logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
21m 38s

Teen Stories: Navigating Loss, Adoption ...

MARK GREGSTON
About this episode

In this episode, Mark Gregston engages in heartfelt conversations with Amber and Maggie, two Heartlight teens. Mark delves into the intricate webs of defiance, loss and the search for acceptance that led these young individuals to residential treatment. Amber shares her struggle with anger stemming from childhood revelations about her adoption and subsequent life events, such as the death of loved ones. Maggie recounts her journey toward healing from substance abuse and disrespect that was fueled by a deep sense of pain and a desire for control. Both stories underscore their ongoing processes of reconciliation with their families and finding peace within themselves. Don't miss this compelling conversation!

Visit heartlightministries.org to learn more about how the Heartlight residential program helps teens and their families.

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

Up next
Today
The Silent Struggle — Your Teen And Divorce
In this episode, Mark Gregston, Courtney LaFleur and Wayne Shepherd explore how divorce deeply impacts teens, often in ways parents don’t fully realize. Teens may internalize blame and struggle with trust, especially when parents speak poorly of each other or set conflicting rule ... Show More
25m 15s
Yesterday
Reflecting on a Health Journey
Today, Mark Gregston talks about updates on his health after a near-drowning incident revealed a chronic lung infection and led to a kidney transplant due to polycystic kidney disease. Thanks to his son Adam, who was a donor match, Mark received a new kidney and is recovering wel ... Show More
14m 6s
Jul 8
Teen Stories: Running From Reality
Behind every “reckless” or withdrawn teen is a journey they’re struggling to navigate. In today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents who open up about the hidden battles fueling their choices. One young man, Will, shares how his struggle with depression drove h ... Show More
18m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
2215: Four Steps Toward Healing The Pain from Parents Who Hurt You by Dr. Margaret Rutherford on Emotional Health
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2215:Dr. Margaret Rutherford explores the profound impact of parental hurt and offers four steps toward healing: acknowledgm ... Show More
10m 11s
Jan 2021
Healing a Child's Anger (a Powerful Success Story)
Janet shares a parent’s dramatic story recounting how she overcame her fear and doubt to allow her 6-year-old to express explosive emotions. In a wonderfully detailed e-mail to Janet, this mom describes a feeling of distance from her son and the respectful – albeit difficult, lou ... Show More
19m 26s
Apr 2022
Good News About Disagreeable Behavior (Questions From My Inbox)
Janet responds to a series of questions from her inbox about some typical behavior challenges parents face. Topics include a child refusing to follow directions, another who stirs up a sibling's emotions leaving the parent struggling to cope with her two upset children at once, a ... Show More
27m 33s
Jun 2024
#212: Praying the Bible (Matthew 5:1-12: The Beatitudes)
In today's episodes, we learn the final and last two Beatitudes that Jesus gave during His Sermon on the Mount. Truth Seekers 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 ... Show More
9m 59s
Jul 2019
Losing It - Understanding What Makes Us Snap (With Elisabeth Corey)
Janet is joined by trauma recovery expert Elisabeth Corey to answer a parent’s email about her struggles to become a respectful parent. This mom says certain behaviors of her 2.5-year old daughter set her off. “I don’t stay calm, focused, kind to my child.” And she believes her o ... Show More
27m 45s
Apr 2024
childhood emotional neglect part 5: sociopathic, childlike, and well-meaning-but-neglected-themselves parents
While this is far from the final episode of our mega-series exploring the impacts of Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN), this does mark the final episode exploring the various dysfunctional parenting styles that can contribute to its development. Join me for part five, where we de ... Show More
1h 48m
Sep 2020
Sibling Strife - When Your Child Keeps Hating On Her Little Brother
A parent writes that her 5-year-old has never recovered from the arrival of her younger brother (now 3.5 yrs). “Since he was born, she has subjected him to physical violence and verbal taunting.” She describes her daughter as bright and strong-willed, and her son as gentle, lovin ... Show More
25m 8s
Nov 2022
Episode 80: Help Kids Develop Social Connections While Overcoming Anxiety with Dr. Michael Thompson
This week Sissy and David's guest is Michael Thompson, PhD, who has worked with thousands of kids in more than 700 schools around the world and is the author of multiple best-selling books. They discuss how parents can help kids develop social connections, while facing challenges ... Show More
38m 59s
Jun 2020
Raising Anti-Racist Children - A Holistic Approach (with Kristen Coggins)
Kristen Coggins is a respiratory therapist, a positive discipline educator, a mom, and a Black woman, so she is very much in the eye of the current storm with a first-person perspective of the history unfolding around us. Krissy and Janet discuss the positive steps parents can ta ... Show More
34m 22s
Jan 2022
When Children Seem Troubled by Our Emotions and Moods
A parent writes that she and her husband are concerned their toddler feels responsible for their emotions. This is a trait they both recognize from their own backgrounds. “He asks again and again, ‘Happy, mommy?’ as if he’s trying to help me be happy.” This mom says that if she a ... Show More
22m 15s