Ep. 147 - Dream Rewritten with Wendy

What this episode covers

Rashidah sits down with Wendy Ernzen — mom, podcaster, and fierce advocate for families raising loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Wendy's daughter Nicola (Nic), 23, has profound autism and bipolar disorder. Wendy shares her decades-long journey through early diagnosis confusion, relentless school battles, a family crisis that spilled into the community, and ultimately finding Nic a safe, supported, and joyful home. This episode is raw, honest, and deeply moving — a must-listen for any parent in the thick of it. In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Intro & Welcome 3:34 — Wendy Joins the Conversation 7:06 — Early Signs & The Road to Diagnosis 11:50 — School Battles & IEPs15:48 — Watching Peers Move On 19:50 — Bipolar Disorder Enters the Picture21:58 — First Crisis at 12: Psychiatric Units 26:40 — Planning for the Future 31:16 — Crisis Before Graduation 34:30 — Behaviors Spill into the Community37:00 — Crisis-Trained Officers 39:54 — Securing Housing: A Two-Month Fight 42:19 — Finding Strength44:59 — PTSD & Therapy47:22 — The Birth of Let's Plant Houses Podcast 50:36 — Advice for the Mom Who Feels Completely Alone 55:46 — What Makes Wendy Badass? 58:11 — How to Connect with Wendy Connect with Wendy: Let's Plant Houses Podcast — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-plant-houses/id1724641933https://open.spotify.com/show/2J8JhQUrkKrXaYxs8JF4Zh?si=0dac5a63b4174d46 Website: www.letsplanthouses.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/letsplanthousesLinkedIn: Wendy Ernzen 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 or misunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Autism for Badass Moms?

This episode is 58 minutes long.

When was this Autism for Badass Moms episode published?

This episode was published on July 14, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Rashidah sits down with Wendy Ernzen — mom, podcaster, and fierce advocate for families raising loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Wendy's daughter Nicola (Nic), 23, has profound autism and bipolar disorder. Wendy shares...

Can I download this Autism for Badass Moms episode?

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