ABA Ultimate Showdown!

In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "Behavior analysts can compartmentalize their beliefs. They can be both religious or spiritual and effectively practice ABA." We examine how determinism, scientific philosophy, and personal belief systems intersect, drawing on examples from behavior analysis and other scientific disciplines.

We share findings from our survey of 189 respondents and construct arguments on both sides to offer a nuanced, balanced look at how science and religion or spirituality can interact in professional practice.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we examine whether the current BACB supervisory system is sufficient to train effective behavior analysts. We explore analogies to other professions, consider how autonomy and variability shape the supervision experience, and question whether the current structure may inadvertently take advantage of supervisees.

Drawing on research, ethics, and data from our own survey of 134 respondents, we construct arguments on both sides of the motion to give listeners a comprehensive and balanced view of supervision in behavior analysis.

Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

Welcome to ABA Ultimate Showdown, a podcast created to promote constructive, respectful, and professional discourse that advances the field of behavior analysis. In Round 4, we carefully examine the highly debated topic of restraints, focusing primarily on mechanical and physical restraints and whether their use can ever be appropriate to keep clients, families, and staff safe.

Because this topic is controversial both within and outside of behavior analysis, we are intentional about our wording and the perspectives we present. We construct research-informed arguments for both sides so listeners can consider a comprehensive, balanced view of the issues involved.

Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

Welcome to ABA Ultimate Showdown, a podcast created to promote constructive, respectful, and professional discourse that advances the field of behavior analysis. While we put the finishing touches on Round 4, we wanted to share a comical reminder of why everyday language matters when working with clients. The theme: "Leave your behavior analytic jargon at the door! Speak to and for the people!"

This one was a truly collaborative effort featuring contributions from our incredible team and members of the CoBA Facebook group. Thank you to everyone who participated!

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "Behavior analysts should not accept gifts because it creates a dual relationship." We cover the legendary glass of water question, compare our field to other disciplines, and raise points you may not have considered. Most importantly, we work to help practitioners make ethical decisions surrounding gifts.

We put significant person-hours into researching, collaborating, writing, and editing this one. As always, we construct arguments for both sides to give you a comprehensive, balanced view of this longstanding question in behavior analysis.

Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

In this round of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "It is in the client's best interest for behavior analysts to include parents as active participants in implementing the behavior plan from the beginning." We explore whether parent participation should start right away or only after staff have established instructional control.

Drawing on research and clinical experience, we construct arguments for both positions so practitioners can consider the benefits, challenges, and ethical implications of each approach. The goal is to offer a comprehensive, balanced discussion that supports thoughtful decision-making in real-world practice.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments.

In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we take on the motion: "The practical functional assessment serves as an effective procedure to analyze and treat problem behavior." We examine the practical functional assessment, including the interview-informed, synthesized contingency analysis (IISCA), alongside traditional functional analysis (FA).

Across months of preparation and over 100 person-hours, we worked to fairly and accurately represent both sides of this controversial topic. In this round, you will hear research-informed arguments supporting and challenging the motion so you can consider a comprehensive, balanced view of PFA/IISCA and traditional FA in practice.

Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you at least one #GrAhamMoment!

Welcome to ABA Ultimate Showdown, a podcast created to promote constructive, respectful, and professional discourse that advances the field of behavior analysis. In this precursor episode, we set the stage for our first debate topic: the practical functional assessment (including the interview-informed, synthesized contingency analysis, or IISCA) versus traditional functional analysis (FA). We focus on defining key terms and concepts so that the main debate can center on the motion itself rather than on wording.

Enjoy a deeper dive into both traditional FA and the practical functional assessment with IISCA as we work to present each side as fairly and accurately as possible. We spent over 100 person-hours across five months developing this content so you can hear a well-prepared, balanced foundation before the full showdown.

For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast.

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you at least one #GrAhamMoment!

Welcome to ABA Ultimate Showdown, a podcast created to promote constructive, respectful, and professional discourse that advances the field of behavior analysis. In this introductory episode, we share the story behind the podcast, outline the structured debate format you can expect in each round, and describe how we hope to positively influence practice, training, and conversation in behavior analysis.

For a full list of references used in this episode, visit https://www.grahambehavior.com/podcasts/introductory-episode/

Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at [email protected].

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform!

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you at least one #GrAhamMoment!