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
#1138 - Do Better, Do Less
It's the weekly wrap up, where we look back at the week that was and figure out ways that we can improve in our parenting. In this episode: Despite being…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1137 - P's on Earth: The 4 P's You Need This Christmas
This Christmas, skip the shopping stress and focus on what really matters. From creating a stress-free environment to embracing meaningful traditions, we…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1136 - Everything You Need to Know About eSafety, with Julie Inman-Grant
What happens when online bullying transcends the screen and starts shaping young lives in tragic ways? With eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, we uncover…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1135 - School Readiness With Zoe Wragg
As the holidays approach, many parents are preparing their children for the transition into school. Zoe Wragg, a parent educator and former primary school…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1134 - Australian Age-Based Social Media Bans Are Now Law [R]
A few months ago we spoke about the momentum that was building for age restrictions around social media for children under 16. On Friday those laws were passed…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1133 - Did We Embrace Our Words of the Year?
It's Friday, which means our weekly 'I'll Do Better Tomorrow' reflections, looking back on the week that was and thinking of ways we can improve as parents. As…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1132 - This Week in Parenting: Woolies x Roblox & Fully Nic-Sick
Dive with us into three issues impacting parents today: Woolies has partnered with Roblox (and parents are mad!). The rise of nicotine pouches among teens as a…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1131 - Consent and Porn, with Dan Principe
How do we teach our boys about consent in a world filled with mixed messages and harmful influences? Daniel Principe shares his experience working with boys…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1130 - Should Your Child Repeat a Year?
Is repeating a year of school really the best solution for struggling students? Join us as we unpack the research, share personal stories, and discuss why…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1129 - Gentlemen, Your Presents Is Required
With Christmas just around the corner, it's time for men to step up and do some shopping! Don't let Mum be the only one without a present under the tree this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1128 - You Find What You're Looking For
Parenting isn’t always smooth sailing, especially with a teenager in the house. In this reflective episode, Justin shares a wake-up call about his own…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1127 - Home School Check In
Curious about homeschooling? After a year of diving into this countercultural approach to education, Justin and Kylie share the surprising benefits, the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1126 - Why Consent Can't Wait with Chanel Contos
Consent, respect, and healthy relationships—how can parents prepare their children for these crucial aspects of life? Chanel Contos, founder of the Teach Us…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1125 - Social Kung Fu With Matt Purcell
Are we giving kids the equivalent of car keys to a digital world they're not prepared to navigate? In this episode, Dr. Justin Coulson and guest Matt Purcell…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1124 - Emma Watkins on Post Wiggles Life, Following Dreams, and Goats
Dr Emma Watkins is bringing something new to the table with an exclusive project every parent will want to hear about. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1123 - Leading by Example
Ever faced the uphill battle of convincing your kids to put down their devices, step into nature, and engage with life? I'll Do Better Tomorrow: Justin and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1122 - From the Doctor's Desk: Low Income = High Stress & Is Smacking All That Bad
Dive into cutting-edge studies on parenting and child development, from income's role in behaviour to the debate over smacking's effects. Find out what the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1121 - What Neurodivergent Kids Need at School With Madonna King & Rebecca Sparrow
Raising a neurodivergent child can feel like an uphill battle, especially within a rigid school system. In this episode, Dr. Justin Coulson, along with Madonna…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1120 - Savouring Time With Our Kids
At a recent Fathers of Girls conference, Kylie brought a room full of dads to tears as she spoke about the power of time and connection in parenting. Listen to…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1119 - Two Top Tips for Schoolies
Schoolies Week can be a thrilling time for teens, but it’s often a nerve-wracking experience for parents. In this episode, we share two essential strategies…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1118 - Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... Like Nutella
Every Friday we do "I'll Do Better Tomorrow", where Justin and Kylie reflect on the week that was, and how they can be better parents tomorrow. In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1117 - Little Niggle or Big Drama?
"Region Beta Paradox"is a phenomenon where minor annoyances that don't seem urgent can actually cause more stress over time if left unaddressed. We apply this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1116 - What to Do About Bullying: A Parenting Couch Interview
Bullying can have a huge impact on our kids' lives. Recently, Dr Justin had a conversation with Rachel and Sarah on their podcast The Parenting Couch. Today's…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1115 - Q&A: Inappropriate Photos
*Listener discretion advised* A concerned parent, Emily, has sent in a sensitive but increasingly relevant question. Emily’s seven-year-old son confided that…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1114 - How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?
Why do our kids seem like they're never listening, no matter how many times we repeat ourselves? Today, we share nine practical strategies that can help you to…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1113 - Connection is King
The secret ingredient every child craves for feeling loved and understood is their parent's undivided time and attention. Discover why making small sacrifices…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1112 - Help for Halloween
Halloween can be an equal mix of excitement for the kids and chaos for parents, right? And finding a balance between our children's desire for independence (to…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1111 - Home Schooling 101 With Brett Campbell of Euka
Is homeschooling right for your family? A rising number of Australian parents are questioning if this alternative path could truly work for them and their…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1110 - Is Birth Order Legit, or a Sham?
Are the classic birth order stereotypes of the responsible eldest, the overlooked middle child, and the free-spirited youngest really grounded in science—or…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1109 - This Week in Parenting: Sports Shift - From Footy to Yoga
Three news stories for 'This Week in Parenting': Is your phone getting in the way of quality time with your kids? Research shows that when parents are glued to…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1108 - The Roblox War
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 deeper…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1107 - This Week in Parenting: Roblox Hell & Parental Health Hazards
This Week in Parenting: Roblox is a ridiculously popular game—but not just with kids..and not always for gaming! We take a quick look at the dark side of this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1106 - Love Your Guts With Karina Savage
Paediatric Dietician Karina Savage, founder of Nourishing Kids, chats with Justin about gut microbiome, sharing practical tips for parents on creating a…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1105- Q&A: Rough Play Headaches & Battle Scars
Neda's 3-year-old son enjoys rough play but struggles to dial it back with his younger sibling, sometimes leading to unintentional harm. Dr. Justin offers six…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1104 - I Don't Like Your Friends
Has your child been hanging around with a friend that you don't approve of? Does your kid's behaviour change when they spend time with certain friends? Perhaps…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1103 - The Simple Things Matter
Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with parenting and in your home-work-life balance? You're not alone! For 'I'll Do Better Tomorrow' we discuss the…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1102 - From the Doctor's Desk: The Bottle Shop of Mum & Dad
Justin and Kylie dive into the latest research to help parents raise healthier, happier kids. With schoolies, summer BBQs, and end-of-year celebrations just…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1101 - Fussy to Healthy Eaters With Karina Savage
Karina Savage, Paediatric Dietician and founder of Nourishing Kids, chats with Justin about some of the most common challenges parents have with feeding kids…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1100 - Happy Go Lucky Teen (and Husband)
Today we have an anonymous question from a mum who's got a happy go lucky teenager, happy to coast through life, as well as a husband who is coasting through…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1099 - Stress, Sweat, and Scores: The Exam Pressure Epidemic
The harmful message being pushed onto senior students—that individual academic success is the ultimate priority in their final years of school—sends Mrs. Happy…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1098 - Check In, Don't Check Out
"I’ll Do Better Tomorrow"—looking back on the week that has been: what we are doing right, what we are doing wrong, and how we can be better parents. In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1097 - October Book Club: Fiction Ain't That Bad
In today's Book Club episode, Justin and Kyle share what they have been reading this month! Kylie's books: The Measure by Nikki Erlick The Rescue by Nicholas…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1096 - Age-Based Consent Conversations
Most people recognise that consent is essential for a healthy sexual experience, yet many still find it challenging to fully understand its meaning. In this…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1095 - Exams: Less Stress More Success
Term 4 is crunch time, with the stress of end-of-year (or final!) exams, report cards, deadlines, and more, leaving students feeling under pressure! Today's…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1094 - Dude Ranch or Spa Retreat?
Is it okay to go away with your friends and leave your partner at home managing everything and everyone? How do you make it work, and should you even try? A…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1093 - Early Talent Promotion [R]
Are we doing more harm than good by pushing our children to excel early? The pursuit of excellence can feel rewarding for parents and children alike, but…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1092 - When the 3 E's Don't Work [R]
Dr Justin’s 3 E’s (explore, explain, and empower) are the pillars of autonomy-supportive parenting. But there are times when they just do not work (we are all…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1091 - The Anxious Generation With Jonathan Haidt [R]
Justin shares four big ideas based on Jonathan Haidt's new book in the hope that it generates some constructive conversations with your kids at home: The key…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1090 - Putting Mum on Your Resume [R]
Are you wanting to return to work but struggling to know what on Earth to write on your resume after years out of the workforce? Listen in for some ideas that…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1089 - Am I The Only One Not Interested in Intimacy? [R]
If you are struggling to "keep the spark alive" with your loved one, you're not alone. Exhaustion, screen addiction, lack of time, resentment - all these…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1088 - Are You Over Sleepovers? [R]
Is it just me...or are sleepovers a really bad idea? (R) This episode originally aired 28/3/24. In this episode: Pros and cons of sleepovers Social development…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1087 - The Secret to Regulating Emotions [R]
The meltdown out of nowhere, an angry and aggressive child, the emotionally flooded teen - kids of all ages have BIG emotions, and experience emotional…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1086 - The 5 Marriage I Don'ts [R]
Marriage is not just about the "happily ever after", but rather the real-world benefits of a life of meaning, joy, purpose, and growth. Keep your relationship…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1085 - The Sordid World of Honey Traps With Julie Inman Grant [R]
*Content warning: parental discretion advised* Australia's e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant describes the fast-paced and aggressive tactics used by…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1084 - A Real World Honey Trap [R]
*Content warning: parental discretion advised* In a brave and vulnerable conversation, Jake and his mother Hayley talk about their 'honey trap' experience when…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1083 - Go Get Your Self Care On
When your child wants to quit an activity, especially one they’re good at, it can be challenging to know the right thing to do! Should you encourage them to…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1082 - The Sunday (or Anyday) Roast
A lot of families love to "roast" or tease one another as a means of good-natured camaraderie. When done well (in the right circumstances, the right tone, and…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1081 - An Adventurous Life
Would you let your 9-year-old ride the NY subway alone or your 15-year-old son travel abroad with friends? For doing just that, one mother received the label…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1080 - Q&A: Lazy Husband & Sleep Struggles
An anonymous listener shares their frustration and exhaustion with a husband who feels more like an additional child than a partner, offering little support…
- Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
#1079 - Age-Based Social Media Bans Gathering Momentum
In Australia, children below a certain age will be banned from social media as part of a national plan to counter its negative effects on youth. We discuss the…