What does it really take to become a skilled, ethical, and confident behavior analyst today? In this special President’s Corner episode of Beyond the Science, host Jeron Trotman is joined by Dr. Steven Eversole, founder of Behavior Development Solutions, and research librarian Dr. Nicole Bank for an honest and inspiring conversation about the future of ABA. 

They dive into why foundational training matters more than ever, how research literacy shapes real-world success, and what’s missing from the way many practitioners are trained today. From the early days of ABA’s academic roots to today’s fast-growing and sometimes chaotic landscape, the episode explores how we can build a stronger, more informed field—starting with just one article, one journal club, or one meaningful conversation at a time. 

Tune in now and rediscover what it means to be a behavior analyst in today’s world. 

Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold Open & Inside JokeBehind-the-scenes banter, the “Caddy Story,” and warming up before the show. 

01:35 Guest Introductions

05:33 Why ABA Training Must Include Research Literacy

09:40 Foundations of Strong ABA Training

12:15 Real-World Examples of Good vs. Poor Training

16:44 Making Research Engaging & Accessible

19:39 Barriers to Research Literacy in ABA

23:44 Practical Strategies to Stay Engaged with Literature

25:51 BDS Journal Club & Collaborative Learning

29:27 Healthy Disagreements in Research Discussion

34:09 How to Build a Culture of Research in Organizations

39:30 Conference Posters for Building Research Engagement

41:17 The State of the Field: Where Are We Now?

51:53 Final Advice for Early-Career BCBAs