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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

17:23

When School Isn’t Working, Find a Better Path [a...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/10/05

What do you do when your 17-year-old refuses to go to school, skips classes and has no idea what he wants to do instead? Justin and Kylie tackle a tricky question from a parent whose son is struggling with Year 11. They explore vocational schools, apprenticeships, TAFE, distance education and the idea that education doesn’t have to mean sitting in a classroom until Year 12. The goal is to help young people keep learning, contributing and moving forward without forcing them into a path that

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15:46

The Real Mrs Happy Families (Happy Birthday Kylie!)

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/10/04

It’s Mrs Happy Families’ birthday week, so Justin puts Kylie on the spot with questions she hasn’t seen before. There are childhood confessions, a $2 garage sale bargain, a surprising celebrity crush, competitive board games, laundry, parenting wisdom and one deeply meaningful question about how she hopes her six children will remember her. Kylie also opens up about setting herself a big goal, learning to value the progress rather than just the number, and the moment she realised

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20:49

The Digital Duty of Care Is Coming [with Anika Wells]

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/10/01

More than eight in ten Australian kids were still using age-restricted social media platforms months after the under-16 law came into effect. So is the legislation working? Justin speaks with Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells about what has happened since the social media minimum age law began, why compliance has been slower than expected, and what the new Digital Duty of Care could mean for families. The proposed laws go much further than social media. They cover AI chatbots, online

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10:37

Just Do Something - The Ultimate Wellness Hack

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/30

What if improving your wellbeing was far simpler than you thought? In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack a huge new scientific review published in Nature that analysed 183 wellbeing studies involving nearly 23,000 people worldwide. The conclusion? You don’t need the perfect routine, expensive programs, or hours of free time to feel better. You just need to do something. From exercise and mindfulness to yoga, gratitude, therapy, and simple self-awareness practices, the

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15:15

Raising Kids Who Can Handle Hard Things [with Ant...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/29

What if protecting our kids too much is actually holding them back? In this powerful conversation, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with extreme athlete, sports psychologist, and author Ant Williams to unpack why so many kids struggle with pressure, discomfort, and resilience — and what parents can do differently. From diving beneath Arctic ice to coaching elite athletes under extreme stress, Ant shares the mindset shifts that help people stay calm, capable, and courageous when life gets hard

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14:23

The Hidden Cost of Fighting the Wrong Battles (a Q&A)

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/28

You’re worried. They don’t care. And somehow, headphones have become the hill your relationship might die on. When one mum fears Bluetooth is harming her teen’s brain—and he flatly refuses to listen—this episode unpacks what’s really going on beneath the conflict. Because this isn’t just about radiation. It’s about teenage psychology, risk, independence… and knowing which battles are worth fighting. KEY POINTS Why “I don’t care,

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21:05

Why Your Kids Only Listen When There’s a Reward

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/27

Your child can spend hours on screens without being asked… but getting them to empty the dishwasher feels impossible. So what’s really going on with motivation? In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the psychology of motivation and reveal why rewards, punishments, nagging, and bribery often backfire. You’ll learn the “motivation continuum” — the simple framework that explains why some kids resist everything while others willingly pitch in, help out, and take

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17:36

Lessons From Lion's Star Lachie Neale

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/24

What happens when your child knows they did the wrong thing but immediately reaches for an excuse? The Lachie Neale tribunal story gives parents a surprisingly useful way into a bigger conversation about responsibility, consequences and healthy masculinity. Justin and Kylie unpack what happens when kids blame others, deny what happened or expect an exception because the circumstances feel unfair. They also explore the difference between standing up for someone and getting even, why anger can lead to

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16:52

Teaching Kids About Friendship

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/23

Friendship drama is one of the biggest sources of stress for kids — and heartbreak for parents. In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the six powerful habits that create strong, lasting friendships and explain how parents can help children build healthier relationships from the very beginning. From loyalty and inclusion to emotional support and trust, these simple but profound friendship skills can shape your child’s confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging for years to come. If

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12:25

The Hidden Breathing Problem That Can Look Like ADHD

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/22

Your child’s behaviour problems might start with the way they breathe. Dentist Dr Jason Leung joins Justin to explain why mouth breathing can affect sleep, concentration, emotional regulation and behaviour, and why some of the signs can look remarkably similar to ADHD. They unpack the clues parents often miss, including snoring, teeth grinding, waking tired and breathing through an open mouth. Jason also explains why jumping straight to mouth taping, expanders or other devices may not fix the

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12:41

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

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/21

Your child loves reading… but now the books feeltoo 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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12:24

Nobody Likes You When You're Like This

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/20

When life gets overwhelming, even good people become hard to live with. In this deeply honest episode, Justin and Kylie open up about the pressure, stress, snapping, guilt, and emotional overload that can quietly take over family life — especially when the mental load becomes too heavy to carry well. From impossible deadlines and overflowing to-do lists to the simple reset strategies that actually help, this conversation is a powerful reminder that productivity means nothing if it costs you

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16:00

Stop Pushing and Watch What Changes

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/17

The harder we push, the more our kids can push back. Fresh from a free-diving trip in the Philippines, Justin shares an unexpected parenting lesson from 20 metres underwater: staying calm can get you further than forcing your way through. Kylie brings it back to the village around our kids and the power of adults who stop, listen and make a child feel like the most important person in the room. KEY POINTS Why force often creates resistance with kids What freediving taught Justin about staying calm

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15:21

Do You Know That's Wrong?

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/16

Location tracking. Checking a partner’s phone. Constantly asking where they are and who they’re with. For some teenagers, controlling behaviour is becoming so normal they may not even recognise it as a red flag. Justin and Kylie share three simple questions sparked by Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny’s conversation with her teenage son: Do you know that’s wrong? Do you know that’s a red flag? What do the girls think? They unpack consent, coercive control,

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15:09

Screens, Kids & the Hijacked Brain: Dr Wayne...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/15

Is your child’s screen time spiralling—and every conversation about it ends in a fight? Professor Wayne Warburton, leading psychologist and researcher, reveals how apps and games are deliberately engineered to hook young brains. He explains the hidden neuroscience of addiction, what excessive screen use does to a child’s emotional regulation and attention, and how parents can reclaim calm without all-out war. If you’ve ever wondered why your tween melts down when you say

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13:53

When Your Child Hates the School You Chose [a...

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/14

You’ve chosen the school you believe is best for your child. There’s just one problem. They absolutely refuse to go. When an 11-year-old is threatening to cut up his uniform and stay home rather than attend the high school his parents have chosen, pushing harder is unlikely to help. Justin and Kylie explain why force creates resistance, what might really be underneath a child’s refusal, and how to have the conversation that could change everything. KEY POINTS Why trying to

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16:57

5 Things to Stop Saying to Your Kids

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/13

Some of the most well-intentioned things we say to our kids can backfire. From “Good job, you’re so smart” to “You’ll be fine” and “Why can’t you be more like your sister?”, Justin and Kylie unpack five common phrases that can undermine confidence, shut down emotions and create distance between parents and kids. More importantly, they share what to say instead to help kids feel understood, capable and connected. KEY POINTS Why too much praise

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15:23

The Greatest Legacy a Dad Can Leave

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/10

The best Father’s Day had almost nothing to do with presents. Justin and Kylie share the unexpectedly beautiful family dinner that turned into stories, tears, terrible dancing and a powerful reminder of what children really take from their dads. As each daughter shared what she loved about Justin, one message kept coming through: the way a father loves his partner can shape what his children expect from love for years to come. KEY POINTS Why gifts and big expectations can make special days

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16:03

Why Overthinking Decisions Makes Us Less Happy

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/09

More choice should make us happier. Turns out, it often does the opposite. Whether it’s choosing a movie, buying a pair of jeans or helping your child pick school subjects, searching for the absolute best option can leave us anxious, regretful and less satisfied with what we eventually choose. Justin and Kylie unpack the psychology of maximising versus satisficing and what the research reveals about decision-making. They explore why “good enough” can sometimes make us happier, how

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17:10

Derek McCormack on Parental Stress and Burnout

Dr Justin Coulson"s Happy Families ·

2026/09/08

Parents have more advice, information and expert guidance than ever before. So why are so many feeling stressed, isolated and burnt out? More than 10,000 Australian parents took part in the Parenting Today study, revealing a worrying decline in wellbeing, self-compassion and connection. Justin speaks with Derek McCormick, Director of Raising Children Network, about what's putting parents under so much pressure and whether the constant stream of parenting advice is part of the problem. They unpack

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1,611 results

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