S3E1 - The Supervisor Experience: Becoming an Effective Supervisor w/ Dr. Tyra Sellers
Release Date: 06/01/2021
#34 - Feedback and Leadership w/ Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni
Functional Relations
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 Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. Some of Dr. Gavoni’s books: 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....
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#33 - Student Episode: Mentalism vs Radical Behaviorism
Functional Relations
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. 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.
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#32 - Is Private Equity Good for ABA? w/ Dr. Cody Morris
Functional Relations
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 Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. 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...
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#31 - Challenging the 4-Function Worldview w/ Dr. Adithyan "Dithu" Rajaraman
Functional Relations
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 If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us on Patreon at 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...
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#30 - Cultural Selection and Living a Good Life w/ Dr. Dave Palmer
Functional Relations
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: 1 CE is available for this episode. You can purchase it at If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us on Patreon at 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...
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#29 - Enhance Your Supervision w/ Dr. Ellie Kazemi
Functional Relations
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 If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us on Patreon at Dr. Kazemi’s book on supervision: Discount Code: AUTHOR30 Dr. Pat Friman Video: References: Kazemi, E., Adzhyan, P., & Rice, B. (2024). Fieldwork and supervision for behavior analysts: A handbook. Springer Publishing Company.
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#28 - How YOU Can Bring ABA to Hospitals w/ Dr. Casey Clay
Functional Relations
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 If you feel that our podcast is a valuable contribution to the field of ABA, please consider supporting us on Patreon at 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...
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#27 - The Future of ABA is Now: AI, VR, and Ethics w/ Dr. Ellie Kazemi
Functional Relations
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: To further support us, check out our silly video at 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...
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#26 - Behavioral Economics for Real-World Interventions w/ Dr. Brent Kaplan
Functional Relations
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: To further support us, check out our silly video at 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...
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#25 - Matching Law in Real-Life Interventions w/ Dr. Brent Kaplan
Functional Relations
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: To further support us, check out our silly video at . 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...
info_outlineIn the first episode of Season 3, Zach and Caleb discuss the process of becoming an effective supervisor with Dr. Tyra Sellers. Season 3 of the Functional Relations podcast is titled “The Experience”. Each episode will alternate between the supervisor experience and the trainee experience.
1 supervision 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 at https://www.patreon.com/functionalrelationspodcast
Things to check out from the episode:
Zach’s work email address: [email protected]
Send him an email if you’re interested in learning more about the Behavior Consultant positions he has open at his company.
(Apply here: https://www.indeed.com/job/behavior-consultant-bcba-or-bcaba-required-7a503db3fc859d63 )
References:
Andzik, N. R., & Kranak, M. P. (2020). The softer side of supervision: Recommendations when teaching and evaluating behavior-analytic professionalism. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice.
Britton, L. N., & Cicoria, M. J. (2019). Remote fieldwork supervision for BCBA® trainees. Academic Press.
Conners, B. M., & Capell, S. T. (Eds.). (2020). Multiculturalism and diversity in Applied Behavior Analysis: Bridging theory and application. Routledge.
Garza, K. L., McGee, H. M., Schenk, Y. A., & Wiskirchen, R. R. (2018). Some tools for carrying out a proposed process for supervising experience hours for aspiring Board Certified Behavior Analysts®. Behavior analysis in practice, 11(1), 62-70.
Kazemi, E., Rice, B., & Adzhyan, P. (2018). Fieldwork and supervision for behavior analysts: A handbook. Springer Publishing Company.
Leland, W., & Stockwell, A. (2019). A self-assessment tool for cultivating affirming practices with transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) clients, supervisees, students, and colleagues. Behavior analysis in practice, 12(4), 816-825.
Sellers, T. P., Alai-Rosales, S., & MacDonald, R. P. (2016). Taking full responsibility: The ethics of supervision in behavior analytic practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(4), 299-308.
Sellers, T. P., LeBlanc, L. A., & Valentino, A. L. (2016). Recommendations for detecting and addressing barriers to successful supervision. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(4), 309-319.
Sellers, T. P., Valentino, A. L., Landon, T. J., & Aiello, S. (2019). Board certified behavior analysts’ supervisory practices of trainees: Survey results and recommendations. Behavior analysis in practice, 12(3), 536-546.
Sellers, T. P., Valentino, A. L., & LeBlanc, L. A. (2016). Recommended practices for individual supervision of aspiring behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(4), 274-286.
Turner, L. B., Fischer, A. J., & Luiselli, J. K. (2016). Towards a competency-based, ethical, and socially valid approach to the supervision of applied behavior analytic trainees. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(4), 287-298.
Valentino, A. L., LeBlanc, L. A., & Sellers, T. P. (2016). The benefits of group supervision and a recommended structure for implementation. Behavior analysis in practice, 9(4), 320-328.
Wright, P. I. (2019). Cultural humility in the practice of applied behavior analysis. Behavior analysis in practice, 12(4), 805-809.