Teen Stories: Healing from the Inside Out

Teen Stories: Healing from the Inside Out

Author: Mark Gregston July 28, 2026 Duration: 22:22

Teens don't always know how to work through big emotions like hurt, rejection or anger. Their inner pain often spills outward, resulting in some poor choices. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies at Heartlight, including Amber, who talks about how being adopted and feeling rejected by her birth parents left a deep void, one she tried to fill with unhealthy relationships and rebellion. These young women both discovered that real acceptance can’t be found in taking risks or seeking approval from others — it starts with healing on the inside. Listen in for an honest look at what it really means to belong!

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


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
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…
When Church Feels Like a Chore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:11
What should you do when your teen no longer wants to go to church? Mark and Wayne explore why many teenagers begin losing interest in church during adolescence, and why that doesn't necessarily mean they're walking away…
What Will Your Children Remember? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:38
Years from now, what will your children remember most about you? Mark reflects on the legacy parents leave behind — not through money or possessions, but through meaningful experiences and intentional relationships. Shar…
Teen Stories: Learning to Love Who You Are [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:36
For a lot of teens, the pressure to fit in can make them forget who they really are — and sometimes even push them toward choices they regret. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two young men at Heartlight who know what…
Protecting Teens Without Controlling Them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:18
Why do teens take risks they know could hurt them — and how should parents respond? In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss the motivations behind dangerous teen behavior, from reckless decisions to substance use and oth…
Understanding Your Teen's Inner Conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:41
Why does your teen seem like one person at home and another at school? Mark and Wayne explore the inner conflict many adolescents experience as they try to reconcile the values they've been taught with the pressures of t…
Before You Share Your Opinion... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:55
Are you quick to offer your opinion, or do you help your teen see life from a broader perspective? In this episode, Mark shares two personal stories that transformed the way he views life's disappointments and hardships.…
Teen Stories: When Progress is Messy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:47
Every journey through the teenage years comes with some bumps in the road. In this episode, Mark welcomes two teens from Heartlight who open up about what happens when life feels overwhelming and mistakes start to pile u…