The Heart & Science of Leadership

Send us Fan Mail Most people brag about leadership when things are working. When the check clears, the metrics are green, and applause is still flowing. But what happens when the spotlight shuts off… or your body betrays you… or life delivers a sentence most people don’t come back from? In this episode, Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni and AJ Rinaldi sit down with the legendary Paul Anthony — a global mus...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Heart & Science of Leadership Podcast , Dr. Paulie and Aj tackle one of the toughest challenges leaders face: change. They explore how change can feel like both an exciting opportunity and a sucker punch in the gut. Drawing on behavior science and real-world leadership experience, Paulie and Aj break down how leaders can navigate change effectively, turn...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine leadership without feedback. It's like trying to navigate a ship without instruments or stars – virtually impossible. In this episode of The Heart & Science of Leadership Podcast , Dr. Paulie Gavoni and A.J. Rinaldi dive deep into one of the most misunderstood tools in a leader’s toolbox— feedback . 📢 Feedback isn't just a way to correct mistakes—it's a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with communication strategist and leadership coach Salvatore J. Manzi , author of The Clear and Compelling Playbook . With over two decades of experience helping individuals and organizations elevate their presence and clarity, Salvatore shares powerful insights on how to lead with purpose, speak with intention, and create meaningful change—whether you...

Send us Fan Mail In this compelling episode, Dr. Paulie and co-host AJ Rinaldi engage with Kyle McDowell , a former Fortune 10 executive turned leadership coach and bestselling author of Begin With WE . Kyle shares his journey from leading tens of thousands in corporate America to pioneering a leadership philosophy centered on collective empowerment. They delve into the pitfalls of "me-orient...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a behavior. And while there’s no shortage of leadership theories floating around, this episode goes beneath the surface. Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni and A.J. Rinaldi take a sharp, scientific look at what truly drives leadership that works . Instead of parroting popular slogans, they dig into the behaviors, decisions, and contingencies that make—or break—...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some leaders instantly command respect while others struggle to get their message across? The secret lies not in what they say, but how they communicate it. Communication represents the fundamental difference between leadership that merely directs and leadership that transforms. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Paul Gavoni and AJ Rinaldi unpack the five criti...

Send us Fan Mail John Maxwell once said, “If you think you're leading and no one is following, you're just taking a walk.” Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about the team you build, develop, and inspire. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 P’s of Team Building —Pursuing, Promoting, Purging, Pushing, and Pulling—to help you create a high-performing team that doesn’t just follow b...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to impactful leadership with insights from Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni and AJ Rinaldi . Discover how real leadership transcends titles and transforms cultures by focusing on influence and authenticity. Dr. Paulie reveals his journey from social work to leadership, driven by a passion for improving leadership practices. Meanwhile, AJ shares his wealth of e...

Send us Fan Mail BCBAs and RBTs enter the field to create meaningful change for learners, but more and more is being dumped on their backs, draining their energy and impacting the quality of care. This burden also sucks the life out of leaders, making it harder to retain talent and maintain high standards. But what if there was a way to ease the load while enhancing outcomes? In this episode , Mic...

Send us Fan Mail How can behavior analysts build better relationships and avoid burning out? In this episode, Dr. Monica Gilbert and I dig into the game-changing power of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in behavior analysis. Monica’s journey—from working with people battling substance use to bringing MI into her ABA practice—shows just how powerful reflective listening and open-ended questions can...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m tackling a topic that’s incredibly close to my heart: "Breaking the Cycle: A Behavior-Based Approach to Bullying Prevention." Growing up, I experienced just a small amount of bullying—so few incidents I could probably count them on one hand—but the impact was profound. It shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until later. For some kids, though,...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how behavioral science can change lives? Join us as we sit down with the insightful Kendall Ryndak Samuel, a dedicated behavior analyst who transitioned from an aspiring school counselor to a pioneer in the field of behavioral science. Kendall shares her captivating journey, fueled by a high school psychology class that sparked a deep passion for operant and classica...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a background in nutrition can lead to a flourishing career in Applied Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management? Behavior analyst Troy Burg shares his unique journey from direct support work to ABA expertise in this enlightening episode. Troy reveals how his early experiences fueled a passion for behavior analysis, merging interests in helping othe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I dig into the importance of  improving training standards for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) with special guest Stephanie Waldon , a recent master's graduate in Applied Behavior Analysis from FIT. Stephanie shares her firsthand experiences and passion for ABA, highlighting the critical need for better training, effective supervision, and meaningful me...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of the criminal mind with behavior scientist Presley Wanner , as we navigate the intriguing intersection of behavior analysis and forensic investigation. Imagine peering through the eyes of a behavior analyst at the crime scenes frequented by law enforcement professionals; we do just that, offering a fresh and compelling perspective that could redefine criminal...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, my good friend and Vice President at Aubrey Daniels International, Francisco Gomez , breaks down the application of Organizational Behavior Management strategies in organizations. If you are interested in learning more about OBM and leadership, this is definitely an episode for you. Francisco, an OOG in this space, has supported organizations with improving perfor...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the revolutionary world of professional sports through the lens of behavior analysis with my guest, Brett Yaris . Brett is breaking the mold by integrating Applied Behavior Analysis with NFL training methods. His unique path from special education to professional football coaching challenges traditional coaching methods and sparks new ways of thinking. In this episode, w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode,  David Roth and I emphasize the critical need for the field of behavior analysis to delve deeper into the concept of resilience. While the concept of resilience is widely acknowledged, there's a gap in our understanding of it. It's our goal to ignite a conversation and inspire action on the pressing issue of defining and analyzing resilience. Today'...

Send us Fan Mail Ever been dumped? Remember that pain? Being broken up with is something that most people experience at some point in their life.  Many learn and continue to move forward. But for some, it's a painful experience they try to avoid but end up living many times over.  If you are one of those people, what might you have done more, less, or differently to avoid the breakup? Perhaps...

Send us Fan Mail Dive headfirst into the intriguing world of behavior analysis with my good friend, Dr. Merrill Winston . In this fascinating discussion, we challenge the norms of traditional functional analysis in education, shedding light on the holistic aspects of behavior challenges. Anchored in the teachings of field pioneers like Brian Iwata and Hank Pennypacker, our conversation unearths th...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to create healthier, equitable workplaces? How does behavioral science play a key role in this transformation? Join us as we welcome the insightful Portia James to answer these questions. Portia, a prominent leader in the field of behavior analysis, shares her experiences and passion for constructing fair workforces where people feel valued. She sheds light on th...

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, fellow behavior analysts and seekers of knowledge! Get ready to dive into an eye-opening episode with Dr. Antonio Harrison , a true maverick in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). And guess what? We're not just sticking to the ordinary. Sure, ABA is like a superhero when it comes to helping those on the autism spectrum, but in this chat, we're blowin...

Send us Fan Mail From a behavior analytic perspective, trauma can be seen as an aversive event or series of events that have led to maladaptive behavior patterns or reactions to certain stimuli.  When we understand that an individual's behaviors might be a response to trauma, we can respond more effectively. But how can we better understand trauma? And what constitutes effective responses fro...

Send us Fan Mail As an entrepreneurial Behavior Analyst, Dr. Emily Ice   has participated in founding organizations within the non-profit and profit sectors for over two decades. Additionally, she has expertise in consultation and mentorship with applying Applied Behavior Analysis for the treatment of sleep disturbances. In this chat we discuss behavioral approaches for improving sleep; in additio...