Safe Space - The ABA Podcast

In this episode of Safe Space: The ABA Podcast , host Michelle Zeman sits down with special guest Alicia Renee, founder of The IEP Files and self-proclaimed “IEP Queen.” Alicia shares her journey as a COPAA-trained advocate, autism mom, and passionate leader in special education advocacy. Together, they dive deep into strategies for parents to navigate IEP meetings, ask the right questions, docume...

In this episode of Safe Space, the ABA Podcast , Michelle Zeman welcomes back the dynamic duo behind The Psychobabble BCBAs - Lauryn and Erica - for a thought-provoking conversation on one of the most debated topics in our field: dosage and medical necessity in ABA. Together, they unpack the history of the “40-hour standard,” explore what the research really says about intensity and outcomes, and...

What does independence really mean for neurodiverse learners, and how can families set them up for long-term success? Host Michelle Zeman welcomes Christine Drew and Kristin Lombardi to discuss their book Spectrum of Independence , which offers families a structured yet flexible framework for building independence. They explore how small, consistent steps - like breaking down daily routines into t...

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Trauma leaves a lasting mark — on the mind, the body, and behavior. In this heartfelt episode, host Michelle Zeman welcomes Matt Tapia, BCBA and LMFT, for a powerful discussion on recognizing and addressing trauma in ABA settings. With over 15 years of experience supporting neurodiverse children and families, Matt brings a rare combination of...

What does it look like to advocate for your own learning while honoring your current role and the supervision structure around you? How do you take on new responsibilities without overstepping boundaries? In this thoughtful and informative episode, student analyst Abby Schierer joins host Michelle Zeman to explore these questions and more. As a full-time team member at To The Moon ABA Therapy and...

What does effective, ethical supervision look like when working with adults in crisis — not kids? In this episode, Dr. Ashley Fiorilli, PhD, BCBA, Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, and Founder of Be Still Be Connected , LLC , joins us to unpack the unique challenges and opportunities of supervising RBTs in adult residential and crisis care settings. Together, we explore why the traditional ABA...

Join host Michelle Zeman as she reconnects with former supervisee Nick Gopaul to explore his inspiring journey through the world of Applied Behavior Analysis. From his early days navigating culture shock in the clinic as an RBT to becoming a BCaBA to his current journey through coursework to become a BCBA, Nick shares candid stories about his experience so far. Tune in to hear about building resil...

In this insightful episode, we talk with Nicole Stewart, BCBA, about her personal and professional journey supporting gifted children with ADHD and Autism. Nicole shares how raising her own neurodivergent child shaped the innovative, non-traditional work she does today. We explore why traditional talk therapy often misses the mark, how she uses creative tools to build emotional regulation and work...

In this episode of Safe Space , host Michelle Zeman is joined by special guest Nichole Mark, BCBA, a passionate mentor and the founder of Behavior Mastered. Nichole shares her journey into the field of ABA—from initially pursuing pediatrics to discovering her calling while working alongside RBTs as a speech therapist. Nichole offers a firsthand look at how the field has evolved from compliance-dri...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of racial microaggressions, workplace trauma, and explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. Join host Michelle Zeeman and BCBA Victoria Contreras as they dive deep into the ethical complexities faced by behavior analysts in the field. From confronting outdated and harmful practices to advocating for client dignity and rights, Victoria shar...

In this episode, we sit down with a Lauren Nava, a passionate BCBA who began her career during one of the most unpredictable times—the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares how the shift to telehealth reshaped her approach to supervision, deepened her connection with families, and pushed her to get creative in delivering effective, engaging ABA services remotely. From channeling her inner “Miss Rachel” to...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Earnhart, BCBA, and founder of Safe Sensory Sitters, to discuss the inspiration behind starting this specialized service for children with sensory needs. Charlotte shares insights on maintaining ethical standards in ABA practice, balancing the roles of business owner and service provider, and the importance of dignity and professionalism in care. We dive...

In this episode of Safe Space ABA , Jessica Woolson, BCBA, certified mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) facilitator, joins host Michelle Zeman, MA, BCBA, LBA, to explore the role of mindfulness, SEL, and trauma-informed care in building resilience within ABA. Drawing from her work with Breathe for Change , Jessica shares how these practices can enhance educator wellness, prevent burno...

In this episode, Michelle Zeman sits down with Miranda Irvin to explore her unique journey toward becoming a BCBA, including her experience working with four different companies during her supervision. They discuss the varied supervision styles, how these experiences shaped Miranda’s professional growth, and the skills she developed along the way. From balancing clinical work with administrative d...

In this episode of Safe Space: The ABA Podcast , Michelle Zeman speaks with Lisa Vertullo, a Certified Behavioral Sleep Specialist and Behavior Consultant at Half Hollow Hills Central School District. With a career that spans over two decades, Lisa shares her journey of working with individuals with autism and how she integrated sleep strategies into her work. She discusses the importance of a hol...

In this episode of Safe Space: The ABA Podcast , guest hosts Caroline Linfante and Jennifer Weber from KIT Educational Consulting join Michelle Zeman to explore the intersection of behavior analysis and education. They discuss the biggest challenges teachers face, strategies for balancing academic and behavioral needs, and how behavioral science can enhance student outcomes. From test scores to cl...

In this episode, host Michelle Zeman is joined by Lindsey Lundquist, owner and founder of Blossom Behavioral Services. Together, they explore the intersection of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, and how integrating these approaches enhances therapeutic practices. The conversation covers the role of flexible thinking and social-emotional strategies in improvin...

In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Vinokurov, an inspiring autistic self-advocate, behavior specialist, and advocate for neurodiversity. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, Michelle has made it her mission to support and empower the neurodiverse community throughout her life and career. Michelle earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis...

In this episode of Safe Space: The ABA Podcast , host Michelle sits down with Maria Capiris, owner of Piece by Piece Billing Solutions, LLC, to discuss the often-complicated world of ABA billing. Maria, an expert in billing for ABA therapy, created the "New Provider Toolkit" to help new and smaller practices navigate the complex billing landscape. Maria shares her journey of developing the toolkit...

In this inspiring episode of Safe Space: The ABA Podcast , we chat with Monica, the founder and BCBA behind Creative Minds ABA Services Inc. , a practice that is redefining the way we approach Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Monica’s innovative and compassionate approach goes beyond traditional ABA therapy by focusing not just on behaviors but also on the emotional states, thoughts, and individua...

In Episode 17 of Safe Space , host Michelle Zeman, MA, BCBA, LBA (@theautisticbehavioranalyst), explores the critical ethical considerations surrounding feeding interventions for children with autism with Valori Neiger, an Autism Feeding Specialist. Feeding difficulties are prevalent in the autism community, affecting up to 80% of children on the spectrum. Despite this high incidence, there is a s...

In Season 2, Episode 16 of Safe Space , host Michelle Zeman, MA, BCBA, LBA (@theautisticbehavioranalyst), welcomes Carly Donnelly, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCBA, LBA, for an insightful discussion on Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and its intersection with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Carly, one of only 500 SLP-BCBAs worldwide, brings her unique perspective as both a professional and an autistic indivi...

In Season 2, Episode 15 of  Safe Space , host Michelle Zeman, MA, BCBA, LBA (@theautisticbehavioranalyst), sits down with Daniel Zimmerman, M.S., BCBA, IBA, LBA, founder of  da Vinci NCR Services LLC  in Hawai'i. Together, they explore the integration of Non-Contingent Reinforcement (NCR) and assent-based reinforcement programming in ABA. Daniel shares his experiences implementing Practical Functi...

In this episode of Safe Space , we sit down with Jake Watson, BCBA and certified expert in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), to explore how his passion for behavior analysis extends beyond traditional settings. Jake shares the pivotal moments that sparked his interest in OBM and the challenges he faced early in his BCBA career, including navigating high turnover and ineffective processes i...

In this episode of Safe Space, host Michelle Zeman sits down with Amanda Lombardo to discuss Illinois' groundbreaking grant initiative aimed at shifting how schools manage challenging behaviors. Amanda shares insights on the proactive, trauma-informed approach being implemented, which moves away from traditional methods like timeout and restraint. They explore the motivations behind this grant, su...