Parenting Today's Teens with Mark Gregston Podcast
Jun 27 • 22:27
I Mustache Mark a Question: Addiction, Attitude and Accountability
Episode:

I Mustache Mark a Question: Addiction, Attitude and Accountability

June 27, 2025 • 22:27 • Mark Gregston

In todays episode, Mark Gregston discusses some of the most pressing questions parents are facing with their teens today. From dealing with chronic disrespect and dishonesty to navigating substance abuse and supporting struggling adopted teens, Mark provides practical advice grounded in both personal experience and biblical wisdom. He discusses strategies for building respectful relationships, encourages parents to look deeper into underlying issues and shares resources for getting professional help. Whether your teen is withdrawing into video games, wrestling with negative thoughts or in need of specialized support, this episode offers hope, guidance and actionable steps for families in all kinds of situations. Listen now!

Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com

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

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Podcast:

Parenting Today's Teens

With Mark Gregston
The Parenting Today’s Teens Podcast features Mark Gregston, a parenting expert who has worked with teens and parents for over 45 years. Enlightening, up-to-date, practical, and something every parent would enjoy listening to. Raw at times, challenging at other times, but always hopeful to get your family to a better place in an adolescent culture that is sometimes a little contrary to what you believe and want for your teen. 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 www.ChristianParenting.org
All Episodes:
Jun 27 • 22:27
I Mustache Mark a Question: Addiction, Attitude and Accountability

In todays episode, Mark Gregston discusses some of the most pressing questions parents are facing with their teens today. From dealing with chronic disrespect and dishonesty to navigating substance abuse and supporting struggling adopted teens, Mark provides practical advice grounded in both personal experience and biblical wisdom. He discusses strategies for building respectful relationships, encourages parents to look deeper into underlying issues and shares resources for getting professional help. Whether your teen is withdrawing into video games, wrestling with negative thoughts or in need of specialized support, this episode offers hope, guidance and actionable steps for families in all kinds of situations. Listen now!

Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com

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

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 26 • 25:51
The Cross and Your Teen

Join Mark Gregston, Courtney Lafleur and Wayne Shepherd as they discuss your teen and their faith. Stressing the importance of modeling integrity and faith through everyday actions rather than just words, and creating a safe, open environment for honest questions and doubts. They encourage parents to shift from teaching to training during the teen years, allowing their children to wrestle with faith and develop their own convictions. 

Join Mark in July for our Families in Crisis Conference. Visit parentingtodaysteens.org/families-in-crisis-conference 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.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 25 • 11:38
The Importance of Listening

In this episode, Mark Gregston emphasizes the power of truly listening within families. Drawing from decades of experience working with teens and parents, he explains how active, empathetic listening can open the door to connection, healing and lasting relationships. Mark outlines common habits that hinder listening like interrupting, always teaching or trying to fix things and urges self-reflection to remove these barriers. He encourages listeners to ask their family members how well they feel heard, reminding us that sometimes, the greatest act of love is simply listening.

To see all the resources Mark has designed specifically to help you as you raise your teen, visit parentingtodaysteens.org

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. 

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 24 • 23:07
Teen Stories: Learning Healthy Ways to Cope

Learning how to deal with stress and difficult emotions doesn't always come naturally especially for teens who've already endured a lot in their young lives. Today, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who explain what they've learned in the program so far. Adopted as a young teen after living in multiple homes, 16-year-old Whitney describes the struggle to fit in, the aftermath of trauma and the difficulty of learning a new familys rules. She speaks candidly about the poor choices she made and how Heartlight has helped her find healthier ways to cope.

Is Heartlight the answer for your struggling teen? Learn more today at heartlightministries.org

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. 

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jun 23 • 26:04
Teens and Faith

In this episode, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur explore how parents can help teens take ownership of their faith as they grow more independent. With many teens leaving the church after high school, it's important to gradually shift from teaching to training to transferring responsibility for faith while teens are still at home. They encourage parents to create space for questions, avoid controlling or critical attitudes, and maintain open, judgment-free conversations about church and spirituality. Ultimately, the goal is to help teens develop a personal, lasting faith rather than one rooted only in parental expectations.

Visit familycrisisretreat.com to learn more about our next Families in Crisis Conference, happening July 24-26!

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. 

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
About the Host

Mark Gregston

Mark has taken all the experience he has gained in working in the various youth ministry experiences and developed resources to help parents nationwide. He’s authored 18 books, has written hundreds of articles about parenting teens in a difficult culture, and is also the host of the nationally acclaimed radio program, Parenting Today’s Teens, which was honored to receive the 2014 Program of the Year award from the National Religious Broadcasters. These programs are heard on over 1,700 radio outlets throughout North America.

From his 45 years of experience of working with teens and their families, Mark shares his insight and wisdom through seminars, retreats, and conferences, taking up all his free weekends. Mark’s wit and wisdom, shared through stories and reflections of his involvement with teens brings biblical insight and practical help to all who hear him share his heart about families and teens.

Mark and Jan, have been married for 45 years and have two children, both of whom are married and have blessed them with four wonderful grandchildren. Heartlight is family oriented, and family run. Their children work with them insuring there is always hope and help for families searching for something different in their parenting style.

More from Mark →