PodcastsEducationFunctional Relations

Functional Relations

Zachary Bird, PhD, BCBA-D and Caleb Davis, PhD, BCBA-D
Functional Relations
Latest episode

44 episodes

  • Functional Relations

    #40 - Rethinking How We Teach Tacts w/ Dr. Judah Axe

    2026/03/01 | 1h 8 mins.
    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss rethinking how we approach teaching tacts w/ Dr. Judah Axe.
    0.5 Ethic/0.5 General CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership
    Things to check out from the episode:
    Making meaningful book
    Essentials for living

    References:
    Axe, J. B., & Laprime, A. P. (2017). The effects of contingent pairing on establishing praise as a reinforcer with children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 29(2), 325-340.

    Bahry, S., Gerhardt, P. F., Weiss, M. J., Leaf, J. B., Putnam, R. F., & Bondy, A. (2023). The ethics of actually helping people: Targeting skill acquisition goals that promote meaningful outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16(3), 672-695.

    Barosky, C. (2023). Antecedent variables influencing tacting with children with autism [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Simmons University.

    Clements, C. C., Zoltowski, A. R., Yankowitz, L. D., Yerys, B. E., Schultz, R. T., & Herrington, J. D. (2018). Evaluation of the social motivation hypothesis of autism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 75(8), 797-808.

    Dozier, C. L., Iwata, B. A., Thomason‐Sassi, J., Worsdell, A. S., & Wilson, D. M. (2012). A comparison of two pairing procedures to establish praise as a reinforcer. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 45(4), 721-735.

    Dube, W. V., MacDonald, R. P., Mansfield, R. C., Holcomb, W. L., & Ahearn, W. H. (2004). Toward a behavioral analysis of joint attention. The Behavior Analyst, 27(2), 197-207.

    Dudley, L. L., Axe, J. B., Allen, R. F., & Sweeney‐Kerwin, E. J. (2019). Establishing praise as a conditioned reinforcer: Pairing with one versus multiple reinforcers. Behavioral Interventions, 34(4), 534-552.

    Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 55(1), 3.

    Cengher, M., & Fienup, D. M. (2020). Presession attention affects the acquisition of tacts and intraverbals. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1742-1767.

    Moher, C. A., Gould, D. D., Hegg, E., & Mahoney, A. M. (2008). Non‐generalized and generalized conditioned reinforcers: Establishment and validation. Behavioral Interventions: Theory & Practice in Residential & Community‐Based Clinical Programs, 23(1), 13-38.

    Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Sundberg, M. L. (2008). VB-MAPP Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program: a language and social skills assessment program for children with autism or other developmental disabilities: guide. Mark Sundberg.

    Sundberg, M. L., & Partington, J. W. (1998). Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS). Pleasant Hill, CA: Behavior Analysts, Inc.
  • Functional Relations

    #39 - The Science of Positive Culture Building w/ Dr. Bruce Tinor

    2026/02/01 | 1h 8 mins.
    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss practices that support building positive cultures within educational settings with Dr. Bruce Tinor.
    1 Supervision CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership
    Things to check out from the episode:
    Book on four hats of leadership:
    Positional Authority Ain't Leadership: Behavioral Science for Navigating Bull$hit, Optimizing Performance, and Avoiding A$$ Clownery: Gavoni, Dr. Paul: 9798989798100: Amazon.com: Books
    References:
    Skinner, B. F. (1984). Selection by consequences. Behavioral and brain sciences, 7(4), 477-481.
  • Functional Relations

    #38 - Can I Take That $11 Gift Card? w/ Dr. Paula Kenyon

    2026/01/01 | 1h 6 mins.
    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss the BACB ethics codes related to giving gifts, accepting gifts, and multiple relationships with Dr. Paula Kenyon.
    1 Ethics CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership
     
    Things to check out from the episode:
    Link to book Daily Ethics:
    Amazon.com: Daily Ethics: Creating Intentional Practice for Behavior Analysts: 9798988654858: Sellers, Tyra, Patrizi, Emily, Lichtenberger, Sarah: Books

    Link to Functional Relations Podcast Episode #1 where we first discuss this topic:
    S1E1- CAN I TAKE THAT GLASS OF WATER?

    Link to Functional Relations Podcast Episode w/ Dr. Tyra Sellers:
    S3E1 - THE SUPERVISOR EXPERIENCE: BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE SUPERVISOR W/ DR. TYRA SELLERS

    References:
    Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts - codes 1.11, 1.12
  • Functional Relations

    #37 - Pavlovian Conditioning for the Applied Behavior Analyst w/ Dr. Michael Domjan

    2025/12/01 | 1h 24 mins.
    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss respondent concepts such as habituation, sensitization, and Pavlovian conditioning with Dr. Michael Domjan, and how these processes are relevant in applied clinical practice.
    1.5 CEUs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership
    Things to check out from the episode:
    Dr. Domjan's Youtube channel:
    Introduction to Learning and Behavior: Key Concepts

    Dr. Domjan's textbooks discussed during the episode:
    The Essentials of Conditioning and Learning, Fifth Edition

    Amazon.com: The Principles of Learning and Behavior: 9781285088563: Domjan, Michael P.: Books


    References:

    Breland, K., & Breland, M. (1961). The misbehavior of organisms. American psychologist, 16(11), 681.
    Groves, P. M., & Thompson, R. F. (1970). Habituation: a dual-process theory. Psychological review, 77(5), 419.
    Skinner, B. F. (1965). Science and human behavior (No. 92904). Simon and Schuster.
    Weinert, C., Maier, C., Laumer, S., & Weitzel, T. (2022). Repeated IT Interruption: Habituation and Sensitization of User Responses. Journal of Management Information Systems, 39(1), 187–217.
    Wolpe, J., Brady, J. P., Serber, M., Agras, W. S., & Liberman, R. P. (1973). The current status of systematic densitization. American Journal of Psychiatry, 130(9), 961-965.
  • Functional Relations

    #36 - Did Skinner Meditate? Behaviorism Meets Contemplative Living w/ David Roth

    2025/11/01 | 1h 32 mins.
    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss a behavior analytic interpretation of contemplative practices with David Roth.
    1.5 CEUs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership
    Things to check out from the episode:
    David Roth's Podcast w/ Dr. David Palmer: Dialogues on Verbal Behavior - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
    Consider checking out the work of the B.F. Skinner Foundation:
    B. F. SKINNER FOUNDATION – Better Behavioral Science for a More Humane World
    Link to BF Skinner Foundation bookstore to purchase Reflections on Behaviorism and Society: Behaviorism and Society: https://www.bfskinner.org/product/reflections-on-behaviorism-and-society-extended-edition/
    Link to pdf for Mindfulness in Plain English: https://cdn.bookey.app/files/pdf/book/en/mindfulness-in-plain-english.pdf
    David's ResearchGate publication profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Roth11?ev=hdr_xprf
    Link to Skinner's article What Religion Means to Me: https://secularhumanism.org/1987/04/what-religion-means-to-me/

    David Roth gifted 50 of our listeners 3 free months of Sam Harris's Wake Up meditation app. 
    Promo code:  WU7A-6C28129A2A 
    Redeem: wakingup.com/redeem
    This unlocks full access to the Waking Up app, including:
    28-day introductory course
    Robust library of guided meditations
    In-depth talks on philosophy, science, and more
    Conversations with leading scholars and teachers
    References:
    Gunaratana, B. H. (2010). Mindfulness in plain English. ReadHowYouWant. com.
    Hanh, T. N. (2012). Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha. Random House.
    Skinner, B.F. (1980). Notebooks, B.F. Skinner. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc
    Skinner, B. F. (1987). What religion means to me.

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About Functional Relations

An ABA podcast where Dr. Zachary Bird and Dr. Caleb Davis set aside time to have engaging conversation with experts in the field of behavior analysis to explore topics like ethics of functional analysis, effective supervision practices, translating research to practice, and others. BACB, IBAO, and QABA CEUs are available for listeners. To purchase, visit www.functionalrelationspodcast.com To deliver social praise or aversive stimulation, you can email us at [email protected]
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