Reinforcing Conversations

What do you do when your daughter needs therapy, the system has a six-month waitlist, and you happen to have 20 years of experience in tech and HR? If you are Tiffney Vivo, you build the thing that should have already existed. In this episode, Nicole and Christina sit down with Tiffney Vivo, Co-Founder and CEO of Therapprove, a platform that connects families of children with special needs to pedi...

Not everyone who ends up in ABA planned to be here: and Demi Fragale is proof that the most unexpected paths can lead to the most meaningful careers. In this episode, Christina & Nicole sits down with Nicole’s friend and colleague Demi, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and NY State Licensed Behavior Analyst who came to the field by way of a Bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre and a life...

What happens when two ABA podcasts walk into the same recording space and just start talking? In this special crossover episode, Nicole and Christina sit down with Mike Rubio and Dan Lowery, the longtime co-hosts and co-owners behind ABA on Tap, for a conversation so packed with good stuff that you'll have to catch Part 2 on their feed. Mike and Dan have been in the ABA world together for near...

Most ABA providers and entrepreneurs overlook critical legal nuances, until a compliance slip or legal inspection hits. Ellesha LeCluyse, a healthcare law expert with a decade of experience, exposes the hidden legal pitfalls in ABA practice ownership and offers practical strategies to safeguard your practice today. You’ll discover: The legal structures behind startup ABA practices and how to optim...

Our Season 2 Finale!! If you could go back and give your younger self advice about working in ABA, what would you say? In this episode, Nicole and Christina (ABA Made Ez) get real about what they wish they'd known when they first entered the field — from navigating different settings and choosing the right population, to the BCBA credential, supervision, and the growing pains of a field still...

In this episode, Rachel Morelli, a board-certified behavior analyst and travel advisor, discusses the intersection of autism and travel. She shares her journey from BCBA to creating accessible travel experiences for families with children on the autism spectrum. The conversation covers essential resources for families, navigating theme parks, cruising opportunities, and the importance of preparati...

In this episode of "Reinforcing Conversations," hosts Nicole Stewart and Christina Torres welcome Dr. Liza Geonie, a BCBA-D and researcher focused on the intersection of behavior analysis and misinformation in online environments. Dr. Geonie shares her unique journey into the field of behavior analysis and her current research on how behavior analytic principles can help understand why p...

What does “leisure” really mean, and who gets to decide what counts? In this episode, Nicole Stewart and Christina Torres challenge some of the most common assumptions about leisure skills in ABA. Through honest conversation and real-life examples, they explore why leisure is more than toys or playtime, and how it connects to self-regulation, independence, relationships, and mental health. They ta...

Nicole and Christina unpack what truly drives motivation in ABA; why it changes, how it impacts behavior, and how to respond. They break down motivating operations, the difference between skill and motivation deficits, and simple ways to boost engagement through “low effort, high reinforcement”. They discuss the utility of token economy systems and how to ensure extrinsic motivation is meaningful...

In this episode, Nicole and Christina unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in ABA: control. From instructional and stimulus control to emotional regulation, boundaries, and autonomy, they explore how “control” shows up in real life, with kids, clients, and ourselves. Through personal stories, clinical insight, and plenty of humor, they reframe control not as coercion, but as empowerment:...

In this conversation, Chad Pearce joins Nicole & Christina to discuss the intricacies of recruiting within the ABA field, emphasizing the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, the need for niche recruiting, and the challenges faced by BCBAs in the job market. Chad shares insights on salary expectations, work-life balance, and the impact of AI on recruiting processes. The discussion also t...

Explore how the financial health of an ABA practice directly impacts its ability to attract and retain top talent. Dive into the key business metrics that reveal whether a company is truly sustainable: from profit margins and payer mix to labor costs and overhead. Listeners will walk away with a clear understanding of what “healthy” numbers look like for an ABA practice, why they matter for both e...

Welcome to our 2nd episode of Season two made possible with support from New England Center for Children . In this episode, join Nicole and Christina for real talk about rapport, communication, and collaboration in behavior analysis. 🎧 Whether you’re an RBT, BCBA, or parent, this episode dives into how relationships drive real progress. We break down CEUs that matter, advocate for meaningful team...

Welcome to Season 2 of Reinforcing Conversations, made possible with support from New England Center for Children In this episode of Reinforcing Conversations, hosts Christina Torres and Nicole Stewart discuss the importance of reflection in personal and professional growth, particularly for behavior analysts. They explore the significance of self-awareness, accountability, and the role of communi...

We’re covering a very uncomfortable topic today: Punishment procedures in ABA.  There are a lot of reasons why people are Anti-ABA, and punishment is just one of them.  Christina and Nicole discuss the history of punishment in ABA including the most controversial punishment procedure, known as Contingent Electric Skin Shock.  We’ll talk about how punishment is meant to be used in ABA, why families...

Another rebroadcast of a live webinar!  This time,  Christina is joined by Attorney James J. Hux all about employee rights and the sticky situations ABA professionals want to be aware of.  This episode of Labor Laws Made Easy is the first in a 4-part series available on behavior Live and focuses on wages and hours laws.  Join Christina, Attorney Hux and Nicole to learn more about how employers and...

This episode of the podcast crosses over into Nicole & Christina's original partnership: The ADHD Exchange. The ADHD Exchange is a series of workshops designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical strategies for supporting individuals with ADHD. This specific session focuses on working collaboratively with parents. This topic is designed to reshape the way behavior analysts, and oth...

This episode of Reinforcing Conversations features our very first guest, none other than Nicole’s newly minted 11-year old son, Jack.  Jack will share his mental health journey, what he has found supportive in the classroom, and ways in which having a behaviorist for a mom is great and not-so-great.  He is articulate, transparent and comes equipped with some gen alpha words and laughs. He and Nico...

Pre-recorded at ABAI, join Nicole & Christina for this in-person talk about why they love conferences. We recommend that everyone attends professional development conferences, and especially those involved in ABA spaces. Here our advice for getting the most out of the actual event, and the travel opportunity for the ultimate and always-desired work-life balance. Line dancing? DC architecture?...

In this episode of Reinforcing Conversations , we take a closer look at the clinical setting in ABA. Clinical settings offer a controlled environment where treatment plans can be delivered with high fidelity, allowing for measurable outcomes and clear data patterns. For clients, this often translates into consistent routines and well-tracked progress. For behavior analysts, it can be a space where...

In this episode of Reinforcing Conversations , we start our journey through different ABA settings.  We’re starting with one of the most common, and most challenging settings - home-based ABA.  How do BCBAs and RBTs successfully collaborate with parents, caregivers and family members to blend home-based ABA with family life successfully?  Learning Objectives: Behavior Analysts will identify the ba...

In this episode of Reinforcing Conversations , Nicole and Christina dive into one of their favorite topics— fieldwork supervision . Nicole co-owns Supervision Reimagined with Gabriella Davila, and Christina leads an ABA Scholars group, so they both spend their days immersed in supervision systems and supporting the next generation of behavior analysts. How do trainees know what to expect from thei...

In this episode, Nicole and Christina talk about what it’s like to be parents and BCBAs, and how being a parent has informed their journey.  Both women will share suggestions and tips for parents, BCBAs and those who wear both hats.  Listen to learn ways to balance ABA in your life without letting it take over! Learning Objectives: Behavior analysts will identify personal circumstances that serve...

Are you wondering what a BCBA is and what we do all day? Have you ever been asked to describe your job and career aspirations? Us too, and boy is it hard! In this episode, Nicole and Christina will share their stories through ABA that led them to the creation of this podcast, how to explain what it is that we do, and how to share this information in a way that others can easily understand. Being a...

Welcome to Reinforcing Conversations with Nicole &Christina , where we shape better behavior one talk at a time. This podcast dives into the essentials of ABA, behavior analysis, and psychology, bridging the gap between science and practice. Whether you’re a parent navigating challenging behaviors, a student eager to learn, or a BCBA seeking fresh insights, Nicole and Christina are here to mak...