The Keys to Better Conversations With Your Teen

The Keys to Better Conversations With Your Teen

Author: Mark Gregston September 14, 2026 Duration: 22:32

Does your teen feel truly heard — or are you already preparing your response while they're still talking? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Courtney explain why listening is one of the most powerful ways parents can strengthen their relationship with their teen. They share practical strategies for asking deeper questions, resisting the urge to lecture or correct, and creating conversations where teens feel safe opening up. You'll also hear from a Heartlight teen who shares how better communication helped transform her relationship with her parents. Tune in for tips to help you listen more intentionally and better understand your teen's heart.

Mark mentioned in today's episode that many adopted teens who come to Heartlight struggle with self-worth. Visit bit.ly/the-four-issues-adopted-teens-face to better understand what these young people are going through.


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
I Mustache Mark a Question: Trust, Consequences and Second Chances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:58
In this week’s episode, Mark dives into the complex world of trust between parents and teens. He tackles what to do when your teen keeps repeating behaviors that broke your trust, how to respond when lies have become a p…
Helping Your Teen Overcome Guilt and Shame [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:03
Every teen makes mistakes. The question is whether those mistakes become a source of growth or a burden of shame. Mark and Wayne discuss the important difference between guilt and shame and how parents can help their tee…
Loving Your Teen Beyond Their Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:11
Every parent wants the best for their teen. But could high expectations unintentionally leave them wondering if your love depends on their performance? In this episode, Mark challenges parents to distinguish between hold…
Teen Stories: When Home Is a Battleground [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:47
Every family has its battles, but for some teens, the struggle goes way beyond curfews and chores. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two Heartlight teens who open up about what really drove their rebellious choices — f…
The Grandparent Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
Grandparents have a unique opportunity to influence the next generation in ways few others can. In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the unique role grandparents play in the lives of teenagers. Mark explains why grand…
Four Things Every Teen Needs From Their Parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
Your teen may not always know how to say it, but they're longing for more than rules, advice and correction. Mark and Wayne explore four things every teen deeply desires from their parents. Through practical wisdom and a…
Does Your Teen Feel They Have to Earn Your Love? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:10
In this episode, Mark challenges parents to examine whether their words and actions unintentionally communicate that love is conditional. Through the heartbreaking story of a young woman who struggled with self-worth and…
Teen Stories: When Secrets Take Over [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 stori…
Helping Your Teen Survive the School Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
For many teens, going back to school means far more than buying new supplies and settling into a routine. It also brings pressure, comparison, loneliness and other new challenges. Mark and Wayne discuss how parents can h…