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 These two BCBAs from Hickory Learning Group are smashing through outdated norms and calling out the BS in the field.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. 1D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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 bullshit" 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 11/21/2025

    Episode 20: Private Equity Part 2-Private Pockets & Patient Plunder: The Private Equity Takeover of ABA

    In this fiery, no-holds-barred episode, Sean Yocum returns to the mic to rip the mask off one of the most dangerous forces creeping through the field of Applied Behavior Analysis — private equity. What started as a clinical revolution has become a corporate gold rush, and Sean calls it exactly what it is: behavioral gentrification. From Wall Street boardrooms to therapy rooms, Sean exposes how venture capital vultures have infiltrated autism services, transforming care into commodity and compassion into cash flow. He breaks down the “three D’s” — Debt, Dominance, and Destabilization — the unholy trinity driving overbilling, burnout, and the collapse of clinical fidelity. Backed by data, real-world examples, and an unapologetic voice for ethics, this episode pulls zero punches. You’ll hear the truth about what happens when finance runs therapy: supervision disappears, turnover skyrockets, and the very kids this field was built to serve become financial line items. But Sean doesn’t just vent — he rallies. He calls on BCBAs, RBTs, and leaders across the country to demand transparency, document pressure, and prioritize people over profit. This episode isn’t about fear. It’s about rebellion.If you’ve ever wondered who really owns your company — and what that means for your clients — this is your wake-up call. Stay rad. Stay bad. And remember: when finance walks in, fidelity walks out the back door. Check out the article here: ⁠https://cepr.net/publications/pocketing-money-meant-for-kids-private-equity-in-autism-services/⁠ Join the Underground Conference Here: ⁠https://sean-s-site-2244.thinkific.com/products/communities/theunderground⁠ Learn about Hi-Rasmus Here: ⁠https://hirasmus.com/⁠

    20 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
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero from Hickory Learning Group
  • Show Website
    Rad N Bad Podcast