Parenting Today's Teens

In this episode, Mark Gregston takes on some of the most pressing and sensitive questions parents face in their journey with teens. From handling a daughter's unexpected relationship choices to supporting adopted children with behavioral challenges, Mark offers practical advice grounded in wisdom, empathy and experience. Listeners will find guidance on balancing discipline with understanding,...

Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it’s essential for parents to live out their core beliefs while raising teens. Parents need to know which values are nonnegotiable and hold firm, while also allowing flexibility as their children grow and form their own perspectives. Conflict is inevitable, but it can lead to meaningful dialogue and deeper understanding when handled well. The key is mov...

Today, Mark highlights the danger of perfectionism in ministry, parenting and life. He shares how early experiences working under a demanding pastor led to burnout, a strained marriage and the constant pressure to perform. He connects that same perfectionist mindset to parenting, where children often misinterpret well-intentioned encouragement as criticism or impossible standards. He reminds us th...

Behind every rebellious act or risky decision, there’s often a story of shame that teenagers carry alone. Shame can trap teens in a cycle — fueling destructive behaviors and pushing them further from the people who love them most. In today’s episode, Mark welcomes two young men from Heartlight, who bravely open up about what drove them to self-medicate, rebel and run from home. Through honest refl...

Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss a difficult but very important topic: teen suicide. Mark emphasizes that parents must pay close attention and listen more than judge, watching for sudden withdrawal, changes in sleep/eating, talk of hopelessness or social posts that sound like a cry for help, as these behaviors must be taken seriously. Teens need safe chances to speak honestly and sh...

In this episode, Mark Gregston dives into some of the most pressing questions parents and grandparents are facing with their teens today. Drawing from decades of experience, he addresses critical topics like suicide prevention, maintaining respectful relationships with teens, and setting healthy boundaries during dating and social situations. Mark also shares personal reflections on grandparenting...

Mark Gregston joins Wayne Shepherd to discuss the dangers of teen substance abuse and how parents can respond. Mark emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, seeking counseling and keeping teens engaged in healthy activities — while also allowing natural consequences to take their course. Most of all, he reminds parents to continue showing love through the struggle, offering support when it...

Today's devotional on 2 Peter 1:12 emphasizes that the foundation of parenting is listening and maintaining strong relationships with your children. Mark Gregston reminds us that life is short, and embracing its brevity helps us focus on what truly matters — our impact on those closest to us. True legacy is not found in achievements or recognition, but in the love, influence, and wisdom passed...

Every family faces seasons where connection feels out of reach, especially with teens wrestling for independence or struggling to find where they belong. In this episode, Mark sits down with a couple of Heartlight residents who open up about the challenges behind their conflicts at home. Sixteen-year-old Joey shares how his adoption and early family experiences left him questioning his place, ofte...

Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd highlight the steep rise in teen depression and suicide, with more than a third of teens reporting persistent sadness. They note depression can be hard to spot and may show up as isolation, sudden changes in sleep/eating or school, risky behavior, substance use or self-harm. Parents should make steady, deeper conversations a priority, take any talk of dying serious...

In this episode, Mark Gregston tackles complex questions that listeners have been asking about their teens. He offers practical wisdom — rooted in empathy and real-world experience — on everything from setting boundaries around teen dating and managing entitlement or technology use, to addressing self-harm, family conflicts and challenging ideological phases. Mark also discusses the importance of...

Few fears are greater for parents than a teen who runs away. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why teens take this step — what they might be running from or toward — and how parents can respond with love, grace and open conversation. They also share how reunions can become moments to rebuild trust, listen without judgment and create a home where teens feel safe and valued....

Today, we join Mark Gregston for a devotional drawing from James 1:19. Parents and teens both experience anger when their desires clash, but unchecked anger damages relationships. He explains that anger often signals deeper issues, like a teen’s longing for control, acceptance or attention, rather than just surface-level conflicts over curfews or clothing. He encourages parents to step back, obser...

It’s not uncommon for today’s teens to feel lost — drifting through life without a sense of purpose or direction. In this episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents who both share how a lack of motivation and connection led them into trouble. Fifteen-year-old Peter opens up about struggles with motivation, trust issues after his parents’ divorce, and how falling in with the wrong crowd...

Join Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd as they discuss the importance of teaching teens financial responsibility. They note that far fewer teens work today compared to past generations, which can lead to entitlement and a lack of financial management skills. Parents often enable dependency by providing too much, when instead they should gradually reduce financial support and encourage work, saving,...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston tackles questions from parents on motivating teens who are losing steam before graduation and supporting neurodivergent kids struggling with screen time. He also shares insights on staying connected with teens making tough choices and finding hope in the midst of family crises. Whether you’re feeling lost, frustrated or simply in need of fresh perspective, Mark of...

In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how sibling rivalry is a common challenge, fueled by differences in personality, comparisons, unequal attention and the push for independence. While conflict is normal, it becomes destructive when parents compare children, show favoritism, or allow anger and criticism to go unchecked. The key is for parents to guide arguments toward resolut...

Parenting is about far more than discipline, survival or raising kids toward independence — it is ultimately rooted in relationship. When parents invest time and care into building genuine connections, small issues are more easily resolved, wisdom is received and children feel valued. Rules, achievements and clean rooms matter less than showing up consistently with love, empathy and presence. Stro...

The fear of rejection can shape a teen’s choices in powerful and sometimes destructive ways. In this episode, Mark Gregston talks with two young ladies from Heartlight, who share how their desire to fit in and be accepted led them down difficult paths. Whether it’s constantly changing who they are to please different people, or battling feelings of abandonment that began long before Heartlight, bo...

Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of building resilience in teens including the ability to bounce back from mistakes, setbacks and stress. Mark explains that overprotecting children can prevent them from learning how to handle conflict, disappointment and criticism, leaving them unprepared for real life. Instead, parents should gradually “loosen the reins,” allowing teens to...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston addresses the real-life challenges parents of teens face, including vaping, bullying, video games, emotional struggles and the balance between connection and correction. He offers practical wisdom along with thoughtful answers on privacy, technology and parenting in a constantly changing culture. Whether you’re navigating tough conversations or working to build mo...

Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney LaFleur explore why school is about much more than academics — it’s the training ground where teens learn to build relationships, handle challenges and grow in character. While grades matter, the lessons learned through sports, clubs, friendships and even discomfort often have an even greater impact on a teen’s future. Parents are reminded to look beyond...

Mark Gregston reflects on his lifelong love of animals and tells the story of his llama, Tony, whose decline became a lesson in parenting. In the midst of trying to save Tony, Mark faced harsh criticism from a bystander when what he really needed was help, not judgment. He compares this to how teens often experience their parents — hearing constant correction and criticism instead of encouragement...

Every struggling teen has their own story, but many share a deeper need: to be truly understood. In today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents who have learned the power of opening up about their struggles. One young woman reflects on navigating feelings of abandonment and shame from her adoption and how talking about it is transforming her perspective. The other, Sam, describes...

Join Mark Gregston, Courtney Lafleur and Wayne Shepherd as they discuss how teens are bombarded with opinions from social media and culture — but what they truly need is perspective rooted in wisdom and experience. Parents can create a safe space by sharing life lessons, biblical truth and honest reflections, guiding their teens to think, ask questions, and grow in character and faith. If you are...