

Love and Life with Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott
Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2025 • 28min
My Husband Gets Mad b/c My Parents Want to Hang Out with Us All the Time—Help! Ep. 349
Question:I’m listening to your boundary podcast about family and newlyweds. My husband and I have been married for 6 months and I come from a very close, tight knit family. He from a family who isn’t as close. He is struggling with the involvement my parents have and the constant plans they make to see me and my sister who lives in the same town as me. She has a 1 year old who is the first grand-baby and my parents want to be involved as much as possible. I am struggling trying to find the balance between my family, while putting my marriage first. I told my parents we love them and enjoy spending time with them but we would only like to host occasionally and we may not be able to attend every family plan/event.Join us to hear our thoughts on this difficult situation. Spoiler Alert: Our listener is on the right track!Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Mar 27, 2025 • 37min
3 Active Movements to Holistic Healing Ep. 348
For the last few weeks we’ve been going through a series on Trauma Recovery. How do we heal from trauma? How do we get unstuck and move towards healing? Last week we dove into Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, and we continue the series today with work by trauma recovery expert Bessel van der Kolk. Inspired by Bessel’s work we discuss 3 more additional movements in healing from trauma by expounding on the role of safety, imagination, and synchrony. As always we look at these topics through a mind, body, and spirit lens and hope that you will be equipped and empowered to move through any trauma in your life. Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Mar 20, 2025 • 42min
5 Steps for Cleaning up Our Mental Mess Ep. 347
The recovery process often feels nebulous and unclear. Of course, we want to heal from trauma, but how do we do so?Elliott’s recently been inspired by Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking. He immediately began introducing Dr. Leaf’s steps to his clients—many of whom are working through trauma.We’ve invited Dr. Leaf to appear on the podcast and we certainly hope we’ll be able to interview her soon.In the meantime, please join us to hear about Dr. Leaf’s 5 steps and how Elliott integrates them into his sessions with individuals and couples. Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Mar 13, 2025 • 36min
Recovery Mindset: Elliott’s 3 Perspectives on Moving Through Trauma Ep. 346
Have you ever been through a traumatic moment or event? With decades of experience helping individuals recover from trauma Elliott wanted to share 3 of his perspectives on how we can have a recovery mindset. Specifically, how do we move through the traumas we face throughout our lives? How do we stay present?How do we deal with feeling unsafe?Is it possible to live abundantly despite our traumas? Join us as we explore how these perspectives can help us all navigate through pain, fear, and uncertainty, ultimately leading to emotional and spiritual growth and healing. Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Mar 6, 2025 • 24min
Measles Outbreak: 8 Facts We Need to Know! Ep. 345
I’m never on Facebook but I hopped on the other day to look at Marketplace.I doom scrolled for just a minute (mistake🤦♀️) and saw some posts about the measles outbreak in Texas.Some people were quite concerned. Some got a measles vaccines for the first time since childhood.Others felt the whole thing was overblown. Yes, tragically, a child died. However, we don’t know if he/she had preexisting conditions or comorbidities. Nor do we know if he/she had been vaccinated against measles or received the MMR.We DO know vaccines don’t 100% stop infection or transmission. (See COVID-19 jab for more info . . .) This morning, I received an informative email from Stand for Health Freedom and I wanted to share it with our Love & Life family.Join us for 8 Important Facts you need to know as you make decisions regarding the measles outbreak!Source:https://healthfreedominstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Measles-Fact-Sheet.pdfSponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Feb 27, 2025 • 16min
I’m 49 and Looking for Love. Should I Bother with Dating Apps? Ep. 344
Question:What is the best way for a 49-year-old to meet a guy? In person or an app? Cuz it's rough out here!Answer:It’s a jungle out there. I should know. I spent 27 years on the dating scene. I get how frustrating it can be. 😫To address this question, I discuss some strategies that helped me when I was single—ones I talk about in my book, Single is the New Black: Don’t Wear White ‘til it’s Right. I also share how I met my husband through a dating service called It’s Just Lunch. (Hear more about IJL in episode 46 of Love & Life!)Elliott and I offer ways to reframe the frustrating reality of finding yourself out of step with where you hoped to be at a particular age.We also consider ways to utilize dating apps without getting completely burned out.Should you choose to hop on an app, be sure to check out my conversation with Dr. Duana Welch who met her husband on an app. It’s episode 169 of Love & Life (linked below)!Join us for some encouragement and support!Ep. 46 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tired-of-dating-apps-try-its-just-lunch-an/id1183475201?i=1000426094502 Ep. 169 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-says-do-this-to-stop-hating-dating-apps-and/id1183475201?i=1000541395131 Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Feb 25, 2025 • 15min
We Broke Up Due to Religion. Can We Still be Friends? L&L Q&A Ep. 343
Question: I met this guy when I was 18 and he was 19. Three years later, I’ve chosen to break it off after realizing that no matter what, my family won’t accept us as a couple. For context, I belong to an ethnoreligious group—marrying outside the faith is frowned upon, as we work to preserve our identity and heritage. He was raised Christian, but he’s not devout.We never met each other's families, I would always be the one to talk about the future, while he just wanted to ''take it day by day.” He never talked about us with his parents or family.I had several conversations with my mother and because I knew my family would never accept him, I decided it would be best to break it off. When we broke up, he started saying we would probably clash in the future since his family attends Christian church and believes in Jesus.We chose to remain friends because we value our hobbies together and have the same interests. However, it is sometimes hard to set boundaries when it comes to romantic feelings. How do I know if I made the right decision? Would it have been a mistake to leave my family, community, religion, and identity for my boyfriend?Answer:Listen to this week’s episode to hear our advice and recommendations for this listener!Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Feb 20, 2025 • 18min
Help! I Regret Taking the Jab! Love & Life Q&A Ep. 342
We all felt the immense pressure to get the COVID vaccine. Many were forced to jab in order to keep their jobs. In some cities, we couldn’t eat in restaurants, buy a cup of coffee, or attend a concert unless we showed proof of vaccination.People rolled up their sleeves. Many regret it because they later learned the “vaccine”prevented neither infection nor transmission. And then there’s the lingering question: did the spike protein remain in the arm or did it travel throughout the body?One of our listeners fears the spike could continue to negatively impact her health. She asked us for advice. Does Scripture have a word of healing and encouragement for her?Elliott and I discuss some uplifting Bible verses along with strategies from Cognitive Therapy to help her, “take captive every thought to make it obedient to God.” II Corinthians 10:5.We also provide info regarding a Spike Detox supplement from The Wellness Company. If you have any concerns about ridding your body of the spike protein check out our sponsor The Wellness Company below:Sponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Feb 14, 2025 • 51min
Love & Life LIVE - Part 2: 5 Love Languages & Attachment Styles! Ep. 341
Welcome to part 2 of Love & Life LIVE! Elliott and I recently spoke to his Personality Class at Judson University. In part 2 of our conversation, we take a deep dive into Dr. Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages. We explore the importance of knowing how you and your partner like to give and receive love.Elliott adds his 2 cents with 2 additional love languages he’s observed during his Elliott’s extensive work with couples 👩❤️👨.If you’re single, this episode is still for you! I share insight from my MANY years in the jungle on the dating scene 😅Join us for Part 2 of Love & Life LIVE!Sources:5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapmanhttps://5lovelanguages.com/learnSponsor:The Wellness CompanyWebsite: https://www.twc.health/lovelifeCode: LOVELIFE for 15% off your order!Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott AndersonWebsite: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBookInstagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Feb 13, 2025 • 58min
Love & Life LIVE - Part 1: The Personality of Love❣️Understand Yourself and Your Partner! Ep. 340
Welcome to a Love & Life Live! Elliott and I recently spoke to his Personality Class at Judson University and we wanted to share this evening with the Love & Life community.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we focused on the personality of love.
Specifically, we delved into the following:
What is true love? How do we know when we’re in it?
How can we find the “Total Package?”
Why are some relationships so incredibly hard?
What does psych research teach us about the definition of love?
How does understanding our own personality help us better pick our partner?
We bring Elliott’s extensive work with couples and my MANY years on the dating scene to this upbeat and interactive discussion.
Join us for Part 1 today and Part 2 tomorrow!
Sources:
Sternberg’s Triangle Theory of Love
https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-love-we-experience-2303200
Lee’s Color Theory of Love
https://weddingbandmart.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/john-lees-theory-of-colors-of-love/
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