Leadership with heart. Science with purpose. Growth that actually matters.
Join Amber Nelms, M.A., BCBA, Founder & CEO of Triangle ABA, for powerful conversations with clinicians, founders, and mission-driven leaders who are building people-first organizations in behavioral health, ABA and beyond.
This podcast explores what it really takes to grow: in leadership, in neuroscience-informed practice, and in building businesses that prioritize both outcomes and humanity.
If you're scaling a practice, leading a team, or shaping the future of behavioral health or ABA, you’ll find insight, strategy, and real-world wisdom here.
Because meaningful impact isn’t accidental, it’s built.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-nelms-m-a-bcba-54400170/
Nicholas Hilligoss - Principal Advisor, NHR Advisory LLC
What does it take to build a strong team as an ABA organization grows? On this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Nicholas Hilligoss, Principal Advisor at NHR Advisory LLC, to explore hiring, accountability, workplace culture, and the HR systems that support sustainable growth. Drawing on his experience as an RBT and human resources leader, Nick shares why skills are often easier to teach than mindset, how the “My Child Test” can reshape hiring decisions, and why acc...
15 Sept 2026
Josh Roberts - Founder, Inspired Mind Mental Health
What if changing the way we understand mental health could change the way we experience it? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Josh Roberts, Founder of Inspired Mind Mental Health and creator of Neurodiversity Gifts, to explore a different way of thinking about neurodiversity, mental health, and personal transformation. Drawing from his own lived experience, Josh shares how his journey led him to create Neurodiversity Gifts, a seven-module program that brings...
8 Sept 2026
Christopher Allen - Co-Founder & Chief Clinical Officer, Virginia Therapeutic Network
What does it look like when BCBAs move beyond traditional models and build something different? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Christopher Allen, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Virginia Therapeutic Network, to explore his journey from studying behavior and teaching to building a 100% clinician-owned organization. Chris shares how Virginia Therapeutic Network approaches adult services through interprofessional, person-centered support and why he ...
1 Sept 2026
Anna Williams-Bullard - Founder, Alinea Autism Services
What happens when a parent’s fight for her own child becomes a mission to change access to autism care for thousands of families? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Anna Williams-Bullard, Founder of Alinea Autism Services, to explore the deeply personal journey that led Anna from advocating for her daughter, Ava, to helping pass Ava’s Law and expand access to autism therapy across Georgia. Anna shares the seven-year fight to secure insurance coverage, Ava’s r...
25 Aug 2026
Douglas Lezameta – CEO, Empower Minds ABA LLC
What happens when an ABA organization puts people before billing and culture before growth? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Douglas Lezameta, CEO of Empower Minds ABA LLC, to explore his approach to building a clinician-first ABA organization. Douglas shares the deeply personal story behind Empower Minds ABA and how the legacy of his father and uncle shaped his commitment to serving families with compassion. He explains why supporting clinicians is essenti...
18 Aug 2026
Erin Stern - President, STEPS Behavioral Health
What does it take to grow an ABA organization without losing sight of the families and clinicians at the heart of the work? On this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Erin Stern, President of STEPS Behavioral Health, to explore Erin’s journey from special education and hands-on program development to leading a growing behavioral health organization. Erin shares how her experiences as a clinician, parent, and leader shaped STEPS’ family-centered approach, including ex...
What does it really take to build an ethical, clinician-led ABA organization? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Amber Furby, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Founder & CEO of Aurora Behavior Services, for an honest conversation about leadership, operations, and the future of autism services. The two discuss why evidence-based care must also be family-centered, the operational challenges facing today's ABA organizations, and why better systems—not jus...
4 Aug 2026
Dr. Carly Lapin – Founder & CEO, ChoicePoint Autism Therapy
In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Dr. Carly Lapin, Founder & CEO of ChoicePoint Autism Therapy, to explore what it really takes to build an ABA organization designed for long-term success. From choosing the right technology stack to creating scalable systems before opening the doors, Carly shares the mindset behind launching a clinician-led practice with intention. The conversation dives into evaluating CRMs and EHRs, avoiding costly operational mi...
21 Jul 2026
Dr. Jennifer Charles – Executive Director, Building Block Resolutions
What does it take to grow an ABA organization without sacrificing quality? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Dr. Jennifer Charles, Executive Director of Building Block Resolutions, to discuss why intentional growth always beats rapid growth. With more than 20 years as a BCBA, Jennifer shares practical lessons on scaling an organization, measuring meaningful outcomes, and building systems that keep quality at the center of every decision. Together they ...
30 Jun 2026
Jill Wiedemann-West – CEO, People Incorporated Mental Health Services
What does it take to scale mental health services without losing the human touch? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber sits down with Jill Wiedemann-West, CEO of People Incorporated Mental Health Services, one of Minnesota's largest community-based mental health providers. With more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, Jill shares her journey from clinician to CEO and discusses how leaders can balance operational growth while staying deeply committed to people-centere...
What happens when a teenager in crisis is given the wrong diagnosis? In this episode of Accelerate with Amber, Amber Nelms sits down with Brent Esplin, LMFT, Executive Director of OASIS Ascent, to discuss the critical role accurate assessment plays in adolescent mental health treatment. Brent shares lessons from more than 25 years working with teens and families, why family involvement is essential for lasting change, and how OASIS Ascent is making high-quality residential treatment more acce...
26 May 2026
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...
19 May 2026
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 every...
12 May 2026
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...
5 May 2026
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 caregiv...
21 Apr 2026
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 d...
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 ...
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 b...
10 Mar 2026
Dana Gold, Ph.D., BCBA-D – CEO, Optimal Beginnings, LLC
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 traditiona...
Contact Accelerate with Amber
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Accelerate with Amber?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
