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, real, and always hopeful.
Some episodes are co-hosted by Courtney LaFleur, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and on-staff counselor at Heartlight, adding professional counseling insights to the conversation. Together, Mark and Courtney provide expert tips and real-life solutions to help you build stronger relationships with your teen and navigate the complexities of today’s adolescent culture.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to connect with your teen, improve family dynamics, and raise a confident, well-adjusted teen, this podcast is for you.
For more parenting tools and expert advice, visit www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.
Publisher
Mark Gregston
Category
education · kids & family · religion & spirituality
Does your teen expect you to provide everything they want — and push back when you don’t? In this episode, Mark and Wayne tackle the problem of entitlement and share six practical ways parents can help teens become more responsible and independent. Mark explains why doing less for your teen can actually prepare them for more, how to transfer responsibility as they mature and why love doesn’t always have to come in the form of giving them something. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares about his struggles with drugs, depression and a deteriorating relationship with his parents, and the changes that are helping him rebuild those relationships. Tune in for practical ways to move your teen toward independence while affirming the relationship along the way.
Learn how to cultivate gratitude in your home versus entitlement here: bit.ly/create-a-thankful-home
7 Oct 2026
Give Your Teen Something the Internet Can’t
Your teen is surrounded by voices competing for their attention, but what are they really looking for from you? In this episode, Mark explores how today’s culture of negativity, self-proclaimed experts and social media fantasy can make it difficult for teens to separate information from wisdom and truth from opinion. He explains why constant criticism can leave teens emotionally exhausted, while shallow affirmation can keep them from facing the truth they need to grow. Mark encourages parents to fill that gap by building the kind of relationship that allows them to speak truth in love — offering honesty without constant negativity, wisdom without acting like a know-it-all and encouragement grounded in reality. Listen in and discover how you can become a positive, trustworthy voice your teen will turn to when the rest of the world feels like noise.
One of the most common questions Mark gets from parents is, “How old should my child be when I give them a cell phone?” His answer usually surprises them. Find out more at parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/q-a-on-cell-phones
6 Oct 2026
Teen Stories: Numbing Reality
When teens spiral out — experimenting with drugs, running with the wrong crowd or shutting out family — there’s almost always a deeper hurt they’re trying to escape. On today’s show, we share Mark's interviews with two Heartlight residents who bravely discussed how their choices were just attempts to numb what they felt inside, like abandonment, overwhelming expectations and tragic loss. Both teens worked hard to face the pain they once pushed away. Listen as they unpack the pressure to be "perfect," the loneliness that fueled their mistakes and how facing their emotions at Heartlight helped them reconnect with their families — and themselves.
Could Heartlight help your struggling teen? Learn more at heartlightministries.org
Who has been a guest on Parenting Today's Teens
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Heartlight residents
Grace
Heartlight guests
Heather
Jackson
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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Guest appearances
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