Behavior Bitches

Let’s be real, coparenting is hard. Coparenting with a toxic ex? It’s like a group project with the classmate who never does the work.This week, Liat sits down with twin sisters, certified family mediators, and Boundary Badass authors Jan and Jillian Yuhas to break down high-conflict dynamics, coercive control, and what boundaries actually look like in real life. They cover red flags of toxic and narcissistic behavior, how to stop taking the bait, and how to protect your peace (and your kid’s mental health) when emotions run high.Not a coparent? Still relevant. If you’ve dealt with a manipulative ex, a high-conflict family member, or someone who always has to control the narrative, this conversation is for you. We’re talking self-regulation, clear communication, and holding boundaries without losing your mind.Connect with Jan & Jillian:WebsiteInstagramFacebookSubstackLinkedInGet the Book!Behavior Concepts Covered:Operational Definition Behavioral contrast Motivating operation Extinction Connect with Behav

This week, Liat sits down with author and one of our fav creators Misha Brown to get the tea on his new book, Be Your Own Bestie: A No-Nonsense Guide to Changing the Way You Treat Yourself, out February 17th.We talk all things self care, like the realization that you can hype everyone else up and still be your own biggest bully, why self reflection sometimes feels like getting emotionally punched in the face, and how becoming your own bestie might start with something as simple as taking yourself on a spa day or eating a Snickers in your car. It doesn’t get more real, raw and relatable than this. Tune in for all the tips and tricks to #BeYourOwnBestie!Connect with Misha:Be Your Own Bestie: A No-Nonsense Guide to Changing the Way You Treat Yourself comes out on February 17th - Pre-Order it Here!Check out The Big Flop wherever you get your podcasts! @YourBestieMisha on TikTok, Instagram, Youtube & FacebookBehavior Concepts:PairingReinforcement DRIConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFa

One of our favorite guests is back!This week, forensic psychology expert and BCBA Presley Wanner joins us to break down the Idaho murders and the case against Brian Kohberger. We walk through what happened in Moscow, Idaho, the victims, the investigation, and the key evidence that led to the killer’s arrest, then zoom out to examine the behavioral patterns, misconceptions, and unanswered questions that make this case so chilling.Expect deep behavioral analysis, uncomfortable truths about grievance and violence, and a deep dive along the way.Connect with Presley:CrimeandBehavior.comCrime & Behavior Analysis Academy ABAI Special Interest GroupLinkedInConnect with Behavior Bitches:• Instagram: @behaviorbitches• Facebook: Behavior Bitches Podcast• Youtube: Behavior Bitches Podcast• Website: BehaviorBitches.com• Contact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.comLeave us a 5-star review on Spotify or in the Apple Podcast App and make us super happy

This week, Liat and her sister Talia sit down with Dr. Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist, former Senior Advisor and founder of the White House Behavioral Science Team, Head of Behavioral Economics at Google, host of A Slight Change of Plans, and author of The Other Side of Change.Maya shares how she landed in rooms that didn’t even have a role for her yet (BCBAs, take notes), and opens up about losing the identity she built as a Juilliard-trained violinist after a career-ending injury. We unpack why change is so threatening to our sense of self, why our brains hate uncertainty, and how to build a “soft landing” when life makes other plans.Liat also shares her own story of navigating serious health struggles and letting go of what she thought her career was going to look like. We talk identity, loss, growth, Love Is Blind takes, and why you are so much more than what you do.Maya’s new book, The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans, is out now - click the link below to get your copy!B

If you know the material but your brain completely melts the second the exam starts, this episode is for you.In How to Outsmart Test Anxiety, Liat sits down with Dr. Nicole Cain, author of Panic Proof, to explain why anxiety hijacks your brain and how to shut that down. We break down what your amygdala, nervous system, and “autopilot brain” are doing when panic shows up, plus real tools to calm your body so your executive brain can actually access the right info.No “just relax” nonsense. Just science, behavior, and practical strategies for BCBAs, RBTs, and everybody inbetween.Behavior Concepts Covered:AntecedentDeterminism Consequence Pairing Behavior chain interruptionFunction of behavior Operant conditioning Positive reinforcement Connect with Dr. Nicole Cain:Website: www.DrNicoleCain.comBook: Panic ProofInstagram: @drnicolecainFacebook: Dr. Nicole CainLinktree / Resources: https://campsite.bio/drnicolecainConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite:

What if fitness, food, and stress weren’t about discipline, but about behavior?This week, Liat sits down with Brittnay Duguay, BCBA, functional nutritionist, IFBB Bikini Pro, and founder of Better Habits by Britt, to talk about why most wellness plans (and your New Year’s resolutions) fail, and how behavior science can actually make habits stick. From undoing diet culture and perfectionism to breaking down why “starting on Monday” is a total behavior trap, Brittnay shows how ABA principles apply way beyond the clinic and straight into real life.If you’ve ever said “I don’t have time,” spiraled after one off day, or wondered why you can’t stick to your routine, this episode is for you.Behavior Concepts Covered:Pragmatism AntecedentReinforcement Motivating OperationsCMO-RRatio Strain MentalismShaping Task analysisConnect with Brittnay:Instagram: @betterhabitsbybrittWebsite: www.betterhabitsbybritt.comRegister for Stone Soup 2026!Register here with code SNABA26 for $20 off!Check out the SNABA Stone Soup Giveaway

This week, Liat sits down with transformation coach and author Keith Crossley, whose work on healing, relationships, and enlightenment has gone viral. Keith breaks down the science and psychology behind betrayal, why we cling to relationships that hurt us, and how to stop living in fear of your own emotions.If you’ve ever wondered why breakups feel like withdrawal, why your feelings seem so damn big, or how to start healing instead of spiraling, this episode is your guidebook to face betrayal and find freedom on the other side.Behavior Concepts Covered:Private verbal behavior Variable ratio schedule Replacement behaviors Matching Law StimulusConditioned reinforcement Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Negative reinforcementFunction of BxTacting ExtinctionConnect with Keith:KeithCrossley.comFind him on Facebook or LinkedIn!InstagramTikTokYoutubeGet the Book!Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitche

AI is here…but is it taking your BCBA job, or just saving you from writing session notes? Beth Garrison, Ph.D., BCBA, and AI wizard, breaks down the hype, the way it works, and what humans will always do better than robots. We talk weird searches, the ethical red flags every behavior analyst should know before plugging client info into ChatGPT, and the ultimate ABA AI assistant.Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Looking for BCBA Exam Prep or CEUs?• Whether you need help passing the BCBA exam or are looking to earn CEUs, Study Notes ABA has you covered. Check out our website for comprehensive exam prep materials, prep courses, and CEUs• Test Prep: S

Ever said something and immediately thought, “Why did I say it like that?” Same. This week, Liat chats with Dr. Laura Sicola, cognitive linguist and communication queen, to break down how your tone, pacing, and pitch can change your message.We discuss how vocal fry, upspeak, confidence, and even the way you say your name can change how people see you. If you’ve ever wanted to sound like a leader (without faking it), this episode is your crash course.Whether you’re a boss, a student, or just trying to stop saying “like” every three seconds, this episode will have you speaking to influence people, not just to fill silence.Get the Book:Paperback - Audible - Kindle Read the First 2 Chapters Free!Connect with Dr. Laura:LauraSicola.comSpeakingtoInfluence.comDr. Laura’s TEDx PresentationLinkedInConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to

Can you really read people by their faces? Brian Galke, The Decoding Detective (and skeptic), thinks so, and he’s here to prove it. Liat and Brian dish on first impressions, wild face-reading fails, and awkward truths about people skills…plus a totally ridiculous celeb Face Off you won’t stop laughing at.Behavior Concepts Covered:RepeatabilityStimulus DiscriminationIndividualizationLearning Histories Connect with Brian:SubtleSkills.comFace Reading Cheat Sheet@SubtleSkills Everywhere:InstagramTikTokYoutubeLinkedInFacebook Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Looking for BCBA Exam Prep or CEUs?• Whether you need help passing the BCBA exam or are looking to earn CEUs, Study Notes ABA has you cov

Bedtime shouldn’t feel like a hostage negotiation, but for most parents, it does. Sleep expert and BCBA Emily Varon (founder of Ready, Set, Sleep) is back to drop real, science-backed strategies for ditching bedtime chaos. We’re talking screens before bed, blue light myths, teeth grinding, night terrors, and whether handing your kid an iPad is the end of the world (spoiler: you’re fine). Emily keeps it relatable, funny, and actually doable…because every parent deserves some damn sleep.Behavior Concepts Covered:Pragmatism Variable ratio scheduleExtinction Function of BxRespondent behavior Operational definitionLatency Connect with Emily:ReadySetSleep.comSleep Pro CEU BundleLinkedinBlogConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so

Step inside one of Europe’s largest legal brothels with Catherine DeNoire—a PhD student in organizational psychology and the manager behind the business side of the sex industry. From HR to marketing to worker safety, Catherine shares what it’s really like to run a brothel that operates more like a corporation than a cliché. We dive into the realities of customer behavior, how legality shapes safety, the surprising economics of sex work, and why personality matters more than looks. Equal parts researcher and operator, Catherine is breaking stereotypes and reshaping how the world sees this often-misunderstood industry.Behavior Concepts Covered:GeneralizationContingent reinforcement Preference assessment Shaping Unconditioned reinforcement Connect with Catherine:Instagram: @catherine_de_noire and @cath_de_noireTikTok: @kate.denoireFacebook: Catherine De Noire pageOnlyFans: onlyfans.com/catherinedenoire/Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: Behavio

In this episode, we hang out with Ryan O’Donnell and get real about everything from making behavior analysis interesting to the outside world, to echo chambers, incels, and even why the APBA tables look like the ’90s threw up. We dive into self-management, reinforcement, punishment, and philosophical doubt while swapping stories, laughs, and some hard truths about how our field is seen.Behavior Concepts Covered:PragmatismPunishment Repeatability Reinforcement Negative ReinforcementDelayed DiscountingLearning HistoryPhilosophical doubt Connect with Ryan:@TheDailyBA on Instagram https://www.thebehavioracademy.com/ Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!L

Liat’s back on the mic with Jennifer Stracquadanio and Meghan Stenziano from Moms Managing Behavior. These two badass BCBAs/moms keep it real about everything from culty ABA vibes and lorazepam White Lotus moments to the wild story of Jen and her husband taking the BCBA exam at the same time. Between the laughs, they drop gems on why parents are the true change-makers, how empathy grows when you walk in their shoes, and why community behavior has to shift too. We hit the ABA basics—MOs, reinforcement, punishment—but in a way that’s actually useful, not culty. Come for the stories, stay for the parenting wisdom you’ll use everywhere.Behavior Concepts Covered:Operational Definition MOStimulus cueReinforcement Punishment Connect with Jen and Meghan!momsmanagingbehavior.com @momsmanagingbehavior on Instagram @momsmanagingbehavior on Facebook Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact U

You’ve got the degrees, the clients, and the full-blown spreadsheet panic. Now what? Megan Richardson, BCBA and founder of The Organized Analyst, joins us to talk about how she ditched clinic burnout, built a systems-based biz, and now helps 1,000+ BCBAs stop crying into their clipboards. From color-coded workflows to ADHD-friendly hacks, Megan breaks down how to stop being a squirrel-brained hot mess and start working smarter (not just later into the night).Connect with Megan!@theOrganizedAnalyst on Instagramtheorganizedanalyst.comStart Your Organization JourneyConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Looking for BCBA Exam Prep or CEUs?• Whether you nee

You know that moment when you realize your kid’s tantrum is running your whole house? Jenna Mazzillo (aka @ABANaturally) joins us to break down why behavior happens, how to proactively set expectations, and why you might actually be the problem… and the solution. We dive into sibling rivalry, the 95/5 rule, and why function-based parenting is a total game-changer. From sibling drama to extinction bursts, this episode is packed with real-world parenting tools that actually work.Behavior Concepts Covered:Parsimony Errorless teachingReplacement BehaviorFunction of BehaviorAttentionNegative ReinforcementPositive Reinforcement Motivating OperationsPairing Abolishing operationsAntecedent interventionNoncontingent reinforcement MandVerbal operant Extinction Connect With Jenna!@ABANaturally on Instagram@ABANaturally on Facebook@ABANaturally on TikTok @ABANaturally on Youtube Check Out Our Sponsors!beyonddistillingcompany.com@beyonddistillingcompanyConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook:

This week, Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, joins Liat to talk all things fitness, behavior, and creating programs that actually work for the neurodivergent population. From ju-jitsu to bullsh*t detectors and bucket-lists, this episode is full of science, sarcasm, and sweaty truths.Behavior Concepts Covered:7 Dimensions of ABA PairingShapingChainingModelingImitationGeneralization Pragmatism Reinforcement Schedule of Reinforcement Connect with Eric!@TheAutismFitness on Instagram @TheAutismFitness on Youtube AutismFitness.com Check Out Our Sponsors!beyonddistillingcompany.com @beyonddistillingcompany Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Lookin

In this episode, Liat sits down with Kara Shepherd, BCBA & SNABA’s social media manager, Collective instructor, and all-around bada$$ human. Kara gets real about her journey living with Crohn’s disease and how it all shaped her perspective as a behavior analyst and educator. Don’t miss the end of this episode for a special interview with the team from Beyond Distilling, one of our amazing sponsors! Connect with Kara!@mindsetwithkara Check Out Our Sponsors!beyonddistillingcompany.com@beyonddistillingcompany Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Looking for BCBA Exam Prep or CEUs?• Whether you need help passing the BCBA exam or are looking to earn C

Alison Fragale, author of Likeable Badass, joins Liat to break down what it really takes to be powerful, respected, and still totally likeable at work and in life. Also along for the ride? Liat’s sister Talia, Alison’s biggest fangirl, who may or may not misuse the term “preference assessment” on air. From spotting unlikeable behavior in yourself to mastering reciprocity and owning your voice, this episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and badass tips you’ll actually want to use.Behavior Concepts Covered: Fixed Time ScheduleNoncontingent reinforcementPairingTactBehavioral TargetPermanent ProductConnect with Alison: Get the Book! LinkedInInstagramNewsletterAlisonFragale.comCheck Out Our Sponsors!beyonddistillingcompany.com@beyonddistillingcompany Connect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@stu

Why are we so obsessed with reality TV? In this episode, Liat sits down with cultural sociologist and Bachelor Nation expert Dr. Danielle Lindemann to break down the behavioral science behind our favorite trainwrecks. From parasocial relationships and unconditioned reinforcers to casting archetypes and cult-like manipulation, we dive into what keeps us watching — and what it says about us.Turns out, reality TV isn’t just entertaining… it’s a masterclass in behavior.Behavior Concepts Covered: Function of Behavior Reactivity Unconditioned reinforcers PairingEnvironmental ManipulationsCorrelationCausationConnect with Professor Lindemann:Website@djlindee on Bluesky and X@danielle.lindemann on ThreadsCheck out the Book! This episode is sponsored by the Behavior Analyst Resource Center. Learn more at https://behavioranalystresourcecenter.comConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: F