Help for When Parents Feel Hopeless

Help for When Parents Feel Hopeless

Author: Mark Gregston December 29, 2025 Duration: 26:10

On today's episode, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur remind parents who feel overwhelmed by a child’s struggles — whether addiction, pregnancy or deep emotional pain — that their situation is not hopeless because God has promised hope. They share how Parenting Today’s Teens has been a beacon of hope for nearly two decades, walking alongside families at the end of their rope. Through personal stories and a special guest, they emphasize that healing is a marathon, not a sprint, and that God can bring restoration even when the outcome seems impossible. Families are encouraged to hold on, trust God’s unseen work and remember that hope can emerge even in the darkest seasons.

If we have helped you in your parenting journey, would you consider helping us? We'd be honored if you would make a donation at parentingtodaysteens.org/year-end-match so we can continue providing help and hope to families and teens.

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.


Raising a teenager can feel like navigating uncharted territory every single day. Parenting Today's Teens is here to walk that path with you, offering a steady voice amid the chaos. Mark Gregston brings more than four decades of direct experience working with families to each conversation, translating complex adolescent behaviors into understandable insights. You’ll hear honest discussions about defiance, screen time, emotional withdrawal, and the search for identity, all framed with a perspective that is both pragmatic and hopeful. This isn’t about quick fixes or perfect formulas; it’s about building a lasting, authentic connection with your teen even when it’s difficult. Mark’s approach is grounded in real-world application, offering strategies you can consider and adapt the very same day. The podcast draws from a well of wisdom that respects the spiritual and personal growth of the entire family, recognizing that parenting a teen often means revisiting your own beliefs and reactions. Tune in for a resource that feels like a thoughtful conversation with a trusted guide, one that acknowledges the struggles while consistently pointing toward practical solutions and renewed understanding for the modern parent.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Parenting Today's Teens
Podcast Episodes
When Your Teen Thinks Differently Than You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:20
What’s shaping your teen’s beliefs, and why do they sometimes latch onto ideas that create tension at home? In this episode, Mark and Wayne unpack how today’s teens are influenced by culture, peers and a deep desire to b…
When Helping Hurts: Teaching Teens to Carry Their Own Load [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:17
Are you helping your teen — or holding them back? In this episode, Mark shares a powerful story about a young adult unprepared for real life, and the well-meaning parenting that led her there. Drawing from Galatians 6:5,…
Teen Stories: Feeling the Pressure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:53
When teens seem to have it all — good grades, bright smiles, great families — it's easy for parents to assume things are fine. But what if that perfect image is masking deeper struggles? In today's episode, Mark talks wi…
Breaking Patterns, Building Trust & Beating Boredom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
As summer break draws closer, we’re revisiting an episode with Mark and Wayne about setting your teen up for success. Boredom isn’t harmless — it can open the door to unhealthy habits if teens lack structure and purpose.…
Quit Correcting. Start Connecting. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:42
If you feel like you’re losing connection with your teen, you’re not alone and you’re not without hope. In this episode, Mark and Wayne unpack one of the most critical needs in adolescence: relationship. Mark shares why…
Influenced by Encouragement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:39
Behind every teen's story is a series of voices that shape the way they see themselves — either building them up or tearing them down. In today's show, Mark shares his own memories of the people who spoke life and wisdom…
Teen Stories: The Disconnection Dilemma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:02
Many of today’s teens are searching for where they fit in. Sometimes they pull away from family, dive too deep into the digital world or don't know how to reach out for help. On this episode, Mark sits down with two youn…
The Cost of Fitting In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:24
Every teen wants to belong somewhere, but for some, the journey to find acceptance comes with a heavy price. In today's episode, Mark visits with a courageous young woman at Heartlight, who shares how bullying, cultural…