Parenting Today's Teens

By Mark Gregston

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 prac... more

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How many episodes does Parenting Today's Teens have?

The podcast currently has 1,629 episodes available.

Best of Parenting Today's Teens

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Helping Your Teen Survive the School Year
For many teens, going back to school means far more than buying new supplies and settling into a routine. It also brings pressure, comparison, loneliness and other new challenges. Mark and Wayne discuss how parents can help their teens navigate the emotional and social pressures of a new school year. Through practical advice and a powerful conversation with a Heartlight student, Mark reminds parents to focus on connection over performance, communicate with empathy and look beneath behaviors to understand what their teen is really experiencing. Tune in to help your teen face the school year with confidence, resilience and the support they need at home. As your teen goes back to school, you may notice some behavioral changes that concern you. Get insights on keeping communication open with your child here: bit.ly/whats-going-on-with-my-teen
August 31, 202625min
Number 2: The Parenting Mistake That Prevents Growth
No parent wants to see their teen suffer. But could protecting them from every hardship actually keep them from growing? In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss the important role pain plays in developing maturity, responsibility and resilience. Mark explains the difference between helping and rescuing, why natural consequences often become life's greatest teachers and how parents can walk alongside their teens without removing every obstacle. Most importantly, he reminds parents to be a consistent source of hope, even in the middle of difficult circumstances. Tune in for practical wisdom on helping your teen grow stronger through life's challenges while showing them they're never alone. Trying to control your teen's life can show up in different ways, and it will likely lead to alienating them. See some of the most common pitfalls and ways to reverse the damage at bit.ly/tipping-points-in-a-teens-relationship
August 27, 202615min
Number 3: Cell Phones and Teens: Where Do You Draw the Line?
When is the right time to give your child a cell phone? And how can you help them use it wisely? Mark and Wayne discuss practical strategies for preparing kids to navigate today's digital world with wisdom and discernment. Mark explains why training is more important than simply restricting, how healthy boundaries should evolve as children mature and why parents should focus on building internal conviction instead of relying solely on external controls. Tune in for practical guidance on helping your teen develop healthy technology habits while strengthening your relationship along the way. Find the grandparenting resource mentioned in today's episode at bit.ly/grandparenting-todays-teens
August 17, 202616min
Number 4: Teen Stories: When It Feels Like No One Gets You
When you feel misunderstood at home and overwhelmed by the pressures of life, it's hard not to sink into despair ... but someone lending a listening ear can make all the difference. In this episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who open up about drifting apart from family, battling anxiety and getting caught up in comparisons that left them feeling not quite “enough.” They talk honestly about how phone addiction, peer drama and never getting real face time made everything worse — until Heartlight offered a new way to connect. Listen in as they share what helped them start rebuilding family bonds and find the courage to actually talk things out. Want to learn what the Heartlight program is all about? Visit heartlightministries.org today!
August 18, 202621min
Number 5: Teen Stories: When Secrets Take Over
Sometimes the battles our teens face are hidden — masked by distance, secrecy and behaviors we struggle to understand. On today’s show, Mark and Courtney sit down with two young women at Heartlight who share honest stories of pain, isolation and the search for trust. Whether it’s hiding self-harm or locking themselves away, both guests reveal how hard it was to let parents in — and how healing began when their families learned to listen and simply love. Tune in to hear their powerful journeys from silent suffering to finding hope for the future. To learn more about the Heartlight program, visit heartlightministries.org today.
September 01, 202628min