Love and Life with Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott

Join us for part two of my conversation with Jenna McCarthy, author of, Yankee Doodle Soup for the Fringy, Tin-Foil Hat Wearing, Conspiracy Theorist’s Soul and The War on Ivermectin with Dr. Pierre Kory. We process our parallel journies as COVID dissidents —including the lingering trauma so many of us continue to experience (well, maybe me more than Jenna!) Full disclosure—this episode was a bit o...

Elliott and I have been doing a series on trauma—which got me thinking about the thing I’m pretty much always thinking about—COVID. Talk about a traumatizing event! Since we all—as in, the entire world—endured the pandemic, it certainly qualifies as what psychologists call a “collective trauma.” Because we went through it together, right?  Well no, we didn’t. The “collective trauma” wasn’t a unify...

Take charge of your thoughts, take charge of your life!  Elliott reminds us to take charge of our words, too! What are you speaking over yourself? Do you talk in defeatist terms? Do you make All-or-Nothing statements? I CAN’T do ___________. This is going to be HORRIBLE! I’ll NEVER be _________. I’ll ALWAYS struggle with __________. Our thoughts matter. Our words matter. They have an impact on our...

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-...

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 f...

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....

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 trauma...

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 preexistin...

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...

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 f...

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 linge...

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 e...

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...

The Valentine’s season can be difficult if you’re single and you don’t want to be. We’re wired for intimacy and connection—it’s normal to feel a huge void when we’re waiting to meet our person. The season can also be rough for couples if your relationship is rocky. You’re supposed to feel all lovey-dovey, but at the moment, you really can’t stand your partner. Your happily ever after” has turned i...

In today's episode, Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott tackle a conversation they've been wanting to have for a long time: Toxic Masculinity vs. Toxic Femininity. We cover the following: - Defining both toxicities (including A.I.'s definitions...) - How do these traits present themselves in individuals and within our relationships? - How does nature vs. nurture impact these traits? - What role does soci...

Inauguration Day brings up myriad emotions—either excitement and hope for a bright future or, fear, anger, and disappointment. What happens when your dearest friends feel the exact opposite emotions? Tim and I sit down for a few minutes to discuss the inauguration and specifically, the Make America Healthy Again Inaugural Ball which Dan and I attended on the 20th. We reveled in the hope of RFKJ be...

“How long will I be in trauma recovery?” Whether we’re in therapy or working on our issues through self help books and podcasts, we often wonder, will I EVER truly heal from this wound? Elliott and I wanted to address this important concern—especially because Elliott recently received this exact question from a listener.  Shortly thereafter, he stumbled upon a Keith Crossley reel speaking to this....

A new year brings a fresh start—a chance to make changes and set goals! We wanted to kick off 2025 by talking about the importance of reflection in the midst of making resolutions and intentions for the new year.  To do so, we’re answering a listener’s question. Question:  So, I make horrible choices in men apparently, and I have finally met somebody that I feel like is a good person—a perfect per...

The holidays can be rough. Family dynamics can be complicated and messy. On today's special Christmas Eve episode we dive into a question Elliott received from a listener about how to deal with difficult family dynamics after a divorce that involves kids. We hope today's episode will give you a sense of support and encouragement during this holiday season. Merry Christmas and thank you for listeni...

Christmas time is here! We’re supposed to feel merry and bright! But, what if we don’t feel joyful at all? What if we’re pretty darn miserable? Maybe you’re grieving—it’s the first Christmas since your father passed away. Maybe you’re lonely—you’re staring down yet another round of holiday parties without a plus 1. Maybe you’re worried—your kid’s hanging with the wrong crowd. Maybe you’re depresse...

Another current event weaves its way into our series on masculinity . . . This week I heard Newsweek’s Batya Ungar-Sargon’s take on the Daniel Penny prosecution.  She viewed it in a way I hadn’t considered. She framed the prosecution itself as an attack on masculinity. I wanted to hear Elliott’s thoughts as a pastor, husband, and father.  Has our society completely turned its back on men’s God giv...

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 ans...

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...

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...

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,...