When East Meets West
East coast psychologist Peter Economou, Ph.D. and West coast psychologist Nikki Rubin, Psy.D. discuss ancient Eastern spiritual practices and their integration with modern Western behavioral science with practical takeaways for everyone. Learn more at www.wheneastmeetswest.us
Episodes
103 episodes
S4E7 Mastering the Maze: Overcoming Overwhelm in Decision-Making
Why does deciding what jeans to buy feel like climbing a mountain? Let's unpack the overwhelming world of decision-making in today's episode. We confront the brain's wiring for problem-solving that goes haywire with too many choices and the add...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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17:00
S4E6 Breaking Stigmas: Athletes and Mental Wellness
Ever wondered how elite athletes like Simone Biles manage the tremendous pressure of competing on the world stage? Our guests, Dr. Pete Economou and Dr. Nikki Rubin, bring their expertise in sports psychology to shed light on this critical to...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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16:36
S4E5 Paths to Personal Growth: The Differences Between Coaching and Therapy
Ever wondered how coaching and therapy intersect and why it's important to understand the differences? Discover the crucial distinctions and fascinating overlaps between these two practices as cognitive and behavioral therapists, Dr. Pete Eco...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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19:14
S4E6 Letting Go of Knowing the Outcome: Identifying Imaginary Information
Can you truly control the outcomes in your life, or is it merely an illusion? Join us in this episode of "When East Meets West" as Dr. Pete Economou and Dr. Nikki Rubin share their personal battles with the human desire for outcome control and ...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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13:59
S4E3 Exploring the Thin Line Between Secrecy and Privacy
Can you really distinguish between secrecy and privacy? Discover the subtle yet profound differences as we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Pete Economou and Dr. Nikki Rubin. In this episode, we tackle how secrets can under...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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13:30
S4E2 The Multifaceted Nature of Intimacy: Beyond Romantic Relationships
How often do you consider the true depth of intimacy in your life? Join us as we explore the diverse dimensions of intimacy that go far beyond its typical association with sex. Intimacy isn't confined to romantic relationships; it flourishes in...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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17:29
S4E1 Balancing Life and Work in a Hectic World: How to Interact with Busyness
Can high energy levels be both a blessing and a curse? Join us as we reconnect after a whirlwind hiatus to discuss everything from our personal journey updates to the intriguing dynamics of hypomania among high performers. Dr. Nikki Rubin walks...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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19:22
S3E20 Ted Lasso
Over the recent years there has been a growing number of portrayals of mental health providers in media, further helping the de-stigmatization of mental health. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the recent Apple TV series, Ted Lasso. Tune in to le...
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12:58
S3E19 Private Practice and Finding a Therapist
Dr. Rubin presented the issue in the U.S. with access to care across many different medical arenas, of course emphasizing mental healthcare. Finding the right mental health provider can be a challenge for so many people due to financial limitat...
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19:36
S3E18 Liberation
Dr. Pete brought the topic of liberation, which of course Dr. Rubin was so easily able to define as a part of freedom. There is so much power in words and Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin break down the role of relational frame theory and how the word li...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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15:52
S3E17 Distress Tolerance
Dr. Rubin brings her knowledge on this western behavioral practice of distress tolerance. The APA definition of Distress tolerance: the level of either (a) one’s unwillingness to experience emotional distress as part of pursuing desired goals o...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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13:29
S3E16 Delusions and Illusions
Dr. Pete brings topics from his recent dharma talk on delusions and illusions, the Zen teaching of how nothing exists outside the mind. The world as we see it can all be viewed as one big illusion, which is a western practice of cognitive defus...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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14:35
S3E15 Distraction
Distraction is the behavior where there is an interruption of attention. It takes the person away from the primary interest, and the world within which we live makes distraction much easier. Think about it- streaming, mobile devices, technology...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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14:54
S3E14_Performance Psychology
As you have seen on When East Meets West, there are many things that can be tied to western behavioral science and all things about our performance are no different. Dr. Pete works primarily with high performers, but Dr. Rubin reminds us tha...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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12:26
S3E13_Renewal
Dr. Rubin introduces the subtle shifts of seasons on the west coast compared to the east coast seasonal changes. This episode highlights that the act of returning is a behavior and the idea of renewal is an experience. Dr. Rubin breaks this ...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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12:14
S3E12_Resilience
Dr. Pete introduces the nature of resilience in psychology and living while Dr. Rubin reminds that resilience is connected to grit. She named the ingredients as: grit, connection, love and connection, and compassion. There was a moment of di...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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16:59
S3E11_Panic
Dr. Rubin introduces the education regarding panic symptoms and panic attacks, and how they are precipitated by a perceived threat. Drs. Rubin and Pete present the symptoms and present some mechanisms that people use to manage panic. Dr. Pet...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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22:01
S3E10_Self Growth
Self growthThere are many ways for people to try and evolve, and today’s culture heavily emphasizes the importance of wellness and wellbeing. In fact, there could be some criticism about self-growth being viewed as a fad, but D...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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16:28
S3E9_Connection
ConnectionDr. Rubin introduced the idea of connection as something that is not measurable, and humans are in need of it. Of course many of us are still recovering from the pandemic and what it meant to connect during this time ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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20:57
S3E8_Anger
AngerDr. Rubin highlights the evolution of anger and how this emotion can be helpful. Like most things in the practice of mindfulness, as long as we do not let any of them control how we think, feel and behave, they can be usef...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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21:42
S3E7_Retreats
In this episode Dr. Pete brings the trend of retreats to this episode as it comes into modern wellness, as well as the traditional practices of retreats which are ultimately meant to isolate and recharge our energy and spirits. Dr. Rubin remind...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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15:02
S3E6_The Return
The Return: We are back!After almost one year, Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin return to When East Meets West and, in true form of their commitment to mindfulness, they frame this return episode within a mindful and values-based way. Li...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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17:20
S3E5 Self Care Hiatus
Have you missed the doctors? Well, they missed you more! Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin have been grinding, which means that they needed to take a break. Tune in to learn the importance of boundaries and self-care professionally and personally. T...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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21:29
S3E3_The Rules Dilemma
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 light onto the importance of rules in behavior...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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19:37