
From Iran to the World: A Behaviour Analyst’s Story of Faith, Loss, and Purpose with Dr. Setareh Dehghani Moslemi Ph.D., BCBA-D
Behaviour Speak with Ben ReimanShow Notes
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Ben sits down with Dr. Setareh (Star) Moslemi, an Iranian behaviour analyst whose journey into the field of ABA was shaped by displacement, loss, and a profound sense of responsibility. Growing up in Iran as a member of the Baháʼí Faith, Star experienced systemic barriers to education and opportunity. At 16, her family made the difficult decision to leave Iran in search of a future where she and her siblings could access education. Shortly after arriving in Turkey, her father—who had risked everything to make that journey possible—passed away. That experience became a defining moment. In this conversation, Star reflects on how her father’s sacrifice, her identity, and her lived experience shaped her path into behaviour analysis—and her ongoing mission to expand autism support for Farsi-speaking families, many of whom face significant barriers to accessing services. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zv8EL4imMjg BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO: 1.5 CulturalQABA: 1.5 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.5 Cultural Diversity Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
Contact Star: Website: https://www.behaviortalkwithstar.com/ Faculty Page at University of North Texas https://pahs.unt.edu/behv/bao/faculty-staff.html Danaa School on IG https://www.instagram.com/school.danaa/ ABA Talk With Star Podcast (ای بی ای تاک با ستاره) https://abatalkwithstar.buzzsprout.com/ Socials https://www.instagram.com/dr.setareh.moslemi/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/setareh-dehghani-moslemi-phd-bcba-d-b1b904327/
Two other episodes, which I think you might find really interesting, would be: Episode 239: Supporting Refugee and Migrant Students Amid Climate and War-Induced Displacement with Dr. Diana Diaków https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-239-supporting-refugee-and-migrant-students-amid-climate-and-war-induced-displacement-with-dr-diana-diakow/ Episode 240: Voices From Gaza: Understanding War Trauma with Dr. Iman Farajallah https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-240-voices-from-gaza-understanding-war-trauma-with-dr-iman-farajallah/
More from Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman
In this inspiring episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben welcomes Dr. Pooja Panesar, behaviour analyst, Doctor of Behavioural Health, entrepreneur, educator, and founder of Kaizora Centre for Neurodevelopmental Therapies. Born and raised in Kenya, educated in Canada, and driven by a passion for helping children and families, Dr. Panesar shares her remarkable journey from working with a single child in a small room furnished with only a table and two chairs to building leading autism and neurodevelopmental services across Kenya and Tanzania. The conversation explores the evolution of autism services in East Africa, overcoming stigma, building professional capacity, integrating cultural humility with evidence-based practice, and creating interdisciplinary systems of care. Dr. Panesar also reflects on leadership, resilience, parenting, and her vision for the future of autism services across the continent. This episode offers powerful lessons for behaviour analysts, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and anyone interested in creating meaningful systems change. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ycA180S1EgE
What happens when psychology is viewed through the lens of Indigenous knowledge, community, language, and lived experience? In this episode, Ben welcomes Dr. Vicky Lomay, a Navajo (Diné) clinical psychologist, assessment specialist, educator, and leader in Indigenous psychology. Dr. Lomay shares her journey from engineering student to psychologist and reflects on how growing up in a bilingual Navajo household shaped her understanding of healing, wellness, and human behaviour. The conversation explores the intersections between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western psychology, including cultural impacts on assessment, diagnosis, trauma treatment, and mental health care. Dr. Lomay discusses why many traditional Indigenous healing approaches represent generations of what she calls "practice-based evidence," long before Western psychology developed similar concepts and terminology. Ben and Dr. Lomay also discuss the challenges of psychological assessment in Indigenous communities, the risks of cultural misinterpretation during evaluation, and the importance of understanding language, history, ceremony, and context when working with Indigenous clients. The episode concludes with a discussion about leadership, mentorship, and the future of Indigenous psychology through organizations such as the Society of Indian Psychologists and the American Psychological Association's American Indian and Alaska Native Section. Watch the video! https://youtu.be/3K-L9uVa6gs Connect with Dr. Vicky Lomay Tsinajini Psychology Services https://tsinajinipsych.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-t-lomay-phd-5320626/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tsinajini_psychology
What can studying perspective taking tell us about relationships, dating violence, and the experiences of neurodivergent people?
Dr. Don Togade came to behaviour analysis through a deeply personal journey, one that began with trying to better understand himself.
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Ben Reiman sits down with Indigenous educator, consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur Len Pierre. Grounding the discussion in his Coast Salish identity and his roots in Katzie First Nation, Len shares his journey of cultural reclamation, receiving his ancestral name, and learning to navigate both Indigenous and colonial worlds.