Welcome to Episode 3 of PDA: Resistance and Resilience, recorded in Skokie, Illinois, following the PDA North America Conference. In this episode, Marni and Chris reflect on their time at the event—what it was like to attend as participants rather than presenters, the range of experiences among PDA parents and adults, and the importance of building community across stages of life and development.
From honoring nervous system needs and exploring adult PDA identity to parenting struggles, unschooling, and reframing success outside conventional norms, this conversation is rich with lived insight and emotional honesty. Chris shares about using their imagination to survive trauma and how that process eventually integrated into their grounded adult life. Marni talks about shifting expectations and learning from the wisdom of neurodivergent tradespeople. Together, they trace the complexity of the PDA experience—internalized and externalized, across age, gender, and social location.
Topics include:
Reflections on the PDA North America Annual Conference
The value of seeing other PDA adults thriving
Parenting through the lens of PDA and neurodivergence
Internal vs. external PDA manifestations over time
Navigating school decisions and prioritizing well-being
Imagination as escape and integration
The intersection of giftedness, autonomy, and social justice
College, trades, and expanding definitions of success
Referenced people & organizations:
Marna Wohlfeld (Editor of GHF Journey)
Amanda Diekman (Low Demand Parenting)
Julie Bogart (on homeschooling and perspective)
Connect With Us
Subscribe to PDA: Resistance and Resilience on Substack
Wandering Brightly with Marni Kammersell
Positive Disintegration and cosmic cheer squad with Chris Wells
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