In this World Behavior Analysis Day Podcast episode, hosts Dr. Paulie Gavoni and Dr. Janet Sanchez Enriquez welcome David Roth, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst whose work is deeply informed by the writings of B.F. Skinner. For more than two decades, David has studied and reflected on Skinner’s ideas, extending them through his conceptual work on mindfulness, compassion, and culture. In his professional role, David also works directly with autistic support classrooms and children, bringing these principles into practice in educational settings.
David shares his journey into behavior analysis, his intersectional work with mindfulness, meditation, and lovingkindness, and his continued role with the B.F. Skinner Foundation publication committee. The discussion highlights David’s origin story with Verbal Behavior (1957), his formative experiences navigating the Skinner-Chomsky debate, and his thoughtful conceptual writings on compassion, ethics, and culture.
Listeners will gain insight into:
Timestamps:
04:30 – David’s origin story: discovering Verbal Behavior (1957)
12:30 – Early challenges and the Skinner vs. Chomsky debate
23:00 – Entering academia and formative mentorship experiences
29:30 – Discovering Skinner’s Notebooks and its impact
34:00 – Reflections on Skinner’s cultural commentaries today
41:00 – Lovingkindness paper: bringing Skinner, Jesus, and Buddha into dialogue
