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
Why Everything You’ve Heard About Bullying Is Wrong [No Bullying Week]
Most of us think we know what to do when our child is being bullied—stand up to the bully, teach resilience, demand punishment. But what if those…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Forget Fixing - Listening Is Your Superpower!
When your child is struggling, do you ever feel like you should know exactly what to say—but you don’t? In this episode, we explore the parenting…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Screen Use Is the New Smoking
Feeling like your child is glued to their screen - and spiralling? You're not imagining it. A brand-new meta-analysis of nearly 300,000 kids reveals something…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Has Screen-Use Crossed the Line in Your Home? — With Dr Brad Marshall
Nine hours a day. That’s how long Aussie teens are spending on recreational screens. But what does this mean for their development—and should…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Q&A - Using Music to Quieten Thoughts
“My daughter says she doesn’t like being alone with her thoughts at night… so she plays music to drown them out.” In this episode of…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Before They Move Out, Teach Your Teen These 7 Life Skills
Are we really setting our kids up for success in the real world? From burnt spaghetti to budgeting fails, this episode dives into the seven critical life…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Would You Wake Up at 3AM for Your Kid?
Would you get out of bed at 2:30am to drive your teen to Work Experience with horses? In this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, we share the parenting…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The 6 Worst Parenting Tips We’re Never Taking Again
Ever been halfway through a parenting reel thinking *“Oh wow, this is gold”… only to realise it’s actually terrible advice dressed up…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Schools Get Culture Right, Everything Changes - with Adam Voigt
They talk a lot about culture in schools/education. What’s really driving teacher burnout, student disengagement, and poor behaviour in schools? In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
All the Lonely Parents, Where Has the Village Gone?
You send out party invitations and… crickets. Or worse — a wall of “maybe” and no-shows. Are parents today just too busy, too anxious…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Backchat and Eye Rolls? What Your Kids’ Sass Is Really Telling You
Every parent hits that moment — the eye roll, the “you’re so unfair,” the slammed door. It’s the backchat that drives us up the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
No One Talks About the Real Cost of Family Fun
What kind of parent willingly gives up a peaceful beach day… for four hours of standing in theme park lines? In this episode, Justin shares the story of…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Your Child Questions Their Gender: A Parent’s Guide to Staying Calm [Parental Guidance Ep. 4]
Few topics divide parents more than gender identity — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On the last episode of Parental Guidance, the debate…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
How to Raise Strong, Safe, Kind Sons [Parental Guidance Ep. 4]
What does “boys will be boys” really mean—and why does it get under so many parents’ skin? In this powerful episode, we dive into the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Parenting Mirror: What Your Kids Are Really Learning From You [Parental Guidance Ep. 4)
What happens when your child becomes the parent — even just for a day? In this episode, we unpack last night’s Parental Guidance challenge, where…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Parental Guidance Ep. 4 Preview
What do you do when your baby screams from 7 PM to 3 AM every night? Tonight, Parental Guidance tackles one of the toughest, most overlooked issues facing…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Hey Kit #3 - Raising Money-Smart Kids: The Secrets Schools Don’t Teach
Talking about money with kids can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. In episode #1302, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Yish Koh…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Surprising TV Moment That Sparked a Conversation About Literacy [Parental Guidance Ep. 3]
What happens when a child falls years behind in reading and writing? This week’s episode of The Happy Families Podcast dives into one of the most…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
When Food Becomes the Enemy: Helping Kids Through Eating Disorders [Parental Guidance Ep. 3]
What do you do when your child refuses to eat? When food, health, and body image turn into a dangerous battleground? In this deeply moving episode, Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Moving Beyond Beautiful & Helping Kids See Themselves Differently [Parental Guidance Ep. 3]
“You don’t let other people tell you what beautiful is.” In this heartfelt episode of the Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie Coulson…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Why Kids Hate Their Bodies (and What Parents Can Do About It) [Parental Guidance Ep. 3]
Why do girls talk about their looks and boys talk about their abilities? Last night’s Parental Guidance episode tackled the big, emotional topic of body…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Body Image Episode: Conversations Every Parent Needs to Hear [Parental Guidance Season 3]
What happens when kids are asked how they really see themselves? This episode of Parental Guidance (and our podcast preview) dives deep into one of the most…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1296 - Hey Kit #2: Teaching Kids About Money
Talking to kids about money can feel daunting. What if you say the wrong thing? What if they pick up your bad habits? In this episode of The Happy Families…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1295 - Why Structure is King (and Love Too)
Ever feel like bedtime (or just family life in general) is chaos? In this warm, honest episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, Justin and Kylie share two…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1294 - [Parental Guidance Ep. 2] Nudes, Consent & Values: Talking to Kids About Sexting and Respect
t’s the conversation most parents hope they never have — but need to. Sexting, short shorts, and the values we bring into how we talk to our kids…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1293 - [Parental Guidance Episode 2] Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: How to Talk to Kids About Consent
It’s one of the hardest — and most important — conversations parents can have: teaching kids about consent. In this episode of the Happy…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1292 - [Parental Guidance Episode 2] Peer Pressure: Fostering Healthy Friendships
In a world where kids feel lonelier than ever- despite being constantly “connected” - how can we help them build real, meaningful friendships and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1291 - Parental Guidance is Back On Tonight! (Episode 2 Preview)
Tonight on Parental Guidance, Season 3 continues with one of the most important—and challenging—parenting topics: peer pressure and consent. Justin…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1290 - Hey Kit #1 - Raising Money-Smart Kids: Teaching Under 10s About Dollars and Sense
Talking about money with kids can feel awkward, but it matters more than most parents realise. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Yish Koh…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1289 - It Takes a Village – and a Whole Lot of Index Cards
What do AI chatbot dangers, thirty young adults crammed into a tiny home, and a book-writing marathon have in common? They’re all part of this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1288 [Parental Guidance Episode 1] Online Bullying: How Do We Keep Our Kids Safe?
It’s confronting. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s happening every day. Australia ranks among the highest in the world for online…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1287 - [Parental Guidance Episode 1] Deepfakes, Screens & Our Kids - Parenting in the Digital Age
A video of Justin... that Justin never made. This was the shocking moment that shook the families on Parental Guidance—a deepfake designed to highlight…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1286 - [Parental Guidance Episode 1] AI “Friends” or Digital Deceivers? What Every Parent Must Know
They look fun. They seem harmless. But behind the screen, AI chatbots are creating dangerously deceptive relationships with our kids. In this gripping recap of…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1285 - Parental Guidance Starts Tonight! Here’s Why You Can’t Miss It
Reality TV with a purpose? Yes, please. Parental Guidance Season 3 kicks off tonight—and in this special preview episode, Justin and Kylie share…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1284 - Building & Strengthening Resilience With Tim Curtis
Are we making life too easy for our kids? In a world where we rush to remove every obstacle from our children’s paths, we may be unintentionally robbing…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1283 - Communication Wins and Big Conversations
“Having your heart right towards your child is probably the most important thing you can do... but how you communicate is right up there too.” In…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1282 - The Unboxing That Could Save Lives
This episode isn’t like our usual Thursday chats. Today, we’re unboxing something that could genuinely change — or even save — lives…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1281 - The 4 Layers of Resilience, With Tim Curtis
What if stress isn’t the enemy… but the training ground? In this sneak peek of our powerful conversation with former SAS soldier and leadership…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1280 - When One Child Struggles: Supporting Siblings Through the Storm
“It’s really hard to be happier than your unhappiest child.” When one child is battling mental health challenges, the whole family feels the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1279 - Parenting Alone in a Marriage: How to Gently Reconnect and Rebuild
Are you carrying the mental and emotional load of parenting solo—even though you have a partner? You're not imagining it. You're not alone. And it…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1278 - How Not to Be a Pushy Parent (With Professor Wendy Grolnick)
“I just want what’s best for them.” That’s what every loving parent says. But sometimes, in our desperation to protect our kids from…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1277 - Ditching Screens is Bringing Joy Back to Our Home
Things reached breaking point. And then… everything changed. This week on the Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie share a raw and transformative…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1276 - Mum’s Screen Time: What It’s Really Doing to Your Child’s Development
Are your phone habits impacting your child’s growth? We all know kids and screens don’t mix well—but what about parents and screens? A…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
1275 - How Tech Can Make Our Lives Better (Yes, Really!)
We usually talk about tech as a problem — screens, addiction, distraction — but what if it could actually make family life better? In this episode…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1274 - What Should You Do If You Think Your Child Has ADHD?
Is it ADHD… or something else entirely? This episode dives into one of the most debated topics in parenting and child psychology. Dr Justin Coulson…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1273 - Do We Give In? What to Do When the Kids Push Too Hard
When the kids are relentless, defiant, or just downright exhausting, do you give in? Do you clamp down? Or is there a better way? In this episode of the Happy…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1272 - Is The Mum I Hoped to Be Turning Up? With Victoria Vanstone
She thought parenting would be homemade cookies, flouncy dresses, and humming while folding laundry… but instead, she’s throwing plastic cups at…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1271 - The Power of Teaching Kids About Emotions
I'll Do Better Tomorrow: The Power of Teaching Kids About Emotions Kids don’t magically learn emotional regulation—they need to be taught. In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1270 - Block the Internet, Boost Your Brain: The Research Parents Need to Know
What happens when you strip your smartphone of its “smart”? In this Doctor’s Desk deep dive, Justin and Kylie unpack a groundbreaking new…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1269 - Mumming: Why Trying (and Failing) Still Counts
What if failing to be the perfect parent was the point all along? In this raw and deeply moving preview episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the heart, humour, and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1268 - From Helicopter to Hover-Free: Helping Your Anxious Child Take Healthy Risks
What do you do when your anxiety has become their anxiety? In this listener Q&A, Justin and Kylie respond to Amy from Melbourne—a self-diagnosed…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1267 - How Burnt Out Parents Can Still Build Connection
“I Don’t Like Playing with My Kids” – Why Play Still Matters If the idea of playing Barbies or dragons makes you groan&hellip…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1266 - Prawns, Perspective & Parenting: Why the Silly Moments Matter Most
Prawns, Perspective & Parenting: Why the Silly Moments Matter Most Sometimes the most ridiculous memories become the most meaningful. In this heartfelt Friday…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1265 - Learning to Trust Your Child's Natural Development
What if the most powerful thing you can do as a parent… is let go? Today’s episode dives into one of the most radical and relieving ideas in…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1264 - 20 Granny Hobbies to Get Your Kids Off Screens
Join us as we dive into the world of "Granny Core" — a charming, nostalgic approach to helping kids disconnect from screens by embracing slow, hands-on…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1263 - When Your 7-Year-Old Acts Inappropriately: A Tricky Listener Question
In today’s Q&A episode, Elizabeth from Melbourne shares a heartbreaking concern: her 7-year-old son is engaging in inappropriate behaviours towards girls…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1262 - Kids & Happiness: Can Parents Truly Be Happy?
It's time to address the age-old question: Do children make us happy? Backed by powerful research and personal stories, Kylie and Justin explore the paradox of…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1261 - Hooked on Games: How to Help Kids Break Free from Addictive Gaming (feat. Scott Novus, former VP at Disney & gaming expert)
Dr. Justin Coulson speaks with former Disney executive and GameTruck founder Scott Novis about the hidden dangers of video games—and how parents can help…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1260 - Funny Questions About Sex
In this lighthearted episode of the Happy Families Podcast, we revisit some of the funniest and most unexpected things kids say when learning about where…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1259 - How's Life for Children in The Digital Age?
A major new report from the OECD has revealed shocking insights into how screen use is shaping children's lives—and not for the better. In this episode…