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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

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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22:02

I Mustache Mark a Question: Tough Calls on Therapy,...

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/19

In today's episode, Mark dives into some more pressing questions from parents who are struggling with their teens and young adults. From addressing severe outbursts and substance use in a high-functioning autistic teen, to knowing when it’s time to seek psychiatric help, Mark offers practical advice and empathy for families in crisis. The episode covers issues like adolescent depression, parent-child conflict and the impact of unresolved teen issues in adulthood. Mark emphasizes the importance

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27:20

Christmas in the Midst of Conflict

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/18

Listen today as Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur discuss the reality that Christmas often brings conflict rather than peace, especially in families with struggling teens. They emphasize that parents must rise above the chaos by extending grace, offering love when it’s least deserved and avoiding the pressure to create a “perfect” holiday. Instead of withholding gifts or withdrawing emotionally, they encourage parents to affirm the relationship, set healthy boundaries and give teens

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16:26

Small Conversations Build Lifelong Influence

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/17

Mark reflects on the lessons he’s learned as a parent and grandparent, emphasizing how small, consistent conversations build trust and open the door for deeper, life-shaping talks with kids and teens. He shares how both positive and negative voices shaped his own life, and how a handful of wise, older mentors profoundly influenced him through simple but powerful statements offered over time. Mark highlights qualities these mentors modeled and explains how their steady presence helped form his

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23:41

Teen Stories: Breaking the Mold

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/16

Every teen's journey is shaped by a search for identity — a need to take ownership of their life, make choices and discover who they truly are. Today, Mark sits down with two young women from Heartlight who share their struggles to find themselves amid high expectations and family dynamics. Both wrestled with rebellion — not just for rebellion’s sake, but as a way to carve out their independence. Their stories show how the process of self-discovery is rarely straightforward. Now, away from home,

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25:09

When You're at the End of Your Rope

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/15

Families in crisis often feel overwhelmed, isolated and “at the end of their rope,” but Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur remind parents they are not alone and real help is available. They explain that teen struggles are usually signs of deeper issues — not parental failure — and that progress often comes through small steps, strengthened relationships and seeking support. Parents are encouraged to focus on connection over control, admit they don’t have all the answers, and reach

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27:08

I Mustache Mark a Question: Faith, Freedom and...

Parenting Today"s Teens ·

2025/12/12

In today's episode, Mark Gregston dives into some of the toughest questions parents face with their teenagers today. From encouraging faith in a 17-year-old son who resists reading the Bible, to setting boundaries with a 19-year-old daughter living at home and finding the balance when communicating with college-aged children, Mark offers practical advice rooted in real-life experiences. He explores the impact of shaming, the challenges of parenting twins with different levels of maturity and how

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