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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:

Why You Shouldn't Always Rescue Your Teen Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the role of pain as a powerful motivator in a teen's development. They emphasize the importance of allowing young people to experience natural consequences rather than rescuing them from every hardship. Through personal stories and real-life examples, they highlight how overprotection can hinder growth, while strategic parental guidance can foster responsibility. They also explore the balance between allowing beneficial struggles and stepping in to prevent lasting harm, ultimately helping teens build resilience and purpose.

Want Mark's advice for your own family? Visit https://markgregston.com/ to ask him a question!

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 Conflict Avoidance Hurting Your Relationships? Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Join Mark Gregston as he reflects on how his generation’s tendency to avoid conflict led to broken relationships and a generation of children who fear abandonment. He emphasizes that true peace is not the absence of struggle but the presence of hope, encouraging parents to face challenges head-on. Through personal experiences with grieving families and troubled teens, he reassures parents that they can endure difficulties, trusting that God will walk with them. He urges parents to trust in God's plan, even when change seems impossible.

Join Mark and his team for a weekend at Heartlight Ministries designed to help you on your parenting journey. Visit familycrisisretreat.com 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: Embracing Real Change Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Typically, change in a family doesn't happen overnight — it takes humility and a willingness on everyone's part to learn how to do things differently. Today, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who have both been on the show before and are nearly ready to graduate. Eli shares why he used to struggle with defiance, and how his time at Heartlight has helped him develop a deeper understanding and improved communication with his parents, especially in the wake of their divorce. Tune in now!

For more information about Heartlight, go to heartlightministries.org 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.

Your Authoritative Parenting Style Doesn’t Work Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explain why authoritarian parenting no longer works, as kids today are more skeptical of authority. Instead of demanding obedience, parents should build relationships, avoid perfectionism and be less judgmental. To parent effectively, you need to create open lines of communication while addressing issues with love and genuine concern. A supportive environment — one that still maintains boundaries — will help guide children down a healthy path.

Join Mark and his team for a weekend at Heartlight Ministries designed to help you on your parenting journey. To learn more and register please visit familycrisisretreat.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.

I Mustache Mark a Question: Vaping, Drinking and Family Tension Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston discusses a variety of difficult scenarios that parents like you are navigating with their teens. From adoption-related challenges and teenage substance use to complex family dynamics in blended families, Mark offers profound insights and guidance. No matter the challenge, one truth remains: Teens are wired for connection, belonging and a strong sense of identity. Tune in for insights that will equip you to meet your teen’s deepest needs with understanding and grace!

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

Grandparenting Today's Teens Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the valuable role grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives. They emphasize that involvement is a choice that offers a unique opportunity for connection, highlighting how grandparents can provide perspective and share wisdom that benefits younger generations. Tune in for practical advice on how grandparents can actively engage with and support their grandkids in meaningful ways!

Join Mark and his team for a weekend at Heartlight Ministries designed to help you on your parenting journey. Visit familycrisisretreat.com 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.

What You Do Matters More Than What You Say Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark offers a heartfelt message inspired by 1 John 3:8, urging parents to prioritize actions over words when raising their children. He emphasizes that teaching through example is far more impactful than simply giving instructions. Parents should focus on encouraging their teens rather than being overly critical, as constant criticism can be misinterpreted. Mark reminds us that every interaction with our teens reflects our feelings toward them — that's why it's so important to foster positive connections.

Do you have a parenting question you’d like to ask Mark? Please visit markgregston.com 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: At Arm's Length Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Navigating trauma or family conflicts can often lead to teens shutting people out due to overwhelming emotions. Being isolated may seem "safer" to them, but it's a lonely place to be. In today's show, Mark sits down with two young men from Heartlight who reflect on why they kept people at arm's length. For Asa, everything started with a tragic incident in his childhood. He reveals how his stay at Heartlight helped him mend broken relationships, reignite his faith, and find a renewed sense of purpose and love for his family.

Is Heartlight the right choice 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.

Is Your Teen Rebellious or Lost? Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share insights from Mark's decades of experience working with thousands of teens. Surprisingly, Mark has encountered only a handful of truly rebellious teens — which might be the case for your child, too. This conversation explores the key difference between a teen who is lost and one who is rebellious, and why understanding this distinction can transform your parenting approach.

Join Mark at his Families in Crisis Conference on the Heartlight Ministries campus. Learn more and register at familycrisisretreat.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.

I Mustache Mark a Question: Consequences, Communication and Connection Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

In this Q&A episode, Mark Gregston tackles common parenting dilemmas, offering valuable insights and strategies for dealing with teens who don't respond to consequences, monitoring cell phone usage and fostering open communication. Mark emphasizes the importance of understanding the motivations behind a teen's behavior and adjusting parenting approaches accordingly. Whether it's grappling with vape discoveries or learning to stay calm when buttons are pushed, this episode is packed with practical advice to strengthen parent-teen relationships. Tune in for an engaging discussion aimed at equipping parents with the wisdom and tools needed in today's complex parenting landscape!

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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