How a Viral Podcast Is Changing Parenting for Kids with PDA
A podcast episode on parenting children with pathological demand avoidance (PDA) has become the most-downloaded release of 2025. The discussion, led by expert Lydia Rex, offers practical advice for families facing the challenges of this often-misunderstood condition.
The episode highlights how PDA stems from a dysregulated nervous system rather than simple defiance. It also introduces tools from the platform’s Framework, designed to support sensitive or intense children.
Lydia Rex, a registered nurse and certified parent coach, specialises in helping families with young children who have sensory needs or developmental trauma. She is also a practitioner of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), a method she combines with the platform’s Framework in her coaching.
In the episode, Rex breaks down simple steps to support a child with PDA. The approach shifts the focus from traditional discipline to understanding the child’s nervous system. Listeners are guided through practical strategies that prioritise connection over control.
The discussion also references the platform’s online courses, including Sensitive & Intense and Power of Questions. These resources provide additional tools for parents navigating similar challenges. One listener, Laura Way, the platform’s Content Manager, previously shared how the Framework helped her as a young mother living abroad.
PDA is often misunderstood as wilful disobedience. The episode clarifies that the behaviour arises from an overwhelmed nervous system, requiring a different parenting approach. Rex’s methods emphasise patience, adaptability, and relational trust.
The episode’s popularity reflects a growing need for accessible, compassionate parenting strategies. Families dealing with PDA now have clearer steps to support their children without relying on outdated disciplinary methods. The platform’s Framework and related courses continue to offer structured guidance for those raising sensitive or intense kids.
