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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:

Hope for Families at Easter Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Join Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd as they share a powerful message of hope for families this Easter season. In this episode, they encourage parents to find strength in God's unwavering hope, even amidst life's challenges. Through trials and tribulations, Mark and Wayne remind us that God's presence can deepen our relationships with Him and with one another. They offer inspiration for families to draw closer together and trust that, by leaning on God, they will emerge stronger and more connected after the storm.

Visit parentingtodaysteens.org to explore all of Mark’s resources designed to help your family.

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.

Ingredients for Parenting Your Teens Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Join Mark Gregston today as he speaks specifically to parents of children becoming teens. He reminds them that what has worked in the earlier years won’t work in the teen years — parents must be flexible and accommodating to successfully raise their teen. Mark highlights several examples of what he believes parents should provide at home to create an environment and relationship that your teen desires to be in.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask Mark? 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.

Teen Stories: Searching for Acceptance Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

A tough part of the teen years is figuring out how you fit into the world — and with whom. Everyone wants to feel accepted, but sometimes that desire can have pitfalls. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies, including a 17-year-old from Texas, who explains how high school brought about unforeseen changes and peer pressures. Despite being a "good kid," she found herself exposed to new challenges and started to break the rules. She shares how she navigated bullying on social media and aggression that stemmed from internal struggles with identity and friendships.

To learn more about the Heartlight residential program, visit 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.

Responding to a Teen's Substance Abuse Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how the increased normalization of drugs is affecting teens. Mark emphasizes the importance of stepping in early when drug use is suspected, offering practical advice for parents on setting boundaries, seeking professional help and maintaining open communication. Above all, they stress the importance of loving and supporting your teen through it all.

To learn more about Mark's residential counseling ministry for struggling teens, visit 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.

I Mustache Mark a Question: Controversial Conversations Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Difficult conversations with teens can be uncomfortable, but avoiding them isn’t the answer. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston encourages parents to embrace tough discussions with confidence, covering complex topics like discrimination and sensitive family dynamics. He also offers practical advice on balancing family time and replacing lectures with meaningful conversations. Tune in for wisdom, encouragement and strategies to build trust and connection with your teen!

Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: 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

Teen Depression and Its Consequences Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about depression among adolescents and how it is rising at an alarming rate, with many teens experiencing major depressive disorders and persistent sadness or hopelessness. Suicide rates have increased and many families struggle to recognize the signs, which can range from mood changes and social withdrawal to risky behaviors and eating disorders. Parents are encouraged to maintain open communication, take their teen’s feelings seriously and seek professional help when necessary.

Visit heartlightministries.org to see if Mark's residential counseling program can help your struggling 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.

Trusting God Through Life’s Hardships Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Mark Gregston shares his story of facing rejection and loss after being fired from a ministry 36 years ago. Despite the pain and confusion, he reflects on how God's presence remained constant and how hardships shaped his faith. Mark encourages us to trust God through life's struggles — even when the purpose isn’t clear — believing that He works all things for good.

Visit parentingtodaysteens.org/shop to shop Mark's books written to help guide 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.

Teen Stories: Rebuilding Broken Connections Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In a world where communication often falls short, many teens find themselves craving meaningful connections that feel elusive. In today's episode, Mark sits down with two teens who share their journeys from fractured family relationships and troubled pasts, rooted in miscommunication and unmet emotional needs, towards a path of healing. One young lady opens up about how an emotional disconnect with her father led her to search for validation and understanding in different places. Tune in now to hear these stories!

Could Heartlight be the answer for your struggling teen? Learn more 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.

Does Your Teen Smile Anymore? Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of paying attention to a teenager's smile as an indicator of emotional well-being. The two emphasize that when a teen stops smiling, it often signals underlying issues that parents should not ignore. Mark advises parents to approach their teens with empathy and understanding, acknowledging their own role in the problem if necessary. He encourages open conversations in neutral settings, offering support rather than judgment and suggests seeking professional counseling when needed.

For the gift guide from Christian Parenting that Mark mentioned in today’s episode, please visit: ChristianParenting.org/giftguide

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: Screentime, Social Media and Setting Limits Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

It's normal for teens to want to connect, especially with the rise of social media — but how do we balance connection and boundaries? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston dives into the challenges of parenting in the digital age. He discusses how teens naturally crave connection and how technology has shifted their communication style away from face-to-face interactions. Mark emphasizes the need for parents to set appropriate boundaries with social media, while maintaining a strong, affirming relationship with their teens. He shares practical tips on how to transition from correction to connection, reminding us that it's all about bonding deeply, beyond the screens. Tune in now!

Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: 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

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