Helping Your Teen Overcome Guilt and Shame

Helping Your Teen Overcome Guilt and Shame

Author: Mark Gregston September 10, 2026 Duration: 25:03

Every teen makes mistakes. The question is whether those mistakes become a source of growth or a burden of shame. Mark and Wayne discuss the important difference between guilt and shame and how parents can help their teens move beyond both. You'll also hear a candid conversation with a Heartlight student, who shares how unresolved trauma led to destructive choices — and how honesty, grace and the support of others helped her begin finding healing. Tune in for biblical encouragement and practical wisdom on helping your teen find healing, forgiveness and hope after they've messed up.

Like the student in today's episode, some teens work hard to project an ideal image while privately battling shame, guilt or depression. What's a parent to do? Find out here: bit.ly/is-my-teen-leading-a-double-life


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: 50

Parenting Today's Teens
Podcast Episodes
The Parenting Mistake That Prevents Growth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:12
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, respo…
Don’t Save the Best for Last [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:45
What are you saving for someday that could be enriching your relationships today? Mark reflects on how quickly life passes and why the greatest inheritance we leave isn’t our possessions, but the time and experiences we…
Teen Stories: Healing Starts With Honest Conversations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:05
When life gets tough at home, teens can end up feeling alone and misunderstood — even by those who love them most. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two Heartlight residents who found themselves spiraling after family…
Wisdom in the World of Foolishness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:15
Your teen still needs your wisdom, even when it seems like they no longer want your advice. In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss how parents can remain a trusted voice as their children move through adolescence. Mark…
I Mustache Mark a Question: Video Games, Tattoos and Troubled Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:12
In today's Q&A episode, Mark tackles topics like handling teens who are hooked on video games, managing tech boundaries when consequences have been lacking and helping kids who are losing motivation. Mark also discusses…
How Your Imperfections Can Help Your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:21
Do your teens think they have to be perfect ... or do they know it's safe to make mistakes at home? Mark and Wayne discuss why striving for a "perfect family" can unintentionally create pressure, fear and distance. Mark…
When You Feel Like Giving Up on Your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:35
When your teen is struggling, it's easy to wonder if anything you're doing is making a difference. In this episode, Mark offers a heartfelt devotional for parents who feel exhausted, discouraged or uncertain about the fu…
Teen Stories: When It Feels Like No One Gets You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:56
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 t…
Cell Phones and Teens: Where Do You Draw the Line? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:48
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 discernmen…