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 Radicalization and Acceptance in Today’s Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
In this insightful episode, Mark and Wayne explore what drives today's teenagers to embrace radical ideas, delving into the underlying motives of identity, independence and acceptance. The conversation offers practical a…
Helping Teens Heal from Unresolved Hurt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:09
In this heartfelt episode, Mark addresses the complex world of adolescent loss and its impact on behavior and emotional well-being. Drawing from real-life stories and personal experiences, Mark sheds light on both obviou…
Teen Stories: Shedding the Mask [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
Many teens wrestle with the challenge of fitting in — sometimes at the cost of losing themselves. On today's show, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents who share their stories of wearing masks to please others wh…
Unpacking Reckless & Impulsive Behavior in Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:58
In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore what drives teens to risky behaviors — often in search of adventure, escape or affirmation. The conversation goes deeper during an interview with a Heartlight teen, who shares her…
How a Divorce Affects Your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:16
Today, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur discuss how divorce deeply impacts teens, often creating hidden emotional struggles that parents may not recognize. They explain that teens can develop unhealthy…
Understanding the Pain Beneath the Choices [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:12
Today, Mark Gregston shares how, years into his marriage, his wife Jan revealed deep pain from childhood sexual abuse — pain that eventually led them both into an 18-month counseling journey that changed their relationsh…
Teen Stories: The Ups and Downs of Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:57
So many of today’s teens are quietly battling anxiety, depression and the pressures of fitting in — a reality that often goes unseen. In this episode, Mark sits down with two more Heartlight residents who open up about t…
How Perspective Can Change Your Approach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:43
Join Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur today as they discuss the power of perspective when parenting teens, and why it matters more than simply sharing opinions. Mark explains that teens are surrounded b…