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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

14:17

Stop Performing and Start Parenting [with Christian...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/21

What if being a better parent had nothing to do with having the right answers? Beloved radio host and bestselling author Christian O'Connell joins Dr Justin Coulson for an honest conversation about anxiety, authenticity, and what it feels like when your children leave home. A forgotten ice-block wrapper tucked into the couch becomes a lesson in letting go. Christian also shares the simple approach that helped him stay connected with his daughters as they grew up. This episode is a reminder that your

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16:53

Listener Q&A — Suicide at Child's High School

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/20

A student dies by suicide. Suddenly every parent is asking the same question: What do I say to my child? Justin and Kylie tackle one of the toughest conversations a parent can face. They unpack the latest research, explain why children can be deeply affected even if they didn't know the student, and share practical ways to start the conversation without making things worse. You'll hear what to say, what to avoid, the warning signs to watch for, and where to turn if your child needs extra support

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19:12

What It's Really Like to Have a Big Family

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/19

Six kids. One house. Endless noise, constant mess, and a level of logistics that would test anyone. With Australia's birth rate at a record low, Justin and Kylie share the reality of raising a large family in 2026. They unpack the costs, the exhaustion, and the emotional load that rarely gets talked about. They also reveal why, despite every challenge, they wouldn't change a thing. If you've ever wondered what family life really looks like behind the photos, this honest conversation is for you. KEY

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16:46

Why Most Families Feel Stuck and How to Fix It

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/16

What if the thing your family needs most… isn’t more time - but better conversations? In this episode, we reveal the one habit that keeps us aligned, connected, and actually moving forward - despite the chaos of raising six kids. It’s simple. It’s structured. And almost no one does it. If your family feels reactive, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode… this might be the reset you didn’t know you needed. KEY POINTS Why most families drift (and how to stop

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16:12

Growth Mindsets & Academic Improvement

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/15

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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15:46

The Parenting Paradox, with Dr Jenny Brown

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/14

The harder we try to be the "perfect" parent, the more we can unintentionally hold our children back. Family therapist Dr Jenny Brown explains why modern parenting has become so intense, how worry fuels conflict, and why the best thing you can do for your child is often to work on yourself instead. This practical conversation will help you step out of exhausting worry cycles, respond more calmly, and create the space your child needs to become more capable and confident. KEY POINTS Why parenting

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13:09

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

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/13

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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14:47

Whose Cup Are You Filling?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/12

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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11:46

Does Your Child Mirror Your Worst Habits?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/09

The hardest part of parenting isn’t managing our kids. It’s facing ourselves. This week, a heated family moment revealed something uncomfortable — our children often mirror the very behaviours we struggle with. Defensiveness. Blame. Excuses. Denial. And when we see it in them… it’s confronting. In this honest Friday “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode, we unpack emotional reactivity, accountability, and the power of repairing quickly. Plus, a Brisbane

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15:39

The Kindness Paradox That Changes Your Child’s Mental...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/08

When your child is anxious, lonely or flat… your instinct is to comfort them. But what if the fastest way to help them feel better isn’t self-care — it’s helping someone else? New research reveals a powerful mental health shift that happens when kids practise kindness outward instead of inward. The results are surprising — and incredibly practical for everyday family life. In this Doctor’s Desk episode, we unpack the science behind the “kindness

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22:22

Teaching Kids About Periods [with Kate Andrews from...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/07

What if the way we talk about periods shapes how our daughters feel about themselves for the rest of their lives? For generations, menstruation was treated as awkward, embarrassing, or simply ignored. In this conversation, Kylie sits down with holistic educator and author Kate Andrews to explore how honest conversations about puberty, periods and changing bodies can help girls grow up feeling informed, empowered and connected to themselves. They discuss why period education matters, how parents can

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17:28

Raising Girls Who Like Themselves & Feel Good in...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/06

It’s happening younger than ever. Girls as young as five are worrying about their weight, and by age nine the insecurities can hit hard. In this episode we unpack a listener’s heartbreaking question: “Is my daughter pretty enough?” - and share the practical steps that protect kids from body image pain without making it worse. KEY POINTS Body image worries now start between ages 5–9 for many girls Why reassurance backfires & curiosity helps The 3-step approach:

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24:33

The Secret to Raising Emotionally Strong Children

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/05

What if the very thing we’re trying to protect our kids from… is the thing they actually need most? Many parents want their children to feel confident, resilient, and worthy. But in our effort to make life easier for them, we might be accidentally stealing the struggles that build those very traits. In this powerful conversation, Justin and Kylie explore why doing hard things—not comfortable ones—is the foundation of resilience. They unpack the surprising psychology behind

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18:42

I Forgot to Walk Our Daughter Down the Aisle and It...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/02

Four days before his daughter's wedding, Justin crashed his bike, suffered a severe concussion, and arrived at the big day bruised, stitched up, and barely functioning. Then he forgot the one thing every father of the bride is supposed to remember. What followed was a beautiful reminder that the moments we treasure most are rarely the perfect ones. In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Kylie reflect on letting children grow up, creating space for their choices, and why the messy, imperfect moments

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17:19

Are Attention Spans Really Shrinking?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/07/01

For years we've been told that screens, social media and short-form videos are destroying our ability to focus. But the latest research tells a very different story. In this Doctor's Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack a major new study published in Nature that challenges one of the biggest myths in parenting. Discover why attention spans may not be shrinking after all, what's really stealing our focus, and the practical changes that can help both you and your children concentrate on what matters

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16:57

A New Model of Schooling

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/06/30

What if the problem isn't your child... but the way school is designed? For many families, traditional schooling simply doesn't fit. Whether it's school refusal, elite sport, performing arts, health challenges, travel, or a child who just learns differently, parents are searching for better options. In this episode, Justin speaks with Joanna Baker, Head of Campus at Haileybury Pangea, Australia's pioneering private online school. Together they explore how technology, small class sizes, and

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12:07

Help! I Called My Daughter the B Word! (A Listener Q&A)

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/06/29

One rushed morning. One moment of frustration. One word you wish you could take back. If you've ever lost your temper with your teenager and spent the rest of the day drowning in guilt, this episode is for you. When one mum admits she called her 15-year-old daughter "the B word" during a stressful race to catch the school bus, Justin and Kylie unpack what was really happening beneath the conflict and share practical ways to stay calm when emotions run high. From stepping away from arguments to

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13:13

You Don't Have to Attend Every Argument

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/06/28

What if the fastest way to end an argument with your child is to refuse to join it? When emotions are running high, most parents instinctively step into the conflict, hoping to teach a lesson, fix the behaviour, or set things straight. But what if that's exactly the wrong move? In this episode, Justin and Kylie explore why children often invite us into arguments, why it's so tempting to accept, and how learning to pause can transform family relationships. Discover the simple mindset shift that helps

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10:45

A Concussion, A Wedding and What Matters Most

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/06/25

One moment he was riding his bike. The next, he was unconscious on the side of the road with no memory of what had happened. This week on I'll Do Better Tomorrow, Justin shares the terrifying cycling accident that left him with a severe concussion, stitches, black eyes, and a completely missing memory of the crash itself. As the family prepares for their daughter's wedding day, the experience becomes a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant — and that the people we love need to

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12:40

Removing Screens From Childcare [with Anna Russell]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/06/24

A group of Victorian childcare centres recently conducted a "digital detox", removing screens, cameras, Spotify, YouTube, and other technology from classrooms. What happened next surprised even the educators involved. In this episode, Justin talks with early childhood expert Anna Russell about the remarkable changes they observed: calmer classrooms, more engaged children, increased language development, stronger relationships, and even better sleep routines. If you've ever wondered whether young

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