Teen Stories: Getting a Fresh Start

Teen Stories: Getting a Fresh Start

Author: Mark Gregston May 12, 2026 Duration: 30:38

Sometimes, the hardest battles teens face happen silently — loneliness, insecurity and the pressure to escape pain. On this episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents who share how changing their environments — and the people around them — helped them break free from destructive cycles. Both teens describe being swept up in drug use as a way to cope with things they couldn’t change at home, but found hope through new relationships and honest conversations in a supportive community.

Is Heartlight the right choice for your struggling teen? Go to heartlightministries.org to learn more.

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
Navigating Teen Romance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:02
In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight counselor Courtney Lafleur tackle teens and dating, exploring what it means for parents to set realistic boundaries and stay involved as their children begin to experience roma…
Stop Controlling and Start Trusting Your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
In this eye-opening episode, Mark dives deep into a common parenting dilemma — striking the right balance between guidance and control as teens seek independence. Drawing from a real-life story of a family whose well-int…
Teen Stories: Out of Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
When life feels unpredictable, teens often seek control in unexpected ways. On today’s episode, Mark sits down with two young women at Heartlight who share how loss and longing for independence shaped their choices. One…
Are You Passing on Bad Habits to Your Teens? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight counselor Courtney Lafleur explore ways parents pass down bad habits to their teens — from being overly critical and avoiding conflict to setting unrealistic expectations. They…
I Mustache Mark a Question: Balancing Boundaries and Building Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
In this episode, Mark tackles some more tough questions parents are asking about raising teens in today's rapidly changing world. From navigating conversations about sexuality and social media's impact on relationships,…
Mean Girls, Social Media and Building Resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:09
In this episode, Heartlight counselor Courtney Lafleur joins Mark and Wayne to tackle the issue of "mean girl" culture and the impact of social media on teenage girls. They discuss how bullying, exclusion, gossip and unr…
Helping Teens Process Pain and Heal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:55
In this episode, Mark shares a personal devotional about the impact of loss on teens and families. Drawing from personal stories and experiences at Heartlight, Mark explains how loss shapes behavior and emotional respons…
Teen Stories: What's Left Unsaid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:02
Even the most loving families can struggle to truly hear one another. In today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who share their experiences with communication breakdowns at home. For Tucker, clashing w…
How to Share Spiritual Values with Today’s Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the challenges and opportunities parents face in sharing their faith with teenagers in a rapidly changing world. Drawing from real-life experiences and expert research, they discus…