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In Episode 3 of Brains at Work, Steph and Claire explore something many people experience but struggle to explain: demand avoidance and the powerful role autonomy plays in how we work.

If you’ve ever opened your laptop, seen a deadline reminder, and suddenly found yourself reorganising your desktop instead of starting the task… this episode will feel very familiar. 

Building on the conversations around rejection sensitivity from Episode 2, this episode dives into why certain expectations, deadlines, or instructions can trigger a strong internal resistance—even when it’s something you genuinely want to do.

Steph and Claire unpack the psychology behind demand avoidance, the connection to anxiety and autonomy, and why the issue often isn’t motivation—it’s a nervous system reacting to perceived pressure.

In this episode, they explore:

• What demand avoidance actually is (and what it isn’t)
• The concept of Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA)
• Why deadlines, expectations, and even praise can sometimes feel overwhelming
• How workplace structures can unintentionally trigger avoidance
• Real stories from listeners navigating demand avoidance at work
• Practical ways managers and teams can design work that supports autonomy instead of triggering resistance

Steph and Claire also share practical tools for individuals and workplaces—from reframing demands and offering choice to designing calmer, more collaborative work environments.

Because when people feel safe, supported, and in control of how they work, something powerful happens:

Resistance drops, and capability rises.