The Most Responsible Person in the Room

Season 2, Episode 4: Curiosity’s Role in Language & Learning

In this episode, Unified Visions is joined by Jennifer Degenhardt- educator, author, curriculum designer, and entrepreneur- for a conversation about curiosity, storytelling, language learning, and the purpose of education. With more than 30 years of experience teaching middle school, high school, and post-secondary students, Jen brings a deep appreciation for people, culture, and the stories that shape how we learn.

Alina and Jen explore how writing, storytelling, and language open doors to deeper connection, cultural understanding, and more meaningful learning. They also consider why curiosity and careful listening matter- especially in an AI-shaped world where education can too easily prioritize what is easiest to measure over what matters most!

Jen is the creator of Puentes LLC, co-founder of Digilangua LLC, and co-founder of Moneyling LLC. She has written more than 100 novels for language learners and develops story-based resources designed to move language learning beyond memorization and toward meaningful communication. Her work explores themes including cultural identity, belonging, resilience, financial literacy, and the everyday choices that shape people’s lives. Whether she's writing novels, designing curriculum, or interviewing complete strangers for research, Jen's work is guided by one simple belief: "A novel doesn't end when students finish reading it. It begins when they start talking about it."

Connect with Jen and explore her work:

• Personal website: jenniferdegenhardt.com 

• Puentes Language: puenteslanguage.com FB: @PuentesLanguageBooks, IG: @puentes_language, LinkedIN: @Jennifer Degenhardt

• Digilangua: digilangua.co FB: @Digilangua, IG: @Digilangua

• Moneyling: moneyling.org FB: @Moneyling, IG: @MoneylingEdu

Season 2, Episode 3: Knowledge Is Power: A Discussion on Neuroaffirming Practices

In this episode, Unified Visions is joined by the founder of The OT to Go LLC, for a practical conversation about what neuroaffirming occupational therapy can look like in everyday life. Together, they explore how providers, caregivers, and school teams can support children where they are rather than prioritizing compliance, masking, or appearing “typical.” Collaboration is critical when helping children access meaningful activities and environments that fit their individual needs.

Connect with The OT to Go and learn more about their work:

Website: TheOTtogo.com Instagram: @theOTtogo

Resources Mentioned:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Amazon Store for Resources & Learning Tools⁠⁠⁠

⁠Events and Efforts⁠

Connect with Unified Visions:

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠Follow Here⁠⁠⁠

Supervision, Mentorship, and Behavior Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link Up

Season 2, Episode 2: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) CEU Part 4: From Research to Everyday Life

Welcome to Part 4 of Unified Visions’ PDA CEU series. This episode explores how practitioners can translate research on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) into compassionate, practical, and individualized support in everyday settings.

Together, we discuss the PDA behavior profile described by Newson and colleagues (2003), family and individual perspectives, and important limitations within the current research base. The conversation also considers how anxiety, trauma, context, and lived experience can shape demand avoidance and should inform ethical, socially valid intervention planning.

Whether you are a BCBA, BCaBA, educator, parent, or allied professional, this episode learning objectives are:

1)Understand key features associated with the PDA profile.

2)Consider parent, family, and individual perspectives and their impact on daily living.

3)Identify strategies that may support individuals with PDA, including low-demand and invitation-based language, shared decision-making, meaningful choices, negotiated breaks, and co-created expectations.

This episode emphasizes moving beyond rigid routines and compliance-based approaches by supporting autonomy, collaboration, and individualized planning. Listeners are encouraged to consider how demands may affect social relationships, academics, and daily-living skills...and how to build support plans with, rather than simply for, the person and family.

Presented by: Unified Visions LLC
.5 General Learning CEU
Provider Number: OP-25-12275

After listening, complete the registration, proof of participation, and comprehension checks to receive your CEU certificate: ABA and PDA Part 4 CEU Certificate

Your certificate will be emailed to the address provided upon successful completion. Thank you for learning with Unified Visions and for supporting more compassionate, responsive practice.

Disclaimer & Disclosures: No physical products are sold or marketed during this continuing-education event. The presenters may mention professional services related to clinical experience, including mentorship, supervision, additional CEU opportunities, and individualized coaching.

Presenter Qualifications: 

Alina Heim, MSEd, BCBA, LBA, brings more than 10 years of experience in supervision, mentorship, special education, and behavior analysis. Her work focuses on helping providers translate behavioral research into practical, individualized, and socially meaningful supports.

Stephanie Rae Kroack is the Founder of Wild Child Parenting, a platform dedicated to PDA training, education, and support. Through Wild Child Parenting, she provides accessible, family-centered resources that help caregivers and professionals better understand demand avoidance, individual experiences, and practical ways to promote autonomy, connection, and collaboration. Learn more at www.wildchildparenting.com.

Literature Reviewed: Newson, E., Le Maréchal, K., & David, C. (2003). Pathological demand avoidance syndrome: A necessary distinction within the pervasive developmental disorders.

Connect with Unified Visions:

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠Follow Here⁠⁠⁠

Supervision, Mentorship, and Behavior Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link Up

If you missed Parts 1-3 and are wanting to register (Ethics & Supervision CEU Eligible):⁠ ⁠ABA and PDA Series Registration⁠

PDA Resources and Connections:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchildparenting/
Facebook: Wild Child Parenting

PDA Parenting 101: For parents and professionals looking to deepen their understanding of PDA and learn practical, compassionate strategies to support PDA children, I’d love to invite them to my two-day PDA Parenting 101 event!

I’d also love to extend a special gift to your audience — FREE registration with the coupon code FREE100!

Event registration: https://www.wildchildparenting.com/event-list

Season 2, Episode 1: Successful Collaboration 101

Season 2 is all about collaboration, and we are starting strong. In this episode, explore five practical tips for building more successful collaborative relationships, learn from common collaboration failures, and enjoy a little random singing along the way.

Whether you work with families, educators, supervisors, or interdisciplinary teams, this conversation offers encouragement and actionable ideas for making collaboration more intentional and effective.

Grab your free copy of the Collaboration Guide here

Resources Mentioned:

⁠⁠⁠Visit Our Amazon Store for Resources & Learning Tools⁠⁠

Events and Efforts

Connect with Unified Visions:

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠Follow Here⁠⁠

Supervision, Mentorship, and Behavior Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link Up

Episode 11: Welcome to Part 4 of Unified Visions' Adult Services and ABA Series. This series was designed to support professionals in understanding the critical components of adult services based on recent literature, evidence-based practice, and real-life application. This episode is CEU eligible, with participation checks, and comprehension checks- meeting all BACB CEU requirements. And don't worry, we still define the most responsible person in the room! Whether you are a BCBA/BCaBA, educator, or other professional you will:

1) Identify three questions to ask before applying a research finding to a specific adult client or service setting.

2) Describe how to adapt a research-supported procedure while maintaining treatment integrity and social validity with adults.

3) Create a small, data-based “practice test” for one research-informed strategy in your everyday clinical work.

Directions:

Presented By: Unified Visions LLC

OP-25-12275

.5 GEN CEU

After you have finished listening to this CEU eligible episode, you must complete the registration, comprehension checks, and proof of participation: ⁠ABA and Adult Services Part 4 CEU Certificate⁠

Your CEU certificate will be emailed to you upon completion to the email you provided. You will also be sent the planner mentioned in today's episode. Thank you for your support and for taking time to connect!

If you missed Parts 1-3 and are wanting to register (Ethics & Supervision CEU Eligible):⁠ ABA and Adult Services Series Registration⁠

Disclaimer & Disclosures

No physical products are being sold or marketed to any member attending this continuing education event. During the presentation, the host may mention professional services related to her specific clinical experiences. These available services include professional mentorship, BACB supervision, additional CEU opportunities, and individualized behavior coaching.

Presenter Qualifications

Alina Heim, MSEd, BCBA, LBA brings over 10 years of dedicated, hands-on experience in supervision and mentorship in adult services. As a special educator and BCBA, she specializes in empowering providers through structured supervision/coaching, translating complex behavioral research into practical, interventions.

Literature Reviewed

Gerhardt, P. F., Bahry, S. N., Mason, B., & Solis, M. S. (2022). On predicting the future: Recommendations for the field of ABA in supporting adults with ASD. In Handbook of quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (pp. 449-460). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Interested in Unified Visions' mentorship or supervision services? ⁠Click Here⁠

Wanting more CEU Opportunities? ⁠Visit Our CEU Library & Sign Up for ABA Book Club too!⁠

Episode 10: In this episode ofThe Most Responsible Person in the Room, we're talking about collaboration (and those group project horror stories). Who actually enjoyed group projects as a kid?

This week we focus on recent collaboration missteps and share everything we have learned. Collaboration is so much more complex than just "teamwork". Today we dive deep into the must-haves when starting a collaborative project, and spoiler alert... it involves self-care!

As always, lots of memories and interesting experiences to share this week! We're still making mistakes, still learning, and still finding joy in all of these moments.

In this episode, we toss out your typical definition of the most responsible person in the room and point out the person you may not be expecting!

Resources Mentioned:

Free Collaboration Planner

⁠⁠Visit Our Amazon Store for Resources & Learning Tools⁠

Adult ABA Services CEU Series

Connect with Unified Visions:

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠Follow Here⁠⁠

Supervision, Mentorship, and Behavior Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link Up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Self-Care CEU Series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Today!

Episode 9: In this episode ofThe Most Responsible Person in the Room, we're talking about connections. Not just why they matter, but how to build and maintain meaningful connections to support yourself and business.

It's been a challenging week, and these types of weeks are going to happen. The connections we have made in our business and personal communities have carried us through. Today we shed light on how these connections were built, mistakes we've made along the way, and 5 important reminders we tap into every single day to create and maintain meaningful connections.

We’re sharing a lot of stories and memories this episode! Some of our previous mistakes and slip ups are difficult to recall without cringing, but they have brought us to this point where we can recognize, appreciate, and demonstrate better practices for successful connection.

In this episode, we cover everything from messy meetings and blunders when defining the most responsible person in the room!

Resources Mentioned:⁠Visit Our Amazon Store for Resources & Learning Tools

Connect with Unified Visions:

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠Follow Here⁠

Supervision, Mentorship, and Behavior Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Link Up⁠⁠⁠⁠

Self-Care CEU Series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Today!

Episode 8: In this episode ofThe Most Responsible Person in the Room, we’re breaking down what it really means to hold that title and asking the hard question: Is this you? Are you carrying the weight of your business, your clients, and your own expectations on your shoulders?

As BCBAs, business owners, special educators, professionals, parents, we are used to being the ones who have the answers. But what happens when self-doubt creeps in? This week, we dive into the realities of battling imposter syndrome, why prioritizing self-care isn’t just a buzzword but a vital business strategy, and how to stop letting doubt dictate your growth.

We’re also introducing a powerful new tool designed to help you reframe those feelings of inadequacy and step fully into your expertise. It’s time to stop second-guessing your success and start embracing your growth.

In this episode, we cover the hidden impact of self-care on your business operations and personal outcomes, practical strategies to conquer imposter syndrome, and how to use "The Doubt Directory" to track, challenge, and overcome professional self-doubt

Resources Mentioned:
Click here to access your free copy of The Doubt Directory, developed exclusively by Unified Visions.

Connect with Unified Visions:

Follow us on Instagram: Follow Here

Supervision, Mentorship, and Behavior Coaching: ⁠⁠⁠Link Up⁠⁠⁠

Self-Care CEU Series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Today!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 7: In this episode, we are joined by Brenna Elizondo, Virtual Assistant and founder of Brenna Elizondo VA, where she helps small business owners bring clarity, structure, and ease to their day-to-day operations. Brenna partners with entrepreneurs to organize what’s already working, improve what isn’t, and create practical systems that make the work of running a business feel more manageable.

This conversation highlights Brenna’s journey as a fellow first-time business owner and former educator, and we talk openly about what it means to believe in yourself when you are just getting started. We explore how she worked through impostor syndrome, how experience has shaped her understanding of confidence, community, and ongoing learning, and why growth often comes from staying open to support and connection.

Brenna offers a thoughtful reminder that the most responsible person is not someone who tries to do everything alone, but someone who recognizes the power of community and intentionally builds relationships that support success for both themselves and others.

You can connect with Brenna on Instagram and Threads at @be.virtually or learn more at brennaelizondo-va.com.

Episode 6: Welcome to Part 4 of Unified Visions' Self-Care Series. This series was designed to support professionals in understanding the critical components to self-care based on recent literature, evidence-based practice, and real-life application. This episode is CEU eligible, with participation checks, and comprehension checks- meeting all BACB CEU requirements. And don't worry, we still define the most responsible person in the room! Whether you are a BCBA/BCaBA, educator, or other professional you will:

1. Identify the difference between self-care as an enduring value and self-care as specific actions or routines.

2. Describe how values-based self-care can reduce burnout risk and support work engagement, work–life balance, and resilience.

3. Develop a brief values-based self-care plan using evidence-based behavior change strategies such as self-monitoring, daily balance, professional support, and job crafting.

Directions:

Presented By: Unified Visions LLC

OP-25-12275

.5 GEN CEU

After you have finished listening to this CEU eligible episode, you must complete the registration, comprehension checks, and proof of participation: Self-Care Part 4 CEU Certificate

Your CEU certificate will be emailed to you upon completion to the email you provided. Thank you for your support and for taking time to put yourself first!

If you missed Parts 1-3 and are wanting to register (Ethics & Supervision CEU Eligible): Self-Care CEU Series Registration

Disclaimer & Disclosures

No physical products are being sold or marketed to any member attending this continuing education event. During the presentation, the host may mention professional services related to her specific clinical experiences. These available services include professional mentorship, BACB supervision, and individualized behavior coaching.

Presenter Qualifications

Alina Heim, MSEd, BCBA, LBA brings over 10 years of dedicated, hands-on experience in supervision and mentorship in self-care. As a special educator and BCBA, she specializes in empowering providers through structured supervision/coaching, translating complex behavioral research into practical, interventions.

Interested in Unified Visions' mentorship or supervision services? Click Here

Wanting more CEU Opportunities? Visit Our CEU Library & Sign Up for ABA Book Club too!