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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

13:17

When All Their Friends Have Phones and You’re...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/03/02

Everyone else has a phone. Your child feels left out. And you’re the “mean parent” holding the line. So what now? In this solo Q&A episode of the Happy Families Podcast, I unpack one of the most common parenting dilemmas today: peer pressure, smartphones, and the fear that saying no will push your child away. If your 10–12 year old is desperate to “follow the crowd,” this episode gives you a research-backed, relationship-first roadmap to hold boundaries

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18:08

What Really Happened When I Met the Roblox CEO

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/03/01

I’ve publicly called Roblox a “pedophile hellscape.” Then the CEO invited me to meet. Thirty minutes. One room. No media. No spin. In this episode, I take you inside the meeting with David Baszucki, co-founder and CEO of Roblox — and share exactly what was said, what got uncomfortable, and why I left unconvinced that kids are truly safe. If your child plays Roblox, you need to hear this. KEY POINTS Why Roblox says it’s designed for the “absentee parent” The

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18:07

You’re Stronger Than You Think (Even When You Blow It)

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/26

You snap at the kids. You’re exhausted. You promise, “I’ll do better tomorrow.” This week we learned something powerful: we are stronger than we think — but that doesn’t mean we’re limitless. From a sunrise alarm clock that changed our mornings… to a 15-year-old riding 20km before school… to a stadium concert that tested endurance… to a parenting moment that missed the mark — this episode is about resilience, sacrifice, and what

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17:10

The World is Saying 'Enough'

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/25

The tide is turning. For years, parents have worried about what social media is doing to their children. Now the courts — and entire countries — are stepping in. In this episode, we unpack the landmark lawsuits against Meta and YouTube, accusing them of deliberately designing addictive platforms for kids. Could this finally be the moment Big Tech is held accountable? Plus, we explore how Australia’s minimum age social media legislation is sparking global momentum — with

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26:10

Stop Letting Your Ego Ruin Your Parenting [with Dr...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/24

You’re not reacting to your child. You’re reacting to your ego. In this powerful conversation, I sit down with world-renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary to unpack the real reason parenting feels so triggering — especially with teens. If you’ve ever taken your child’s mood personally… spiralled into guilt… or wondered why you “know better” but still lose it — this episode will hit home. Dr. Shefali shares the truth about

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18:30

Q&A: My Eight-Year-Old Turns Aggressive and I Don’t...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/23

He’s perfect at school. Polite. Award-winning. Well behaved. Then he comes home… and explodes. If your 7–8-year-old is melting down over TV, pushing boundaries, or even getting physical when you say no — this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. We unpack the hidden developmental shifts happening in boys around this age, why “just turn it off” can feel impossible for them, and practical strategies to reduce the

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16:05

Whose Cup Are You Filling?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/22

You are pouring yourself out every single day. But into whose cup? In this powerful conversation inspired by Derek Thompson, Justin and Kylie explore a simple metaphor that will stop you mid-scroll: every morning you wake with a full jug of water. By night, it’s empty. The only question that matters is where it went. Work. News. Regret. Netflix. Anxiety. Group chats. Your kids. Your marriage. Attention never lies. It reveals what we truly value. If you’ve been feeling depleted,

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13:30

When “I Don’t Want To” Is Really “I’m Scared”

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/19

What if your child’s resistance isn’t laziness… but fear? In this heartfelt Friday “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode of the The Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie unpack a powerful parenting moment: an 11-year-old who didn’t want to try the 6am surf class — and the surprising truth behind her pushback. This episode is about competence, courage, friendship, and why slowing down might be the most important thing we do for our kids (and ourselves)

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14:51

The Learning Zone That Builds Unstoppable Kids

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/18

When your child says “I can’t do this” and wants to quit right now… what do you do? Whether it’s maths, piano, friendships, or riding a bike, kids hit the wall. They avoid. They melt down. They take their bat and ball and go home. But what if that uncomfortable moment isn’t failure… it’s the doorway to growth? In this episode, we unpack the powerful reframe that helps kids push through frustration, build resilience, and experience real progress

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19:35

E-Bikes: When Teenage Freedom Turns Dangerous

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/17

Teenagers are riding at 70km/h with no helmets. Police are investigating. Communities are furious. Parents are terrified. E-bikes are everywhere — and the debate is explosive. Is this about reckless teens? Bad laws? Or something far closer to home? In this episode, Dr Justin Colson from the Happy Families podcast unpacks the real issue behind the headlines. It’s not just about e-bikes. It’s about freedom, responsibility, and the parenting conversations we’re either

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14:24

Stop the Sneaky Lies Without Crushing Trust

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/16

Your child lies. You catch them. They double down. Now what? When an 8-year-old swears they didn’t sneak the TV or the treats (even with chocolate on their face), most parents panic about what it means for the future. In this episode of The Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie explain why lying is normal, why punishment makes it worse, and how to respond in a way that builds honesty instead of fear. If you want truth without tears, this conversation changes everything. KEY POINTS Lying is

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11:33

The Hidden Cost of Tracking Your Kids

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/15

We tell ourselves it’s about safety.But what if tracking our kids is quietly costing them confidence, independence… and trust? With apps like Life360 becoming the norm, many parents are asking: Are we protecting our children — or projecting our anxiety onto them? In this episode, we unpack what constant monitoring does to developing autonomy, whether location-sharing normalises surveillance, and how to balance safety with healthy independence. If you’ve ever checked the app

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15:20

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - The Virtue of Patience

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/12

You’re one eye-roll away from losing it.You’ve called their name four times.You’re hot, tired, and absolutely done. And then patience changes everything. In this Friday episode, Justin and Kylie share two small choices that create big connection: making time for the people marrying into your family, and holding your nerve long enough for your child to come to you. Because when we slow down, relationships grow. KEY POINTS Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity. Time

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18:00

Growth Mindsets & Academic Improvement

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/11

We’ve told kids for years that effort changes everything. But the biggest review of growth mindset research in decades just found the results are tiny… sometimes nothing at all. So should parents and teachers stop talking about “not yet”? In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what the science really says, why the data might be missing the magic, and the simple belief that still changes lives for many children. KEY POINTS A major new review analysed 24

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21:57

Good Daughtering [with Dr Allison Alford]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/10

She loves her parents. She wants to be a good daughter. So why does it feel so heavy? In this powerful conversation, Dr Allison Alford names the invisible emotional labour millions of women are carrying — and why being a “good daughter” shouldn’t cost you your wellbeing. From eldest daughter syndrome to guilt, boundaries, and burnout, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and lighter. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by family expectations, this one is

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15:09

Homeschooling: What to Do When You’re Ready but Clueless

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/09

Thinking about homeschooling… but secretly terrified you’ll get it wrong? If you’re standing at the edge of homeschooling wondering What am I actually supposed to do all day?—this episode is for you. Justin and Kylie unpack what homeschooling really looks like once you ditch the school-at-home mindset and start building something that actually works for your child (and your sanity). This isn’t about rigid schedules or perfect plans. It’s about slowing down,

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13:39

Resilience is Relational

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/08

We’ve been teaching kids resilience all wrong. If you’ve ever watched your child fall apart over homework, friendships, or an impossibly messy bedroom - this episode reframes everything you think you know about “being strong.” Resilience isn’t grit.It isn’t white-knuckling.And it definitely isn’t doing it alone. Justin and Kylie unpack the powerful truth backed by decades of research: resilience is relational — and what our kids need most when

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15:09

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - Kylie Saves a Life

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/05

One honest conversation. One brave decision. One life changed. In this I’ll Do Better Tomorrow episode, Kylie shares a moment she almost dismissed — until a handwritten letter revealed the unimaginable impact it had. We also unpack why goals often fail kids, how habits quietly heal, and what happens when parents choose courage over convention. This is about noticing what’s not working… and acting before it’s too late. KEY POINTS Why focusing on who your child is

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14:51

The Best Books We Read in 2025

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/04

Some books entertain.Some books inform.And then there are books that unsettle you—and quietly change how you see the world, your kids, and the systems shaping their lives. In this episode, Kylie and I step away from parenting advice (just briefly) to share the books that mattered most to us in 2025. These aren’t light beach reads. They’re confronting, provocative, and deeply relevant for parents raising children in a digital, diagnosed, distracted world. If you love books—and

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15:30

What Crying Babies Actually Need from Us

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/02/03

Every cry feels urgent. Every opinion feels loud. But what if responding faster isn’t always better? New research reveals something surprising: being responsive matters—but being too responsive might actually make things harder for your baby (and you). In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson breaks down a powerful cross-cultural study that challenges popular parenting advice and explains what truly helps babies learn to calm themselves—without neglect, guilt, or extremes. If

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