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.
122episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Teen Stories: Alone in a Crowd
Jun 200:25:01Tap 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.
Transcribe →
What Your Teen Wishes You Would Hear
Jun 100:29:20Tap 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-upMentioned in this episode:FICC Online PreRoll Stephen Curtis Chapman
Transcribe →
I Mustache Mark a Question: Church Disconnection and Being an Example of Christ
May 2900:36:19Tap 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.
Transcribe →
Teaching, Training and Transferring Faith
May 2800:27:27Tap 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.
Transcribe →
When Parenting Feels Like Rejection
May 2700:19:31Tap 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.
Transcribe →
Teen Stories: When Life Feels Too Heavy
May 2600:23:11Tap 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.
Transcribe →
Don’t Panic When Teens Question God
May 2500:25:11Tap to summarizeWhat should parents do when teens begin questioning faith, church or even God Himself? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur discuss why doubt and questioning are often a normal part of spiritual growth during adolescence. Rather than responding with fear or control, parents are encouraged to stay relational, listen well and model authentic faith through their actions. You’ll also hear Caleb’s honest story of wrestling with spirituality, family relationships, identity and learning how to accept love. Understanding how to ease your teen into taking ownership of their faith can help set them on the path to success. Learn more here: bit.ly/giving-teens-ownership-of-their-faithParenting 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.
Transcribe →
I Mustache Mark a Question: Self-Esteem, Scary Shows and Communication Struggles
May 2200:29:03Tap to summarizeOn today’s episode, Mark tackles some more real struggles parents face with their teens — from communication breakdowns and self-esteem issues to handling bad influences and tough questions about when scary shows are age-appropriate. He shares actionable strategies to build stronger connections, shift from lecturing to listening and create an environment where teens feel understood, not judged. Remember, it’s all about building relationships, asking the right questions and meeting your teens where they are.Have a potential question for the show? Send it in to Mark at markgregston.com!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.
Transcribe →
Why Teens Stop Talking to Parents
May 2100:27:05Tap to summarizeWhy do some teens shut down? And what can parents do to help them open up again? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur explore why many teens stay silent out of fear, shame, anxiety or feeling misunderstood. You’ll learn practical ways to build trust, create emotional safety and connect without turning every conversation into correction or interrogation. Plus, Alex shares her story of anxiety, isolation and how she’s learning to open up to her parents. Listen today!Giving your teen a safe place to share their heart is one way you can combat your child’s loneliness. Find out about that and more here: parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/teen-lonelinessParenting 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.
Transcribe →
Raising Teens in a World Working Against Them
May 2000:20:14Tap to summarizeWhy does parenting teens today feel harder than ever before? In this episode, Mark shares a devotional about raising teens in a culture that often pulls them away from truth, connection and stability. From anxiety and social pressure to screens, identity confusion and shifting values, today’s teens are navigating challenges previous generations never faced. Mark encourages parents not to panic — but to become a place of rest, wisdom and relationship in the middle of the chaos. While culture may compete for your teen’s heart, your steady presence still matters more than you know.If your home feels like Groundhog Day — same arguments, same frustrations, same exhausting cycle — it’s time to do something different. Here are a few ways to shake things up: bit.ly/ptt-constant-conflict-exhausted-parentsParenting 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.
Transcribe →