.png)
Tim Talks: Behavioral Health
Tim Talks: Behavioral Health is a fast-paced podcast featuring candid, 10-minute conversations with leaders across the behavioral health field.
Hosted by Timothy Zercher, CEO of A-Train Marketing, each episode dives into what’s actually working in marketing, practice growth, and leadership — with a sharp focus on ethics, sustainability, and smart strategy.
Designed for behavioral health providers, practice owners, and executive leaders, Tim Talks delivers real insight from real operators shaping the future of care.
Short talks. Big insights. Smarter growth.
New episodes weekly.
Tim Talks: Behavioral Health
Scaling ABA with Compassion: Chelsea McAdams, COO of Connections Behavior Planning & Intervention
In this episode of Tim Talks: Behavioral Health, host Timothy Zercher is joined by Chelsea McAdams, BCBA and Chief Operations Officer at Connections Behavior Planning & Intervention. Chelsea shares how her team has scaled school-based ABA services with a focus on capacity building, collaboration, and compassion.
From balancing quality care with organizational growth, to building partnerships across agencies, to tackling the toughest challenge of all - recruitment and retention—Chelsea offers a candid look at what it takes to run and grow an ABA organization today.
She also dives into her personal journey into the field, why collaboration beats competition, and how ABA can - and should - go beyond autism to impact a wider range of lives.
If you’re looking for practical insights on leadership, staffing, and sustainable growth in ABA, this episode is for you.
00:00 – Opening & Welcome
Tim introduces Chelsea and sets the stage.
00:26 – What is one shift you’ve led that created the biggest ripple effect across teams or classrooms?
Chelsea explains the focus on capacity building for both staff and stakeholders in schools.
02:42 – How do you balance care quality with organizational growth?
Chelsea shares her mantra of “balancing quality with cost” and why compassion comes first.
05:20 – How does your team gain new clients and partnerships in a competitive space?
She highlights word of mouth, Medicaid partnerships, collaboration with pediatricians, and even partnering with other ABA agencies.
09:18 – What is the hardest part of growing your organization?
Chelsea discusses the challenge of recruitment and retention, especially in RBT roles.
11:33 – What marketing tactic are you or your team watching closely right now?
Chelsea explains how her team is cautiously using social media to educate and spread awareness about ABA while staying compliant.
14:24 – What’s your personal story of getting into ABA?
Chelsea reflects on how her early experiences led her to fall in love with the science of behavior and apply it not only professionally but personally.
18:29 – How do you see ABA’s role expanding beyond autism?
She shares her passion for applying ABA to emotional and behavioral disorders, trauma, and school-to-prison pipeline issues.
19:52 – Closing Thoughts
Tim thanks Chelsea for her insights and impact in the field.
.png)
