Teen Stories: The Battle to Be Understood

Teen Stories: The Battle to Be Understood

Author: Mark Gregston April 28, 2026 Duration: 21:10

Behind every broken rule or secret kept, there’s often a story of a teen who just wants to be seen. In today’s episode, Mark sits down with two young ladies at Heartlight who open up about their struggles with honesty, their search for acceptance and the ways family dynamics shaped their choices. Whether it’s sneaking around out of fear of rejection or using substances as a way to fit in, they remind us that the journey to connection is rarely simple. Listen in as they share how miscommunication pushed them further from their parents — and how understanding and grace became the first steps to healing.

Heartlight is hiring! Know a young adult who's excellent at working with teens? We'd love to hear from them. Go to heartlight.jobs 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
Does Your Teen Need Counseling? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:06
What if counseling could become one of the greatest gifts you give your teen? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur discuss why counseling isn’t just for teens in crisis. Sometimes, a tru…
Raising Financially Responsible Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
Are you preparing your teen to handle money — or unintentionally making them dependent on you? In this episode, Mark and Wayne tackle one of the most overlooked life skills: financial responsibility. From entitlement and…
The Damage of Perfectionistic Parenting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
Could your teen feel like they have to be perfect to earn your approval? In this episode, Mark shares a devotional on how well-meaning parents can unintentionally communicate pressure, criticism and impossible expectatio…
Teen Stories: Getting a Fresh Start [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Teen Runaways: What Parents Need to Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:52
Few things shake a parent more than realizing their teen has run away. In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the deeper reasons teens leave home. Often, they’re running from pain, conflict, shame or consequences — or r…
How to Get Your Teen to Actually Listen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:16
Do your conversations with your teen turn into debates, shutdowns or eye rolls? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur explore why teens often resist opinions, but still deeply need your w…
Relationship Is Your Greatest Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:16
What will your teen remember most about you years from now? In this episode, Mark shares a devotional on legacy, influence and the power of relationship. While many parents focus on rules, performance or getting everythi…
Teen Stories: From Hiding Hurt to Finding Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
Pushing parents away or being disrespectful usually isn’t about just being rebellious. Sometimes, it’s a defense — a way to survive when trust has been broken or home life feels like a battleground. In today’s episode, M…