Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Rad N Bad Podcast

In this episode, Sean and Michael throw down on one of the hottest and most controversial topics in the field right now: Telehealth. Is it a revolutionary tool that increases access—or a shortcut that sacrifices real impact?

We ask the hard questions:

• Are we scaling ABA or just watering it down?

• Is telehealth making us lazy practitioners or forcing us to be more intentional?

• What does quality look like when you're not in the room?

• And are we helping families—or just checking boxes from behind a screen?

This isn’t a tech vs. tradition debate. This is about accountability, outcomes, and integrity. If you’re riding the telehealth wave just to look progressive without results to back it up—you’re part of the problem.

Get ready. We’re calling it like it is.

In this unapologetically real episode, Sean and Michael rip the Band-Aid off one of the biggest truths in ABA: If the parents aren't on board, the progress doesn't stick. We're talking raw, unfiltered takes on what "buy-in" really means, why therapy doesn’t stop when the session ends, and how to stop enabling and start empowering.

In Episode 1 of the Rad N' Bad Podcast, titled "Meet the Minds Behind Rad N' Bad", hosts Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero pull back the curtain on their mission to revolutionize Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). With unfiltered honesty, they share their personal journeys, the frustrations that ignited their passion, and their commitment to challenging the status quo. This episode sets the tone for a podcast that doesn't shy away from tough conversations, aiming to inspire practitioners to think critically and push the field toward meaningful change.

Let’s be real—“collaboration” gets tossed around like confetti in this field, but what does it actually look like when the rubber meets the road? In this episode, Sean and Michael break down the fine line between true interdisciplinary teamwork and a total trainwreck of crossed wires, clashing egos, and diluted goals.

We get into it:

• Why BCBAs need to stop acting like lone wolves

• What REAL coordination of care looks like (spoiler: it’s not just sending an email)

• How to navigate schools, SLPs, OTs, and everyone in between—without selling out the science

• And when collaboration turns into compromise that actually hurts the client

This one’s for the behavior analysts who are sick of the fluff and ready to build bridges without burning their ethics.

You’re either working together—or working against each other. No in-between.

We’re cracking open one of the most debated topics in ABA—does more always mean better? In this episode, we go full throttle into the 30–40 hour model of ABA therapy. Is it truly the “gold standard” for progress, or are we blindly chasing numbers without looking at the client’s actual needs? Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero bring the heat as they challenge the status quo, question outdated funding-driven practices, and ask the tough questions no one else wants to.
It’s not about clocking hours—it’s about delivering meaningful, individualized care.

Let’s stop pretending supervision is working just because someone hit 2,000 hours. In this episode of Rad N Bad, Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero rip into the broken culture of ABA supervision—and what we actually need to start producing real-deal BCBAs, not just test-passers with clipboards.

We’re talking:

• Why more hours don’t equal more skill (and what to do instead),

• How agencies are using “supervision” to churn out cheap labor,

• The myth of “you’re ready to supervise after a year” (spoiler: you’re not),

• What real mentorship looks like—and why most of the field isn’t doing it,

• And why ethical decision-making can’t be taught in a PowerPoint.

Whether you're a supervisee lost in the hour-hustle or a supervisor wondering why your mentee still can't write a goal—this episode will hit home.

Let’s stop pretending supervision is working just because someone hit 2,000 hours. In this episode of Rad N Bad, Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero rip into the broken culture of ABA supervision—and what we actually need to start producing real-deal BCBAs, not just test-passers with clipboards.

We’re talking:

• Why more hours don’t equal more skill (and what to do instead),

• How agencies are using “supervision” to churn out cheap labor,

• The myth of “you’re ready to supervise after a year” (spoiler: you’re not),

• What real mentorship looks like—and why most of the field isn’t doing it,

• And why ethical decision-making can’t be taught in a PowerPoint.

Whether you're a supervisee lost in the hour-hustle or a supervisor wondering why your mentee still can't write a goal—this episode will hit home.

In this no-holds-barred episode, Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero crack open Cody Morris’ groundbreaking article “Private Equity in Behavior Analysis: A Reckoning.” We’re talking real talk about the corporate takeover of ABA—how private equity is reshaping the field, gutting clinical integrity, and treating therapy like a cash grab.

Are we selling out science for scalability? What happens when investor ROI outranks client outcomes? Cody Morris lit the match—and we’re throwing gasoline on the conversation.

Get ready, Rad N' Bad fam! Sean and Mike are tearing into another unapologetically honest episode of "Who The Hell Is That?!"—our series dedicated to the fearless individuals igniting real change in ABA. This week, we welcome the brilliant and uncompromising Dr. Kristen Byra, PhD, BCBA-D, a true force in clinical excellence who's not afraid to push back against the norm.

Kristen, a highly credentialed BCBA with vast experience in autism services, reveals the "fed up" moments that fueled her mission to transform quality and accountability in our field. She pulls back the curtain on the alarming inconsistencies in ABA training and supervision she witnessed, contrasting it with her own rigorous Western Michigan University experience. Discover the genesis of her game-changing Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and Quality Assessment tools—innovations designed to tackle the biggest systematic failures in clinical practice. We dive deep into why she demands "fridge-worthy" work, the power of her "red dot" system for RBT feedback, and the audacious medical analogy that exposes why we're defaulting to the most restrictive interventions when evidence-based alternatives are available.

This episode is a candid, no-holds-barred discussion on everything from the nuances of non-billable time accountability to the critical importance of parent involvement beyond "tuck and roll" drop-offs. Kristen shares her vision for standardizing quality across agencies, empowering BCBAs and RBTs, and safeguarding the future of ABA by prioritizing client outcomes over mere billables. If you're craving brutal honesty, radical insights, and a blueprint for elevating your practice, strap in! This is where the real insights break loose.

You can contact Kristen at:

• Website: Her professional website is UpskillABA.com.

• LinkedIn: She primarily posts and is active on her personal LinkedIn profile, Kristen Byra.

Get ready, Rad N' Bad fam! Sean and Mike are tearing into another unapologetically honest episode of "Who The Hell Is That?!"—our series dedicated to the fearless individuals igniting real change in ABA. This week, we welcome the brilliant and uncompromising Dr. Kristen Byra, PhD, BCBA-D, a true force in clinical excellence who's not afraid to push back against the norm.

Kristen, a highly credentialed BCBA with vast experience in autism services, reveals the "fed up" moments that fueled her mission to transform quality and accountability in our field. She pulls back the curtain on the alarming inconsistencies in ABA training and supervision she witnessed, contrasting it with her own rigorous Western Michigan University experience. Discover the genesis of her game-changing Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and Quality Assessment tools—innovations designed to tackle the biggest systematic failures in clinical practice. We dive deep into why she demands "fridge-worthy" work, the power of her "red dot" system for RBT feedback, and the audacious medical analogy that exposes why we're defaulting to the most restrictive interventions when evidence-based alternatives are available.

This episode is a candid, no-holds-barred discussion on everything from the nuances of non-billable time accountability to the critical importance of parent involvement beyond "tuck and roll" drop-offs. Kristen shares her vision for standardizing quality across agencies, empowering BCBAs and RBTs, and safeguarding the future of ABA by prioritizing client outcomes over mere billables. If you're craving brutal honesty, radical insights, and a blueprint for elevating your practice, strap in! This is where the real insights break loose.

You can find Kristen at the following locations:

• Website: Her professional website is UpskillABA.com.

• LinkedIn: She primarily posts and is active on her personal LinkedIn profile, Kristen Byra.

Ever wondered how Matt built his podcasting empire? We go behind the scenes to uncover the gritty origin story of Behavioral Observations, revealing the passion and drive that fueled its creation. If you've got an entrepreneurial spirit or a burning desire to make an impact, this segment is a goldmine.

But it's not all business! Matt shares invaluable, real-world suggestions for navigating the complexities of the school setting in ABA. Get ready for practical insights that go beyond the textbook, designed to help you thrive and make a tangible difference where it matters most.

And because this is the Rad N' Bad Podcast, we take a delightful detour into an unexpected tangent on the comedic genius of Chris Farley. It's a reminder that even in the serious world of behavior analysis, a little wit and humanity go a long way. Also...have you tried ACT?

Check out The Behavioral Observations Podcast hosted by Matt at https://behavioralobservations.com/

Ever wondered how Matt built his podcasting empire? We go behind the scenes to uncover the gritty origin story of Behavioral Observations, revealing the passion and drive that fueled its creation. If you've got an entrepreneurial spirit or a burning desire to make an impact, this segment is a goldmine.

But it's not all business! Matt shares invaluable, real-world suggestions for navigating the complexities of the school setting in ABA. Get ready for practical insights that go beyond the textbook, designed to help you thrive and make a tangible difference where it matters most.

And because this is the Rad N' Bad Podcast, we take a delightful detour into an unexpected tangent on the comedic genius of Chris Farley. It's a reminder that even in the serious world of behavior analysis, a little wit and humanity go a long way. Also...have you tried ACT?

Ready to stop getting your science from bedtime stories? In this wake-up call of an episode, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero dive headfirst into the recent, controversial claims linking Tylenol to autism. As BCBAs, they break down the fundamental flaws in this argument, starting with the first rule of behavior analysis fight club: correlation is not causation.

They discuss how this narrative oversimplifies a complex neurodevelopmental condition, ignoring decades of peer-reviewed research on genetics and other contributing factors. Sean and Mike challenge the "miracle drug" mentality, calling out the ethical dangers of promoting misinformation and the real harm it causes to families. This isn't a political debate—it's a critical discussion about upholding the standards of evidence-based practice and why the so-called "autism epidemic" is actually a sign of social and scientific progress. Get ready to question everything you think you know and find out why the truth is far more complex, and more hopeful, than a single, simple answer.

Ready to stop getting your science from bedtime stories? In this wake-up call of an episode, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero dive headfirst into the recent, controversial claims linking Tylenol to autism. As BCBAs, they break down the fundamental flaws in this argument, starting with the first rule of behavior analysis fight club: correlation is not causation.

They discuss how this narrative oversimplifies a complex neurodevelopmental condition, ignoring decades of peer-reviewed research on genetics and other contributing factors. Sean and Mike challenge the "miracle drug" mentality, calling out the ethical dangers of promoting misinformation and the real harm it causes to families. This isn't a political debate—it's a critical discussion about upholding the standards of evidence-based practice and why the so-called "autism epidemic" is actually a sign of social and scientific progress. Get ready to question everything you think you know and find out why the truth is far more complex, and more hopeful, than a single, simple answer.

In this bold and edgy episode, your hosts Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero get into the most talked about but least solved problem in the field: RBT burnout. Joined by special guest Nick Klinkefus, a tech-savvy leader specializing in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), they expose the hard truths behind the industry's staffing crisis.

Are RBTs just billable machines? Is the high turnover rate a direct result of prioritizing profit over people? They dissect a system that has fundamentally distorted the RBT role, reducing it to a disposable resource and a mere means to an end. We challenge the notion of "client-first culture" and dive into the lack of professional development, a rigid certification system, and the devastating consequences of an undervalued workforce.

This isn't a surface-level discussion; it's a deep dive into the business of behavior analysis, the profitability of a broken model, and the uncomfortable realities that are holding our field back. If you've ever felt like your voice isn't being heard or that you're just a number, this episode is for you. We're cutting through the noise and asking the questions everyone else is too afraid to ask.

Find Nick on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklinkefus/

Check out his business at:

https://www.greatdayconsults.com/

In this bold and edgy episode, your hosts Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero get into the most talked about but least solved problem in the field: RBT burnout. Joined by special guest Nick Klinkefus, a tech-savvy leader specializing in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), they expose the hard truths behind the industry's staffing crisis.

Are RBTs just billable machines? Is the high turnover rate a direct result of prioritizing profit over people? They dissect a system that has fundamentally distorted the RBT role, reducing it to a disposable resource and a mere means to an end. We challenge the notion of "client-first culture" and dive into the lack of professional development, a rigid certification system, and the devastating consequences of an undervalued workforce.

This isn't a surface-level discussion; it's a deep dive into the business of behavior analysis, the profitability of a broken model, and the uncomfortable realities that are holding our field back. If you've ever felt like your voice isn't being heard or that you're just a number, this episode is for you. We're cutting through the noise and asking the questions everyone else is too afraid to ask.

You can find Nick Klinkefus on Linkedin here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklinkefus/

Find his business here:

https://www.greatdayconsults.com/

Welcome back, behavioral misfits! On this special episode, hosts Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero dive into a topic that bridges Sean's two worlds: music and behavior analysis.

We’re breaking down the incredible, and unexpected, viral resurgence of Sean's old band, Lady Radiator, and their song, "Box Turtle." What looks like a happy accident is, in fact, a perfect storm of behavioral principles in action.

Join us as we analyze:

• Intermittent Reinforcement: How social media algorithms, like a slot machine , drive compulsive scrolling and set the stage for a song from 18 years ago to blow up.

• Discriminative Stimuli (SDs): How influencers function as a "green light" for viral behavior and why their endorsement is a powerful cue for their followers.

• Rule-Governed vs. Contingency-Shaped Behavior: The shift from a user learning through direct consequences to following a verbal rule set by an influencer, and how this accelerates virality.

• Behavioral Momentum & Shaping: How the band's proactive response and strategic content creation moved passive listeners into an active, engaged fan base, ensuring the trend's maintenance and generalization.

This isn't just a story about music; it's a real-time, unfiltered look at how ABA principles are running the world. Get ready to analyze the algorithm and question everything you think you know about viral content. Remember, you're not just a consumer—you're a participant in a grand digital experiment.

Don't forget to stay edgy, stay bad, and don't forget to analyze that behavior!

Check out Sean's old band Lady Radiator on Spotify!

On a brand-new installment of our "Who The Hell Is That?" series, Sean and Mike welcome a guest who's not afraid to challenge the status quo: the brilliant Dr. Lindsey Sneed. As the Vice President of Clinical Excellence at Catalight and a licensed psychologist, Dr. Sneed is fiercely passionate about an approach with robust evidence that is often resisted by the mainstream: Parent-Mediated Interventions (PMI).

In this no-holds-barred conversation, we dive headfirst into the why behind this resistance. We explore the ethical and clinical reasons for prioritizing PMI as a least-restrictive, highly effective treatment model. Dr. Sneed shares her "aha" moment that drove her to champion this cause, revealing how she's swimming upstream against a field that often equates intensive, 30-hour-a-week models with quality—despite the evidence suggesting otherwise.

This isn't a conversation about tearing down traditional ABA; it's about evolving. Dr. Sneed argues that by ignoring PMI, we are limiting access to care, contributing to clinician burnout, and potentially damaging outcomes for families. She offers a compelling argument for a future where we stop chasing dosage and start chasing fit, focusing on what truly empowers caregivers and improves well-being.

Join us as we challenge our biases, question the comfort of our current models, and fight for a more effective, humane, and collaborative approach to ABA.

Find out more about Dr. Sneed's work at:

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalightcares/

(14) Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D | LinkedIn

Instagram

instagram.com/catalightcares/

Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA-D (@drlindseysneed) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook

Catalight | Walnut Creek CA | Facebook

YouTube

Catalight - YouTube

X (though, we don’t really use it anymore)

Catalight (@CatalightCares) / X
Podcast

What’s Up With Catalight - Catalight

What’s Up With Catalight! - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

What’s Up With Catalight! | Podcast on Spotify

Don't forget to stay edgy, stay bad, and don't forget to analyze that behavior!

On this special episode of the Rad N Bad Podcast, host Sean Yocum takes a break from his usual bold and edgy takes on behavior analysis to dive into a wild personal story. Forgetting the textbooks and dry data, Sean reunites with his old bandmate, Adam Kobylarz, guitarist from the alternative band Lady Radiator.

Join them as they reminisce about their days as loud, angry, and avant-garde musicians in a band that was "18 years too soon." Adam, the band's brainchild, recounts the band's origin story, from its formation to the legendary recording sessions. They discuss the unexpected viral TikTok revival of their song "Box Turtle Magnificent Isn't She" and how it catapulted them from forgotten to famous almost two decades later. Adam shares the process of reclaiming their music, engaging with new fans, and turning this brief moment of digital luck into a massive opportunity. Sean highlights how his current life of being a behavior analyst has made him see things differently in how all of this came to play.

They discuss how staying in the music industry and being genuine with their audience helped them seize this second chance at fame. This episode is not just about nostalgia; it's a testament to the power of authentic art and the idea that you get what you can handle. Whether you're a musician, an artist, or a consumer of digital content, this conversation will inspire you to keep creating, drop your art, and understand that you're a participant in a much bigger digital behavior, and that behavior analysis is at play everywhere in life.

Check out Lady Radiator on Spotify at

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5U2FH1VnxiZYbLcUVWGrov?si=lxmaS_cvS0yZsNWo7LtQ2A

This episode of 'Who the Hell Is That?!' features the incredible Dr. Kristyn Peterson, who cuts through the noise of corporate culture in applied behavior analysis (ABA). She joins hosts Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero to expose the uncomfortable truths behind buzzwords like 'psychological safety' and 'client-centered care.' Dr. Peterson, an expert in organizational behavior management (OBM), dismantles the myths of so-called 'family' work environments, revealing how things like rigged surveys and hollow mission statements lead to high employee turnover and compromised client outcomes. The conversation gets brutally honest, tackling everything from the dangers of the RBT level system to how leaders can use behavior analytic principles like FBA to uncover—and fix—a company’s true cultural rot. If you're ready to stop sugarcoating and start confronting what's truly broken in the field, this is the episode for you.

You can find Kristyn here:

⁠linkedin.com/in/kristynpeterson⁠

⁠moralismachina.com ⁠

This episode of 'Who the Hell Is That?!' features the incredible Dr. Kristyn Peterson, who cuts through the noise of corporate culture in applied behavior analysis (ABA). She joins hosts Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero to expose the uncomfortable truths behind buzzwords like 'psychological safety' and 'client-centered care.' Dr. Peterson, an expert in organizational behavior management (OBM), dismantles the myths of so-called 'family' work environments, revealing how things like rigged surveys and hollow mission statements lead to high employee turnover and compromised client outcomes. The conversation gets brutally honest, tackling everything from the dangers of the RBT level system to how leaders can use behavior analytic principles like FBA to uncover—and fix—a company’s true cultural rot. If you're ready to stop sugarcoating and start confronting what's truly broken in the field, this is the episode for you.

You can find Kristyn here:

linkedin.com/in/kristynpeterson

moralismachina.com 

Are we setting our clients up for failure? In this episode of Rad N Bad, Sean and Mike welcome the fearless Shanti Bradley, a BCBA who is challenging the biggest lie in ABA: that real therapy only happens in a sterile clinic environment. They dive into why the "tabletop simulator" approach is ineffective and unethical, teaching compliance over competence and ignoring the beautiful, messy chaos of real life.

The hosts and their guest get into the weeds of why skills don't magically generalize from a clinic and how an overreliance on rigid curriculums and direct-to-staff instruction fails clients in the real world. They discuss the professional, parental, and institutional barriers—including funding models and the "illusion of control"—that keep the field from prioritizing meaningful, community-based outcomes. This episode is a call to action to move past laziness and discomfort, advocate for what's right, and embrace the unpredictable learning opportunities that truly promote independence and long-term success.

You can find Shanti on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanti-bradley-bcba-42893571/

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

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.

Episode 17: The Data Wrecking Ball: De-Risking ABA with a Clinivise

Rad N Bad moves from calling out the broken system to showing you how to rebuild it. Host Sean Yocum welcomes special co-host Christopher Jones, PhD (CTO & Co-Founder of Clinivise) to dissect the intersection of data science, entrepreneurial excellence, and clinical impact.

Dr. Jones, a Caltech-educated veteran and Tillman Scholar, brings his mission-driven expertise to the chaotic world of behavioral health. In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Eliminating the Blindfold: How data transparency and platforms like Clinivise dismantle the "information asymmetry" that gives multi-billion dollar payers leverage over smaller, clinician-owned practices.

• The Access Problem: Why simply "revealing" provider deserts isn't monetizing failure, but is the crucial first step in de-risking underserved markets, incentivizing ethical expansion, and utilizing creative solutions like telehealth and mobile units.

• Negotiation Anchors: How objective market benchmarks for salaries and reimbursement rates can empower new BCBAs and RBTs, eliminate unconscious pay bias, and prevent employers from simply "low-balling" labor costs.

• Beyond the Billable Hour: Shifting the industry from a "zero-sum game" (volume over value) to a "positive-sum game" by establishing a baseline for outcome-based negotiation, where clinical progress directly translates to higher value.

If you believe a broken system can’t be profitable forever, you need the intelligence layer to challenge the status quo. Get ready to raise some hell.

Check out Clinivise here:

https://www.clinivise.ai/

Rad N Bad drops a tactical nuke on the ABA industry's most toxic and manipulative legal tools: non-compete and non-solicitation clauses.

Hosts Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero call out the corporate rulebook, arguing that these contracts are not about protecting proprietary secrets—they're instruments of aversive control used to weaponize the labor market, restrict client choice, and hold practitioners hostage.

Using the lens of behavior analysis, this episode dismantles the legal "scarecrows" that rely on fear to manage a young labor pool. Is your company's mission statement client-centered, or does its contract signal that your primary function is to simply generate revenue? We argue that loyalty is earned through high-rate positive reinforcement, not imposed by legal threats.

If your agency relies on forcing compliance over fostering competence, you're building a system on quicksand. Demand better.

Hot Takes Include:

• Why non-competes create a business-centered agenda that is mutually exclusive to a clinician-centered workforce.

• The science of loyalty: Why legal threats foster avoidance behavior instead of ethical commitment.

• The ethical failure of prioritizing revenue over a client's right to their preferred, effective provider (a known generalized conditioned reinforcer).

If this fires you up, buckle up. We're here to unmask the whole thing.

Rad N Bad drops a tactical nuke on the ABA industry's most toxic and manipulative legal tools: non-compete and non-solicitation clauses.

Hosts Sean Yocum and Michael Carrero call out the corporate rulebook, arguing that these contracts are not about protecting proprietary secrets—they're instruments of aversive control used to weaponize the labor market, restrict client choice, and hold practitioners hostage.

Using the lens of behavior analysis, this episode dismantles the legal "scarecrows" that rely on fear to manage a young labor pool. Is your company's mission statement client-centered, or does its contract signal that your primary function is to simply generate revenue? We argue that loyalty is earned through high-rate positive reinforcement, not imposed by legal threats.

If your agency relies on forcing compliance over fostering competence, you're building a system on quicksand. Demand better.

Hot Takes Include:

• Why non-competes create a business-centered agenda that is mutually exclusive to a clinician-centered workforce.

• The science of loyalty: Why legal threats foster avoidance behavior instead of ethical commitment.

• The ethical failure of prioritizing revenue over a client's right to their preferred, effective provider (a known generalized conditioned reinforcer).

If this fires you up, buckle up. We're here to unmask the whole thing.

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.

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.

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/⁠

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/

In this unapologetic solo episode, Sean Yocum walks the digital tightrope — that dangerous, dopamine-fueled space where ABA professionals try (and often fail) to balance ethical integrity with online visibility. With zero filters and full accountability, Sean dismantles the myth of the “private” professional account and calls out the ethical trainwrecks playing out across social media feeds.

From viral memes that weaponize client experiences to “hot takes” masquerading as science, this episode hits hard on professionalism, digital ethics, and scope of competence. Sean unpacks how algorithms reward outrage, how one careless post can dismantle a career, and why your digital footprint is either your strongest professional asset or your fastest liability.

He doesn’t stop at criticism — he offers solutions. Learn how to train your supervisees in digital ethics, protect your license from “funny” skits gone wrong, and create content that’s radically ethical, not recklessly viral. The message is clear:

Your client is not content.
Your science is not clickbait.
Your integrity is not for sale.

If you’re using your license to chase likes, you’re walking the tightrope blindfolded — and this episode is your wake-up call.

When “check-the-box” courses crank out certificates, patients and frontline staff pay the price. In this Rad N Bad episode, Sean and Mike square up with guest Tara Zeller, BCBA—Chief Empowerment Officer at Apple Tree Connection and creator of the Empowered RBT program—to tear down the 40-hour myth and rebuild it around fluency, mentorship, and real accountability. We hit the quality gap between compliance and competence, how employers weaponize minimums, and why onboarding and BST—not glitchy videos—decide outcomes.

Tara brings solutions: synchronous + asynchronous design, prove-it performance checks, “train–mentor–empower” pipelines, and a 91.7% RBT exam pass rate that backs it up. We debate crisis training (exposure vs. in-job fluency), propose provisional licensing and payer incentives tied to retention and outcomes, and call out the revolving-door clinics starving supervision. If you’re still treating 40 hours like a finish line, this one’s your audit.

When “check-the-box” courses crank out certificates, patients and frontline staff pay the price. In this Rad N Bad episode, Sean and Mike square up with guest Tara Zeller, BCBA—Chief Empowerment Officer at Apple Tree Connection and creator of the Empowered RBT program—to tear down the 40-hour myth and rebuild it around fluency, mentorship, and real accountability. We hit the quality gap between compliance and competence, how employers weaponize minimums, and why onboarding and BST—not glitchy videos—decide outcomes.

Tara brings solutions: synchronous + asynchronous design, prove-it performance checks, “train–mentor–empower” pipelines, and a 91.7% RBT exam pass rate that backs it up. We debate crisis training (exposure vs. in-job fluency), propose provisional licensing and payer incentives tied to retention and outcomes, and call out the revolving-door clinics starving supervision. If you’re still treating 40 hours like a finish line, this one’s your audit.

Check Out Appletree Connection here: https://www.appletreeconnection.com/

Rad N Bad moves from calling out the broken system to showing you how to rebuild it. Host Sean Yocum welcomes special co-host Christopher Jones, PhD (CTO & Co-Founder of Clinivise) to dissect the intersection of data science, entrepreneurial excellence, and clinical impact.

Dr. Jones, a Caltech-educated veteran and Tillman Scholar, brings his mission-driven expertise to the chaotic world of behavioral health. In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Eliminating the Blindfold: How data transparency and platforms like Clinivise dismantle the "information asymmetry" that gives multi-billion dollar payers leverage over smaller, clinician-owned practices.

• The Access Problem: Why simply "revealing" provider deserts isn't monetizing failure, but is the crucial first step in de-risking underserved markets, incentivizing ethical expansion, and utilizing creative solutions like telehealth and mobile units.

• Negotiation Anchors: How objective market benchmarks for salaries and reimbursement rates can empower new BCBAs and RBTs, eliminate unconscious pay bias, and prevent employers from simply "low-balling" labor costs.

• Beyond the Billable Hour: Shifting the industry from a "zero-sum game" (volume over value) to a "positive-sum game" by establishing a baseline for outcome-based negotiation, where clinical progress directly translates to higher value.

If you believe a broken system can’t be profitable forever, you need the intelligence layer to challenge the status quo. Get ready to raise some hell.

Check out Clinivise here:

⁠https://www.clinivise.ai/⁠

Season 2 Trailer of what is to come on the Rad N Bad podcast....get ready for the escalation!

www.radnbadpodcast.com

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.

Welcome to the kickoff of our new series, Beyond the Clinic Walls, where we explore the raw, unpolished reality of applying ABA outside of traditional autism care.

In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Harrington, BCBA and the engine behind an ABA-focused Digital Marketing Agency. Matt has taken our most lethal clinical tools—reinforcement schedules, stimulus control, and motivating operations—and turned them into a blueprint for shaping consumer behavior and scaling brands.

We’re diving deep into:

• The Science of the Click: How to identify the "function" of why your customers are actually hitting that button.

• The Marketing SD: How to craft the perfect "call out" to ensure your audience raises their hand.

• Reinforcement Loops: Why marketing doesn’t end when the customer buys—it’s where the real behavior change begins.

• The "Florida Man" Factor: How understanding deprivation and environmental context (even during a hurricane) explains why people buy what they buy.

If you’ve ever wondered how your clinical background translates to the digital marketplace, listen up. We’re done apologizing for how powerful this science actually is.

Find Matt on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-harrington-bcba-8157b11b9/

Welcome back to the Rad and Bad Podcast, the only show in ABA where we willingly jump into the wood chipper of industry nonsense to see what comes out the other side. Today, we’re asking the question: Who the hell is Attend Behavior?

Sean Yocum is joined by Alan Fullbright, BCBA, to discuss why the field has spent the last decade tuning the "cup holders" of clinical data while the "engine" of caregiver support has been left to rot. For too long, parent training has been the "side dish" of ABA—a series of dry PDFs and awkward Tuesday-at-3-PM meetings that families are too burnt out to attend.

Attend Behavior is the "hold my beer" response to that status quo. By digitizing the gold-standard Rubi parent training program, they’ve created a life raft for families drowning in behavioral chaos.

In this episode, we kick open the hood on:

• The "Manual" vs. The "App": How Attend turned decades of research into bite-sized, "weaponized" modules that parents can actually use at 8:00 PM on a school night.

• The Scalability Crisis: Why the field can't produce enough clinicians to meet the demand, and why caregiver empowerment is the only way out.

• Monocles and Gatekeeping: A blunt look at the "BCBA superiority complex" and why we need to stop treating parents like they’re incompetent.

• The Death of "Train and Hope": Shifting the focus from clinical labor to caregiver leadership.

If you’re ready to stop treating symptoms and start empowering the real agents of change, it’s time to find out who the hell Attend Behavior really is.

https://home.attendbehavior.com/

Live from NCABA 2026 in Winston-Salem, NC, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero take the stage for the first-ever live recording of the Rad n Bad podcast. In an industry that prides itself on data and behavior change, the guys ask the uncomfortable question: Why do we spend millions of dollars on conferences and return to the clinic on Monday without changing a single thing?

Sean and Mike strip away the "professional theater" and analyze the conference ecosystem through the lens of behavior analysis. They dive deep into:

• The Reinforcement Reality: Why the hallway is the "Super Bowl" of networking while the breakout rooms are just "intellectual cardio."

• Escape-Maintained Professionalism: Is your conference attendance a genuine pursuit of mastery, or just a high-end "escape from aversive stimuli" (like insurance paperwork and RBT call-outs)?

• The ROI of Vibes: Moving past participant satisfaction surveys to measure actual clinical outcomes and treatment integrity post-event.

• Hacking the System: How to shift from "Inspiration" to "Implementation" by redesigning CEUs around competency, follow-up, and measurable skill acquisition.

This isn't a "trash session"—it’s a call to action. If behavior follows reinforcement, it’s time to stop reinforcing attendance and start reinforcing outcomes. Grab a drink, pull up a chair at the bar, and let's get into the contingencies of why we do what we do.

In this episode of the Rad n’ Bad Podcast, Sean and Mike scrape off the "clinical veneer" to expose the "metallic stench" of a field currently governed by the path of least resistance. They are joined by a true industry heavy hitter, Rebecca Urbano Powell, CEO of Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health and a veteran with 25 years in the trenches.

The trio dives headfirst into the messy reality of 2026 ABA: where BCBAs have become "marionette puppets" for insurance funders and social media influencers. Rebecca breaks down why the "square peg, round hole" insurance model is failing families and why "good enough" data is actually a block of clinical sludge clogging client progress.

From her roots in old-school darkroom photography to picking apart Medicaid misinformation for fun, Rebecca brings the fire. She challenges every clinician to stop hiding behind "standardized packages" and start investing in their own mastery. This isn't just a podcast episode; it’s a call to arms for providers to stop being customer service reps and start being scientists again.

• The Photography Pivot: How the science of developing film mirrors the creativity needed in behavior analysis.

• Insurance vs. Reality: Why "medically necessary" boxes are strangling individualized care.

• The Power of Parents: Why grassroots family advocacy is the only reason the field still has a pulse.

• The Profit Problem: A candid look at why prioritizing bottom lines over patient outcomes is ruining the science's reputation.

• The Seven Dimensions or Bust: If you aren’t adhering to the dimensions, you aren’t doing ABA—you’re just billing for it.

"Learning shouldn't suck and punishment doesn't teach. I get to bring my fun and my humor into a scientific industry... why not?" — Rebecca Urbano Powell

Connect with Rebecca on Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-urbano-powell-bcba-380b523/

The box of conversation is officially open. In this second installment of No-Man’s Land, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero take on one of the most taboo subjects in ABA: Addressing and Treating Stereotypy.

As always, the rules are rigid—no "it depends" and no using "nuance" as a shield. The coin flip decides their fate, and this week, Mike is forced to argue for the treatment of stereotypic behaviors, while Sean defends the right to stim. From "Quiet Hands" to "Bodily Autonomy," the guys trade verbal nukes over whether reducing repetitive behavior is a violation of human rights or a necessary gateway to independence and safety. Can they find a middle ground that respects neurodivergent identity while still expanding a learner’s access to the world?

In this episode, we pressure test:

• Bodily Autonomy vs. Access to Learning: Is treating stereotypy "behavioral conversion therapy" or a prerequisite for functional communication?

• 
  

  The "Vending Machine" vs. The "Jumper Cables": How do we differentiate between aesthetic "normalizing" and clinical safety?

  
  

• Contingency Design over Behavior Reduction: Why the "Old Way" of suppression is failing and how to reframe treatment as expanding choices rather than constraining them.

• 
  

  Redefining Social Validity: Moving from "looking typical" to increasing the quality of life as defined by the learner and their community.

  
  

Stay edgy. Stay bad. Analyze that behavior.

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.

In this hard-hitting episode of the Rad N Bad Podcast, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero dissect the explosive Wall Street Journal investigation that has sent shockwaves through the ABA industry: "The Boom in Autism Therapy Is Medicaid’s Fastest-Growing Jackpot."

Sean and Mike pull back the curtain on a system they’ve long warned was "hollowing out." They tackle the "Gold Rush" in North Carolina and beyond, where private equity firms have allegedly traded clinical rigor for "capacity utilization" and "frozen marathons." From the $340,000-per-child billing scandals in Indiana to the "ghost supervision" of bloated caseloads, this is a "clinical autopsy" of a field at a breaking point.

The duo doesn't stop at the headlines. They also analyze the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP)'s defensive response, questioning whether proposed "policy guardrails" are a genuine fix or a silent admission of systemic failure.

Key highlights include:

• The 40-Year-Old Ghost: Why a 1987 study is still being used to justify 40-hour work weeks for toddlers.

• EBITDA vs. Outcomes: How the "strip and flip" private equity model creates "RBT factories."

• The Documentation Crisis: Why 99% of billing in some states is being flagged as "improper."

• The Exit Strategy: Why Sean and Mike believe a quality ABA model should plan for its own ending from Day 1.

It’s time to stop chasing ghosts and start building a model that empowers families instead of billing for seat time. Let’s get radical.

In this episode, Mike Carrero sits down with Dr. Nick Green, a behavior analyst who traded the clinic for the gym. As the founder of BehaviorFit, Dr. Green is on a mission to prove that ABA isn't just for autism—it's the secret weapon for human performance. They dissect the "Autism Industrial Complex," explore why only 20% of adults worldwide meet physical activity guidelines, and reveal why your "lack of motivation" is actually an environmental design flaw. Whether you're a "reconditioning athlete" chasing former glory or a professional trying to find time for a treadmill, this conversation reframes fitness as a sustainable behavioral contingency.

In this episode of the Rad N Bad Podcast, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero sit down with Dr. Cheryl Tierney, Chief Medical Officer at EarlyPoint, to discuss a technological seismic shift in the world of autism evaluations.

For decades, the diagnostic process has been a subjective, "bottlenecked mess" relying on antiquated tools (some still asking if kids can use a VCR!). Dr. Tierney introduces EarlyPoint, the first FDA-cleared eye-tracking biomarker designed to provide an objective "yes/no" diagnostic aid for children aged 16 to 95 months.

Sean, Mike, and Dr. Tierney dive deep into how 12 minutes of passive video watching can capture tens of thousands of data points, comparing a child's social visual engagement to a normative sample with clinical precision.

Key highlights include:

• Beyond the "Wait and See" Trap: How EarlyPoint helps pediatricians in rural America skip the two-year waitlist and diagnose within the medical home.

• The "Subjective-Objective" Problem: A critical look at why traditional tools like the ADOS can be influenced by clinician bias or cultural/language barriers.

• Proactive vs. Reactive: Using eye-tracking to identify neurodivergent learning patterns before "outward symptoms" even fully emerge, allowing for intervention during peak neuroplasticity.

• The "Billion-Dollar Fridge": The story of how this tech shrunk from the size of a refrigerator to a portable, handheld device.

• Neurodiversity & Eye Gaze: Clarifying that the goal isn't "training eye contact," but ensuring children don't miss vital social learning opportunities.

Is technology finally catching up to the science of behavior? Join the guys as they vet the innovators turning the "Autism Industrial Complex" on its head.

To better understand how EarlyPoint works, it tracks where a child focuses during social interactions. While neurotypical children often focus on "social anchors" like eyes and mouths to gather information, children with autism may focus on non-social or peripheral details, leading to different data clusters.

https://earlipointhealth.com/

We need to talk about the "copy-paste" problem in our field. Across the industry, too many of us have become "milestone chasers"—clicking and dragging generic goals from standardized assessments into plans without ever considering the messy, beautiful reality of the family living them. An assessment is not a curriculum, and a milestone is not a program. If your intervention plan ignores the individual, you aren’t doing behavior analysis; you’re running an assembly line.

In this episode, we’re tearing down the template. We discuss why we’ve become so obsessed with checking boxes that we’ve forgotten how to engineer behaviors that actually grant our clients their freedom.

We’re diving into the "Three Pillars of Better Programming":

1. The Roadmap: Why your goals must be justified 3, 5, and 10 years down the road, and how to build a roadmap that actually captures family buy-in.

2. Domains vs. Targets: Why a score going up doesn't mean life is getting easier, and how to stop treating targets like ends rather than means.

3. Generalization as a Design Constraint: Why generalization should never be an afterthought, and how to define "mastery" by how a skill survives after the therapist leaves the room.

We’re done apologizing for how powerful this science is. It’s time to stop performing "circus tricks" in ideal conditions and start programming for the real world.

ABA is under pressure—and a lot of it is deserved.

In this episode of Rad N Bad, Sean and Mike break down the real impact of North Carolina’s recent Medicaid policy changes and what they signal for the future of the field. This isn’t speculation. This is a direct response to rising costs, federal audits, and growing questions about how ABA services are delivered and justified.

For years, the industry has been highly effective at getting services authorized—but far less consistent at proving meaningful, real-world outcomes. Now, states are starting to ask better questions:

• Why this many hours?

• What is actually changing outside the session?

• Can caregivers implement the intervention independently?

• Where is the plan to fade services?

North Carolina didn’t eliminate ABA.

They challenged it.

And in doing so, they introduced a new reality:

• Telehealth is being restricted

• Supervision is being defined and enforced

• Parent training is no longer optional

• High-intensity services must be justified—monthly

• Exceptions for rural and underserved areas must be proven, not assumed

This episode goes beyond the policy language and gets into what it actually means for providers, BCBAs, and organizations trying to navigate the shift.

Sean and Mike also call out the uncomfortable truth:

At some point, hours became the product.

Instead of focusing on independence, generalization, and caregiver competency, parts of the field leaned into volume—and now the system is correcting it.

But this isn’t just criticism.

They break down what a defensible, outcome-driven model actually looks like, including:

• Lower direct hours with higher impact

• Parent-Mediated Intervention (PMI)

• Caregivers as the primary agents of change

• Measuring outcomes through adaptive functioning and real-world performance

• Building models that lead to titration and discharge—not dependency

The takeaway is simple:

This isn’t the end of ABA.

It’s a filter.

And the field is being asked one question:

Does what you do actually create independence?

Because the future of ABA won’t be defined by how many hours are provided…

It will be defined by what changes because of them.

Here is the policy if you would like to read it:

https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewBillDocument/2025/7815/0/H696-PCCS10584-LUXR-3

In this "Who the Hell is That?" episode, Sean and Mike welcome Dr. Lou Sandler, a 45-year veteran of the field who isn't afraid to take a sledgehammer to the industry’s "sacred cows." The trio dives deep into the "40-hour work week" obsession, the private equity takeover of behavioral health, and why we’ve traded clinical precision for billable presence. From the "seismograph" data of failing center-based programs to the "pink dumbbell" of low-intensity dosing, this conversation is an unapologetic call to return to the human side of human behavior.

The multi-billion-dollar corporate takeover of autism services has officially reached its breaking point. Over the last decade, we have watched private equity firms dump massive capital into the industry, swallowing up small community providers and mass-producing cookie-cutter clinic networks. Somewhere along the line, trade associations and self-appointed accreditation programs stepped behind closed doors and declared themselves the official voice of our science.

But nobody asked the practitioners on the ground for a vote.

In this explosive episode of Rad N Bad, Sean and Mike strip away the corporate marketing jargon to answer a simple, glaring question: Who the hell is actually driving this field? Joining the studio are Kirsten Hall and Aaron Gold, founders of the ABA Accountability Project, an organization dedicating itself to tracking power, governance, and transparency inside Applied Behavior Analysis.

Together, they drop the ultimate "Umpire Analogy"—dissecting the massive conflict of interest where the same entities creating clinical standards are financially tied to the monopolies inspecting them, all while lobbying insurance payers to make those very inspections mandatory. They take a hard, behavior-analytic lens to the dangerous reality of corporate lobbying groups fighting against mandatory frontline RBT credentials under the guise of "improving access to care."

This isn't a simple personal vendetta; it's a structural evaluation of an industry that treats kids like products and clinical decision-making like an asset portfolio. If you are an independent provider, a clinician drowning under corporate caseload targets, or a parent fighting for quality over volume, this episode is a blueprint for grassroots reform.

Buckle up. Strong sciences don't fear questions—they invite them.