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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

18:57

The Friendship Skills Every Child Needs [with...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/18

Friendship isn't just part of childhood. It shapes confidence, mental health and whether kids feel they belong. So why does it seem harder than ever? Michelle Mitchell joins Dr Justin Coulson to unpack the biggest friendship mistakes parents make, why today's kids need more than "just go and play", and the simple framework that helps children build healthier, stronger relationships. If your child is dealing with friendship drama, loneliness or constant social ups and downs, this conversation will

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15:02

Why Trying to Fix Your Child Backfires [a listener Q&A]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/17

Nothing seems to work. You model gratitude. You talk about growth mindset. You ask what went well each day. Yet your child still expects the worst, finds the problem first, and drains every exciting moment. So should you keep trying to make them more positive? In this episode, Justin and Kylie answer a question from a mum of 11-year-old twins who worries one daughter always sees the glass half empty. They unpack why some children naturally think this way, why forcing optimism often backfires, and

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16:01

5 Things Happy Couples Do Weekly

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/16

Most relationships don't fall apart because of one big moment. They drift because of hundreds of tiny missed moments. In this episode, Dr Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack five surprisingly simple weekly habits that relationship therapists see again and again in happy, long-lasting couples. None of them require expensive date nights, grand romantic gestures or endless free time. From weekly check-ins to repairing arguments, these small rituals help couples stay connected through the chaos of work,

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13:54

I Blew It With Our Daughter Then Asked One Question

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/13

Sometimes the biggest parenting breakthroughs come right after we completely blow it. Justin admits he let protective-dad mode take over when he confronted his daughter about a boyfriend he didn’t trust. The conversation went badly. Hours later, he tried again with one simple question: “What don’t I know?” Her response changed the conversation. Justin and Kylie unpack what happens when parents stop assuming they have the full story, how to repair things after getting it

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15:20

The Simple Secret to Feeling Included

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/12

Your child wants to join the game. You want to join the coffee group. Your teenager wants to be part of the weekend plans. So why does asking feel so impossible? New research reveals that most of us get one crucial social prediction completely wrong. We assume people don't want us there when the opposite is often true. In this episode, Dr Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack the surprising psychology behind "self invitation hesitation", why adults and kids both hold themselves back, and how one simple

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18:45

The Screen Mistake Parents Don't See Until It's Too...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/11

You banned social media. You set the rules. You thought the biggest danger was over. It isn't. Award-winning journalist Madonna King has spent more than a year speaking with hundreds of children, parents, teachers, psychologists and researchers. What she uncovered will change the way you think about every screen in your home. This conversation goes far beyond social media. From AI doing our kids' thinking for them to the quiet loss of patience, creativity and resilience, Madonna explains why the

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13:31

How to Stop Sibling Squabbles [a listener Q&A]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/10

The constant bickering is exhausting. One child is breathing too loudly. Someone looked at someone the wrong way. Another toy has been touched. If you're breaking up the same tiny arguments every day, this episode will change the way you respond. Justin and Kylie explain why stepping in too quickly often makes sibling conflict worse, and share a simple strategy that helps children solve problems themselves. It's practical, realistic, and designed for the everyday squabbles that slowly wear parents

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16:15

Help! My Child is Dating a Flirty AI Chatbot!

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/09

Your child could be having deeply personal, romantic conversations tonight and not with another teenager. A new wave of AI companion apps is attracting young people by offering constant attention, endless validation and conversations that never end. They remember everything, say exactly what users want to hear and create the illusion of a real relationship. In this episode, Justin and Kylie explain why these chatbots are so appealing, why traditional parental controls don't stop them, and how to

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18:24

What Are They Teaching Our Kids?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/06

What if your child's sex education class wasn't teaching what you think it is? In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with teacher representative Ed Schuller to discuss claims about explicit sexual education materials being used in Australian schools. They unpack where the resources come from, why many parents never see them, and the questions every family should be asking. Whatever your views, this conversation is about one thing. Helping parents understand what their children are being

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16:16

The Connection Every Child Needs [with Prof. Nicholas...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/05

A heartbreaking family loss changed the way Professor Nicholas Epley understood his own research. In this episode, he shares how grief, adoption and decades of social science reveal a simple truth that can help every parent raise more connected, confident children. You'll also discover why crowded rooms can still feel lonely, how to create more meaningful conversations, and the simple daily habit that strengthens every relationship. KEY POINTS Why children don't have to wait for someone else to

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17:24

The Missing Ingredient in Childhood Friendships [with...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/04

Your child doesn't need better social skills. They need more chances to use them. University of Chicago behavioural scientist Professor Nicholas Epley explains why we're wired for connection but keep avoiding it. His research reveals one surprising mistake almost all of us make and how parents can help children build stronger friendships by changing one simple habit. This conversation will make you think differently about strangers, screens and the small moments that shape confident, connected kids

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12:55

When Your Child is Left Out [a listener Q&A]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/03

Watching your child be ignored hurts. You want to step in, fix it and make it stop. Before you do, listen to this conversation. Justin and Kylie answer a question from a mum whose young sons are being shut out by older neighbourhood kids. They share practical ways to help children handle rejection, build confidence and develop friendships that last. KEY POINTS Why children grow when they're part of solving the problem. Questions that help kids think through social challenges. How changing the play

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14:30

7 Million School Days Lost in Victoria

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/08/02

Seven million school days were missed in Victoria last year. Is this a sign of a growing problem, or are parents finally putting their families first? A new report has sparked fierce debate about school attendance. Should children ever miss school for a holiday, a family celebration or a mental health break? Dr Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack what the numbers actually tell us, why so many families are choosing term-time travel, and whether chasing perfect attendance comes at a cost. They explore

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11:46

The Parenting Time You Think You Don't Have

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/30

You finish the day exhausted. Work's done, dinner's over and the last thing you want is another thing to do. But the moments your kids remember rarely come from expensive holidays or perfectly planned activities. They happen on a walk around the block, over a board game or while you're side by side with no phones in sight. Justin and Kylie share how an after-dinner walk became the place where their daughters finally opened up. They explore why kids often talk more when they're moving, why screens

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15:23

Is The Social Media Ban Already Failing?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/29

Australia banned social media for under-16s. It hasn't stopped kids from using it. New research shows most young people are still logging on, creating fake accounts and finding easy ways around age checks. Dr Justin Coulson explains why the law isn't delivering what parents hoped for and why families still have the biggest influence on their children's online lives. Then the conversation turns to something far more hopeful. Dutch children are the happiest in the world. It's not because Dutch parents

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17:19

The Energy Game: Stop Running on Empty! [with Amantha...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/28

You're not imagining it. Parenting really does feel harder when you're running on empty. If you've caught yourself wishing for just one day where nobody needs you, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. Organisational psychologist and bestselling author Dr Amantha Imber joins Dr Justin Coulson to explain why so many parents feel exhausted and what actually helps. No impossible morning routines. No guilt. Just practical, science-backed strategies you can use in minutes. You'll learn why

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12:50

The Content That's Stealing Kids' Empathy [A Listener...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/27

A fight video lands on your child's phone. They laugh. They watch it again. They send it to a friend. What do you do next? This week, Justin and Kylie answer a question from a mum whose 12-year-old daughter received violent footage that was spreading through local schools. They explain what repeated exposure to this content does to kids, why sharing a video makes them part of the harm, and how one conversation at home can change what happens next. If your child has a phone, this episode is worth

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10:22

How to Stop Wishing Parenting Away

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/26

What if the moment you're desperate to get through today becomes the one you'd give anything to have back? Brushing tangled hair. Carrying a sleeping child inside. Sitting through one more song. These moments can feel frustrating when you're tired and running late. Then one day they stop happening, and you never realise the last time has already passed. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson shares a simple idea from philosophy called the "Last Time Meditation." It will change the way you see everyday

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15:05

The Secret to Getting Kids Off Screens

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/23

A Disney movie about toys ended with a conversation about screens, sewing and what childhood is starting to lose. After watching Toy Story 5, Justin and Kylie found themselves talking less about the movie and more about what happens when tablets replace cubby houses, craft tables and backyard adventures. Kylie shares how teaching their 12-year-old daughter to sew sparked confidence, patience and a brand new business idea. They also unpack the message Toy Story 5 sends about technology, why it missed

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16:50

AI Chatbots & Social Isolation

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/22

AI is becoming the friend people never argue with, never disappoint, and never switch off. New research suggests that's exactly the problem. A 12-month study of more than 2,000 adults found people who turned to AI chatbots for emotional support became more emotionally isolated over time. With more teens now sharing serious problems with AI instead of trusted adults, what does this mean for parents? Dr Justin Coulson explains why AI feels so comforting, why it can slowly replace real connection, and

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