The Virtual Couch

The Emotional Immaturity Epidemic with Steph and Craig: Why Adults Are Stuck in Childhood Patterns


Listen Later

What if an entire generation is emotionally stuck in childhood—and doesn't even know it?


In this compelling guest appearance on The Steph and Craig Show, Tony dives deep into what he calls "the emotional immaturity epidemic" that's quietly sabotaging relationships everywhere.


Discover the hidden patterns that keep adults reacting like children: black-and-white thinking that destroys nuance, magical thinking that avoids reality, and the exhausting habit of managing everyone else's emotions instead of allowing people to have their own experiences. Through real-life examples and practical insights, you'll learn to recognize these childhood survival strategies that have become adult relationship roadblocks.


Whether you're the people-pleaser who can't say no, the perfectionist who fears vulnerability, or the controller trying to manage everyone's feelings, this conversation offers eye-opening insights into how these patterns formed—and more importantly, how to outgrow them.


What you'll discover: • Why emotional reasoning ("I feel it, so it must be true") sabotages relationships • How childhood adaptations become adult limitations

• Practical tools for recognizing your own emotional immaturity patterns • Actionable strategies for developing genuine emotional maturity


Ready to stop reacting from your inner child and start responding from your wise adult self? This episode will show you exactly where to begin.

Find The Steph and Craig Show at stephandcraig.co


00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:34 Guest Introduction: Steph and Craig

02:22 Emotional Immaturity Epidemic

04:18 Therapy Insights and Personal Anecdotes

05:24 Interview Begins: Revisiting Past Conversations

06:52 Emotional Weight in Relationships

09:55 Understanding Emotional Immaturity

13:02 Inner Child and Emotional Development

27:35 Black and White Thinking in Relationships

30:55 Reflecting on Past Behaviors

31:53 The Power of Language in Relationships

33:07 Understanding Black or White Thinking

34:45 Magical Thinking and Emotional Maturity

43:12 Emotional Reasoning in Adults

58:46 Navigating Faith and Personal Validation

01:00:13 The Impact of External Validation on Self-Identity

01:00:42 The Role of Accountability and Magical Thinking

01:01:16 Spiritual Perspectives on Differentiation

01:02:37 Emotional Boundaries and Responsibility

01:04:35 Navigating Emotional Charges in Relationships

01:06:48 The Journey of Emotional Maturity

01:11:30 Mind Reading and Assumptions in Relationships

01:16:10 The Continuous Learning Process

01:23:31 The Importance of Emotional Maturity

01:26:05 Final Thoughts and Call to Action


Contact Tony at [email protected] to learn more about his Emotional Architects men's group.


And visit https://julie-dejesus.com/cruise to learn more about Tony and his friend Julie De Jesus's "I See You Living" cruise, a 5-night Western Caribbean Cruise from January 24-29, 2026 aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. 



...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Virtual CouchBy Tony Overbay LMFT

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

639 ratings


More shows like The Virtual Couch

View all
Leading Saints Podcast by Leading Saints

Leading Saints Podcast

1,229 Listeners

Better Than Happy by Jody Moore

Better Than Happy

5,673 Listeners

From Crisis to Connection - with Geoff & Jody Steurer by Geoff & Jody Steurer

From Crisis to Connection - with Geoff & Jody Steurer

194 Listeners

Faith Matters by Faith Matters Foundation

Faith Matters

1,686 Listeners

The Lisa Show by BYUradio

The Lisa Show

388 Listeners

All In by LDS Living

All In

6,518 Listeners

Mint Arrow Messages by PodcastOne

Mint Arrow Messages

1,571 Listeners

Conversations with Dr. Jennifer by Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife

Conversations with Dr. Jennifer

1,048 Listeners

Don't Miss This Study by Emily Freeman & David Butler

Don't Miss This Study

3,617 Listeners

Unshaken Saints by Jared Halverson

Unshaken Saints

2,575 Listeners

followHIM by Hank Smith & John Bytheway

followHIM

10,414 Listeners

Waking Up to Narcissism by Tony Overbay LMFT

Waking Up to Narcissism

676 Listeners

Working Change by Nate & Marla Christensen

Working Change

13 Listeners

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse by Kerry McAvoy, Ph.D.

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

248 Listeners

Come Back Podcast by Ashly Stone

Come Back Podcast

1,415 Listeners

Magnify by LDS Living

Magnify

438 Listeners

Waking Up To Narcissism Q&A by Tony Overbay LMFT

Waking Up To Narcissism Q&A

36 Listeners

Murder on the Couch by Tony Overbay, LMFT and Sydney Overbay, CD

Murder on the Couch

32 Listeners

The Mind, The Mirror & Me by Mackie Overbay

The Mind, The Mirror & Me

15 Listeners