Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

The Body Image Episode: Conversations Every Parent Needs to Hear

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 powerful and emotional topics we’ve covered yet: body image. We unpack the heartbreaking reality of how children talk about their own appearance, the surprising ways parents influence those conversations,...

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 Podcast, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by financial literacy expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon to unpack practical, age-appropriate ways to help kids develop healthy money habits. From pocket money tips and goal-setting to avoiding the “tap trap” and understanding t...

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 powerful but simple parenting insights that can transform your family’s connection and calm. From spontaneous expressions of love to creating structured, soothing routines, you’ll walk away inspired to make small changes that lead to big results.

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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 about consent, respect, and peer pressure. In this episode, Justin & Kylie Coulson unpack the big issues raised on this week’s Parental Guidance, and how you can guide your kids through a digital world where nothing sent is ever truly private.

KEY POINTS

It’s one of the hardest — and most important — conversations parents can have: teaching kids about consent. In this episode of the Happy Families Podcast, we break down the powerful lessons from Parental Guidance season 3, episode 2, including insights from consent educator Dan Principe. From why consent conversations can’t wait, to the right age to start, to how to empower kids without shame or fear —...

In a world where kids feel lonelier than ever- despite being constantly “connected” - how can we help them build real, meaningful friendships and resist negative peer pressure? How are the families on Parental Guidance helping their kids make and foster friendships? In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of social skills, healthy face-to-face interactions, and intentional parenting to help children thrive social...

Tonight on Parental Guidance, Season 3 continues with one of the most important—and challenging—parenting topics: peer pressure and consent. Justin and Kylie preview Episode 2, teasing the big questions you’ll want to discuss with your kids after watching. From raising upstanders to helping kids say “no” when it matters most, this episode is packed with practical ways to strengthen your family’s ...

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, Managing Director of Kit – a pocket money app by the Commonwealth Bank. Together, they unpack how to teach kids under 10 the foundations of money management. From delayed gratification to understanding digital money, this is a must-listen for any parent wanting their kids to ...

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 week’s rollercoaster ride in the Coulson household. In this deeply personal episode, Justin and Kylie share what lit them up—and what nearly broke them. From a powerful conversation about building community around our kids, to the sobering ...

It’s confronting. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s happening every day.
Australia ranks among the highest in the world for online bullying—and too many parents feel powerless to stop it. In this episode, Justin and Kylie recap the raw and eye-opening online bullying challenge from Parental Guidance Season 3. They’re joined by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, who shares the hars...

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 how real, how convincing, and how dangerous AI can be for our kids. In today’s recap, we dive into the confronting realities of deepfakes, online safety, and skyrocketing screen time. From fake videos to 65-hour screen weeks, how do we protect our kids in this hyper...

 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 Parental Guidance Season 3, Episode 1, Justin and Kylie unpack the most confronting challenge yet: kids creating AI “friends.” From flirtatious bots to false identities and emotional manipulation, this episode reveals just how easily our children can be dra...

Reality TV with a purpose? Yes, please. Parental Guidance Season 3 kicks off tonight—and in this special preview episode, Justin and Kylie share everything you need to know before tuning in. From parenting styles to hot-button topics like body image, screen time, and AI bots, this four-night TV event dives deep into the challenges real families are facing right now. Whether you're a traditional parent, a positivity paren...

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 them of the very thing they need most—resilience.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Justin Coulson is joined by Tim Curtis—former SAS Commander, humanitarian, and author of Building Resilient Kids. From war zones to raising teens, Tim’s lived experience off...

“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 this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, we share two powerful parenting wins from our own family this week. From navigating bedtime battles with our youngest to having a meaningful (and sometimes hilarious) conversation about consent and relationships with our teens, th...

This episode isn’t like our usual Thursday chats. Today, we’re unboxing something that could genuinely change — or even save — lives. It’s not about us. It’s about a cause close to our hearts: men’s mental health and suicide prevention. After losing our nephew to suicide in 2023, this mission became deeply personal.

Join us as we unpack the Gotcha For Life Men's Care Box — a collabora...

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 expert Tim Curtis, we unpack the real role of stress in our lives—and how it can actually help our kids grow. Tim reveals the four essential layers of resilience every child (and adult) needs to thrive—and the surprisingly simple shifts that build strength from the ...

“It’s really hard to be happier than your unhappiest child.”

When one child is battling mental health challenges, the whole family feels the weight. In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Kylie answer a powerful question from a mum of four: How do I help my younger kids cope as their older brother struggles with depression?

This episode is a must-listen for families navigating the emotional ripple effects of mental...

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 doesn't have to stay this way. In this episode of the Happy Families podcast, Justin and Kylie dive into one of the most common (and quietly painful) challenges parents face: feeling like you're parenting alone in a relationship.

With warmth, realism, and practical insight, we shar...