Featuring Ian Santus, Mindy Rothstein, and Sean Yocum
In this episode of Hi Rasmus & Friends: Stories Behind the Science, three BCBAs reflect on the personal experiences that brought them to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Their journeys are as different as they are inspiring—and each one offers a powerful reminder of why we do the work we do.
Ian Santus once planned to become a pilot, but when a vision impairment rerouted his plans, he stumbled into the world of ABA. What began as a detour became a calling.
Mindy Rothstein started her career in math. But it wasn’t until she saw the real-world impact of behavioral work that she made the leap into ABA, determined to make a difference beyond numbers.
For Sean Yocum, the path was deeply personal. Inspired by his brother’s autism diagnosis, Sean was driven by a mission to serve others with the same compassion and dedication he witnessed in his own family.
Why We Loved This Conversation
This episode is a beautiful look at the diverse motivations that fuel careers in ABA. It’s not about protocols or processes—it’s about people. These stories are honest, grounded, and full of heart. Whether you’re a student, a seasoned BCBA, or simply ABA-curious, you’ll find something to relate to in these journeys.
Key Themes
- Turning points: Each guest shares the moment when ABA “clicked”—and how that moment shaped their future.
- The power of purpose: Behind every data point is a person. These BCBAs are here because they care, and it shows.
- A field with many doors: No two stories are the same, and that’s the beauty of it. ABA draws people in from every walk of life—and every story strengthens the community.
What Stuck With Us
It’s easy to think of professional journeys as linear. But what this episode reminds us is that passion often grows from unexpected places—personal challenges, shifts in direction, or simply saying “yes” to something new.
This conversation is a celebration of how we get here—and why we stay. It’s the kind of reflection that helps renew purpose and build connection across the ABA field.
Stay tuned for more episodes of Hi Rasmus & Friends: Stories Behind the Science—where we go beyond the behavior plans and into the stories that shape them.
