#48 - Finding a Job that Doesn't Suck w/ Liat Sacks

In this episode, Caleb and Zach interview Liat Sacks and discuss topics related to BCBA job satisfaction and burnout, variables that contribute to quality companies, and her company PairABA that matches quality companies to qualified candidates. 1 General 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 video podcasts and behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Pair ABA website  Interested in working at Zach's company as a Behavior Consultant? Email your resume to [email protected] References: 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.

In this episode, Caleb interviews Zach about his research and publication on procrastination and discusses the applied application of the results. 1 General 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 video podcasts and behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership References: Bird, Z., & Chase, P. N. (2021). Student pacing in a master's level course: Procrastination, preference, and performance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(3), 1220-1234. Johnson, P. E., Perrin, C. J., Salo, A., Deschaine, E., & Johnson, B. (2016). Use of an explicit rule decreases procrastination in university students. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(2), 346–358. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.287 Malott, R. W. (2005). Notes from an introspective behaviorist. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 24(1–2), 75–112. https://doi.org/10.1300/J075v24n01_06 Malott, R. W., Shimamune, S., & Malott, M. E. (1993). Rule-governed behavior and organizational behavior management: An analysis of interventions. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 12(2), 103-116. Michael, J. (1991). A behavioral perspective on college teaching. The Behavior Analyst, 14(2), 229–239. Perrin, C. J., Miller, N., Haberlin, A. T., Ivy, J. W., Meindl, J. N., & Neef, N. A. (2011). Measuring and reducing college students' procrastination. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44(3), 463–474. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2011.44-463 Schlinger, H., & Blakely, E. (1987). Function-altering effects of contingency-specifying stimuli. The Behavior Analyst, 10(1), 41–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392405

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a recent publication on Pavlovian Conditioning in classroom w/ Dr. Rick Colombo.  1 General 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 video podcasts and behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Dr. Domjan Youtube video: The Psychology of the Smart Phone References: Colombo, R. A., Mahmoudi, S., Wright, W. B., Huang, Y. H., & Madden, G. J. (2026). Appetitive Pavlovian conditioning in two inclusive kindergarten classrooms. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 125(3), e70107. Lewon, M., & Domjan, M. (2026). Toward a Modern View of Pavlovian Conditioning in Applied Behavior Analysis. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 49(2), 267-295. Madden, G. J., Mahmoudi, S., & Brown, K. R. (2023). Pavlovian learning and conditioned reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 56(3), 498–519. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.1004  

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a recent paper on radical behaviorism and the dissemination of those ideas with Dr. Matt Normand. 1.5 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is 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. Matt Normand Substack References: Johnston, J. M. (2014). Radical behaviorism for ABA practitioners. Sloan Publishing. Johnston, J. M., & Ahearn, W. H. (2026). The status of radical behaviorism. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-16. Moore, J. (2008). Conceptual foundations of radical behaviorism. Schlinger, H. D., & Normand, M. P. (2026). Radical Behaviorism: A Primer for the Profession and the Person. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-19.

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss the distinction between operant and respondent behavior with Dr. Michael Domjan. 1.5 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is 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: Brown, P. L., & Jenkins, H. M. (1968). AUTO‐SHAPING OF THE PIGEON'S KEY‐PECK 1. Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, 11(1), 1-8. Domjan, M. (2016). Elicited versus emitted behavior: Time to abandon the distinction. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 105(2), 231-245. Skinner, B. F. (1965). Science and human behavior (No. 92904). Simon and Schuster. Skinner, B. F. (2019). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. BF Skinner Foundation.

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss analyzing teacher-student interactions with Dr. Corey Stocco (BCBA-D) and Molly Dwyer (BCBA). 1.5 General 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: Learn more about the Nurtured Heart Approach Nurtured Heart Institute | Nurtured Heart Approach training References: Athens, E. S., & Vollmer, T. R. (2010). An investigation of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43(4), 569-589. Patterson, G. R. (2002). The early development of coercive family process. In J. B. Reid, G. R. Patterson, & J. Snyder (Eds.), Antisocial behavior in children and adolescents: A developmental analysis and model for intervention (pp. 25–44). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Sidman, M. (1989). Coercion and its fallout. Boston: Authors cooperative. Stocco, C. S., & Thompson, R. H. (2015). Contingency analysis of caregiver behavior: Implications for parent training and future directions. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 48(2), 417-435. Vollmer, T. R., Peters, K. P., Kronfli, F. R., Lloveras, L. A., & Ibañez, V. F. (2020). On the definition of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1299-1303.

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a recent publication on the status of radical behaviorism with Dr. Bill Ahearn. 1 General 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 References: Johnston, J. M., & Ahearn, W. H. (2026). The status of radical behaviorism. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-16.  Skinner, B. F. (1984). Selection by consequences. Behavioral and brain sciences, 7(4), 477-481.

In this episode, Zach and Caleb have a discussion to help students understand the 7 dimensions of applied behavior analysis from the 1968 article "Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis" by Baer, Wolf, & Risley. This covers A.5. of the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed).  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. Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 1(1), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1968.1-91

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss rethinking how we approach teaching tacts w/ Dr. Judah Axe. 0.5 Ethic/0.5 General 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: Making meaningful book Essentials for living References: Axe, J. B., & Laprime, A. P. (2017). The effects of contingent pairing on establishing praise as a reinforcer with children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 29(2), 325-340. Bahry, S., Gerhardt, P. F., Weiss, M. J., Leaf, J. B., Putnam, R. F., & Bondy, A. (2023). The ethics of actually helping people: Targeting skill acquisition goals that promote meaningful outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16(3), 672-695. Barosky, C. (2023). Antecedent variables influencing tacting with children with autism [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Simmons University. Clements, C. C., Zoltowski, A. R., Yankowitz, L. D., Yerys, B. E., Schultz, R. T., & Herrington, J. D. (2018). Evaluation of the social motivation hypothesis of autism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 75(8), 797-808. Dozier, C. L., Iwata, B. A., Thomason‐Sassi, J., Worsdell, A. S., & Wilson, D. M. (2012). A comparison of two pairing procedures to establish praise as a reinforcer. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 45(4), 721-735. Dube, W. V., MacDonald, R. P., Mansfield, R. C., Holcomb, W. L., & Ahearn, W. H. (2004). Toward a behavioral analysis of joint attention. The Behavior Analyst, 27(2), 197-207. Dudley, L. L., Axe, J. B., Allen, R. F., & Sweeney‐Kerwin, E. J. (2019). Establishing praise as a conditioned reinforcer: Pairing with one versus multiple reinforcers. Behavioral Interventions, 34(4), 534-552. Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 55(1), 3. Cengher, M., & Fienup, D. M. (2020). Presession attention affects the acquisition of tacts and intraverbals. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1742-1767. Moher, C. A., Gould, D. D., Hegg, E., & Mahoney, A. M. (2008). Non‐generalized and generalized conditioned reinforcers: Establishment and validation. Behavioral Interventions: Theory & Practice in Residential & Community‐Based Clinical Programs, 23(1), 13-38. Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Sundberg, M. L. (2008). VB-MAPP Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program: a language and social skills assessment program for children with autism or other developmental disabilities: guide. Mark Sundberg. Sundberg, M. L., & Partington, J. W. (1998). Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS). Pleasant Hill, CA: Behavior Analysts, Inc.

In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss practices that support building positive cultures within educational settings with Dr. Bruce Tinor. 1 Supervision 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 $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership Things to check out from the episode: Book on four hats of leadership: Positional Authority Ain't Leadership: Behavioral Science for Navigating Bull$hit, Optimizing Performance, and Avoiding A$$ Clownery: Gavoni, Dr. Paul: 9798989798100: Amazon.com: Books References: Skinner, B. F. (1984). Selection by consequences. Behavioral and brain sciences, 7(4), 477-481.