ABA Business Leaders

Stephen Smith
  • 4.9 (36)
  • Entrepreneurship

Join us as we dive deep into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), exploring real-world challenges and practical strategies to improve the quality, ethics, and sustainability of ABA services. Hosted by April & Stephen, the team behind 3 Pie Squared, each episode brings actionable insights for practice owners, clinicians, and leaders in the field—whether you’re just getting started or scaling your business. Expect candid conversations, expert interviews, and honest advice about supervision, billing, hiring, training, compliance, and more. Our goal? To help you build an ABA practice that serves clients ethically and effectively—while supporting your team and growing your business with purpose. 🔗 Learn more about our courses, handbooks, and consulting services at www.3piesquared.com.

  1. Nervous System Regulation, Authentic Leadership, and the Humanity Behind ABA

    8h ago

    Nervous System Regulation, Authentic Leadership, and the Humanity Behind ABA

    What happens when behavior analysts shift from compliance to connection? In this episode of ABA Business Leaders, Stephen and April Smith talk with Sarah Moore, CEO of The Jai Institute for Parenting, founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting, and author of Peaceful Discipline. They explore nervous system regulation, emotional safety, authenticity, and what it means to show up as a human being. Drawing from her expertise in attachment science and regulation, Sarah explains how emotional suppression affects relationships, leadership, and connection. The conversation highlights how many ABA professionals are trained to “shut it off,” and how that mindset often carries into both business and personal life. They also discuss what it takes to create genuine emotional safety for ourselves and others. Questions To Be Answered What is nervous system regulation and why does it matter?Why is authenticity important?How does emotional suppression affect leaders?Are we too focused on compliance?How can you regulate during stress? Can unhealthy coping mechanisms prevent emotional growth?  Stephen, April, and Sarah discuss how substances, food, and other forms of emotional avoidance can temporarily numb difficult feelings while ultimately making long-term regulation more difficult. The conversation emphasizes building healthier coping skills and developing a wider range of emotional tools. Resources & Links  Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a Consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips  ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs  MarginKeepers:  https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers  Produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio. Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact

    1h 5m
  2. How Do We Define Quality ABA Services

    Jun 4

    How Do We Define Quality ABA Services

    How do we define quality ABA services with Bryant Silbaugh  What is quality assurance in ABA, and how can behavior analysts measure service quality more effectively?  In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and April Smith speak with Dr. Bryant Silbaugh, behavior analyst, researcher, author, and Founder of the National ABA Service Quality Network (NASQN), about the systems, processes, and measurements that drive high-quality ABA services. Bryant explains how ABA organizations can define quality, evaluate clinical performance, establish meaningful outcome measures, and build systems that support continuous improvement. He shares practical insights from his work in autism treatment, behavioral intervention quality management, and ABA service delivery research.  The conversation covers quality assurance frameworks, goal setting, key performance indicators (KPIs), clinician self-evaluation, treatment outcomes, and the role of organizational systems in delivering effective ABA services.  Key Topics Covered  What quality assurance means in applied behavior analysis  How to measure ABA service quality  Common service delivery blind spots in ABA organizations  Defining quality indicators for behavioral interventions  The relationship between clinical quality and business performance  His research has focused on operant variability, pediatric feeding disorders, autism intervention, and ABA service delivery quality. He is the author of Quality Control for Behavior Analysts: How to Manage Behavioral Intervention Quality in Autism Service Settings, a practical framework for measuring and managing intervention quality in autism service settings.  Bryant is the Founder and CEO of the National ABA Service Quality Network (NASQN), Founder and Chair of the IGNITE Quality Conference, and Director of Clinical Excellence, Quality, and Research at Gateway Pediatric Therapy.  Have a Question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline:  (737) 330-1432  Resources & Links  Registration pages for supervision huddles: https://www.nasqn.org/ Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a Consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

    1h 22m
  3. How Can ABA Providers Build Stronger Relationships with Parents?

    May 28

    How Can ABA Providers Build Stronger Relationships with Parents?

    In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April Smith speaks with Melanie Thurston and Amanda Williamson, BCBA, about one of the most important factors in successful ABA therapy: strong parent-provider relationships.  The conversation explores how ABA providers can communicate more effectively with families, build trust with parents navigating an autism diagnosis, and better understand what families truly want from therapy. Melanie and Amanda share practical insights for BCBAs, clinic owners, and ABA professionals looking to create more compassionate, collaborative care experiences.  How can ABA providers build trust with parents?  ABA providers can build trust with parents through transparent communication, empathy, and understanding. Families want to feel heard, respected, and included in the treatment process. Each family is different, and considering these differences is crucial for maintaining a strong working relationship with families.   Why is parent communication important in ABA therapy?  Strong communication helps ensure consistency between therapy sessions and home life, improves caregiver confidence, and creates stronger long-term outcomes for children receiving ABA services.  What questions should BCBAs ask families?  BCBAs should ask families about their priorities, concerns, routines, stressors, and long-term goals. At the same time, not starting immediately with goals can avoid initial overwhelm, when a family is coming to terms with a diagnosis.  About the ABA Business Leaders Podcast  The ABA Business Leaders Podcast is hosted by April Smith and Stephen Smith of 3 Pie Squared, experienced ABA entrepreneurs who built, scaled, and exited a seven-figure ABA practice. The podcast helps ABA business owners and clinicians grow sustainable organizations, improve operations, and deliver high-quality care.  Resources & Links  Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a Consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips  ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs  Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432  This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio.  Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here: https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact

    1h 2m
  4. Supporting Parents in ABA Therapy

    May 21

    Supporting Parents in ABA Therapy

    What does a parent-led approach to ABA therapy look like? In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith speak with Zandra Santella about how ABA providers can create more collaborative, sustainable, and family-centered care.  Zandra Santella is a BCBA and founder of Beauty in Behavior, a platform focused on ethical, collaborative, and parent-led ABA practices. With more than 12 years of experience in autism services, she provides consultation, remote supervision for trainees, and parent coaching support for families and clinicians.  The Big Questions  What is parent-led ABA therapy? A collaborative approach where parents actively participate in goal setting, strategies, and decision-making. Why is parent trust important? It improves communication, increases consistency, and helps families feel supported. What should parents expect from a BCBA? Clear communication, shared goal setting, ethical recommendations, and support that fits real-life routines. Why are compliance-based goals controversial? The field is shifting toward autonomy, communication, emotional regulation, and quality of life. How can BCBAs involve parents more? By using coaching, offering practical home strategies, validating experiences, and aligning goals with family priorities. Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432  This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio  Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here: https://www.mkmaudio.com/  Resources & Links  Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group:  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips  ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs Stephen’s Book:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/ABA-Business-Leaders-Guide-Practice-ebook/dp/B0G1MLVTW6?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1

    1 hr
  5. Burnout and Systematic Change in ABA

    May 14

    Burnout and Systematic Change in ABA

    In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith are joined by Dr. Becca Tagg, to dive into one of the most important conversations for ABA business owners: burnout, self-care, and building sustainable systems that support leadership instead of draining it.  They explore why burnout is often less about personal failure and more about broken systems, and how many ABA business owners continue operating with outdated structures that no longer serve their teams or themselves. Stephen, April and Dr. Becca break down the importance of stepping outside your own operations to identify where stress, inefficiency, and overwhelm are really coming from.  Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432  This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio  Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Find out more at www.mkmaudio.com     Resources & Links  Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips  ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs  Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432  This podcast was produced by Max McLellan of MKM Audio  Want to start or grow a podcast for your business or brand? Reach out here:  https://www.mkmaudio.com/contact

    1h 15m
  6. 7 Common Mistakes When Starting an ABA Business

    May 7

    7 Common Mistakes When Starting an ABA Business

    Starting and scaling an ABA business can feel straightforward at first, but the hidden mistakes can cost you time, money, and long-term growth.  In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith break down 7 of the biggest mistakes ABA business owners make when starting their practice, and how to avoid them before they become expensive problems.  Drawing from their experience building, scaling, and successfully exiting a seven-figure ABA practice through 3 Pie Squared, Stephen and April share practical guidance for business owners who want to build a stronger, more sustainable company from day one.  Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432    Resources & Links  Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a Consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips  ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

    48 min
  7. ABA CEO Moms

    Apr 30

    ABA CEO Moms

    What does it really look like to lead an ABA business while also navigating motherhood?  In this special panel episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April Smith is joined by Tiffany Remy, Amarilys Morales, Corinne Mercer, and Jess Marken for an honest conversation about the realities of being both a mom and the CEO of an ABA Business.  From unexpected challenges and the constant mental load, to learning how to ask for help and intentionally designing an ideal week, this episode explores the practical and emotional side of balancing leadership, family, and personal wellbeing.  The panel also shares candid stories about what surprised them most when stepping into both motherhood and entrepreneurship, how they manage the never-ending workload that comes with both roles, and why protecting time for yourself is essential.   Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432  Resources & Links  Business Essentials List  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  ABA Business Leaders Support Group  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Schedule a consultation with Stephen  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips  ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

    1h 20m
  8. Red Flags in ABA

    Apr 23

    Red Flags in ABA

    ABA Business Leaders Rewind: Red Flags in ABA Service Providers  This throwback episode, Stephen and April break down the biggest warning signs to watch for when working with service providers who support ABA businesses. From vendors operating without clinician input to those charging fees that don’t align with value, this episode sharpens your ability to vet partners effectively. They also cover why broad, unfocused service offerings, lack of referrals, and hard selling tactics should raise immediate concerns.  You’ll walk away with practical questions to ask before committing, plus insight into how 3 Pie Squared evaluates vendors to protect both clinical quality and business performance.  Have a question for Stephen and April?  Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432  Resources & Links  ABA Business Leaders Support Group:  https://forms.office.com/r/LLpAHCXUN8  Business Essentials List:  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24  Schedule a consultation with Stephen:  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page  Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment:  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment  ABA Billing Tips Guide:  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

    40 min
See All (204)

4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Join us as we dive deep into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), exploring real-world challenges and practical strategies to improve the quality, ethics, and sustainability of ABA services. Hosted by April & Stephen, the team behind 3 Pie Squared, each episode brings actionable insights for practice owners, clinicians, and leaders in the field—whether you’re just getting started or scaling your business. Expect candid conversations, expert interviews, and honest advice about supervision, billing, hiring, training, compliance, and more. Our goal? To help you build an ABA practice that serves clients ethically and effectively—while supporting your team and growing your business with purpose. 🔗 Learn more about our courses, handbooks, and consulting services at www.3piesquared.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Smith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Stephen Smith
  • Show Website
    ABA Business Leaders

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