At Peace Parents
A guide for parents of PDA children, offering a nervous-system and autonomy-first approach to understanding and supporting them.
This podcast is a resource for understanding and parenting children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Host Casey Ehrlich presents her framework that defines PDA not as an anxiety-driven disorder, but as a nervous system disability triggered by a perceived loss of autonomy and equality. The show offers practical strategies, personal anecdotes, and expert interviews to help parents move away from traditional behavioral approaches and toward an accommodation-based model that prioritizes nervous system regulation.
“The show's primary distinction is its redefinition of PDA as a 'survival drive for autonomy and equality,' moving away from the classic 'anxiety-based' model. Host Casey Ehrlich coined the term 'equalizing' to describe the behavioral response and developed the '4 S Framework' (Safe Nervous System, Sensory Intense Experience, Special Interests, Screens) as a core practical tool.”
Who hosts this show
Casey Ehrlich, PhD, is a social scientist and the founder of At Peace Parents. As the mother of two PDA children, she combines personal experience with 15 years of social science methodology to coach parents and therapists. Ehrlich is a leading researcher of PDA in the United States, co-authoring peer-reviewed studies and working with the University of Michigan Medical School. Her work reframes Pathological Demand Avoidance as a nervous system disability rooted in a survival drive for autonomy.
Credentials & credits
- PhD in Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- CEO and Founder, At Peace Parents
- Co-author of peer-reviewed studies on PDA
- Fulbright Scholarship recipient
- National Science Foundation grant recipient
- Social Science Research Council grant recipient
Other ventures
- At Peace Parents (coaching and training organization)
- Paradigm Shift Program® (signature coaching program)
- PDA research with the University of Michigan Medical School
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02"They Will Eat When They Are Hungry": Why This Is Not True for PDA ChildrenJun 28, 2026 · 1 min
- 03"Pathological Demand Avoidance Isn't Real": A Researcher's ResponseJun 27, 2026 · 1 min
- 04One Simple Experiment That May Change How You See Your PDA ChildJun 26, 2026 · 25s
- 05Sugar Is Not the Main Enemy for PDA Children. Here Is What Actually IsJun 25, 2026 · 2 min
- 06
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01Understanding the Root Cause of Pathological Demand Avoidance and Equalizing Behavior | Ep. 168
Introduces the host's foundational redefinition of PDA and her original concept of 'equalizing behavior,' which are central to the podcast's philosophy.
- 02Four Ways To Create Calm With Your Pathologically Demand Avoidant Child | Ep. 166
Details the host's practical and memorable '4 S Framework,' offering listeners a concrete strategy to apply.
- 03Individualized Education Plan Advocacy for PathologicalDemandAvoidance with Dr. Destiny Huff |Ep.167
A representative example of the show's expert interviews, tackling a critical and challenging issue for parents of PDA children (school advocacy).
What you'll be asked on this show
The show is a mix of solo and interview formats. In interviews, the host, Casey, provides a thorough introduction of the guest's credentials and background. She begins with broad, open-ended questions to establish the guest's origin story and expertise before moving into specific strategies relevant to parents of PDA children. Throughout, she validates the guest's points and explicitly connects their insights to the struggles her listeners likely face.
The podcast is a mix of solo educational episodes and interviews with experts. In solo episodes, Casey Ehrlich presents her core concepts and frameworks, often using personal stories about her own PDA son to illustrate points. Interview episodes feature professionals like educational advocates and neuropsychologists, with Ehrlich guiding the conversation to extract practical advice for her audience.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
3 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
1- Q.01
“What led to your work as a neurodiversity-affirming advocate/professional?”
This is often an opening question used to establish the guest's personal and professional origin story.
advice
1- Q.01
“Can you explain the basics of [a key concept like IEP or 504 plan]?”
The host asks for foundational definitions of key terms to ensure the audience can follow the conversation.
process
1- Q.01
“How do you navigate the pushback from schools/systems regarding PDA?”
This question probes for the guest's specific, actionable strategies for advocacy and dealing with institutional barriers.
Signature segments
- · Defining PDA as a 'survival drive for autonomy and equality'
- · The concept of 'Equalizing Behavior'
- · The '4 S Framework' for regulation
- · Calls to action for the Paradigm Shift Program®
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically licensed professionals and experts who specialize in neurodiversity and can offer practical support for families. This includes neuropsychologists, special education advocates, and therapists who align with a neuro-affirming, accommodation-based approach.
- Dr. Destiny Huffon Individualized Education Plan Advocacy for PathologicalDemandAvoidance with Dr. Destiny Huff |Ep.167
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast serves as a primary marketing channel for the host's business, At Peace Parents. Episodes frequently promote her paid offerings, including the signature "Paradigm Shift Program®," private coaching, and various masterclasses.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
People also ask
- What is the host's real name and background?
- The host is Casey Ehrlich, who holds a PhD in Political Science and is the founder of At Peace Parents. She is a social scientist and a mother to two PDA children.
- What is this podcast's definition of PDA?
- The podcast defines Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) as a nervous system disability rooted in a 'survival drive for autonomy and equality,' which can override other basic instincts like eating or safety.
- What is the format of the show?
- It's a mix of solo episodes where the host explains her concepts and frameworks, and interviews with experts like neuropsychologists and educational advocates.
- Is this podcast still active?
- Yes, new episodes are released on a weekly basis.
- What is the 'Paradigm Shift Program' mentioned in the podcast?
- It is the host's signature 12-week paid coaching program designed to teach parents her autonomy-based framework for raising PDA children.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms like iHeartRadio and Apple Podcasts.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]About - At Peace Parentsatpeaceparents.com
- [02]At Peace Parents: PDA Parenting Supportatpeaceparents.com
- [03]Paradigm Shift Program® | PDA Parent Coachingatpeaceparents.com
- [04]At Peace Parents Podcastpodcasts.apple.com
- [05]Meet Casey Ehrlich, PhD of At Peace Parents - Voyage Michigan Magazinevoyagemichigan.com
- [06]PDA with Casey Ehrlich | Sage Familysagefamily.com
- [07]Ep. 184: Could Pathological Demand Avoidance Clarify My Child's Challenges? with Dr. Casey Ehrlichdrinc.org
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