Happy New Year!

As we move into 2026, it’s that time of year where many of us take time to pause, reflect, and set goals for the upcoming year. 

Transformation is something that takes time. It’s change that comes from the inside out. But where do we start? At times, it can feel daunting and overwhelming to even know where to begin. 

So today, we want to discuss various ways we can grow personally, spiritually, and within our relationships.  

• What role does reflection play in setting goals for the new year?
• How do we build habits when our days already feel too full?
• What does it mean to be intentional in 2026?
• How do all of these areas impact not only ourselves but the relationships around us?

Take charge of your new year and build habits, routines, and systems that will last! We pray that no matter how 2026 finds you, this year would be one of transformation for you. Thank you for listening. 

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Estranged. Cut off. Disengaged.

Whatever you want to call it—it’s trending! Going “no contact” has become so ubiquitous Oprah covered it in a recent podcast episode, Mel Robbins just wrote a NY Times article about it, and it’s the subject of several books and thousands of TikToks.

What’s going on? Why are so many adult children cutting off their parents and families?

Is Going No Contact a difficult, yet imperative, decision to protect oneself from a toxic family?

Or, does it reflect an unwillingness to navigate the messiness of adult family relationships, because, of course, it’s way easier to solely interact with likeminded friends.

Is it self care or self sabotage?

Elliott and I delve into the myriad elements surrounding this phenomenon, including:

1️⃣The increase of family disengagement Elliott has witnessed in his clinical practice.

2️⃣The Going No Contact debate—does it facilitate or impede our emotional development and maturity?

3️⃣How “self-help culture” has introduced therapeutic terms into our everyday lexicon—and the ramifications therein.

4️⃣Expanding definitions of concepts such as “toxic,” “narcissist,” and “gaslighting.”

5️⃣The grief inherent to estranged families.

6️⃣The role of social media in fueling this trend.

7️⃣Suggestions for reunification—should children decide they’d like to.

According to a study cited on Oprah’s podcast, 30% of Americans have a family member who has disengaged. So, it’s likely this impacts you or someone you love.

If you know someone who “Won’t Be Home For Christmas,” this conversation is for you!

We’ve been in a series about how we handle family dynamics during the holidays. In past episodes, we’ve talked about staying present vs. distracted, connected vs. isolated, all while staying authentic to who we are as individuals. Today, we continue the conversation with some practical strategies for dealing with these conflicts. 

• What do we do if a family member continues to make jabs at us (no, not that jab!)?
• How do family systems play into these dynamics?
• What roles can we play as individuals in our unique family system?
• What if family feels threatened by our own personal growth and development?
• These topics and so much more!

We hope today’s episode will leave you feeling empowered with practical strategies as you head into the holiday season with your loved ones!

Dive headfirst into the complexities of family dynamics, particularly focusing on estrangement and holiday conflicts. 

They discuss the importance of setting boundaries, the role of humor in easing tensions, and the challenges of confrontation within family settings. 

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Today we have Liz James from Blessed By His Blood on the podcast to discuss the ways in which the blood donation industry isn’t everything most of us thought it was. As it turns out, there is a lot of money involved, and as with most things, everything is not as it seems. In response to this, Liz started Blessed By His Blood after she felt God leading her in a new direction in the wake of 2020. 

We hope today’s conversation will inform and empower you to take charge of your health and give you some tools and insights to make informed decisions about your health care. 

Blessed By His Blood

Website: https://www.blessedbyhisblood.com/  

X: http://x.com/blessedBHB 

Apply for Membership:  https://www.blessedbyhisblood.com/apply/ 

Donate: https://www.blessedbyhisblood.com/#donate 

Senate Hearings Referenced in Interview

Texas 2025 House Hearing on SB125: https://rumble.com/v6ub183-texas-state-house-hearing-may-2025.html 

Texas 225 Senate Hearing on SB125: https://rumble.com/v6smf15-texas-state-capitol-march-2025.html 

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Today we have some listeners questions related to navigating the complexities of family and relational dynamics during the holidays.  

• How do we relate with family members who are takers?
• How do we grieve well with those who are experiencing grief during the holidays?

Elliott shares tools and practical tips for how to navigate givers and takers in family relationships, the importance of self-reflection, and how to embrace grief during the holidays. 

Be blessed as you listen and please let us know if you have more questions related to the holidays! We’d love to address them on the podcast for you. 

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

I connected with React 19 at the Children’s Health Defense Conference in Austin earlier this month.

I wanted to invite some of its members to share their stories of COVID shot injuries.

To this day, most of the public is unaware of the horrific adverse events many people experienced when doing the “right thing” by taking the “vaccine” during COVID.

Doctors ignored their conditions or claimed they were psychosomatic. Insurance companies often refused to cover their treatments, surgeries, and medications. Some victims’ lives have been forever altered. They’ve gone from healthy and vibrant to bedridden and wheelchair bound.

Some have died.

Will anyone acknowledge them?

Acknowledge their suffering?

Acknowledge they tried to do their part to stop the spread of the virus—only to endure lifelong suffering?

Will they ever be heard?

React 19’s mission is to support these victims and provide a platform through which they can share their story.

At Love & Life we see them; we hear them; we walk arm and arm with them.

They are not alone.

We will continue to speak out and validate the trauma they’ve endured.

Chris Pigott joins me today to share his story.

Thank you for listening and bearing witness.

Chris Pigott

X | x.com/pigott24

React19

React19 is a science-based non-profit offering financial, physical, and emotional support for those suffering from long-term Covid-19 vaccine adverse events globally. React19's mission is to bring healing to the moms, dads, friends, and loved ones who are facing life-altering side effects from their Covid-19 vaccine. The organization builds bridges between patients and research institutions in order to develop a better understanding of vaccine complications. React19 works with both patients and providers, as well as research teams. Its programs all fall within three categories of assistance (financial, physical, and emotional). Programs include funding, promoting, and sharing relevant scientific research; bringing the right medical teams together with patients; direct financial assistance via the CARE Fund; educational outreach; and supporting communities where impacted people can begin to heal physically and emotionally. Learn more at react19.org

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

With the holidays upon us, Dr. Karin and Pastor Elliott delve into the complexities of family dynamics during the holiday season. They explore the challenges that arise when families gather during the holidays and offer various perspective shifts we can have to move through those challenges. From navigating estranged relationships to embracing the joy and tension of holiday traditions.

• How do we navigate triggering family dynamics during the holidays?
• How can you manage expectations to reduce holiday stress and anxiety?
• How can you embrace emotional sensitivity and allow feelings to surface without shame?
• How can you foster meaningful connections with kindness and grace within family tensions?

Join them as they discuss the importance of being present, navigating expectations, and finding connection in the midst of family gatherings.

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Karin got to attend the Children's Health Defense Conference in Texas last week and got to meet Love & Life favorite Dave Wayne for the first time IRL!

On today's episode, Karin and Dave review the conference and the key takeaways from speakers— many of whom are fighting these issues on the front lines of our culture.

They also discuss the concerns so many of us have regarding the physical, emotional, and mental health of future generations. Particularly the impact of environmental factors, the rise in autoimmune diseases, and many more issues we've seen increase in the United States among children in recent decades.

You can check out more on the Children's Health Defense at childrenshealthdefense.org

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/Empowered Dating

Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

We are tackling a topic today that is currently revolutionizing every aspect of the world around us: A.I. Specifically, we are looking at how A.I. is impacting our most sacred connections as human beings in our relationships. 

• How do we as human beings engage with this new artificial reality that we find ourselves in? 
• What are the implications on our faith, relationships, and the very psychology of our humanity? 
• What are we at risk of losing if A.I. goes unchecked?

At this moment in time, many of us find ourselves asking these questions. Join us as we dive into and try to make sense of this complex topic! 

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson

Today’s episode was recorded just days before Charlie Kirk was murdered back in September. We decided not to post it after his death as we were all in shock and grieving after the events that took place. We are releasing it now as a bonus episode. Although it’s a few months old now, the topic seems more relevant than ever. 

• How do we live authentically with integrity when it means we do so alone? 
• How do we face isolation? 
• What happens when that isolation comes from family and friends? 
• How do we face trials and suffering?
• What does the Bible mean when it commands us to count it all joy when we face difficult circumstances?
  

These are not easy questions, yet they are things we wrestle with in our journey through this life. We hope you’ll find peace and comfort in this episode no matter what difficulties you are facing. You are not alone. Please reach out with any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you!

Dr. Karin & Pastor Elliott Anderson

Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/

Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook

Instagram: @dr.karin | @pastorelliottanderson