Behavior Bitches

This week, Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, joins Liat to talk all things fitness, behavior, and creating programs that actually work for the neurodivergent population. From ju-jitsu to bullsh*t detectors and bucket-lists, this episode is full of science, sarcasm, and sweaty truths.  Behavior Concepts Covered: 7 Dimensions of ABA Pairing Shaping Chaining Modeling Imitation Generalization...

In this episode, Liat sits down with Kara Shepherd, BCBA & SNABA’s social media manager, Collective instructor, and all-around bada$$ human. Kara gets real about her journey living with Crohn’s disease and how it all shaped her perspective as a behavior analyst and educator. Don’t miss the end of this episode for a special interview with the team from Beyond Distilling, one of our amazing spon...

Alison Fragale, author of Likeable Badass, joins Liat to break down what it really takes to be powerful, respected, and still totally likeable at work and in life. Also along for the ride? Liat’s sister Talia, Alison’s biggest fangirl, who may or may not misuse the term “preference assessment” on air. From spotting unlikeable behavior in yourself to mastering reciprocity and owning your voice, thi...

Why are we so obsessed with reality TV? In this episode, Liat sits down with cultural sociologist and Bachelor Nation expert Dr. Danielle Lindemann to break down the behavioral science behind our favorite trainwrecks. From parasocial relationships and unconditioned reinforcers to casting archetypes and cult-like manipulation, we dive into what keeps us watching — and what it says about us. Turns o...

Get ready for round two as Presley dives even deeper into the dark and twisted world of Jeffrey Dahmer—but this time, through the behavior analytic lens you didn’t know you needed. In Part 2, we dissect Dahmer’s behavior chain step by step, breaking down the environmental variables, reinforcement histories, and learned behaviors that shaped one of the most infamous serial killers in history. It’s...

What do you get when you mix true crime obsession with behavioral science? A badass criminologist BCBA like Presley Wanner. In Part 1 of this two-part banger, Liat sits down with Presley to hear how her love of crime and behavior led her to blend criminology with ABA (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds). Presley shares her journey into the world of criminal behavior analysis, how she uses behavior-ana...

In part two of this wild 2-part convo, Liat chats with comedian and cult survivor Davey Jackson. In this second half, things get even deeper—and somehow even funnier. Davey opens up about the psychological fallout of leaving a cult, the behavioral patterns that kept him stuck, and how comedy became his unexpected lifeline. Liat and Davey break down cult dynamics through a behavioral lens, sprinkle...

In part one of this wild 2-part convo, Liat chats with comedian and cult survivor Davey Jackson. From escaping a high-control group to crushing it on stage, Davey’s story is raw, real, and ridiculously funny. You’ll laugh, gasp, and maybe even have a new crush. Behavior Concepts Covered: Pairing Behavior Contract Stimulus Discrimination Modeling Operational Definition Dead Man’s Test Positive &amp...

This week, Liat sits down with Jeron Trotman—a badass BCBA who's redefining what it means to show up authentically in the field of behavior analysis. From his Bronx roots to making waves in boardrooms, Jeron shares how environment shapes behavior, why representation matters, and how he’s breaking barriers in a field that desperately needs it. Expect truth bombs, real talk, and plenty of laughs. Be...

Get ready to rumble! This week, we’re body-slamming into the world of pro wrestling with Damo McCullough—professional wrestler, gym owner, family guy, and Liat’s personal burpee dictator. Damo’s spilling all the secrets on how wrestlers use behavioral science to pump up the crowd, master insane moves, and keep the drama flowing like pyro on a championship night. Whether you’re here for the wrestli...

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be on The Bachelor? Well, today we’ve got the inside scoop from none other than Parisa Shifteh, BCBA and contestant from Season 29! Parisa may have left in week 4, but she’s here to spill all the behind-the-scenes tea—like how she landed on the boldest first convo of the season (yes, the PowerPoint was 100% her idea), why she literally breaks out in hives whe...

In this episode, Liat sits down with Sean Inderbitzen, author of Autism in Polyvagal Terms, to break down the science behind neuroception, how the nervous system shapes behavior, and what the Polyvagal Theory means for understanding autism. They also dive into the heated world of ABA criticism—how to handle the haters, what the field gets right (and wrong), and how we can do better. This conversat...

On this week's episode, we sit down with Bill Petrich, a cancer survivor whose own experience opened his eyes to the shocking world of cancer fakers. We discuss the real Belle Gibson from Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, Real Housewives of Orange County’s Brooks Ayers, Scamanda’s Amanda C. Riley, Anatomy of a Lie’s Elizabeth Finch, and more fakers and frauds that haven’t gotten their own documentari...

This week on Behavior Bitches, we’re talking all things neurofeedback with Julie Bucalos! Ever wish you could just train your brain to chill out or focus better? Neurofeedback might be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed. Julie breaks down how it works and how it can seriously improve your mental game. It’s science meets self-care, and it’s way cooler than you think. Listen in for a raw, r...

This week, Liat sits down with the hilarious Jiaoying Summers to talk comedy, culture, and everything in between—unfiltered. Jiaoying shares childhood experiences, her thoughts on cancel culture, and swaps stories you won’t want to miss. If you’re here for raw truths, laughs, and a bit of chaos, this episode will have you thinking and laughing all at once! Behavior Concepts Covered: Reinforcement&...

This week Liat hangs with Brianna Sims, an amazing BCBA making waves at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. They talk about nonprofit work, training parents, and juggling it all as a mom. Brianna spills on moving from clinical work to group programs, working with homeless families, and why trauma-informed care is a must. It’s real, relatable, and full of tips to level up your ABA game—don’t miss it!...

It’s a bonus episode, b*tches! Liat and Danielle are spilling the tea on The Live Collective—aka the ultimate BCBA test prep experience. They’re shooting the shit, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, and giving you a peek into the lives of the fabulous ladies behind Study Notes ABA. If you’re studying for the BCBA exam (or just here for the laughs), grab your coffee, wine, or whatever fuels your st...

In this episode, we chat with Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA, and founder of The Autism Helper. Sasha shares her journey from teacher to BCBA and how her teaching background shapes her practice today. We discuss the "icks" she sees in Special Ed classrooms, ways to improve teacher-BCBA collaboration, and how behavioral knowledge could transform classrooms. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and...

Burnout doesn’t discriminate—it hits practitioners across all fields. In this episode, Liat sits down with two incredible trauma-informed BCBAs, Robyn Gutierrez and Jessica Woolson, to dive into the heart of self-care and anti-burnout strategies. Robyn, founder of Reflect & Refine, and Jessica, founder of The Wellness and Behavior Collective, share their personal and professional journeys in c...

In this deeply insightful episode of Behavior Bitches, we’re diving into the world of dissociative identity disorder (DID) with a special guest, Matthew Fanning, whose wife lived with 21 distinct personalities. Through the lens of behavior analysis, we explore how DID impacts daily life, the misconceptions surrounding the condition, and the role of environmental contingencies in shaping behavior a...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the story of someone who has spent her life caring for other people’s children with love, patience, and dedication. For years, Jordan Litt, a BCBA and Co-Founder of CEUs by Study Notes ABA, has been the one others relied on, nurturing, teaching, and being there for countless young lives. But now, she’s facing one of the most personal, heart-wrenching journeys...

Back again... Tell a friend! You thought you got rid of us? Not so fast. The Behavior Bitches Podcast is back! Tune in for the tea... Let us know if you have a topic request, guest idea, if you’d be a great guest, or just want to send us love at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Interested in advertising on our podcast? Want to get your name out there to thousands of listeners? Shoot us an email (...

On today’s episode, the Bitches sit down with Don Moore who identifies the ways confidence behaves in real life and raises thought-provoking questions. How optimistic should you be about an uncertain future? What justifies your confidence in something amorphous and subjective like your attractiveness or sense of humor? Moore reminds us that the key to success is to avoid being both over- and under...

Certified school counselor and child/teen behavior expert Zack Kasabo shares the joys structure, lists, and working with strong-willed kids. Get the gritty details about the behavioral challenges Zack encounters in his work with kids who have an especially low tolerance for frustration. Grab a pen and paper, as we dive into some excellent strategies for connecting with strong willed kids and share...

On today’s episode the Bitches chat with BCBA Carolyn Smith, AKA Behavior Shorty, and spill the tea on online dating with some real-life horror stories. As always, we will break these wild behaviors down through the eyes of behavior analysts. Trust us, you will never look at online dating the same way again! Tune in to hear all about it. Love you. Mean it!! Support us at patreon.com/behaviorbitche...