What Pushes Adult Children Away: Matthias Barker | Episode 397

We're the most over-parented generation in history, yet woundedness and estrangement keep rising. Psychotherapist Matthias Barker explains why: even loving acts, when driven by fear instead of trust, land on kids as pressure. A question feels like interrogation, concern feels like judgment. Barker walks through how this plays out across generations and what it takes for parents to move past their own defenses and truly see their child's heart.

Resources:

• Sign up for THINQ Summit 2026 October 1-3 in Nashville, TN.
• Host a THINQ Dinner—Learn More & Sign Up
• You may also like Parenting in a Chaotic Culture by Trillia Newbell on THINQMedia.com.
• Take the THINQ Assessment to help you understand how you naturally think, learn, and grow in your faith.
• Bring THINQ talks and conversations into your local community with THINQ Local.
• Subscribe to THINQ News & Data to receive news stories every Thursday delivered directly to your inbox.

• Create a free THINQ Account and download the THINQ Media app on your smart TV to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.
• Apply the THINQ Framework as you think through cultural topics.
• Host a THINQ Let's Talk conversation series in your home: 
  • Let's Talk Tech Detox
  • Let's Talk Relationships
  • Let's Talk Civility
  • Let's Talk Mental Health
    
  • Let's Talk Politics

More from the THINQ Podcast Network:

• Rhythms for Life with Rebekah & Gabe Lyons
• The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips
• NextUp with Grant Skeldon
• NeuroFaith with Curt Thompson
• UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons
  

Now on YouTube! Subscribe, Like, and Share: 

• THINQ Media
• UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons
• NextUp with Grant Skeldon
• Rhythms for Life with Rebekah and Gabe Lyons
• The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips