306 episodes

Love & Life is your place for conversations grounded in psych research, psychotherapy, and Biblical truth to help you THRIVE in love and life!
Join psychologist Karin Anderson Abrell, Ph.D. and pastor and psychotherapist Elliott Anderson, M.A., as they focus on relationships and how to flourish therein with a holistic approach to emotional and psychological well-being, recognizing we only thrive when we nourish each of these key domains—Mind, Body, and Spirit. Together they bring over 60 years of counseling experience and academic expertise to each podcast discussion and interview.

Love & Life with Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 10 Ratings

Love & Life is your place for conversations grounded in psych research, psychotherapy, and Biblical truth to help you THRIVE in love and life!
Join psychologist Karin Anderson Abrell, Ph.D. and pastor and psychotherapist Elliott Anderson, M.A., as they focus on relationships and how to flourish therein with a holistic approach to emotional and psychological well-being, recognizing we only thrive when we nourish each of these key domains—Mind, Body, and Spirit. Together they bring over 60 years of counseling experience and academic expertise to each podcast discussion and interview.

    When Your In-Laws Step Over the Line: Help for Newlyweds (and Others!) in Establishing Boundaries Ep. 302

    When Your In-Laws Step Over the Line: Help for Newlyweds (and Others!) in Establishing Boundaries Ep. 302

    In the midst of newlywed bliss, we often overlook the importance of presenting ourselves to our families and friends as a united front.



    That is, until our in-laws begin to meddle and make inappropriate demands . . . 

    Of course, we remain respectful of our parents and in-laws. Of course, we want to avail ourselves of their wisdom and guidance.

    But, a young couple (or not-so-young couple) must demonstrate to their families (and to themselves) that their primary allegiance is to each other–NOT to their families of origin.

    It’s a complex, difficult process which involves grieving the loss of former alliances. For example, a father and daughter may have always had a special bond–which is wonderful–but now, the daughter’s primary connection needs to be with her husband. 

    Learn how to grieve these losses while simultaneously establishing healthy, appropriate boundaries with our families of origin. 

    Elliott and I discuss all this and more in today’s episode! 



    Sponsor: The Wellness Company

    Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠

    Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!



    Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

    Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

    Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

    Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson


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    • 34 min
    The Sex is Bad but I Don’t Plan On Leaving. Now What? Ep. 301

    The Sex is Bad but I Don’t Plan On Leaving. Now What? Ep. 301

    You have questions. We’ve got answers!



    As part of our series on Elliott’s premarital counseling curriculum, we shared 2 episodes about how to cultivate true sexual intimacy and fulfillment. 



    We received some feedback from listeners whose sex lives are extremely difficult. They don’t intend to leave their marriages for various reasons–there are children involved, or they love each other deeply despite the physical disconnectedness, or they don’t believe sexual incompatibility warrants divorce–but obviously, they’re very unhappy with the status quo. 



    Specifically, listeners asked us:

    1. What if my spouse is emotionally abusive? I’m not going to leave because we have children and I don’t want to disrupt their home. But, it’s brutal having sex with someone who’s cruel, demeaning, and volatile. Any thoughts?

    2. Our sex life isn’t going well, but my spouse refuses to go to counseling. How can I make things better?

    3.  feel like our sexual relationship is one sided in that my husband always gets his needs met, but mine rarely are. How can I address this without feeling like I'm begging?



    Join us to hear Elliott’s advice for these difficult issues around sex, emotional abuse, and incompatibility.



    Sponsor: The Wellness Company

    Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠

    Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!



    Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

    Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

    Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

    Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson


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    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/love-and-life-media/message

    • 39 min
    Couples Who Pray Together Stay Together. The Importance of Spiritual Intimacy in Relationships Ep. 300

    Couples Who Pray Together Stay Together. The Importance of Spiritual Intimacy in Relationships Ep. 300

    A 2016 Pew Research Poll found that just 44% of respondents consider shared religious beliefs to be key to a successful marriage.



    Therefore, 66% of us aren’t too worried about aligning spiritually with our partner.



    But, is it wise to minimize this?



    Actually, according to multiple studies, couples who pray together DO stay together. In fact, marital satisfaction is highly correlated with religious affiliation and committed practice.



    Join us for our responses to this data—and other research findings which highlights the importance of aligning spiritually with your partner.

     

    Citations:

    Effects of Religious Practice on Marriage

    What Couples May Not Realize About Relgion and Marriage



    Sponsor: The Wellness Company

    Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠

    Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!



    Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

    Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

    Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

    Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson


    ---

    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/love-and-life-media/message

    • 41 min
    From “Nurse of the Year” to Fired for Refusing the Jab: Live Med Free with Dave Wayne, Part 2 Ep. 299

    From “Nurse of the Year” to Fired for Refusing the Jab: Live Med Free with Dave Wayne, Part 2 Ep. 299

    Dave Wayne had found his passion and purpose in life. As a psychiatric nurse, he’d gained the respect of both his peers and superiors–so much so, that he won a prestigious award at his hospital!.



    Not long after receiving this accolade, Dave was fired.



    Why? He declined to take an injection of an experimental product. 



    But as so often happens in life, our darkest moments propel us in a new direction–one that’s more aligned with our values and better suited to who we’re meant to become!. And, in Dave’s case, his skepticism around Big Pharma had already made him realize a profession grounded in pharmaceutical interventions wouldn’t be a fit for him long term. 



    Dave now serves as a holistic health coach. He emphasizes the importance of nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset on our emotional well-being as he helps clients “describe” from medications.



    Join us to learn how you can thrive free of Pharma!   



    Sponsor: The Wellness Company

    Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠

    Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!



    David Wayne

    Website: https://www.describe.health

    Instagram: @david.wayne.rn



    Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

    Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

    Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

    Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson



    Citations:

    Undisclosed financial conflicts of interest in DSM-5-TR: cross sectional analysis, BMJ 2024; 384 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-076902 (Published 10 January 2024)



    https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-076902/rapid-responses


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    • 42 min
    From Pro Pharma Psychiatric Nurse to Holistic Health Coach! Live Med Free with David Wayne, Part 1 Ep. 298

    From Pro Pharma Psychiatric Nurse to Holistic Health Coach! Live Med Free with David Wayne, Part 1 Ep. 298

    We started an occasional series a while ago called, “Empowered Evolving” in part, because I saw so much shifting all around us. Beliefs that had once been considered integral to folks with certain philosophical ideology, now seem to be embraced by those on the opposite side of things.

    Furthermore, over the last several years, we’ve witnessed the abolition of core American rights I thought we all valued. 

    Very strange times, indeed.

    I called the series, “Empowered Evolving” as a way to remind myself—and anyone else who might have been feeling unsettled, as I’ve felt over the last several years—that evolving IS empowered.

    We used to encourage people to question authority and do our own research and think for ourselves and ask for second, third, and fourth opinions. We warned each other to resist tribalism and group-think.

    Americans were pioneers, independent minded. We read Thorough’s Civil Disobedience in high school and lived by Shakespeare’s “To thine own self be true” 

    Naturally, when you live out such principles, you often evolve.

    Evolving can feel lonely. You may lose friends, your community, even your identity.

    This all happened to today’s guest, former psychiatric nurse turned holistic health coach, Dave Wayne.



    Sponsor: The Wellness Company

    Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠

    Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!



    David Wayne

    Website: https://www.describe.health

    Instagram: @david.wayne.rn



    Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

    Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

    Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

    Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson


    ---

    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/love-and-life-media/message

    • 39 min
    Are Family Entanglements Preventing You from Enjoying Healthy Romantic Partnership? Ep. 297

    Are Family Entanglements Preventing You from Enjoying Healthy Romantic Partnership? Ep. 297

    Sometimes, even when we’re well into adulthood, dynamics from our family of origin continue to impact us and our relationships. 



    We may be physically distant, but still emotionally enmeshed!



    Oftentimes, we remain entangled in family drama, which consumes our time and energy. What’s worse—it robs us of the emotional bandwidth necessary to pursue healthy, romantic partnership. 



    We may not actually be available for love—even though we deeply desire it and long to meet our person. 



    Join us to learn 2 key principles from Family Systems Theory which will greatly enhance your ability to relate to your family of origin with emotional maturity. 



    As an added bonus, healthier family relationships lead to healthier relationships with EVERYONE in your life—including with yourself, your friends, and your romantic partner!



    Sponsor: The Wellness Company

    Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠

    Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!



    Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

    Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

    Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

    Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson


    ---

    Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/love-and-life-media/message

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
10 Ratings

10 Ratings

SBOCT ,

Finding my way

Thank you Karin (& guests) for helping me stay on track and stay happily single for the first time in my adult life.

lolaG_acht ,

Anti-vax content is muddying the message

This is an incredibly insightful podcast when it comes to relationships but the recent anti vax focus really lets it down, especially when the discussions claim to be science (i.e. scientific consensus)-based.

Suzycakes77 ,

Blissfully Single

Love Dr Karin & Leslie Kaz!
I feel like these gals are my besties. So real, down-to-earth, honest, compassionate & funny. We need more of these conversations. Thank you for taking the time & sharing so much of yourselves.

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