EPISODE · Nov 11, 2025 · 1H 9M
Ep. 113 - Autism, Advocacy, and a Broken Legal System with Chanel
from Autism for Badass Moms · host Rashidah Cartwright
In this powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms,Rashidah sits down with Chanel Grant, an educator, advocate, and the fierce force behind Rise of the Phoenix: The M.O.D.Y. Manifesto. From the sunny state of California, Chanel opens up about her deeply personal journey—one shaped by resilience, advocacy, and an unshakable love for her son,(“Lex”), who was diagnosed with autism and a language impairment at age three.When Chanel’s life took an unexpected turn into the familycourt system, she found herself in a grueling three-year custody battle while managing her son’s growing developmental needs and her own medical challenges.Through every setback, she refused to be silenced. What could have broken her instead became the foundation of her movement—The M.O.D.Y. Manifesto (Mom of the Damn Year)—a bold call to action for mothers reclaiming their poweramid chaos and injustice.Chanel unpacks the emotional, systemic, and spiritual layersof navigating motherhood in the face of adversity—how to rise when life tries to burn you down, why advocacy begins with self-belief, and what it truly means to build something powerful from the ashes. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:21 Meet Chanel Grant: A Journey from California00:48 Autism Advocacy and the Broken Legal System01:56 Chanel's Early Intuition and Diagnosis Journey05:26 Navigating Divorce and Custody Battles07:23 Fighting for Early Intervention and Services13:04 Challenges of Co-Parenting and Legal Struggles16:56 Personal Sacrifices and Health Struggles20:45 The Importance of Early Diagnosis andIntervention24:17 Overcoming Legal and Systemic Barriers36:30 The Rise of Autism and MS36:51 Challenges in the Court System38:19 Creative Solutions for Co-Parenting40:07 The Importance of Informed Professionals40:59 Financial Struggles and Custody Battles42:57 Advocating for Neurodivergent Children53:10 The Birth of Rise of the Phoenix56:26 Resources and Support for Moms01:02:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement If you liked this episode and want to connect with Chanel:Website: https://www.themodymanifesto.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/momofthedamnyearInstagram: https://instagram.com/modymanifestoFacebook: https://facebook.com/momofthedamnyearLinkedIn: Chanel Crawford-Grant If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate,and leave a review or share it with a friend who might need it! Follow Autism for Badass Moms Podcast on social platforms:YouTube: autismforbadassmomsInstagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/theabmpodcastTikTok: autismforbadassmoms Find more information at:https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com
What this episode covers
In this powerful episode of Autism for Badass Moms,Rashidah sits down with Chanel Grant, an educator, advocate, and the fierce force behind Rise of the Phoenix: The M.O.D.Y. Manifesto. From the sunny state of California, Chanel opens up about her deeply personal journey—one shaped by resilience, advocacy, and an unshakable love for her son,(“Lex”), who was diagnosed with autism and a language impairment at age three.When Chanel’s life took an unexpected turn into the familycourt system, she found herself in a grueling three-year custody battle while managing her son’s growing developmental needs and her own medical challenges.Through every setback, she refused to be silenced. What could have broken her instead became the foundation of her movement—The M.O.D.Y. Manifesto (Mom of the Damn Year)—a bold call to action for mothers reclaiming their poweramid chaos and injustice.Chanel unpacks the emotional, systemic, and spiritual layersof navigating motherhood in the face of adversity—how to rise when life tries to burn you down, why advocacy begins with self-belief, and what it truly means to build something powerful from the ashes. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:21 Meet Chanel Grant: A Journey from California00:48 Autism Advocacy and the Broken Legal System01:56 Chanel's Early Intuition and Diagnosis Journey05:26 Navigating Divorce and Custody Battles07:23 Fighting for Early Intervention and Services13:04 Challenges of Co-Parenting and Legal Struggles16:56 Personal Sacrifices and Health Struggles20:45 The Importance of Early Diagnosis andIntervention24:17 Overcoming Legal and Systemic Barriers36:30 The Rise of Autism and MS36:51 Challenges in the Court System38:19 Creative Solutions for Co-Parenting40:07 The Importance of Informed Professionals40:59 Financial Struggles and Custody Battles42:57 Advocating for Neurodivergent Children53:10 The Birth of Rise of the Phoenix56:26 Resources and Support for Moms01:02:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement If you liked this episode and want to connect with Chanel:Website: https://www.themodymanifesto.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/momofthedamnyearInstagram: https://instagram.com/modymanifestoFacebook: https://facebook.com/momofthedamnyearLinkedIn: Chanel Crawford-Grant If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate,and leave a review or share it with a friend who might need it! Follow Autism for Badass Moms Podcast on social platforms:YouTube: autismforbadassmomsInstagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: https://facebook.com/theabmpodcastTikTok: autismforbadassmoms Find more information at:https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com
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Ep. 113 - Autism, Advocacy, and a Broken Legal System with Chanel
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