Beyond The Science Podcast

What does it really take to build an ABA clinic from the ground up? In this special episode of Beyond the Science, we celebrate the grand opening of 3K ABA and co-host Darius Cooper's journey from Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to clinic owner. Coop shares the challenges, sacrifices, financial realities, and leadership lessons that came with building one of the first Black-owned ABA clin...

AI is transforming ABA faster than most people realize — and according to Dr. Adam Ventura, behavior analysts who ignore it risk falling behind. In this episode of Beyond the Science, Dr. Ventura explores how AI is reshaping behavior analysis, education, leadership, and the future of human work itself. From ethical clinical practice and burnout prevention to parenting, mentorship, and the “meaning...

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Beyond the Science , we honor the women who carried us through life with love, sacrifice, strength, and grace. We welcome our mothers onto the show for an honest and emotional conversation about motherhood, family, faith, resilience, and the sacrifices that shaped our lives. Filled with laughter, gratitude, tears, and reflection, this episode is a celebratio...

Is AI about to change behavior analysis forever? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Adam Ventura, founder of Intraverbal AI, to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ABA and what it means for clinicians, researchers, and practice owners right now. We explore: Whether AI could become part of your ABA treatment team The ethical concerns the field can’t...

What happens when empathy meets smart technology in ABA? In this episode of Beyond the Science, we sit down with Charlene Kurth, COO of Office Puzzle, to explore how one practice management platform is helping ABA providers run smarter, scale sustainably, and reduce daily stress. Charlene shares her path from psychology and analytics into ABA tech, and why Office Puzzle was built to support people...

This Holiday Special brings all the vibes: laughter, games, and real talk. Jeron, Joe, and Coop are back in their ugly sweaters for a festive episode filled with holiday debates, movie face-offs, and a Christmas dinner draft that gets surprisingly competitive. But between the jokes, they open up about family, loss, and what the holidays really mean to them as fathers, friends, and business owners....

🔥 At FABA, one of ABA’s most respected researchers sits down for a rare, unfiltered conversation and the insights are game-changing. Dr. Bill Ahearn, Director of Research at the New England Center for Children, opens up about the state of ABA today, the misconceptions holding practitioners back, and the breakthroughs that could reshape how we understand automatically reinforced behavior, social s...

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 ha...

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 mus...

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 fam...

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...

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...

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 redu...

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 w...

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 lead...

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....

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 th...

From the Bronx to the C-Suite, this is the remarkable journey of a woman who refused to be defined by limits. In this inspiring conversation, you’ll hear how she rose from special education teacher to become the first Black woman in ABA’s C-suite, leading with passion, data, and grit. She shares the personal story that brought her to Applied Behavior Analysis, the challenges she’s overcome, and th...

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 ses...

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...

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 gr...

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 empo...

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 lik...

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 misu...

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...