Love & Life with Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott

It’s the most wonderful time of year! And also, it’s a season full of intense emotions.  We head out to parties to celebrate with friends and family. But, what if we don’t connect with our loved ones the way we used to? What if our family doesn’t understand who we’ve become? As the saying goes, “You always hurt the ones you love.”  And, those we love will hurt us, too. This week, Elliott and I answer 2 questions about how to relate to those we care about when we find ourselves in different seasons of life. How can we navigate these waters—especially during the holidays? We share practical strategies for maintaining connection while also establishing boundaries when necessary. 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

On today's podcast we are joined by one of our listeners Rachel Hui who shares her personal story on how her marriage ended and the journey she's been on to find healing in the aftermath of divorce. We are so grateful for Rachel's courage and vulnerability to share her story and we hope it will inspire you. 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

It struck him as he was working with his clients over the last several weeks. Americans are divided—much like couples in crisis are divided.  We’re dysregulated from the trauma of an incredibly contentious election and thus, we’re now prone to slip into what Elliott calls the “3 A’s of Intimacy Destruction.” We Assume, Accuse, and Attack—just like spouses in unhappy marriages.  We Assume the worst in the “other side.” We Accuse them of horrible intentions and actions. We Attack them for their character and values. We remain rigid in our conceptions of one another. We lose appreciation for the fullness of our friends and family. We see only one aspect of them—who they voted for.  And, if they voted for __________________, they’re now the enemy. Elliott has witnessed similar dynamics with couples in distress. He shares how techniques from marital therapy could help heal our divided nation. 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

The election is behind us, but the division remains. And, the demonstrations are just getting going. Movements like 4B and Blue Bracelets express rage at men and Trump voters in general. Women are swearing off sex, shaving off their hair, and wearing bracelets to signify to each other who is “safe” to be around. Can we possibly remain connected during this volitile time? I think we can 🙏🏻  And, to navigate these rough waters, I share some thoughts and tools from psychotherapy that could be helpful. Specifically, we cover: How to remain grounded in empathy—especially when friends see your vote as an attack on their values and the people they care about. Techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help us identify cognitive distortions that aren’t serving us.  Why emotional cutoffs tend NOT to be the solution! Whether you’re happy with the results or deeply disappointed, your relationships have likely been impacted.  Please join us for strategies to move through Post Election Stress Disorder! Sponsors: 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

With the election now behind us, Elliott and I wanted to share thoughts on how to navigate love and life post election—especially concerning our relationships. Because half the country is really happy with the results, while the other half feels angry, demoralized, and even afraid. Specifically, we consider: How do we build unity in the midst of so much divisiveness?  Can we find common ground? What does the Bible teach us about submitting to leadership and those in authority? Join us as Elliott and I discuss how to move through the post election landscape—one in which people we love may feel deep distress, disappointment, and perhaps even anger at those who voted for Trump. Sponsors: Authentixx  Website: http://www.authentixx.com Code: LOVELIFE for 10% off your order! 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

On a day when many Progressives will go to the polls to vote for a “woman,” I’d like to share a few thoughts around the misogyny inherent to Leftists’ ideology. Their logic breaks down immediately as they can’t define what a woman is. So, how can they get excited about voting for a woman hoping she’ll be the first woman president? 🤷‍♀️ They’ve already established that womanhood is meaningless!!! Furthermore, the party that prides itself on “female empowerment” nevertheless signals they disparage women at every turn. They think we’re weak. They think we’re stupid. Cue Mark Cuban. They think the female experience can be fully understood by a man in drag. Finally, the Left asserts the best women are men—certainly in sports, and even in pop culture. In doing so, they advocate for the erasure of women. I can’t think of a better example of misogyny. Join us for a quick breakdown of voting for a woman because she’s a woman, when one can’t even define what a woman is . . . Sponsors: Authentixx  Website: http://www.authentixx.com Code: LOVELIFE for 10% off your order! 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

I know most people want to move on from COVID. And, maybe you’re ready to move on from the election.  But, it’s all related—COVID, the election, and our platform of mind, body, & spirit.  I have some thoughts.  Plus, I’d like to explain why I’m voting for “literal Hitler” and his MAGA + MAHA team of courageous dissidents—RFK, Jr., Tulsi, and Elon.  To do so, I respond to 3 current bits of news: Biden calling Trump supporters “garbage.” Harris’ cringy TV ad depicting wives defying their husbands by voting for Harris.  The 3 platforms of the MAHA movement—1️⃣ Restoring Free Speech and ending censorship 2️⃣ Exposing the corruption of Big Ag and Big Pharma which is destroying Americans’ health and 3️⃣ Stop the never ending foreign wars.  I don’t hold back. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Sponsors: Authentixx  Website: http://www.authentixx.com Code: LOVELIFE for 10% off your order! 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

It’s such a heated issue—and people on each side believe those who disagree with them are abusing children. In the last 10 years, we’ve witnessed an exponential increase in the number of kids who feel as if they’re the wrong sex. Although Gender Dysphoria Disorder remains a psychiatric illness per the DSM-5-TR, it currently is viewed quite differently when compared to other mental conditions. We don’t “affirm” Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Bipolar or schizophrenia. We treat clients by providing coping mechanisms and helping them ground themselves in reality. But, we don’t do this with Gender Dysphoria Disorder.  Why is this? Why do we abandon logic, reasoning, and science when addressing Gender Dysphoria? As a psychiatric nurse, David Wayne finds this confusing, frustrating, and appalling—especially as it pertains to the US’s current approach to treating kids who decide they’re actually the opposite sex.  Join us for an insider’s take on what’s really going on with gender “affirming” care.  Sponsors: Authentixx  Website: http://www.authentixx.com Code: LOVELIFE for 10% off your order! The Wellness Company Website: ⁠https://www.twc.health/lovelife⁠ Code: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order! David Wayne Website: https://www.describe.health/ X: https://x.com/DescribeHealth Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/ Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

We’re in the midst of a series on masculinity, so I had to weigh in on this one, and I looped in Producer Tim to get a Millennial male’s take.  You’ve probably seen the clip of Jen Psaki interviewing Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff.  Psaki claimed Emhoff has, “reshaped the perception of masculinity.” Really? Psaki then called him a “wife guy.”  Okay . . .  And sure, maybe Doug Emhoff is a super sweet and supportive husband. That’s great! But, there seemed to be a partisan subtext beneath this exchange. Watching the clip, I had the sense Psaki was insinuating only liberal men fully support their wives. I wanted to share my reaction to this clip and, Tim agreed to join me. Spoiler alert:  Over my 27 years of dating, I’ve had relationships with both very liberal and very conservative men. I married a conservative. And no one has ever cherished, respected, and adored me more than my conservative husband. So personally, I’m not picking up what Psaki is laying down. Join us and let us know your thoughts masculinity and wife guys. Sponsors: Authentixx  Website: http://www.authentixx.com Code: LOVELIFE for 10% off your order! 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

Elliott and I didn’t grow up with a lot of political discourse. Our family delved into a wide array of topics, but as educators and musicians, we tended to discuss chord charts and pop tunes more than public policy.  In fact, as most of you know, our father was a lifelong Democrat and our mother is a lifelong Republican. Yet, they possessed the same core values, had a strong 57 year marriage, and raised three well-adjusted kids. Could that happen nowadays? During most of our lifetime, it was considered impolite to bring up religion and politics. And, pastors often refrained entirely from wading into political waters.  But to me, these times feel different. I was curious if Elliott sensed the same.  So, today we address questions around faith and politics. We specifically ask: Should Christians vote? Is it appropriate for pastors to discuss politics from the pulpit? Are certain party values for Christian than others? When Elliott became a pastor, our Dad encouraged him to speak boldly. We’ll honor our father’s wishes and boldly discuss our hot takes on these hot topics.  Join us! Sponsors: Authentixx  Website: http://www.authentixx.com Code: LOVELIFE for 10% off your order! 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