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PODCAST

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

19:40

I Mustache Mark a Question: Discipline, Divorce and...

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/16

In today's episode, Mark tackles some more challenging questions parents are facing with their teenagers today. From motivating a checked-out high school senior to navigating differences in parenting styles, he shares practical wisdom and heartfelt advice. He also addresses sensitive topics like fractured relationships after divorce, concerns about teen identity in the age of social media and the struggles teens face in maintaining friendships. Whether your teen is questioning their faith,

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25:47

Types of Parenting That Will Push Teens Away

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/15

Parents often unintentionally push their teens away by demanding perfection, forcing authority or coming across as judgmental. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explain that while parents still hold authority, it’s HOW that authority is expressed that determines whether teens feel drawn in or shut down. Mark emphasizes that teens change through relationship — not control — and that sharing our own imperfections builds trust and connection. The goal during adolescence is to

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17:06

When a Once-Close Relationship Feels Distant

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/14

Today, Mark Gregston shares a personal devotional from Romans 16:17. Listen as he discusses what to do when a once-close relationship with your child becomes distant during the teen years. Mark encourages parents not to lose hope, but to recognize that old parenting tools may need to be expanded with new ones that foster trust, connection and understanding. Teens need their parents now more than ever to provide wisdom, stability and a place of rest in an overwhelming world.If you are struggling with

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21:16

Teen Stories: Learning to Cope Without Drugs

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/13

What happens when teens turn to drugs to cope with struggles that feel too heavy to bear? Many young people use substances as a way to escape feelings of hurt, isolation or confusion. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston talks with two Heartlight teens whose struggles reveal how common it is for teens to use drugs to numb emotional pain. For 17-year-old Gabe, social isolation and family conflict drove him toward addiction — but today, he's on a journey of recovery, learning healthier ways to face

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24:52

Dating and Your Teen

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/12

Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd encourage parents to view teen dating as a training ground, not just something to restrict or fear. Mark emphasizes that healthy, age-appropriate dating — guided by clear expectations and strong communication — can help teens learn respect, boundaries and what godly relationships look like. Not every relationship with the opposite sex has to be sexual, and parents play a key role by modeling healthy marriages and staying engaged with their teen. When handled

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23:34

I Mustache Mark a Question: Bullying, Beliefs and...

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/09

Today, Mark tackles real questions from parents who are in the trenches with their teens. From navigating the challenges of adoption with children who have struggled for years, to conversations around sexuality, substance use and the whirlwind of teen relationships, this episode dives deep into the tough scenarios so many families face. Mark offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement for building stronger relationships with your teens — even when times are hard.Have a parenting problem you

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25:38

Fostering Respect at Home

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/08

Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how respect is foundational to a peaceful, healthy home, and it must be intentionally taught and modeled by parents. Mark explains that many teens struggle with respect because they don’t feel respected themselves, making it essential for parents to examine their words, reactions and expectations. Even in disagreement, families can maintain unity by committing to mutual respect, clear boundaries and consistent consequences. When parents lead by

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17:01

Don’t Give Up: Hope Grows Through the Struggle

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/07

Listen today as Mark Gregston reflects on a generation that pursued “peace at all costs” and avoided conflict, often weakening relationships instead of deepening them. Drawing on Galatians 6:9, he reminds parents that true, God-given peace doesn’t eliminate struggle — it carries us through it with hope. Even in the darkest family crises, perseverance, engagement and faithful investment matter more than immediate results. Don’t grow weary in doing good; if you don’t give up, God promises a harvest on

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22:44

Teen Stories: Searching for Validation

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/06

For many teens, the drive to fit in or feel worthy can shape almost every decision they make. Beneath the surface, those struggles often trace back to deep questions of value, trust and belonging. Today, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents who each share their journeys through perfectionism, insecurity and the desire to be loved. For Emily, her struggles with anxiety and perfectionism started as early as 7 years old. She talks about feeling pressured to perform in every aspect of life,

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26:25

Making the Most of One-on-One Time with Your Teen

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/05

Join Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd today as they discuss the powerful opportunity parents have to shape their teens’ hearts and direction through intentional one-on-one time. Mark reminds parents that the teen years are brief, and busy schedules can cause us to miss moments we may later regret. Regular, judgment-free time spent listening, asking questions, and showing compassion builds trust and makes parents a safe place for their teens. That influence can guide teens toward wisdom, faith and

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22:10

I Mustache Mark a Question: Tough Conversations,...

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/02

In this Q&A episode, Mark dives into some of the most sensitive questions parents are facing right now. Addressing tough topics like puberty and sexual development, Mark offers practical insights and relatable anecdotes drawn from his years of experience working with teens and families. You’ll also hear thoughtful advice on managing changing family dynamics — like what to do when your college student moves back home, how to make family time meaningful across different age groups and when

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26:59

A Fresh Start for Your Family

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2026/01/01

As a new year begins, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur encourage families to pause and have honest, grace-filled conversations with their teens. This is a powerful opportunity to listen to what your teen hopes will be different and to offer a fresh start rooted in relationship, not control. By focusing less on surface issues and more on the heart, parents can strengthen connection while gradually giving teens more responsibility and freedom. A new year doesn’t require perfection —

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12:03

Knowing What’s Normal in the Teen Years

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/31

Mark Gregston reminds parents that many frustrating teen behaviors are actually normal parts of adolescence and part of how kids learn to grow into adulthood. Understanding what’s normal can lower anxiety and help parents respond with patience instead of panic. At the same time, Mark urges parents to recognize clear warning signs that signal deeper trouble and require immediate action. When parents know the difference, they can stand firm, seek help when needed and trust God to meet them in the hard

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18:02

Teen Stories: Weathering the Storm

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/30

Family relationships aren’t always easy, and sometimes the toughest struggles can lead to the strongest connections. On today’s episode, Mark sits down with two young women at Heartlight who have walked through dark seasons of conflict, self-doubt and destructive choices. Their journeys show that while pain and misunderstanding can create distance, there’s hope for rebuilding trust and closeness at home. Together, Mark and the teens discuss how healing happens one conversation at a time — and how

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26:10

Help for When Parents Feel Hopeless

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/29

On today's episode, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur remind parents who feel overwhelmed by a child’s struggles — whether addiction, pregnancy or deep emotional pain — that their situation is not hopeless because God has promised hope. They share how Parenting Today’s Teens has been a beacon of hope for nearly two decades, walking alongside families at the end of their rope. Through personal stories and a special guest, they emphasize that healing is a marathon, not a sprint,

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18:53

I Mustache Mark a Question: Structure, Screen Time...

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/26

Today, Mark dives into some more pressing challenges parents face today — from transitioning your parenting style as kids grow, to managing teens’ phone usage and tough issues like household rules for 18-year-olds. Drawing from real listener questions, Mark discusses how to foster safe and open communication and find the balance between structure and relationship. If you’re struggling with tech boundaries, curious about when to loosen the reins or just want practical strategies for making your home

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25:54

Grandparenting During the Holidays

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/25

Merry Christmas! The holidays can unite families, and grandparents play a unique role in setting a warm, meaningful tone for those gatherings. Today, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur explain that grandparents offer heritage, perspective, commitment and a lived-out example of grace that teens deeply need — not through lectures, but through presence and love. They encourage grandparents to create restful, joyful environments by sharing stories, planning simple activities that spark

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26:08

Giving Teens Certainty in an Uncertain World

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/24

Join Mark Gregston as he talks about how Luke’s account of Christ’s birth highlights a powerful idea often overlooked. Mark explains that modern adolescents live with unprecedented exposure to uncertainty — from social pressure and information overload to global crises — which fuels anxiety, confusion and experimentation that can pull them away from what they’ve been taught. Parents cannot eliminate the world’s chaos, but they CAN become a steady place of certainty by showing consistency, connection

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22:39

Teen Stories: When Parents Really Listen

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/23

What happens when teens feel unheard at home? This week, Mark talks with two Heartlight teens, who bravely share their battles with depression, insecurity and the search for real connection. Beneath struggles with anger, risky choices or even isolation, both young women's stories reveal a powerful theme: Teens desperately need their parents to truly listen — not just jump into problem-solving or judgment. Honest conversation, open minds and small acts of understanding can make all the difference

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25:21

Allowing Teens to Control Their Lives

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/22

Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how parents often hold tightly to control out of fear, but doing so can stunt a teen’s ability to develop maturity and self-control. Mark explains that healthy independence requires gradually transferring responsibility from ages 12 to 18 so teens can practice decision-making before they leave home. When parents micromanage, teens may rebel or make reckless choices just to prove they’re in control, whereas purposeful, age-appropriate freedom paired

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