The Heart & Science of Leadership

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Unlock the secrets of the criminal mind with behavior scientist Presley Wanner, as we navigate the intriguing intersection of behavior analysis and forensic investigation. Imagine peering through the eyes of a behavior analyst at the crime scenes frequented by law enforcement professionals; we do just that, offering a fresh and compelling perspective that could redefine criminal profiling. Join me on a journey into the darkest corners of human actions, where we dissect the fabric of criminal behavior, from the infamous deeds of Jeffrey Dahmer to the principles that govern everyday transgressions.
We also wrap up with a critical discussion on the future of law enforcement and community safety, where positive reinforcement triumphs over punishment, and training transforms into meaningful, lasting change. We share inspiring success stories from schools to streets, highlighting the transformative power of behavior analysis in creating safer, more compassionate communities. This episode is more than an educational exploration; it's a rallying cry for a reimagined approach to behavior in our justice system and beyond, laying the groundwork for a society that's both safer and inherently more understanding of the human condition.

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

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In the episode, David Roth and I tackle the very controversial and sensitive topic of punishment and CESS. It is broken down into 3 sections: pre-show monologue, full episode, and post-show discussion about the ABC video that highlighted the unethical use of CESS at the Judge Rotenberg Center. Please listen to the episode in its entirety as we spiral back to key points throughout. Opting to listen to just one section would be like reading a book, but starting with a chapter midway through! We encourage respectful and solution-oriented dialogue in the comments sections wherever this is posted.
Show notes:

• Link to Cicoria Podcast Session 10 with Pat Friman
• Link to David Roth’s Mindfulness talk at the Verbal Behavior Conference 2022
• (PDF) On Mindfulness: A Skinnerian Account
• (PDF) Skinnerian Reflections on Meditation, Mindfulness, and the Term "Skinnerian"
• (PDF) Two Definitions of Punishment
• ABC Video on CESS

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

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In this episode, David Roth and Dr. Nic Weatherly chat about the principles of Skinner's Walden Two as they relate to Organizational Behavior Management and the following four questions:

1. Build a way of life in which people live together without quarreling, in a social climate of trust rather than suspicion, of love rather than jealousy, cooperation, rather than competition. (If we change the words "way of life" to "organization" and change the word "live" to "work," we get an important message about Skinner's message as it relates to OBM)
2. Maintain that world with gentle but pervasive ethical sanctions rather than police or military force. (change "police or military force" to "aversive control")
3. Reduce compulsive labor to a minimum by arranging the kinds of incentives under which people enjoy working.
4. Regard no practice as immutable. Change and be ready to change again. Accept no eternal verity. Experiment.
   

A couple of articles Dr. Weatherly discussed:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01608061.2021.1890664
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01608061.2022.2029798
A couple of Skinner Links discussed by David Roth :
BF Skinner Foundation Community page
Walden Two Audiobook read by Skinner

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

Send us a text

Ever wonder why some leaders instantly command respect while others struggle to get their message across? The secret lies not in what they say, but how they communicate it.
Communication represents the fundamental difference between leadership that merely directs and leadership that transforms. In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Paul Gavoni and AJ Rinaldi unpack the five critical dimensions of leadership communication that drive organizational success: reinforcing for production, resolving for partnership, reciting for inspiration, reflecting for authenticity, and receiving for understanding.
The conversation reveals surprising insights about the science of human behavior, including the optimal 4:1 ratio of positive to corrective feedback and why our natural tendency to focus on problems actually undermines our leadership effectiveness. Both hosts candidly share their personal struggles with public speaking—once their greatest fear—and how they transformed this weakness into a strength through deliberate practice and mindset shifts.
Perhaps most powerfully, they challenge the common assumption that communication flows primarily downward in organizations. "When was the last time you directed positive feedback up the chain?" Dr. Gavoni asks, highlighting how true communication creates a culture of mutual respect that flows in all directions. Through practical examples, compelling research, and memorable stories, this episode provides a comprehensive framework for communication that builds trust, resolves conflict, and inspires exceptional performance.
Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, these evidence-based communication strategies will help you move beyond good intentions to create lasting impact. After all, as the hosts remind us, leadership isn't about title or intent—it's about impact.

Link to Respect is a 2-Way Street Article

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

Send us a text

Organizational Justice refers to employee perceptions of fairness in the workplace. But while the concept has been around for close to four decades, can it be explained behaviorally, and is the research sound? In this episode, Behavior Analyst Rob Scalise takes a look at the concept of Organizational Justice through a Behavior Analytic lens.
Show notes:
Rob's organization, villiv, is always looking for content creators for The Wider Path. Email Rob Scalise if you have behavior analysis skills and want to challenge yourself to present your ideas to a general audience.
Rob's email: [email protected]

The co-Author of Rob's paper on Organizational Justice is Dr. Kirk Silvernail, UNLV

Correction: In this episode, Rob discussed three seminal papers with 20,000 citations. The correct number of citations is 22,000 plus.

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.