Podcast
Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Hosted by Dr Justin Coulson · EN
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 decisions and more connected to your kids.
118episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Secret to Getting Kids Off Screens
6d ago00:15:05Tap to summarizeA 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 an important opportunity, and what parents can do instead. If screens have become the default in your house, this episode offers practical ideas that don't involve another argument. KEY POINTS What Toy Story 5 gets right about childhood. The screen time message the movie missed. Why sewing, baking, gardening and other "grandma hobbies" are making a comeback. How making something with your hands builds confidence. Why learning alongside your child strengthens your relationship. The family project that turned into a small business. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "The joy isn't making something. The joy is making it together." RESOURCES MENTIONED Toy Story 5 Happy Families resources on healthy screen habits ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Pick one hands-on hobby your child can learn this month. Sewing, baking, gardening, woodworking or knitting all work. Learn it together instead of handing them a YouTube tutorial. Watch Toy Story 5 and ask what they noticed about the kids using screens. Set aside one afternoon each week to make something you can hold, use or give away. Celebrate what your child creates, even when it's wonky. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →AI Chatbots & Social Isolation
1w ago00:16:50Tap to summarizeAI 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 how parents can spot the warning signs before loneliness takes hold. KEY POINTS Why lonely people are more likely to turn to AI for emotional support. What a year-long study found about AI chatbots and loneliness. Why conversations with AI can start to feel easier than talking to real people. The growing number of teens taking serious problems to AI instead of trusted adults. The warning signs that AI is replacing healthy relationships. Four practical ways parents can respond without fear or blame. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "A chatbot can simulate a friend, but it can't be one." RESOURCES MENTIONED Psychological Science study on AI chatbots and loneliness (2026) Professor Elizabeth Dunn, University of British Columbia Common Sense Media survey on teens and AI companions ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Ask your child how they use AI before making assumptions. Find out whether AI is helping with schoolwork or replacing real conversations. Watch for fewer catch-ups with friends, more secrecy around AI, or distress when they can't access it. Build regular opportunities for real connection through family meals, sport, youth groups, part-time work, and time with friends. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Stop Performing and Start Parenting [with Christian O'Connell]
1w ago00:14:17Tap to summarizeWhat 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 children don't need a perfect parent. They need you. KEY POINTS Why being present matters more than getting parenting right. What empty nest grief really feels like. How everyday moments become the memories that stay with us. Why children connect with parents who are genuine, not perfect. The habit that keeps kids talking through the teenage years. What living with anxiety taught Christian about parenting. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "The number one job as a parent is to keep them talking." RESOURCES MENTIONED Unscript by Christian O'Connell No One Listens to Your Dad's Show by Christian O'Connell ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Stop searching for the perfect response. Be fully present instead. Listen for longer before offering advice. When your child opens up, keep the conversation going instead of trying to fix the problem. Pay attention to the ordinary moments. They often become the ones you'll remember most. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Listener Q&A — Suicide at Child's High School
1w ago00:16:53Tap to summarizeA 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. KEY POINTS Why every child in a school community can be affected, even if they never met the student. The age group most at risk after a school suicide. Why asking about suicidal thoughts does not increase the risk. What to say when your child asks why it happened. How to handle social media, rumours and memorial pages. The warning signs that tell you it's time to get extra support. Services that can help children and parents. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "Walk towards conversations, not away from them. Ask the direct question, stay calm, and keep asking gently for as long as it takes." RESOURCES MENTIONED Lifeline Kids Helpline Parentline Suicide Call Back Service 13YARN Headspace School Support CHATSafe Guidelines StandBy Support After Suicide Your GP and a Mental Health Care Plan ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Ask what children at school are saying and listen without interrupting. Correct rumours with calm, factual information. Ask directly if your child has had thoughts of suicide if you're worried. Stay with your child while they scroll through social media and talk about what they see. Keep checking in over the weeks and months ahead. Contact your GP or another mental health professional if you notice changes in mood, behaviour or sleep. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →What It's Really Like to Have a Big Family
1w ago00:19:12Tap to summarizeSix 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 POINTS Why Australia's falling birth rate is changing the shape of families. The biggest challenges of raising six children. The financial reality of a large family. The hidden emotional and physical load of parenting. Why connection, belonging, and shared memories outweigh the chaos. The simple story that perfectly captures the value of family life. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "It's not the nuggets that make you rich. It's the slow, steady accumulation of all those little flecks of gold." RESOURCES MENTIONED Sydney Morning Herald article by Bronte Gosling on Australia's declining fertility rate. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Notice one ordinary family moment today that might become tomorrow's "fleck of gold." Focus less on a perfect home and more on meaningful connection. If family life feels overwhelming, remember that many of the richest moments are built slowly, one ordinary day at a time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Why Most Families Feel Stuck and How to Fix It
2w ago00:16:46Tap to summarizeWhat 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 it) The “quarterly reset” that changes everything How to plan your family life like a thriving business The power of stepping away to reconnect properly What to actually talk about (so it’s not just another chat) Balancing deep conversations with fun so it actually works Turning vague goals into real, actionable plans Why weekly check-ins make the biggest difference long-term QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “If your family is the most important thing in your life… when was the last time you made a plan for it?” RESOURCES MENTIONED Quarterly getaways / family planning sessions Weekly couple check-ins Goal setting (annual, quarterly, weekly rhythm) ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Block out time (a day or weekend) with your partner—no distractions Start with a full “life map” (kids, health, finances, routines, relationships) Choose 2–3 focus words for the season ahead Break big goals into specific, practical actions Schedule your next check-in before you finish Commit to a simple weekly alignment conversation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Growth Mindsets & Academic Improvement
2w ago00:16:12Tap to summarizeWe’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 gold-standard studies on growth mindset interventions. The strongest research found very small or zero academic improvement. Real classrooms and real families are far more complex than controlled trials. No study shows growth mindset causes harm. Language, belief, and persistence still influence motivation for many kids. We should be careful about promises — but not abandon hope. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “I don’t want to be the adult who looks at a child and says, ‘You just can’t.’” RESOURCES MENTIONED Gazmuri, C. (2025). Growth mindset interventions and academic achievement. Review of Education. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Swap limits for possibility: invite effort and exploration. Focus on helping your child stay in the uncomfortable learning zone. Offer support after they’ve tried, not before. Remember: neutral evidence is not negative evidence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →The Parenting Paradox, with Dr Jenny Brown
2w ago00:15:46Tap to summarizeThe 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 has become so overwhelming The hidden cost of over-monitoring and over-helping How parents get caught in worry cycles Why changing yourself is more powerful than changing your child Simple ways to respond calmly when your buttons get pushed How giving children space builds resilience and confidence QUOTE OF THE EPISODE "The parent makes a project out of themselves, not their child." — Dr Jenny Brown RESOURCES MENTIONED The Parenting Paradox: Loving Our Children by Giving Them Space to Grow by Dr Jenny Brown The Parent Hope Project The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Notice one situation where you regularly worry or overreact. Focus on changing your own response instead of your child's behaviour. Lower your tone and resist over-explaining or rescuing. If you lose your cool, apologise and reset. Give your child more room to solve problems independently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →When All Their Friends Have Phones and You’re Standing Firm
2w ago00:13:09Tap to summarizeEveryone 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 without losing connection. Because this isn’t really about the phone. It’s about identity, belonging, and trust. KEY POINTS Why friendship becomes central to identity around age 11 The real risk isn’t strict boundaries — it’s feeling dismissed The 3-step framework: Explore. Explain. Empower. What the research says about smartphones, depression, sleep, and obesity The exact script to say when the answer is “not yet” How to say yes to connection while saying no to the device QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “My job is to protect your developing brain — even when that feels unfair.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Study published in the Pediatrics on smartphone use and wellbeing Previous “Doctor’s Desk” episode on screens Submit your parenting question at happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Explore first. Ask: “Tell me what a phone would give you.” Listen without correcting. Explain calmly. Share the why behind your boundary — not just the rule. Empower together. Brainstorm ways to increase friend connection without a smartphone. Give a future pathway. Revisit the conversation at a clear milestone (age, responsibility, contribution). Stay warm. Boundaries don’t push kids away. Disconnection does. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Whose Cup Are You Filling?
2w ago00:14:47Tap to summarizeYou 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, resentful, stretched thin — this episode will gently realign you with what actually matters. Because tomorrow morning?The jug refills. KEY POINTS The “Cup Game” metaphor and why you’re playing it whether you realise it or not Why attention is your most honest measure of values The hidden cost of pouring into cups that don’t matter Why good things can still drain you A simple end-of-day question that changes everything How to reset — even if you’ve been “losing” the game for years QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Attention never lies. It reveals what we truly value.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Derek Thompson Substack article: Whose Cup Are You Filling? Stephen Covey – “The things that matter most should never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.” ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS At the end of today, ask: Whose cup did I fill? Notice one cup that received too much water. Choose one relationship that gets first pour tomorrow. When you feel depleted at 4pm, take one small intentional step toward connection. Remember: the jug refills in the morning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →