The Heart & Science of Leadership

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Heart & Science of Leadership Podcast, Dr. Paulie and Aj tackle one of the toughest challenges leaders face: change. They explore how change can feel like both an exciting opportunity and a sucker punch in the gut. Drawing on behavior science and real-world leadership experience, Paulie and Aj break down how leaders can navigate change effectively, turning disruption into growth. Whether you’re leading a team, department, or entire organization, thi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with communication strategist and leadership coach Salvatore J. Manzi, author of The Clear and Compelling Playbook. With over two decades of experience helping individuals and organizations elevate their presence and clarity, Salvatore shares powerful insights on how to lead with purpose, speak with intention, and create meaningful change—whether you’re in the boardroom, on stage, or navigating day-to-day conversations. We explore what it really m...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a behavior. And while there’s no shortage of leadership theories floating around, this episode goes beneath the surface. Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni and A.J. Rinaldi take a sharp, scientific look at what truly drives leadership that works. Instead of parroting popular slogans, they dig into the behaviors, decisions, and contingencies that make—or break—leaders. It’s not about charisma or command. It’s about the observable, measurable behaviors that ...

Send us Fan Mail John Maxwell once said, “If you think you're leading and no one is following, you're just taking a walk.” Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about the team you build, develop, and inspire. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 P’s of Team Building—Pursuing, Promoting, Purging, Pushing, and Pulling—to help you create a high-performing team that doesn’t just follow but thrives. From attracting top talent to making tough calls on underperformance, from fueling motivation to...

Send us Fan Mail BCBAs and RBTs enter the field to create meaningful change for learners, but more and more is being dumped on their backs, draining their energy and impacting the quality of care. This burden also sucks the life out of leaders, making it harder to retain talent and maintain high standards. But what if there was a way to ease the load while enhancing outcomes? In this episode, Michael Gao, an innovative software developer, and my authentic friend Christina Morales, CEO of Pi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m tackling a topic that’s incredibly close to my heart: "Breaking the Cycle: A Behavior-Based Approach to Bullying Prevention." Growing up, I experienced just a small amount of bullying—so few incidents I could probably count them on one hand—but the impact was profound. It shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until later. For some kids, though, this isn’t a rare occurrence; it’s a daily struggle. Their courage to show up every day is remarkable. Add...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a background in nutrition can lead to a flourishing career in Applied Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management? Behavior analyst Troy Burg shares his unique journey from direct support work to ABA expertise in this enlightening episode. Troy reveals how his early experiences fueled a passion for behavior analysis, merging interests in helping others and business. We discuss the emerging potential for ABA to become a mainstream career path, mu...

Send us Fan Mail 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 fa...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the revolutionary world of professional sports through the lens of behavior analysis with my guest, Brett Yaris. Brett is breaking the mold by integrating Applied Behavior Analysis with NFL training methods. His unique path from special education to professional football coaching challenges traditional coaching methods and sparks new ways of thinking. In this episode, we'll take a look at Brett's career including the transition from special education to coaching NFL...

Send us Fan Mail Ever been dumped? Remember that pain? Being broken up with is something that most people experience at some point in their life. Many learn and continue to move forward. But for some, it's a painful experience they try to avoid but end up living many times over. If you are one of those people, what might you have done more, less, or differently to avoid the breakup? Perhaps you wanted to get back together, but it didn't work out. Or maybe feelings are fading while...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to create healthier, equitable workplaces? How does behavioral science play a key role in this transformation? Join us as we welcome the insightful Portia James to answer these questions. Portia, a prominent leader in the field of behavior analysis, shares her experiences and passion for constructing fair workforces where people feel valued. She sheds light on the rapidly evolving industry, underlining the escalating demands and complexities of leadership. ...

Send us Fan Mail From a behavior analytic perspective, trauma can be seen as an aversive event or series of events that have led to maladaptive behavior patterns or reactions to certain stimuli. When we understand that an individual's behaviors might be a response to trauma, we can respond more effectively. But how can we better understand trauma? And what constitutes effective responses from a behavior analytic lens? In this episode, I gathered accomplished behavior analysts Steve Wa...