Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers

What can Viola Davis’s Finding Me teach us about leadership?

In this Season 4 premiere of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb explores four leadership lessons inspired by Davis’s memoir and examines them through a behavioral lens.

This isn't a book review. It's a reflection on becoming.

Dr. Bubb explores why leaders must examine their own behavioral histories, why we should never confuse someone's current behavior with their future potential, why people need opportunities to discover and use their voices, and how leaders can transform struggle into wisdom that...

What does Grenadian excellence look like, and what kind of legacy are today's young leaders building for tomorrow?

In the final episode of the Young Leaders of Grenada: Rooted in Culture. Rising in Leadership. Ready to Lead four-part virtual youth panel series, Dr. Esther Bubb brings together five emerging Grenadian leaders for a timely conversation about leadership, resilience, service, excellence, opportunity, and legacy.

Timara Bubb, Brandon Felix, Paul McBurnie, Peter McBurnie, and Lily Welsh reflect on the Grenadian leaders who have influenced their journeys and the behaviors they hope to carry forward. They share personal...

What does it mean to create an environment where people feel safe, valued, respected, and empowered to grow?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb welcomes Julia Spychalski, M.Ed., an Autistic Support Teacher and emerging educational leader, for a conversation about neurodiversity, inclusion, belonging, and the leadership lessons we can learn from the classroom.

With more than two decades of experience supporting students with diverse learning, behavioral, and communication needs, Julia shares how her experiences in special education and early intervention shaped her belief that human potential cannot be...

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Erin McGrenaghan, MS.Ed., BCBA, Training and Development Specialist, to explore what happens when we move beyond delivering information and begin intentionally creating the conditions for people to learn, grow, implement, and thrive.

Erin shares her journey from special education teacher to behavior analyst and professional development specialist—and how those experiences shaped her approach to adult learning, coaching, leadership, and professional development.

Together, Esther and Erin explore:

What does leadership look like when people are facing grief, uncertainty, housing instability, immigration concerns, or other life challenges?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Sonia A. Staples, Director of Constituent Services for Prince George's County, to explore how leadership shows up in moments when people need support the most.

Drawing from her experiences as an immigrant, advocate, mother, and public servant, Sonia shares lessons about trust-building, communication, cultural humility, community engagement, and the behaviors that help people navigate complex systems. She discusses the importance of...

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, host Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with special guest Laura Jenkins, M.Ed., Supervisor of Special Education.

Together, they explore how long-lasting organizational, educational, and personal change starts at the foundational level of human behavior. Laura shares her transition from elementary and special education classroom teacher to administrative leader, dropping powerful insights on adult behavior, trust, and influence.

Key Takeaways:

Young Leaders of Grenada – Part III: How Young Leaders Are Creating Solutions For Real Challenges in Grenada

What does it take to move beyond recognizing problems and begin creating meaningful solutions?

In Part III of the Young Leaders of Grenada series, Dr. Esther Bubb is joined by an inspiring panel of emerging leaders—Zadie Barry, Brandon Felix, Paul McBurnie, Peter McBurnie, and Lily Welsh—for a timely conversation about solving community challenges through leadership, service, and collective action.

Together, they explore real issues facing Grenadian youth—from mental health, civic participation, and youth disengag...

In this episode, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with school-based behavior analyst and clinical leader Kelleen Corrigan to explore what it means to lead beyond direct service. From her roots in a service-oriented family to her work in clinical research at Drexel University and tiered school systems, Kelleen shares actionable insights on behavioral leadership, building alignment across multidisciplinary teams, and designing sustainable environments. Tune in to discover how to move from reactive behavior management to proactive system design, foster staff development through compassionate coaching, and lead with both precision and empathy.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

Behind the Decisions: Ethics, Judgment & the Conscience of Clinical Leadership

Every leadership decision tells a story. In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Dr. Alissa Conway-Wortman, BCBA-D, to explore what happens behind the scenes of clinical leadership, where data, ethics, policy, and human impact intersect.

Drawing on her experience as a clinical reviewer and behavior analyst, Dr. Conway-Wortman offers an inside look at the complex decisions that shape behavioral health services. Together, they discuss how leaders balance evidence with clinical judgment, protect the dignity of those...

What does it take to design systems that truly support students, staff, and families?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Dr. Kevin T. Kane, Assistant to the Superintendent for Pupil Services and Special Education at Neshaminy School District, for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership, behavior, systems thinking, and the future of special education.

With more than two decades of experience in education, Kevin shares lessons from his journey as a teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired, school psychologist, special education administrator, and...

Season 3 begins with celebration, reflection, and a renewed commitment to meaningful change.

In this special season premiere of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb celebrates a major milestone—30 episodes and more than 2,000 downloads—and reflects on the lessons, conversations, and relationships that shaped Season 2.

From engineering and education to healthcare, youth leadership, advocacy, and systems change, one theme emerged: Leadership is behavior.

In this episode, Dr. Bubb revisits powerful insights from guests including Timothy Bubb, Thomas Fitti, Dr. Renisha James-Thomas, Dr. Briana Bronstein, Dr. Joseph Cautilli, Dr. Michael Weinberg, Valeria Pasc...

How do great leaders build trust when everything around them is changing?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with communications and corporate marketing leader Lauren Higgins to explore what it truly means to lead through uncertainty with humility, honesty, and purpose.

As organizations navigate rapid technological advances, shifting priorities, artificial intelligence, and evolving workplace expectations, many leaders are asking the same question: How do we help people embrace change without losing trust, connection, or culture?

Lauren shares practical leadership lessons drawn from more than 20...

Series: Young Leaders of Grenada: Rooted in Culture. Rising in Leadership. Ready to Lead (Episode II)

What defines a leader? Is it a title, a position, or something deeper?

In Part II of our Young Leaders of Grenada series, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with an inspiring panel of emerging leaders to explore the decisions, challenges, and experiences that have shaped their leadership journeys.

Joining the conversation are Timara Bubb, Brandon Felix, Chrystal Williams, Peter McBurnie, and Dericka Samuel. Together, they share personal stories about making difficult decisions, overcoming self-doubt, building confidence...

What if leadership is defined by the everyday behaviors that help others succeed?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Luciana Mayo, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Specialist, and doctoral student, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership through the lens of behavior science. Together, they explore how behavior analysts can move beyond clinical expertise to become leaders who build capacity, strengthen teams, and create lasting impact within organizations and communities.

Luciana shares how principles such as Behavior Skills Training (BST), positive reinforcement, collaboration, and generalization...

What if leadership wasn’t about authority, but about how we shape behavior, relationships, and systems?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking, Dr. Esther C. Bubb is joined by Dr. Joseph Cautilli, Dr. Michael Weinberg, Valeria Pascale, and Lynn Santilli Connor to explore how leadership lives in everyday behavior and how effective supervision becomes a cornerstone for real, sustainable change.

Together, they unpack:

What does authentic leadership look like in education, advocacy, and systems change?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Dr. Briana Bronstein—Assistant Teaching Professor at Widener University, researcher, consultant, advocate, and first-generation Latina scholar—to explore the intersection of identity, leadership, inclusion, neurodiversity, and evidence-based practice.

Together, they discuss:

What shapes a young leader?

In Part I of our special four-part series, Young Leaders of Grenada: Rooted in Culture. Rising in Leadership. Ready to Lead, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with an extraordinary panel of Grenadian youth leaders from Grenada and the diaspora.

Together, they explore:

From mental health advocacy and cybersecurity to...

What does it mean to lead with both data and heart?

In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Dr. Renisha James-Thomas, a Grenadian-born educator and Evaluation Coordinator in Texas, to explore how leadership is shaped by cultural identity, resilience, and disciplined presence.

Renisha shares how her upbringing in Grenada instilled a deep sense of community, optimism, and perseverance. She explains why data should be approached with curiosity rather than judgment, and how empathy helps leaders uncover the human stories behind behavior.

Key themes include:
• The power of presence in le...

What happens when a leader shifts from managing people to designing systems that help them thrive? In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb speaks with Thomas C. Fitti, MS Ed, Director of Education and Development at Quantum Education Professionals. Tom shares how his career in special education administration prepared him to lead large-scale workforce solutions that help schools reduce operational friction, strengthen compliance, and build sustainable capacity.

Key takeaways:
• Shift from correction to reinforcement.
• Use data to improve systems, not judge people.
• Build relationships over transactions.
• Lead with active listening.
• Develop stamina by anchori...

What does civil engineering teach us about leadership, accountability, and social responsibility?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Timothy Bubb, Managing Director of SAFED, Inc., to explore engineering‑informed leadership, mentorship, and nation‑building in Grenada.

With over 34 years of experience across the Caribbean, Timothy shares how civil engineering is not just about structures, but about people, systems, and society. He explains how principles like safety, function, economics, discipline, and aesthetics translate into leadership practices grounded in integrity, clarity, and accountability. From defining engineering as “the ar...

A New Season of Change: Momentum & Meaning in Season 2 | Season 2 Premiere

Season 2 begins with reflection, gratitude, and vision.

In this solo season premiere of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb celebrates the close of Season 1, reflects on the milestone of surpassing 1,000 downloads, and shares lessons learned from a season of courageous conversations on leadership as behavior.

This episode explores why progress is data, why reflection is leadership behavior, and why momentum matters in change-making work.

Dr. Bubb also previews an exciting Season 2 lineup featuring voices across education, behavior...

Series Title: Regulated to Lead: Trauma, Toxic Stress, and the Responsive Systems That Shape Behavior

Part III Episode Title: From Awareness to Action: Creating Healing-Centered Leadership Cultures

What does it take to move from trauma-informed awareness to sustained systems change? In this concluding episode of the Regulated to Lead series, Dr. Esther C. Bubb is joined again by Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas and Tracey Wise for a powerful conversation about what it means to create healing-centered leadership cultures where trust, regulation, psychological safety, and shared ownership are not just values, but daily practice.

Together, t...

Series Title: Regulated to Lead: Trauma, Toxic Stress, and the Responsive Systems That Shape Behavior

Episode Title: From Regulation to Restoration: Responding Instead of Reacting for Trauma- and Toxic Stress Responsive Practice

What does it look like when leaders respond instead of react, especially under stress?

In Episode 2 of our three-part series Regulated to Lead, Dr. Esther C. Bubb is joined by Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas, MA, LPC, NCC, and Tracey F. Wise, M.Ed. for a powerful conversation on trauma- and toxic stress-responsive leadership.

Together, they explore:

What happens when the systems designed to support students begin signaling that something isn’t working? In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Dr. Ashlee Brown to explore a critical and timely question: Is it time to reset how special education systems operate?

Drawing from experience as a teacher, administrator, researcher, and parent, Dr. Brown examines the structural signals that suggest misalignment between system design and student needs.

Together, they unpack:

Series Title: Regulated to Lead: Trauma, Toxic Stress, and the Responsive Systems That Shape Behavior

Episode Title: What’s Really Happening Under Stress: Trauma, Toxic Stress, and Behavior

What if leadership is really nervous‑system work? In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb speaks with Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas, MA, LPC, NCC—licensed professional counselor, longtime county human‑services leader, and trauma‑informed care champion—about how toxic stress reshapes behavior and what responsive systems can do to buffer it. We unpack trauma‑informed leadership and supervision, psychological safety, the 4F responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn), and why regula...

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Licensed Behavior Consultant Yatta Pewa to explore what human-centered leadership looks like in applied behavior analysis and systems of care.

Yatta shares how her work, grounded in data-driven assessment, individualized intervention planning, and collaborative coaching, has taught her a critical leadership truth: “People don’t follow data. They follow trust.”

Together, they discuss:

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for ChangeMakers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Stephen F. Corsi, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Advanced Leadership Certification in the Graduate School of Education at Gannon University.

With more than four decades in education, as a music director, building principal, service coordinator, and graduate leadership mentor, Stephen shares what it truly means to develop leaders who design systems for change. Drawing from years of mentoring educators, supervising internships, redesigning programs, and expanding leadership pathways, he offers practical insight into preparing candidates for real-world complexity and widening equitable...

What happens when behavioral science moves beyond client programming and becomes a leadership framework?

In this episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Victoria “Tori” Perko, BCBA, Director of Behavior Services and BCBA Coordinator of ABA Clinics, to explore how applied behavior analysis shapes leadership across people, systems, and organizational change.

Tori shares her journey from graduate student to leading multi-site preschool ABA clinics, including opening three clinics in one year, and how her path was shaped by a path shaped by mentorship, family, and unexpected moments of purpose.

They discuss:

In this heart-centered conversation, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Kathleen (Kathy) Mignone, a Local Education Agency Representative with more than 20 years of experience in early childhood special education. Together, they explore what leadership looks like when it’s grounded in compassion, curiosity, and a deep belief in human potential. 

Kathy shares her evolution from autistic support teacher to systems-level service coordinator, reflecting on the lessons she learned from children, families, and colleagues along the way. She offers insight into behavior science as a tool for shaping adult behavior, the emotional intelligence needed to manage complex team dyn...

What does leadership look like when creativity, culture, and behavior science meet in the classroom?

In this inspiring conversation, Grenadian educator Alina Roberts shares how a lineage of teachers shaped her calling, how she intentionally models leadership for her students, and how cultural values, from friendliness to community accountability, strengthen school culture and student behavior.

Alina talks about using creativity as a powerful behavioral tool: music, poetry, role‑play, hands‑on learning, and culturally relevant engagement that keeps students motivated and connected. She also opens up about what it means to build trust, promote belonging, enga...

What does leadership look like in a classroom, and how do everyday teaching behaviors shape lives far beyond school walls?

In this heartwarming and deeply personal episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with her sister, Ms. Lois Bubb, a beloved educator whose 40+ years of teaching and mentoring have shaped thousands of lives across Grenada.

Ms. Bubb shares stories from her journey into teaching, the values that anchored her through challenges, and the moments that reminded her why education is a calling, not just a job. From cultivating...

In this special bonus reflection episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb takes listeners behind the mic for an honest, reflective, and deeply personal look at what she has learned across the first ten episodes of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers.

From pressing record despite fear, to forgetting to press save and turning a “leadermon” into “leadermonade," this episode explores what it truly means to lead behaviorally.

Dr. Bubb reflects on:

What does leadership look like when it’s grounded in behavior, not position?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Dr. Jim Connell, Associate Professor at Drexel University and founding director of multiple graduate training programs, and a nationally recognized leader in school psychology, applied behavior analysis, and systems‑level change, to explore leadership through a behavioral science lens.

Dr. Connell shares his powerful and remarkable journey, from entering college later in life after serving in the military, to confronting personal challenges, to sobriety, and to buil...

Welcome to Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Changemakers, the podcast where leadership meets behavior science, and where educators, clinicians, and everyday humans come to grow.

Hosted by Dr. Esther C. Bubb, special educator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, administrator, mentor, and lifelong believer in bringing out the best in people, this show is rooted in over two decades of experience across early childhood programs, schools, behavioral health, higher education, and systems-level leadership.

Across her journey, Dr. Bubb discovered one powerful truth:
Leadership isn’t a title. It’s a behavior: teachable, learnable, and measurable.
And when...

Dr. Esther C. Bubb, host of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Changemakers, is an educator, behavior analyst, leader, and mentor with more than two decades of experience supporting children, schools, families, and professionals.

Grounded in a strengths-based and relationship-centered approach, Dr. Bubb specializes in leadership development, coaching structures, early childhood systems, and behavior intervention. Her work focuses on helping leaders and teams build confidence, clarity, and capacity to create lasting, meaningful change.

Blending evidence-based practices with heart-centered leadership, she empowers others to lead with purpose, resilience, and compassion. When she’s not teaching, mentoring, or...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Gabrielle C. Sereni, Esquire, teacher turned school attorney, educational advocate, and founder of Sereni Law Group, LLC.

Together, they explore the intersection of behavior, belonging, and the law, uncovering how legal systems, human behavior, and leadership practices shape the lived experiences of children, families, and educators.

Drawing from her unique journey as a former public school teacher, education attorney, parent, and doctoral student in educational leadership, Gabrielle shares how keeping children at the center, leading with transparency, and addressing fear with empathy can transform...

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Jennie Prochorenko-Stadelberger, Special Education Consultant with Sereni Law Group LLC, for a rich discussion on servant leadership, behavior-driven decision making, and educational advocacy. We explore how servant leadership and behavioral science intersect to drive student success, strengthen teams, and sustain compliance without overwhelm. Jennie shares her journey from classroom teacher to systems leader, why she rejects silos in favor of interdisciplinary collaboration, and how strategies like positive reinforcement, ABC analysis, PBIS, and prompting & fading help students and adults thrive. We also cover...

What does leadership really look like when it’s grounded in values, culture, behavior, and impact, not just titles and charisma?

In this powerful episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb is joined by Dr. Tessa Barry and Dr. Donnell Thomas for a rich, reflective conversation on behaviorally informed leadership in education and beyond. Drawing from their shared Grenadian roots and diverse professional journeys, including education, agriculture, justice, and policy, the guests explore how early life experiences, cultural values, and intentional behaviors shape effective, sustainable leadership.

Together, they explore leadership through a behaviorally in...

What does leadership look like when it’s grounded in everyday behavior, not titles or authority?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, host Esther C. Bubb is joined by Evangelist Dr. Monay Legette, Ed.D., Principal and Building Supervisor at Samuel Everitt, for a powerful conversation on translating leadership vision into daily practice.

Dr. Legette shares her leadership journey and offers candid reflections on building trust, designing systems with purpose, and honoring the whole person in schools and organizations. Together, they explore how behaviorally informed leadership, rooted in clarity, empathy, and in...

Leadership Before the Title: How Early Career Experiences Build Ethical, Behaviorally Skilled Leaders

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change Makers, Dr. Esther C. Bubb sits down with Mikhaela C. McKinnie, a senior at Temple University double-majoring in Financial Planning and Real Estate, to explore how leadership is shaped long before formal authority is granted. Through reflections on early career experiences, high-pressure environments, cultural exposure, and personal growth, this conversation highlights how ethical, people-centered leadership develops through everyday actions and intentional choices.

Whether you’re early in your career or mentoring emerging leaders, th...