Parenting Today's Teens

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

In this week’s episode, Mark dives into the complex world of trust between parents and teens. He tackles what to do when your teen keeps repeating behaviors that broke your trust, how to respond when lies have become a pattern and how to keep going when you’ve given chance after chance but nothing seems to improve. Mark unpacks why teens might struggle to be honest, and shares advice for handling repeated disappointment while still helping teens grow in decision-making. With real-life examples and candid wisdom, Mark encourages parents to focus less on broken trust and more on creating an environment where good decisions — and second chances — can flourish.

Have a question for the show? We'd love to hear it! Go to markgregston.com to submit your topic.

Every teen makes mistakes. The question is whether those mistakes become a source of growth or a burden of shame. Mark and Wayne discuss the important difference between guilt and shame and how parents can help their teens move beyond both. You'll also hear a candid conversation with a Heartlight student, who shares how unresolved trauma led to destructive choices — and how honesty, grace and the support of others helped her begin finding healing. Tune in for biblical encouragement and practical wisdom on helping your teen find healing, forgiveness and hope after they've messed up.

Like the student in today's episode, some teens work hard to project an ideal image while privately battling shame, guilt or depression. What's a parent to do? Find out here: bit.ly/is-my-teen-leading-a-double-life