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Podcast: Parenting Today's Teens
Episode: Teen Stories: Covering Hurt with a Smile
Description: Every teen faces pressures, but some feel compelled to hide behind a mask — covering up pain or anxiety with risky behaviors or a perfect facade. On today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens whose struggles took them down very different paths, but revealed their deep need for acceptance and authentic connection. For Santana, it was tough to take off his "mask." Despite always presenting a friendly face, he struggles with bottling emotions and the fear that being vulnerable — even with his parents — would mean losing their love. Now, he reflects on the power of unconditional love and the...