The People Contingency | Avoid Staff Turnover in ABA

In the ABA and IDD space, we often treat staff turnover like a natural disaster—something unavoidable that just happens to us because of the market or the nature of the work. But Nate Beers, BCBA and host of the IDD Leader podcast, argues that retention isn't a roll of the dice; it is a direct reflection of how we support our frontline leaders. With over 20 years of experience, Nate has seen...

Every field has a story about why people leave. In ABA, we often point to burnout, productivity pressure, or not enough “buy-in” from staff. And those things are real. But according to Organizational Behavior Management expert Dr. Manny Rodriguez, they’re rarely the root cause. With over 20 years of experience guiding leaders across Fortune 500 companies, startups, schools, and human service organ...

Every generation thinks the one behind it doesn’t want to work. But what if the real issue isn’t work ethic at all? In this episode, leadership researcher, author, and founder of Boss Hero School Joe Mull examines what truly fuels commitment in the workplace—and why turnover, call-offs, and disengagement are almost always symptoms of broken systems, not broken people. Listen in as Joe shares the r...

Every field has stories about why people leave. In ABA, we say it's burnout —the emotional weight, the billable hours pressure, the inconsistent pay. And all of that is real. But it's not the whole story. According to BCBA, instructional designer, and founder of Sidekick Learning Allyson Wharam , the root of retention begins long before burnout ever shows up. It begins in the systems tha...

Most leaders assume their biggest challenge is time—not enough of it, too much to do, and a calendar that never stops filling.  But according to productivity expert and award-winning author Maura Nevel Thomas, time isn’t the problem at all.  It’s distraction.  And the more we try to solve distraction with time-management tools, the further we drift from meaningful, significant results. In this epi...

Most leaders think solving workforce challenges comes down to data, compliance, or improving systems. But what if the real leverage point is far more human—compassion, ethics, and the courage to have honest conversations? Dr. Tyra Sellers, owner of TP Sellers and one of the most influential voices in modern ABA leadership, challenges us to rethink how we define professionalism, accountability, and...

Most leaders assume burnout comes from heavy workloads, unrealistic targets, or a lack of self-care. But what if the real driver is something far more foundational — the way we relate to ourselves, our language, and even our sense of time? Scott Herbst, founder of SixFlex Training & Consulting, offers a refreshing and deeply human take.  He helps leaders see burnout not as a symptom of “too mu...

When union whispers start circulating among your staff, most leaders panic.  They tighten policies, hold mandatory meetings, or double down on compliance. Phillip Wilson, president of the Labor Relations Institute and founder of Approachable Leadership, invites us to ask a better question: What broke before the whispers began? With decades of labor relations expertise, Phil breaks down how the uni...

When turnover feels endless, most leaders look for quick fixes: bonuses, new policies, tighter oversight. Dr. Heather McGee from Western Michigan University invites us to pause and ask better questions. What if the problem isn’t people, but the systems that shape their behavior? In this episode, Dr. McGee brings her decades of experience in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) to show how the...

High turnover is one of the biggest headaches for leaders, especially when working with a young workforce entering their very first jobs. Most businesses try to fix the problem with incentives, strict policies, or constant hiring cycles. But what if the solution is simpler… and more human? In this episode, Chris Deferio , founder of Keys to the Shop and renowned voice in the coffee industry, share...

Most leaders say they’re drowning in meetings. The calendar is packed, the interruptions never stop, and the things they love about their work get buried under “urgent” noise. But what if the fix wasn’t another productivity hack, but rethinking the entire system around people? In this episode, Dr. Nicholas Weatherly examines why so many “solutions” (like endless training) don’t actually solve perf...

In this episode of the People Contingency Podcast, Holli Beth interviews Katrina Collier, who discusses her latest book, 'The Damage of Words,' and her journey of healing from childhood trauma. Katrina shares insights on the importance of inner child work, the impact of trauma on professional relationships, and the need for vulnerability in the workplace. She emphasizes the significance...

In this conversation, Holli Beth and Jennifer McClure explore the evolving role of HR in organizations, emphasizing its importance beyond compliance to fostering culture and engagement. They discuss the significance of data in HR practices, the necessity of building a strong employer brand, and the risks associated with ignoring employee feedback. Jennifer shares her experiences in transforming co...

In this episode, Holli Beth sits down with Peter Cappelli to unpack the evolving realities of remote and hybrid work. They explore why office culture still matters, how mentorship and collaboration shift in distributed teams, and what’s at stake for early-career professionals. Cappelli shares evidence-based insights on supervision, hiring, and the hidden costs of poor management in today’s workpla...

In this episode, Angela Pointer delivers real talk on people-first leadership—sharing how intentional living shapes intentional leadership, and how aligning values with action builds trust, belonging, and real workplace culture. About Angela   Angela Pointer, MS, BSN, RN, is a seasoned healthcare talent acquisition strategist and former nurse with over 28 years of experience. As President of AP So...