Episode 24: The Spark, the Systems, and the Fire for Season 2

In this Season 1 finale, host Sean Yocum strips away the "conference scripts" and polished professionalism to reflect on why Rad and Bad was created. This episode is a raw manifesto for the podcast’s mission: providing a voice for the "whispers in the hallways" of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).Yocum acknowledges the community—from RBTs and clinicians to students and families—who have supported the show's unapologetic stance on the field's most uncomfortable truths. He clarifies that the podcast isn't born out of bitterness, but out of a deep love for the science of behavior analysis and a refusal to ignore its systemic flaws.Key highlights from the episode include:The Mission: Challenging the status quo on 40-hour RBT training, private equity in healthcare, and the tendency to prioritize billing efficiency over human outcomes.The "Underground" Movement: Reflections on the launch of the Underground Conference, aimed at providing real tools and "no bullshit" CEUs.A Call for Accountability: A commitment to never protect failing systems at the expense of people or confuse tradition with evidence.Season 2 Preview: An "escalation" of the conversation, promising bolder, sharper, and more interdisciplinary discussions to help rebuild the field "with the lights on."Systems Over Symptoms: Focusing on why burnout and clinical failures happen at a structural level.People Over Palatability: Refusing to water down truths to appease the "status quo."Compassion Over Compliance: Shifting the ethical conversation from checking boxes to genuine care.