Love and Life with Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott

In this third mini Love & Life episode, I answer Pam’s question about how to know if a guy is manipulating her. She recently went on a first date with a man who led with smarmy and inappropriately suggestive conversation. When she bristled, he asked her if she wasn’t comfortable with her body. He then went on to say that he’d absolutely need to test drive the car before buying. Join us as I discuss my thoughts on how she responded and on such talk in general. Spoiler alert: if you think you’re being manipulated, you probably are. Dr. Karin Website: loveandlifemedia.com

In this second mini Love & Life episode, I answer Theresa’s question about when she should meet her bf’s kids.  He’s protective of his children and doesn’t want to introduce them to her too soon (which is great) yet because of this, she doesn’t want him to get into the habit of just crashing at her place—because she wants to be properly courted (which is wise).  Join us as I share my thoughts on this dicey topic, made even more sensitive because children are involved.

In this mini Love & Life episode, I answer Kelly’s question about how she can find a way to support her friends even though they’re making unhealthy decisions in their relationships.  I share 3 options for how to love our friends even when we hate some of their choices.

Human trafficking is an unfathomable and horrific atrocity.  We feel so helpless; we don’t know what to do or how to combat it.  Thankfully, there are organizations working on the front lines.  And, all of us can make an impact by supporting their efforts to save lives.  Talitha Baker, chair of the board of Dressember joins me to share how Dressember raises awareness and funds to fight human trafficking.  I’ll be pulling together a team and wearing dresses throughout December.  I hope people will ask me why, so I can encourage them to support Dressember and its mission to rescue those enslaved by trafficking.   To donate to my team please click here: https://dressember2020.funraise.org/fundraiser/karin-anderson-abrell?fundraiserPrompt=1675387 Dr. Karin Website: loveandlifemedia.com

Recently, I asked my newsletter community if anyone wanted to share an encouraging and empowering story on the podcast. Quin Taylor (one of my former students from Chicago State University) answered the call, agreeing to speak about living with a chronic illness. She describes how intentionally focusing on gratitude allows her to maintain a positive, empowered perspective in the midst of daily physical challenges. Quin shares: · How to move from grieving the life you were “supposed” to live to celebrating the life you’re “purposed” to live! · How to avoid wallowing in bitterness because, as Quin puts it, we can stay stuck in bitterness but “nothing really changes.” · Her powerful mantra—“I declare and decree today will be amazing.  Amazing things are happening to and for me and I will do amazing things!” ·  The freedom of falling in love with your authentic self—even when that entails a chronic illness. Quin describes herself as a “gratitude enthusiast!” Join us to up your gratitude game this Thanksgiving! Dr. Karin Website: loveandlifemedia.com

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults (18.1% of the population). The ADAA asserts, “anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.”  Psychotherapist Linda Ruvalcaba understands anxiety—both from a clinical perspective and from personal experience!  She endured anxiety’s terrifying grip after a horribly painful breakup. Anxiety permeated her life—the physical symptoms and intrusive thoughts not only made it difficult for her to focus on personal concerns, they also impaired her ability to work with her therapy clients.  She realized avoiding anxiety only reinforced its hold on her.  She could no longer run away; she needed to lean into it.  Join us to hear how Linda found healing by facing anxiety head on—and as a bonus, she found herself! Linda Ruvalcaba Website: https://www.latinxtherapistsactionnetwork.org/linda-ruvalcaba  Dr. Karin Website: https://loveandlifemedia.com/

We’ve all been there—we got knocked down and we’re trying our best to recover but we feel stuck. We find it hard to feel happy. We sink into depressed moods. We’ve lost our joy and even worse, we wonder, can I ever get back to my former self?  Well, according to neuropsychologist, Dr. Rhonda Freeman, we absolutely can!  Join us to learn how to: ·    pivot away from ruminating thoughts—which psych research shows are related to depression. ·    activate the regions of your brain that will bring you healing and peace post trauma! ·    journal in a manner that activates your prefrontal cortex—and why this is imperative. ·    get your brain to think rationally again by quieting the limbic system and activating the frontal lobe. ·    rewire your brain to get it back to its “pre-trauma” balance. We say it every week on Love & Life, “Take charge of your thoughts. Take charge of your life!”  And now, thanks to Dr. Freeman, we see the neuroscience behind why taking charge of our thoughts is so powerful and does, in fact, rewire our brains—allowing us to take charge of our lives! Dr. Rhonda Freeman 20% off Dr. Freeman's course "How to Use Neuroscience to Accelerate Recovery" for Love & Life listeners (choose Enroll Now at the bottom of the page) - https://neurosagacity.com/p/narcissistic-abuse/?product_id=2533645&coupon_code=20PERCENTOFFDRKARIN Free eBook: Seven Steps toward the Path to Healing - https://neuroinstincts.com/lp/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Karin Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/  

According to Family Systems theorists, our family of origin’s expectations for connectedness and separateness influence—and, at times, may impede—our ability to carve out and cultivate an independent identity and authentic sense of self. Clearly, our family of origin impacts us beyond childhood—in terms of our friendships, work relationships, and certainly, our romantic connections. Mary Beth Somich, LPC joins me to discuss the construct of enmeshment, how we can differentiate from an overly close family system, and why we absolutely need to in order to thrive in love and life! Mary Beth Somich Website: yourjourneythrough.com  Free Quiz: Is Your Family Enmeshed? https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f16de5959b56b0026662110 Dr. Karin Website: loveandlifemedia.com 

According to psychologist Albert Ellis, “People don’t just get upset. They contribute to their upsetness.”  And, specifically, it’s irrational thinking that contributes to our “upsetness.” As the founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Ellis encourages us to identify our irrational beliefs, challenge them, and replace them with rational beliefs.  He asserts—and research substantiates—that by doing so, we can greatly reduce negative emotions.  Join me to learn another approach from cognitive therapy for taking charge of your thoughts!  I share my personal experience with the power of REBT—including a specific time when a hidden irrational belief was making me miserable and how I uncovered it, disputed it, and found my joy again! Dr. Karin Website: loveandlifemedia.com

If you’re single, your love life (or lack thereof) is fair game. Friends, family members, and even random strangers provide “solutions” to your “problem.” Or, they interrogate you, determined to uncover the hidden reason you aren’t coupled up—even if you’re perfectly content sans partner!  In this Love & Life bonus episode, Debbi Rice of Single and Amazing, Leslie Kaz of Single Girl Bliss, and I discuss the top 5 asinine comments single women hear. Join us for some single girl commiserating and lots of laughs! We’re here for you! Leslie Kaz Website: lesliekaz.com Debbi Rice Website: singleandamazing.com Dr. Karin Website: loveandlifemedia.com