Ep. 152: Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Communication with Your Teen with Mark Gregston
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Release Date: 12/09/2025
Inside Ground Zero: A 9/11 Firefighter’s Story of Courage, Loss, and Faith with Niels Jorgensen Ep. 178
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
In this special live episode, retired NYC firefighter Niels Jorgensen shares his firsthand account of serving at Ground Zero on 9/11. Niels reflects on the courage of first responders, the loss of nearly 3,000 innocent lives, and his own battle with a rare leukemia caused by toxin exposure during the recovery efforts. Recorded in front of a live audience, this conversation also honors our local Fountain Inn fire, police, and EMS departments, who attended in their Class A uniforms. You’ll hear powerful stories of sacrifice, resilience, and faith — and why remembering 9/11 matters for the...
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Her Childhood was Broken. Her Legacy Isn't with Sam Navarro Ep. 177
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
She grew up in a home marked by addiction, instability, and zero faith influence. When a friend invited her to church at fifteen, everything changed — except her parents’ response. They kicked her out, leaving her alone on the streets with nowhere to go. But God wasn’t done writing her story. With the help of a local church who gave her a place to live, she finished high school, went to college, and built a life rooted in faith, stability, and purpose. Today, she’s a homeschooling mom of four, married for fifteen years, and walking in a freedom her childhood never offered. She refused...
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Duck Dynasty's Untold Redemption Story: Phil Robertson's Past and Phyllis' Miracle Discovery Ep. 176
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
In this powerful episode, Phyllis Robertson Thomas — daughter of Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty — shares the incredible story of discovering her biological father through a DNA test, a revelation that led her into a family she never knew she had and a redemption story only God could write. Phyllis opens up about navigating identity, healing from long‑buried wounds, and experiencing God’s grace in the most unexpected places. Her testimony is honest, hope‑filled, and deeply encouraging for anyone walking through seasons of uncertainty, transition, or restoration and proves God can...
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How to Defend Your Faith without Losing Your Cool with Liz Cobo Ep. 175
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Liz Cobo says that nothing has deepened her faith and changed her walk with Jesus like studying the Bible. Studying God’s Word literally changed her life. Things that were once important priorities aren’t anymore. Things that were once afterthoughts are now at the top of her list. Scripture is God’s self-revelation and is available to anyone willing to take the time and make the effort to read and study. Liz understands that now. God promises in his Word that he will give us greater understanding of His Word when we read it. Liz always believed in God,...
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Breaking Free from Shame: Pregnant at 15, Redeemed by Faith with Christy Braddock Ep. 174
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
In this episode of Carol sits down with Christy Braddock to share a powerful redemption story that proves no mistake is too big for God’s grace. At just 15 years old, Christy discovered she was pregnant and spent years carrying the weight of shame, believing she had permanently disqualified herself from a blessed life and a strong family. But God had a completely different plan for her future. If you’ve ever struggled with shame from your past, wondered whether God can redeem your story, or are parenting a child who feels broken by their choices, Christy’s testimony will speak directly...
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The Power of an Underdog Story: Faith, Grit, and Becoming Who You’re Called to Be with Mary Marantz
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Mary Marantz knows how fear can hold us back. Even though she was able to leave the musty single-wide trailer of her childhood in West Virginia and make her way to Yale Law School, she always carried the fear that she would be found out. Even though she had worked hard and earned every grade and scholarship she received she thought others saw her as an imposter. So, she strove to be the best at everything she did, and she was. But the life of perfection has a way of draining the joy out of you. Mary finally realized that fear was holding her hostage to a life that didn't provide freedom and...
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Why Your Story Matters — And Why the Flourish Retreat Could Be Your Turning Point with Carol Roper Bonus Episode
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
If you’ve ever wondered whether your story really matters — or questioned how your past, your personality, and your experiences fit into God’s calling for your life — this episode is for you. I’m sharing the behind‑the‑scenes story of how I stepped into women’s ministry, the unexpected ways God used my past to shape my purpose, and why I believe so deeply in helping women discover their own calling. Many Christian women love God, love their families, and genuinely want to be obedient… but still feel unsure, unqualified, or unclear about what God is asking them to do next....
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Unsure What's Next? Start Here: Bonus Episode with Julie Bagwell Ep. 171
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
If you’ve been feeling stuck, restless, or unsure what God is asking of you in this season, the Flourish Retreat might be the turning point you’ve been praying for. This 3‑day Christian women’s retreat on Kiawah Island is designed to help you find clarity, purpose, and direction through powerful teaching, personalized coaching, and deeply meaningful community. In this episode, Julie Bagwell shares what she’ll be teaching at the retreat — including discovering your God‑given wiring, understanding your strengths through a full DISC assessment, and learning how to step...
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From Queer to Christ: A Candid Conversation on Identity, Scripture and What This Story Means for the Church with George Carneal Ep. 170
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Please be aware that this content is not suitable for young children. George Carneal grew up in the ’70s, raised by a Southern Baptist minister in the ultra-conservative Bible Belt where his world revolved around the church, country fried chicken and trying to fit in with other boys. As disco music pulsated through the speakers in his bedroom, he plotted his escape from the misery and boredom of Southern suburbia before landing in Los Angeles; a city of glitz and hedonism. Much like Alice as she traveled through the looking glass, this is George’s journey through a queer culture...
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No One is Too Far Gone for God to Use with Glen and Kelly Daigle Ep. 169 Summer Throwback
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Some stories don’t just inspire you — they reroute your whole calling. This summer, I’m bringing back one of the episodes that changed everything for me. If you listened to Fear Is a Liar back in June, you remember the couple whose testimony stopped me from shutting this podcast down altogether. When I was ready to pack up the mic and call it quits, their story reminded me why Building Strong Homes exists in the first place — so real people can share real God stories that strengthen all of us. Today we’re revisiting Glen and Kelly Daigle’s journey — a story that proves God...
info_outlineWe’ve all heard it before—bridging the communication gap with a teen can feel like trying to build a bridge with spaghetti. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re diving into one of the most critical aspects of parenting: communicating with your teenager. Today’s guest, Mark Gregston, a renowned expert and founder of Parenting Today’s Teens, will share his invaluable insights and practical tips to help you connect with your teen in meaningful ways. Mark will guide us through the challenges and nuances of communicating with teenagers and will explore common barriers, effective strategies, and real-life examples that illustrate how to navigate those tough conversations. Whether it’s dealing with a defiant teen or simply trying to understand their world, this episode is packed with actionable advice to improve your relationship with your teen.
You can find out more about Mark’s ministry at Parenting Today’s Teens and Heartlight Ministries. Also, if you’d like to hear some of the teen’s stories from Heartlight Minstries go to Heartlight Stories
To find the Blueprint Tips for this episode go to CarolRoper.org/podcast
Watch on YouTube Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Comminucation with Your Teen with Mark Gregston
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Find the first episode for the start of next week's Blueprints to Building Your Spiritual Dream Home series at the Open Your Blueprint button on my homepage at CarolRoper.org