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Functional Relations

Functional Relations

By: Zachary Bird PhD BCBA-D and Caleb Davis PhD BCBA-D
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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 functionalrelationspodcast@gmail.com2025 Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #36 - Did Skinner Meditate? Behaviorism Meets Contemplative Living w/ David Roth
    Nov 1 2025

    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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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • #35 - Ethics of AI in behavioral services w/ Dr. David Cox
    Oct 2 2025

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb are joined by Dr. David Cox and discuss the ethics surrounding the use of AI in the delivery of behavioral services.

    • 1 Ethics CEU (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) is available for this episode. You can purchase it at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    • Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership

    Things to check out from the episode:

    • Dr. Cox's podcast:
      The Behavioral Data Science Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
    • How Stanford Teaches AI-Powered Creativity in Just 13 MinutesㅣJeremy Utley - YouTube

    References:

    • Cox, D. J. (2025). Ethical Behavior Analysis in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Importance of Understanding Model Building while Formal AI Literacy Curricula are Developed. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 1-11.
    • Cox, D. J., & Jennings, A. M. (2024). The promises and possibilities of artificial intelligence in the delivery of behavior analytic services. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17(1), 123-136.
    • O'neil, C. (2017). Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • #34 - Feedback and Leadership w/ Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni
    Sep 1 2025

    In this episode, Zach and Caleb discuss feedback and leadership with Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni.

    • 1.5 Supervision CEs (BACB, IBAO, and/or QABA) are available for this episode. You can purchase them at https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com
    • Become a member to get access to our entire library of CEs and access exclusive behind the scenes content for $79/yr. https://www.functionalrelationspodcast.com/subscription/membership

    Dr. Gavoni's Digital Business Card

    Some of Dr. Gavoni's books:

    The Feedback Effect: Lead Smarter, Not Harder With the Science of Human Behavior

    Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

    Positional Authority Ain't Leadership: Behavioral Science for Navigating Bull$hit, Optimizing Performance, and Avoiding A$$ Clownery

    Deliberate Coaching: Optimizing Teaching and Learning Through Behavior Science: Education Edition

    The Feedback Effect: Lead Smarter, Not Harder With the Science of Human Behavior

    References:

    • Austin, J. (2000). Performance analysis and performance diagnostics. Handbook of applied behavior analysis, 321-349.
    • Bukszpan, A. R., Leaf, J. B., O'Brien, J. G., Lewis, A., Kristiansen, S., Lord, J., ... & Weiss, M. J. (2025). Utilizing the Teaching Interaction Procedure to Train Special Education Teachers in Behavioral Artistry. Behavioral Interventions, 40(3), e70017.
    • Green, D. R., Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Torres, N., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., ... & Leaf, J. B. (2020). The teaching interaction procedure as a staff training tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(2), 421-433.
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    1 hr and 29 mins
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