Love and Life with Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott

Is anger always sinful, or can our anger actually be aligned with the heart of God? In this special bonus episode, Elliott shares a message from his Surrendered Emotions series exploring one of the most complicated emotions for Christians to understand: anger. Scripture doesn't simply tell us not to be angry. Instead, we're given the challenging instruction to "be angry and do not sin...

What does it mean to be a man who leads well, especially when life gets difficult? In this episode, Elliott and Tim have an honest conversation about biblical manhood, leadership, shame, discipline, and the tendency many men have to retreat when they feel like they're failing. Beginning in Genesis, they explore God's original calling for men to work, steward, care for, and take responsibil...

Anger isn't the problem—but what we do with it can change everything. In this episode, Karin and Elliott explore one of our most misunderstood emotions: anger. Is anger always sinful? What does the Bible actually mean when it says, "Be angry, but do not sin"? And how do we hold righteous conviction without becoming consumed by resentment, bitterness, or outrage? Drawing from Elliott&...

Conflict is inevitable. Disconnection doesn't have to be. In Part 2 of this conversation, Karin and Elliott continue developing a new framework for understanding conflict—not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity to build deeper intimacy. Together they workshop what Elliott calls the "relationship triangle," exploring how healthy conflict can lead to greater comfort and connec...

The Lindsay Clancy trial has reignited difficult questions about postpartum mental health, psychiatric medication, personal responsibility, and the systems we trust to care for vulnerable people. But beneath the headlines lies a much bigger conversation. In this episode, Karin is joined by psychiatric nurse David Wayne to examine the case through the lens of someone who spent years working inside...

The tragic Lindsay Clancy case has reignited difficult conversations about postpartum mental health, psychiatric medication, and how we care for people in emotional crisis. But beyond one heartbreaking story lies a much bigger question: Have we begun treating normal human suffering as something that always needs to be medicated? In this episode, Karin and Elliott explore the growing tendency to me...

Conflict is inevitable. Whether it's in marriage, friendships, family, or the workplace, every meaningful relationship will experience moments of tension, disappointment, and disagreement. But what if conflict isn't the problem? What if it's actually one of the greatest opportunities for growth? As the Freedom series continues, Elliott introduces a new framework for understanding confl...

What does healthy happiness look like—and how is it different from simply pursuing pleasure? In this message from the Surrendered Emotions series, Elliott explores happiness as a God-given emotion that can deepen our relationships, strengthen our faith, and help us experience life with gratitude and joy. But like every emotion, happiness can become unhealthy when it depends entirely on circumstanc...

Freedom is more than political. More than physical. More than emotional. At its core, freedom requires truth. In this episode, we explore what it means to pursue truth in an age of confusion, misinformation, and growing distrust. From medical freedom and public institutions to media, technology, and faith, we discuss why discernment has become one of the most important skills we can develop. Our c...

We've all experienced moments where we feel emotionally disconnected—distant from God, withdrawn from the people we love, or simply "off" without knowing why. But what if those moments aren't meant to be ignored or pushed aside? What if they're invitations to deeper healing? In today’s episode we’re continuing our Freedom Series by sharing ones of Elliott’s recent sermons he...

Today Elliott sits down with longtime friends Mike and Maureen to hear their story of how alcohol gradually took control of their lives—and how Jesus ultimately set them free. What began as a search for confidence, belonging, relief, and acceptance eventually became years of addiction, brokenness, shame, and isolation.  Together they share their deeply personal journeys into alcoholism, the painfu...

Freedom is one of our culture’s most celebrated ideals—but what if we’ve misunderstood what freedom actually means? In this episode, Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott explore the profound connection between truth and freedom through the words of Jesus: “The truth will set you free.” Together they discuss why genuine freedom is never simply the ability to do whatever we want, but the ability to live in...

What does it really mean to be free? As America celebrates it’s 250th anniversary, this conversation looks beyond political freedom to explore a much deeper question: What does genuine freedom look like in everyday life? In this episode, Elliott kicks off a new series on freedom by examining the difference between being free from something and being free for something. Drawing from Scripture, psyc...

Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott are traveling this week so we are throwing it back to episode 292: How Conflict Cultivates Intimacy. We hope this episode from the Love & Life archives will encourage you in this season of life!  __________________________ We all know conflict is unavoidable. And, it’s certainly inherent to marriage. In the fourth session of Elliott’s premarital curriculum, couples...

What do we do with the wounds left by our fathers? Father’s Day can be beautiful, meaningful, and full of gratitude. But for many, it can also stir up pain, absence, anger, grief, and longing. Not everyone had a father who was present, protective, tender, emotionally available, or safe. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield to discuss the critical importance of the emotional...

What if many of the struggles we face aren’t determined by our circumstances—but by the beliefs we’ve built around them? In this thought-provoking conversation, Elliott and Tim explore the fascinating connection between neuroscience, faith, and everyday life through insights from Dr. Clint Steele’s book 101 Brain Hacks to Prevent and Even Reverse Dementia . What begins as a discussion about brain...

Today we are getting back to basics! One of the reasons I started Love & Life was to share my journey to finding love, not settling along the way, and building a community to support other women in similar situations. So here to discuss her own journey finding love later, I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield. What do you do when the thing you’ve prayed for never seems to arrive? For...

How much influence did your siblings really have on the person you became? Most of us spend years examining the impact our parents had on our lives, but what about our sibling dynamics or lack thereof for only children? How much of your identity, your confidence, your relationships, your career choices, and even your marriage were shaped by the siblings who grew up alongside you? In this follow-up...

In this conversation, Karin and Elliott’s oldest brother, Dr. Warren Anderson, joins Elliott and Producer Tim for a personal discussion about family dynamics and birth order primarily from the viewpoint of firstborns.  Elliott, Warren, and Producer Tim unpack the psychology behind birth order theory, sibling identity formation, and the different ways children adapt to pressure, conflict, expectati...

Why do we compare ourselves to other people so constantly? Why do some relationships inspire us while others leave us feeling anxious, defeated, insecure, or exhausted? In this episode, we unpack the psychology of comparison, competition, conformity, and identity—and how these forces quietly shape the way we move through everyday life. Drawing from Elliott’s sermon this past Sunday, which explored...

Today we dive into what is commonly known as the “placebo effect” and the power our brain has to shape our beliefs and reality.   And of course the way we experience our reality shapes our identity, relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves. What happens when your expectations begin shaping your reality? Can the mind actually influence pain, healing, confidence, and even the way we experien...

We’ve all been there. Done the work. Completed the hard thing. Only to find that it seemingly didn’t matter. The outcome we hoped for fell short.  It can be devastating.  I did all the right things, didn’t I? We can feel shame or even anger. So what do you do when the pursuit for success, influence, and affirmation becomes a trap feeding ego, pride, and control? How do we stay rooted in truth—and...

I think we can all agree that things feel heavy right now.  Wars. Culture Wars. The politicization of our health and, well, everything! It never stops. And when things feel heavy and like there’s chaos all around us it can feel disempowering.  What can I actually do? What do I have the power to change? What can I turn to? In today’s episode Karin and Elliott wrestle with these questions we all fac...

Wrestling with addictions is a part of the human experience we all face — to our phones, screens, routines, and even good things. In this episode, we explore the neurological, spiritual, and psychological roots of addiction, revealing how everything from our experiences, wiring, culture, faith (or lack of it) can shape our lives, minds, and who we are. Join us as we unpack the science behind behav...

Elliott and I reflect on Easter and how we can integrate the miracle of Christ’s resurrection into our daily lives. We talk about the freedom that comes from surrendering to Christ’s calling and how we can submit to His expectations of us. Spoiler alert:  this surrendering and submitting stuff goes against our natural urges—which is why we need supernatural help! We then move into sharing real-lif...