Calm Parenting Podcast · Kirk Martin

When PDA Kids Resist | What My Son Taught Me About Anxiety #563

February 15, 2026·18 min·1 clip
Kirk Martin shares how he masked his PDA for decades, lying to bosses and skipping graduations.
Kirk Martin shares his personal experience with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), revealing how he masked symptoms for years and how his son Casey also exhibits PDA traits. He uses a hiking trip as a metaphor for managing anxiety, offering strategies for parents to lead their PDA kids through discomfort without pushing them.

As heard by us

A steep hike becomes a clear case for reading quiet as effort.

A steep hike with ropes, chains, and drop-offs gives the episode a grounded setting for a practical lesson about PDA, anxiety, and how a child can look shut down while still doing real work inside.

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Why you'd press play

When your kid goes silent, this gives you a steadier read than your own panic.

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