
Advertise on podcast: Functional Relations
Rating
4.7from
This podcast has
43 episodes
Language
EnglishExplicit
No
Date created
2019/08/26
Latest episode
2026/02/01
Average duration
73 min.
Release period
31 days
Description
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 [email protected]
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Check latest episodes from Functional Relations podcast
#39 - The Science of Positive Culture Building w/ Dr. Bruce Tinor
2026/02/01
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.
#38 - Can I Take That $11 Gift Card? w/ Dr. Paula Kenyon
2026/01/01
In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss the BACB ethics codes related to giving gifts, accepting gifts, and multiple relationships with Dr. Paula Kenyon.
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:
Link to book Daily Ethics:
Amazon.com: Daily Ethics: Creating Intentional Practice for Behavior Analysts: 9798988654858: Sellers, Tyra, Patrizi, Emily, Lichtenberger, Sarah: Books
Link to Functional Relations Podcast Episode #1 where we first discuss this topic:
S1E1- CAN I TAKE THAT GLASS OF WATER?
Link to Functional Relations Podcast Episode w/ Dr. Tyra Sellers:
S3E1 - THE SUPERVISOR EXPERIENCE: BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE SUPERVISOR W/ DR. TYRA SELLERS
References:
Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts - codes 1.11, 1.12
#37 - Pavlovian Conditioning for the Applied Behavior Analyst w/ Dr. Michael Domjan
2025/12/01
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.
#36 - Did Skinner Meditate? Behaviorism Meets Contemplative Living w/ David Roth
2025/11/01
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.
#35 - Ethics of AI in behavioral services w/ Dr. David Cox
2025/10/02
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.
#34 - Feedback and Leadership w/ Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni
2025/09/01
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.
#33 - Student Episode: Mentalism vs Radical Behaviorism
2025/08/01
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.
#32- Is Private Equity Good for ABA? w/ Dr. Cody Morris
2025/07/01
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.
#31 - Challenging the 4-Function Worldview w/ Dr. Adithyan "Dithu" Rajaraman
2025/06/01
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.
#30 - Cultural Selection and Living a Good Life w/ Dr. Dave Palmer
2025/05/01
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.
#29 - Enhance Your Supervision w/ Dr. Ellie Kazemi
2025/04/01
In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss how to plan and structure supervision with Dr. Ellie Kazemi.
1 Supervision 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
Dr. Kazemi's book on supervision:
https://www.springerpub.com/fieldwork-and-supervision-for-behavior-analysts-9780826188724.html
Discount Code: AUTHOR30
Dr. Pat Friman Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyClJpztOSshttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MyClJpztOSs
References:
Kazemi, E., Adzhyan, P., & Rice, B. (2024). Fieldwork and supervision for behavior analysts: A handbook. Springer Publishing Company.
#28 - How YOU Can Bring ABA to Hospitals w/ Dr. Casey Clay
2025/03/01
In this episode, Zach and Caleb talk to Dr. Casey Clay about how behavior analysts can bring ABA to hospital settings.
1 learning 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:
Allen, K. D., Barone, V. J., & Kuhn, B. R. (1993). A behavioral prescription for promoting applied behavior analysis within pediatrics. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26(4), 493-502. Friman, P. C. (2010). Come on in, the water is fine: Achieving mainstream relevance through integration with primary medical care. The Behavior Analyst, 33, 19-36. Hagopian, L. P., Kurtz, P. F., Bowman, L. G., O'Connor, J. T., & Cataldo, M. F. (2023). A neurobehavioral continuum of care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with severe problem behavior. Children's Health Care, 52(1), 45-69. Lambert, J. M., Staubitz, J. E., Roane, J. T., Houchins‐Juárez, N. J., Juárez, A. P., Sanders, K. B., & Warren, Z. E. (2017). Outcome summaries of latency‐based functional analyses conducted in hospital inpatient units. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(3), 487-494.
#27 - The Future of ABA is Now: AI, VR, and Ethics w/ Dr. Ellie Kazemi
2025/02/01
In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss new technology with Dr. Ellie Kazemi, and its implications for training, ethics, and the future of ABA.
Bill Gates discussing the internet with Letterman in 1995: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBSLUbpJvwA&ab_channel=TheQuantumRecord
To further support us, check out our silly video at www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast
References:
Chang, A. A., Kazemi, E., Esmaeili, V., & Davies, M. S. (2024). The effectiveness of virtual reality training: A systematic review. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 44(3), 214-232.
DiGennaro Reed, F. D., Blackman, A. L., Erath, T. G., Brand, D., & Novak, M. D. (2018). Guidelines for using behavioral skills training to provide teacher support. Teaching Exceptional Children, 50(6), 373-380.
Hineline, P. N. (1983). When we speak of knowing. The Behavior Analyst, 6(2), 183.
Lotfizadeh, A. D., McCoy, E., & Kazemi, E. (2024). Robots as behavior change agents: Can robots teach behavior technicians to implement differential reinforcement?. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice.
Shapiro, M., & Kazemi, E. (2017). A review of training strategies to teach individuals implementation of behavioral interventions. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 37(1), 32-62.
#26 - Behavioral Economics for Real-World Interventions w/ Dr. Brent Kaplan
2025/01/01
In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss using behavioral economics for real-world interventions with Dr. Brent Kaplan.
Check out Dr. Kaplan's Website to access copies of his publications, try out his behavioral-oriented software, and view other projects he's working on: https://codedbx.com/
To further support us, check out our silly video at www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast
References:
Kaplan, B. A. & Reed, D. D. (2012). The matching law: A tutorial for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 4(2), 15-24. doi: 10.1007/BF03391780
Reed, D. D., Niileksela, C., & Kaplan, B. A. (2013). Behavioral economics: A tutorial for behavior analysts in practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 6, 34-54. doi: 10.1007/BF03391790
#25 - Matching Law in Real-Life Interventions w/ Dr. Brent Kaplan
2024/12/01
In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss using the matching law in real-life interventions with Dr. Brent Kaplan.
Check out Dr. Kaplan's Website to access copies of his publications, try out his behavioral-oriented software, and view other projects he's working on: https://codedbx.com/
To further support us, check out our silly video at www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast.
References:
Kaplan, B. A. & Reed, D. D. (2012). The matching law: A tutorial for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 4(2), 15-24. doi: 10.1007/BF03391780
Reed, D. D., Niileksela, C., & Kaplan, B. A. (2013). Behavioral economics: A tutorial for behavior analysts in practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 6, 34-54. doi: 10.1007/BF03391790
Podcast reviews
Read Functional Relations podcast reviews
amanda_314 2021/02/09
Great CE’s
Great podcast. I enjoy how diverse the areas of topics are. And earning CE’s while listening and walking my dog is a bonus!
Olew0610 2020/03/16
Amazing!
I have loved listening to the Functional Relations podcast - the topics, insights, and expert opinions have been excellent! I’ve recommended to my coh...
kristen j.m. 2019/10/25
Loving this podcast!
I started with episode 3 - I laughed, I cheered, I got the chills a couple times. :) I love the accessibility of podcasts and the opportunity to get c...
AtlAlly 2019/10/20
Great ABA podcast
Love the podcast. Listened for work but will continue to be a listener. Love that ABA providers are getting into podcasting- perfect way to pass time ...
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