Functional Relations

Zachary Bird, PhD, BCBA-D and Caleb Davis, PhD, BCBA-D
  • 4.7 (36)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

An ABA podcast where Dr. Zachary Bird and Dr. Caleb Davis set aside time to have engaging conversation with experts in the field of behavior analysis to explore topics like ethics of functional analysis, effective supervision practices, translating research to practice, and others. BACB, IBAO, and QABA CEUs are available for listeners. To purchase, visit www.functionalrelationspodcast.com To deliver social praise or aversive stimulation, you can email us at functionalrelationspodcast@gmail.com

  1. #37 - Pavlovian Conditioning for the Applied Behavior Analyst w/ Dr. Michael Domjan

    DEC 1

    #37 - Pavlovian Conditioning for the Applied Behavior Analyst w/ Dr. Michael Domjan

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss respondent concepts such as habituation, sensitization, and Pavlovian conditioning with Dr. Michael Domjan, and how these processes are relevant in applied clinical practice. 1.5 CEUs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Dr. Domjan's Youtube channel: Introduction to Learning and Behavior: Key Concepts Dr. Domjan's textbooks discussed during the episode: The Essentials of Conditioning and Learning, Fifth Edition Amazon.com: The Principles of Learning and Behavior: 9781285088563: Domjan, Michael P.: Books References: Breland, K., & Breland, M. (1961). The misbehavior of organisms. American psychologist, 16(11), 681. Groves, P. M., & Thompson, R. F. (1970). Habituation: a dual-process theory. Psychological review, 77(5), 419. Skinner, B. F. (1965). Science and human behavior (No. 92904). Simon and Schuster. Weinert, C., Maier, C., Laumer, S., & Weitzel, T. (2022). Repeated IT Interruption: Habituation and Sensitization of User Responses. Journal of Management Information Systems, 39(1), 187–217. Wolpe, J., Brady, J. P., Serber, M., Agras, W. S., & Liberman, R. P. (1973). The current status of systematic densitization. American Journal of Psychiatry, 130(9), 961-965.

    1h 25m
  2. #36 - Did Skinner Meditate? Behaviorism Meets Contemplative Living w/ David Roth

    NOV 1

    #36 - Did Skinner Meditate? Behaviorism Meets Contemplative Living w/ David Roth

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a behavior analytic interpretation of contemplative practices with David Roth. 1.5 CEUs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: David Roth's Podcast w/ Dr. David Palmer: Dialogues on Verbal Behavior - Podcast - Apple Podcasts Consider checking out the work of the B.F. Skinner Foundation: B. F. SKINNER FOUNDATION – Better Behavioral Science for a More Humane World Link to BF Skinner Foundation bookstore to purchase Reflections on Behaviorism and Society: Behaviorism and Society: https://www.bfskinner.org/product/reflections-on-behaviorism-and-society-extended-edition/ Link to pdf for Mindfulness in Plain English: https://cdn.bookey.app/files/pdf/book/en/mindfulness-in-plain-english.pdf David's ResearchGate publication profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Roth11?ev=hdr_xprf Link to Skinner's article What Religion Means to Me: https://secularhumanism.org/1987/04/what-religion-means-to-me/ David Roth gifted 50 of our listeners 3 free months of Sam Harris's Wake Up meditation app.  Promo code:  WU7A-6C28129A2A  Redeem: wakingup.com/redeem This unlocks full access to the Waking Up app, including: 28-day introductory course Robust library of guided meditations In-depth talks on philosophy, science, and more Conversations with leading scholars and teachers References: Gunaratana, B. H. (2010). Mindfulness in plain English. ReadHowYouWant. com. Hanh, T. N. (2012). Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha. Random House. Skinner, B.F. (1980). Notebooks, B.F. Skinner. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc Skinner, B. F. (1987). What religion means to me.

    1h 32m
  3. #35 - Ethics of AI in behavioral services w/ Dr. David Cox

    OCT 2

    #35 - Ethics of AI in behavioral services w/ Dr. David Cox

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb are joined by Dr. David Cox and discuss the ethics surrounding the use of AI in the delivery of behavioral services. 1 Ethics CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Dr. Cox's podcast: The Behavioral Data Science Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts How Stanford Teaches AI-Powered Creativity in Just 13 MinutesㅣJeremy Utley - YouTube   References: Cox, D. J. (2025). Ethical Behavior Analysis in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Importance of Understanding Model Building while Formal AI Literacy Curricula are Developed. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-11. Cox, D. J., & Jennings, A. M. (2024). The promises and possibilities of artificial intelligence in the delivery of behavior analytic services. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17(1), 123-136. O'neil, C. (2017). Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown.

    1h 8m
  4. #34 - Feedback and Leadership w/ Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni

    SEP 1

    #34 - Feedback and Leadership w/ Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss feedback and leadership with Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni. 1.5 Supervision CEs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Dr. Gavoni's Digital Business Card Some of Dr. Gavoni's books: The Feedback Effect: Lead Smarter, Not Harder With the Science of Human Behavior Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science Positional Authority Ain't Leadership: Behavioral Science for Navigating Bull$hit, Optimizing Performance, and Avoiding A$$ Clownery Deliberate Coaching: Optimizing Teaching and Learning Through Behavior Science: Education Edition The Feedback Effect: Lead Smarter, Not Harder With the Science of Human Behavior References: Austin, J. (2000). Performance analysis and performance diagnostics. Handbook of applied behavior analysis, 321-349. Bukszpan, A. R., Leaf, J. B., O'Brien, J. G., Lewis, A., Kristiansen, S., Lord, J., ... & Weiss, M. J. (2025). Utilizing the Teaching Interaction Procedure to Train Special Education Teachers in Behavioral Artistry. Behavioral Interventions, 40(3), e70017. Green, D. R., Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Torres, N., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., ... & Leaf, J. B. (2020). The teaching interaction procedure as a staff training tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(2), 421-433.

    1h 29m
  5. #33 - Student Episode: Mentalism vs Radical Behaviorism

    AUG 1

    #33 - Student Episode: Mentalism vs Radical Behaviorism

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb have a discussion to help students understand radical behaviorism and pragmatism, and how these perspectives compare to mentalism. No CEs are available for this episode. Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership References: Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Moore, J. (2008). Conceptual foundations of radical behaviorism.

    36 min
  6. #32- Is Private Equity Good for ABA? w/ Dr. Cody Morris

    JUL 1

    #32- Is Private Equity Good for ABA? w/ Dr. Cody Morris

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss private equity as an ownership structure and its implications for ABA companies w/ Dr. Cody Morris. 1 Ethics CE (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership References: Morris, C. (2025). Private Equity in Behavior Analysis: A Reckoning. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-7. Morris, C., Grauerholz-Fisher, E., Ellsworth, M. E., & Crocker, C. E. (2024). A primer on private equity ownership in ABA. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-10. Palley, H. A. (1985). The Social Transformation of American Medicine.

    1h 9m
  7. #31 - Challenging the 4-Function Worldview w/ Dr. Adithyan "Dithu" Rajaraman

    JUN 1

    #31 - Challenging the 4-Function Worldview w/ Dr. Adithyan "Dithu" Rajaraman

    In this episode Zach and Caleb are joined by Dr. Adithyan "Dithu" Rajaraman where the discussion focuses on challenging the 4-function worldview in the context of assessing and treating problem behavior.  2 CEs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast To connect with Dithu and the FTF team for a number of different types of support in serving individuals with severe problem behavior (among other behavioral challenges), click here: https://ftfbc.com/contact-us/     References: Pertaining to Mand compliance: 1. Seminal Paper: Bowman, L. G., Fisher, W. W., Thompson, R. H., & Piazza, C. C. (1997). On the relation of mands and the function of destructive behavior. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 30(2), 251-265. 2. Literature review: Rajaraman, A., & Hanley, G. P. (2021). Mand compliance as a contingency controlling problem behavior: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(1), 103-121. Pertaining to the evolution of functional analysis: 1. Carr, E. G. (1977). The motivation of self-injurious behavior: a review of some hypotheses. Psychological bulletin, 84(4), 800. 2. Iwata, B. A., Dorsey, M. F., Slifer, K. J., Bauman, K. E., & Richman, G. S. (1994). Toward a functional analysis of self‐injury. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 27(2), 197-209. 3. Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., & McCord, B. E. (2003). Functional analysis of problem behavior: A review. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 36(2), 147-185. On Literature reviews: Narrative review examples: 1. Thompson, R. H., & Iwata, B. A. (2005). A review of reinforcement control procedures. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 38(2), 257-278. 2. Friman, P. C., Hayes, S. C., & Wilson, K. G. (1998). Why behavior analysts should study emotion: The example of anxiety. Journal of applied Behavior analysis, 31(1), 137-156. 3. Rajaraman, A., Austin, J. L., Gover, H. C., Cammilleri, A. P., Donnelly, D. R., & Hanley, G. P. (2022). Toward trauma‐informed applications of behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(1), 40-61. Systematic or Scoping review (not meta-analyses) examples relevant to the discussion: 1. Jessel, J., Hanley, G. P., & Ghaemmaghami, M. (2020). On the standardization of the functional analysis. Behavior analysis in practice, 13, 205-216. 2. Ghaemmaghami, M., Hanley, G. P., & Jessel, J. (2021). Functional communication training: From efficacy to effectiveness. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 54(1), 122-143. 3. Howell, M., Dounavi, K., & Storey, C. (2019). To choose or not to choose?: A systematic literature review considering the effects of antecedent and consequence choice upon on-task and problem behaviour. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 63-84. 4. Hustyi, K. M., Logue, J. J., & Hall, S. S. (2025). Skill-based treatment for challenging behavior in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review of treatment characteristics and outcomes. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 119, 102523. 5. Cengher, M., Bowman, M. D., Shawler, L. A., & Ceribo‐Singh, M. S. M. (2022). A systematic review of mands for information. Behavioral Interventions, 37(3), 864-886. Meta-analyses examples relevant to the discussion: 1. Gover, H. C., Hanley, G. P., & Ruppel, K. W. (2022). On the generality of preference for contingent reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(2), 318-336. 2. Slaton, J. D., & Hanley, G. P. (2018). Nature and scope of synthesis in functional analysis and treatment of problem behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(4), 943-973. 3. Layman, L. N., Dufrene, B. A., Ackley, M. M., Weaver, C. M., Schneider, D. E., LaBrot, Z. C., ... & Olmi, D. J. (2024). Interview-informed synthesized contingency analyses on challenging problem behavior: A single-case meta-analysis. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 11(3), 640-658.

    1h 48m
  8. #30 - Cultural Selection and Living a Good Life w/ Dr. Dave Palmer

    MAY 1

    #30 - Cultural Selection and Living a Good Life w/ Dr. Dave Palmer

    In the episode, Zach and Caleb discuss cultural selection and how it can be used to make improvements to your life with Dr. Dave Palmer. Check out all the things going on at the B.F. Skinner Foundation: https://www.bfskinner.org/  1 CE is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast References: Skinner, B. F. (1984). Selection by consequences. Behavioral and brain sciences, 7(4), 477-481. Skinner, Burrhus Frederic. "What is wrong with daily life in the western world?." American psychologist 41, no. 5 (1986): 568. Skinner, B. F. (2005). Walden two. Hackett Publishing.

    1h 21m
See All (41)

Trailers

4.7
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

An ABA podcast where Dr. Zachary Bird and Dr. Caleb Davis set aside time to have engaging conversation with experts in the field of behavior analysis to explore topics like ethics of functional analysis, effective supervision practices, translating research to practice, and others. BACB, IBAO, and QABA CEUs are available for listeners. To purchase, visit www.functionalrelationspodcast.com To deliver social praise or aversive stimulation, you can email us at functionalrelationspodcast@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Zachary Bird, PhD, BCBA-D and Caleb Davis, PhD, BCBA-D
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Functional Relations

You Might Also Like