defy community

Mandy Ralston has been in the field of Behavior Analysis so long she used to mail VHS tapes to her mentor, Dr. Vince Carbone, to have him provide her with feedback (true story). Growing up the youngest of 4 children in a small West Virginia town helped Mandy realize 2 things pretty early in life - that she wanted to have more autonomy and choice as soon as possible and coming out in West Virginia was not going to be easy. So, Mandy moved to Kentucky to live as her authentic self, discovered Behavior Analysis in her early 20s and started her own company (twice). Learn how Mandy was able to navigate the rapidly changing behavioral health landscape in Kentucky, when Mandy realized she couldn't take her company any further and why she's determined to help BCBAs make better clinical decisions using the power of technology. But most importantly learn how Mandy has continued to do ALL of this without losing her dope sense of style, her sense of self and her commitment to helping folks with autism live their best lives. Show Notes: The Cedar Group https://cedargrouplearning.com/ Mandy's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-ralston-m-ed-bcba-lba-she-her-96b2896a/ ABA Unfiltered Podcast Episode with Mandy & Dr. Vince Carbone https://bluesprigautism.com/aba-unfiltered-season-2-episode-13-part-2/ Join defy community! www.defy.community Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers

For this week's episode, Sarah Trautman hosted the defy podcast LIVE and SOLO! This show aired live on the defy.community Facebook and Instagram and it featured many listeners questions submitted to Sarah. So if you missed the live stream, don't sweat it! You can check out this very special episode of the defy podcast right here!  Join defy community! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community) Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers (https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers)

Zahra Hajiaghamohseni believes that anything is possible if you are truly passionate about the work that you do (and are willing to work really REALLY hard, ask questions and find great mentors). Zahra has applied this positive attitude to her work. She founded 2 companies, completed her PhD in Behavior Analysis (it took 10-years, but who cares) and STILL loves what she does. Zahra also believes in being willing to tackle hard problems. She's chosen to tackle the problem of insufficient numbers of quality field supervisors in Behavior Analysis. Hear how she's proposing that this issue can be solved, why professionals should get involved in their state association and how being a part of the defy community has been life changing for her! Show Notes: Check out Green Space: Behavior Analysis from the Ground Up! https://greenspacebehavior.com/ (https://greenspacebehavior.com/) Join defy community! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community) Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers (https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers)

Devon Sundberg started working with people with disabilities as a teenager in Terre Haute, Indiana. After she graduated from college she answered an ad in a newspaper (like for reals, an actual printed newspaper) looking for people interested in working at an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic. Little did she know this would become her career.  Devon met her husband, Carl, at the clinic they both worked at and in 2009 they started their own ABA business, the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism. Indiana was the first state to pass an autism health insurance law and Devon spent a lot of her time advocating and fighting for services for her clients at BACA. She loved her company, but spent more time fighting for services than being a clinician. In 2019 Devon was in a meeting with the president of an insurance company when he told her, “You're too difficult to work with…” and immediately cancelled BACA's contract. This was the last straw for Devon and Carl and they worked tirelessly to have BACA acquired by a larger ABA company to ensure that their families and staff could continue to receive quality care. Devon is also the founder of the Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) conference. She started it because she believed there needed to be a conference that focused on the contributions that women have made in the field of Behavior Analysis. The next WIBA conference will be held IRL (and online) July 29-31st in Nashville at the Renaissance Hotel. The link to WIBA's website and registration is in the show notes! Show Notes: Want to learn more about the Women in Behavior Analysis conference? Check out their website! https://thewiba.com/ (https://thewiba.com/) Join defy community! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community) Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers (https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers)

Alex “Hoop” Hooper was born and raised in Oakland. Her mom worked a 2nd job at the most elite private schools in the Bay Area in order to ensure that Alex and her sister were able to receive the best education possible. As a result Alex had to stay late after school while her mom worked. So, in order to combat her boredom she started to play sports. And she got really good, especially at basketball. Alex parlayed her basketball skills into a scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan where she was first introduced to group fitness classes while recovering from an injury. Alex worked her way through graduate school at Georgetown University by running the front desk and later becoming a coach at an Orange Theory studio. When Alex's dad called her out of the blue in 2019 to suggest she open her own gym and he'd be the primary investor she thought he was crazy. But she moved back to the Bay Area and started to work on opening the first F45 location in Oakland. And then COVID hit. You'll have to listen to the rest of the episode to learn how Alex used her hustle and heart to navigate through a pandemic as a new business owner... Show Notes: Check out Alex's F45 gym in Uptown Oakland https://f45training.com/oaklanduptown/home (https://f45training.com/oaklanduptown/home) Join defy community! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community) Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers (https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers)

Hoda Mehr grew up in Iran with a father who loved to invest in the stock market. As a little girl she used to ride with her father as he picked up investment dividend checks from companies he had invested in. Conversations about money and business were a daily part of her life. When Hoda immigrated to the US she learned that most people didn't have open conversations about money, but they'd have open conversations about literally ANYTHING and EVERYTHING else. After Hoda applied for a few of her dream jobs and was rejected, she realized that she had to do things her way - so she founded Stock Card. Stock Card is an online tool for individual investors that helps them make better investment decisions using data analysis, automation, visualization and behavioral nudging. Hoda is passionate about continuously improving Stock Card, helping people realize that talking about money is NOT a 4-letter word and working towards making a world where no one makes a bad investment. Show Notes: Stock Card.io https://stockcard.io/home (https://stockcard.io/home) Join defy community! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community) Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers (https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers)

Lau Macciavelli is passionate about teaching women to ditch restrictive diets and learn how to eat like they are worthy. But this isn't simply a marketing strategy to get more clients; Lau has spent years struggling with her body image and her relationship with food. Learn how Lau has used her passion for nutrition and fitness, the power of behavior science (especially habit formation) and truly accepting herself to launch her own business - Lifestyle by Lau. Lau's energy is infectious, so come on and listen to her and Sarah chat about how they've learned that the only way to show-up and grow their own businesses is to show-up as their whole, authentic selves! Show Notes: Lifestyle with Lau https://www.instagram.com/lifestylewithlau/?igshid=1j9t1ra702ob6 The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life https://markmanson.net/books Join defy community! www.defy.community Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers

There are people in the world who see problems and wait for someone else to tackle them. And then there are people who see problems and immediately think “What can I do to solve this?” Sara Litvak is one of those people. Sara's identity as someone who doesn't wait around for others to take action was heavily influenced by her late grandmother, Rosa. Rosa immigrated to the US from Russia and spent her entire life advocating for her most vulnerable students. Rosa talked to Sara like an adult from the time she was very young and encouraged her to speak her mind, actively participate in her community and be unapologetic about owning who she is. Sara took this advice to heart and formed an accrediting body, the BHCOE, for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) organizations when she was 27. She's worked tirelessly over the last 7-years to help grow the BHCOE into an organization that has over 500 organizational members. Learn how Sara has turned her identity as a problem solver into a successful career as the CEO of the BHCOE, how she deals with “haters” and the 1 question she thinks everyone who works at any organization should ask in order to determine if they're in the right position or not. Show Notes: Behavioral Health Center of Excellence https://bhcoe.org/ (https://bhcoe.org/) The Lean Startup https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 (https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898) Linchpin: Are you indispensable? https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Are-Indispensable-Seth-Godin/dp/1591844096/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=linchpin&qid=1619725272&s=books&sr=1-1 (https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Are-Indispensable-Seth-Godin/dp/1591844096/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=linchpin&qid=1619725272&s=books&sr=1-1) Join defy community! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community) Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job? https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers (https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers) Produced by Pretty Easy Podcasts

Gina Kershaw grew-up in a family that emphasized higher education as the pathway to success. So what did she do? Became a criminal defense lawyer. By all accounts Gina was living her best life - great job, happy marriage, wonderful kids. But she was noticing a pattern. Almost every woman she encountered in her work was stuck in a life where they couldn't see their own potential and were resigned to being unvalued and unhappy. This became unbearable to Gina, along with the other dysfunctions within the criminal justice system, so she WALKED AWAY. Learn how Gina has been able to use her PASSION for helping women transform into savvy CEO's into a profitable business. And guess what? It all starts with a 2-min mindset exercise when you wake-up in the morning. Seriously...  Show Notes:  Your Today Story Podcast  https://www.yourtodaystorypodcast.com/  Sign-up for Gina's Course (and score a sweet defy discount)!  https://www.yourtodaystory.com/defy  Atomic Habits by James Clear  https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=atomic+habits&qid=1618613686&sr=8-1  Join defy community!  www.defy.community  Interested in learning more about AZA United? Want to apply for a job?  https://azaunited.org/jobs-careers

Dr. Megan Miller decided a long time ago that she wasn't going to be afraid to use her voice to bring attention to issues that mattered to her. As a Behavior Analyst Dr. Miller has worked to elevate the value and experiences of practitioners in a field that has historically given more attention and respect to individuals in academia. In this episode Dr. Miller shares how her own graduate and professional experiences have shaped HOW she uses her voice and WHAT she's committed to using it for.  Dr. Miller will also discuss WHY she's adopted a growth mindset about her own personal and professional development. Oh, and we'll talk about how she deals with haters, too. Show Notes: “Oh Hey BCBA's” Virtual Conference Registration https://collective.dobettermovement.us/course/oh-hey-bcbas/ (https://collective.dobettermovement.us/course/oh-hey-bcbas/) Do Better Movement https://collective.dobettermovement.us/ (https://collective.dobettermovement.us/) Interested in learning more about defy community? Come check out our website, babe! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

McKenna Doe was born and raised by a loving, supportive family in Huntington Beach, California. She also happens to be an identical twin. McKenna and her sister grew-up with a closeness that many twins experience together. But McKenna was always fearful of hurting her sister's feelings so she learned to minimize her accomplishments. This created an environment where McKenna doubted herself and her abilities. In college at University of San Diego McKenna found an incredible network of support within her sorority which helped her be able to embrace her skills and gifts. As a result McKenna got a job as an intern at a socially conscious tech start-up, Vizer, her senior year of college. As a lifelong competitive soccer player McKenna learned early on that being coachable was an important component of growth (both on and off the soccer field). She applied her willingness to be coachable to her work at Vizer. In less than a year McKenna has been awarded Employee of the Year AND is the Director of Partnerships for Vizer. Learn more insights from McKenna that have helped her to JUST DO IT when it comes to elevating her career and personal growth! Show Notes: Vizer https://www.vizerapp.com/ (https://www.vizerapp.com/) Interested in learning more about defy community? Come check out our website, babe! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Holding space and including non-binary folks has been a priority for defy community. Have we done a great job of this? We don't think so. As part of our effort to cultivate space for our non-binary members we worked with one of our colleagues, Worner Leland, of Upswing Advocates, to help us do better. Worner graciously agreed to sit down with Sarah to talk about their personal story and to share their expert advice on how ANYONE can educate themselves to better understand their own gender constructs/beliefs, the diversity within gender identities and how to avoid being on “team let's not do that”! Show Notes: Upswing Advocates http://www.upswingadvocates.org/home (http://www.upswingadvocates.org/home) Plume https://getplume.co/ (https://getplume.co/) Interested in learning more about defy community? Come check out our website, babe! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Adrienne Bradley was born and raised in a traditional black family in Troy, Michigan. Her father had a great job as an engineer at GM and she enjoyed all the privileges of a secure, middle class upbringing. When the auto industry tanked in 2008 Adrienne's father lost his job and couldn't secure another one. This was a turning point for Adrienne's family, their financial security and for her father's mental and physical health. Over the next 4-years Adrienne's relationship with her father deteriorated until she was eventually kicked out of the house. When Adrienne's father died in 2012 they were barely on speaking terms. Learn how the pandemic has forced Adrienne to start to work through her grief and guilt over the fractured relationship with her father, how she's learned that nothing is unfixable and why she feels it's so important not to sanitize death. Show Notes: Black Applied Behavior Analysts https://www.babainfo.org/ (https://www.babainfo.org/) Interested in learning more about defy community? Come check out our website, babe! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Tiffany Bluhm was abandoned as a baby in New Delhi and adopted by a white family. Growing up as the only brown skinned girl in a small town in the Pacific Northwest Tiffany experienced overt racism. She also learned to be an agreeable, conflict-avoidant woman of color in order to preserve her value. But in junior high she discovered Christianity. Tiffany's faith has helped her to transform her life. She's learned how to harness her gifts of resiliency and the ability to connect with ANYONE in order to make a positive impact. Specifically, Tiffany has written a new book, “Prey, Tell, which focuses on why American society silences women who tell the truth and how everyone can speak up. In this episode Tiffany talks about WHY we need systemic cultural change in our society, HOW we can start to achieve it and WHAT she's done to be able to harness her own power for positive change. Show Notes: Learn more about Tiffany, her book “Prey, Tell” and the other great work she's engaged in! http://www.tiffanybluhm.com/ (www.tiffanybluhm.com) Interested in learning more about defy community? Come check out our website, babe! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Each month, the defy.community podcast will be going live. This episode aired across defy.community social media on 2/10/21 and it features Sarah Trautman, Dr. Emily Callahan, and Cammie Morgan discussing life after surviving cancer and other health crises. 

Chauntae Gold grew-up with 2 parents who loved her fiercely, but also were very strict. They thought this was the best way to protect her against the hardships they had each faced. But Chauntae felt isolated and insecure. As a result Chauntae rebelled against her parent's restrictions with alcohol and drugs. Learn how Chauntae was able to speak life back into herself when she rediscovered her love for fitness and nutrition and how she's using the best of behavioral science to help her clients achieve their nutrition goals. A little more about Chauntae's work: The Path to Gold services include 1:1 Behavior Nutrition Coaching where I teach foundational skills around nutrition, physical activity, and sleep routines to help clients thrive in everyday life activities. I use the flexible dieting method where I coach clients on how to track macronutrients without restricting their favorite cultural dishes and sweets. Flexible diet, flexible lifestyle! Show Notes: Book Chauntae at http://www.thepathtogold.com/ (www.thepathtogold.com) Follow Chauntae on IG @http://thepathtogold.com/ (thepathtogold.com) Want to learn more about defy? Peep our website! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Liat Sacks & Casey McDaniel are Behavior Analysts who each discovered early in their careers that the typical BCBA job was NOT going to work for them. So, they broke the mold and created their own path with their podcast, Behavior Bitches and BCBA test prep, SNABA. In this episode Liat & Casey have a candid conversation with Sarah about what it's really been like to grow their business under the spotlight of social media and the biggest misconceptions that people have about them.  Show Notes:  Behavior Bitches: https://behaviorbitches.com/  Study Notes ABA: https://www.studynotesaba.com/  Want to learn more about defy? Peep our website!  www.defy.community

Camille learned at a young age that no matter how hard she tried, she was never allowed to fully realize her dreams. She wasn't allowed to engage in the activities she enjoyed as a child, wasn't allowed to go to the university she worked so hard to get into and couldn't find a job that was a good fit for her. Now, as she is embarking on a new journey as a business owner Camille is starting to better understand and reconcile her experiences as a black woman and what she needs to be able to fully realize her dreams. Show Notes: Camille Renee BCBA Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/autismparentcoach.camillereneebcba (https://www.facebook.com/autismparentcoach.camillereneebcba) Oversexualization of Black girls, women must stop https://marquettewire.org/4041391/featured/moses-oversexualization-of-black-girls-women-must-stop/ (https://marquettewire.org/4041391/featured/moses-oversexualization-of-black-girls-women-must-stop/) We have a new homepage and we LOOOOVE it! Check it out! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Dr. Allison Bickelman has an amazing career that she finds meaningful, a part-time job teaching at a university, is well liked and admired by her friends and colleagues, an adorable dog named Scooby...and two chronic mental illnesses. Learn how the 1994 LA-Northridge earthquake affected Dr. Bickelman and how her anxiety and depression has manifested throughout her life. Despite a wonderful relationship with her longtime therapist and a fulfilling career, nothing prepared Dr. Bickelman for the impact that COVID-19 and long-term isolation from others would have on her. In November 2020 Dr. Bickelman came the closest she's ever been to ending her life, but instead chose to use her life savings to be admitted into a 5-week program. What tools and strategies has she learned that helped her get to a better place of peace, gratitude and joy? Listen now as Dr. Bickelman shares her deeply personal story for the first time. Show Notes: “I Am” Positive Affirmations app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/i-am-positive-affirmations/id874656917 (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/i-am-positive-affirmations/id874656917) National Suidice Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) We have a new homepage and we LOOOOVE it! Check it out! http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

We get it. There's a LOT of questions about who we are and what we're all about. In this episode 6 members of Team defy talk candidly about why they decided to be a part of our community, how we're having hard conversations as a team to create authentic relationships with each other and why we are so passionate about the work that we do. We'll also share some of our fave stories of working together and some embarrassing little known facts, too. Show Notes: Website updates, check ‘em out http://www.defy.community/ (www.defy.community)

Nicole Ju moved to a predominantly white suburb with her Chinese-immigrant parents when she was in elementary school. Her parents moved to provide Nicole and her siblings with the American dream - a safe community, good schools and a nice house. But, despite their good intentions Nicole was subjected to racism and shamed for how she looked. As an elite athlete focused on ballet and swimming she always felt like she didn't measure up. She was never enough. This manifested into an eating disorder, suicide attempts and multiple in-patient treatment stays. Nicole has worked hard the past 15-years to heal her mind, body and heart. Learn how Nicole has used her Yoga practice as a central part of her self-care. Bonus: Nicole is teaching live yoga classes for the defy community 2 times per week! Show Notes: “Lost Connections” by Johann Hari https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X (https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X) Yoga by defy https://www.defy.community/yoga (https://www.defy.community/yoga)

Katy Carothers was living her best 16-year-old teenage majorette life when she experienced a migraine for the first time. Little did she know that migraines and chronic pain management would become the dominant factor in her life. Learn how Katy was able to finally obtain effective treatment, the role that acceptance and commitment therapy has played in her pain management, why self-care really matters (spoiler alert, Katy is terrible at meditating) and strategies for engaging in self-advocacy to ensure you receive the right kind of medical care. Show Notes: “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie https://www.amazon.com/Loving-What-Four-Questions-Change/dp/1400045371/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=byron+katie&qid=1608666338&sr=8-3 (https://www.amazon.com/Loving-What-Four-Questions-Change/dp/1400045371/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=byron+katie&qid=1608666338&sr=8-3) “How to be Sick” by Toni Bernhard

Camille “Cammie” Morgan was a 16-year-old cheerleader when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Cammie won the battle against cancer, but spent over 10-years in constant pain as a result of a myriad of reproductive issues. As a black woman Cammie's own assessment of her pain was constantly questioned and minimized. Hear how Cammie was able to finally get her pain under control, how her trauma and experiences led her to question whether or not she wanted to live, how she has prioritized working on her mental health and how Behavior Analysis helped her realize that she is here for a reason. Show Notes: Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance: Survivors Teaching Students https://ocrahope.org/get-involved/survivors-teaching-students/ (https://ocrahope.org/get-involved/survivors-teaching-students/) Cammie's podcast: Love, Sex & ABA https://anchor.fm/lovesexaba (https://anchor.fm/lovesexaba)

Sarah Trautman lives life BIG! Big hair, big hoops, big mouth. She's used her leadership, business and public speaking skills to help her attain a lot of professional success. But what about the private person behind the public persona? How did Sarah create such a huge division between who she “plays” on stage and at work and who she is at home? How has 2020 forced her to reconcile her identity to herself? And what comes next? Listen as danyelle beal flips the script on defy's podcast host and makes her get uncomfortably vulnerable, open and...soft (seriously, it happened).

Dr. Alycia Halladay has been working full-time from home during the pandemic while also mothering her twin daughters (one of whom is on the autism spectrum). Dr. Halladay is the Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation and has authored over 50 scientific publications. In a nutshell, Dr. Halladay is a smartie pants and loves to share her love of science with anyone who will listen to her. On this episode Dr. Halladay talks about her own story as a mother of a young daughter with autism. She also provides up-to-date information about the current status of COVID-19 vaccines. And Alycia comes clean about her love affair with ALL things New Jersey, like Bruce Springsteen, the Jersey Shore and the Real Housewives!! Guest Info: Dr. Alycia Hallady is the Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation. She oversees the science programs and portfolio of ASF. She previously served as Senior Director of Environmental and Clinical Sciences at Autism Speaks. She holds a PhD in psychology from Rutgers University and completed a post doctoral fellowship in pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University. Alycia is also a mother to twin girls, Jennifer and Sarah. Alycia's daughter, Sarah, is also on the Autism Spectrum. Show Notes: Autism Science Foundation https://autismsciencefoundation.org/ (https://autismsciencefoundation.org/) Changes in access to educational and healthcare services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during COVID‐19 restrictions https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12776 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12776)

“Growing up I never saw people like me in power...and I wanted to change that”. Carolina Gonzalez was born to a Guatemalan father and Mexican mother. She and her 5 siblings were raised in Watts by her maternal grandmother after her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 5-years-old. Carolina constantly questioned the religious and cultural traditions of her Mexican family - why did she have to stay in the house while her brothers went out to play? Why did she have to make food for the entire family? Carolina wanted more. Learn how Carolina became the first person in her family to graduate from college, the role that mentorship has played in her life and how she has dedicated her career to helping brown and black children with special needs. Show Notes: Special Needs Network, Inc https://snnla.org/ (https://snnla.org/)

danyelle beal was born when her teen mother was in prison for murdering her father in self-defense. She spent her childhood being abused and passed through the foster care system as her mother battled alcohol and drug addiction. danyelle swore she wouldn't turn out like her mother, but then found herself pregnant by an abusive partner at the age of 19 AND with custody of her younger brother after her mother died. BUT, despite all of the challenges of her live, danyelle has found a path forward - becoming a BCBA, business owner, and wife to the love of her life. So how'd she do it? You'll have to listen to this episode to find out...

An Chang spent the first part of her life in Taiwan being neglected by her birth parents and bullied by her peers. She was adopted by her paternal aunt and moved to Los Angeles at age 8. An didn't understand how the circumstances related to her birth parent's own experiences impacted her childhood until she discovered Behavior Analysis. An's ability to maintain a circumstantial view of life has allowed her to forgive her birth parents and have helped her to exceed even her own wildest dreams. Show Notes: K-Lab at Cal State Northridge https://klab-csun.weebly.com/ (https://klab-csun.weebly.com/)

Emily Callahan looked like she had it ALL - a great marriage, her dream job and an awesome kid. And then her entire life changed when her 3-year-old son, Jack, was diagnosed with cancer. Emily had to relocate her family to a different state in order for her son to receive the best treatment, had to quit her job and navigate her marriage through a crisis. Learn how Emily was able to use her training as a psychologist and behavior analyst to help her make it through to the other side and why her female relationships helped her hold it together when she didn't think she had anything left. Show Notes: Jack Callahan's Caring Bridge https://www.caringbridge.org/public/jackcallahan (https://www.caringbridge.org/public/jackcallahan) Thank you to the Frontline Workers https://vimeo.com/410644890 (https://vimeo.com/410644890) Why an Optimistic View is Good for your Health https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/201607/4-reasons-why-optimistic-outlook-is-good-your-health%3famp (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/201607/4-reasons-why-optimistic-outlook-is-good-your-health%3famp)