Accelerate with Amber

What does real success in ABA actually look like - and who should it serve?In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber sits down with Sean Yocum, Founder of Hickory Learning Group, for a raw and forward-thinking conversation about the future of ABA. Sean shares how his personal experience growing up with an autistic brother shaped his mission to challenge the status quo and build a model focused on real-world outcomes - not just therapy room performance.Together, they unpack why caregiver confidence should be the true measure of success, the gaps in traditional service delivery models, and how the field must evolve in what Sean calls the “prove it era” of ABA. They also dive into the role of technology, data visibility, and AI - and how these tools can enhance care without replacing the human element.This is a powerful conversation for clinicians, founders, and anyone passionate about building systems that truly work for families.

What does it take to build multiple companies, scale ABA organizations, and then step into the world of software and venture capital?In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber sits down with Amanda Ralston, serial founder, autism advocate, and CEO of KidsChoice Therapy and Play Center. With more than 25 years of experience in ABA, Amanda shares her journey from discovering the field in college to building clinics, selling organizations, and launching a SaaS company focused on clinical decision support.This conversation dives into the biggest mistakes founders make when scaling ABA businesses, why clinical consistency is still one of the industry’s biggest challenges, and where technology can create massive improvements in care delivery.Amanda also opens up about the realities of raising capital as a female founder, leading in multiple industries, and what it takes to keep innovating in a rapidly changing market.If you are a clinic owner, BCBA, founder, or someone passionate about the future of ABA, this episode is packed with insight.

What does it really take to build a business rooted in care, not just clinical expertise?In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber sits down with Trish Murray, Licensed Behavior Analyst and Co-Owner of Surfside ABA Therapy, to talk about the journey of building a people-first practice in the world of ABA.Trish shares how her background across multiple ventures shaped her approach to leadership, why understanding behavior goes far beyond the clinic, and how applying ABA principles can transform not just clients—but teams, systems, and outcomes.They dive into the realities of growing a practice, balancing clinical integrity with business demands, and what it looks like to lead with intention in a space that impacts families every day.If you're building, scaling, or leading in healthcare—or simply want a new perspective on behavior, leadership, and growth—this conversation delivers.

What does it take to go from direct care provider to executive leadership in ABA?In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Chelsea McAdams, COO of Connections Behavior Planning & Intervention, to unpack her journey through the field of applied behavior analysis - from discovering the science almost by accident to leading operations at a growing, clinician-owned organization.Chelsea shares how curiosity about human behavior shaped her career, the realities of balancing motherhood with pursuing her BCBA, and what it actually looks like to scale an ABA organization without sacrificing quality. The conversation dives into leadership development, organizational behavior management (OBM), and how ABA principles extend far beyond clinical work into business, culture, and operations.They also explore the future of technology in ABA, including gaps in current systems and how AI and digital tools could reshape learning, communication, and service delivery.If you're a BCBA, clinic owner, or aspiring leader in behavioral health, this episode offers a practical and honest look at what growth in this field really requires.

What does it take to design ABA therapy that actually prepares children for the real world?In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Dr. Dana Gold, CEO of Optimal Beginnings and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a doctorate from Columbia University. With more than three decades in the field, Dr. Gold shares how she built a clinician-led ABA organization focused on meaningful independence for children, teens, and young adults.Dr. Gold discusses why traditional one-to-one therapy can sometimes miss the mark when it comes to real-life learning, and how her team redesigned their clinical model to better mirror the environments clients actually experience. She also shares the leadership systems that allow her to grow the organization without being involved in every daily decision.From designing environments that promote generalization to mentoring clinical leaders and navigating operational challenges like scheduling and tech infrastructure, this conversation explores what it truly takes to build sustainable, high-quality ABA services.If you’re an ABA leader, clinician, or entrepreneur looking to build better systems of care, this episode offers practical insights from someone who has spent decades refining the model.