Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

If you’ve ever stood in the toy aisle wondering what will actually make my kids happy, this episode is the Christmas miracle you need. We unpack the surprising research on gift-giving—why experiences matter, when they don’t, and what different ages really want (and remember!) on Christmas morning. This one will change how you wrap Christmas… literally.

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• The science-backed t...

Today’s the day. Australia’s new Social Media Minimum Age Legislation kicks in—and families everywhere are feeling everything from relief to panic. In this special episode, Justin is interviewed by “Intrepid Reporter Kylie” in a reenactment of a newsroom conversation that never got to air.

You’ll hear what this ban actually means, how parents and teens are reacting, why the timing matters, and wh...

Why does Christmas feel so magical—and how can we bottle that feeling for our families? In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the science behind Christmas joy and reveal the seven psychological drivers that make the season feel warm, connected, nostalgic, and full of wonder.

From sensory anchors to collective effervescence, discover how small tweaks to your traditions can transform a stressful season into a slow, mean...

What if the world’s biggest social media company discovered its platforms were harming mental health… and then buried the evidence? Today, Justin and Kylie unpack explosive court documents about Meta’s secret research, the upcoming social media age-limit legislation, and what really happens when we step away from the online world. Then, we dive into your powerful responses to our most controversial episode of the...

If Christmas usually feels more chaotic than joyful, this episode is the reset you need. Justin and Kylie unpack the research on what really makes Christmas happier—and what quietly steals the joy from it. You’ll hear the surprising predictors of Christmas wellbeing (hint: it’s not money, gifts, or how perfect your table looks) and why letting go of the pressure to “do it all” might be the best gift yo...

Feeling the Christmas chaos creeping in already? This episode hands you permission to rewrite the rules. Justin and Kylie share the three simple diagnostic questions that transform Christmas from exhausting and obligatory… to meaningful, memorable, and truly magical. If you’ve ever felt pressure to “do it all,” this is your reset button for a calmer, lighter, joy-filled holiday season.

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• The t...

Christmas catch-ups can be joyful… and also incredibly tense when your kids start noticing that their cousins play by wildly different rules. No screen limits. Loose language. Even underage drinking.

In today’s tricky question, Justin and Kylie unpack how to protect your child’s wellbeing without blowing up family relationships — and how to help your kids navigate mixed values with confidence, clarit...

Christmas is magic… until it isn’t. Big feelings, tired kids, sugar highs, family drama, and festive chaos can turn the “most wonderful time of the year” into a meltdown marathon. In this episode, Justin and Kylie break down how to handle the full spectrum of Christmas emotions — without overreacting, over-parenting, or overcooking yourself into exhaustion. Real stories, practical tools, and realistic...

Ever feel like your kids walk straight past overflowing laundry baskets, open doors, or lights blazing—and simply don’t see it? You’re not imagining things. In this episode, Justin and Kylie share the hilarious (and slightly painful!) truth about raising kids who swear they’re “contributing”… while the adults quietly carry the load.

This feel-good Friday wrap-up dives into family meet...

Kids are begging for e-scooters and e-bikes this Christmas—but the rise in catastrophic injuries tells a very different story. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson breaks down the shocking stats, the hidden dangers, and the conversations every parent must have before saying yes. This is the episode every parent needs to hear before heading to the checkout.

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• Emergency departments are seeing a su...

Are we turning ordinary childhood struggles into “disorders”? In this gripping conversation with child psychiatrist Dr Sami Timimi, we unpack the rise of ADHD, autism, anxiety — and the cultural story that’s quietly reshaping how parents see their kids. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child actually needs a diagnosis or just needs more connection, this episode will hit home.

Dr Timimi challenges t...

Kids have a magical way of asking the biggest questions at the most unexpected moments. In this episode, we walk you through exactly how to respond when your six-year-old suddenly wants to know how a baby gets into Mum’s tummy—without oversharing, freezing, or fumbling. You’ll learn the calm, clear, developmentally-appropriate way to keep curiosity open, connection strong, and panic levels low.

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What if the secret to calmer kids, stronger families, and better mental health was free—and we’re the only country ignoring it? In this episode, Justin and Kylie make a bold case for bringing Thanksgiving to Australia… minus the turkey. Discover the neuroscience of gratitude, why it’s a proven buffer against anxiety and depression, and how one simple family ritual can transform your year.

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A huge week in the Coulson household — ADHD dilemmas, graduation milestones, big Roblox safety updates, and a brutally honest conversation about whether homeschooling is finally over. In this episode, we unpack the emotional load of parenting when life feels stretched thin, and why the choices we make for our kids rarely come with simple answers.

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Schoolies can feel like a runaway train of risk, pressure, and “everyone else is doing it.” But your teen does have options—ones that are safer, more meaningful, and genuinely unforgettable.

In this episode, Justin and Kylie share powerful ways to reframe the end-of-Year-12 celebration, build intention, and offer your teen experiences they’ll remember for all the right reasons. From once-in-a-lifetime t...

If your tween or teen feels stuck, scared of failure, or glued to their screen, this episode will change everything. Education innovator Chris Balme reveals why adolescence is the second great brain-growth window — and why kids today desperately need more real-world challenges, not more protection.

A powerful, hopeful conversation about autonomy, resilience, and helping young people feel big, brave, and capable again.

KE...

If your eight-year-old won’t walk into another room without you, this episode will change everything. Justin and Kylie unpack what’s really going on beneath “irrational” childhood fears—and why pushing independence backfires. Instead, you’ll hear the science of secure attachment, relatable stories, and simple steps that make your child braver because you’ve got their back.

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We watched YouTube Kids for a week — and what we discovered will make you rethink what “family-friendly” really means. From brain-rotting toy ads to troubling messages about body image, Justin and Kylie pull back the curtain on the world’s biggest kids’ platform. They share what’s really happening behind the glossy PR and how parents can protect their children’s developing minds without ban...

Ever had one of those parenting days — where you lose your cool, say the wrong thing, and immediately wish for a do-over? In this episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson get real about what happens when we mess up, why rupture can lead to repair, and how connection - not perfection - is what truly builds a happy family.

From teenage meltdowns to dinner duty disasters, the Coulsons share honest lessons on letting go, apologising, an...