Parenting Today's Teens - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Parenting Today’s Teens — Kids & Family
Parenting Today’s Teens

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.

Copyright: © Mark Gregston

Latest Episodes:

Helping Teens Develop Their Purpose Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

A teen’s purpose isn’t discovered in a single moment or from sitting at home; it unfolds through exposure, experience and exploration. In today's show, we explore how parents play a vital role by expanding their teen’s world, encouraging curiosity, and allowing them to try, fail and grow without forcing a fixed path too early. Purpose develops as teens engage in real-world experiences, learn resilience and discover what they’re capable of beyond comfort and familiarity. The goal isn’t to decide their future for them, but to help them discover who God created them to be and what’s possible for their lives.

Are you struggling with your teen? Join Mark in Texas at one of his Families in Crisis Conferences, which are designed to help you get to a better place. Visit familycrisisretreat.com to learn more and register.

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.

Unconditional Love and Grace Over Performance Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Parents want the best for their teens, but good intentions can backfire when love feels tied to performance. This conversation reminds parents that kids need to know they are loved unconditionally — especially when they fail — because high standards without grace often lead to shame, secrecy and withdrawal. Healthy relationships balance clear expectations with forgiveness, making room for growth rather than exclusion. Teens thrive when they know they are valued for who they are, not just for what they do.

Do you have a parenting question you would like to send to Mark? Visit markgregston.com and ask him today!

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.

Teen Stories: Battling Low Self-Worth Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Many parents might be surprised to learn that the behaviors and struggles their teens exhibit often stem from deep-rooted issues with self-worth. On today's episode, Mark sits down with two young women, each sharing honest accounts of their battles with anxiety, isolation and the need for validation. Whether it's navigating self-harm, tough family dynamics or the pressure to find acceptance, both teens reveal how building self-worth — and discovering their value in God — has transformed their lives.

Is Heartlight the answer for your struggling teen? Visit heartlightministries.org to learn about the program!

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.

Strategies for Raising Responsible Teens Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur explain that raising responsible teens isn’t about perfection, but about preparing them for real life. Parents are encouraged to shift from constant teaching and correcting to intentional training — giving teens age-appropriate responsibility, room to make decisions, and space to fail and learn. Allowing natural consequences, resisting control and adjusting expectations helps teens grow. With grace, patience and consistent training, they can become trustworthy, responsible young adults.

If you are in a tough spot with your teen and nothing seems to be working, join Mark at his Families in Crisis Conference. This weekend is designed to help parents of struggling teens. Visit familycrisisretreat.com 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.

I Mustache Mark a Question: Screens, Social Lives and Setting Boundaries Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

In today's show, Mark Gregston dives into some more pressing questions parents have about raising teenagers amidst the challenges of technology, screen time and social media. He discusses how to strike a balance between connection and safety, set healthy boundaries for internet and video game use, and recognize the impact of digital life on teens’ relationships and well-being. Drawing from recent research and the wisdom of experts, Mark offers practical strategies and encouragement for parents striving to engage with their kids beyond the screen.

Facing a parenting challenge? Ask Mark about it! Submit your question 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.

Is Your Teen Leading a Double Life? Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Listen today as Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how it’s normal for teens to act differently in different settings, but it becomes concerning when they hide behavior that violates their values or are falling apart beneath a polished exterior. Mark explains that a “double life” isn’t about personality differences, but about secrecy, fear and the pressure to appear perfect. Parents can’t control this through authority alone; the key is building a relationship rooted in dignity, honesty and trust. When teens feel safe being imperfect and fully known, they’re more likely to develop integrity and live consistently across every part of their lives.

Do you have a parenting question for Mark? Visit markgregston.com to ask him today!

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.

Performance-Based Relationships Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Today, Mark Gregston shares a devotional from Psalm 86:15, exploring how children can grow up believing love must be earned through performance. When parents unknowingly reinforce this, kids begin to fear that failure will cost them acceptance, tying their value to behavior and achievement. Mark reminds parents to model God’s compassion, grace, patience and abounding love so children understand love is unconditional. When kids know they are loved in both their successes and failures, they are freed from fear and able to grow with hope and resilience.

If your teen is struggling, Mark's residential counseling center, Heartlight Ministries, may be the answer. Visit 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.

Teen Stories: Reckoning with Privilege Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

When teens seem demanding or expect the world handed to them, it's easy to chalk it up to “just being a teenager” — but there’s often more beneath the surface. Today, Mark talks with two more teens from Heartlight, both of whom open up about their journeys confronting a culture of entitlement in their families and themselves. For Isaac, easy access to anything he wanted became a way to receive love after his parents' divorce — but over time, he realized it robbed him of work ethic and genuine gratitude. These teens are learning to do more with less — and discovering what matters most as they grow.

Thousands of struggling teens have found hope at Heartlight. Learn more about our residential program today at heartlightministries.org.

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.

What Is Worth Fighting For? Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

As kids enter the teen years, parents often spend so much time correcting behavior that they unintentionally crowd out connection. Constantly fighting about every issue can push teens away, exhaust parents and hinder the independence teens need to develop. The key is learning to “choose your battles” by letting go of issues that don’t matter long-term and focusing on what truly shapes character and relationships. Teens don’t change through correction alone — they change through connection, trust and a strong, loving relationship.

Visit parentingtodaysteens.org to explore all the resources designed by Mark to help you as you raise your teen!

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.

I Mustache Mark a Question: Quiet Preteens, First Love and Grandparent Dilemmas Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

In this Q&A episode, Mark tackles another batch of real questions from listeners facing everyday parenting challenges. From helping quiet preteens open up and navigating the anxiety of an 18-year-old’s first relationship, to supporting grandchildren with low self-esteem and managing overwhelming situations, Mark Gregston offers practical, heartfelt advice. He discusses the importance of shifting parenting styles as kids grow, maintaining strong relationships over the enforcement of strict rules and much more. This episode is packed with wisdom to help you build deeper, more authentic connections with the teens in your life.

Have a parenting question for Mark? Send it in at markgregston.com — your question may be featured on the show!

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.

Related Podcasts