Beyond The Science Podcast

Big announcements, big names, and even bigger plans!Get an inside look at the upcoming BNBA Summit – from powerhouse keynote speakers and game‑changing panels to scholarships, networking mixers, and even a three‑on‑three basketball tournament with a $500 prize! The hosts share why this year’s event is bigger than ever, how it’s creating space for Black men and allies in ABA, and what exciting sessions you can’t afford to miss.

If you want inspiration, connection, and a front‑row seat to the future of ABA, this is the episode you’ll want to watch. 

Timestamps:

02:03 Introduction to BNBA Summit and its mission

03:10 Excitement about networking and events

04:17 Keynote speakers and session highlights

07:17 Friday schedule: scholarships and the 3‑on‑3 tournament

09:04 Saturday schedule: speaker and panels

12:12 Entrepreneurship panel and block party

13:16 Networking mixer and sponsors mentioned

14:30 Final thoughts and excitement for the summit

Ever wondered what it really takes to start a group home from scratch?In this powerful episode, Arthur Hairston breaks down his journey from working in direct care to building a thriving, sustainable group home business. He opens up about the $250K startup costs no one talks about, the early chaos of working with at-risk youth, and how a single pivot changed everything.

Tune in for real talk—and subscribe for more on ABA, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven leadership. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:50 Meet Arthur Hairston

01:55 Arthur’s Warm Welcome & Shutout

03:02 From Teaching to Group Homes

06:02 At-Risk Youth & Group Home Community

08:04 Different Types of Group Homes

09:55 Hiring & Staffing Realities

10:40 Opening a Group Home

12:46 Running a Group Home

15:26 Unexpected Challenges: Parental Rights & Approvals

19:08 Working with Your Spouse

22:25 Being a Black Entrepreneur in ABA

25:25 Balancing Business & Fatherhood

27:56 Curiosity & Asking Questions Publicly

29:34 The Importance of Entrepreneurial Spirit

32:50 Passing Down the Game

34:22 Knowledge Sharing & the BNBA Summit

37:43 Ignorant Purchases & Real Estate Dreams

41:04 Where to Connect with Arthur

What does it take to change a field from the inside out? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Amanda Kelly, better known as BehaviorBabe, to explore her journey from grassroots advocacy to influencing national autism policy.Amanda shares how she built a movement through free resources, tackled ethical challenges in ABA, and helped pass landmark legislation in two states—all while staying grounded in her purpose.

From social media backlash to the launch of a revolutionary residential campus, this is a masterclass in impact, integrity, and leadership. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:26 Highlights from the Adult Services Panel

01:49 Launch of Unum Place Residential Campus

02:46 The Origin of “BehaviorBabe”

05:35 What Ethical ABA Looks Like Today

07:00 The Biggest Misconceptions in ABA

08:12 From Advocacy to Legislation

11:16 Challenges in Hawaii Advocacy Work

13:22 Social Media's Role in ABA and Advocacy

16:30 What Keeps Amanda Motivated & Grounded

18:11 Advice to Her Younger Self

20:16 Legacy and Long-Term Vision

21:37 Final Fun Question: What’s on Your Playlist?

What if one platform could completely transform how ABA care is delivered?In this episode, we sit down with Smith Anderson and Emily McCullough from Motivity, the fast-growing platform that's changing how clinicians deliver care. From smart scheduling to real-time insights, they share how Motivity evolved from a data tool into a powerful all-in-one solution—and why their mission is all about empowering providers, supporting families, and transforming outcomes.

Whether you're a clinician, founder, or ABA advocate, this episode will leave you inspired—and maybe even rethinking what's possible.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:25 Meet Smith Anderson & Emily McCullough

01:10 How Motivity got started

05:04 From data tool to full clinical platform

07:54 Partnering with Kalmanak & launching PM

09:14 Scaling without losing quality

10:04 Smart scheduling & routing features

12:05 Mission-driven hiring and growth

15:05 What new investment means for Motivity

17:50 Staying focused on clinical outcomes

20:00 Introducing “Acuity”

21:27 Fun facts about the team

24:23 Book & podcast recommendations

25:49 How ABA has evolved

28:59 Impact of real-time data access

30:28 Future of connected care

32:23 Ethical use of AI in ABA

35:59 Leadership at Motivity

38:20 Building intentional culture

40:27 What motivates the team

44:09 Advice for ABA professionals

What does it really take to transform autism care from the inside out? In this powerful live episode from the 2025 Autism Partnership Foundation Conference, APF leaders reveal how they’re reshaping ABA through accessible training, compassionate intervention, and bold leadership. Learn why free RBT education is changing lives, how the field is rediscovering its roots, and what ethical ABA looks like today. Subscribe for more conversations that drive impact. 

Timestamps:

00:15 Live from the APF Conference

01:30 APF’s Evolving Mission

03:58 Reaching a Wider Audience

05:16 The Push for Quality Intervention

08:03 Shifts in the Field of ABA

11:55 Challenges in Training & Access

12:22 Can AI Help the Field?

14:42 Leadership at APF

18:32 Leadership Books to Recommend

19:26 One-Word APF Legacy Goals

21:01 Wrap-Up & Reflections

Live from APF 2025, autism advocate and sex educator Amy Gravino delivers an unfiltered, powerful conversation about dating, sexuality, and life as an autistic adult. From being bullied as a child to becoming a leading voice for neurodivergent women, Amy shares her personal journey with raw honesty and sharp wit. 

She opens up about the emotional toll of relationships, the heartbreak of being misunderstood, and the frustrating gaps in support that autistic adults continue to face. With real-world insights and humor, Amy challenges outdated stereotypes, breaks down why traditional sex education fails the autism community, and offers a new path forward — one rooted in inclusion, consent, and authentic connection. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:22 Live at APF 2025: Meet Amy Gravino  

01:28 Amy’s Diagnosis and Early Advocacy

04:41 Asperger’s vs Autism: What’s Changed?Amy explains the historical background and controversies around the Asperger’s label.

06:35 Why the Autism Spectrum Label Matters

07:33 What Professionals Should Do Differently

09:25 Autism, Sexuality & Memoir

10:41 A Broken Adult Services System

12:53 Why Adults with Autism Are Forgotten

15:43 Sex Education for Autistic Adults

17:14 The Rutgers Center & Community Integration

18:06 Dating as an Autistic Female

20:09 How to Connect with Amy

Live from the APF Conference, Van Jones joins us for a brief but powerful conversation on the politicization of science, autism myths, and the fallout from COVID-19. He shares candid thoughts on RFK Jr.'s controversial claims, the real impact on young people, and why we can't afford to ignore these conversations. Honest, urgent, and unfiltered—this is one you don’t want to miss. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Into

00:21 Van Jones Live from the APF Conference

00:43 COVID & Credibility of Science

03:26 RFK Jr., Autism, & Misinformation

04:26 The Danger of Stereotyping Autism

05:05 Talent on the Spectrum

05:46 Final Reflections & What Keeps Van Going

What does it really take to become a skilled, ethical, and confident behavior analyst today? In this special President’s Corner episode of Beyond the Science, host Jeron Trotman is joined by Dr. Steven Eversole, founder of Behavior Development Solutions, and research librarian Dr. Nicole Bank for an honest and inspiring conversation about the future of ABA. 

They dive into why foundational training matters more than ever, how research literacy shapes real-world success, and what’s missing from the way many practitioners are trained today. From the early days of ABA’s academic roots to today’s fast-growing and sometimes chaotic landscape, the episode explores how we can build a stronger, more informed field—starting with just one article, one journal club, or one meaningful conversation at a time. 

Tune in now and rediscover what it means to be a behavior analyst in today’s world. 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold Open & Inside JokeBehind-the-scenes banter, the “Caddy Story,” and warming up before the show. 

01:35 Guest Introductions

05:33 Why ABA Training Must Include Research Literacy

09:40 Foundations of Strong ABA Training

12:15 Real-World Examples of Good vs. Poor Training

16:44 Making Research Engaging & Accessible

19:39 Barriers to Research Literacy in ABA

23:44 Practical Strategies to Stay Engaged with Literature

25:51 BDS Journal Club & Collaborative Learning

29:27 Healthy Disagreements in Research Discussion

34:09 How to Build a Culture of Research in Organizations

39:30 Conference Posters for Building Research Engagement

41:17 The State of the Field: Where Are We Now?

51:53 Final Advice for Early-Career BCBAs

What happens when AI meets the science of behavior?

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Ventura, Founder of Intraverbal AI and a driving force behind tech innovation in ABA, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming clinical practice, assessments, and the future of the field.

From ethical dilemmas and HIPAA compliance to the lack of civil discourse and growing divides in behavior analysis, Adam doesn't hold back. He shares insights from global conferences, explains how his platform leverages AI to support evidence-based care, and makes a powerful case for why behavior analysts must shape AI—before it shapes them.Whether you're excited or skeptical about tech in ABA, this is the conversation you can't miss.

Timestamps:

00:27 Adam Ventura at the Texas ABA Conference.

01:17 AI & ABA Around the World

03:19 Highlights from the First Shaping AI Summit

05:33 Why Behavior Analysts Must Shape AI Now

11:47 Need for Academic Disagreement

14:58 Civil Discourse Platform Announcement

16:59 Intraverbal AI for Research & Building Clinical Programs

21:58 Why Is Intraverbal AI Better Than Other LLMs

27:05 How Students Should Use AI

32:55 HIPAA Compliance and Client Privacy in AI

39:36 State of the ABA Field: What Needs to Change?

47:42 What’s Next for Intraverbal AI?

50:06 Fatherhood & Aligning Family Values

Live from Savannah State University!

Join us for a powerful, inspiring celebration of 20 years of SSU’s pioneering Behavior Analysis program — the first and only undergraduate Behavior Analysis program at an HBCU in the country!

In this special live episode, we dive deep into how SSU is building future leaders, breaking barriers, and making history. You’ll hear directly from the President of Savannah State, the visionary founder of the Behavior Analysis program Dr. Katherine Stewart, passionate students, alumni making an impact, and advocates who are shaping the next generation of behavior analysts.

We talk about why diversity in Behavior Analysis matters now more than ever, how SSU students are being equipped to lead real change in their communities, and the powerful legacy being built on campus today.

Expect real stories, real advice, a lot of laughs, some trivia games (with prizes!), and unforgettable moments of wisdom, empowerment, and pride.

Big energy. Real impact. History in the making — live from SSU!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:29 Live from Savannah State University

03:20 Celebrating 20 Years of Behavior Analysis program

06:24 Historic Legacy of Savannah State

08:10 President’s Message to the Audience

10:26 Reflections After President's Visit

11:16 Dr. Katherine Stewart on Founding the ABA Program

14:57 Vision for the Next 20 Years

18:03 Dr. Katherine’s Message to the Audience

18:58 Fun Student Trivia and Prizes

22:22 Students Speak: Why They Chose ABA

28:14 Why study at Savannah State University

30:27 Where Students See Themselves in Next 5 Years

33:29 Expanding ABA into New Fields

35:50 Fun Student Trivia and Prizes

38:11 Marquis Jacobs and Her Behavior Analysis Journey

41:27 The Impact Students Can Make in Next 5 Years

45:20 Why Diversity in ABA Matters More Than Ever

48:17 Student Q & A

1:08:03 Classes That Focus on Networking

1:09:45 Student Sharing Her Experience with ABA

1:12:18 Alumni Memories & Advice to Students

1:21:15 Commitment to Growth and Community

1:24:16 Final Thoughts