Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
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Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) strives to spread knowledge throughout the animal care field to help enhance animal care through operant conditioning. Each episode we will discuss a topic in the world of animal care and break down the science of behavior change. To achieve this, the podcast’s host, Shane Gorbett, will interview fellow trainers and experts from across the world to discuss all things training, behavior, enrichment, welfare, and much more! This podcast will be a great resource for all trainers. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

  1. JUN 4

    66: Hierarchy of Behavior Change Procedure and Other Behavior Topics with Dr. Susan Friedman, Behavior Works

    This episode Dr. Susan Friedman, Behavior Works, provides some great learning and insights into a multitude of current topics surrounding the science of behavior change.  Dr. Friedman starts with discussing the Hierarchy of Behavior Change Procedures; what it is, how we can view it to provide optimal welfare to animals, and also the importance of antecedent arrangement and the environment to behavior change.  She also breaks down what it means and looks like in practice when we strive for most positive, least intrusive, effective intervention.  Dr. Friedman then gives a summary on the free operant approach to enrichment.  She finishes the discussion by diving into the concept of control by honoring the no and shaping the yes.   Stay tuned in for Dr. Friedman’s very unique "Training Tale" about plant learning.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Dr. Friedman email ⁠ sgf@behaviorworks.org  For more information and to register for the ABMA virtual courses visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/behavior-management-courses To complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025 Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  5:10 Introduction to Dr. Susan Friedman and Behavior Works 19:25 Hierarchy of Behavior Change Procedures 27:00 Most Positive, Least Intrusive, Effective Intervention  36:20 The importance of antecedent arrangement and the environment on behavior  48:05 Free Operant approach to enrichment  1:07:00 Honor the No, Shape the Yes

    1h 36m

  2. MAY 21

    65: Recap of the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas, United States with Marie Filipe, Heidi Moomaw, Benjamin Fainted, Matthew Nguyen, & Li Shan Tan

    This episode, through daily live recordings, features a recap of the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference (April 27 - May 2 2025) hosted by Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, United States. Each day of the conference, one of the presenters for the day discusses their presentation and other learning that impacted them.  Day 1: Marie Filipek, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park Day 2: Heidi Moomaw, Charles River Labs Day 3: Benjamin Fainsod, Jerusalem Zoo Day 4: Matthew Nguyen & Li Shan Tan, Resorts World Sentosa If you are an ABMA member be sure to log in to Animalprofessional.com to watch most of the presentations and panels from the 2025 conference. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! Here is the link to the podcast survey.  We really appreciate your feedback! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 5:10 Discussion of Conference Day 1 with Marie Filipek, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park.   12:15 Discussion of Conference Day 2 with Heidi Moomaw, Charles River Labs 35:10 Discussion of Conference Day 3 with Benjamin Fainsod, Jerusalem Zoo 53:15 Discussion of Conference Day 4 with Matthew Nguyen & Li Shan Tan, Resorts World Sentosa

    1h 10m

  3. MAY 7

    64: The Importance of Behavior in Modern Animal Care - A Live Panel Recording at the 2025 Annual Conference with panelist Tim Sullivan, Elly Neumann, Nicki Boyd, Anaka Nazareth, and Chris Jenkins

    This episode was a live panel recording at the 2025 ABMA annual conference in Galveston Texas hosted by Moody Gardens.  The expert panel consisted of Tim Sullivan - Brookfield Zoo, Elly Neumann - Jerusalem Zoo, Nicki Boyd- San Diego Zoo, Anaka Nazareth - National Aquarium, and Chris Jenkins - Natural Encounters Inc.  The panel’s theme was “The Importance of Behavior in Modern Animal Care” with questions submitted in real time from the conference attendees. The panel discussed a wide range of topics ranging from the growth of the role behavior plays in welfare to the evolution and next steps in enrichment, to advice on getting buy-in for change. In the absence of a “Training Tale” for this episode, each of the panelists utilize their years of experience to provide their “Animal Behavior Advice”. For questions or suggestions about the podcast or to get in contact with the panelists email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

    58 min

  4. APR 16

    63: Training on the Continuum: Moving Away from Coercion and Towards Genuine Choice with Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.

    This episode Steve Martin, President and CEO of Natural Encounters, Inc., discusses training on a continuum by moving away from coercion and towards genuine choice. Steve starts the episode by giving a review of the concepts of choice and… control with some practical examples.  The discussion then turns to breaking down behavioral degrees of freedom, genuine choice, and coercion with many more great practical examples. The episode ends with Steve outlining that real-world animal training requires us to train on the continuum but always striving towards providing genuine choice in order to enhance an animal’s welfare.  Stay tuned in for Steve’s motivation and emotional "Training Tale" about a trainer from a show at the Singapore Zoo.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Steve email s.martin@naturalencounters.com⁠ Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:45 Introduction to Steve Martin  9:25 Review of Choice and… Control  18:55 Degrees of Behavioral Freedom 28:20 Free Choice 30:35 Genuine Choice 44:05 Coercion  56:15 Training on the Continuum 1:04:15 “Training Tales”

    1h 12m

  5. APR 2

    62: Motivation and its Affect on Behavior with Mel Paynter & Alyse Stitt, Georgia Aquarium

    This episode Mel Paynter and Alyse Stitt, Georgia Aquarium, discuss motivation in the context of animal behavior and training.  In part 1 of this two episode discussion Mel and Alyse discuss what motivation is, what it looks like in practice, and give some o-fish-ally great examples from the many aquatic species that they work with in the Ocean Voyager habitat at the Georgia Aquarium.  They both dive deeper into breaking down and discussing some of the numerous stimuli and events that can affect motivation.   The discussion finishes with their advice on how to productively and effectively use motivation as a tool in our training toolbox and not as a label.  Stay tuned in for Mel and Alyse’s “Training Tales” that focus on how the fish they have worked with have taught them and changed their perspective. You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Mel and Alyse email mpaynter@georgiaaquarium.org or AStitt@georgiaaquarium.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  3:25 Introduction to Mel Paynter and Alyse Stitt 8:15 Overview of Ocean Voyager habitat at Georgia Aquarium  10:15 Definition of Motivation  13:45 Definition of Motivating Operations  Affects on Motivation:  17:10 Food and Enrichment  24:00 Breeding/Courtship  34:00 Social Structure/Situations  39:50 Environment 43:35 Weather/Seasonality 45:00 Learning History  47:50 Animal’s physical ability to do something 48:50 Previous access to resources 50:35 Differences in motivation among individuals  59:25 Advice for using motivation productively and effectively, not as a label 1:05:35 “Training Tales”

    1h 9m

  6. MAR 19

    61: Fading with Shane Gorbett, Philadelphia Zoo

    This episode Shane Gorbett, Philadelphia Zoo and host of the podcast, discusses and breaks down fading. Shane first discusses examples of what fading looks like in practice and how we can apply the artful application of the science of behavior change in order to know when and how to fade.  Shane also discusses the challenges of fading too quickly, too slowly, or not at all.  Stay tuned in for Shane’s "Training Tale" about Nile crocodile crate training and the importance of paying attention to the communication that we provide to animals.  Visit www.theabma.org for more information and for questions or suggestions about the podcast or to contact Shane, email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  5:35 Introduction to Shane Gorbett  14:10 Definition of Fading and Examples  25:10 Fading to change a behavior’s cue.  28:00 How do we know when to fade?  31:50 What happens if we fade too quickly?  37:35 What happens if we fade too slowly?  39:05 What happens if we never fade at all?  42:55 “Training Tale”

    51 min

  7. FEB 26

    60: Primary/Unconditioned & Secondary/Conditioned Reinforcers with Tricia Dees, Second Vice President of The ABMA

    This episode Tricia Dees, the second vice president of the ABMA, continues on with the discussion from Episode 59 and goes deeper into primary/unconditioned and secondary/conditioned reinforcers.  Tricia gives some common examples of primary/unconditioned and secondary/conditioned reinforcers but also talks about how individual preference plays a role in determining what is actually a reinforcer for each individual.  The discussion then turns to why and how we can condition a reinforcer and the importance of watching the animal’s behavior to ensure that a conditioned reinforcer maintains its effectiveness. Stay tuned in for Tricia’s “Training Tale” about how she used learning from a presentation at an ABMA conference about zebra training with an otter. You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Tricia email sponsorships@theabma.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  4:05 Introduction to Tricia Dees  6:10 Definition of a Primary/Unconditioned Reinforcer  8:50 Definition of a Secondary/Conditioned Reinforcer  11:50 Are primary and secondary reinforcers the same for every individual in a species?  19:25 Why would we condition a reinforcer?  22:00 Example of how to condition a reinforcer and how to tell if it is an effective reinforcer 30:45 How to tell if a conditioned reinforcer has lost its effectiveness as a reinforcer  36:30 “Training Tales”

    42 min

  8. FEB 12

    59: Reinforcers and Punishers with Shawna Spencer, Coral World Ocean Park

    Welcome back for the first episode of 2025!  This episode Shawna Spencer, Coral World Ocean Park, dives deeper into breaking down reinforcers and punishers.  This episode is full of examples and practical applications.  Shawna starts with a brief introduction to primary and secondary reinforcers before listing examples of common reinforcers and punishers.  The episode finishes with a discussion about how reinforcers can change over time and how to tell if something is no longer a reinforcer for an animal.  Stay tuned in for Shawna’s two doggone great “Training Tales”, one featuring dog training in German.  You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by listening or visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Shawna email spencers702@gmail.com⁠ Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  3:20 Introduction to Shawna Spencer  13:10 Information about the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas  19:50 Definitions of Reinforcers and Punishers  23:05 What can be a reinforcer or punisher  25:10 Definition of Primary Reinforcers 25:45 Definition and application of Secondary Reinforcers 34:10 Examples of common reinforcers  42:10 Examples of common punishers 52:35 If something is a reinforcer will it always be a reinforcer?   57:40 How to tell if something is no longer a reinforcer?   1:01:00 “Training Tales”

    1h 11m
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About

The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) strives to spread knowledge throughout the animal care field to help enhance animal care through operant conditioning. Each episode we will discuss a topic in the world of animal care and break down the science of behavior change. To achieve this, the podcast’s host, Shane Gorbett, will interview fellow trainers and experts from across the world to discuss all things training, behavior, enrichment, welfare, and much more! This podcast will be a great resource for all trainers. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

Information

  • Creator
    Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
  • Show Website
    Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

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