Robert Berend

Robert Berend, J.D., Ph.D. is a dynamic educator whose expertise spans human sexuality, law, finance, and the arts. A Los Angeles native with a Ph.D. in human sexuality—focused on first blind dates and romantic chemistry—Dr. Berend brings academic depth and real-world experience to every class. He has delivered nearly 400 lectures worldwide on topics including sex and aging, estate planning, and socially responsible investing. With over 20 years of experience leading discussion courses, he creates a uniquely welcoming space for open, respectful discussion. His journey as a public educator began over 35 years ago, inspired by an article in The Utne Reader. Since then, he has launched numerous free discussion groups encouraging honest dialogue on a wide range of subjects. His teaching also spans the history of blues music, the legacy of Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead, and the comedy of Firesign Theater. In the 1980s, he hosted the first television show on socially responsible investing.