ABA Inside Track: Atomic Habits Book Club (PREVIEW)
Date: January 12, 2026
Podcast Host(s): Robert Perry Crews, Diana Perry Crews, Jackie, Alan Haberman
Episode Theme: Initial impressions and ABA-informed discussion of "Atomic Habits" by James Clear—laying the foundation and breaking down the book's approach through a behavioral analytic lens.
Episode Overview
This episode is a preview of ABA Inside Track’s winter 2026 book club discussion about Atomic Habits by James Clear. The panel introduces the book, shares individual reactions, and analyzes its fit and value from a behavior analytic standpoint. The discussion covers general impressions, criticisms, and connections to applied behavior analysis (ABA) terminology and practice. The hosts also outline the four fundamental steps (or "laws") that structure the book’s approach to building better habits.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Book Club Format and Patreon Info
- The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers ($10+ level), with CE credits available. This preview focuses on early chapters and general thoughts.
- The book club tradition: Books are selected by patron vote each season, spotlighting works related to behavior analysis.
2. Why Atomic Habits?
- Jackie nominated the book, having read and enjoyed it prior.
- “I love this book. I read it before the book club... we should read this book.” (03:03, Jackie)
- The book is described as quick, easy, motivational, and especially timely for annual goal-setters.
Notable Quotes:
“It is... inspirational and I wouldn’t don’t sleep on it. Call now.”
(04:03, Diana)
3. First Impressions: Varied Perspectives
- Diana: Found the book inspirational and accessible, especially as a New Year’s read.
- Alan: Praised clarity and practical explanations, but cautioned the book might not be universally accessible—especially for readers with ADHD or executive functioning challenges.
- “It’s not the most friendly to people that are maybe like ADHD... it's not an effective place to start.” (04:29, Alan)
- Jackie: Successfully used the book to change her own routines, appreciates self-help in general.
- Critique: Examples skew toward the author’s personal interests (e.g., fitness, exercise), potentially alienating some readers.
- “...you could almost like see the tension and the sweat on his brow when he’s like, what’s an example that’s not how I increased my reps at the gym?” (07:06, Rob)
4. Behavior Analytic Content & Accessibility
- The group agrees the book is surprisingly consistent with ABA principles, even if written for a general audience.
- “This is one of the most behavior analytic books we’ve done... It’s more behavioral analytic than a lot of the supervision books.” (12:53, Rob)
- The book explains basic behavior change concepts (e.g., antecedents, reinforcement, values) in digestible language for the lay reader, making it recommendable for the public.
- “His book has explained a lot of what we do in ways that are probably more easily digestible by the vast public...” (10:59, Rob)
5. Author Background: James Clear
- Clear is not an academic, but a writer and former athlete who studied habits to overcome injuries and improve performance.
- He methodically built his platform by employing the very strategies he writes about—blogging, habit stacking, etc.
- Atomic Habits packages a mix of habit literature, behavioral science, and practical advice.
6. APA/ABA Connections—Spotting Behavioral Principles
- The hosts encourage behavior analysts (especially trainees) to read Atomic Habits with an “ABA translator” mindset: identify MOs, sds, reinforcement, etc.
- “...go through and really be a great place to practice. Like what behavior analytic terminology?” (19:36, Alan)
- Good material for applying behavioral principles to one’s own self-management and teaching students about real-world relevance.
7. Incremental Change: The Core Message
- The power of compounding small improvements is the central metaphor (e.g., British cycling team anecdote).
- “Time magnifies the margin between success and failure. It will multiply whatever you feed it.” (26:44, Rob quoting Clear)
- Metaphor of an ice cube melting (change may not be visible until a tipping point)—“change is like an ice cube... suddenly at 32 degrees, you’ll see it change rapidly and melt.” (27:58, Rob)
Notable Quotes:
“The small changes will amount to bigger changes over time...” (28:22, Diana)
8. Goals vs. Systems & Identity-Based Change
- Discussion about ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and Behavioral Activation as frameworks that emphasize processes and values over static goals.
- “Winners and losers have the same goals” — more important to build robust Systems (i.e., habits and routines) than to focus solely on goals.
- “Goals are merely SDs. Goals aren’t behavior.” (34:19, Jackie)
- Shifting to an identity-focused approach: Not ‘I want to read a book,’ but ‘I am a reader.’ This helps automate decision-making and builds sustainable change.
- “If you are... have these sort of identities set up for yourself, then... that decision component has been removed...” (41:51, Diana)
9. Atomic Habits: Definition & Model
- “Atomic” refers to small, powerful foundational units—mirroring ABA concepts of atomic repertoires and behavior chains.
- “They are a regular practice or routine that is not only small and easy to do but also the source of incredible power...” (36:28, Rob quoting Clear)
- Critique: Slight inaccuracies in citing Skinner and behavioral principles, but the core model still communicates ABA concepts to a mass audience.
10. The Four Laws/Simple Steps of Habit Change
Parallels to the four-term contingency (MO-SD-R-SR+/C):
| Clear’s Step | ABA Parallel | Explanation/Quote | Time | |-------------------|------------------|----------------------------------|----------------| | Cue | Antecedent/SD | “Triggers your brain... predicts reward” (44:27, Rob) | 44:27 | | Craving | Motivating Operation | “You want a change... you crave something” (45:08, Diana) | 45:08 | | Response | Behavior | “Behaviors you engage in... make them easy to start” (45:17, Jackie) | 45:17 | | Reward | Consequence | “A combination of reinforcers... outcomes of response” (45:41, Alan) | 45:41 |
Translation for General Audience:
- Make it obvious (cue)
- Make it attractive (craving)
- Make it easy (response)
- Make it satisfying (reward)
(46:48-47:16)
Reverse these to break a bad habit: make it invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying. (47:26-47:35)
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
-
On the Book's "Bro-y" Tone:
“There’s a little bit of a dude bro voice in the book though...”
(08:10, Rob) -
On Compounding Change:
“1% better every day for a year... at the end of that year you’re 37 times better than you were.”
(25:28, Rob paraphrasing Clear) -
On Clear’s Credibility:
“He’s not just an atomic habit writer, but he’s also a client.”
(07:06, Rob) -
On the Book’s Behavioral Accuracy:
“[Clear] references Skinner like right there in the beginning...”
(11:44, Diana)
“[He] talked about Skinner incorrectly...”
(37:38, Jackie) -
On the Book’s Utility for Behavior Analysts:
“I really want to give this to my trainees...”
(20:27, Diana)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:13-03:11 – Book club intro & Patreon info
- 03:44-06:09 – Initial roundtable reactions to Atomic Habits
- 07:06-08:18 – On "dude bro" tone & example selection
- 10:59-12:53 – Behavior analytic consistency and accessibility
- 19:36-21:02 – Analysts/trainee applications
- 25:28-26:44 – Compounding change & 1% improvement
- 28:22-28:59 – Incremental change as social significance
- 34:19-35:09 – Goals as SDs, not behavior
- 36:28–37:10 – Atomic habits definition & metaphor
- 44:08–47:16 – The Four Laws, ABA mapping, and behavior chains
Tone and Language
The hosts’ tone is conversational, playful, and reflective. They incorporate self-effacing humor (“I am already so much fun to be around”) and group banter, while weaving in professional perspective and critique.
For Listeners:
This preview is ideal for behavior analysts (and trainees) interested in mainstream self-help through a behavioral lens, and for anyone curious about practical habit change grounded in behavioral science but explained in accessible terms.
To hear the full, in-depth breakdown—including deeper dives into the Four Laws and actionable strategies—visit patreon.com/abainsidetrack ($10+ level).