I Mustache Mark a Question: Social Struggles, Risky Texts and Self-Expression

I Mustache Mark a Question: Social Struggles, Risky Texts and Self-Expression

Author: Mark Gregston May 15, 2026 Duration: 36:54

Ever feel like you're on the outside looking in? For lots of teens, fitting in feels like a full-time job — and sometimes, the pressure to belong pushes them into some tough spots. In this Q&A episode, Mark tackles more real-life questions from parents facing the complexities of raising adolescents today. Covering topics such as teens’ technology use and privacy, navigating anxiety and loneliness, approaching difficult conversations about sex and handling school apathy, Mark offers practical advice rooted in years of experience working directly with teens and their families.

Has teenage behavior left you stumped? Ask Mark! Go to markgregston.com to send in your questions — they may be shared on a future episode.

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
I Mustache Mark a Question: Bullying, Beliefs and Battling Teen Angst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:34
Today, Mark tackles real questions from parents who are in the trenches with their teens. From navigating the challenges of adoption with children who have struggled for years, to conversations around sexuality, substanc…
Fostering Respect at Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:38
Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how respect is foundational to a peaceful, healthy home, and it must be intentionally taught and modeled by parents. Mark explains that many teens struggle with respect bec…
Don’t Give Up: Hope Grows Through the Struggle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:01
Listen today as Mark Gregston reflects on a generation that pursued “peace at all costs” and avoided conflict, often weakening relationships instead of deepening them. Drawing on Galatians 6:9, he reminds parents that tr…
Teen Stories: Searching for Validation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:44
For many teens, the drive to fit in or feel worthy can shape almost every decision they make. Beneath the surface, those struggles often trace back to deep questions of value, trust and belonging. Today, Mark sits down w…
Making the Most of One-on-One Time with Your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:25
Join Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd today as they discuss the powerful opportunity parents have to shape their teens’ hearts and direction through intentional one-on-one time. Mark reminds parents that the teen years a…
A Fresh Start for Your Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:59
As a new year begins, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur encourage families to pause and have honest, grace-filled conversations with their teens. This is a powerful opportunity to listen to what your tee…
Knowing What’s Normal in the Teen Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:03
Mark Gregston reminds parents that many frustrating teen behaviors are actually normal parts of adolescence and part of how kids learn to grow into adulthood. Understanding what’s normal can lower anxiety and help parent…
Teen Stories: Weathering the Storm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:02
Family relationships aren’t always easy, and sometimes the toughest struggles can lead to the strongest connections. On today’s episode, Mark sits down with two young women at Heartlight who have walked through dark seas…

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