Every conversation with our teens builds trust and lays the foundation for deeper, more meaningful discussions. As Mark explains in today's episode, it's in these everyday interactions that we can shape their worldview and sense of self-worth. He delves into the importance of building trust and offering encouragement in small conversations, and how the wise words and positive influence of others can shape a person's character. Tune in to this encouraging episode now! For more insights on connect...
Mar 27, 2024•15 min•Ep. 983
So many of our teens today struggle with depression — and plenty of them aren't equipped with good coping mechanisms. Instead, they turn to behaviors that only worsen their mental health. In today's episode, Mark sits down with two young ladies from Heartlight, including Hannah, who bravely shares her deeply personal struggles with depression, self-harm and a journey of destructive behaviors, tracing the origins back to a traumatic event in her childhood. These stories are impactful — don't miss...
Mar 26, 2024•20 min•Ep. 982
Are you trying too hard to be your teen's friend? In today's episode of Parenting Today's Teens, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into the importance of prioritizing the relationship with your teen over "winning" as a parent. They discuss the significance of communication, inclusivity, rules and the distinction between being a relational parent and being a friend to your teen. They also address how to rebuild a rocky relationship with your teen and why you should own your mistakes. Listen i...
Mar 25, 2024•15 min•Ep. 981
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston addresses pressing questions from parents, touching on everything from handling consequences for a 17-year-old's lies and skipping college classes, to managing relationships, including a daughter's close bond with her boyfriend and a stepdaughter's yearning for more involvement from her biological father. Moreover, he provides insights into guiding teens through emotional pain and addressing communication challenges at the dinner table. Listen now for practical,...
Mar 22, 2024•20 min•Ep. 980
Self-harm, particularly cutting, has become increasingly prevalent among teens, often serving as a coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety, frustration and depression. It's a sign that teens are struggling with life and desperately seeking an outlet for their emotions. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the underlying reasons and motivations behind self-harming behaviors and provide valuable guidance for parents on how to recognize the signs, engage in open discussion...
Mar 21, 2024•13 min
It's always good to remember that our role as parents is not just to protect teens from pain, but to equip them with the resilience and understanding to navigate through it. That's what'll help them in the real world! In this episode, Mark reflects on a story about getting hurt that taught him a lot, and shares insights into the importance of allowing children to experience and learn from pain to a certain extent. Tune in to learn more about the role pain plays in growth and development! For mor...
Mar 20, 2024•20 min•Ep. 978
For kids who've gone through trauma and instability, finding — and keeping — a sense of control can feel incredibly important. But the need to always be in control can hold them back from who they were meant to be. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies from Heartlight who both reflect on their experiences at the boarding school. For Megan, who struggled with anger and control issues when she first arrived, learning to open up and embrace change has deeply shifted her perspective. Don...
Mar 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 977
As parents, we often get absorbed in our own activities and miss crucial moments with our teens. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's vital to recognize and seize opportunities for connection with our kids. They delve into the idea of missed opportunities within families and the impact they can have on teens and future generations. Using personal stories, they explore the importance of intentionally engaging with teens, asking open-ended questions and being present ...
Mar 18, 2024•11 min•Ep. 976
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston tackles pressing parental concerns head-on. From navigating teen dating and phone use to addressing sexual identity and rebellion, Mark offers not just answers, but actionable advice. He underscores the significance of open communication, boundaries, counseling and maintaining parental influence through each trial of adolescence. Tune in now for the encouragement and guidance you've been seeking! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com Parenti...
Mar 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 975
Are you struggling to find the balance between friendship and parenting with your teen? Today’s parents often strive to have a close relationship with their kids, but in doing so, may blur the lines of authority. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the challenges of maintaining authority while fostering a healthy relationship with teens. They discuss the pitfalls of prioritizing friendship over leadership, and the impact it could have on your child's development — listen...
Mar 14, 2024•12 min•Ep. 974
As parents, we all want strong, positive relationships with our teens. But what happens when those relationships become strained? In this episode, Mark highlights the influence of today's culture and how it's changing the nature of our connection with our children. Mark encourages parents to reevaluate their parenting strategies and adapt to the changing dynamics, emphasizing the need for a deep and trusting connection with their teens. Tune in now! For more insight into your teen's world, read ...
Mar 13, 2024•17 min•Ep. 973
Trauma at any age can be devastating. For teens, who often haven't yet developed the coping skills they need to work through grief or bad experiences, it can feel like the pain will never end. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies from Heartlight, including Zoe, who lost her father at a young age and faced the challenge of dealing with grief and self-harm. Her father's death left a hole in her heart, but as time goes on, she's beginning to heal. Don't miss these powerful stories! Is ...
Mar 12, 2024•20 min•Ep. 972
Parenting teens in the digital age comes with challenges no generation has seen before. We're all learning as we go! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into the complex world of social media and its impact on teens. From understanding the allure of social media to setting boundaries and guiding teens through the potential pitfalls, they offer valuable wisdom and practical advice for parents trying to build a deeper relationship with their kids. Listen in now! For more help gu...
Mar 11, 2024•19 min•Ep. 971
Your teen always needs to feel your love unconditionally, but sometimes, a tougher love is required. In today's episode, Mark Gregston addresses pressing questions on parenting troubled teens, dealing with grief, and supporting those with addiction and gender identity struggles. He discusses the importance of affirming relationships, accommodating grief and approaching difficult situations with empathy and understanding. Listen now for advice on how to show unconditional love while maintaining b...
Mar 08, 2024•22 min•Ep. 970
As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial for parents to adapt right along with it. Balancing trust, privacy and safety in the online world is a unique, and relatively new, challenge. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of understanding the dynamics of online interaction and providing a supportive yet supervised digital environment for teens to safely socialize in. From time limits and location restraints to password sharing, they highlight the need ...
Mar 07, 2024•11 min•Ep. 969
The process of facing rejection and hurtful experiences can lead to a journey of genuineness and authenticity. As Mark explains in today's episode, it's important for a parent to work on unresolved issues — otherwise, they might come out in how you interact with your teens. Mark reflects on being fired twice in his life and the profound impact those experiences had on him. He shares how these challenges led him to embark on a journey of self-discovery, offering lessons for parents navigating the...
Mar 06, 2024•17 min•Ep. 968
Social media and technology can be used in a lot of positive ways — but for teens, there are also a lot of ways it can hurt. In today's episode, Mark sits down with a couple more Heartlight teens, including a young lady who was manipulated by a peer into sending explicit photos of herself. Through her story, she sheds light on the struggles of seeking affirmation and acceptance at a vulnerable age, ultimately leading to an important realization of the value of true friendship and family support....
Mar 05, 2024•21 min•Ep. 967
Today's teens — and parents — seem busier than ever! In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the challenges of today's busy world and its impact on teens. They discuss the importance of intentional engagement with your teens despite packed schedules, offering practical strategies and advice for parents seeking to connect with their kids on a deeper level. Join us as we explore why staying engaged with your teen's life will help in the years to come! For more insights into yo...
Mar 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 966
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston tackles pressing questions sent in by parents as they navigate the complexities of raising teens in today's world. Mark provides invaluable guidance on addressing anxiety, navigating the digital landscape, discussing sexuality, tackling academic disinterest and much more. He shares practical strategies for navigating tough conversations, affirming identity amidst confusion and striking a balance between guidelines and independence. Listen now for tips on how to ...
Mar 01, 2024•34 min•Ep. 965
As parents, it can be tough to watch our teens struggle. But if we want our children to grow in character and perseverance, we've got to resist the temptation to rescue them from every hardship. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd emphasize the importance of not shielding our teens from the natural consequences of their actions, outlining how this can be a key factor in their development. Our job is not to eliminate pain, but to take advantage of the opportunity that it provides...
Feb 29, 2024•14 min•Ep. 964
In today's show, Mark shares a personal devotional about the pursuit of peace in relationships and the importance of allowing relationships to survive conflict. He shares stories of heartache, loss and hope, and offers guidance to parents struggling with their teens. Mark encourages parents to invest in their child's future and to not give up, emphasizing the importance of taking action and being actively involved during difficult times. Tune in for this encouraging episode! For more on this top...
Feb 28, 2024•17 min•Ep. 963
The teenage years are full of pressures — big and small — everything from trying to do well on a test to figuring out your identity. In today's show, Mark chats with two young ladies from Heartlight, including Emily, who discusses her battle with anxiety, perfectionism and the lingering desire for validation. It's a powerful reminder of the pressure teens face to fit in and excel, and her journey at Heartlight shows the importance of navigating mental health challenges with empathy and support. ...
Feb 27, 2024•22 min•Ep. 962
Building trust with grandchildren is all about deciding when to share your wisdom and perspective, and when to give them space to seek their own answers. But once you've found the balance, you can create a wonderful relationship! In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into the important role that grandparents play in their grandchildren's lives. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of grandparenting, the need for intentional engagement, and the impact of storytelling and...
Feb 26, 2024•15 min•Ep. 961
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who need guidance on everything from vaping and drinking to divorce and blended families. Mark shares that while the nature of issues may evolve, the core needs of every teen — belonging, relationships and a desire to appear older — remain constant. Understanding and addressing these needs, rather than solely focusing on controlling behavior, is the key. Tune in for valuable insights on how to connect with your teen on a deeper lev...
Feb 23, 2024•26 min•Ep. 960
Do you feel like you're talking to a brick wall when you preach your values to your teen? You can recite them all day long, but it's the silent lessons taught through your actions that have a lasting impact. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd delve into the important role of parents in helping their teens build good character and make positive choices. They emphasize the significance of intentional parenting and modeling integrity, honesty, grace and wisdom for teens to emulate...
Feb 22, 2024•11 min•Ep. 959
How much do you trust your teen? For many parents, this can be a hard question to answer. But at some point, gradually letting go of control is the best thing for your child — and for you! In today's show, Mark delves into the topic of control versus trust in the parent-teen relationship. He re-shares a personal anecdote of a family struggling with their son's rebellious behavior and how their extensive list of expectations led to a battle for control. He emphasizes the importance of giving teen...
Feb 21, 2024•22 min•Ep. 958
As drug use is increasingly normalized among our teens, so many of them turn to self-medicating when they're hurting or lonely. Tragically, this can start them on a path to addiction. In today's show, we hear from two Heartlight teens, including Gabe, who opens up to Mark about his journey from drug use to residential treatment. He discusses his troubled relationship with his family and how he quickly fell into addiction — but now, he's working to mend things. Tune in! Visit heartlightministries...
Feb 20, 2024•19 min•Ep. 957
Peer pressure has been around for generations, it just manifests differently with today's teens than it used to. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd shed light on both the positive and negative aspects of peer pressure, providing valuable wisdom for parents seeking to support their teens through these challenges. They emphasize the vital role of nurturing strong relationships with teenagers so they can be prepared for the pressures they face. Join us for this great discussion! For ...
Feb 19, 2024•14 min•Ep. 956
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston delves deep into listeners’ tough, but not uncommon, questions. From dealing with risky behaviors like vaping and sexual promiscuity to handling the emotional challenges of adoption, Mark offers his wisdom on creating strong, loving relationships that stand the test of teen turbulence. With compassion and humor, Mark highlights the value of setting boundaries and stresses the crucial role of open communication. Remember, every challenge is a doorway to connectio...
Feb 16, 2024•33 min•Ep. 955
Have you ever stopped and thought about what really builds strong connections between people, especially your kids? Join hosts Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd as they unpack the essential elements that form lasting bonds between parents and teens. In this episode, discover the significance of quality time, deep conversations, clear expectations, grace and a commitment to lifelong learning from each other. Tune in now! For more help understanding your teen's behavior, check out our free "Tough G...
Feb 15, 2024•13 min•Ep. 954
