Have you ever found yourself scribbling down a surprising idea—mid-podcast, between client visits or during your much-needed coffee break—only to realize later that it completely shifted your approach to supervision, intervention planning, or even long-term career goals?

If you’re like me, you probably listen to a lot of podcasts for inspiration (hopefully this very one!), but it’s not always easy to translate nuggets from guests into actual, measurable progress in our ABA work.

This week, I’m highlighting five actionable ways to leverage podcast guest insights for real professional development:

• Keep a "Quote Bank": Whether it’s an unique application of behavioral skills training from Dr. Lyndsy Coffield or an empathetic approach to sleep hygiene from Emily Varon, jot down the lines that truly resonate. Revisit your notes before tricky team meetings or supervision sessions.
• Reflect, Don’t Just Listen: After each episode, take a minute to consider: Is there a strategy or case example you could try with your current caseload? Set a reminder to follow up in a week—did it shift your practice?
• Make the Learning Social: Bring a favorite idea to your next staff or peer meeting. Sometimes, simply starting with “I heard on a recent episode...” opens up creative team problem-solving you hadn’t considered alone.
• Align with Your CEUs: Learning doesn’t have to be passive—grab CEUs from podcast episodes and turn what you’re learning into credit for ethical, evidence-based professional growth. New episodes = new takeaways and new units for your recertification.
• Ask Follow-up Questions: Don’t let great learning end with the "stop" button. If a guest sparks something big, reach out and ask a clarifying question or share how you tried out their technique. More often than not, you’ll get thoughtful feedback that moves you further along.

Problem Statement: Many ABA professionals feel overwhelmed by information, but rarely have the structures in place to turn inspiring podcast moments into action or documentation that supports their goals for supervision, skill development, or advancement.

Here’s my challenge: Choose one tip from the list above to try in the coming week. If it sparks a new approach, let me know what worked or what you’d tweak. Hit reply—I'd really love to hear how these conversations influence you, both in the field and in daily practice.

And if you haven’t explored the ever-growing list of podcast-based CEUs, now’s the time. Learn from our podcast guests while you commute or walk the dog—and earn credits while you do!

Until next time, keep your ears open and your notes handy. Sometimes that single insight from a podcast guest is the very thing that shifts the trajectory of a team, a client...or your own journey in ABA.

All the best,
Matt