Shannon Carr - Owner & Managing Director, Living Soul of New York Applied Behavior Analysis

Shannon Carr - Owner & Managing Director, Living Soul of New York Applied Behavior Analysis

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber sits down with Shannon Carr, Owner and Managing Director of Living Soul of New York Applied Behavior Analysis, to talk about advocacy, access, and what it really takes to build meaningful progress for families receiving ABA services. Shannon shares her journey from school psychology into ABA, why collaboration across home, school, clinic, and community settings is so important, and how her team is working to support Medicaid families in New York. They also discuss the realities of running a clinician-owned ABA company, the challenges of expensive and disconnected tech systems, and why strong teams are often the difference-maker in creating sustainable care. This conversation is a thoughtful look at ABA leadership, advocacy, and building services that truly support families.

Jonathan Weinberg & Carly Weinberg – Co-Founders, Beyond ABA Therapy & Project Infinity School

What happens when you combine education, ABA therapy, and family support under one roof? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Jonathan Weinberg and Carly Weinberg to talk about building a fully integrated ecosystem for neurodiverse learners and their families. Jonathan and Carly share how they launched Beyond ABA Therapy after first building Project Infinity School, and why collaboration between therapists, educators, and families became the foundation of everything they do. The conversation dives into: *  Why traditional therapy and school models often feel disconnected  *  Creating a “one-stop shop” for neurodiverse families  *  The operational gaps in ABA and where technology is falling short  *  AI, scheduling, intake systems, and the future of client experience in ABA  *  Building trust in a mission-driven organization  *  What it really looks like to grow a company from the ground up  This episode is packed with practical insight for ABA owners, clinicians, educators, and anyone passionate about improving outcomes for families.

James Garofalo – Co-Founder & CEO, Lokiten Behavioral Health

In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with James Garofalo, Co-Founder and CEO of Lokiten Behavioral Health, to talk about the future of mental health care, technology, and clinical leadership. James shares how his experience as an Army veteran shaped his path into behavioral health, why he became passionate about expanding access to care, and what led him to build and scale mental health companies. Amber and James also discuss the disconnect between clinical work and technology, how AI can support behavioral health when used thoughtfully, and why clinicians need a stronger understanding of business, systems, and innovation. This conversation is a thoughtful look at what it takes to build mental health care that is both deeply human and forward-thinking.

Sean Yocum – Founder, Hickory Learning Group

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.

Amanda Ralston - CEO, KidsChoice Therapy and Play Center

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.