Journeys With PDA Coffee Chat Podcast
Journeys With PDA 40 episodes Oct 16, 2026
The Journeys With PDA Coffee Chat Podcast explores Pathological Demand Avoidance, an autism profile, and broader neurodiversity topics. Hosts Heather and Kerissa share their experiences parenting autistic PDA children and discovering their own neurodivergence. Episodes discuss the honest, authentic reality of supporting unique brains, with moments of laughter and tears. The show aims to offer connection, community, and co-regulation for listeners.
Episodes
EP 42: Special Guest - Laura Kerbey
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and Kerissa welcome special guest Laura Kerbey.Laura Kerbey has worked with autistic children and young people for more than 20 years across mainstream, further education, and specialist settings. With a background in psychology and special education, Laura has extensive experience supporting autistic and ADHD learners and
EP 41: Special Guest- Dr. Joy
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and guest co-host Dusty welcome special guest Dr. Joy Eberhardt DeMaster.Dr. Joy Eberhardt DeMaster joins the conversation to break down the relationship between PDA, PANS, and PANDAS through a parent-led, integrative, and neurodiversity-affirming lens. Key topics covered:What PDA means and why the term “persistent drive f
EP 40: Special Guest - Sarah Mireles
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and Kerissa welcome special guest Sarah Mireles.Sarah Mireles, LPCC, CLC, is a neurodivergent therapist and founder of Sarah Mireles Therapy with more than 10 years of experience supporting neurodivergent teens, young adults, and their families across hospital, residential, and outpatient settings. After seeing families cy
EP 39: Special Guest - Bailey Hoffner
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and Kerissa welcome special guest and friend of Journeys With PDA, Bailey Hoffner.Bailey is a poet, mother, white woman, neuroqueer, autistic PDAer, and recovering neuro-conformer. Her well-being is grounded in autonomy, trust, growing self-awareness, and mutual, unconditional love. She currently serves as the Metadata Lib
EP 38: Special Guest - Rike Brand
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and Kerissa welcome special guest Rike Brand, author of "PDA Parenting."Rike Brand is the author of the German-language #1 category bestseller "Neustart PDA" and a mother of two. Her journey as a parent sparked her interest in PDA. With a background in cultural anthropology, she has spent years deeply i
Season 4: Episode 37: Special Guests - Doris and Rick Bowman
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and Kerissa welcome special guests Doris and Rick Bowman from Bowman Consulting Group, and the authors of "Your FBA is a Fantasy!" and its sequel, "Facing the Fantasy, Finding the Way Forward."Over the course of more than 20 years in special education, Doris and Rick Bowman—known internationally as “Tea
EP 36: Special Guests- Caryn Price & Georgina Benger: Authors of 'Olive's Day'
In this episode of the Journeys with PDA Coffee Chat podcast, hosts Heather and Kerissa welcome special guests Caryn and Georgina, who share their insights on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and their experiences as educators and authors. They discuss the importance of understanding PDA, the impact of language and labels, and the need for autonomy in children. The conversation also delves into
EP 35: Special Guest - Sarah Martin, RDN: Neurodivergent-affirming Nutrition {Part 3}
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa engage in a deep conversation with Sarah Martin, a registered dietitian nutritionist, about the challenges of eating for individuals with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and the complexities of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). They explore the differences between selective eating and ARFID, the importance of responsive feeding therapy, and
EP 34: Special Guests - Rachel Crupi & Brad Broyles; Polaris Academy
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Rachel Crupi & Brad Broyles.Rachel and Brad are from Polaris Academy in Mesa, Arizona. Polaris Academy is a transformative autism academy dedicated to empowering neurodiverse children.Find out more about Polaris Academy: www.polarisacademy.orgConnect with Rachel: rachel@polarisacademy.org Connect with Brad: brad@polarisacademy.orgWe offer connecti
EP 33: Special Guest - Rachel Crupi, M.S., BCBA-LBA
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Rachel Crupi, M.S., BCBA-LBA. Rachel Crupi is the Director of Behavior Services at Polaris Academy in Mesa, Arizona. Polaris Academy is a transformative autism academy dedicated to empowering neurodiverse children.Find out more about Polaris Academy: www.polarisacademy.orgConnect with Rachel: rachel@polarisacademy.orgWe offer connection, community &am
EP 32: Special Guest - Sarah Martin, RDN: Neurodivergent-affirming Nutrition {Part 2}
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa continue their discussion on nutrition and eating challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). They are joined by dietitian Sarah Martin, who shares her insights on the complexities of feeding neurodivergent children, the importance of autonomy in eating, and practical strategies for parents. The c
EP 31: Special Guest- Leah McDermott: Unschooling & Bridge Academy
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Leah McDermott.Leah is a former teacher turned radical unschooling advocate, owner and author at Your Natural Learner, and founder and head of school at Bridge Academy.Connect with Leah on Facebook and Instagram @yournaturallearnerLearn more about Bridge Academy at https://bridgeacademy.us/Join Heather & Kerissa as they share from an authentic &am
EP 30: Special Guest- Sarah Martin, RDN: Neurodivergent-affirming Nutrition {Part 1}
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Sarah Martin, RDN Sarah Martin, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist dedicated to educating and empowering neurodivergent individuals and families to nourish their relationships with food and eating. A late-diagnosed AuDHD PDAer and parent of 3 neurodivergent children, Sarah is in the startup process for her company, Kindred Noodle, to provide n
EP 29: Special Guest- Steph Curtis: PDA in the Family
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Steph Curtis, author of "PDA in the Family: Life After the Lightbulb Moment," and the blog Steph's Two Girls.You can find more information about Steph Curtis at www.stephstwogirls.co.ukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephstwogirlsJoin Heather & Kerissa as they share from an authentic & real-life perspective with in-depth con
EP 28: Special Guest: JD Barker- New York Times and International Best Selling Author
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa chat with New York Times and International Best Selling Author JD Barker about late diagnosis and being an autistic author.You can find more information about JD Barker at: https://jdbarker.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealjdbarkerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdbarker_author?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Jo
Season 3 Episode 27: Neurodivergent Accommodations, Adjustments & Supports
In our Season 3 Kick-Off, Heather & Kerissa chat about accommodations. Join Heather & Kerissa as they share from an authentic & real-life perspective with in-depth conversations around neurodiversity, PDA autism profile, and the autistic experience. This, on occasion, includes sensitive and difficult topics. (Topics include but are not limited to mental health crisis, depression, anxie
EP 26: Season 2 Wrap Up!
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa reflect and chat on Season 2 of our Coffee Chat Podcast.Join Heather & Kerissa as they share from an authentic & real-life perspective with in-depth conversations around neurodiversity, PDA autism profile, and the autistic experience. This, on occasion, includes sensitive and difficult topics. (Topics include but are not limited to mental health crisi
EP 25: Autism As A Dynamic Disability
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa chat about recognizing autism as a dynamic disability. This means that autistics abilities and challenges can change and evolve, influenced by personal, social, and environmental factors. Autism, when seen as dynamic, allows for a more holistic understanding of the individual's experiences.Join Heather & Kerissa as they share from an authentic &
EP 22: The Double Empathy Problem
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa chat about an interesting phenomenon known as The Double Empathy Problem. The Double Empathy Problem suggests that when people with very different experiences interact, they will struggle to empathize with each other. This creates misunderstandings between Neurodivergents and Neurotypicals that range from comical to traumatic. Join Heather & Kerissa as t
EP 21: Special Guest: Clare Truman - PDA & Education
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Clare Truman. Clare Truman is an education consultant, author, PhD student, and big sister to an autistic young man. She specializes in supporting PDA children and young people to access education.She is the author of ‘The Teacher’s Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom’ published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
EP 20: Special Guest: Donna Henderson- Is This Autism?
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Dr. Donna Henderson about digging deeper into the characteristics of autism that may be missed by traditional assessments.Dr. Donna Henderson has been a clinical neuropsychologist for over 30 years. She is passionate about identifying and supporting autistic individuals, particularly those who camouflage, and she is co-author (with Drs. Sarah Wayland
EP 19: Special Guest: Robyn Gobbel- Big, Baffling Behaviors
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Robin Goebel, a former therapist and play therapist, about supporting children with big baffling behaviors and vulnerable nervous systems. Robin discusses her shift from focusing solely on trauma to a broader understanding of neurodivergent minds and the impact of the autonomic nervous system on behavior. She emphasizes the importance of understanding
EP 18: Special Guest: Sunita Theiss- PDA Flow & Downshifting
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa chat with special guest Sunita Theiss.Sunita shares her journey as a mother of neurodivergent children and her own neurodivergent identity. She discusses the process of realizing her family's neurodivergence and the freedom it brought. Sunita also talks about the challenges and joys of raising children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and the dec
EP 17: All About Autistic Inertia
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa discuss the concept of autistic inertia and its impact on PDA individuals and autistic people. Autistic inertia refers to the tendency to remain at rest or keep moving in a constant direction, and it plays a significant role in transitions and task-switching. The discussion explores the frustration and discomfort experienced when interrupted during a flow sta
EP 16: Special Guest: Lisa Baskin Wright; Neurodiversity Affirming IEPs
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Lisa Baskin Wright (IEP Coach) about Neurodiversity Affirming IEPs. Lisa discusses her journey and experiences in supporting families with PDA learners. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and humanizing the child in the IEP process. Lisa also highlights the challenges faced by parents and the need for a common understanding with the school te
EP 15: Season 2 kick off- Autistic Burnout
Welcome back! In this episode, Heather & Kerissa kick off season 2 of the podcast discussing the topic of autistic burnout. They define autistic burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate support. They explore the common characteristics of autistic burnout, such as difficulty with executive functioning, increased inten
EP 14: Season 1 Wrap Up!
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa reminisce and chat about each episode from Season 1. We had such a fantastic first season! We learned so much from our amazing guests! We are so excited about Season 2 coming February '24!!Season 1Episode 1: Who We AreEpisode 2: PDA: What it is & Why we careEpisode 3: PDA vs. autistic avoidanceEpisode 4: Amanda Diekman, Low-Demand ParentingEpisode 5:
EP 13: Special Guest: Tricia Wagner, LCPC- Understanding Suicide and Suicidal Ideation
In this episode, Heather and Kerissa chat with Tricia Wagner, LCPC and director of Outpatient Services at Shodair Children's Hospital.We have an open conversation about understanding suicidal thoughts vs. suicidal ideation. Ways to support a child experiencing suicidal ideation. We talk about how to have a conversation with your child about what they are feeling. We also discuss the importanc
EP 12: Special Guest: Dr. Jena Foreman, Clinical Pharmacist (Part 2)
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa chat with Jena Foreman, Clinical Pharmacist. This is part 2 of the conversation with Jena. They all continue their conversation about prescription medications. We talk about all things medications. We ask the questions you are too afraid to ask. We get the answers parents need for making tough decisions surrounding medications. *This conversation is for infor
EP 11: Special Guest: Suzanne Gunn- The Weight of Parental Shame
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa chat with their friend and sleep specialist Suzanne Gunn. Suzanne is the mother of 2 neurodivergent children, both PDAers. She is also a Neurodivergent Sleep Specialist. You can learn more about her at The Motherload Neurodivergent Family Sleep. (https://linktr.ee/themotherloadpda) We will be chatting about the weight of parental shame that neurodivergent par
EP 10: Special Guest: Dr. Jena Foreman, Clinical Pharmacist (Part 1)
In this episode Heather and Kerissa chat with Dr. Jena Foreman all about medications. We ask all the questions you are afraid to ask. We talk about how medications are metabolized, dosed and med classifications. This information is for informational and educational purpose. We are in no way prescribing or even recommending medications.The intent is to equip everyone with a deeper understanding of
EP 9: Special Guest: Suzanne Gunn, The Motherload Sleep ND- Sleep & PDA (Part 2)
This episode is Part 2 of Sleep & PDA . Heather & Kerissa chat again with Suzanne Gunn from The Motherload Neurodivergent Family Sleep. (https://linktr.ee/themotherloadpda)Suzanne is is a Certified Infant & Family Sleep Specialist. She is neurodivergent and parent of a PDAer.Sleep can be a challenge for neurodivergent brains! Ever wonder why you wake up at the same time in the middle
EP 8: Special Guest: Suzanne Gunn, Sleep Specialist- PDA & Neurodivergent Sleep (Part 1)
In this episode Heather & Kerissa chat with Suzanne Gunn from The Motherload Neurodivergent Family Sleep. (https://linktr.ee/themotherloadpda)Suzanne is is a Certified Infant & Family Sleep Specialist. She is neurodivergent and parent of a PDAer. We chat all about SLEEP! Suzanne share the science behind sleeping and the the challenges that arise for neurodivergent people. We all share the
EP 7: Special Guest: Michelle Graves- All Things PDA & Autistic Burnout
In this episode Heather & Kerissa have special guest Michelle Graves from Homebody Michelle. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram at: @homebodymichelleg (https://www.instagram.com/homebodymichelleg/?hl=en)Michelle is PDA and mother of 4 PDA children. She shares of her experience of supporting her family to a more peaceful and happy place. We also discuss autistic burnout. What it can lo
EP 6: Special Guest: Laura Kerbey- Special Interests
In this episode Heather & Kerissa are joined by Laura Kerbey from PAST (Positive Assessments Support & Training)https://p-ast.co.uk/Laura's new book is The Educator's Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance.*Trigger Warning: In this episode we are talking about special interests which include subjects that may not be suitable for everyone. These topics include true crime, ser
EP 5: No- We Aren't All A Little Autistic
In this episode Heather & Kerissa discuss the diagnostic criteria of autism. We dig deep into the autistic experience. Explain and give real life examples of autistic characteristics. We use our lived experience plus diagnostic criteria to explain that a person cannot be "a little autistic" and that everyone is not "a little autistic".Heather & Kerissa cannot diagnose a
EP 4: Special Guest Amanda Diekman: Low-Demand Parenting -Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Heather & Kerissa chat with special guest Amanda Diekman author of the soon to be released book "Low-Demand Parenting". Amanda shares about her family's journey through Pathological Demand Avoidance, autistic burnout, crisis and the path they took to find peace and healing.Amanda is a coach and has many helpful courses and resources to support parents.Visit her website: https://
EP 3: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Vs. Autistic Avoidance- What's the Difference?
In a world full of demands, tasks, obligations and busy schedules, we all find ourselves avoiding something. As humans, we avoid and procrastinate. In this episode, Heather & Kerissa talk about the difference in the kind of avoidance that comes along with being autistic and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). The root cause of avoidance plays a big part in supporting and processing through it
EP 2: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)- What it is & Why we care!
In this episode, Heather & Kerissa go into detail about what Pathological Demand Avoidance autism profile is. They discuss the characteristics and how PDA can present. Heather & Kerissa also share why PDA is such an important subject to them.Join us as we have in-depth and real discussions around PDA and the autistic experience. We share from an authentic and real perspective. We offer c
EP 1: Who We Are- An Introduction
Who We Are- An IntroductionWelcome to our first episode of Journeys With PDA Coffee Chat Podcast.In this episode, you will get to meet Heather Jessup and Kerissa Lyman.They share about themselves, talk about their own neurodivergence and what brought them on to the journey of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) autism profile.They share their stories from an authentic and real perspective. They of
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