You see that there? What is the dilemma with rules? Tune in to hear Dr. Rubin talk about how there are some issues with rules, but that we also need them. She schools Dr. Pete, as always, and sheds... + Expand

January 2022, one of the most influential Buddhist monks, transitioned to the next life. He was 95-years-old and after being ordained a monk at age 16, he went on to live a life dedicated to educat... + Expand

Have you ever heard someone describe an event (e.g., dinner, fight, work presentation), but it sounds so different than you experienced it? that is perception. In the opening episode of season 3, D... + Expand

Oops, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete forgot to say good-bye and all of a sudden, they found themselves in a short hiatus. In this season 2 closer, the co-hosts discuss the need for a break, setting boundar... + Expand

Have you ever been to a dinner and then you ask all the guests what happened at dinner? If there were 6 guests, you will get 6 different stories. That is the power of perspective taking. Dr. Pete s... + Expand

Most of us think of risk taking behaviors as limited to putting ourselves in physical danger for a thrill (e.g., surfing a 50ft wave) or acting impulsively or without thinking (e.g., making a bet u... + Expand

Most of us tend to know when something feels fake or feels genuine or authentic—but how?? In this episode Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin introduce discuss the concept of authenticity, and how it may ... + Expand

Brains don’t like being uncomfortable, so they’ve come up with a simple behavioral solution: avoid it! In this episode, the docs discuss the function of avoidance, provide psychoeducati... + Expand

Why do we worry about the future and ruminate about the past? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete discuss and distinguish between these two “covert” behaviors (behaviors happening i... + Expand

You’ve heard koans mentioned on WEMW before, but what exactly are they? In this episode,  Dr. Pete explains what koans are and how they are used to try and untangle the mind through verb... + Expand

Have you noticed that the music you listen to can directly affect how you feel? Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin share insights around the psychology of music, while reminding listeners that they are no musi... + Expand

On this bonus episode, special guest Jean Semelfort, Jr. joins Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin to discuss toxic masculinity. Jean is a licensed professional counselor and owner of the private practice CACTU... + Expand

Howard Spector co-founded SimplePractice—a business management software solution and an industry-leading SaaS company in the healthtech sector that has been recognized as the Best Overall Pra... + Expand

The pandemic has increased the onset of unhealthy eating habits, which can lead to body image issues as well. In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete welcome clinical psychologist and author Daniel... + Expand

We live in a busy go, go, go world, thus most of us like to believe that we are experts in multi-tasking. But believe it or not, the brain is actually incapable of focusing on more than one thing a... + Expand

As Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete return from a short summer hiatus, they open up the second half of Season 2 by discussing the importance of sadness, evolutionary perspectives, and differentiate sadness f... + Expand

Love is a basic emotion, and one that most humans desire. There are many aspects of love and it shows up at different points in our lives. In this last episode before summer break, Dr. Pete and Dr.... + Expand

Emotions evolved to give us information, but what happens when they become more intense than evolution intended them to be? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete discuss emotion regulation, inclu... + Expand

There are many positives and negatives involving the use of video games, and experts have been debating this topic for years. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin break down some of the most recent research arou... + Expand

Without further ado, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete bring you the first episode regarding the differences between behaviorism and traditional psychoanalysis as developed by Sigmund Freud. They highlight ho... + Expand

As the medical world advances, so too do the labels that help guide providers with treatment. In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin chat about illness anxiety, OCD with a health focus, and other ... + Expand

If given the choice, do you prefer to compromise or do it your way? In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss why compromise is so difficult for human beings (hint: we’ve got those rigi... + Expand

No one likes feeling guilty, but have you ever considered that maybe your guilt is trying to tell you something? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete dive into what guilt actually is (hint: it&r... + Expand

Today isn't about when East meets West, it's about East versus West! In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin dive into an exploration (and friendly rivalry) of East coast versus West coast ... + Expand

Humans are a curious species, although at times curiosity can cause anxiety or pain (i.e., think about the saying "curiosity killed the cat." Sorry to you cat lovers out there). In this e... + Expand

Enlightenment is often misunderstood in western culture as something to achieve. In this episode, Dr. Pete clarifies that there actually is no arrival or achievement of enlightenment (what?!) and b... + Expand

What is a gut instinct? Can you tell the difference between your gut, your emotions, or a premonition? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete discuss intuition, how to access it, and how its exi... + Expand

Do you know the difference between boundaries and walls? How about the relationship between boundaries and connection? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete discuss what boundaries are, how they ... + Expand

Finally! In this episode, the docs talk through one of their favorite topics on WEMW: values. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin define what values are and how they function like directions, discuss their re... + Expand

Whether to a global pandemic, marriage, the loss of a loved one, or a new job, humans are always adjusting. Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete highlight the behavioral aspects of adjustment, the diagnosis of a... + Expand

Have you been given a trigger warning before? In the service of increasing sensitivity and awareness to the struggles of others, trigger warnings have gained popularity by letting someone know that... + Expand

How do we move towards creating more space and freedom in our lives? In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss a favorite topic on WEMW: flexibility. While you might know from other episodes ... + Expand

Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin have mentioned the Middle Path time and again on When East Meets West. In this episode, they finally dissect and present the foundations of this practice, how it links to beh... + Expand

What is the difference between the brain and the mind? Is there a difference? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete discuss how these two parts ourselves are often conflated (especially since the... + Expand

Grief occurs when we have experienced the loss of someone we love, and it is one of the most intense baseline emotions we may encounter. In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete discuss the stages o... + Expand

Did you ever imagine that most of your human interactions would be two-dimensional? 2020 saw the transition to connecting with others through predominantly digital means to increase safety during t... + Expand

The brain is hard wired to judge, so don’t judge the judging! In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss both the evolutionary and biological function of judgments, as well as how mindfu... + Expand

Motivation may be one of the most misunderstood emotions that we have, often leading to a belief that we need to feel motivated in order to make changes in our lives. In this episode, Dr. Rubin and... + Expand

In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin start a conversation about the role of sex in human connection, while also distinguishing between the biological function of sex, sexual behavior, and intima... + Expand

Cancel culture is "the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. [It... + Expand

Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the Zen Buddhist of concept of Shoshin, aka Beginner's Mind, in which individuals learn to approach each moment with curiosity and openness as if experiencing som... + Expand

Welcome back to WEMW with your two favorite psychologists, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin. Most people avoid change, and yet in 2021 there were millions of people ecstatic for it. In this first episode of ... + Expand

In this special extra episode, our first guest Dr. Robyn Walser joined Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete for a conversation on existentialism within behaviorism. Dr. Walser is a scholar and practitioner in th... + Expand

Well, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin took this journey in 2020 starting When East Meets West. It feels like they have been doing this for ages, and their relationship is palpable. They discuss the time tog... + Expand

Dr. Rubin presents how the past 6 months has felt like 60 years, as she discusses the role of acceptance in behaviorism with Dr. Pete.  On the next to last episode in 2020, Dr. Rubin and Dr. P... + Expand

There is nothing that we do that cannot  be understood through behaviorism. Nothing. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin explain how learning theory is fundamentally woven into all aspects of being human. ... + Expand

People and animals benefit from one another biologically, psychologically, and more.  Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the evolutionary history of the relationship between dogs and humans  ... + Expand

Everyone loves a good laugh, right? Have you ever watched some of those videos online of a child belly-laughing? There are real psychological benefits of humor, including cultivating joy and connec... + Expand

As we continue to experience this global pandemic, isolation from others remains a consistent consequence. In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the impact of isolation on mental health a... + Expand

As we end another cycle of a U.S. election, we are all feeling like we’ve had enough. The split between the country during this election cycle was palpable. In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr.... + Expand

In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss what has been called “election stress disorder.” While technically not a real psychological disorder, you’re unlikely to find someo... + Expand

We have all met someone who told us to “look on the bright side” while we were in the midst of a painful or difficult experience. While this suggestion may be well intentioned, this typ... + Expand

We have all encountered someone who does not have the same respect for the rules as others, or who believes that the rules simply do not apply to them at all! In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pet... + Expand

Stress is something that everyone experiences, especially in 2020. Although it's common, stress can have a negative effect on our overall well-being and physical health without proper awareness... + Expand

Today the docs discuss one of Dr. Rubin's favorite things in psychology: dialectics! In this episode Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete break down the effects of polarization on our social relationships, d... + Expand

2020 has been identified as a year to remember; global pandemic, wild fires, racial tensions at an all time high, earthquakes, and political unrest. In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin address ... + Expand

Has anyone ever called you controlling? On this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss what it means to be controlling from a western psychological lens (emphasizing the role of rigidity), in addi... + Expand

Dr. Rubin worked in women's reproductive behavioral health during her time on the east coast, and continues to treat these struggles on the west coast. In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin d... + Expand

How is your screen time? Check it out before you listen to this episode, because in this episode Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete address the advantages and disadvantages of social media in our lives and our... + Expand

Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the difference between religion and spirituality, and how spirituality is often misconstrued, misunderstood, or judged. This episode focuses on the eastern practice o... + Expand

Does it ever seem as though life feels too uncertain at times? In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete address the science behind uncertainty, and why evolution selected for brains to assume that n... + Expand

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many of our routines and experiences, including those in the world of sports. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the suspension of fall 2020 sports in the NCAA, and ... + Expand

What is gratitude exactly? Being thankful or appreciative, or something more? Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss how gratitude can be a part of a Buddhist practice, the psychological benefits of grat... + Expand

All of us have a self-critic inside, whether we like it or not. Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete use sarcasm and humor as they talk about the role of the brain's "inner critic." They discuss ho... + Expand

Do you want to feel calm? Buddhism and Western psychology both aim to cultivate a sense of calm, but often in different ways than we might expect. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss how a state of calm... + Expand

Anxiety is a natural emotion that all humans and most, if not all, living beings experience. In this episode, Dr. Rubin leads the conversation on evolution and how anxiety is adaptive for the 40,00... + Expand

If you are addicted to listening to WEMW, you have heard Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin say "be present, be brave" at the sign off of each episode. Tune into this episode to learn why the docs ch... + Expand

In this episode, the docs take a deep dive into how righteousness and rigid thinking affect behavior and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete reflect on personal examples where the... + Expand

Have you tried to talk to someone who does not share your world views, like wearing a mask or not? In this episode, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss ways to communicate effectively with loved ones wh... + Expand

Have you tried to live with compassion? Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin talk about compassion as a clinical intervention and as a way of life; of course, they address how compassion fits into behavioral sci... + Expand

Brene Brown became a household sensation after a famous TED talk about her research on vulnerability as a professor of social work in Texas. In this episode, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete talk about their... + Expand

Do you consider yourself to be a perfectionist? Dr. Rubin and Dr. Pete reframe the idea of what being a perfectionist is, and discuss whether or not every human is actually a perfectionist in some ... + Expand

Many of us have tried to meditate, especially with the increased presence of mindfulness in the West (thanks to more access and knowledge about it via the internet and popular apps). In this episod... + Expand

For years there have been social issues related to racial inequalities. While this has happened all over the world (e.g., apartheid), the United States has suffered from this polarity during the pa... + Expand

Have you ever felt proud that you handled a situation well, easily got over a frustration, or overcame the loss of someone or a pet? You were likely using coping skills. In this episode, Dr. Pete a... + Expand

In this episode Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the practice of acceptance from both western and eastern perspectives. While this concept may seem easy to talk about on the surface, in reality it is... + Expand

In this first episode, you are introduced to Dr. Pete Economou from New Jersey and Dr. Nikki Rubin from California. They met while training in New Jersey, and both practice 3rd wave cognitive behav... + Expand