Dr Karin Love & Life

As Love & Life listeners know, psychologist Dr. Duana Welch, author of the Love Factually book series, encourages us to date as “high status” women. In this episode, as always, she provides the science behind HOW to date high status and WHY it’s imperative we do so—especially when it comes to major decisions like whether to live together before getting married. Specifically, Dr. Welch addresses the following: If I present myself as high status, won’t he think I’m being manipulative and playing hard to get? How do I get him to view me as high status—what specific behaviors will show him this? What if I don’t feel high status? I have an anxious attachment style, how can I ever date high status? Everyone seems to think living together before marriage is a great idea. Do high status women cohabitate before getting married? Dr. Welch provides concrete, science-based answers to these questions and much more! Join us to acquire a high status, empowered approach to dating! Dr. Duana Welch Website: http

Money is such a touchy topic. We’re told never to talk about it in polite company. And for many of us, it’s a subject we don’t ever bring up—even to ourselves! But ultimately, finances are all about values—just like the rest of life! When I was single, I valued living to the fullest and I also valued being fiscally responsible. At times, these values were in conflict. Emily Burnett knows all about this dilemma. She grew up in a home where fiscal responsibility was valued. Yet as a single woman in her thirties, she was $50,000 in debt. Ouch. But one day Emily had had enough. As she put it, “I make too much money to feel this broke!” Emily is here to help us get in the driver’s seat with our money! Join us for a conversation about: Dating when you’re in debt. Enjoying nice things when you can’t really afford them. Living paycheck to paycheck. Why you don’t need to feel bad about not having a budget. And also, why constructing a budget is empowering, liberating, and exciting! How planning for special

We often think it takes big behavioral changes to impact our mental health, but according to psych research simple daily habits and choices make a huge difference on our emotional well-being. In this “best of the podcast” episode, we discuss two simple practices anyone can implement at any time to enjoy a boost in mood. Specifically, we discuss: The connection between social media usage and depression and anxiety. The fact that social media interactions don’t provide us with the same support IRL interactions do. The variable at work in “Facebook Depression.” A concrete plan for creating a gratitude practice and why it makes all the difference! It’s completely normal to feel a wide array of emotions—that’s part of being a human. But, help is here! Join us to learn simple, practical research-based strategies we can all utilize to level up our mental health and wellness. Reference: Steers, M. N., Wickham, R. E., & Acitelli, L. K. (2014). Seeing everyone else's highlight reels: How Facebook usage is l

“Part of what it means to be human is to suffer, but there’s a way to move through it that brings joy and goodness to both you and the world around you.” Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel. We all endure trauma—either Big T or Little T. We all seek healing. Yet all too often, the defense mechanisms we constructed to survive trauma, now keep us constrained. Join us to consider: Who we are meant to become in the midst of our heartaches. That we’ve all been orphaned, estranged, and widowed due to trauma and loss. How we can bring goodness and joy to others as we move through pain. According to Dan, “Every one of us suffers, yet our suffering is never meant to be only ours—we’re meant to not only join our own transformation, but also in the privilege of being able to join in others’ transformations.” If you’re hurting, you’ll feel a balm of empathy in Dan and Cathy’s words. Please join us for a tender, loving, healing conversation. Allender Center Website: https://theallendercenter.org/  Instagram: @allen

Naturopath Dr. Diana Lipford joins me again—this time to talk about the one topic we’re absolutely NOT supposed to discuss! Join us as we delve into the following questions and concerns surrounding the most pressing and controversial issue of our generation. How did Americans lose bodily autonomy? Where there is risk, there must be choice! What happened to second opinions? How did we get to the point where doctors’ legitimate questions were silenced by social media? Who are these “fact checkers” and why do they get to control the discourse? The lack of logic regarding mRNA experimental gene therapy mandates for children. Why an mRNA experimental gene therapy does not inoculate in the same manner as traditional vaccines. What the jab actually does in your body. The tyranny of forced compliance of a “vaccine” that doesn’t stop transmission or confer immunity. Why the phrase “trust the science” is a contradiction in terms—and every legit scientist knows it. How censorship has destroyed the possibi

If you’ve been single for any portion of your adult life—and especially if this solo season has lasted longer than you hoped it would—you’ve felt the ache of loneliness. You’ve watched happy couples and wondered when you’ll meet your partner. You’ve likely slipped into fear—what if you never meet your person? What if you never “belong” to anyone? Leisse Wilcox gets it. She’s felt these feelings—deeply. And, at 40, she continues to wrestle with a post-divorce, post-cancer diagnosis life that looks nothing like she expected it would. As a writer, Leisse has unpacked this struggle in her new book, Alone:  The Truth + Beauty of Belonging. Our conversation today can be summarized by my review of Leisse’s book. “Part memoir, part self-help guide, part love letter to anyone aching with loneliness, Alone:  The Truth + Beauty of Belonging assures us that though we may not choose to be alone, we absolutely choose the meaning we ascribe to our solitude. Through potent reframes e.g., What if self-care became

Jess Ekstrom started a headband company in her college dorm room—but even as a young entrepreneur, her goal wasn’t to make money, but to give back. For each headband purchased, Jess donates a headband to a child experiencing cancer or another illness.  As Headbands of Hope grew, Jess looked for silver linings despite the challenges and struggles inherent to building a business. As she began sharing her journey, she found joy in writing and speaking about “chasing the bright side.” She wrote a book with this title and now helps other women “tell and sell” their stories so they can “make a living and a difference at the same time.” Jess Ekstrom - Headbands for Hope Website: https://www.headbandsofhope.com/ Dr. Karin Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/ Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook Instagram: @dr.karin Single is the New Black - Audiobook Audible: smarturl.it/SITNB-Audible iTunes: smarturl.it/SITNB-iTunes

Narcissists are charming. They’re slick. They come on strong and sweep you off your feet. Oftentimes they keep up this charade for months—even years!—before you realize the truth about who they actually are. I hear from so many of you that you’ve found yourself in this scenario—stuck in an emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes physically abusive relationship. How did it happen? And more importantly, how do you leave? Won’t he escalate the abuse? And, how do you coparent with a narc if there are children involved? High Conflict Divorce Coach, Tina Swithin, joins me to share her journey of dating, marrying, and finally divorcing a narcissist. She discusses the red flags she unfortunately ignored when dating, how she ultimately recognized her husband was a narc, and what she did to extricate herself from the marriage while protecting her daughters. Tina not only survived marriage to a narcissist, she’s absolutely thriving! She’s taken the wisdom she gained through this horribly painful season of her life a

Dr. Duana Welch, author of the Love Factually book series, is back on the program to explain how we can successfully navigate online and app dating. And the best part—as always, Dr. Welch’s recommendations are based in science! She brings not only the psych research to our conversation, but also her personal experience, as well. In fact, she recently found love herself on a dating app using these research-based strategies and she’s here to share how you can, too! Join us to learn: How his pictures reveal whether or not he’s commitment oriented! Why posting your hottest pics may NOT be the best tactic! Why nobody else should be in your pictures—especially your children! The big thing (literally) Dr. Welch calls a “guy magnet!” What “mating centrism” is and why you MUST understand it to date successfully! How to use the “scarcity principle” to accelerate the connection process. How to write a profile that attracts stayers, not players! Ways to beat the algorithms! Online and app dating can be so f

Intuitive life coach Melissa Lyons wonders—what if we considered the “nutritional value” of our thoughts in the same way we assess the nutritional value of our food? Are we paying attention to our mindset? Do we recognize the impact of our thoughts on our feelings and on the energy we radiate and attract back to us? Melissa and I delve into the energy we bring to the dating scene and I share a few examples from my personal life when I found myself slipping into a negative, defeatist mindset. I realized I needed to get more intentional about, as Melissa would put it, the “nutritional value” of my thoughts in order to remain hopeful and positive. Melissa believes empaths, in particular, often struggle because their healing energy keeps them focused on others. She shares her thoughts on dating as a highly sensitive person and how women can begin to believe they deserve exactly what they desire in love and life! She also shares her free “I Have a Choice” mini course https://melissa-lyons.com/loveandlife and the o

Dr. Diana Lipford found her way into natural medicine after years of suffering from auto-immune disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and intersistial cystitis. Conventional medicine wasn’t helping her so she eventually asked her doctor, “What can you do for me other than prescribe me with pills?” Her doctor looked at her as if she was crazy and had absolutely nothing to offer her. So, Diana tried another approach and saw a physician who specialized in herbs and nutrition. Initially, Diana was skeptical; she remembers thinking, “This man has no idea how much pain I’m in!” Her illnesses were debilitating, and Diana felt like a failure as a wife, mother, and teacher. She could barely function, yet her new doctor claimed her gut and liver health were the root cause of her problems. Diana figured, “I have nothing to lose . . .” so she gave this approach a chance and within 10 days, she experienced relief she never imagined was possible. Due to her own incredible healing and restoration, Diana became a natu

When love continues to let us down, it’s easy to lose hope. After a divorce and painful breakup with a narcissist (who got hauled off to jail one random morning!), Cindy Drummond found herself alone, yet again. She wrestled, as we all do, with questions: How did I let this happen to me? Why didn’t I trust my gut and leave him when I sensed something was off? How can I heal and move forward? The mother of two teenage daughters, Cindy knew she needed to model strength and resilience so she set up a plan for recovery including hosting a retreat for women—Women’s Only Weekend (WOW)—and creating structure around her dating process by committing to going on 50 dates in 52 weeks. Join us to hear Cindy’s story and learn from the wisdom she gleaned by embarking upon 50 dates in a year! She shares this and more in her book, Reflections from the Dating Pool. Today's Sponsor:  Millionaire Match App Link: https://app.appsflyer.com/id1484587490?pid=af3236943  Cindy Drummond Website: https://www.cindydrumm

I hear this question from women in my community all the time—“I have an anxious attachment style. Will I ever be able to be in a secure relationship?” To address this concern, psychotherapist Elliott Anderson and I take a deep dive into anxious attachment and how it impacts dating and relationships. Specifically, we discuss: Anxious attachment and our desire for intimacy. Trauma bonds and anxious attachment. When feeling anxiety in a relationship is a GOOD thing! How the hookup culture has impacted attachment. Masculine and feminine energy as they relate to attachment. Elliott shares insights from his 30 years of working with clients and couples. Join us to gain a greater understanding of anxious attachment and how it may influence your dating patterns and relationship dynamics. Dr. Karin Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/ Empowered Dating Playbook: smarturl.it/EmpoweredDatingBook Instagram: @dr.karin Single is the New Black - Audiobook Audible: smarturl.it/SITNB-Audible iTunes: smarturl.it/SIT

So often when we discuss self-worth and self-esteem, we speak in vague terms about “loving ourselves” first. And sure, we know it starts with us. But what specifically can we DO? What tangible steps can we take to begin to feel worthy of love—especially if we’ve never felt this before? Anita Stoudmire of Better Love Movement joins me to share practical strategies for building into ourselves first which, in turn, positions us for attracting a healthy, happy relationship. We delve into: What to focus on when you’re first getting to know someone. The relationships between authenticity and codependency. How to believe we’re okay—just the way we are. The difference between being wanted vs. needed in relationships. Reparenting—what it is and why many of us need it. The importance of clarifying what doesn’t work for us and sticking to these standards. The danger of rushing into a relationship and the real reasons behind why people do it. Ways to stop losing yourself in relationships. Dr. Phil says, “

If you’ve ever struggled to believe you deserve love, you’re not alone. Many of us grew up in emotionally toxic or traumatic home environments. It’s hard to cultivate self-love and acceptance when no one has ever built us up, believed in us, and cherished us. Author and mindset coach, Leisse Wilcox, wrote the book (literally!) on how to love ourselves—To Call Myself Beloved a Story of Hope, Healing, and Coming Home. She joins me to discuss both the strategies she shares with her clients and her personal journey to self-love. Specifically, we touch on: How to unlearn the stories we’ve told ourselves—many of which are lies. Messages we’ve internalized and the meaning we ascribe to these messages. The story Leisse believed about herself for so many years—I’m the type of person who’s at the end of the table begging for scraps of love. The question that changes everything—are your relationships reinforcing the lies you’ve been told about your worth? The reality that worthiness is the point of self love; t

This week Love & Life partners with Veronica Grant’s “How to Actually Feel Worthy in Love” Podcast Tour! We’re one of 12 podcasts invited to delve into what it truly takes to date from a place of authenticity and confidence so as to build a healthy, happy relationship. But, how can we do so if we don’t fundamentally believe we deserve love? Psychotherapist Elliott Anderson joins me to share a critical strategy he implements with clients and couples—values clarification. As we identify what matters to us and commit to behaving in alignment with our principles, we fortify our identity and confirm our inherent self-worth. For many clients, internalizing this foundation of self-respect provides the first step toward believing love is available to them and, most importantly, that they absolutely deserve it! We’re honored to participate in the tour, between Sandy Weiner of Last First Date Radio and Madeline Charles of The Irresistible Woman podcast. If you’d like to hear all the episodes in the tour and follow

If you’ve ever said, “I really want to date, but I can’t get back out there until I feel confident with my body,” you’re not alone. Most women have wrestled with body image at some point—or at MANY points—in their lives. Veronica Grant understands this struggle and provides powerful strategies for finding where “healthy meets happy” regarding our physique, nutrition, and romance. Join us as we explore themes surrounding: Healthy eating that comes from an unhealthy place! The rigidity inherent to food restriction—even in efforts to eat more nutritiously! The connection between body, intuition, and love life. How obsessing about our size may cause us to miss red flags when getting to know someone! Getting physical quickly which actually keeps us emotionally unavailable. How our efforts to control our diet and exercise spill over to trying to control our partner. Our relationship to food and how it mirrors our relationships with others in our life. Veronica shares her journey from obsessive calorie c

If you’re single, your love life (or lack thereof) is fair game. Friends, family members, and even random strangers provide “solutions” to your “problem.” Or, they interrogate you, determined to uncover the hidden reason you aren’t coupled up—even if you’re perfectly content sans partner!  In this Love & Life bonus episode, Debbi Rice of Single and Amazing, Leslie Kaz of Single Girl Bliss, and I discuss the top 5 asinine comments single women hear. Join us for some single girl commiserating and lots of laughs! We’re here for you! Single is the New Black - Audiobook Audible: smarturl.it/SITNB-Audible iTunes: smarturl.it/SITNB-iTunes Dr. Karin Website: http://loveandlifemedia.com/ Instagram: @dr.karin

What happens when you always wanted to be a wife and mother, but you haven’t met your person? Well, if you’re author Melanie Notkin, you start a fabulous brand called, Savvy Auntie! Melanie joins us for a vulnerable and candid discussion about how to embrace and thrive in a life we wouldn’t have scripted. We center the conversation around her poignant and powerful book, Otherhood. Specifically, we delve into: How women of The Otherhood manage their ongoing and currently unmet desire for marriage and family. The question almost every woman of The Otherhood has asked herself, “Should I settle for a ‘good enough’ guy in order to have children?” How to handle invasive and insensitive questions/comments about your life e.g. “You must have focused too much on your career!” or “Didn’t you want kids???” The prevailing, yet inaccurate, assumption that women of The Otherhood delayed marriage and child bearing. Grieving the loss of the life we’d expected, while embracing the joys of the life we have! Despite the

It’s National Unmarried and Single Americans Week!  To kick it off, I’ve invited Shani Silver, host of A Single Serving podcast, to share how she moved from complaining about dating to championing the single life!  According to Shani, “I came out of a hole and I know the way out of the hole. I want to tell other people that it’s possible.”  Here are a few more gems of wisdom from my conversation with Shani: “Enjoying a single life—not as a consolation, but as ‘on par’ with life in partnership—is entirely possible. I know this because I’m living it.” “It is 100% possible to love your single life and want a relationship at the same  time. Both of those things can coexist.” “I decided that what was meant for me was going to connect with me. And it was not going to be because I was fighting to find it. Because I had fought to find it for a decade and I didn’t. So that method didn’t serve me.  Maybe just relaxing and letting go and living life will connect me with who I’m meant to be w