Podcast
Parenting Today's Teens
Hosted by Mark Gregston · EN
The Parenting Today's Teens Podcast is a daily resource for parents raising teenagers. Hosted by Mark Gregston, a renowned parenting expert with over 45 years of experience, this podcast provides practical, expert advice for navigating the challenges of parenting teens. Whether you're struggling with defiance, emotional issues, or just want to understand your teen better, Mark’s guidance is raw, real, and always hopeful.
Some episodes are co-hosted by Courtney LaFleur, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and on-staff counselor at Heartlight, adding professional counseling insights to the conversation. Together, Mark and Courtney provide expert tips and real-life solutions to help you build stronger relationships with your teen and navigate the complexities of today’s adolescent culture.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to connect with your teen, improve family dynamics, and raise a confident, well-adjusted teen, this podcast is for you.
For more parenting tools and expert advice, visit www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.
76episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Hidden Damage of Social Media Drama
Yesterday00:26:36Tap to summarizeWhat happens when social media turns everyday teenage drama into nonstop emotional pressure? In this episode, Mark, Wayne Shepherd and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur discuss the emotional toll of mean girls, online bullying, gossip, exclusion and comparison culture. You’ll hear practical insight on helping daughters navigate insecurity, friendship struggles and the pressure to fit in — while creating a home that feels safe, affirming and supportive. Plus, a Heartlight teen shares her story of addiction, self-hatred, healing and learning to see hope for her future again. Tune in for an honest conversation about helping teens face social pressure without losing themselves in the process.It’s hard enough for kids during the awkward teen years, but what if your child struggles socially more than typical peers? Find help here: bit.ly/raising-socially-awkward-teens
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I Mustache Mark a Question: Boundaries, Loss and Letting Go
4d ago00:28:59Tap to summarizeOn today’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles a variety of real issues families face with teens, including anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship struggles and the pitfalls of entitlement. We'll discuss healthy ways to set boundaries with older teens, how to handle issues of entitlement and responsibility, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships as your teens grow into adulthood. Remember — lasting change starts with connection, not control.Courtney's Corner: Questions to Reflect On1. Are you a place of calm or of more anxiety for your teen?2. What would really happen if you let your teen fail now and then?3. Where can you shift responsibility so your teen becomes more empowered and less dependent?Send in your parenting questions at markgregston.com.
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What’s Standing Between You and Your Teen?
5d ago00:26:36Tap to summarizeWhy do some parent-teen relationships slowly drift apart — even when both sides still care deeply? In this episode, Mark and Wayne unpack some of the biggest barriers that can damage connection with teens, including misunderstanding, overly strict rules, constant correction, unrealistic expectations and discipline without relationship. You’ll also hear Andrew’s story of anger, isolation, drug use and how finally understanding his father’s perspective began restoring their relationship. If you’ve felt stuck, frustrated or unsure how to reconnect, this conversation is for you.Arguments with your teen are rarely as simple as they seem on the surface. Find five truths behind arguing with a teen and practical advice on how to successfully engage in conflict at bit.ly/five-truths-behind-arguing-with-a-teen
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Why Teens Need Someone Who Will Listen
6d ago00:22:24Tap to summarizeCould one simple parenting skill completely change your relationship with your teen? In this episode, Mark shares why listening may be the most powerful way to connect with today’s adolescents. In a culture full of noise, opinions and constant reactions, many teens feel unheard — even in their own homes. Mark offers practical wisdom on how to listen without interrupting, correcting or rushing to fix everything. He also explains why understanding your teen’s heart matters more than winning an argument. Don’t miss this vital episode.While listening to your teen is extremely important, what do you do when you don’t like what you hear? Find out here: bit.ly/when-you-hear-things-from-your-teen-that-shock-you
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Teen Stories: Alone in a Crowd
1w ago00:23:40Tap to summarizeSometimes, being surrounded by people isn’t enough to shake off the feeling of isolation. In this episode, Mark chats with two teens from Heartlight who know that struggle all too well. Despite their different backgrounds, both have battled feelings of being “not enough” — whether it’s from family issues, school stress or just trying to find their place in the world. You’ll hear how trying to keep up appearances and hiding their true emotions left them feeling even more disconnected. Listen in as these teens reflect on how Heartlight helped them drop the masks, build real relationships and start believing they actually matter.Go to heartlightministries.org to learn more about our residential counseling program.
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What Your Teen Wishes You Would Hear
1w ago00:27:59Tap to summarizeCould the biggest change in your relationship with your teen begin with simply listening better? In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore why today’s teens are desperate to feel heard, and why many stop talking when they believe no one is truly listening. You’ll learn practical ways to move from correcting and lecturing to understanding and connecting. Plus, a Heartlight teen shares her story of hidden pain, family conflict, anxiety and how finally feeling heard helped bring healing and restoration.Find practical ways to create an atmosphere conducive to honest conversation with your teen at bit.ly/when-your-teen-wont-open-up
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I Mustache Mark a Question: Church Disconnection and Being an Example of Christ
2w ago00:34:58Tap to summarizeIn today's episode, Mark addresses one of the most pressing concerns among Christian parents: what to do when teens begin to struggle with or question their faith. Many teens, especially those facing trauma or feeling like they don't fit in, may not respond to traditional spiritual approaches. Mark discusses the critical transition from concrete to abstract thinking during adolescence and emphasizes the importance of patience, relationship and modeling Christ’s love. Parents are encouraged not to shame or pressure their teens, but instead to offer ongoing support and authentic living that gently points them to Jesus.Have a question for Mark? We want to hear it! Go to markgregston.com to send it in.
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Teaching, Training and Transferring Faith
2w ago00:27:27Tap to summarizeHow do you help your teen build a faith that truly becomes their own? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur discuss why parents must move from simply teaching faith to gradually transferring ownership of it to their teens. You’ll hear practical wisdom on creating safe conversations around doubt, church and spiritual questions without losing relationship or influence. Plus, a Heartlight teen shares his journey through addiction, anger toward God, and ultimately finding hope and purpose through faith. Listen and be encouraged today!Have you been arguing with your teen about faith — or anything? Find five transformational truths here: bit.ly/5-truths-behind-arguing-with-a-teenParenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.
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When Parenting Feels Like Rejection
2w ago00:19:31Tap to summarizeWhat if your teen’s struggles are also revealing something deeper in you? In this episode, Mark shares a deeply personal devotional about rejection, failure and the lifelong journey toward authenticity. Reflecting on being fired twice — including just months before starting Heartlight — Mark explains how painful experiences exposed unresolved issues in his own heart. He challenges parents to stop focusing only on their teen’s behavior and begin asking honest questions about themselves, their motivations and the wounds they may still carry. Because sometimes the greatest transformation in a family begins when parents are willing to grow too.Are you a parent in need of a little help getting through a crisis with your teen? Heartlight offers counseling and experienced residential staff as a resource to parents. Learn more: parentingtodaysteens.org/coaching/Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.
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Teen Stories: When Life Feels Too Heavy
2w ago00:23:11Tap to summarizeSometimes, the pain teens carry becomes so overwhelming that they feel there’s no way out. In today’s show, we share Mark's interviews with two young women at Heartlight who both faced those darkest moments and attempted to take their own lives. One shares about the weight of bullying, rocky family relationships and feeling invisible, while the other opens up about grief, rejection and years of feeling misunderstood at home. Both of them reflect with honesty on what brought them to that crossroads — and how they're beginning to move forward. Could Heartlight be the answer for your struggling teen? Go to heartlightministries.org to learn more.Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.
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