Parenting Today's Teens

Does your teen seem uninterested in school, unwilling to take responsibility or content to spend the day doing nothing? Before you label them lazy, consider what might be happening beneath the surface. Mark and Wayne explore the reasons teens lose motivation, including emotional overwhelm, depression, substance use and family conflict. Mark shares ways to identify the underlying issues, establish appropriate expectations and help teens develop the internal drive they need to move forward. You'll also hear from a Heartlight teen who shares how family struggles, declining grades, depression and substance use contributed to his downward spiral — and what has he...

The words you speak to your teen today may stay with them for a lifetime. Will they remember criticism and discouragement — or the encouragement and wisdom that helped shape who they became? In this episode, Mark reflects on the people whose words and guidance profoundly influenced his life, including those who believed in him when others doubted his abilities. Drawing from those experiences, he shares 10 lessons about building relationships that allow parents and grandparents to pass along wisdom, offer encouragement and make a lasting difference.

Learn some barriers that get in the way of healthy communication and ni...

Sometimes, life throws more at you than you think you can handle — and it’s easy to lose sight of who you are. In this episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who open up about what drove them to the edge, from battling depression and losing a brother to numbing pain with drugs and alcohol. Both share honestly about what happens when you start living for everyone else — or try to escape your hurt instead of facing it. Through stories of loss, fractured families and hard-won moments of hope, these teens talk about what it’s like to truly...

The words you speak to your teen today may stay with them for a lifetime. Will they remember criticism and discouragement — or the encouragement and wisdom that helped shape who they became? In this episode, Mark reflects on the people whose words and guidance profoundly influenced his life, including those who believed in him when others doubted his abilities. Drawing from those experiences, he shares 10 lessons about building relationships that allow parents and grandparents to pass along wisdom, offer encouragement and make a lasting difference.

Learn some barriers that get in the way of healthy communication and ni...

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles your pressing parenting questions, from navigating the heavy topic of teen suicide and supporting teens with depression to setting healthy boundaries when it comes to dating. The conversation focused on practical ways to approach issues like teens attending events held in clubs, managing disrespectful behavior and not letting your own past mistakes influence your parenting. Mark also shares thoughts on the unique role of grandparents, the importance of relational connection and how parents can reflect on their own behavior to foster better relationships with their kids. With stories, actionable advice an...

Discovering that your teen is using drugs or alcohol can be frightening. But how you respond could make all the difference in helping them turn their life around. In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss the dangers of teen substance abuse and why many adolescents turn to drugs or alcohol to escape anxiety, depression and other emotional struggles. Mark offers guidance on getting your teen out of danger, understanding what's driving their behavior, establishing boundaries and knowing when to seek professional help. You'll also hear from Heartlight teen Robert, who shares how drinking and marijuana use affected his emotional...

When your children look back on their lives, what will they remember most about you? Your rules, your advice and your accomplishments — or the relationship you built with them? Mark reflects on how becoming a grandfather changed his perspective on parenting, relationships and the legacy he wants to leave behind. He explains why listening, staying connected and loving your teen unconditionally matter far more than raising a child who always thinks and acts like you. Tune in for a thoughtful reminder that the most meaningful legacy you can leave isn't measured by what you accomplish, but by the lives yo...

When teens push others away, there’s usually more going on beneath the surface than meets the eye. Whether it’s anger, a need for independence or past hurts, these defensive walls can signal a deep need for connection. In today’s show, Mark sits down with two teens from Heartlight who’ve struggled to let their families truly get close to them. For Joey, growing up adopted left a lasting impact on his ability to trust others — even when he longed for close relationships. Both teens are learning what it takes to break down barriers and reconnect. Listen in now!

Teen depression doesn't always look the way parents expect. Sometimes the warning signs are obvious, but other times a teen may be struggling deeply without showing any outward signs at all. Mark and Wayne discuss the growing concern of teen depression, including changes in behavior, withdrawal, hopelessness, self-harm and other warning signs parents shouldn't ignore. Mark also explains how to start meaningful conversations, take your teen's feelings seriously and recognize when professional help is needed. You'll also hear from a Heartlight teen who shares how depression and anxiety contributed to conflict at home and unhealthy coping behaviors — and how he...

In this Q&A episode, Mark tackles some more parenting dilemmas you’re facing with your teens. He shares insight on navigating disagreements over values and lifestyle with adult children — especially when financial support is on the line. He also dives into how to set house rules for teens who are nearing adulthood but still living at home, and how step-parents and significant others can build trust with reluctant teens. Other questions cover handling a teen’s exposure to pornography, responding to grief and anger after the loss of a parent, and what to do when a child seems unmoti...

Every parent wants their teen to become a responsible, independent adult. But could doing too much for your child actually be holding them back? Mark and Wayne discuss why preparing teens for adulthood needs to begin long before they turn 18. Mark shares ways to gradually transfer responsibility, teach essential life skills, encourage employment and establish expectations that help young adults become self-sufficient. You’ll also hear from Heartlight teen Eli, who shares how his desire for control led to defiance, substance use and conflict with his parents — and how learning to accept responsibility has changed his outlook and relationships. Tune...

When your teen lashes out in anger, it's easy to focus on their behavior. But what if their frustration is telling you something deeper? Mark explores three common reasons teens become angry: feeling controlled, feeling judged or shamed, and not getting what they want. He explains why parents need to look beyond angry outbursts to understand what's happening in their teen's heart. Drawing on James 1:19, Mark also shares practical ways to defuse conflict, ask better questions, listen without becoming defensive and model healthy responses to frustration. Tune in to discover how understanding your teen's anger can help you turn...

Behind every rebellious choice often lies a longing to belong. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two teens from Heartlight about the complicated reasons behind their struggles with drugs, running away and broken relationships. Both guests open up about learning independence at an early age and the risky paths they chased in hopes of being noticed and feeling loved. Their stories reveal how the search for acceptance and validation can lead teens down dangerous roads — and how honest conversations, second chances and the right support can spark real change. Listen in as these teens reflect on what it take...

Dating can make parents nervous, but it can also give teens valuable opportunities to learn about relationships, communication and what they may eventually want in a spouse. Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss the benefits and risks of teen dating, when to allow greater interaction with the opposite sex, and how parents can establish healthy boundaries without creating shame or pushing their teen away. Above all, they encourage parents to stay involved as their teen’s relationships become increasingly important. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen who shares how an abusive relationship contributed to alcohol abuse, anxiety and brok...

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles some deeply personal challenges parents are facing with their teens. How do adoptive parents move forward after years of conflict and heartache? How should a parent respond when a 14-year-old says she’s gay? What do you say when your 18-year-old insists marijuana helps him cope with anxiety? And how do you handle a teen romance that’s moving way too fast? Mark also addresses what to do when your teen doesn’t want to talk despite your best efforts to connect, and how to support a daughter who has withdraw...

Respect is essential to a healthy family, but demanding it from your teen isn’t enough. Parents also need to model the kind of respect they want to receive. Mark and Wayne discuss how parents can make respect a priority at home, establish clear boundaries and consequences for disrespect, and examine whether their own words and reactions are contributing to the problem. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen as he candidly shares how trauma, anger and isolation affected his relationship with his mom — and how working through his past helped him discover who he wants to become. Tune i...

When your family is in crisis, it can feel like the conflict, heartache and exhaustion will never end. But the difficult season you’re walking through today doesn’t have to define your relationship with your teen tomorrow. In this episode, Mark draws on decades of walking alongside struggling families to offer hope to parents who feel worn out and ready to give up. He explains why conflict can actually deepen relationships, why hope requires action and why parents should focus not only on getting through today’s crisis, but on building the relationship they want with their teen five y...

Growing up today means living in a world obsessed with appearances, fitting in and being “enough.” In this episode, Mark chats with two young women at Heartlight who open up about battling anxiety, insecurity and the pressure to perform. Both share how their struggles — whether from family tension, past trauma or the constant hunt for validation — left them feeling isolated and misunderstood. Listen as they unpack how the unhealthy cycles took root and what it really looks like to start finding confidence and self-worth from the inside out.

Looking for hope for your struggling teen? Go to heartlig...

The teen years go by faster than most parents realize. And while your schedule may be packed, the time you intentionally spend with your teen today can shape your relationship for years to come. Mark and Wayne discuss why regular one-on-one time is so important — and how listening without judging, asking thoughtful questions and simply enjoying time together can build trust and open the door to deeper conversations. Mark also shares a personal lesson from his relationship with his own son, while a Heartlight teen offers a powerful perspective on what struggling teens really need from their parents. Don’t un...

In this insightful Q&A episode, Mark dives into some tough questions parents are facing with their older teens on the verge of adulthood. He tackles real-life situations like helping teens develop independence as they approach age 18, addressing defiance and disrespect, and making difficult decisions about letting kids stay at home. Mark also discusses how to help teens who are struggling with depression or lack motivation, and when to intervene versus letting natural consequences play out — especially when anxiety and risky behaviors are involved. With his signature wisdom and compassion, Mark offers practical advice for parents on setting boundaries, en...

Does your teen expect you to provide everything they want — and push back when you don’t? In this episode, Mark and Wayne tackle the problem of entitlement and share six practical ways parents can help teens become more responsible and independent. Mark explains why doing less for your teen can actually prepare them for more, how to transfer responsibility as they mature and why love doesn’t always have to come in the form of giving them something. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares about his struggles with drugs, depression and a deteriorating relation...

Your teen is surrounded by voices competing for their attention, but what are they really looking for from you? In this episode, Mark explores how today’s culture of negativity, self-proclaimed experts and social media fantasy can make it difficult for teens to separate information from wisdom and truth from opinion. He explains why constant criticism can leave teens emotionally exhausted, while shallow affirmation can keep them from facing the truth they need to grow. Mark encourages parents to fill that gap by building the kind of relationship that allows them to speak truth in love — offering honesty without cons...

When teens spiral out — experimenting with drugs, running with the wrong crowd or shutting out family — there’s almost always a deeper hurt they’re trying to escape. On today’s show, we share Mark's interviews with two Heartlight residents who bravely discussed how their choices were just attempts to numb what they felt inside, like abandonment, overwhelming expectations and tragic loss. Both teens worked hard to face the pain they once pushed away. Listen as they unpack the pressure to be "perfect," the loneliness that fueled their mistakes and how facing their emotions at Heartlight helped them reconnect with their...

How can you tell when typical teenage struggles have become something more serious? Mark and Wayne discuss the warning signs that a teen may be spinning out of control — from escalating rebellion, dishonesty and disregard for consequences to isolation, substance use, self-harm and other dangerous behaviors. Mark also shares practical steps parents can take to intervene, establish healthier boundaries and recognize when it’s time to seek outside help. You’ll also hear a candid conversation with a Heartlight teen, who shares how drinking, drugs and unhealthy relationships gradually took priority in her life. Addressing the deeper reasons behind her ch...

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles questions spanning nearly every stage of the teen years and beyond. How can grandparents build stronger relationships with their grandkids? Is it too late to shift from teaching to training once your child leaves for college? Do busy teens really need jobs? And what happens when Mom and Dad disagree about how to parent? Mark also addresses how grandparents can support teens caught in the middle of divorce, why parents should stay relational when an adult child makes choices they disagree with and what one mom should do about her 11-y...

How do you know when your teen’s struggles have reached the point where your family needs outside help? Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss when residential counseling may be appropriate — and why lasting change requires more than simply correcting behavior. They explain how a relationship-based approach can help teens address the deeper issues driving their choices while helping restore relationships throughout the family. You’ll also hear from Heartlight teen Jack, who shares how counseling, vulnerability and his parents’ willingness to grow alongside him transformed their relationship. Listen in for practical guidance on recognizing when your teen needs additional help and...

You want the best for your teen. But could your encouragement and high expectations be sending the message that they aren't good enough? Mark explores how well-meaning parents can unintentionally create a culture of perfection at home. He shares why teens may interpret guidance as judgment, standards as impossible expectations and correction as evidence that they’ll never measure up. Mark encourages parents to trade perfection for authenticity — admitting their own mistakes, making room for struggle, and assuring their teens that love isn’t based on appearance or performance. Listen in for a powerful reminder that grace and genuine connec...

If you've ever wondered why a teen seems to pull away, sometimes the rules and consequences meant to help can actually drive a wedge. In today's episode, Mark sits down with two teens from Heartlight, Austin and Kennedy, who share candid stories about how discipline in their homes went from well-intentioned to relationship-breaking. Both teens open up about how strict systems, misunderstandings, and a lack of real connection pushed them toward anger and isolation. At Heartlight, they're learning just how much healing can happen when discipline takes a back seat to building genuine relationships.

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Adoption can give a child a loving family and a place to belong, but the teen years may bring difficult questions about identity, loss and acceptance to the surface. In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Courtney explore some of the unique struggles adopted teens may experience as they begin thinking more deeply about their past and wondering where they fit. Mark encourages parents to listen without assuming they understand, see life from their teen’s perspective, and remain a steady source of connection and love. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who shares how feelings of being unwa...

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark dives into some more common challenges parents are facing with their teens today. From navigating the difference between sarcasm and disrespect to supporting kids through anxiety, depression and OCD — no topic is off limits. Mark addresses questions about parenting through divorce, rebuilding trust when teens habitually lie and how to create clear boundaries without losing connection. Full of relatable stories and down-to-earth advice, this episode is packed with practical ways to encourage honesty, set realistic expectations and keep relationships strong during the turbulent teen years.

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Every teen wants to feel seen, valued and noticed. But what happens when they start looking for that attention in unhealthy places? Mark and Wayne explore what can be behind attention-seeking behavior and why parents should look beyond the behavior to understand what their teen is really longing for. Mark shares practical ways to offer meaningful attention, set healthy boundaries and strengthen connection. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares how her desire for acceptance and affirmation contributed to a painful series of choices — and what she has since learned about the relationships that truly matt...

Is social media shaping the way your teen sees themselves — and convincing them they don’t measure up? In this episode, Mark Gregston explores how carefully curated posts, altered images and constant comparison can distort a teen’s view of reality and contribute to feelings of inadequacy, isolation and poor self-esteem. Rather than trying to eliminate social media altogether, Mark offers practical ways parents can help teens become wiser consumers of what they see online, recognize what’s real and what isn’t, and build healthier boundaries and perspectives. Listen in for guidance on helping your teen escape the comparison...

Family conflict isn’t just loud arguments or silent standoffs — it can leave deep marks that shape the way teens see themselves and their future. In this episode, Mark sits down with two young ladies from Heartlight who open up about what happens when home stops being a sanctuary and relationships fall apart. From stubborn fights with parents to feeling isolated and misunderstood, they share how painful family dynamics and past hurts pushed them to the edge. Listen in as they discuss what it took to begin letting go of resentment, accept help and start rebuilding trust — both at home a...

Your teen is going to make mistakes. How you respond can either deepen your relationship or create greater distance. Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss what parents should do when they discover their teen has made a serious or inappropriate choice. They explain how to respond without shame, maintain firm consequences without sacrificing connection, and use mistakes as opportunities to help teens grow in responsibility and maturity. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen who candidly shares about a painful setback, the guilt and shame that followed, and how knowing her parents still loved her helped her move forward. Tu...

In this Q&A episode, Mark addresses some tough challenges parents are facing with their teens today. He answers listener questions on supporting a teen dealing with depression and drug use, how to respond when teens show no interest in talking about relationships and what to do if you feel desperate about getting your child help — especially when resources are tight. Mark also shares advice for parenting special needs teens, managing explosive anger outbursts, and what to do when your 18-year-old ignores chores and becomes glued to video games. All throughout, Mark emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and kn...

Your job as a parent isn’t simply to teach your teen what to do — it’s to prepare them to eventually do it without you. Mark, Wayne and Courtney unpack the important progression from teaching to training to transferring responsibility. They explain why parenting must change during adolescence and how giving teens opportunities to make decisions, take responsibility and even fail can prepare them for adulthood. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who shares how honest conversations and growing personal responsibility helped transform his relationships and outlook. Tune in for advice on helping your teen mature while kn...

Your teen has access to more information than ever before. What they need from you is something Google can’t give them: wisdom. In this episode, Mark explains how parents and grandparents can turn biblical truth, personal experiences, mistakes and lessons learned into wisdom teens can actually apply to their lives. He shares why storytelling can be such a powerful way to connect, how to approach difficult subjects with truth and love, and why intentional conversations matter more than simply dispensing advice. Listen in for practical encouragement on becoming a trusted source of perspective, hope and wisdom in your te...

Every teen has a story, and sometimes the pain they carry comes out in ways parents don’t expect. In today’s show, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who share how broken relationships at home — whether with parents or grandparents — pushed them toward destructive choices. Both guests open up about the struggles that led them to Heartlight, from anger and rebellion to depression and self-medication. Yet, underneath those behaviors is a longing for connection. Today, these teens are finding new hope by rebuilding trust and opening their hearts to the family members who never gave up on them.

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 te...

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 pattern and how to keep going when you’ve given chance after chance but nothing seems to improve. Mark unpacks why teens might struggle to be honest, and shares advice for handling repeated disappointment while still helping teens grow in decision-making. With real-life examples and candid wisdom, Mark encourages parents to focus less on broken trust and more on crea...