happens when the demands of the entertainment and beauty industries collide with the realities of raising a child with autism.

Chastity shares her journey from noticing early signs in her son Kobe, through the diagnosis process, and into building her business Bombshell Beautii — all while managing therapy schedules, industry travel, and her own mental health.

Chastity shares how she turned survival mode into a blueprint, how pattern recognition keeps her business running, and why she credits her son with choosing her as his mother.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 - Meet Chastity
1:23 - Noticing the Signs
2:29 - Gaslit
3:01 - Early Intervention
4:35 - Getting the Diagnosis
5:24 - Processing the Diagnosis
6:41 - Finding Purpose in the Journey
8:27 - Family Reaction
10:47 - Family Dynamics
12:46 - Sibling Bond
14:37 - Balancing Business and Motherhood
17:39 - Industry Demands
21:00 - Time Management
22:50 - Torn Between Kids and Career
24:10 - Divine Purpose
27:19 - Getting Your Pink Back
29:08 - The Breaking Point
30:23 - Building Bombshell Beautii
32:55 - Elopement, Safety and Free Resources
34:54 - Finding Community
38:26 - Self-Care
40:55 - Contact Chastity
43:48 - Advice for Moms
48:13 - What Makes Chastity Badass

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Chastity Hankins is a self-taught hairstylist, entrepreneur, and autism advocate based in Virginia Beach, VA. She is the founder of Bombshell Beautii, offering hair extensions, wigs, and styling services. Her work has been featured on reality television productions, and she is currently expanding into brick-and-mortar beauty supply stores along the East and West Coasts.

CONNECT with CHASTITY

Website: www.bombshellbeautii.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/bombshellbeautii (business) | Instagram.com/blackbarbiebombshell

Facebook: Chastity Hankins / Bombshell Beautii

Know a mom who's juggling it all? A fellow autism parent? Someone building a business while raising kids? Send this their way — one conversation can change a trajectory.

New episodes every Tuesday.

If 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 misunderstood

Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Follow Us:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

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 Lekana

1:00 — Oldest son and early signs

5:11 — Processing guilt and grief

10:26 — Meltdowns, work struggles, and getting an adult evaluation

14:12 — Community denial and fear of stigma

17:37 — Youngest son's ADHD and Autism diagnosis story

20:02 — Incident at school

26:42 — School supports, IEPs, and bullying

30:11 — Connecting with each son emotionally

34:09 — African American community and mental health

43:26 — Relief through son's therapy sessions

45:17 — Career as a hairstylist and model

49:39 — Advice for moms afraid of stigma

54:33 — What makes Lekana badass

Connect with Lekana:

Instagram: Instagram.com/LekanaWill

Modeling inquiries: [email protected]

If 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 misunderstood

Follow Us:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook .com/theabmpodcast

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 Erin

0:54 – Pregnant during COVID

2:53 – Her son's RSV hospitalization

4:26 – Developmental regression

6:22 – Getting the autism diagnosis

8:12 – How the diagnosis shifted the relationship

12:06 – Using ChatGPT to cope

12:57 – Building the escape plan

23:51 – The car accident that changed everything

25:21 – Police escort

26:32 – Co-parenting and contact today

32:37 – Mental health and suicidal thoughts

33:32 – Finishing her master's in social work

34:29 – The Title IV fellowship

42:44 – Where to find Erin

43:54 – Advice for moms still stuck

46:22 – What makes Erin badass

Connect with Erin:

Facebook: Erin Jackson

Instagram: 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/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

A Note to Our Listeners

This 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.

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 Prue
1:38 – Early signs before diagnosis
2:03 – Long wait for a diagnosis
3:55 – Behaviors that led to seeking an assessment
5:46 – Autism and ADHD
10:33 – Processing grief and shifting expectations
12:00 – 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 wins
25:52 – Balancing attention between siblings
29:02 – Helping sibling understand neurodivergence
30:05 – Mom guilt, masking feelings, and self-compassion
34:21 – Making time for self-care
36:12 – Why Prue decided to share her story
39:10 – Finding community with other special-needs parents
42:20 – Jock's therapy team
45:55 – Advice for a mom newly navigating diagnosis
47:55 – What makes Prue "badass"
49:27 – Get in contact with Prue

Connect with Prue McCormack

Facebook: Prue McCormack

Instagram: 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/theabmpodcast

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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 Lexus

1:00 – Twins' NICU journey and early signs of autism

5:26 – Fight to get both twins properly evaluated

9:30 – Health crisis dismissed by doctors

13:30 – Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis

18:00 – Burnout

22:15 – Therapy, Part-time work, and starting CrossFit

24:53 – How the twins are thriving now

31:41 – Reach out to Lexus

33:20 – Advice for overwhelmed moms

Connect with Lexus

Facebook: Lexus Lynette

Instagram: 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/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast