Shows / Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
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…
Episodes
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Every Night Is a Meltdown: How to End Bedtime Battles for Good
If every evening feels like emotional warfare, you’re not alone. Exhausted, desperate, and out of ideas? In this episode, Justin and Kylie share three…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Kids Don’t Want to Talk (and What Actually Works)
When your kids shut down or seem totally uninterested - whether it’s a conversation, a hobby, or music lessons - it can feel like you’re wasting…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Halloween “Hyper” Meets ADHD: What a New Study Reveals About Overdiagnosis
Every October 31st, kids go wild - costumes, sugar, excitement - but what if that same energy is quietly shaping ADHD diagnoses? In this Doctor’s Desk…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Unplugging Childhood (Less Scrolling, More Living) — with Jean Twenge
What happens when our kids spend nine hours a day on screens? Dr Justin Coulson sits down with world-leading researcher Professor Jean Twenge (author of Ten…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Raising Kids Who Don’t Need to Win to Feel Worthy
When your child has to come first—whether it’s up the stairs or at bedtime—it can drive the whole family mad. But there’s more behind…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Inside the New Social Media Ban for Aussie Kids [with Julie Inman Grant]
A world-first law is about to change how Aussie kids use social media — forever. From December 10, children 16 and under will be banned from holding…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Rupture, Repair, Repeat — The Real Parenting Cycle
Even parenting experts don’t always nail it. In this heartfelt “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode, Justin and Kylie open up about those…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
What “Addicted to Screens” Really Means for Your Family
A new study is making headlines — not because kids are on screens too much, but because many can’t stop. Dr Justin Coulson unpacks fresh research…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When “Mummy Wine Time” Stops Being Funny [with Victoria Vanstone]
It starts as a joke — “Mummy needs wine!” — but for many parents, that glass at the end of the day becomes more than just a meme. In…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
From Awkward to Awesome: How to Talk About Anything With Your Kids
Ever wish you could talk to your kids about the big stuff — without it feeling awkward or heavy? In this episode, Justin and Kylie show you how to make…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Kids Break Stuff: Teaching Accountability Without Shame or Punishment
Your child smashes a TV. Or floods the bathroom. Or writes off the car. What now? In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack one of parenting’s trickiest…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Keep Calm and Curry On — The Sweet Taste of Failure
What happens when you pour condensed milk instead of coconut milk into your family curry? Justin’s kitchen disaster could’ve ended in…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
How to Feel Like You Have More Time (Even When You Don’t)
If you ever feel like there’s never enough time — this episode is your deep breath. Justin and Kylie unpack the idea of “time…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Secret Life of Screens: AI, Emotion, and the Teen Brain [With Dr Jacqueline Nesi]
Teens are forming emotional bonds — not just online, but with AI companions. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson talks with Brown University psychologist…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Guiding Kids Through Sexual Curiosity
It’s happening in classrooms everywhere — groups of 10- and 11-year-old girls suddenly identifying as lesbian or non-binary. Parents are confused…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Why Exam Results Don’t Define Your Child — or Their Future
Exam season is here — and with it, a tidal wave of pressure, late nights, and panic. But what if we’ve got it all wrong? In this short, punchy…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Holidays End and Tears Begin
Ever had your child melt down because it’s time to leave somewhere fun? In this heartwarming episode, Justin and Kylie share the tearful goodbyes, the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
From TikToks to Tolkien: Bringing Boys Back to Books
Boys are falling behind in reading — and the consequences are staggering. In this episode, we share an excerpt from Your Kid’s Next Read podcast…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
What to Do When Your Child Only Eats Pasta and Nuggets
Pasta. Chips. Nuggets. Repeat. If your neurodivergent child lives on a diet of white and yellow foods, you’re not alone. In this episode, Dr Justin…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Drop-Off Drama: How to Help Your Toddler Settle
Few things break a parent’s heart like leaving your toddler at childcare while they cry, scream, and beg you not to go. Is this the same as “cry it…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Ban That Could Save Our Kids’ Childhood
From December 10, kids under 16 will no longer be allowed to hold social media accounts in Australia. It’s a world-first move that has parents divided…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Why the Hardest Parenting Days End Up Being the Sweetest
When you’re knee-deep in tantrums, sticky fingers, midnight wake-ups and endless “whys?” it feels like survival mode. But what if these…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Stress-Relief Tool Parents Can’t Afford to Miss
Are you exhausted from trying to keep everyone happy? Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory has gone viral for a reason—it’s simple, powerful, and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Hack Your Child's Brain Chemistry (The Good Way!)
What if you could spark your child’s motivation without nagging or bribing? In this episode of the Happy Families Podcast, Dr Justin and Kylie reveal the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Silent Drift: How Apathy and EarPods Erode Family Bonds
Your teen is bright, capable—and completely content to coast. Your partner’s in the kitchen… but lost behind EarPods. In this candid Q&A, Dr…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Talk So Your Kids Tune In, Not Out
Ever feel like a broken record—“How many times do I have to tell you?” This episode is your lifeline out of the endless reminder loop. Justin…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Region Beta Trap Every Parent Falls Into (and How to Escape)
Ever brushed off your child’s whining, anxiety, or fussy eating as “just a phase”? What if those small annoyances are quietly shaping big…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Don’t Like Their Friends? How to Guide Without Losing Trust
Have you ever looked at your child’s friends and thought, “This is not going to end well”? You’re not alone. But new research shows…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
What Messy Bedrooms Really Teach Our Teens
What happens when a mum posts a video of tidying her teenager’s messy bedroom? Internet outrage. Some called it enabling. Others said it was love. In…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Lazy Husband or Overloaded Wife? Fixing the Uneven Load Before Resentment Wins
Ever come home from work to a house that looks like a bomb went off—while your partner relaxes? Today Justin answers a listener who’s furious at a…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Raising Resilient Kids Starts with Risky Play
Are we protecting our kids too much? Today we tackle the controversial topic of risky play — climbing trees, speeding down hills, roughhousing, even…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Party Every Parent Dreams Of: Loud, Fun… and Totally Sober
Think teens can’t have fun without booze? Think again. In this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, Justin and Kylie share the behind-the-scenes of…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Boredom’s Sweet Spot: When Doing Nothing Fuels Growth - and When It Backfires
“Mum, I’m bored!” Sound familiar? In a world of endless screens and instant entertainment, boredom feels like a problem to fix. But what if…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Screens, Kids & the Hijacked Brain: Dr Wayne Warburton on Beating Screen Addiction
Is your child’s screen time spiralling—and every conversation about it ends in a fight? Professor Wayne Warburton, leading psychologist and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Screens, Teens, and the Limits They Secretly Want
Do you really trust your teen to manage their phone—and the algorithm—alone? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson tackle a Gold Coast…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Why Your Three Year Old Hits You and How to End It - Fast!
Your sweet preschooler just turned into a pint-sized whirlwind—kicking, screaming, and even hitting. Before you panic or punish, listen in. Dr Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
From Crashed Cars to Father’s Day Joy: Why “People Matter, Things Don’t”
What will your kids remember most about you? It’s probably not what you think… Ever felt Father’s Day pressure - the gifts, the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Leave Not Approved - The Wild School Rule
When cookbook author and influencer Sarah’s holiday plans with her 6-year-old were suddenly stamped “unauthorised,” it lit up headlines…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
School Avoidance: The Anxiety, The Struggles, The Solutions [with Megan Gilmour]
School refusal and absence are at crisis levels. More than 40% of students are missing at least 10% of school days — and it’s only getting worse…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Confident or Showing Off? How to Help Kids Stay Humble Without Crushing Their Spirit
What do you do when your child’s confidence starts to look like bragging? Today’s tricky parenting question comes from Joanna, whose 12-year-old…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Kids Say They Want THIS More Than Screen Time — Are You Giving It to Them?
Childcare scandals. Social media bans. Kids spending nine hours a day glued to screens. As Child Protection Week shines a spotlight on children’s safety…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Roblox on Trial, K-Pop Demon Hunters & The Real Battle for Our Kids’ Hearts
From Father’s Day feels to Taylor Swift’s big news, Roblox lawsuits, and the surprising lessons hidden in K-Pop Demon Hunters—this Friday…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
From the Doctor's Desk: Peanut Allergies, & ASD Touch Reactions
From the Doctor's Desk today we unpack three studies relevant to parents and families. First, an intervention that could decrease the likelihood of developing…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Gap Years, ATAR Myths & the Real Path to Success After School [with Amy Dyer]
Exams, ATARs, scaling, university preferences—no wonder Year 12 feels overwhelming. But what if success doesn’t come down to one number? In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Tween Phone Battle: Holding the Line Without Losing Connection
“Everyone else has one!” If you’ve ever heard this plea from your tween about getting a smartphone, you’re not alone. In today’s…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Helping Kids Manage Big Feelings
Why can’t kids just calm down? Here’s the truth: they’re not supposed to. Expecting children to manage their emotions alone is like expecting…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Fighting the War Against Roblox
When a child is upset or angry, it’s easy to think their outburst is about the immediate problem. The real challenge for parents is identifying the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Do Mental Health Lessons in Schools Help Our Kids or Make Things Worse?
Every school talks about teaching mental health, but is it actually helping kids? Or could some programs be doing more harm than good? In this episode, Justin…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Dangerous Gap in Raising Boys That No One’s Talking About
Boys today are struggling — with school, with purpose, with identity. At the same time, parents are being told that masculinity is toxic — or…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Helping Kids Grow Independence Without Losing Sleep
Is it ever safe to let your 11- or 12-year-old walk to the park, ride their bike, or visit a friend without you? For many parents, just the thought makes the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Is FAFO the End of Gentle Parenting or Just the Start of Bigger Problems?
A viral trend called “FAFO parenting” is exploding on TikTok and even making headlines in the Wall Street Journal. Advocates say it’s the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Monthly Date That Changes Everything
One-on-one time transforms parent-child relationships, but finding that time can seem impossible. Discover the revolutionary monthly date system that's helping…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
$45K a Year?! Are Private Schools Really Worth It?
Private school rankings are splashed across the headlines, and parents everywhere are left asking: Am I failing my child if I stay public? With fees soaring…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Helping Kids Fall in Love with Reading – A Conversation with Sally Rippin
How do you get kids to love reading in a world of screens and short attention spans? In this warm and practical conversation, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Supporting a Grieving, Anxious Child
What do you say to a child who’s lost multiple loved ones and now lies awake, terrified of death? In this deeply compassionate episode, Dr Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Why Kids Give Up Too Soon — And How to Stop It
Your child says, “I want to quit.” Soccer. Piano. Swimming. Art. Should you let them? There’s a magic confidence threshold in every skill -…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Screens Are Good... Sometimes
Screens often get a bad rap — and for good reason. But what if the problem isn’t the technology itself, but how we use it? In this heartwarming…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Your Child Is Bullied, These 4 Steps Could Change Everything [with Prof. Donna Cross, Part 2]
Half of Aussie kids say they’ve been bullied in the past year — and for some, it’s relentless. If your child is caught in the middle of it…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Bullies, Brains, and Bystanders: The Truth Every Parent Must Hear [with Prof. Donna Cross Part 1]
Bullying doesn’t just hurt feelings — it can rewire a child’s brain. In this powerful conversation for No Bullying Week, I speak with…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
How Do You Tell a Child Someone They Love Is Dying?
How do you talk to your child about a terminal illness in the family? What if it’s not your family, but your best friend's—and you want to support…