Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.
Episodes
It's our final episode for 2025! With another year in the rear view mirror, its a very special I'll Do Better Tomorrow, as Justin and Kylie wrap up the year.
Topics discussed include:
- Justin's reflection on the Bondi terror attack.
- Kylie's thoughts on the recent New Zealand cycling trip, and persevering through hard things.
- Digging deep when we're dealing with the day to day mundane.
- Justin and Kylie's highlights of 2025.
What if the Christmas your kids remember most isn’t about what’s under the tree — but how it felt to be together?
In this episode, we unpack the four gifts children truly need at Christmas — the ones you can’t buy, wrap, or return — and how letting go of perfection might be the very thing that brings more joy, calm, and connection into your home this season.
KEY POINTS
- Why...
Christmas is meant to be joyful… so why does it leave so many parents anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed?
In this episode, Justin sits down with Rebecca Dredge (CEO of the Kiddo App) to unpack why school holidays spike parental stress — and what actually helps families survive the juggle of work, money, childcare, and endless commitments without burning out. This is a permission-giving conversation every tired pare...
Feeling the Christmas squeeze? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to drown in stress or debt to give your kids a magical holiday. In this episode, Justin and Kylie share six practical, heartfelt strategies real families use to make Christmas meaningful without blowing the budget. From essential-only Santa sacks to Secret Santa hacks, secondhand gems, and the power of one great gift, this episode is your permissio...
In this emergency episode, Justin responds to the Bondi terror attacks, offering advice on how to talk to our children, as well as how Jewish families can discuss this with their children.
For more up to the minute resources visit the Happy Families Facebook Page.
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Christmas chaos creeping in? This episode dives into the magic of festive films—and how they can buy you a precious pocket of peace. Justin and Kylie share their top kid-friendly Christmas movies (and a few grown-up gems), the surprising stories behind them, and why the right film at the right moment can reset the whole family. Perfect for parents who want joy, calm, nostalgia…and maybe a chance to wrap presents withou...
This week, Australia made global headlines — and parents everywhere felt it. Justin shares the emotional, history-making moment inside Kirribilli House as the new social-media age laws rolled out, the families whose stories shaped the legislation, and why this shift matters more than most people realise. Plus: the behind-the-scenes chaos of a family holiday that turned into a resilience masterclass. A powerful mix of emotion,...
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.
KEY POINTS
- 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.
KEY POINTS
- 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.
KEY POINTS
- 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.
KEY POINTS
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.
KEY POINTS
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