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PODCAST

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families

Dr Justin Coulson

Deciding which parenting advice to follow?Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia’s most downloaded parenting podcast. Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting. From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

13:50

Toys, Now With Added AI

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/29

A teddy bear that talks. Comforts your child. Learns their secrets. Sounds harmless… until you hear what it’s actually teaching them. In this eye-opening Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin Coulson unpacks the terrifying rise of AI-powered toys for toddlers and preschoolers — including new research showing these “smart” toys may be emotionally dismissive, developmentally harmful, and collecting deeply personal data from children as young as three. If you’ve ever

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24:53

The Screen Habits Rewiring Our Kids’ Brains [with Dr...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/28

Your child’s brain is being shaped right now — and screens may be changing it faster than most parents realise. In this confronting but deeply practical conversation, neuroscientist Professor Mark Williams joins Dr Justin Coulson to unpack what excessive screen use is actually doing to developing brains. From dopamine loops and gaming addiction to social disconnection, emotional health, and the alarming changes researchers are seeing in children’s brains, this episode explains why

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12:48

Raising Responsible Readers [a Q&A About...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/27

Your child loves reading… but now the books feel too mature. Do you step in, or risk shutting it down altogether? This episode tackles the tricky middle ground between protecting your child and preserving their love of reading. Discover how to set boundaries without constant battles, why pushing back can backfire, and how to guide your child toward better choices—without losing connection. Plus some great book recommendations below! KEY POINTS: Why boundary-pushing is a normal (and

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18:28

Oh No, It's a Boy!

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/26

Some parents are devastated to hear, “It’s a boy.”Not disappointed - devastated. In this confronting episode, we unpack the rising fear around raising boys, where it’s coming from, and the dangerous story we’re starting to believe. Are boys really the problem… or are we shaping them that way? This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about gender, parenting, and the future of our kids. KEY POINTS: Why “gender disappointment” is

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15:13

Raising Capable Kids Without Constant Control

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/23

You’re doing everything “right”… so why is it making things worse? In this honest and vulnerable episode, Justin shares a parenting tension many of us feel but rarely admit: knowing what matters for our kids - like time, productivity, and healthy habits - but completely missing the mark in how we teach it. Because when good intentions turn into constant correction, something breaks. And it’s usually connection. If you’ve ever felt the urge to push harder…

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17:59

The Adolescent Personality Dip No One Warns You About

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/22

Your child didn’t suddenly become difficult - something deeper is going on. New research reveals a surprising truth: during adolescence, personality traits actually take a temporary dive. Motivation drops. Emotions spike. Agreeableness disappears. And parents are left wondering… what just happened? In this episode, we unpack the “adolescent personality dip” - why your teen feels harder to live with, what’s really changing beneath the surface, and the simple shifts that

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18:54

What Your Child’s Meltdowns Are Really Telling You...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/21

What if your child’s meltdowns aren’t misbehaviour… but a message? In this powerful conversation, Dr Dusty Hess flips the script on parenting struggles—revealing how sleep, food, stress, and screen time are quietly shaping your child’s emotions, focus, and behaviour. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of reacting, correcting, and feeling exhausted… this episode will show you where real change begins. KEY POINTS Behaviour is information, not defiance Sleep

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14:09

Big Emotions Parent's Aren't Cool

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/20

Your child refuses to leave the house… melts down over their hair… or acts defiant when you show up. Is it anxiety, attitude… or something deeper? In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on when big emotions collide with growing independence - and how to respond in a way that actually helps (not escalates). If your child suddenly thinks you’re “cringe”… this one’s for you. KEY POINTS Big emotions ≠ bad behaviour (and why labels

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11:05

Playing Before Eating

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/19

Could it be that your child’s uneaten lunch isn’t the problem… the schedule is? A simple shift happening in Aussie schools is transforming behaviour, boosting learning, and - finally - getting kids to actually eat their food. This episode unpacks the “play first, eat later” approach - and why it works far better than anything you can pack in a lunchbox. If your child comes home hangry, exhausted, or with a full lunchbox… this might be the missing piece. KEY

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16:51

Rethinking ADHD: Why Medication Isn’t the Magic Fix [R]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/16

A 13-year Australian study's findings are shaking the medical world. Children on ADHD medication reported lower quality of life than those who weren’t medicated. In this eye-opening episode, Justin unpacks why the “gold standard” research behind ADHD treatment might have been flawed all along — and what this means for families trying to do what’s best for their kids. This one might make you rethink everything you’ve been told. KEY POINTS The shocking Deakin

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16:56

Helping Kids Manage Big Feelings [R]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/15

Why can’t kids just calm down? Here’s the truth: they’re not supposed to. Expecting children to manage their emotions alone is like expecting them to drive a car before they’ve learned to walk. In this episode, Justin and Kylie bust the biggest parenting myth about big feelings — and share 3 powerful, science-backed strategies you can use in the heat of the moment to help your child ride the emotional waves. KEY POINTS Kids’ brains are on “L-plates”

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23:27

Has Screen Use Crossed the Line? (with Brad Marshall)...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/14

Nine hours a day. That’s how long Aussie teens are spending on recreational screens. But what does this mean for their development—and should parents panic? In this confronting but practical conversation, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Dr Brad Marshall, clinical psychologist and researcher, to unpack Australia’s biggest study to date on screen overuse and gaming disorder in kids. Together, they explore what the data shows, what it means for families, and what you should (and

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16:22

When Your Child Has No School Friends [R]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/13

When your child says they hate school and have no friends, what really works? Discover why building friendships takes 200 hours of intentional time, and learn practical strategies from hosting craft days to finding 'third spaces'. Plus, understand the two key relationships that create true school belonging and why sometimes the best friendships might not be with peers at all. Quote of the Episode: "Friends don't usually land in our lap—they require intention and time." Key Insights: Close

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15:11

Let Them: The Two Words That Will Set You Free [R]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/12

Stop trying to control other people's moods, opinions, and behaviours - it's exhausting and impossible. Instead, try Mel Robbins' revolutionary "Let Them Theory" which teaches two simple words - "let them" - to reclaim your power and energy. When you stop obsessing over what others think or do, you finally focus on what matters: your own life. But that's only half the equation. The crucial second step is saying "let me" take action on what I CAN control. Quote of the Episode: "The truth is other

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16:35

Is FAFO the End of Gentle Parenting? [R]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/09

A viral trend called “FAFO parenting” is exploding on TikTok and even making headlines in theWall Street Journal. Advocates say it’s the antidote to “soft” parenting — let kids fuss around and find out the hard way. But is this tough-love comeback really preparing kids for life or setting them up for harm? In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the hype, the dangers, and the research-backed alternative every parent needs to hear. In this episode: What FAFO

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17:50

Inside the Brain of Your Teenage Boy [R]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/08

You’re asking for help… and your teenage son flat-out refuses. It feels disrespectful. Lazy. Even personal. But what if you’re fighting the wrong battle? In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on inside your teenage boy’s brain—and why even good, kind kids can suddenly seem entitled, unhelpful, and impossible to motivate. This shift in perspective could completely change how you respond… and finally get you the cooperation you’ve been

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11:09

Sylvia Arotin on Montessori Education

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/07

What if school isn’t the only path to raising a capable, confident child? In this eye-opening conversation, we unpack the Montessori approach - why more families are quietly stepping away from mainstream education, and what they’re choosing instead. From independence and emotional regulation to real-world life skills, this episode reveals how children can thrive when learning looks completely different… and why it might be exactly what your child needs. KEY POINTS Montessori

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18:34

When Your Adult Child Refuses to Launch

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/06

He quit. He won’t help. And now the resentment is building. When your adult child refuses to launch, it’s easy to label it as entitlement—but what if that’s not the real problem? In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on for young men who feel stuck… and how to support them without enabling the behaviour that’s driving you crazy. KEY POINTS Why more young men are disengaging from work, study, and responsibility The difference between supporting and

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17:41

When Parents Become Bullys

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/04/01

A viral parenting moment shocked the internet - but what if the real problem isn’t the child… it’s the response? When a young girl’s bullying leads to a harsh, fear-based punishment, millions applaud the dad’s reaction. But beneath the surface, there’s a deeper, more uncomfortable truth most parents are missing. In this episode, we unpack what actually works when kids act out - and why fear, shame, and punishment can quietly make things worse. If you’ve

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18:08

The Truth About Men, Emotions, and Silence (with...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/03/31

He’s snapping, shutting down, or pulling away… but what if it’s not anger at all? In this powerful conversation, psychologist Craig Russouw unpacks what’s really going on beneath the surface for so many men and boys — and why most never ask for help until it’s too late. From hidden signs of depression to the quiet crisis facing Aussie men, this episode will shift how you see behaviour, masculinity, and mental health — and give you practical ways to support

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