In this episode, hosts Stephen Smith and April Smith celebrate the release of Stephen’s new book, ABA Business Leaders Guide: How To Start, Grow, and Sustain an ABA Practice Without Losing Your Soul.

Stephen shares candid reflections on the writing process, the anxiety that comes with putting your ideas into the world, and why having a clear vision is non-negotiable if you want to build something sustainable in the ABA space.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Why most ABA businesses fail to scale sustainably—and how to avoid it
• The internal challenges (self-doubt, fear, imposter syndrome) that leaders don’t talk about
• How to define a business vision that actually guides decision-making
• The philosophy behind building a business without “losing your soul”
• Lessons learned from writing a book while running a business
• What’s next, including plans for a companion book and future resources

Pre-order your copy now:

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-aba-business-leaders-guide/id6755113017

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hgLukNm

🚀 Resources & Links

Business Essentials List

https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a consultation with Stephen

https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment

https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide

https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs

https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

SILNA

https://www.silnahealth.com/?ref=3Pie#get-started

ABA Business Leaders Guide (Book)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXXX

Stephen Smith on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensmith

3 Pie Squared Official Website

https://3pisquared.com

Discord Support Group

https://discord.gg/yourgroup

📞 Have a Question?

Have a question for Stephen and April?

Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

Coming Soon: Stephen Smith’s New Book

Stephen’s upcoming book is almost here packed with practical insights for ABA business owners looking to grow with clarity, integrity, and strong operational foundations.

Pre-order your copy now:

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-aba-business-leaders-guide/id6755113017

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hgLukNm

Release Date: May 12, 2026

If you're serious about building a sustainable, ethical, and profitable ABA business, this is a must-read.

In this episode, Stephen and April Smith sit down with Rick Kubina to explore some of the most pressing and complex topics facing the ABA field today, including the rise of artificial intelligence.

Rick Kubina is a professor, researcher, author, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of behavior science, education, and technology. Since joining Penn State University in 2000, he has taught courses in reading, applied behavior analysis, instructional design, and more—while mentoring doctoral students who have gone on to shape the field globally.

Stephen, April, and Rick unpack:

• The appropriate role of AI in clinical environments
• Where AI can drive efficiency without compromising care
• The ethical boundaries every ABA leader must understand
• How business incentives can quietly shape clinical decisions
• Why human connection remains the core asset in ABA

This episode is both a strategic lens for business owners and a grounding conversation for clinicians navigating rapid change.

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by MarginKeepers, helping ABA business owners take control of their financials with clarity and confidence.

Resources & Links

MarginKeepers:

https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers

Business Essentials List:

https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a Consultation with Stephen:

https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment:

https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide:

https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs:

https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

Have a Question?

Have a question for Stephen and April?

📞 Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

In this April Fool’s–themed episode, Stephen and April Smith are joined by a panel of ABA owners – Chris, Jennifer, Alecia Barrett, & Mallory Stinger - sharing their most unbelievable (but very real) stories from running an ABA business.

From insurance nightmares to staff issues and difficult audits, the conversation balances humour with practical takeaways. At its core, it’s about staying grounded, trusting your instincts, and leading with clarity when situations get messy.

☎️ Have a Question?

Have a question for Stephen and April?
Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

🔗 Resources & Links

• Business Essentials List
  https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

• Schedule a Consultation with Stephen
  https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

• Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment
  https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

• ABA Billing Tips Guide
  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

• ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs
  https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

In this episode, Stephen and April sit down with Alex Veach, founder of Agenda Health, to break down what it looks like to buy or sell an ABA business. From understanding valuations to navigating the emotional and operational challenges of a sale, this conversation gives a practical look at a process many owners think about, but few fully understand.

Alex shares insights from the transaction side of the industry, highlighting what makes a business attractive to buyers, what slows deals down, and how owners can position themselves for a successful exit or acquisition.

Sponsored By Office Puzzle

This episode is brought to you by Office Puzzle.
Simplify your back-office operations and get the clarity you need to scale your ABA business.

Try it free for 30 days:
officepuzzle.com/3ps

Have a Question for Stephen & April?

Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

Resources & Links

Business Essentials List
https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a Consultation with Stephen
https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment
https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

In this episode, Stephen and April Smith sit down with Josh Levine, co-founder of Momentum, for a conversation about burnout, leadership, and the role of self-awareness in the ABA field. Josh shares how a simple habit of daily reflection helped him grow as a clinician and develop a mindset focused on continuous improvement rather than perfection.

The discussion explores the emotional side of behavioral work, from overcoming negative self-talk to recognizing how burnout affects business owners, staff, and clients alike. Stephen, April, and Josh also talk about the importance of trust, delegation, and hiring team members who align with your organization’s values.

The episode closes with a powerful reminder that meaningful change in leadership starts internally. When clinicians and business owners prioritize self-awareness, compassion, and personal growth, it creates healthier teams and better outcomes for the families they serve.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

Resources & Links

SILNA
https://www.silnahealth.com/?ref=3Pie#get-started

ABA Support Group for Business Owners

https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC

Business Essentials List
https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a consultation with Stephen
https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment
https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

Audit anxiety is one of the most common — and least talked about — pressures facing ABA business owners.

Hosts Stephen and April, joined by Alecia Barrett from A. Barrett Academy LLC, share candid stories about the audits they personally went through, including moments when accusations of fraud and recoupment demands threatened their stability. These stories highlight an important truth for ABA owners: audits are stressful, but they’re also manageable when you understand your rights and keep strong documentation.

They also walk through what happens when insurers raise fraud concerns, how to respond to recoupment demands, and the importance of preparing long before an audit begins. Clean documentation, consistent systems, and proactive processes can make the difference between a stressful review and a business-threatening crisis.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of compliance anxiety or worried about what an audit might uncover, this episode offers reassurance, practical guidance, and real-world lessons from leaders who have navigated these challenges themselves.

Have a question for Stephen and April?
Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

Resources & Links

MarginKeepers:
https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers

Business Essentials List
https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a consultation with Stephen
https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment
https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

ABA Business Leaders Podcast CEUs
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Podcast_CEUs

In this solo episode, April Smith takes a direct and nuanced look at burnout in the ABA industry, and challenges the way we talk about it.

Rather than accepting burnout as an inevitable byproduct of leadership, April explores the illusion of burnout and how it shows up specifically for ABA business owners. She unpacks the subtle ways leaders can feel trapped: by their standards of excellence, by financial pressure, and by the belief that exhaustion is simply “part of the job.”

This episode goes beyond surface-level self-care advice. April examines how a lack of operational options—limited margin, no leadership depth, unclear systems—creates the emotional experience we label as burnout. When you don’t have choices, everything feels heavy. When you can’t step away, every problem feels personal.

If you’re an ABA owner who feels constantly behind, stretched thin, or questioning the reason you built your business, this conversation will resonate.

Have a question for Stephen and April?

Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

Resources & Links

Free ABA Business Leaders Support Group

https://forms.office.com/r/cigPR8wFFC

Business Essentials List
https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a consultation with Stephen
https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment
https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips

In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April and Stephen discuss the evolving landscape of prior authorizations in ABA with Jeff Morelli from Silna Health. SILNA handles prior-authorizations using the power of AI, all designed specifically for ABA Businesses and their workflows.

They explore the challenges faced by clinicians due to administrative burdens and how technology, particularly AI, is reshaping the reimbursement process.

Jeff introduces Silna's Predictive Document Intelligence, which aims to streamline authorizations and reduce denial rates. The conversation highlights the importance of efficient systems in ABA practices, the financial risks associated with denied authorizations, and the need for delegation and resource utilization to enhance clinician focus on patient care.

Have a question for Stephen and April?
Call the ABA Business Leaders Hotline: (737) 330-1432

Resources & Links

SILNA:

https://www.silnahealth.com/?ref=3Pie#get-started

Business Essentials List
https://www.3piesquared.com/blog/the-essential-list-for-a-successful-business_24

Schedule a consultation with Stephen
https://3piesquared.com/stephen-booking-page

Free ABA Business Readiness Assessment
https://3piesquared.com/aba-business-readiness-assessment

ABA Billing Tips Guide
https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Billing_Tips