Teen Stories: When Secrets Take Over

Teen Stories: When Secrets Take Over

Author: Mark Gregston September 1, 2026 Duration: 27:21

Sometimes the battles our teens face are hidden — masked by distance, secrecy and behaviors we struggle to understand. On today’s show, Mark and Courtney sit down with two young women at Heartlight who share honest stories of pain, isolation and the search for trust. Whether it’s hiding self-harm or locking themselves away, both guests reveal how hard it was to let parents in — and how healing began when their families learned to listen and simply love. Tune in to hear their powerful journeys from silent suffering to finding hope for the future.

To learn more about the Heartlight program, visit heartlightministries.org today.


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
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…
The Journey From Boys to Men [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:13
Raising a son is about more than helping him grow up — it's about helping him become the man God created him to be. In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the unique challenges and opportunities of parenting boys throug…