Beyond The Science Podcast

Live from the FABA Conference, Dr. Paulie Gavoni breaks down how behavioral science and OBM can transform the way you lead, coach, and motivate people. You’ll learn why most leaders fail, how the environment shapes performance, and how simple behavioral tools can bring out the best in any team.

Through real stories from schools, gyms, and workplaces, and practical tools like the four leadership hats, Dr. Paulie shows exactly how to inspire, train, support, and sustain meaningful change.

If you want to lead smarter and get better results, don’t miss this one. Watch now!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:38 Live from FABA conference

00:53 Meet Dr Paulie Gavoni

02:29 Why ABA and OBM matter

02:38 Unlocking behavior and real leadership

05:33 Lessons from Aubrey Daniels

07:01 What sparked his leadership journey

09:46 Coaching fighters vs educators

12:33 Punishment procedure and sparring

14:24 Behavioral insights in coaching fighters

17:36 Greatest fighters of all time

19:59 Book recommendations

20:58 Current debates in ABA

27:07 Where to find Dr Paulie online

The most important shift happening in ABA right now isn’t technical, it’s cultural.

Live from the 45th FABA Conference, Jeron sits down with Dr. Jon Bailey, Jaelyn Windham, and Chinara to unpack how cultural humility is transforming ethical practice, why understanding family culture is essential for effective ABA, and what new research reveals about how naturally responsive RBTs already are.

A must-watch for anyone committed to the future of ABA.

Hit play and join the conversation.

Timestamps:

00:00 Beyond the Science Live at FABA

01:03 Dr. Bailey on why FABA outshines national conferences

02:27 How FABA’s community feel began

03:31 The value of intimate, state-level conferences

04:24 Cultural responsiveness topic

05:42 How new RBTs can address their concerns

07:22 Cultural humility within ethical ABA practice

09:13 Understanding family culture in ABA work

10:00 Research findings on culturally responsive behavior

11:35 Generalizing cultural responsiveness

13:45 Preparing children for school environments

14:42 Advice for early-career BCBAs

17:57 Advice for students researching cultural responsiveness

19:17 Collaboration and mentorship dynamics

21:31 Three-word descriptions of FABA

What if your next family vacation could double as therapy?

In this episode of Beyond the Science, BCBA and certified autism travel pro Rachel Morelli shares how she helps families turn travel into progress, not stress. From cruises with built-in respite care to airports that actually support neurodiverse kids, Rachel breaks down real-world tools that make exploring the world possible for every family. She also introduces The Learning Escape, a first-of-its-kind ABA cruise where professionals can earn CEUs while their families enjoy the trip.

🎧 Watch now and see how travel can become therapy and freedom for families everywhere.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:40 Meet Rachel: BCBA & Autism Travel Pro

04:00 Autism on the Seas: Support on Cruises

06:30 How Travel Goals Become Therapy Goals

09:40 Can Insurance Cover Travel Therapy?

13:20 Why Vacations Boost Family Well-being

14:45 Genius Safety Tip for Traveling with Kids

17:40 Autism-Friendly Parks & Resorts

20:10 Airport Help: TSA Cares & Sunflower Program

22:00 Practice Flights for Autism Families

23:20 The Learning Escape: CEUs at Sea

25:50 Inside the First ABA Cruise Conference

29:30 Balancing Motherhood & a BCBA Career

34:20 Beating Burnout and Finding New Paths

36:30 How to Become a Certified Autism Travel Pro

38:10 The Future of Accessible Travel

42:00 Group Trips, Sponsorships & Insurance

45:25 Rapid-Fire Travel Q&A with Rachel

47:00 Rachel’s Early Morning Rituals

48:20 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

What happens when three ABA leaders turn their vision into a movement?

Jeron Trotman, Joseph Adams, and Darius Cooper open up about how they built Beyond the Science into one of the most impactful voices in behavior analysis. They share the highs of launching new ventures, from group homes to Sapphire AI, and the hidden struggles that come with success: family sacrifices, shifting friendships, and staying grounded while leading a growing community.

🎧 Watch now their honest, inspiring look at brotherhood, ambition, and the real cost of chasing purpose in ABA and beyond.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:48 Welcome Back to Beyond the Science Podcast

01:21 Year in Review & New Ventures

02:57 From Clinician to CEO

06:23 Journey to Entrepreneurship

08:13 The Power of Community

10:55 Behind the Scenes of BNB Summit

12:27 Civil Discourse and Thought Exchange

15:26 Block Party & Fellowship Moments

17:48 Residential Services Vision

20:29 Homelessness and the Autism Spectrum

22:23 Challenges of Starting Group Homes

24:56 Introducing Sapphire AI

31:14 What Makes Sapphire Different

35:14 BACB ACE Provider Changes

37:32 Special Education Funding Cuts

41:51 BCBA at Sea 2027

43:31 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey

45:53 Brotherhood & Mental Health

54:32 The Cost of Success

55:29 Family Sacrifices, Balance & Fatherhood

1:08:40 Closing Thoughts

What happens when a punk-rock rebel becomes one of ABA’s most thought-provoking voices?

At FABA 2025, Dr. Shane Spiker brings raw honesty and insight to the world of behavior science, challenging outdated norms, breaking taboos around sex education and ethics, and calling for a more human, self-reflective approach to ABA. From Humble Behaviorism to open mentorship, Dr. Shane shows why questioning the system sparks real change.

🎧 Tune in to hear Dr. Spiker unfiltered and see why his vision could reshape the future of behavior analysis.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:35 Meet Dr. Shane Spiker

01:42 Why FABA Matters in Florida

03:03 Favorite Conference Topics

04:17 Treating Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors

07:42 Openness & Approachability

08:27 His Most Impactful Publications

10:28 Teaching Critical Thinking

13:24 Favorite College Football Team

14:50 Why We Do What We Do Podcast

16:37 New Books and Projects

17:34 His Go-To Conference Drink

18:06 ABA in the Next 10 Years

20:11 Where to Find Shane

What to do when mealtime isn’t just stressful but becomes a matter of survival?

Live from FABA 2025, Dr. Meeta Patel takes us inside the world of pediatric feeding disorders.

She shares why parent involvement is the single most important factor for success, how home-based treatment changes everything, and why some common beliefs about feeding, like “escape extinction,” are misunderstood.

From reducing tube dependency to collaborating with medical teams, Dr. Patel reveals practical insights, research challenges, and new breakthroughs that are shaping the future of feeding disorder treatment.

Hit play to learn more about Dr Patel's insights on Pediatric Feeding Breakthroughs

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:39 Welcome & FABA 45th anniversary intro

01:04 Meeta Patel, expert on pediatric feeding disorders

02:08 Why focus on the home environment

02:59 What pediatric feeding disorders look like

03:53 Parent involvement as the key to success

05:03 Takeaways from recent FABA presentation

08:09 Interdisciplinary collaboration:

10:18 Evolution of research & literature

13:20 Addressing myths around escape extinction

16:42 When and why to refer patients out

19:12 Reducing tube dependency

21:32 Role of gut health in treatment

24:53 Fun fact: from fashion to behavior analysis

25:37 Closing reflections and contact

What really counts as a restraint and why does it matter?

Recorded live at the FABA Conference 2025, Dr. Merrill Winston breaks down the thin line between physical prompting and restraint, the hidden dangers of misaligned motivations, and why focusing on “restraint reduction” misses the bigger picture. With over 25 years of experience as an expert witness and crisis management trainer, he shares what schools, parents, and even law enforcement often misunderstand.

Press play and learn why restraint isn’t the enemy and what the real focus should be.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:28 Welcoming Dr. Merrill Winston

01:45 Physical restraint vs. physical prompting

04:20 When are prompts turning into restraints

07:20 The truth about misaligned motivations

10:05 Informed consent vs. cooperation from parents

13:16 Malice, incompetence & real goal

15:44 How Dr. Winston got into crisis management

21:23 Lessons from 25 years of restraint cases

23:34 Police, parents, and the realities of restraint

29:06 Advice for young professionals in the field

What happens when some of the most accomplished Black men in Applied Behavior Analysis come together on one stage? You get raw honesty, inspiring stories, and a powerful vision for the future of the field.

From breaking barriers in education, sports, and mental health to tackling cultural competence, financial literacy, and mentorship, this episode goes far beyond autism and classrooms. These leaders share pivotal career moments, the importance of trust and hope, and why representation matters for the next generation.

Hit play and discover how these leaders are reshaping ABA, inspiring the next generation, and proving that representation changes everything.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:45 Welcome & podcast journey so far

02:57 Introducing guests and their achievements

08:00 Pivotal moments of leadership journeys

11:31 How leadership in ABA has shifted over time

14:23 Audience Q&A: Passing knowledge to children

17:40 Mentorship and inspiring the next generation

20:25 Financial literacy and family education

23:01 Challenges & future of ABA service

27:54 Community perspectives and testimonies

30:25 Cultural competences in ABA

36:38 Code-switching and staying authentic

41:59 Building trust, hope, and measurable results

43:22 Advice for young behavior analysts

48:30 Navigating cultural nuances without DEI mandates

54:30 Publishing research and creating ABA literature

59:33 Should you pursue a doctorate?

1:01:37 Closing reflections

What happens when poetry, culture, and science collide? This episode reveals the story behind Black Male BCBA Day and the movement transforming the field of behavior analysis. You’ll hear powerful insights on mentorship, representation, and overcoming challenges as the first Black male BCBAs. From brotherhood to everyday lessons, it’s a look at how breaking barriers is reshaping the future of ABA.

Don’t miss it—hit play and join the movement.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:30 Poetry performance

01:10 Meet Andre Anderson

03:10 Personal connections, support, and recognition

05:07 Excitement about the summit

08:22 Ben Crump’s message of support

10:10 Reflections on mentorship & inspiration

12:20 Origins of Black Male BCBA Day

17:59 Statistics on representation in ABA

18:14 Grandmother’s influence, poetry, and ABA

24:00 Challenges as the first Black male BCBA in Tennessee

27:43 Advice for RBTs entering the field

30:45 Function-based interventions & friendships

35:04 Applying ABA principles in marriage & family life

36:53 Blending poetry, hip hop, and behavioral science

39:05 Quick-fire questions with Andre

40:21 Message for young professionals in ABA

42:27 Straight talk on fatherhood & raising daughters

45:41 Gratitude and legacy in ABA

47:39 Closing remarks

What happens when occupational therapy, ABA, and lived experience collide? In this episode, Michelle shares her powerful journey from nursing school dropout to OT and BCBA, her viral TikTok success, and why she believes collaboration, not silos, will change the future of therapy.

From decoding proprioception and sensory systems to tackling the remote vs. in-person BCBA debate, representation in the field, and raising kids with ADHD, this conversation is raw, inspiring, and packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:42 Meet Michelle

01:41 From nursing to OT to ABA

04:26 Why OT + ABA credentials matter

06:38 Gaps in OT training

08:18 Multidisciplinary teamwork challenges

10:12 Sensory and neurological lens in ABA

11:17 Proprioception made simple

13:58 Connecting OT & ABA

15:23 Finding each child’s “formula”

16:36 Teaching vs. direct treatment

17:52 Going viral on TikTok

19:04 RBT support & telehealth debate

20:34 Remote vs. in-person BCBA

23:21 Limits of medical model

24:15 Finding the right balance

25:25 Lightning round: Q&A

27:06 Beyond the “four functions” of behavior

28:02 True cross-discipline collaborations

31:11 Representation & authenticity

33:35 Advice for queer and neuro-divergent pros

35:02 Building trust with families

37:19 Study journal & exam prep

38:09 ADHD: boys vs. girls

40:20 Life outside ABA

44:18 Final message to share

45:19 Where to find Michelle online