Wealthy and Well-Known Podcast From Devastation to Purpose: How One Mom Became the "Special Education Boss" with Karen Meyer Cunningham
Jan 27, 2026
Karen Mayer Cunningham, a national special education advocate and author of The Epic IEP, turned a family crisis into a movement. She discusses her son’s diagnosis and the failures of the system. She explains grassroots growth on social media, scaling from one-on-one help to training and a membership academy. She also covers content strategy, live Q&A growth, and charging for service without guilt.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Devastating Diagnosis Sparked A Mission
- Karen Mayer Cunningham describes the terrifying moment her toddler lost milestones and received a harsh autism diagnosis.
- That devastation launched her relentless search for resources and advocacy that became her life's work.
CPS Report Became A Turning Point
- Karen recounts being reported to Child Protective Services after her son began preschool and confronting an unprepared CPS worker.
- That encounter led her to local disability resources and ignited her engagement with special education systems.
Specific IEPs Change Lifelong Outcomes
- Karen realized teachers often lack training in special education law and application.
- She concluded well-crafted, specific IEPs can transform a child's lifelong outcomes when implemented correctly.
