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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

12:55

#1209 - Bedtime Battles: When Your Kids Won't Stay in...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/24

Getting enough sleep is the number one parenting hack, but what happens when your children won't cooperate? Historically, humans slept in groups, which explains why your child resists sleeping alone. Breaking free from bedtime battles requires giving children a voice in their routine, changing your perspective on this fleeting season, and doing whatever it takes to ensure everyone gets some rest—even if that means musical beds at 2 a.m. Key Points: Force creates resistance—the more you

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15:35

#1208 - Let Them: The Two Words That Will Set You...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/23

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

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26:09

#1207 - Listen Like You Mean It: How to Hear What...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/21

When children need to talk, they'll give subtle clues that most parents miss completely. Recognising these moments and responding with actual listening—not advice, stories, or solutions—creates connections that last decades. The secret? Summarise what they say instead of steering the conversation. Most children never reveal their real issue first, which means parents who jump in with solutions are missing what their children truly need: to be understood. Quote of the Episode:

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16:18

#1206 - Rethinking School: Why Alternative Education...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/20

Is traditional schooling the only path to success? In this eye-opening episode, Justin and Kylie challenge the conventional approach to education, sharing their journey through homeschooling and industry-based schooling with their daughter, Lily. They discuss why so many kids feel disconnected from mainstream education, the power of hands-on learning, and how alternative schooling models are helping students find passion, purpose, and career opportunities. If you’ve ever worried about whether

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15:03

#1205 - Your Child Will See Pornography: Here's What...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/19

Research reveals that 99% of boys have seen pornography by age 15, with the average first exposure occurring around age 10-11. This isn't your parents' magazine under the bed—today's online explicit content is shaping our children's understanding of relationships and intimacy years before their first kiss. This episode provides practical, research-backed strategies for having essential conversations with your children about pornography and online safety. Learn how to protect your kids while

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11:02

#1204 - Taking the Ride, Not the Wheel: The Secret to...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/18

Your brain is like a monkey—constantly jumping around, thinking of what to say next, and rarely focused on what others are sharing. Learning to shut up and truly listen, especially during those key moments when your child is trying to tell you something important, is perhaps life's most difficult skill. This preview of Saturday's full interview with Ross Judd reveals why listening is so challenging and how three simple steps can transform your connections with those you love. Quote of the

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11:14

#1203 - Heartbroken: When Your Kid Says They’re...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/17

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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16:57

#1202 - Boys Will Be Boys? The Disturbing Reality of...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/16

Schools are failing our children when boys who make sexual threats remain in class with their victims. A toxic combination of pornography access, weak responses, and "boys will be boys" attitudes is forcing young girls out of education. Quote of the Episode: "When schools allow boys who make sexual threats to remain in class with their victims, they're making a value judgment. They're saying a boy's uninterrupted education matters more than a girl's right to learn without fear." - Justin Coulson Key

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43:49

#1201 - Free Range Parenting 101 With Lenore Skenazy

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/14

Are we protecting our kids or holding them back? In this episode, Justin talks with Lenore Skenazy about the unintended consequences of overprotection and why kids need to experience risk to build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. From eliminating stairs in homes to constant parental surveillance, we examine how fear-based parenting is shaping modern childhood—and what we can do to change it. KEY POINTS: The growing trend of designing homes for maximum parental surveillance

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13:30

#1200 - Sweet-Talking Your Teen: The Art of...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/13

Every conflict between children involves two participants, not one. Breaking the destructive cycle requires recognising your child's role in the drama. Meanwhile, a little sweet talking can transform how your teen receives disappointing news, proving that tone matters more than content when communicating with kids. Discover how thoughtful delivery of bad news and understanding conflict cycles can revolutionise your family relationships. Quote of the Episode: "What we say matters a lot less than how

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19:02

#1199 - Why I Banned Reading Logs in My Home (And You...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/12

Research from Princeton University reveals that mandatory reading logs actually decrease children's interest in reading. While a quarter of Australian parents barely read to their kids at all, the solution isn't forcing children to track their reading time—it's making reading irresistible. This episode exposes why reading logs are counterproductive and reveals the three crucial keys to raising passionate readers. If you've ever battled with your child over filling in their reading log or

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10:18

#1198- The 'Worst Mother' Who Got It Right

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/11

When Lenore Skenazy let her nine-year-old ride the subway alone, she was dubbed "the worst mother in the world." In this preview of Saturday's interview, discover why preparation beats protection and how trusting kids with real responsibility helps them become capable adults. Plus, learn why the illusion of control might be holding our children back. Quote of the Episode: "If you want responsible kids, you have to give them responsibility"—Alfie Kohn Key Insights: Preparation matters more

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16:25

#1197 - When Your Child Has No School Friends

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/10

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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15:10

#1196 - Hack Your Child's Brain Chemistry (The Good...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/09

What if you could tap into your child's natural brain chemistry to boost motivation and reduce stress? Discover the "Happiness Quartet"—four key neurochemicals that can transform behaviour, learning, and family life. From barefoot walks on grass to risky play, learn practical ways to naturally boost these powerful brain chemicals for happier, more motivated kids. Quote of the Episode: "Break big, difficult tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps - each step triggers a dopamine hit,

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44:55

#1195 - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About ASD,...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/07

Parenting a neurodivergent child comes with unique challenges, especially when executive function skills—like planning, organisation, and impulse control—are difficult for them. In this episode, Professor Adam Guastella, a leading expert at the University of Sydney, provides expert insights on how parents can advocate for their children in the education system, the latest neuroscience research, the role of executive function in development, and how to provide supportive environments that

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15:02

#1194 - Maths Anxiety, Camp Bullies, and the Power of...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/06

When your Year 12 child can't do maths or your teen rings crying from camp after being bullied, your instinct is to fix everything. But research shows that simply being heard is often more powerful than any solution. This episode reveals how validation, not problem-solving, helps children develop resilience in challenging situations. Learn the simple two-minute technique that transformed a tearful camp crisis and discover why becoming a "people builder" creates confidence in our children that lasts

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18:22

#1193 - The School Photo Crisis: When AI Turns Toxic

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/05

When school photos become weapons through AI manipulation, how do we protect our children? From understanding why teenage boys might engage in this behaviour to knowing exactly what to do if your child is involved, learn practical steps for prevention and response. Plus, discover why biology isn't destiny and how to build empathy in an increasingly digital world. Quote of the Episode: "The collective IQ of boys when they're in a group is significantly lower than the individual IQ of each boy when

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11:11

#1192 - Creating Better Spaces for Neurodivergent...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/04

When we change environments to support neurodivergent children, everyone benefits. In this preview of Saturday's interview with Professor Adam Guastella from Sydney Children's Hospital, discover why viewing autism as a 'disorder' might be missing the point, and learn how the right support systems can transform outcomes. Plus, understand why insufficient support leads to troubling patterns of bullying and underachievement. Quote of the Episode: "When people have changed environments to be more

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15:36

#1191 - Should You Pay for A's? The Pocket Money Debate

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/03

Should pocket money be linked to chores? What about paying for good grades? From savings percentages to spending rules, discover why traditional pocket money wisdom might be wrong, and learn a value-based approach that actually works. Plus, find out why regular money conversations matter more than any system you choose. Quote of the Episode: "Money is just a store of value, and the conversation really should move away from money to how am I adding value in the world?" Key Insights: Pocket money

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15:53

#1190 - The Ultimate Parenting Book List (From...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2025/03/02

From classic works to cutting-edge neuroscience, discover the books that have shaped modern parenting wisdom. Join Dr Justin Coulson as he shares his carefully curated list of game-changing parenting books, including why each one matters and how they can transform your family life. Plus, hear Kylie's surprising take on which books might matter most of all. Quote of the Episode: "When I think about the kind of parent that I aspire to be, those two books have had more influence in my life than all the

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