Blades & Behavior

Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., BCBA-D
  • 0.0 (0)
  • HOCKEY

Blades & Behavior™️ is a behavioral sports psychology podcast exploring the psychology and behavioral aspects of high performance, mental performance, athlete mental health, coaching, and all things high-level sport. Each episode examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors show up under pressure, on the ice and in competition across all sports. From navigating mistakes and expectations to managing pressure in high-stakes moments, this podcast breaks down what actually drives performance when it counts. Grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis, Contextual Behavioral Science, and real-world experience, Blades & Behavior™️ delivers practical tools and honest conversations for athletes, coaches, and sport executives. While hockey is at the core of the show, the principles discussed apply across all sports and competitive environments. Hosted by Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., Board Certified Behavior Analyst, the podcast draws on over a decade of clinical, academic, and behavioral science experience, along with many years working directly with professional athletes and coaches. Dr. Naser is the founder and director of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️. Most performance podcasts focus on mindset, motivation, or mental toughness. Blades & Behavior™️ is different because it is the first sport performance podcast rooted explicitly in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Rather than focusing on “thinking positive” or trying to control thoughts, this podcast breaks down how behavior is shaped under pressure, how habits are built in high-performance environments, and how athletes can systematically train responses to stress. Many of the principles and applications shared on this show have not been discussed in other performance podcasts because they come directly from applied behavior analysis, a field rarely integrated into professional sport at this level. Disclaimer: The Blades & Behavior™ podcast is an independent media platform. Guests appearing on the podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. Guest appearances do not indicate that individuals featured on the podcast are clients of Dr. Alicia Naser. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Any references to teams, leagues, organizations, or brands are made strictly for contextual or informational purposes and do not imply partnership, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement of Dr. Alicia Naser or the Blades & Behavior™ podcast. _______________ New episodes drop every Monday @ 9AM EST. https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Scouting, Talent and the Intangibles in the NHL with Mike Futa

    In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️ Dr. Alicia Naser sits down with Mike Futa, former Assistant GM of the LA Kings and and current co-host of Sportsnet The FAN Hockey Show, exploring the nuances of talent evaluation, character, and mental toughness in hockey. They share rich stories from Futa's career, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, courage, and environment in developing elite athletes. ➡️Talent evaluation and the importance of character ➡️The role of environment in shaping behavior and success ➡️Stories of NHL players ➡️The mental toughness and courage required in professional hockey ➡️The evolution of scouting and player development in the NHL ➡️ Winning is about character and environment ➡️ There’s no analytic to measure character ➡️ Scouting for authenticity and courage Chapters 05:09 Trade Deadline Insights and Player Performance 05:55 The Journey of Building a Winning Team 08:47 Character and Talent in Player Evaluation 11:40 Wayne Simmons: A Case Study in Overcoming Adversity 14:47 The Importance of Mental Toughness in Hockey 17:49 The Role of Character in Team Dynamics 20:47 Evolving Perspectives on Player Evaluation 23:25 The Shift from Individualism to Teamwork in Hockey 32:20 The Evolution of Scouting and Player Evaluation 36:52 Character vs. Skill: The Scouting Dilemma 41:47 The Importance of Environment in Player Development 46:44 Defining Winning: Perspectives on Success 51:36 Authenticity and Courage in Sports Dr. Nasers links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser Sign up for Dr. Naser's monthly newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicianaser/ Disclaimer: Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. The content contained in this podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical, psychological, or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this material without explicit written consent is strictly prohibited.

    54 min

  2. 16 MAR

    Mental Performance and NBA Coaching

    In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️, Dr. Naser sits down with Scott Morrison, Assistant Coach for the Utah Jazz, to discuss maintaining peak performance behind the scenes in professional basketball. They explore the often overlooked role of support staff in high-performance environments and the mental and emotional skills required to consistently operate at an elite level. Scott shares insights from his coaching career, including how support staff build mental resilience, regulate emotions under pressure, and develop habits that support high-performing athletes. The conversation highlights psychological flexibility, learning from mistakes without self-criticism, and the balance between confidence and humility in high-performance roles. Dr. Naser and Scott also discuss how routines evolve throughout an NBA season, how professionals adapt mental preparation from training camp to regular season competition, and how emotional awareness helps staff support athletes while maintaining team dynamics. They also reflect on the unseen contributions of support professionals and the rewarding aspects of working within elite sports organizations. This episode provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the people and processes that support excellence in professional sports. Whether you work with athletes or operate in another high-performance field, the discussion emphasizes resilience, self-trust, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. Key topics include mental health and habits for support staff, strategies for psychological flexibility and learning from mistakes, the role of confidence and humility in high-performance environments, emotional regulation for supporting athletes and managing team dynamics, evolving routines across an NBA season, and the often unseen impact of support staff. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and the importance of support staff in basketball 02:00 Scott Morrison’s background and role with the Utah Jazz 03:50 Daily routines and balancing work with family life 04:55 Mental health and developing good habits 05:45 Psychological flexibility in high-pressure environments 07:00 Learning from mistakes without self-criticism 08:30 Mistakes vs. part of the game in basketball 09:50 Confidence and humility in high performance 11:05 Emotional regulation strategies for staff and athletes 13:00 Building self-trust as a professional 14:00 Self-awareness and trusting your abilities 15:50 Challenges and rewards of the support role 20:00 Evolving mental readiness strategies across NBA seasons 22:00 Training camp vs regular season routines 23:50 Understanding support staff contributions 26:00 Lessons learned and rewarding aspects of the role Dr. Naser’s links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser Newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ Disclaimer: Guests appear on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast in their personal capacity and participation does not imply endorsement or affiliation with any team, league, employer, or organization. Content is for informational and discussion purposes only and is not medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals for medical or behavioral health concerns. This podcast is produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are protected under U.S. and international copyright law.

    26 min

  3. 9 MAR

    Supporting High Performance, Insights from a NHL Manual Therapist

    In this episode of Blades & Behavior™️, Dr. Naser sits down with Mike Maresca, manual therapist for the Carolina Hurricanes, to discuss what it takes to support elite athletes behind the scenes. They explore the often overlooked role of support staff in the NHL and the mental skills required to operate in a high performance environment. Dr. Naser and Mike discuss mental resilience, emotional regulation, confidence, and self trust when working closely with professional athletes throughout a demanding season. They also explore how routines evolve during training camp and the regular season, how support staff navigate mistakes and pressure, and the importance of psychological flexibility in professional sports. Key topics include: • Mental health and habits for support staff working with high performers • Psychological flexibility and handling mistakes as part of the game • Confidence, humility, and self trust in high performance roles • Emotional regulation when supporting athletes and team environments • How routines and mental preparation evolve throughout an NHL season • Behind the scenes responsibilities that often go unnoticed • Lessons learned from six seasons supporting NHL athletes Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and the importance of support staff in hockey 02:00 Mike Maresca’s background and role with the Carolina Hurricanes 03:50 Daily routines and balancing work with family life 04:55 Mental health and habit development 05:45 Psychological flexibility in high pressure environments 07:00 Learning from mistakes without self criticism 08:30 Mistakes vs part of the game in hockey 09:50 Confidence and humility in high performance 11:05 Emotional regulation strategies 13:00 Building self trust and confidence 14:00 Self awareness and trusting your abilities 15:50 Challenges and rewards of professional sports support roles 20:00 Mental readiness across six NHL seasons 22:00 Routine adjustments during training camp vs season 23:50 Misunderstandings about support staff contributions 26:00 Lessons learned and rewarding aspects of the role This episode highlights the behind the scenes work that supports athletic excellence at the highest level. Whether you work in sports or other high performance environments, the conversation emphasizes resilience, emotional intelligence, and self trust. Dr. Naser’s links: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser Newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@alicianaser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/ Disclaimer: Guests appear in a personal capacity and participation does not imply endorsement or affiliation with any team, league, or employer. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and are for informational and discussion purposes only. Content is not intended as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance. Blades & Behavior™️ is produced by Alicia Naser LLC // The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️ and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All content is protected under U.S. and international copyright law.

    27 min

  4. 1 MAR

    Excellence in Sport Performance

    Link to all of Dr. Naser's Current Offerings, Media, and Client Applications: https://linktr.ee/alicianaser Summary In this episode, Dr. Alicia Naser discusses three key behaviors essential for achieving excellence in sport performance: psychological flexibility, mastering the environment, and engaging in objective thinking. She emphasizes the importance of using 'and statements' to foster mental resilience and the need for athletes to focus on facts rather than emotions. The conversation also highlights how creating a supportive environment can enhance performance consistency and confidence among athletes. Takeaways -There are more than three behaviors for excellence, but these are the most common. -Psychological flexibility is crucial for athletes to adapt and perform under pressure. -Engaging in objective thoughts helps athletes focus on facts rather than emotions. -Mastering the environment is essential for consistent performance. -Using 'and statements' can help athletes manage their thoughts effectively. -Confidence is a byproduct of consistent behavior, not the goal itself. -The mind often tells stories that may not reflect reality. -Creating cues in the environment can direct desired behaviors. -Emotions play a significant role in sports but should not dictate performance. -Athletes must learn to separate their emotions from their behaviors. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Excellence in Sport Performance 02:46 Key Behavior 1: Psychological Flexibility 08:13 Introduction to Psychological Flexibility and And Statements 18:17 Implementing And Statements in Sports and Life 18:45 Objective vs. Subjective Thinking in Sports 25:52 The Importance of Seeking Truth in Performance 26:00 Mastering Your Environment for Performance Excellence 28:48 The Role of Team Culture vs. Environment 32:01 Behavior and Performance: The Impact of Environment 34:47 Cues and Prompts: Enhancing Mental Performance 36:33 Introduction to Excellence in Sport Performance

    38 min

  5. 24 FEB

    Mental Performance and Coaching in the AHL with Harry Mahesh

    Harry Mahesh, Assistant Coach of the AHL Abbotsford Canucks delves into the role of a coach and the strategies used to manage and support players. It explores the challenges of balancing player urgency with growth, identifying skill deficits versus mental blocks, and adapting coaching to individual player needs. The importance of communication and accountability in coaching is also highlighted. The conversation delves into the mental performance and emotional regulation of coaches, highlighting the importance of managing emotions, balancing work and personal life, and understanding the impact of emotional regulation in high-stakes sports. Takeaways Player DevelopmentCoaching Strategies Mental PerformanceEmotional Regulation Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Role Description07:03 Adapting Coaching to Individual Player Needs12:34 Communication and Accountability in Coaching28:10 The Mental Performance of a Coach40:14 Emotional Regulation in High-Stakes Sports https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

    56 min

  6. 20 FEB

    Welcome to Blades & Behavior

    The first episode of Blades and Behavior introduces the concept of behavioral sports psychology and its application in understanding behavior in sports. The podcast covers a wide range of topics related to behavioral science in sports and aims to engage a diverse audience interested in optimizing performance and understanding behavior in sports.

    7 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Blades & Behavior™️ is a behavioral sports psychology podcast exploring the psychology and behavioral aspects of high performance, mental performance, athlete mental health, coaching, and all things high-level sport. Each episode examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors show up under pressure, on the ice and in competition across all sports. From navigating mistakes and expectations to managing pressure in high-stakes moments, this podcast breaks down what actually drives performance when it counts. Grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis, Contextual Behavioral Science, and real-world experience, Blades & Behavior™️ delivers practical tools and honest conversations for athletes, coaches, and sport executives. While hockey is at the core of the show, the principles discussed apply across all sports and competitive environments. Hosted by Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., Board Certified Behavior Analyst, the podcast draws on over a decade of clinical, academic, and behavioral science experience, along with many years working directly with professional athletes and coaches. Dr. Naser is the founder and director of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology™️. Most performance podcasts focus on mindset, motivation, or mental toughness. Blades & Behavior™️ is different because it is the first sport performance podcast rooted explicitly in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Rather than focusing on “thinking positive” or trying to control thoughts, this podcast breaks down how behavior is shaped under pressure, how habits are built in high-performance environments, and how athletes can systematically train responses to stress. Many of the principles and applications shared on this show have not been discussed in other performance podcasts because they come directly from applied behavior analysis, a field rarely integrated into professional sport at this level. Disclaimer: The Blades & Behavior™ podcast is an independent media platform. Guests appearing on the podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. Guest appearances do not indicate that individuals featured on the podcast are clients of Dr. Alicia Naser. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on the Blades & Behavior™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Any references to teams, leagues, organizations, or brands are made strictly for contextual or informational purposes and do not imply partnership, affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement of Dr. Alicia Naser or the Blades & Behavior™ podcast. _______________ New episodes drop every Monday @ 9AM EST. https://linktr.ee/alicianaser

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., BCBA-D
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., BCBA-D
  • Show Website
    Blades & Behavior
  • Provider

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