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, Mark talks with two teens from Heartlight who open up about keeping people at arm’s length, struggling with anger and wrestling with family changes that left them feeling alone. Both girls share why shutting down or lashing out became their way of dealing with hurt, and how Heartlight has given them the tools to finally start letting people in.

Want to learn more about the Heartlight program? Visit heartlightministries.org today!

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.

Is school only about grades — or is there something more important your teen is learning there? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur explore the bigger purpose of school. From social development and resilience to responsibility and real-world skills, education goes far beyond academics. They also discuss what to do when your teen resists school, how to uncover what’s really behind the struggle and when alternative paths may be a better fit. Because helping your teen thrive isn’t just about report cards — it’s about preparing them for life.

Do you know what's behind your teen's aversion to school? Read more here: bit.ly/how-important-is-school

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.

In today's show, Mark tackles some more of the most pressing and complex questions parents face with their teenagers today. From addressing issues of lying and integrity, to navigating sibling conflicts and strained parent-teen relationships, Mark offers practical wisdom rooted in experience and compassion. Today's questions explore how to approach teens struggling with anxiety and fear of the outside world, ways to handle feelings of rejection and unfair treatment, and thoughtful advice for parents of transgender young adults seeking understanding and connection.

At your wit's end with your teen? Ask Mark about it! Send in your question at markgregston.com and it may be featured on an upcoming episode.

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.