Skinner’s Locker Room

In this episode Vic Lovelace—BCBA and ultra-athlete—shares her path from endurance sports to building trauma-informed extended foster care homes. She discusses passing the BCBA exam after many attempts, training for Ironman and a 100-mile race, and how resilience informs her work with at-risk youth.
The conversation covers a holistic approach to behavior therapy, staff training, navigating Medicaid policy changes in Florida, and practical trauma-assumed approaches in everyday caregiving. Vic and the hosts explore how clear, consistent, compassionate care and personal perseverance help young people rebuild skills and independence.

In this very special episode, we host recent Cocodona 250 finisher, and 5th place female Lindsey Dwyer.
Lindsey breaks down her post-Cocodona 250 performance — improving her time by roughly seven hours to finish 253 miles in 72:48:49 and place fifth female. She discusses sleep strategy (about 60–70 minutes total across the race), shifting to a largely liquid nutrition plan, and aiming for ~60 g carbs/hour (averaging ~47 g/hr during the race) with Precision Fuel and Hydration support.
Lindsey also shares lessons learned from UTMB, discusses learning from past experiences, race recovery and quick post-race debriefs, plus lighter moments including where to find the best tortillas, when to start a good celebration dance, and her future race plans.
We had so much fun with Lindsey, we didn't want to let her go! 

Clinical psychologist, ultra runner, and gravel cyclist... Dr. Rue joins Skinner's Locker Room to explain Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in plain terms, walking through the six core processes (acceptance, cognitive defusion, present moment awareness, self-as-context, values, and committed action) with vivid metaphors like the "poison parrot" and the sky-as-self.
Dr.Rue connects ACT to real-world performance — ultra running, veteran care, forensic work, and daily life — and offers practical tips (anchoring, naming unhelpful thoughts, clarifying values) and resources for listeners interested in applying ACT to their daily life or sports performance.

In this episode, Coach Kirk Kirby, managing director and co-founder of Team ABA, discusses how applied behavior analysis and precision teaching are used to improve athletic performance. Coach Kirby explains the team’s individualized, data-driven approach, examples like free-throw improvements, and how private events factor into high-pressure performance.
Coach Kirby also covers Team ABA’s collaborative model, practical tools for coaches, and steps for bringing behavioral science into mainstream sports programs to measure, train, and sustain elite performance.

In this episode of Skinner's Locker Room, hosts Amy and Jimmy interview Andrew Houvouras and discuss everything from Andrew's new book The Lives of the Silent, and institutionalization to the effectiveness of ABA-based interventions in endurance and elite sports. They explore the benefits of adopting a scientist-practioner model in behavior analysis and coaching, the strengths of being a good listener, and how behavior science applies to elite sports performance.
The conversation blends personal stories, critiques of current trends, and practical ideas — from community-based practice to pre-performance routines and coaching — offering a thoughtful, candid overview of how behavior analysis can improve real lives.

Dr. Scott O'Donnell returns to Skinner's Locker Room to dive deep into Relational Frame Theory (RFT), practical behavior analysis, and how these ideas apply to sports, billiards, and personal performance.
We talk fantasy football strategy, transforming stimulus functions, self-monitoring with data charts, breathing and visualization techniques, and real-world interventions for oppositional behavior — all interwoven with humor, sports stories, and coaching insights.

In this intriguing episode, Amy and Jimmy dive into the expansive world of behavior analysis with their guest, Dr. Scott O'Donnell. The conversation navigates through various aspects of behavior analysis beyond its typical applications, steering into golf, billiards, mental health, and RFT.
Dr. O'Donnell shares insights from his research reviewing golf swings and schedules of reinforcement and how behavior analysis transcends traditional boundaries, even touching on personal growth and mental health strategies like ACT and mindfulness.
It's an enlightening discussion for anyone interested in understanding human behavior, potential, and a deep dive into Skinner, the joy of research, and why behavior analysis can save the world.
 

Welcome to another episode of Skinner's Locker Room. In this episode we dive into the fascinating intersection of behavioral science, coaching, and authenticity with our special guest, Dr. Paul 'Paulie Gloves' Gavoni.
As a a globally recognized thought leader and bestselling author, Dr. Gavoni shares his thoughts on the science of behavior with straightforward strategies that drive performance and effect lasting change across diverse fields, from education to combat sports.
Discover the importance of authenticity, leadership, and behavioral coaching in bringing out the best in individuals and organizations. Whether you're interested in sports, leadership, or behavioral science, this episode promises valuable insights and inspiration.
 
Check out Dr. Gavoni's website at The Behavioral Toolbox
Get Dr. Gavoni's top-selling books now!
MMA Science: A training, Coaching, and Belt Ranking Guide
Positional Authority Ain’t Leadership: Behavioral Analysis for Navigating Challenges, Optimizing Performance, and Avoiding Class Clownery
Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science
Deliberate Coaching: Optimizing Teaching and Learning Through Behavior Science: Education Edition
Deliberate Coaching: Optimizing Business Performance Through the Science of Behavior: Business Edition
 

Welcome to the latest episode of Skinner's Locker Room, with hosts Amy Bukszpan and Jimmy O'Brien. This episode explores everything from how to be an expert witness to dissecting buzzwords and hot topics in behavior analysis with special guest Dr. Merrill Winston (don't call him Winston Merrill).
With over 35 years of expertise, Dr. Winston offers an engaging discussion on the ethical complexities surrounding restraint, trauma-informed care, and the current state of behavior analysis. He shares anecdotes from his vast experience, exploring the intersection of behavior analysis with law and how external perceptions shape the field.
Dr. Winston also offers insights into the potential pitfalls of assenting behavior in clients, the misunderstood intricacies of compliance, and how applied behavior analysts navigate these challenging and often controversial topics. 
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or newly introduced to the field, this episode promises to both educate and entertain with candid conversations and expert insight. Don't miss it!

Join hosts Amy Bukszpan and Jimmy O'Brien as they delve into a captivating discussion with Sarah Welsh, the owner and head of the Catalyst Behavior Project, in this insightful episode of Skinner's Locker Room. Sarah shares her journey from being a BCBA to creating a transformative behavior analysis practice that transcends traditional boundaries. We explore how her innovative collaborative approach is redefining health, wellness, and leadership.
Throughout the episode, Sarah passionately describes her mission to apply behavior analysis beyond traditional practice, helping clients achieve their personal and professional goals.  
Perfect for anyone interested in personal development, psychology, or behavior analysis, this episode is a testament to the transformative potential of understanding behavior. Tune in to learn how Sarah is breaking barriers and inspiring change, and cracking us up, one behavior at a time.
We had fun recording this one.
So crank up the volume as we shout "Justice for toddlers" and get this podcast cranking.