Reinforcing Conversations

Reinforcing Conversations
  • 4.6 (10)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

ABA isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is this podcast. Reinforcing Conversations brings you honest dialogue, practical insight, and deep reflection from Nicole & Christina, two passionate behavior analysts . We talk about behavior that doesn’t fit in the textbook, the ethics of real-world practice, and how to deliver meaningful, affirming support. Tune in to explore what it means to center humanity while still honoring the science. Whether you're a professional, student, or parent, you'll find episodes that challenge assumptions, celebrate growth, and support a better way forward.

  1. 5h ago

    Why Fieldwork Feels Broken for BCBAs and RBTs wtih Allyson Wharam

    ABA training breaks down when it treats fieldwork like a checkbox instead of a skill-building system. Allyson Wharam, founder and CEO of Sidekick Learning, shares a smarter way to design supervision and competency development so learners actually build confidence and skill. With Ally, Christina Torres and Nicole Stewart dig into why so many supervisees struggle through ABA fieldwork, what gets lost when training focuses on the exam, and h Key Topics: Common barriers to effective BCBA fieldwork opportunitiesWhy ABA training often fails to build real-world competenceThe gap between exam prep and clinical readinessHow retrieval practice and frequent responding improve learningWhy supervision time should focus on application, not lecturesBreaking complex ABA skills into teachable partsHelping trainees connect data, graphs, and decision-making About Allyson Wharam:Allyson Wharam, Ed.D., BCBA, is the Founder and CEO of Sidekick Learning, an integrated learning platform focused on improving training, supervision, and competency development in ABA organizations.She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on instructional design and technology from the University of Virginia and has over a decade of experience in the field. Her work centers on helping organizations move beyond seat time to real skill development, drawing on both behavior analysis and learning science to support clinicians and supervisors in building more effective, practical, competency-based training systems.She also hosts In the Field: The ABA Podcast, where she explores supervision, training, and leadership in behavior analysis. Find Allyson and Sidekick Learning: Linked In: Allyson WharamInstagram: Sidekick LearningWebsite: Sidekick Learning Like, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@reinforcing.conversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rf.conversations@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠supervisionreimagined.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ABA Made Ez⁠⁠⁠⁠ Season 3 of Reinforcing Conversations is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — for over 50 years, the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through their schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE ABA Software System, they are shaping a more inclusive future for all. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠necc.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. Keywords: BCBA supervision, ABA fieldwork, instructional design, ABA training, competency development, supervisee support, RBT training, clinical supervision, learning science, retrieval practice, graph review, behavior analysis

  2. Aug 4

    Late Diagnosis, Full Circle: An ADHD Story

    Nicole and Christina welcome BCBA Ryan Baker-Barrett, who specializes in ADHD and executive functioning, for a conversation that hits close to home for all three hosts. Ryan shares the winding path to his own diagnosis at 37, the misconceptions that let him fly under the radar for years, and how building an ADHD household with his husband and two neurodivergent kids has shaped his approach to accommodations. The three dig into late diagnosis in adulthood (especially for women), the role of medication, time blindness, hyperfocus, and why so many of our systems, from school planners to token boards, are built for brains that don't work like this. Ryan also talks about the gamified trainings he's created to help other BCBAs actually understand ADHD instead of just working around it. It's a candid, funny, and honestly overdue conversation about what happens when the field designed for one population starts serving many more.  Key Topics: Getting an ADHD diagnosis in adulthoodCommon misconceptions about ADHD (hyperactive vs. inattentive)Time blindness, hyperfocus, and executive functioningADHD medication and behavioral support working togetherBuilding ADHD-friendly homes, schools, and BCBA trainingExpanding ABA's scope of practice beyond autism About Ryan Baker-Barrett: Ryan Baker-Barrett, MS, BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who brings an uncommon combination of perspectives to ADHD intervention: 10+ years as a BCBA, parent of two children with ADHD, and someone diagnosed with ADHD himself at age 37. That diagnosis changed everything. Ryan realized the field's training hadn't prepared him to recognize ADHD in himself or to truly help his clients. He saw how behavior analysis had become synonymous with autism intervention, leaving the ADHD population underserved and approached with compliance-focused methods that missed the underlying executive function deficits. Now, Ryan specializes in ADHD support through his San Diego-based company Applied Behavioral Health Practice. He trains behavior analysts through Breakthrough ADHD Training for Behavior Analysts. His approach asks a simple but transformative question: "How would I want someone to approach me in this situation?" The results are interventions that build capability instead of compliance, honor neurodiversity, and address what's actually happening in ADHD brains.  Find Ryan and his work: Client-facing: ⁠getadhd.care⁠ BCBA training: ⁠appliedbehavioral.health⁠ Instagram: ⁠@adhd_by_abhp⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/ryan-baker-barrett⁠ YouTube: ⁠@appliedbhp⁠ Like, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠@reinforcing.conversations⁠⁠⁠⁠📘 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠🎥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠rf.conversations@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠🌐 ⁠⁠⁠⁠supervisionreimagined.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐⁠⁠⁠⁠ABA Made Ez⁠⁠⁠ Season 3 of Reinforcing Conversations is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — for over 50 years, the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through their schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE ABA Software System, they are shaping a more inclusive future for all. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠necc.org⁠⁠⁠. Keywords: ADHD, executive functioning, BCBA, ABA therapy, applied behavior analysis, autism, neurodivergent, late diagnosis ADHD, adult ADHD, ADHD in women, time blindness, hyperfocus, ADHD medication, ADHD accommodations, ADHD parenting, behavior analyst training, rejection sensitive dysphoria, scope of practice, New England Center for Children

  3. Jul 21

    Diagnose Earlier, Treat Sooner, Measure Better: Tech Innovation and the Future of Autism Care

    In this episode, Jamie Pagliaro shares his inspiring journey from art history to leading innovative autism diagnosis technology at EarliPoint. Discover how cutting-edge eye tracking technology is transforming early autism detection, the importance of early intervention, and the future of tech in autism care. In this insightful interview, Jamie Pagliaro shares his journey in healthcare technology, focusing on early diagnosis of autism, the importance of objective testing, and innovative approaches like music therapy. Discover how technology is transforming access to care, reducing wait times, and empowering families and practitioners. Key Topics Jamie Pagliaro's career path from art history to autism techDevelopment and impact of EarliPoint eye tracking technologyThe importance of early detection and intervention in autismFDA clearance process and clinical validation of autism diagnostic tools Objective medical testing for autismImpact of technology on early diagnosisMusic therapy and autism support About Jamie Pagliaro: Jamie is the President and CEO of EarliPoint Health, where he focuses on expanding access to earlier and more objective approaches to autism diagnosis and assessment using FDA-cleared eye-tracking technology. He has spent his career building and leading healthcare and education technology organizations, with experience spanning strategy, growth, and operations. Jamie is particularly passionate about reducing barriers for families and providers, and about translating innovative science into practical tools that can make a meaningful real-world impact. Website: https://earlipointhealth.com/LinkedIn: Jamie PagliaroLinkedIn: EarliPoint Health Like, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸 ⁠⁠⁠@reinforcing.conversations⁠⁠⁠📘 ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠🎥 ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠📧 ⁠⁠⁠rf.conversations@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠🌐 ⁠⁠⁠supervisionreimagined.com⁠⁠⁠ 🌐⁠⁠⁠ABA Made Ez⁠⁠ Season 3 of Reinforcing Conversations is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — for over 50 years, the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through their schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE ABA Software System, they are shaping a more inclusive future for all. Learn more at ⁠⁠necc.org⁠⁠. Keywords: autism diagnosis, early intervention, eye tracking technology, autism research, healthcare innovation, EarlyPoint, ABA, neuroplasticity, FDA clearance, autism support autism diagnosis, healthcare technology, early intervention, objective testing, music therapy, access to care, FDA standards, behavioral health, innovation in healthcare

  4. Jun 23

    No More Waiting: One Mom's Mission to Fix Pediatric Therapy Access

    What do you do when your daughter needs therapy, the system has a six-month waitlist, and you happen to have 20 years of experience in tech and HR? If you are Tiffney Vivo, you build the thing that should have already existed. In this episode, Nicole and Christina sit down with Tiffney Vivo, Co-Founder and CEO of Therapprove, a platform that connects families of children with special needs to pediatric therapists — quickly, transparently, and without the chaos of navigating the current system alone. Tiffney's daughter Avanelle was born with Down syndrome in 2020, and the experience of fighting through waitlists, mismatched providers, and a fragmented referral system lit a fire that became Therapprove. This episode is equal parts entrepreneurship story, parent testimony, and honest look at a broken system. Whether you are a clinician working inside it, a parent navigating it, or someone who has ever wondered why getting a child into therapy takes so long, this conversation is for you. Tiffney Vivo is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 20 years of leadership experience in HR staffing, sales management, and technology. As Co-Founder and CEO of Therapprove, she leads a platform dedicated to connecting caregivers with pediatric therapists, providing timely and trustworthy therapy solutions. Inspired by her own journey as a mother to her daughter Avanelle, who was born with Down syndrome in March 2020, Tiffney created Therapprove to help families access the care their children need without unnecessary delays. Before founding Therapprove, Tiffney launched Connect4.io, a platform that connected software engineers with companies, and held leadership roles in tech consulting, education, and staffing. Therapprove won the Spring 2024 Crossroads Pitch Competition and received a $10,000 investment from Flywheel Fund. The platform operates similarly to OpenTable — families upload their information, and clinics with openings that match their child's needs reach out directly, placing children on a single shared waitlist across multiple clinics. Website: therapprove.comLinkedIn: Tiffney VivoInstagram / social: @therapproveLike, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸 ⁠⁠@reinforcing.conversations⁠⁠📘 ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠🎥 ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠📧 ⁠⁠rf.conversations@gmail.com⁠⁠🌐 ⁠⁠supervisionreimagined.com⁠⁠ 🌐⁠⁠ABA Made Ez⁠Season 3 of Reinforcing Conversations is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — for over 50 years, the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through their schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE ABA Software System, they are shaping a more inclusive future for all. Learn more at ⁠necc.org⁠.

  5. Jun 9

    From the Stage to the Session: Career Pivots, Ethics, and Finding Your Way Into ABA

    Not everyone who ends up in ABA planned to be here: and Demi Fragale is proof that the most unexpected paths can lead to the most meaningful careers. In this episode, Christina & Nicole sits down with Nicole’s friend and colleague Demi, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and NY State Licensed Behavior Analyst who came to the field by way of a Bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre and a life chapter that took some beautiful, unplanned turns. Demi's journey raises questions every BCBA and aspiring practitioner will recognize: What do you do when your personal and professional worlds overlap? How do you navigate the ethics of relationships that exist before a clinical role begins? And what does it mean to bring your whole self,  your art, your history, your humanity, into a field that is sometimes more comfortable with data than with depth? This is a conversation about career pivoting, the ethics of multiple and dual relationships, and what happens when the person who inspired your career becomes part of it. Like, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸 ⁠⁠@reinforcing.conversations⁠⁠📘 ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠🎥 ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠📧 ⁠⁠rf.conversations@gmail.com⁠⁠🌐 ⁠⁠supervisionreimagined.com⁠⁠ 🌐⁠⁠ABA Made Ez⁠Season 3 of Reinforcing Conversations is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — for over 50 years, the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through their schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE ABA Software System, they are shaping a more inclusive future for all. Learn more at ⁠necc.org⁠.

  6. May 12

    Reinforcing Conversations meets ABA on Tap, Part I

    What happens when two ABA podcasts walk into the same recording space and just start talking? In this special crossover episode, Nicole and Christina sit down with Mike Rubio and Dan Lowery, the longtime co-hosts and co-owners behind ABA on Tap, for a conversation so packed with good stuff that you'll have to catch Part 2 on their feed. Mike and Dan have been in the ABA world together for nearly 20 years, starting from the kind of first-day-on-the-job story that nobody forgets. They built their company, Ascend Behavior Partners, two years ago after watching corporate buyouts quietly chip away at their clinical values, and they have been putting their money where their mouths are ever since. Seven seasons and counting, and they show up every Sunday like clockwork. The four of them have more in common than you might expect, and this episode is proof that the best conversations happen when you stop talking at people and just start talking with them. Why You Can't Miss This Episode: 🎙️ Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build and sustain an ABA podcast across multiple seasons, and why Mike and Dan keep showing up. 💼 Explore what it means to go out on your own in this field, including the real costs, the growing pains, and the surprising rewards of betting on yourself. 🏫 Dig into one of the field's most honest debates: center-based services versus inclusive settings, and how clinical recommendations can get tangled up with billing incentives. 🌎 Learn how BCBAs are expanding outside the medical model through dissemination, digital products, independent evaluations, community consulting, and even specialized transportation. ⚖️ Hear about Christina's push to get BCBAs recognized as Guardian ad Litems in Connecticut family court, and why BCBA licensure is way overdue. Connect with ABA on Tap: ⁠ABA on Tap on Instagram⁠ ⁠ABA on Tap on Spotify⁠ ⁠ABA on Tap on Apple Podcasts⁠ Listen Now: Part 1 is right here. Part 2 drops May 10th on the ABA on Tap feed, so make sure you follow them wherever you get your podcasts. This one is too good to leave half-finished. Like, subscribe, and share. It's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸⁠ @reinforcing.conversations⁠ 📘⁠ Facebook⁠ 🎥⁠ YouTube⁠ 📧 rf.conversations@gmail.com Season 3 is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children, the worldwide leader in autism education and research for over 50 years.

  7. Apr 28

    The Legal Side of ABA: Compliance, Corporate Structure & Protecting Your Practice

    Most ABA providers and entrepreneurs overlook critical legal nuances, until a compliance slip or legal inspection hits. Ellesha LeCluyse, a healthcare law expert with a decade of experience, exposes the hidden legal pitfalls in ABA practice ownership and offers practical strategies to safeguard your practice today. You’ll discover: The legal structures behind startup ABA practices and how to optimize your ownership model using MSOs and profit-sharing agreementsCritical compliance areas like HIPAA, billing audits, and fee-splitting rules that can make or break your license and reputationHow to navigate the complex landscape of buying or selling ABA practices, valuing companies, and managing liabilities from past operationsThe real risks of misclassifying employees versus independent contractors and how to protect your license and avoid costly auditsWhy legal compliance isn’t just a regulatory hurdle but a pillar of excellent patient care and sustainable business growthThis episode is perfect for BCBA practice owners, entrepreneurs, and aspiring ABA business founders who want to understand the legal landscape that impacts their license, reputation, and future success. If you’re serious about building a compliant, ethical, and thriving practice, Ellesha’s insights will arm you with the knowledge to do just that—minus the legal nightmares.Why stay in the dark? The cost of ignorance can be ownership loss, hefty fines, or service disruptions. But with the right legal foundations, you can focus on what truly matters—delivering impactful care and growing your business confidently.Tune in to uncover the legal secrets every ABA practice owner must know—and how you can proactively protect your practice today. About Ellesha LeCluyse, J.D.: Ellesha combines deep experience navigating healthcare compliance with creative, transaction-focused problem-solving. She has earned a stellar reputation for providing strategic counsel to innovative clients across the healthcare sector, including ABA clinics, BCBAs, and management companies navigating complex state and federal regulations. At Garbacz Zlotowitz, Ellesha leads the firm's ABA Legal Services practice, providing end-to-end legal, compliance, and structural guidance for ABA providers, helping practices form, scale, and stay audit-ready across every state. Her work spans LLC/PLLC formation, HIPAA and Corporate Compliance Manuals, employment and contractor agreements, payercontracting, and change of ownership transactions. Find Ellesha: Firm website: Garbacz ZlotowitzABA Legal ServicesLinkedInLike, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing: 📸 ⁠@reinforcing.conversations⁠📘 ⁠Facebook⁠🎥 ⁠YouTube⁠📧 ⁠rf.conversations@gmail.com⁠🌐 ⁠supervisionreimagined.com⁠ 🌐⁠ABA Made EzSeason 3 of Reinforcing Conversations is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — for over 50 years, the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through their schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE ABA Software System, they are shaping a more inclusive future for all. Learn more at necc.org.

  8. Mar 4

    Letters to Our Younger Selves in ABA

    Our Season 2 Finale!! If you could go back and give your younger self advice about working in ABA, what would you say? In this episode, Nicole and Christina (ABA Made Ez) get real about what they wish they'd known when they first entered the field — from navigating different settings and choosing the right population, to the BCBA credential, supervision, and the growing pains of a field still finding its footing. Whether you're brand new, an RBT figuring out your next step, or a seasoned BCBA who forgets what it felt like to start, this one's for you. Is ABA the right field for you?It takes patience, flexibility, and genuine connection with the people you serve — plus the ability to handle the messy, unpredictable reality of the job. Nicole and Christina get honest about what that actually looks like. ABA settings: home, clinic, school — and how to chooseChristina walks through her journey across all three environments and explains why getting exposure to multiple settings is one of the most valuable things new practitioners can do. ABA vs. speech therapy, OT, and teachingNicole and Christina break down the real differences — caseload sizes, degree requirements, and why ABA is one of the most accessible entry points into human services. The BCBA credential: what it is, how to get it, and what's changingFrom the RBT pathway all the way to BCBA, plus the 2032 master's degree requirement and why keeping your CEUs current is non-negotiable. You do NOT want to retake that exam. RBTs: what's new in 2027 and questions to ask employersStarting in 2027, RBTs maintain credentials just like BCBAs. Nicole and Christina share smart interview questions that go beyond the rehearsed answers — and how to hold your employer accountable. The BCBA's limitations — and where the field is headedNicole gets honest about insurance funding largely tied to autism, the barriers to research and publishing, and the debate over who counts as an "expert." Christina shares her policy work, including amending Connecticut's State Practice Book to include behavior analysts in family law. Behavior analysts will identify key interview questions to evaluate supervision quality and professional development support.Behavior analysts will distinguish between ABA settings and reflect on which environment best fits their goals.Behavior analysts will summarize upcoming credentialing changes, including the 2032 master's requirement and 2027 RBT maintenance standards.Behavior analysts will explore barriers to research recognition and advocate for a more inclusive definition of expertise in ABA.Like, subscribe, and share — it's the best way to support the work we're doing. 📸 @reinforcing.conversations📘 Facebook🎥 YouTube📧 rf.conversations@gmail.com🌐 supervisionreimagined.com 🌐ABA Made EzSeason 2 is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children — the worldwide leader in autism education and research for over 50 years.

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4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

ABA isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither is this podcast. Reinforcing Conversations brings you honest dialogue, practical insight, and deep reflection from Nicole & Christina, two passionate behavior analysts . We talk about behavior that doesn’t fit in the textbook, the ethics of real-world practice, and how to deliver meaningful, affirming support. Tune in to explore what it means to center humanity while still honoring the science. Whether you're a professional, student, or parent, you'll find episodes that challenge assumptions, celebrate growth, and support a better way forward.

Information

  • Creator
    Reinforcing Conversations
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Reinforcing Conversations
  • Show Website
    Reinforcing Conversations

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