Parenting Today's Teens

Epizody

• 
  When You Feel Like Giving Up on Your Teen 19.08.2026 17min

  When your teen is struggling, it's easy to wonder if anything you're doing is making a difference. In this episode, Mark offers a heartfelt devotional for parents who feel exhausted, discouraged or uncertain about the future. Drawing from decades of walking alongside families in crisis, Mark reminds listeners that difficult seasons don't last forever, and faithful, intentional parenting is never wasted. He shares practical encouragement for staying engaged, holding onto hope and investing in your teen even when you can't yet see the outcome. Tune in for a timely reminder that God is still at work, and your perseverance today can have an eternal impact on your family's future.Learn how to manage conflict with your teen in a way that pulls your family together instead of driving it apart at bit.ly/using-conflict-to-pull-together
• 
  Teen Stories: When It Feels Like No One Gets You 18.08.2026 20min

  When you feel misunderstood at home and overwhelmed by the pressures of life, it's hard not to sink into despair ... but someone lending a listening ear can make all the difference. In this episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who open up about drifting apart from family, battling anxiety and getting caught up in comparisons that left them feeling not quite “enough.” They talk honestly about how phone addiction, peer drama and never getting real face time made everything worse — until Heartlight offered a new way to connect. Listen in as they share what helped them start rebuilding family bonds and find the courage to actually talk things out.Want to learn what the Heartlight program is all about? Visit heartlightministries.org today!
• 
  Cell Phones and Teens: Where Do You Draw the Line? 17.08.2026 15min

  When is the right time to give your child a cell phone? And how can you help them use it wisely? Mark and Wayne discuss practical strategies for preparing kids to navigate today's digital world with wisdom and discernment. Mark explains why training is more important than simply restricting, how healthy boundaries should evolve as children mature and why parents should focus on building internal conviction instead of relying solely on external controls. Tune in for practical guidance on helping your teen develop healthy technology habits while strengthening your relationship along the way.Find the grandparenting resource mentioned in today's episode at bit.ly/grandparenting-todays-teens
• 
  I Mustache Mark a Question: Divorce, Digital Dangers and Difficult Kids 14.08.2026 17min

  In this week's Q&A episode, Mark tackles topics like guiding a 16-year-old boy struggling with pornography, supporting a daughter diagnosed with depression and mood disorders after divorce, and responding when kids face unkindness at school. Mark also addresses what to do when your teen would rather play video games than connect with family. With a focus on building authentic relationships and engaging conversations, he offers strategies to encourage accountability, nurture emotional health and create alternatives that draw your teen closer to you.Have a question for Mark? Go to markgregston.com to send it in!
• 
  When Church Feels Like a Chore 13.08.2026 16min

  What should you do when your teen no longer wants to go to church? Mark and Wayne explore why many teenagers begin losing interest in church during adolescence, and why that doesn't necessarily mean they're walking away from Christ. Mark encourages parents to distinguish between a crisis of faith and a season of spiritual growth, offering practical wisdom on fostering meaningful conversations, giving teens age-appropriate ownership of their faith and responding with grace instead of fear.During the teen years, it’s crucial to begin allowing your teen to take responsibility for their own faith. Find out how at bit.ly/help-teens-own-their-faith
• 
  What Will Your Children Remember? 12.08.2026 19min

  Years from now, what will your children remember most about you? Mark reflects on the legacy parents leave behind — not through money or possessions, but through meaningful experiences and intentional relationships. Sharing personal stories about family, gratitude and his own father, Mark encourages parents to invest in memories that shape hearts long after childhood ends. He offers practical ideas for creating traditions, strengthening family bonds and making the most of the time you have together. Tune in for an inspiring reminder that the greatest inheritance you can leave your children is a life filled with love, presence and unforgettable moments.Grandparents also have an incredible opportunity to invest in teens. Find inspiration to start leaving your teen grandchildren fond memories here: parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/a-legacy-of-hope
• 
  Teen Stories: Learning to Love Who You Are 11.08.2026 20min

  For a lot of teens, the pressure to fit in can make them forget who they really are — and sometimes even push them toward choices they regret. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two young men at Heartlight who know what it’s like to struggle with rejection, wrestle with guilt and question their self-worth. They share how chasing acceptance from others led them down difficult paths, and how their time at Heartlight helped them realize the importance of building self-esteem. Tune in to hear how these teens are learning that true belonging starts with accepting themselves and allowing love into their lives.For more information on the Heartlight residential program, visit heartlightministries.org
• 
  Protecting Teens Without Controlling Them 10.08.2026 15min

  Why do teens take risks they know could hurt them — and how should parents respond? In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss the motivations behind dangerous teen behavior, from reckless decisions to substance use and other high-risk activities. Mark shares practical guidance for setting healthy boundaries, enforcing meaningful consequences and staying relational while addressing harmful choices. He also explains why understanding the heart behind a teen's behavior is just as important as correcting the behavior itself. Tune in for biblical wisdom and practical tools to help your teen navigate risk while growing in responsibility and maturity.Underage drinking is one of the most common potentially dangerous behaviors your teens may take part in. Learn how to help them say no to alcohol: parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/underaged-drinking-3
• 
  I Mustache Mark a Question: Substance Use, Anger and Restoring Respect 07.08.2026 27min

  In today's episode, Mark tackles some tough questions sent in by a family raising a teen with complex behavioral and emotional struggles. Diving into these real-life challenges, Mark shares how to navigate risky behavior, set boundaries that actually work and find consequences that motivate change. He also addresses how to handle vulgarity and threats at home, when to seek new counseling options and what to do when it feels like nothing is making an impact. With practical advice and a relational approach, Mark offers hope and strategies for parents feeling overwhelmed with their struggling teens.Have a question for the show? We'd love to hear it. Go to markgregston.com today!
• 
  Understanding Your Teen's Inner Conflict 06.08.2026 10min

  Why does your teen seem like one person at home and another at school? Mark and Wayne explore the inner conflict many adolescents experience as they try to reconcile the values they've been taught with the pressures of today's culture. Mark explains why this tension is a normal part of growing up, how parents can avoid pushing their teens away with shame or criticism, and why walking alongside them is far more effective than lecturing from a distance. Tune in for practical encouragement on helping your teen navigate life's competing influences while strengthening their faith, confidence and relationship with you.More than anything else, your teen needs an example of what it looks like to live out a godly life. Explore tips for teaching your teen about faith at parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/the-cross-and-your-teen
• 
  Before You Share Your Opinion... 05.08.2026 16min

  Are you quick to offer your opinion, or do you help your teen see life from a broader perspective? In this episode, Mark shares two personal stories that transformed the way he views life's disappointments and hardships. Through humor, loss and unexpected moments of gratitude, Mark explains why perspective often matters more than having the right answer. He also challenges parents to move beyond lectures and opinions, offering the kind of wisdom that helps teens navigate life's challenges with resilience, gratitude and hope. Tune in for an encouraging reminder that a change in perspective can change everything.Learn the art of sharing your perspective and more tips here: parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/the-power-of-perspective-2
• 
  Teen Stories: When Progress is Messy 04.08.2026 20min

  Every journey through the teenage years comes with some bumps in the road. In this episode, Mark welcomes two teens from Heartlight who open up about what happens when life feels overwhelming and mistakes start to pile up. From hiding pain behind risky choices to wrestling with family expectations and the fear of letting loved ones down, their stories are honest and incredibly relatable. Listen in to hear how, even after setbacks and false starts, these young women are finding their way — with a little help from second chances, family support and learning to forgive themselves.For more information on the Heartlight residential program, visit heartlightministries.org
• 
  The Journey From Boys to Men 03.08.2026 15min

  Raising a son is about more than helping him grow up — it's about helping him become the man God created him to be. In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the unique challenges and opportunities of parenting boys through the adolescent years. Mark explains why boys often communicate differently than girls, how healthy independence is a sign of growth and why responsibility, meaningful conversations and shared experiences are essential in shaping a young man's character. Tune in for practical encouragement on strengthening your relationship with your son and guiding him confidently from boyhood to manhood.For more on how dads can positively influence their teens, visit bit.ly/how-dads-can-build-strong-relationships
• 
  I Mustache Mark a Question: Letting Go, Holding On and Parenting Through Change 31.07.2026 25min

  In this Q&A episode, Mark dives into the growing distance between grandparents and grandkids, offering advice for bridging the generational gap and fostering real connection. He also addresses the pain of strained relationships when kids pull away after divorce, sharing how parents can invite — not force — closeness while staying open to change themselves. Listeners will hear guidance on setting healthy boundaries with teens, especially when it comes to letting go as they become young adults. Finally, Mark talks through the difficult issue of teens who struggle with lying, providing tools for holding them accountable while encouraging honesty and growth.Stuck on a parenting problem? Ask Mark about it! Send in your questions at markgregston.com
• 
  8 Ways to Improve Communication with Your Teen 30.07.2026 11min

  Do you feel like every conversation with your teen ends in frustration — or silence? In this episode, Mark and Wayne share eight practical strategies for improving communication with today’s adolescents. From listening more and correcting less to asking better questions and avoiding judgment, Mark explains how small shifts in your approach can open the door to deeper conversations. He also addresses the role technology plays in family communication and challenges parents to model the kind of engagement they hope to see in their teens.Getting your teen to open up is great, but what happens when you hear something you don't want to? Learn how to respond here: bit.ly/when-you-hear-things-from-your-teen-that-will-shock-you
• 
  What Pain Can Teach Your Teen 29.07.2026 20min

  Every parent wants to protect their child from pain. But what if some of life's greatest lessons come through it? Mark shares a personal story that transformed the way he thinks about pain and parenting. He explains how emotional pain often drives unhealthy behaviors, why teens sometimes make destructive choices simply to find relief and how parents can avoid rescuing their children too quickly. Instead, he encourages families to see pain as an opportunity for growth, maturity and deeper dependence on God. Tune in for a fresh perspective on helping your teen grow stronger through life's inevitable challenges.In this article, Mark identifies the pain that may be driving your teen’s behavior, and shares practical steps for getting to the heart of the matter: bit.ly/dealing-with-the-hurt-behind-the-behavior
• 
  Teen Stories: Healing from the Inside Out 28.07.2026 22min

  Teens don't always know how to work through big emotions like hurt, rejection or anger. Their inner pain often spills outward, resulting in some poor choices. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies at Heartlight, including Amber, who talks about how being adopted and feeling rejected by her birth parents left a deep void, one she tried to fill with unhealthy relationships and rebellion. These young women both discovered that real acceptance can’t be found in taking risks or seeking approval from others — it starts with healing on the inside. Listen in for an honest look at what it really means to belong!Is Heartlight the right choice for your struggling teen? Go to heartlightministries.org to learn more about the residential program.
• 
  Beyond the Smoke: A Warning About Marijuana 27.07.2026 15min

  As marijuana becomes more accepted in today’s culture, many parents are wondering how to respond when their teen is exposed to it — or begins using it. In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss the growing prevalence of teen marijuana use and why the issue often runs deeper than the drug itself. Mark explains how anxiety, depression, peer pressure and the desire to escape emotional pain can drive substance use, and why parents should focus on the underlying struggle, not just the behavior. Tune in for practical guidance on approaching this difficult conversation with truth, wisdom and compassion.Learn signs your teen may be using marijuana and more here: parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/teens-smoking-weed-2
• 
  I Mustache Mark a Question: House Rules, Isolation and Independence 24.07.2026 22min

  In today's Q&A episode, Mark dives into topics like why teen boys are more image-conscious than ever, how to handle a 17-year-old reading inappropriate romance novels and what consequences make sense for a teen who’s skipping class. Mark also addresses concerns about a young adult son who’s become withdrawn after a strict, non-relational upbringing, as well as how to support a 14-year-old with sensory processing challenges. With his signature blend of empathy and practical advice, Mark walks listeners through balancing rules and relationship, digging deeper into what’s driving teen behavior and how to open the door to meaningful connection.Have a question for a future episode? Go to markgregston.com to send it in!
• 
  Raising Humble Teens in a Selfie World 23.07.2026 17min

  In a world that constantly says, “Look at me,” how can parents help teens develop humility, empathy and healthy relationships? Mark and Wayne discuss how social media, peer pressure, and today's culture can encourage self-centered attitudes and unhealthy comparisons. Mark offers advice for recognizing narcissistic tendencies, addressing hurtful online behavior and creating opportunities for teens to grow through responsibility, vulnerability and real-life experiences. He also explains why parents often have more influence when they listen more and lecture less. Listen in for practical insight on helping your teen develop confidence without self-absorption and relationships that go deeper than appearances.In his book, Tough Guys and Drama Queens, Mark unpacks the cultural influences that are affecting today’s teens and shares strategies to address them. Find that and related resources at parentingtodaysteens.org/shop