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Artwork for Parenting Today's Teens

Parenting Today's Teens

Mark Gregston
Parenting
Heartlight
Social Media
Adolescence
Mental Health
Teen Culture
Depression
Teen Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Parental Guidance
Teenage Relationships
Suicide Prevention
Christianity
Pain
Self-Harm
Anxiety
Digital Privacy
Parenting Challenges
Teen Development
Grief

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, r... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1495Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityParentingKids & FamilyReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Parenting Today's Teens

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Heartlight counselor Courtney Lafleur joins Mark and Wayne to tackle the issue of "mean girl" culture and the impact of social media on teenage girls. They discuss how bullying, exclusion, gossip and unrealistic online standards can ... more

In this episode, Mark shares a personal devotional about the impact of loss on teens and families. Drawing from personal stories and experiences at Heartlight, Mark explains how loss shapes behavior and emotional responses in both kids and parents. H... more

Even the most loving families can struggle to truly hear one another. In today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who share their experiences with communication breakdowns at home. For Tucker, clashing with his mom over identity and ... more

In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the challenges and opportunities parents face in sharing their faith with teenagers in a rapidly changing world. Drawing from real-life experiences and expert research, they discuss practical ways to establish ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Unnamed Teen Guest
A teenager discussing their personal experiences with family relationships and phone usage
Heartlight
Episode: Managing Your Teen's Phone
Unnamed Teen 2
Another teen sharing personal struggles with low self-worth and relationships
Episode: Teen Stories: Battling Low Self-Worth
Anonymous Guest
Teenager sharing her personal story of drug use and family dynamics
Episode: Is Your Teen Spinning Out of Control?
Wayne Shepard
Co-host of Parenting Today's Teens and facilitator of discussions with guests.
Episode: Attention-Seeking Teens
Unnamed Teen Speaker 1
Teen who has experienced family instability and struggles with substance abuse
Episode: Teen Stories: Talking It Out
Unnamed Teen Speaker 2
Teen who has faced family issues and rebellion, seeking independence
Episode: Teen Stories: Talking It Out
Anna Grace
Teen at Heartlight, speaks about her experiences with feelings of abandonment and the quest for acceptance.
Heartlight
Episode: Teen Stories: Wrestling With Rejection
Unnamed Male Teen
A teen at Heartlight sharing his experiences overcoming past struggles.
Heartlight
Episode: Teen Stories: Healing Through Honesty
Wayne Shepherd
Host contributing to the discussion
Episode: The Benefits of Counseling for Teens

Host

Mark Gregston
Host of Parenting Today's Teens; founder of Heartlight Ministries; veteran parenting expert

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 465 ratings
  • 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 for our struggling teen, we learned it was $70,000+ per year. Who can afford that??? Praise God we found another Christian ministry called Clearfork.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CEVP1
    United States4 months ago
  • So encouraging

    Thanks so much for the godly wisdom and encouragement you provide in this podcast. The topics, Mark’s experience working alongside teens, and hearing from the teens themselves, is so helpful as a parent. I will definitely recommend to other parents.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Subtle lift
    Australia7 months ago
  • 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 with our son because he's also committed to many sports obligations and fundraisers. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dunkin Do
    United States8 months ago
  • My new favorite podcast

    My children are in their early 20s, but I still find the podcast to be helpful to me as a parent. I also find it to be helpful for me as a person and a Christian.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    noway all taken
    Canadaa year ago
  • Great advice

    I’m not a religious person, but I love this podcast!

    I have a teen boy who’s father passed away when he was 12, so went searching for some guidance and landed here. The topics are relevant and not to long. I’ve even got my boy to listen to a couple of episodes (on becoming more independent) and he was pleasantly surprised also. Having a son who doesn’t have a male role model permanently around I look for mostly male advice on parenting a boy, and this is a great one!

    Thank you gentleman.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Koakleysmummasboy
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise practical, faith-aligned parenting wisdom and real-life teen perspectives.
Some critiques note the religious framing may not suit non-faith audiences, and there are occasional concerns about cost or emphasis on Heartlight-related approaches.
Many find the host's experience and candor helpful for navigating difficult family dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I Mustache Mark a Question: Vaping, Drinking and the Search for Acceptance
Q: What's a practical approach to handle adoption-related feelings and sense of belonging in teens behaving badly or making risky choices?
Acknowledge adoption-related hurt without labeling the teen; focus on meeting core needs—belonging and relationship—through ongoing connection, dialogue, and purposeful guidance that helps them navigate choices while feeling valued.
I Mustache Mark a Question: Vaping, Drinking and the Search for Acceptance
Q: How can I address a dating relationship between a teen and someone with problematic background without driving them further apart?
Engage the other teen through inclusion, get to know them, and share honest concerns; be explicit about boundaries while maintaining a posture of care so your teen feels supported rather than judged, which helps them reassess the relationship.
I Mustache Mark a Question: Vaping, Drinking and the Search for Acceptance
Q: What should I do when my 16-year-old is drinking and refuses to come home after we asked him to take his medications?
Prioritize staying connected while clearly outlining consequences; discuss safety, set reasonable limits, and consider involving professional support if the behavior continues, focusing on the relationship and the long-term goal rather than punitive measures alone.
Navigating Radicalization and Acceptance in Today’s Teens
Q: Do you think teens are simply pushing back against norms and trying to find their own path, perhaps embracing ideas different from their families?
Yes, teens often seek independence and belonging, which can lead them to adopt new beliefs or causes. The key is for parents to stay involved, ask questions, and avoid overreacting, so discussions remain constructive rather than confrontational.
Teen Stories: The Ups and Downs of Mental Health
Q: What could they do to help their child?
Trying to understand them more, like talking to them and not just always getting angry.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Parenting Today's Teens

What is Parenting Today's Teens about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A daily resource for parents navigating teenage years, featuring Mark Gregston with periodic input from Courtney LaFleur, LPC. The show blends practical parenting strategies with real-life counseling insights from Heartlight Ministries, focusing on relationship-first approaches to teen challenges such as mental health, technology, dating, and family transitions. Episodes often include Q&A, teen perspectives, and crisis-planning tips, all framed through a Christian lens to help families stay connected, set boundaries, and guide adolescents toward responsible independence. A notable strength is the seamless integration of expert counseling with seasoned parental wisdom, which can be especially helpful for listeners seeking actionable steps an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Parenting Today's Teens?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Parenting Today's Teens:

1. Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast
2. Therapy and Theology
3. Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
4. Don't Mom Alone Podcast
5. Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage

How many episodes of Parenting Today's Teens are there?

Parenting Today's Teens launched 6 years ago and published 1495 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Parenting Today's Teens?

Recent guests on Parenting Today's Teens include:

1. Unnamed Teen Guest
2. Unnamed Teen 2
3. Anonymous Guest
4. Wayne Shepard
5. Unnamed Teen Speaker 1
6. Unnamed Teen Speaker 2
7. Anna Grace
8. Unnamed Male Teen

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