In this episode of EveryDay ABA, hosts Paola, Leslie, and Brittanny explore one of adulthood’s most frustrating challenges: sleep-onset insomnia. Drawing from evidence-based strategies in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the episode examines how faulty reinforcement patterns, mismatched stimulus control, and poor sleep hygiene can disrupt healthy sleep routines. The hosts guide you through behavioral sleep training techniques, the use of successive approximations to reshape sleep behaviors, and the importance of making the bed a discriminative stimulus (SD) for sleep—not a place for snacking or scrolling. Designed for parents, practitioners, and anyone tired of being tired, this episode offers practical, research-backed tools.

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insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your CEU certificate HERE!

CEU Learning Objectives: 

After listening to the episode listeners will know how to: 

• Define sleep-onset insomnia and know how to distinguish it from general fatigue or biological sleep disorders.
• Describe how poor stimulus control contributes to insomnia, particularly when incompatible behaviors are reinforced in the sleep environment.
• Implement self-monitoring strategies to increase behavioral awareness and promote habit change.

References: 

Bootzin, R. R. (1972). Stimulus control treatment for insomnia. Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, 7, 395–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/e400972004-001

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.

Espie, C. A. (2002). Insomnia: Conceptual issues in the development, persistence, and treatment of sleep disorder in adults. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 215–243. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135243

Kazdin, A. E. (2011). Behavior modification in applied settings (7th ed.). Waveland Press.

In this episode of Everyday ABA, we unpack how applied behavior analysis (ABA) can be used to manage stress in everyday life—not just for clients, but for behavior analysts, educators, parents, and professionals.  Board Certified Behavior Analyst Paola, along with Registered Behavior Technician co-hosts Brittanny and Leslie, discuss the difference between Eustress and Distress, acute vs. chronic stress, and how stress functions in our bodies. We explore research-backed coping strategies rooted in behavioral science, cognitive appraisal theory locus of control, learned optimism, and positive psychology. This episode blends research with real-life examples, practical behavior-change strategies, and CEU-worthy insights on stress, resilience, and reinforcement.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram:@EveryDayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your CEU certificate here:  https://forms.gle/DnBx7nk5w3iLuLQk6

CEU Learning Objectives:

References: 

Achor, S. (2010). The happiness advantage: How a positive brain fuels success in work and life. Crown Business.

Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. Lyle Stuart.

Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1980). An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21(3), 219–239. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136617

Holmes, T. H., & Rahe, R. H. (1967). The social readjustment rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11(2), 213–218. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0092976

Seligman, M. E. P. (1991). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. Knopf.

Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. McGraw-Hill.

This episode of Everyday ABA is for anyone who gives so much to others that their own self-care ends up last on the list. Let’s get real—self-care is not about candles or spa days. It’s about building daily habits that protect your energy and support your well-being.  Join Paola, Leslie, and Brittany as they break down how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) gives us the tools to redefine self-care, reduce burnout, and create a sustainable, values-driven routine that works—even when life feels overwhelming. Whether you’re a BCBA, educator, parent, or helping professional, this episode will help you rethink what self-care really looks like.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EveryDayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your CEU certificate here:  https://forms.gle/U9ahfLysjuAc6t6C7

Learning Objectives for CEU:

References:

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery.

Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta‐analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 69–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38002-1

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. Guilford Press.

Luthans, F., & Youssef, C. M. (2007). Emerging positive organizational behavior. Journal of Management, 33(3), 321–349. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206307300814

Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (1997). The truth about burnout: How organizations cause personal stress and what to do about it. Jossey-Bass.

Schaufeli, W. B., Leiter, M. P., & Maslach, C. (2009). Burnout: 35 years of research and practice. Career Development International, 14(3), 204–220. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966406

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, board-certified behavior analyst Paola dives into how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can support mental health, from managing anxiety and postpartum depression to reshaping negative thinking patterns and building more reinforcing routines. Registered Behavior Technicians Brittanny and Leslie explain how evidence-based tools like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Behavioral Activation (BA), positive self-talk, and self-monitoring can be used to decrease emotional avoidance, improve mood, and build values-driven behavior. The hosts break down Albert Ellis’s ABC model, Bandura’s theory of reciprocal determinism, and show how core ABA concepts like reinforcement, rule-governed behavior, shaping, and stimulus control can empower everyday people—not just those in therapy—to take action toward mental wellness. Listeners will leave with real-world strategies to support themselves and others using behavioral science that’s accessible, compassionate, and affirming.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3

📖 Get your CEU certificate HERE!

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🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick 

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📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase 

📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]  

📚 Learning Objectives for CEU:

• Define and identify the six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and describe how each process relates to ABA principles such as rule-governed behavior, shaping, and reinforcement.
• Explain the ABC model of emotion and behavior developed by Albert Ellis, and apply the model to everyday mental health situations (e.g., postpartum depression, anxiety).
• Apply ABA strategies to everyday mental health scenarios, including self-monitoring, thought labeling, contingency management, and reinforcement for replacement behaviors.

Managing money can feel overwhelming, but behavioral science offers practical tools to help. In this episode of Everyday ABA, your favorite hosts Paola, Leslie, and Brittanny explore how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be used to improve financial habits. From budgeting and saving to reducing impulsive spending, the episode highlights small, observable changes that can lead to long-term financial stability.

🎧 Listeners will learn how behavior analysis can make saving money and staying on budget more manageable and effective.

💰 Whether the goal is to build an emergency fund, track expenses, or develop better spending habits, this episode shares research-backed ABA strategies to support financial well-being.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

👉 Enjoying the episode? Share it with a friend who could benefit from strategies for achieving financial stability. Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help spread the power of ABA in everyday life.

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3 and share which financial strategy you tried this week.

📝  Get your CEU certificate: HERE

📖  Buy the book! I Will Teach You to Be Rich

📌 Resources mentioned in the episode:

💹 Define how behavioral principles can be applied to financial habits

💰 Identify strategies for data collection in financial decision-making

🪙 Explain how reinforcement systems can help maintain a budget

💱 Describe how antecedent manipulations can reduce impulsive spending

📖References & Resources:

In this episode of Everyday ABA, co-hosts Paola, Brittanny, and Leslie analyze Season 3 of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum through the lens of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This engaging discussion explores how ABA strategies like positive reinforcement, role play, video modeling, and self-talk can support romantic development for autistic individuals. Listeners are guided through key moments from the series as the hosts discuss the clinical implications of teaching dating skills, supporting emotional expression, and navigating social rules—especially those that may unintentionally teach rigid or atypical behaviors.

This episode is ideal for ABA professionals, clinicians, educators, and anyone interested in autism and romantic relationships.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3

📖 Get your CEU certificate by clicking HERE

👟  Get a 10% Discount at Tiny Explorings Shoes using code PAOLA 

🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick 

🤑 Earn $50 cash back by using Rakuten   

📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase

📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]  

Learning Objectives for CEU:

1. Identify two evidence-based social skills strategies for teaching dating and social skills to individuals with autism
2. Describe the function of self-talk in self-regulation and coping for individuals on the autism spectrum​
3. Summarize the importance of matching support strategies to individual sensory needs
4. Discuss the role of inclusion and peer modeling in promoting social-emotional growth in autistic individuals

Are you constantly keeping track of everyone’s schedules, to-do lists, meal plans, and birthday gifts—even if your partner “helps out”? That invisible, overwhelming responsibility is called mental load, and it’s a major factor in burnout for many mothers and caregivers. In this episode of Everyday ABA, hosts Paola (BCBA), Leslie and Brittanny (RBT) explore how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be used to reduce and redistribute the maternal mental load—the often unseen cognitive labor that women carry in their households. The hosts unpack what mental load really is, why it disproportionately affects women over men, and the behavioral science behind why it’s so hard to delegate. They also share their lived experiences and insights from modern books on domestic life and relationships. Listeners will walk away with actionable ABA strategies—like task analysis, positive reinforcement, and behavior contracts—to help share the load more fairly among caregivers.

🎙️ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📋  Get your CEU certificate HERE

📖 Buy the books!

How Not to Hate Your Husband after Kids

Fair Play

Find your Unicorn Space

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🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick 

🤑 Earn $50 cash back by using Rakuten  

📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase

📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]

In this episode of Everyday ABA, hosts Paola (BCBA), Brittanny (RBT), and special guest Liz (RN) break down the behavioral science and social psychology behind the sales tactics used in timeshare presentations. From positive reinforcement traps to cognitive dissonance, this episode helps listeners identify the persuasive strategies they’ve probably fallen for—and teaches them how to push back using applied behavior analysis (ABA) concepts. They walk you through real-life examples from a recent timeshare pitch Liz and Paola attended, unpacking every antecedent, motivating operation, verbal prompt, and reinforcement schedule that nudged them toward a purchase they didn’t want. Whether you're an ABA practitioner, social psychology enthusiast, or just trying to avoid financial regret on vacation, this episode will leave you thinking: Was that really a free massage... or was it just the first SD?

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3

📖 Get your CEU certificate HERE

👟  Get a 10% Discount at Tiny Explorings Shoes using code PAOLA

🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick 

🤑 Earn $50 cash back by using Rakuten   

📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase 

📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]  

📚 Learning Objectives for CEU:

• Identify and define at least 3 behavioral principles used during sales presentations like timeshare pitches.
• Label examples of verbal behavior and rule-governed behavior present in persuasive scripts used by sales personnel during a timeshare pitch.
• Demonstrate a self-management strategy that could be used to avoid coercive persuasion in high-pressure contexts.

References: 

• Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (2022). Principles of Social Psychology. LibreTexts.   
• Cialdini, R. B. (2009). Influence: Science and Practice (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.
• Freedman, J. L., & Fraser, S. C. (1966). Compliance without pressure: The foot-in-the-door technique. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 4(2), 195–202.
• Miltenberger, R. G. (2016). Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Macmillan.
• Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal Behavior. Appleton-Century-Crofts.

In this episode of Everyday ABA, your favorite hosts Paola, Leslie, and Brittanny explore the shift from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month, highlighting why inclusion and understanding matter more than ever. They dive into the concept of neurodiversity and the impact of language in advocacy, discussing the ongoing debate between identity-first and person-first language. The hosts debunk common autism myths, including misconceptions about anti-social behavior, empathy, and parenting. They emphasize the importance of understanding invisible disabilities and challenge outdated theories that contribute to stigma. The conversation also covers parental concerns, the truth about vaccines and autism, and the role of research in promoting acceptance. Listeners will gain valuable insights into supporting self-advocacy within the autism community. Tune in to learn how to move beyond stereotypes and embrace a more nuanced understanding of autism.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Help us reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your CEU certificate HERE

📔 Buy the book! In a Different Key: The Story of Autism

👟  Get a 10% Discount at Tiny Explorings Shoes using code PAOLA

🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick

🤑 Earn $50 cash back by using Rakuten

📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase

📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]

CEU Learning Objectives: 

• By the end of the episode, listeners will be able to describe the historical shift from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month, including reasons why the change was made and how it reflects the goals of the neurodiversity movement.
• After listening to the episode, listeners will be able to identify and correct common misconceptions about autism, including how the misconceptions have historically influenced clinical and educational practices.

In this episode of Everyday ABA, hosts Paola, Brittanny, and Leslie break down the Love Is Blind reunion, exploring the dynamics of love, commitment, and cognitive dissonance. They analyze how core value conflicts challenge compatibility and reflect on how editing shaped their perceptions of the couples. The conversation explores intimacy, emotional investment, and the importance of mutual reinforcement in relationships. They also examine communication issues, financial stability, trust, and emotional maturity, highlighting the lessons couples can learn from navigating these complexities. Tune in for insights on building stronger, value-aligned partnerships.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐ Help us reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EveryDayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your CEU certificate HERE

👟  Get a 10% Discount at Tiny Explorings Shoes using code PAOLA

🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick

🤑 Earn $50 cash back by using Rakuten

📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase

📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]  

Learning Objectives for CEU:

• Participants will be able to identify at least one behavioral strategy to resolve cognitive dissonance.
• Participants will be able to analyze how misaligned values and poor communication patterns function as negative reinforcement or punishers in relationship dynamics. 
• Participants will be able to apply behavioral principles to suggest strategies for increasing positive communication patterns and reinforcing emotional closeness in romantic relationships.

References:

• Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.
• Kerckhoff, A. C., & Davis, K. (1962). Value consensus and need complementarity in mate selection. American Sociological Review, 27(3), 295–303. https://doi.org/10.2307/2089791
• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Macmillan.
• Sternberg, R. J. (1986). A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93(2), 119–135.