Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman

In Episode 178, Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter shares his journey, exploring his identity as a Black same-gender loving man, his experiences with sickle cell anemia, and his professional path as a psychologist and author. He discusses the impact of his heritage, the significance of sharecropping in his family's history, and the importance of understanding intersectionality in mental health. Jonathan also highlights his challenges in predominantly white academic institutions and his commitment to uplifting Black voices in psychology and literature. In this conversation, Jonathan discusses his experiences with racism in clinical psychology, the significance of Black psychology, and the impact of white supremacy on the field. He explores the intersectionality of Black sexual and gender-diverse communities, emphasizing the need for culturally specific spirituality in mental health. He also delves into African-centered psychology and optimal conceptual theory, advocating for a holistic understanding of well-being that aligns with spiritual and communal values.

Contact:

https://www.jonathanmlassiter.com/

Episodes Referenced:

Episode 176  Religion, Spirituality, and Health with Dr. Janise Parker

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-176-religion-spirituality-and-mental-health/

Episode 98: Black Liberation Psychology with Dr. Evan Auguste

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-98-black-liberation-psychology-a-conversation-with-dr-evan-auguste/

Articles Referenced

Lassiter, J. M., Garrett-Walker, J., Anwar, K., Foye, A. S., & Follins, L. D. (2023). Black sexual and gender diverse scholars' contributions to psychology. American Psychologist, 78(4), 589–600. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001149

Lassiter, J. M., Brewer, R., & Wilton, L. (2020). Toward a Culturally Specific Spirituality for Black Sexual Minority Men. Journal of Black Psychology, 46(6-7), 482-513. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798420948993

In Episode 177 Ben speaks with the legendary Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark.  In her career spanning over 30 years, Susan Aglukark has received countless awards, including multiple Juno awards. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2004, the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, and many more. She has held command performances for Queen Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela. In 2012 she founded what is now known as the Arctic Rose Foundation to help address hunger, homelessness and the health and wellness of Inuit children and youth with its mandate expanded to support Northern Inuit, First Nations, and Métis youth, promote emotional and mental wellness, and connect participants with their culture through intentional and adaptable arts-based programming.  Susan was recognized for her work at the foundation with the 2022 Humanitarian Juno Award Presented by Music Canada.  

Links:

The Arctic Rose Foundation

https://arcticrose.org/

https://www.instagram.com/arcticrosefoundation_/

Susan Aglukark

https://susanaglukark.com/bio/

https://www.instagram.com/susanaglukark/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/susanaglukark/

Angela Grier 

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-150-education-is-the-new-buffalo-healing-and-wellness-for-the-piikani-blackfoot-people/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelagrierpiikani/

In Episode 176, Ben speaks with Dr. Janise Parker, an Associate Professor of School Psychology at the William and Mary School of Education.  In the first half of this episode, Dr. Parker discusses her work supporting early-career women of color in school mental health fields.  The second half of the conversation discusses her pioneering research on the effects of religion and spirituality on the mental health of Black teens and young adults. 

Contact:

Dr. Janise Parker

https://education.wm.edu/ourfacultystaff/faculty/parker-j.php

Articles Referenced

Haskins, N. H., White, S., Johnson, L., Parker, J., Pignato, L., & Chester, C. (2024). Finding Homeplace: A Grounded Theory of a Womanist Affinity Group Intervention for Black Women. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 49(1), 65–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/01933922.2024.2345060

Parker, J. S., Haskins, N., Coleman-Chatman, T., Duru, C., Ramirez, D., Chae, N., … Nortey, A. (2023). Dismantling the Imposter Syndrome: A Case Study of Early Career Women of Color in School Mental Health Fields. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 49(1), 3–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/01933922.2023.2281670

Parker, J., Haskins, N., Chae, N., Fulmore, K., & Nortey, A. N. (2023). Development of an Interdisciplinary Support Program for Early Career Women of Color in School-Based Mental Health Fields. School Psychology Review, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2023.2291008

Parker, J. S., Williams, B., & Mauney, A. (2022). Exploring Black adolescents’ perceptions of God during COVID-19: God images as a source of wellness. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 25(10), 974–990. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2022.2148641

Parker, J. S., Purvis, L., & Williams, B. (2023). Religious/Spiritual Struggles and Mental Health Among Black Adolescents and Emerging Adults: A Meta-synthesis. Journal of Black Psychology, 49(2), 153-199. https://doi.org/10.1177/00957984221136800

Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Mentioned 

Dr. Evan Auguste

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-98-black-liberation-psychology-a-conversation-with-dr-evan-auguste/

In Episode 174, Ben chats with author, Kala Allen Omeiza. 

Kala Allen Omeiza is a prominent author and mental health advocate with a deep focus on the intersection of race, culture, and neurodiversity. She is particularly known for her work highlighting the experiences of Black autistic individuals. Her book "Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress, and Empowerment" explores the challenges and triumphs of being both Black and autistic, offering a platform for voices that have often been marginalized.

Contact

https://kalaomeiza.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalaomeiza/

https://www.instagram.com/readbykay/

https://x.com/kaysworld456

Books By Kala

Autistic and Black

https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Autistic_and_Black/umXJEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

Afrotistic

https://www.amazon.com/Afrotistic-Kala-Allen-Omeiza-ebook/dp/B09SN8N6FN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V2VK6CVTHZK7&keywords=afrotistic&qid=1682101091&sprefix=afrotistic%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1

The Worst Saturday Ever

https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Saturday-Ever-Allen-Omeiza-ebook/dp/B0C34D71TJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1K2EA0XPHY7L1&keywords=the+worst+saturday+ever&qid=1682100600&sprefix=the+worst+saturday+ever%2Caps%2C294&sr=8-1

Ben chats with Dr. Juliana Sequeira César de Oliveira, an assistant professor with the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre about her doctoral research into the behavioral processes involved in learning foreign languages. 

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Ethics

Contact

Dr. Sequeira César de Oliveira

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-oliveira-74aa6b14a/

Links:

Anna Petursdottir

https://www.petursdottirlab.com/

Past Episodes Referenced

Hilary O'Gorman Amado

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-146-providing-behavior-analytic-services-in-brasil/

Articles Referenced

Petursdottir, A.I., Oliveira, J.S.C.D. (2023). Teaching Foreign Language. In: Matson, J.L. (eds) Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-03

In Episode 172, Dras. Corina Jimenez-Gomez, Sarah Lechago, and Denice Rios discuss their research exploring the answer to the question: Who are we? in their article:  An Exploratory Survey of Latinidad in Behavior Analysis published in the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice.   

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Ethics

Contact

Dra. Lechago

https://www.uhcl.edu/human-sciences-humanities/faculty/lechago-sarah

https://www.facebook.com/BADIElabuhcl/

Dra. Iimenez-Gomez

https://tabslab.psych.ufl.edu/corina-jimenez-gomez/

Dra. Rios

https://experts.calstatela.edu/expert/denice-rios-mojica/

Past Episodes Referenced

Dra. Rocío Rosales

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-30-a-conversation-with-dr-rocio-rosales-phd-bcba-d/

Dr. Jenn Fritz

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-36-saving-cats-and-dogs-from-euthanasia-using-behaviour-analysis-with-dr-jennifer-fritz-phd-bcba-d-and-dr-steven-payne-phd-bcba-d/

Behaviour Analysis in Puerto Rico with Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-155-behavior-analysis-in-puerto-rico/

Articles Referenced

Beaulieu, L. and Jimenez-Gomez, C. (2022), Cultural responsiveness in applied behavior analysis: Self-assessment. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 55: 337-356. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.907

Jimenez-Gomez, C. and Beaulieu, L. (2022), Cultural responsiveness in applied behavior analysis: Research and practice. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 55: 650-673. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.920

Jimenez-Gomez, C., Lechago, S. & Rios, D. An Exploratory Survey of Latinidad in Behavior Analysis. Behav Analysis Practice (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00914-4

Rios, D., Bell, M.C. & Fahmie, T.A. Survey of Faculty Perspectives, Actions, and Barriers to Culturally Responsive Mentorship. Behav. Soc. Iss. 32, 446–473 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822

In Episode 171, Ben speaks with Dr. Brian Boyd, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education in the University of North Carolina School of Education, director of the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, and the President-Elect of the International Society for Autism Research, INSAR

Contact:

https://ed.unc.edu/people/brian-boyd/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-boyd-162480170/

Links

Black Empowerment in Autism Network

https://ed.unc.edu/2023/06/15/creating-new-momentum-in-autism-research/

Color of Autism Foundation

https://thecolorofautism.org/

Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced

Episode 28: Ariel Cascio

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-28-including-autistic-people-in-every-aspect-of-autism-research-with-dr-m-ariel-cascio-phd/

Episode 37: Grant Bruno

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-37-the-realities-of-autism-in-first-nations-communities-in-canada-with-grant-bruno-phd-candidate/

Episodes 43 and 44: Joe Lucyshyn

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-42-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-44-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-2/

Episode 89: Bukky Akinwale  - Ben's favorite Master's Thesis!

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-89-tales-by-moonlight-storytelling-for-youths-and-elders-in-a-historically-black-community-with-bukky-akinwale/

Episode 98:  Evan Auguste

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-98-black-liberation-psychology-a-conversation-with-dr-evan-auguste/

Canadian two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Donovan Bailey who was once hailed as the fastest man in the world said, in an interview with CTV news in 2020: "in Canada, it's racism with a smile" alluding to how racial inequity is masked by Canada's reputation of being the nicest people in the world.  

In Episode 170, Ben sits down with behavior analyst Danni Reid, his guest from the first episode of the Behaviour Speak Podcast who in 2020 shared her experience of being the only Black behavior analyst in British Columbia. Danni is joined by two other Black behavior analysts, Juliet Musonge and Michelle Upshaw who also thought they were the only Black behavior analysts in BC.  Danni, Juliet, and Mish reflect on their experiences with racial inequality in Canada and how things have changed (and haven't changed) over the past four years. 

Editors Note:  Michelle Upshaw's vocal track has a crackling sound for about 8 minutes at around the 25 minute mark that I was unable to isolate but please listen to what she has to say and enjoy the conversation

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Ethics

Contact:

Danni Reid

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyelle-reid-9a2a3555/

https://www.instagram.com/dannyellereid/

Juliet Musonge

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-m-57a38469/

Michelle Upshaw

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-upshaw-838260222/

Links

Donovan Bailey Interview with CTV

https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/in-canada-it-s-racism-with-a-smile-donovan-bailey-reflects-on-racial-inequality-1.4973814

Behavior Analysis in Practice Special with Guest Editor Denisha Gingles

https://link.springer.com/journal/40617/volumes-and-issues/15-4

Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced

Episode 1: A Behaviour Analysts Experience with Racism in Canada with Danni Reid

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-1-racism/

Episode 53:  Elizabeth Hughes-Fong

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-53-cultural-competence-in-behaviour-analysis-how-far-have-we-come-with-dr-elizabeth-hughes-fong/

Episode 98:  Evan Auguste

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-98-black-liberation-psychology-a-conversation-with-dr-evan-auguste/

Episode 115:  Brea Banks

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-115-microaggressions-a-primer-with-dr-brea-banks/

In Episode 169, Ben chats with Catarina Rivera, founder of Blindish Latina, a platform smashing disability stigmas through storytelling and advocacy.  As a Latiné woman who has lived with disability all her life, she brings a deep understanding of intersectionality to conversations surrounding disability. She wore hearing aids from a young age but did not know why she was hard of hearing. At 17, she was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome which includes a progressive vision disability due to retinitis pigmentosa as well as a hearing disability. She has a BA from Duke University, an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education, and an MPH from Hunter College. Catarina is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (IAAP). 

Contact:

https://www.instagram.com/blindishlatina/?hl=en

https://www.catarinarivera.com/

http://twitter.com/catarinarivera

http://www.facebook.com/blindishlatina

http://www.linkedin.com/in/catarinarivera

https://www.youtube.com/@CatarinaRivera

Links:

Catarina's TED Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbXxhuraJsE

ABC News Interview

https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/video/activist-social-media-fight-stigmas-blindness-deafness-94359608

In Episode 168, Ben chats with Dr. Trina Spencer, the first female Director of the Juniper Garden's Children Centre, a part of the KU Life Span Institute, originally founded in the mid-1960s when citizens of Northeast Kansas City, Kansas joined with faculty from the University of Kansas to address concerns about the development and education of children in their low-income, inner-city community. Since its inception, Juniper Gardens has developed and validated meaningful solutions to major community concerns identified by those directly affected - the community residents themselves. The center also provides opportunities for KU faculty and students to learn from the wisdom and life experiences of families from diverse backgrounds. 

In this conversation,  Dr. Spencer bares her soul as she shares her journey of living a sheltered life in a conservative religious family, eventually raising a wonderful transgendered child, finding herself in Africa, and the many life lessons she had along the way.  

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 2.5 Learning

Contact:

https://absc.ku.edu/Trina-Spencer

http://www.trinastoolbox.com/

Juniper Gardens Children's Project

https://juniper.ku.edu/

Links: 

Olivia J. Hooker

https://www.apadivisions.org/division-35/about/heritage/olivia-hooker-biography

Carolyn Barcus

Carolyn Barcus Interview with Dr. Melissa Tehee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqgyE_cJIuY

Dr. Carolyn Barcus: Keeper Of The Fire: Mentoring Through Self-Actualizing Education

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003246183-19/dr-carolyn-barcus-keeper-fire-mentoring-self-actualizing-education-pauline-attiyeh-erica-ficklin-devon-isaacs-melissa-tehee?context=ubx&refId=63868e7c-d942-44aa-ac7c-9495a52cd091

Morningside Academy

https://morningsideacademy.org/

Educated - Tara Westover

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35133922-educated

Black Applied Behavior Analysts

https://babainfo.org/

Articles Referenced

Penney, A.M., Bateman, K.J., Veverka, Y. et al. Compassion: The Eighth Dimension of Applied Behavior Analysis. Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00888-9

Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Referenced

Natalia Baires

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-26-smashing-the-patriarchy-a-conversation-about-sexism-and-privilege-in-behaviour-analysis-with-dr-natalia-baires-phd-bcba-d/

Anita Li

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-42-a-deep-dive-into-the-inequities-professorship-and-authorship-in-behaviour-analysis-with-dr-anita-li-phd-bcba-d/

Nicole Hollins

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-49-free-appropriate-public-education-for-all-students-the-role-of-behavior-analysts-in-public-schools-with-dr-nicole-hollins/

James Lee

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-56-supporting-autistic-children-in-low-resource-settings-with-james-lee-phd-bcba-d/

Jeron Trotman

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode79-black-men-in-behavior-analysis-with-jeron-trotman/

Malika Pritchett

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-83-the-ethics-of-research-applying-a-human-rights-and-social-justice-lens-with-dr-malika-pritchett/

Lisa Aguilar 

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-107-indigenous-school-psychology-with-lisa-aguilar-bryanna-kinilicheenem-and-wamnuga-win-kiva-sam/