Rad N Bad Podcast

Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero from Hickory Learning Group
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Rad N' Bad Podcast by Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero isn’t your average ABA podcast, it’s a full-blown wake-up call. These two BCBAs from Hickory Learning Group are smashing through outdated norms and calling out the BS in the field. No fluff, no sugar-coating, just raw, unfiltered truth about what ABA should be. They challenge you to think, question the “why,” and push past complacency. If you're ready to disrupt the status quo and make this field better for clients and practitioners alike, buckle up, Rad N' Bad is here to raise hell and raise standards.

  1. FEB 6

    Episode 27: Who the Hell is That? Cutting Through the Clinical Sludge with Rebecca Urbano Powell

    In this episode of the Rad n’ Bad Podcast, Sean and Mike scrape off the "clinical veneer" to expose the "metallic stench" of a field currently governed by the path of least resistance. They are joined by a true industry heavy hitter, Rebecca Urbano Powell, CEO of Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health and a veteran with 25 years in the trenches. The trio dives headfirst into the messy reality of 2026 ABA: where BCBAs have become "marionette puppets" for insurance funders and social media influencers. Rebecca breaks down why the "square peg, round hole" insurance model is failing families and why "good enough" data is actually a block of clinical sludge clogging client progress. From her roots in old-school darkroom photography to picking apart Medicaid misinformation for fun, Rebecca brings the fire. She challenges every clinician to stop hiding behind "standardized packages" and start investing in their own mastery. This isn't just a podcast episode; it’s a call to arms for providers to stop being customer service reps and start being scientists again. The Photography Pivot: How the science of developing film mirrors the creativity needed in behavior analysis. Insurance vs. Reality: Why "medically necessary" boxes are strangling individualized care. The Power of Parents: Why grassroots family advocacy is the only reason the field still has a pulse. The Profit Problem: A candid look at why prioritizing bottom lines over patient outcomes is ruining the science's reputation. The Seven Dimensions or Bust: If you aren’t adhering to the dimensions, you aren’t doing ABA—you’re just billing for it. "Learning shouldn't suck and punishment doesn't teach. I get to bring my fun and my humor into a scientific industry... why not?" — Rebecca Urbano Powell Connect with Rebecca on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-urbano-powell-bcba-380b523/

    1h 6m

  2. JAN 28

    Episode 26: No-Man’s Land — The Stereotypy Standoff

    The box of conversation is officially open. In this second installment of No-Man’s Land, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero take on one of the most taboo subjects in ABA: Addressing and Treating Stereotypy. As always, the rules are rigid—no "it depends" and no using "nuance" as a shield. The coin flip decides their fate, and this week, Mike is forced to argue for the treatment of stereotypic behaviors, while Sean defends the right to stim. From "Quiet Hands" to "Bodily Autonomy," the guys trade verbal nukes over whether reducing repetitive behavior is a violation of human rights or a necessary gateway to independence and safety. Can they find a middle ground that respects neurodivergent identity while still expanding a learner’s access to the world? In this episode, we pressure test: Bodily Autonomy vs. Access to Learning: Is treating stereotypy "behavioral conversion therapy" or a prerequisite for functional communication? The "Vending Machine" vs. The "Jumper Cables": How do we differentiate between aesthetic "normalizing" and clinical safety? Contingency Design over Behavior Reduction: Why the "Old Way" of suppression is failing and how to reframe treatment as expanding choices rather than constraining them. Redefining Social Validity: Moving from "looking typical" to increasing the quality of life as defined by the learner and their community. Stay edgy. Stay bad. Analyze that behavior.

    32 min

  3. JAN 19

    Episode 25: No-Man’s Land — The Battle of the Skittles

    Welcome to the front lines of Season 2. Comfort has killed curiosity in this field, and Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero are officially done applauding mediocrity. In this high-stakes season premiere, the guys introduce their newest segment: No-Man’s Land. The rules are simple but brutal—the flip of a coin decides which side of a toxic topic you have to defend, and "it depends" is a forfeit. This week, the coin lands on one of the most polarizing practices in ABA: Food as Reinforcers. Mike wins the toss and forces Sean into the hot seat to argue for the use of edibles, while Mike takes the side of the critics. They strip away the clinical politeness to debate whether contingent food is a biological necessity for progress or just glorified "dog training" that strips away client dignity. Can they find a middle ground between the "Ultimate Motivator" and the "Vending Machine Effect," or is the gap too wide to bridge? In this episode, we dive into: The Biological Contract: Does food respect the Matching Law for learners with significant barriers? The Dependency Trap: What happens when the Skittles run out and the "jumper cables" are pulled? Social Validity vs. Clinical Efficiency: Are we conditioning the brain or just creating transactional compliance? The Middle Ground Verdict: How to transition from primary reinforcers to natural, social contingencies without "ripping the rug out" from under the learner. Stay edgy. Stay bad. Analyze that behavior.

    31 min

  4. TRAILER

    Rad N Bad: Season 2 Trailer-The Escalation

    Season 2 Trailer of what is to come on the Rad N Bad podcast....get ready for the escalation! www.radnbadpodcast.com

    9 min

  5. 12/29/2025

    Episode 24: The Spark, the Systems, and the Fire for Season 2

    In this Season 1 finale, host Sean Yocum strips away the "conference scripts" and polished professionalism to reflect on why Rad and Bad was created. This episode is a raw manifesto for the podcast’s mission: providing a voice for the "whispers in the hallways" of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Yocum acknowledges the community—from RBTs and clinicians to students and families—who have supported the show's unapologetic stance on the field's most uncomfortable truths. He clarifies that the podcast isn't born out of bitterness, but out of a deep love for the science of behavior analysis and a refusal to ignore its systemic flaws. Key highlights from the episode include: The Mission: Challenging the status quo on 40-hour RBT training, private equity in healthcare, and the tendency to prioritize billing efficiency over human outcomes. The "Underground" Movement: Reflections on the launch of the Underground Conference, aimed at providing real tools and "no b******t" CEUs. A Call for Accountability: A commitment to never protect failing systems at the expense of people or confuse tradition with evidence. Season 2 Preview: An "escalation" of the conversation, promising bolder, sharper, and more interdisciplinary discussions to help rebuild the field "with the lights on." Systems Over Symptoms: Focusing on why burnout and clinical failures happen at a structural level. People Over Palatability: Refusing to water down truths to appease the "status quo." Compassion Over Compliance: Shifting the ethical conversation from checking boxes to genuine care.

    9 min

  6. 12/19/2025

    Episode 23: Do As I Say, Not As I Do: The BACB’s Punishment Problem

    In this episode of Rad N' Bad, Sean Yocum critically analyzes the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB) disciplinary process, highlighting its hypocrisy and emotional toll on behavior analysts. He cites "Ethical and Regulatory Investigations in ABA: A Qualitative Analysis of Practitioner Responses and Outcomes (Voulgarakis, 2025)He discusses the profound impact on early career practitioners and the organizational failures within the BACB. The episode concludes with proposed solutions aimed at creating a more compassionate and effective disciplinary system. References: Voulgarakis, H.M. Ethical and Regulatory Investigations in ABA: A Qualitative Analysis of Practitioner Responses and Outcomes. Behav Analysis Practice (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-025-01134-0

    18 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    Episode 22: The Evolution of ABA: Traditional vs. New, Social Validity, and the Cultural Debate

    In this impromptu episode recorded live from the Underground Conference, hosts Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero tackle the controversial and nuanced debate surrounding "Traditional" versus "New" Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). They explore whether the shift in terminology represents a genuine change in practice or just a rebranding effort. The conversation delves deep into the history of ABA, acknowledging the valid trauma and criticism from the neurodivergent community regarding compliance-based and normalization-focused methods. Sean and Mike dissect the core argument that while the science of behavior analysis—its principles of reinforcement and environmental interaction—remains neutral, the application has evolved significantly based on changing ethical values. They discuss the critical roles of assent, autonomy, and social validity, debating who ultimately defines "acceptable" behavior: the individual or the culture they live in. This episode challenges practitioners to move beyond defensiveness and embrace a compassionate, values-driven approach that prioritizes the dignity and self-determination of the individual while navigating the complex realities of societal norms. Key Topics Discussed: Traditional vs. New ABA: Defining the differences and understanding the historical context of compliance-based models vs. modern assent-based care. The Neutrality of Science: How behavioral principles remain constant while the ethical application shifts. Social Validity & Assent: A deep dive into the complexity of honoring a client's "no" while balancing long-term outcomes and safety. Cultural Context: The role of societal norms in defining acceptable behavior and the tension between individual autonomy and environmental consequences. Addressing Trauma: Validating the lived experiences of autistic individuals and the field's responsibility to do better.

    42 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    Episode 21: Medicaid Hunger Games: Rate Cuts, Caseload Collapse & the Fight for ABA Survival

    In this episode of the Rad and Bad Podcast, Sean Yocum discusses the critical issues facing clinicians in ABA therapy, particularly the impact of Medicaid funding cuts. He emphasizes the need for clinicians to speak out against systemic failures and to advocate for better practices and policies. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the Medicaid system, the consequences of silence among clinicians, and actionable steps for empowerment and advocacy.

    22 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Rad N' Bad Podcast by Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero isn’t your average ABA podcast, it’s a full-blown wake-up call. These two BCBAs from Hickory Learning Group are smashing through outdated norms and calling out the BS in the field. No fluff, no sugar-coating, just raw, unfiltered truth about what ABA should be. They challenge you to think, question the “why,” and push past complacency. If you're ready to disrupt the status quo and make this field better for clients and practitioners alike, buckle up, Rad N' Bad is here to raise hell and raise standards.

Information

  • Creator
    Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero from Hickory Learning Group
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero from Hickory Learning Group
  • Show Website
    Rad N Bad Podcast