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
#1258 - A Gaming Exec on How Your Kids Are Getting Hooked
Is your child’s gaming habit harmless fun—or something more serious? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson share highlights from an eye-opening…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1257 - Connecting When You're Always Correcting
What do you do when every interaction with your child feels like a battle? Today we respond to a mum’s heartfelt question about her 11-year-old daughter…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1256 - The Sweet Spot: Overscheduled or Underplayed
Is your child’s schedule packed from morning to night—or are they struggling with too much downtime? Today we explore the pressure parents feel to…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1255 - Helping Your Kids Understand Sex, Puberty & Consent – Featuring Michelle Mitchell
In this warm and essential conversation, Dr. Justin Coulson sits down with author, educator, and parenting expert Michelle Mitchell to explore how parents can…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1254 - The Subtle Art of Slowing Down (or Why Doing Less Can Bring You Closer)
Sometimes, the best thing we can do for our family… is slow down. In this reflective I’ll Do Better Tomorrow episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1253 - Teen Girls Explain the Mental Health Gender Gap
Why are so many girls struggling with anxiety, low mood, and poor mental health—and why are they starting to think it’s normal? In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1252 - 'Where do Babies Come From?' & Other Tricky Questions Kids Ask
When your 8-year-old asks, “Where do babies come from?” how do you respond—without panicking? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson share…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1251 - Raising Young Adult Males
In today’s Tricky Questions episode, Justin and Kylie answer Kim’s heartfelt question: How do we raise young adult males and stay connected when we…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1250 - Does Parenting Have a PR Problem? (R)
Last week Justin and Kylie discussed Chappell Roan's recent claim that everyone she knows who has kids is miserable. Listen to episode #1245 - Mothers &…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1249 - Supporting Autonomy Without Losing Authority
In this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, Justin and Kylie share two powerful parenting wins from their week—one about holding firm with limits…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1248 - Understanding Furries: Identity, Mental Health & How to Respond as a Parent
We take a deep dive into the increasingly visible “furry” phenomenon among young people. What is it? Why is it happening? And most importantly, how…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1247 - Juggling Career and Parenting: Bite-Sized Advice from Google VP Sarah Armstrong
How do you juggle a high-powered global career and single motherhood — and still show up for your child with presence and purpose? In this inspiring…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1246 - Managing Transition Distress In Kids
What do you do when your child comes home from the other parent’s house completely dysregulated—tantrums, tears, and turmoil? In this episode…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1245 - Mothers & Happiness
Pop star Chappell Roan recently claimed that all her friends with kids are “in hell” and have “no light in their eyes.” But is…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1244 - Mental Health and Externalising Disorders With Dr Jaimie Northam
ADHD is now the most diagnosed condition among Australian children under 14, and anxiety tops the list for teens. In this important episode, Dr Justin Coulson…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1243 - Slow Mornings & Showing Up For Our Kids
In this heartwarming 'I'll Do Better Tomorrow' episode, Justin and Kylie share personal parenting wins and lessons from the week that was—featuring an…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1242 - The Liking Gap
Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking you totally bombed it—only to find out later that the other person actually liked you? This…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1241 - Dandelions & Orchids
Some kids thrive anywhere. Others need more care to flourish. In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson explore the powerful metaphor of “dandelion and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1240 - Connection & Guidance For Your Adult Child
In this episode of the Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie tackle a tricky parenting dilemma: how to support your adult child without damaging the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1239 - One Day You'll Miss This
In this heartfelt episode of the Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie take a nostalgic look back at the parenting moments that once felt overwhelming…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1238 - Punished by Rewards With Alfie Kohn
We sit down with world-renowned author and speaker Alfie Kohn to explore why traditional discipline methods—punishments and rewards—don’t…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1237 - The 3 Big Things We Learnt From Easter Holidays
Three powerful takeaways from our Easter holidays—lessons about mindset, risk, and meaningful connection. From a life-changing mindset shift at the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1236 - Do Men and Women Actually Communicate Differently?
Is it true that women speak far more than men—or is that just a stereotype? In this playful but thoughtful episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1235 - Doing Away With Punishments & Rewards
What if both punishments and rewards were doing more harm than good? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Justin and Kylie Coulson preview a powerful…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1234 - Teens and Tech Pushback
What do you do when your teen pushes back on your tech boundaries—especially when they paid for the device themselves? In this episode, Dr. Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1233 - Hurried (Not Curried) Child Syndrome
Justin and Kylie reflect on a broken promise many families made during COVID — to never return to the rushed, overscheduled lives we previously lived…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1232 - 71% of Household Mental Load Falls to Mums - Here's Why (R)
The mental load in families isn't just about remembering school events or planning meals - it's an invisible, boundaryless, and enduring form of labour that…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1231 - Why Your Husband's Diet Works (And Yours Doesn't) (R)
From dinosaur cartilage to gluten-free unicorn tears, the wellness industry has gone off the rails. Drawing from viral content creator Caitlin Murray's…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1230 - The 3-Step Solution to Better Emotional Regulation (R)
Why do our kids lose it over the smallest things—and how can we help them hold it together? In this insightful episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1229 - Age-Based Consent Conversations (R)
Consent isn’t just a conversation for teens—it starts from birth and evolves with every stage of childhood. In this important episode, Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1228 - Being an ADHD Mum With Jane McFadden (R)
What happens when a high-achieving mum, running two businesses and parenting three kids, discovers that the chaos in her life isn’t just…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1227 - Why the Kids Don't Listen (R)
If you've ever asked your child to do something—only to be met with silence, eye-rolls, or outright refusal—this episode is for you. Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1226 - Forcing Kids To Apologise (R)
Should we be making our children apologise when they do the wrong thing? What does a sincere apology look like? In this episode: Parental Guidance (S1)…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1225 - Self Control Can Be A Learned Behaviour With Ethan Kross
Is self-control something you're born with—or something you can teach your kids, starting today? Psychologist and bestselling author Ethan Kross takes us…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1224 - Awards, Assemblies and Away Days
Could the way we celebrate kids at school actually be leaving many of them behind? In this episode, Dr. Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack the hidden costs of…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1223 - The Data Around School Mobile Phone Bans is Mind-Blowing
Justin and Kylie dive into startling new data showing the positive effects of mobile phone bans in Australian schools. They explore statistics that reveal…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1222 - Taking Control of Self-Control
Can self-control be taught? In this episode, Justin and Kylie explore the science of self-regulation and how parents can help their kids—and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1221 - My 3 Year Old is Destroying the House!
Justin and Kylie respond to a heartfelt question from a mum who’s at her wit’s end with her highly creative—but very…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1220 - Careless People Rule the World
Justin and Kylie dive into two powerful reads—Mel Robbins' The Let Them Theory and Sarah Wynn-Williams’ explosive memoir Careless People: A…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1219 - The Surprising Truth About Sports Success From Australia's Most Decorated Olympian: An Interview With Emma McKeon
[R] Australia's most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon, shares intimate insights about her journey from young swimmer to Olympic champion, revealing the crucial…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1218 - Room Resets, Dust Bunnies & Waste Witches
In this episode of the Happy Families podcast, Justin and Kylie Coulson reflect on the challenges of parenting, from managing big emotions to keeping the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1217 - The Doctor's Desk: What Makes a ‘Favourite' Child?
Is having a favourite child real, or is it just perception? In this episode of The Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie Coulson dive into the research on…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1216 - Nutritional Deception: What They're Not Telling You About Kids' Food
A shocking 90% of Australian baby and toddler foods fail to meet international guidelines, yet manufacturers employ deceptive marketing tactics to make us…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1215 - Help! My 8 Year Old is Totally Self Centred
Is your child struggling with empathy, social skills, or thinking beyond their own wants? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson tackle a question from a…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1214 - Sharp Knives and High Places: Why Your Child Needs Risky Play
Science confirms what our grandparents instinctively knew—children who engage in risky outdoor play develop better motor skills, higher self-esteem…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1213 - Your Daughter Doesn't Need Another Mirror With Dr Renee Engeln
Why do so many girls and women feel like they’re never “enough” when it comes to their appearance? In this powerful episode, Dr. Renee…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1212 - Bringing Up Boys With Dr Arne Rubenstein
Today's episode is taken from the Happy Families Bringing Up Boys Summit. Dr Arne Rubinstein is the author of The Making of Men, and discusses with Justin the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1211 - The Crisis of Modern Boyhood: What Adolescence (Netflix) Reveals
The Netflix series Adolescence isn’t just gripping television—it’s a wake-up call about the hidden struggles of modern boyhood. In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1210 - Breaking Free from Beauty Sickness
What happens when the mirror moves from our wall to our head? In this preview of Saturday's interview with Professor Renee Engeln, discover how beauty sickness…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1209 - Bedtime Battles: When Your Kids Won't Stay in Their Own Beds
Getting enough sleep is the number one parenting hack, but what happens when your children won't cooperate? Historically, humans slept in groups, which…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1208 - Let Them: The Two Words That Will Set You Free from Other People's Drama
Stop trying to control other people's moods, opinions, and behaviours—it's exhausting and impossible. Instead, try Mel Robbins' revolutionary "Let Them…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1207 - Listen Like You Mean It: How to Hear What Your Child Isn't Saying
When children need to talk, they'll give subtle clues that most parents miss completely. Recognising these moments and responding with actual…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1206 - Rethinking School: Why Alternative Education Might Be the Best Choice for Your Child
Is traditional schooling the only path to success? In this eye-opening episode, Justin and Kylie challenge the conventional approach to education, sharing…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1205 - Your Child Will See Pornography: Here's What You Need to Know
Research reveals that 99% of boys have seen pornography by age 15, with the average first exposure occurring around age 10-11. This isn't your parents'…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1204 - Taking the Ride, Not the Wheel: The Secret to Better Listening
Your brain is like a monkey—constantly jumping around, thinking of what to say next, and rarely focused on what others are sharing. Learning to shut up…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1203 - Heartbroken: When Your Kid Says They’re Embarrassed by You
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- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1202 - Boys Will Be Boys? The Disturbing Reality of Sexual Threats in Schools
Schools are failing our children when boys who make sexual threats remain in class with their victims. A toxic combination of pornography access, weak…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1201 - Free Range Parenting 101 With Lenore Skenazy
Are we protecting our kids or holding them back? In this episode, Justin talks with Lenore Skenazy about the unintended consequences of overprotection and why…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1200 - Sweet-Talking Your Teen: The Art of Delivering Disappointing News
Every conflict between children involves two participants, not one. Breaking the destructive cycle requires recognising your child's role in the drama…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1199 - Why I Banned Reading Logs in My Home (And You Should Too)
Research from Princeton University reveals that mandatory reading logs actually decrease children's interest in reading. While a quarter of Australian parents…