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4.9

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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. Parenting Today's Teens is part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information, visit www.ChristianParenting.org.

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Check latest episodes from Parenting Today's Teens podcast

I Mustache Mark a Question: Independence, Relationships and a K-Pop Obsession

2026/10/02

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles questions spanning nearly every stage of the teen years and beyond. How can grandparents build stronger relationships with their grandkids? Is it too late to shift from teaching to training once your child leaves for college? Do busy teens really need jobs? And what happens when Mom and Dad disagree about how to parent? Mark also addresses how grandparents can support teens caught in the middle of divorce, why parents should stay relational when an adult child makes choices they disagree with and what one mom should do about her 11-year-old’s growing obsession with K-pop band BTS. What’s on your mind about parenting your teen? Send Mark your question at markgregston.com — it could be featured in an upcoming episode!

Knowing When Your Teen Needs Outside Help

2026/10/01

How do you know when your teen’s struggles have reached the point where your family needs outside help? Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss when residential counseling may be appropriate — and why lasting change requires more than simply correcting behavior. They explain how a relationship-based approach can help teens address the deeper issues driving their choices while helping restore relationships throughout the family. You’ll also hear from Heartlight teen Jack, who shares how counseling, vulnerability and his parents’ willingness to grow alongside him transformed their relationship. Listen in for practical guidance on recognizing when your teen needs additional help and choosing a path toward healing for the whole family. Find out the 12 warning signs your teen may need a residential counseling program at heartlightministries.org

When High Standards Say, 'You’re Not Enough'

2026/09/30

You want the best for your teen. But could your encouragement and high expectations be sending the message that they aren't good enough? Mark explores how well-meaning parents can unintentionally create a culture of perfection at home. He shares why teens may interpret guidance as judgment, standards as impossible expectations and correction as evidence that they’ll never measure up. Mark encourages parents to trade perfection for authenticity — admitting their own mistakes, making room for struggle, and assuring their teens that love isn’t based on appearance or performance. Listen in for a powerful reminder that grace and genuine connection can give your teen something perfection never will: a safe place to grow. You may be signaling perfectionism to your teen without knowing it. In this article, Mark exposes why demanding perfection backfires: bit.ly/3-ways-to-let-your-teen-be-imperfect

Teen Stories: When Discipline Distances

2026/09/29

If you've ever wondered why a teen seems to pull away, sometimes the rules and consequences meant to help can actually drive a wedge. In today's episode, Mark sits down with two teens from Heartlight, Austin and Kennedy, who share candid stories about how discipline in their homes went from well-intentioned to relationship-breaking. Both teens open up about how strict systems, misunderstandings, and a lack of real connection pushed them toward anger and isolation. At Heartlight, they're learning just how much healing can happen when discipline takes a back seat to building genuine relationships. Interested in learning more about the Heartlight program? Visit heartlightministries.org today!

When Your Adopted Teen Feels Unwanted

2026/09/28

Adoption can give a child a loving family and a place to belong, but the teen years may bring difficult questions about identity, loss and acceptance to the surface. In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Courtney explore some of the unique struggles adopted teens may experience as they begin thinking more deeply about their past and wondering where they fit. Mark encourages parents to listen without assuming they understand, see life from their teen’s perspective, and remain a steady source of connection and love. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who shares how feelings of being unwanted affected her self-worth, friendships and choices — and how greater understanding is helping strengthen her relationship with her parents. Listen in for compassionate, practical encouragement for walking alongside an adopted teen through the challenges of adolescence. Thinking of adopting a child? Mark offers some food for thought here: bit.ly/things-to-consider-when-adopting

I Mustache Mark a Question: Moods, Mental Health and Parenting Through Change

2026/09/25

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark dives into some more common challenges parents are facing with their teens today. From navigating the difference between sarcasm and disrespect to supporting kids through anxiety, depression and OCD — no topic is off limits. Mark addresses questions about parenting through divorce, rebuilding trust when teens habitually lie and how to create clear boundaries without losing connection. Full of relatable stories and down-to-earth advice, this episode is packed with practical ways to encourage honesty, set realistic expectations and keep relationships strong during the turbulent teen years. Have a question for a future episode? Go to markgregston.com to send it in!

Is Your Teen Trying to Get Your Attention?

2026/09/24

Every teen wants to feel seen, valued and noticed. But what happens when they start looking for that attention in unhealthy places? Mark and Wayne explore what can be behind attention-seeking behavior and why parents should look beyond the behavior to understand what their teen is really longing for. Mark shares practical ways to offer meaningful attention, set healthy boundaries and strengthen connection. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares how her desire for acceptance and affirmation contributed to a painful series of choices — and what she has since learned about the relationships that truly matter. Sometimes your teen acts out to get attention. Sometimes it may be something you, as a parent, are doing. Learn more here at bit.ly/tipping-points-in-relationships-with-teens

Helping Teens Separate Real Life From Social Media

2026/09/23

Is social media shaping the way your teen sees themselves — and convincing them they don’t measure up? In this episode, Mark Gregston explores how carefully curated posts, altered images and constant comparison can distort a teen’s view of reality and contribute to feelings of inadequacy, isolation and poor self-esteem. Rather than trying to eliminate social media altogether, Mark offers practical ways parents can help teens become wiser consumers of what they see online, recognize what’s real and what isn’t, and build healthier boundaries and perspectives. Listen in for guidance on helping your teen escape the comparison trap and stay grounded in real life. Parents, you are the ones who can best help your teens develop healthy habits when it comes to their lives online. Get more tips here: bit.ly/boundaries-for-teens-online-life

Teen Stories: Feeling Hopeless at Home

2026/09/22

Family conflict isn’t just loud arguments or silent standoffs — it can leave deep marks that shape the way teens see themselves and their future. In this episode, Mark sits down with two young ladies from Heartlight who open up about what happens when home stops being a sanctuary and relationships fall apart. From stubborn fights with parents to feeling isolated and misunderstood, they share how painful family dynamics and past hurts pushed them to the edge. Listen in as they discuss what it took to begin letting go of resentment, accept help and start rebuilding trust — both at home and within themselves. If you have a struggling teen, Heartlight may be able to help. Visit heartlightministries.org to learn more.

When Good Kids Make Bad Choices

2026/09/21

Your teen is going to make mistakes. How you respond can either deepen your relationship or create greater distance. Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss what parents should do when they discover their teen has made a serious or inappropriate choice. They explain how to respond without shame, maintain firm consequences without sacrificing connection, and use mistakes as opportunities to help teens grow in responsibility and maturity. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen who candidly shares about a painful setback, the guilt and shame that followed, and how knowing her parents still loved her helped her move forward. Tune in for practical encouragement on helping your teen learn from mistakes, bounce back and keep growing. Why do teens do the crazy things they do? And how can you protect your relationship while still teaching them a valuable lesson? Learn more at bit.ly/teens-and-inappropriate-behavior

I Mustache Mark a Question: Double Lives, Depression and Difficult Conversations

2026/09/18

In this Q&A episode, Mark addresses some tough challenges parents are facing with their teens today. He answers listener questions on supporting a teen dealing with depression and drug use, how to respond when teens show no interest in talking about relationships and what to do if you feel desperate about getting your child help — especially when resources are tight. Mark also shares advice for parenting special needs teens, managing explosive anger outbursts, and what to do when your 18-year-old ignores chores and becomes glued to video games. All throughout, Mark emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and knowing when to set firm boundaries as you guide your teen through an ever-changing culture. Stumped by your teen's behavior? Ask Mark about it! Send in your questions at markgregston.com

Are You Giving Your Teen Enough Responsibility?

2026/09/17

Your job as a parent isn’t simply to teach your teen what to do — it’s to prepare them to eventually do it without you. Mark, Wayne and Courtney unpack the important progression from teaching to training to transferring responsibility. They explain why parenting must change during adolescence and how giving teens opportunities to make decisions, take responsibility and even fail can prepare them for adulthood. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who shares how honest conversations and growing personal responsibility helped transform his relationships and outlook. Tune in for advice on helping your teen mature while knowing you’ll still be there when they need you. Teaching your teen to take responsibility can be exhausting. If you find yourself drained by conflict at home, get tips to shake things up at bit.ly/constant-conflict-and-exhausted-parents

Turning Life Lessons Into Lasting Wisdom

2026/09/16

Your teen has access to more information than ever before. What they need from you is something Google can’t give them: wisdom. In this episode, Mark explains how parents and grandparents can turn biblical truth, personal experiences, mistakes and lessons learned into wisdom teens can actually apply to their lives. He shares why storytelling can be such a powerful way to connect, how to approach difficult subjects with truth and love, and why intentional conversations matter more than simply dispensing advice. Listen in for practical encouragement on becoming a trusted source of perspective, hope and wisdom in your teen’s life. Your teen is getting plenty of messages throughout each day. Find five things your teen needs to hear from YOU at bit.ly/five-messages-your-teen-needs-to-hear

Teen Stories: Mending Complicated Relationships

2026/09/15

Every teen has a story, and sometimes the pain they carry comes out in ways parents don’t expect. In today’s show, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who share how broken relationships at home — whether with parents or grandparents — pushed them toward destructive choices. Both guests open up about the struggles that led them to Heartlight, from anger and rebellion to depression and self-medication. Yet, underneath those behaviors is a longing for connection. Today, these teens are finding new hope by rebuilding trust and opening their hearts to the family members who never gave up on them. To learn more about the Heartlight residential program, visit heartlightministries.org today.

The Keys to Better Conversations With Your Teen

2026/09/14

Does your teen feel truly heard — or are you already preparing your response while they're still talking? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Courtney explain why listening is one of the most powerful ways parents can strengthen their relationship with their teen. They share practical strategies for asking deeper questions, resisting the urge to lecture or correct, and creating conversations where teens feel safe opening up. You'll also hear from a Heartlight teen who shares how better communication helped transform her relationship with her parents. Tune in for tips to help you listen more intentionally and better understand your teen's heart. Mark mentioned in today's episode that many adopted teens who come to Heartlight struggle with self-worth. Visit bit.ly/the-four-issues-adopted-teens-face to better understand what these young people are going through.

Podcast reviews

Read Parenting Today's Teens podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

339 reviews

★★★★☆

CEVP1 2025/11/17

Podcast is great

I have gleaned many things from this podcast that I apply regularly to parenting. The only issue I have is that when our family looked into Heartlight...

★★★★★

Dunkin Do 2025/07/08

Teens and money

Love the pod. I'm curious about how other parents instill money budgeting and allowances/chores. This is a constant contention in our relationship wit...

★★★★★

Memom of 4 2024/02/07

Grandmother Help

Thank you every day for your insight and sharing how to love and raise my adopted three in today’s negative world. I learn so much from your ministry.

★★★★★

Damion & Julie 2023/10/05

So helpful

So helpful & insightful. Great way to stay informed & loving while your teen is going sideways.

★★★★★

GoodLivinIsTravel 2023/06/02

OMG good

I’m not Christian and this guy is really good. Totally applicable no matter your faith. Thank you!

★★★★★

Forrest33B 2023/05/25

Grateful

Beyond Wonderful podcast

★★★★★

 2023/05/22

Thank you!

Thank you for your wise words. Listening helps me to step back and breathe regarding our teen girl—helps refocus and continue in the battle for our ki...

★★★★★

chaniwani 2023/05/02

I love your podcast

I would like to say thank you so much for sharing your wisdom , I have a girl 13 years old the love of my life, my sunshine and all this information t...

★★★★★

Mrs. Gunny 2023/04/09

Wow! What Wisdom.

My child is not a teen yet, but I want to prepare myself ahead of time so all this wisdom can sink in over the next years. I stumbled upon this gem by...

★★★★★

Jackflash007 2022/12/17

Parenting todays teens

I’ve been listening to Moody In Chicago for over 30 years and this Show comes on Saturday . When my kids were growing up I could listen to these kids ...

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