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
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...
Every generation believes “kids these days” are going downhill — ruder, lazier, less capable. But new research says we’ve been wrong for over 2,000 years. In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack why we keep blaming young people, the psychology behind the “decline” myth, and how it’s hurting our kids more than helping.
This one will make you rethink how you see today&rsq...
The One Lesson Every Dad of Daughters Must Learn
270 men. One powerful story.
When Kylie Coulson stood before a room full of dads at the “Fathers of Only Girls” charity lunch, she didn’t give them a parenting lecture — she shared something far more raw and real. This episode is that talk: a deeply moving reminder that the best way to ...
The social media age ban is coming - and parents everywhere are freaking out. But here’s the truth: this isn’t the end of your child’s world. It’s a chance to reshape it. Justin and Kylie share five practical ways to help your teen navigate life beyond the screen - from rebuilding real-world friendships to resetting your family’s digital habits.
We’re raising a generation surrounded by noise, opinions, and algorithms — but how do we teach kids to actually think for themselves? Dr Justin Coulson talks with headmaster and author Michael Parker about helping children (and ourselves) escape echo chambers, stretch attention spans, and develop true independent thought in the age of AI and endless scrolling.
KEY POINTS:
- Why attention span ...
When life forces you to slow down, sometimes that’s exactly what your family needs. In this raw, real “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow,” Justin and Kylie share how a tough week - complete with surgery, surf trips, and kids cooking dinner - led to surprising moments of growth and gratitude. It’s a gentle reminder that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind.
KEY POINTS
- Why steppin...
A 13-year Australian study has just dropped — and its findings are shaking the medical world. Children on ADHD medication reported lower quality of life than those who weren’t medicated. In this eye-opening episode, Justin unpacks why the “gold standard” research behind ADHD treatment might have been flawed all along — and what this means for families trying to do what’s best for their kids.
...We’ve been told that “good” parents never take their eyes off their kids — but what if that’s the very thing making childhood (and parenting) harder?
In this fascinating chat, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with Lenore Skenazy — New York Times bestselling author of Free Range Kids and co-founder of Let Grow — whose viral act of letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone sparked a global ...
Choosing the right care for your little one can feel like walking a tightrope — guilt on one side, exhaustion on the other. In this heartfelt Q&A, Justin and Kylie unpack the real differences between daycare, early learning centres, and family daycare — and what matters most when your child has big emotions or struggles with separation. Whether you’re expecting another baby or just trying to do what’s be...
If every evening feels like emotional warfare, you’re not alone. Exhausted, desperate, and out of ideas? In this episode, Justin and Kylie share three powerful ways to turn chaotic, tear-filled nights into calm, connected moments — so bedtime stops being a battle and starts feeling peaceful again.
KEY POINTS
- The three pillars for calmer nights: routine, environment, and presence
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When your kids shut down or seem totally uninterested - whether it’s a conversation, a hobby, or music lessons - it can feel like you’re wasting your time (and money). But this week, Justin and Kylie share two powerful reminders that patience, play, and connection go further than pressure ever will.
From a heartwarming drum lesson breakthrough to a car trip conversation that turned a reluctant teen into a chatterbox, th...
Every October 31st, kids go wild - costumes, sugar, excitement - but what if that same energy is quietly shaping ADHD diagnoses? In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack a fascinating new study showing a 14% spike in ADHD diagnoses on Halloween day. They explore what this says about subjectivity in diagnosis, the risks of overlabelling kids, and how our environments - not just our children - might need rethinkin...
What happens when our kids spend nine hours a day on screens? Dr Justin Coulson sits down with world-leading researcher Professor Jean Twenge (author of Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World) to unpack the hidden costs of our always-online culture — and how parents can reclaim calm, connection and control. From brain changes to “go touch grass” moments, Jean shares the science behind tech overload and pr...
When your child has to come first—whether it’s up the stairs or at bedtime—it can drive the whole family mad. But there’s more behind that competitiveness than you might think. In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what’s really going on when kids can’t handle losing, and how to guide them toward healthy confidence instead of constant comparison.
KEY POINTS:
- Why competition and young kids...
A world-first law is about to change how Aussie kids use social media — forever.
From December 10, children 16 and under will be banned from holding social accounts. But what does that really mean for families?
In this special extended episode, Dr Justin Coulson speaks with Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, about the new age-limit legislation — who it covers, how it will work, what fines appl...
Even parenting experts don’t always nail it. In this heartfelt “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode, Justin and Kylie open up about those moments when good intentions go sideways — and what it really takes to repair connection with your kids. From tearful teenage meltdowns to awkward dinner-table confessions, this is an honest, hope-filled reminder that your love matters more than your mistakes.
KEY POINT...
A new study is making headlines — not because kids are on screens too much, but because many can’t stop. Dr Justin Coulson unpacks fresh research linking addictive screen use (not screen time itself) with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in teens. Learn what “addiction” really means, why it’s not an official diagnosis, and how to protect your child without constant conflict.
KEY POINTS
- <...
It starts as a joke — “Mummy needs wine!” — but for many parents, that glass at the end of the day becomes more than just a meme. In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Dr Justin Coulson talks with author and “Sober Awkward” podcast host Victoria Vanstone about her journey from party girl to sober mum — and how she broke free from the culture that told her alcohol was the answer. ...
Ever wish you could talk to your kids about the big stuff — without it feeling awkward or heavy? In this episode, Justin and Kylie show you how to make tricky conversations a normal (and even fun) part of family life. From friendship dramas to body safety, honesty, and screens, discover how to help your kids open up, think deeply, and learn to navigate life with confidence.
KEY POINTS:
- How to start hav...
Your child smashes a TV. Or floods the bathroom. Or writes off the car. What now?
In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack one of parenting’s trickiest questions: should our kids pay for the damage they cause? You’ll hear real family stories, a breakdown of natural vs logical consequences, and a powerful mindset shift that helps kids take ownership without shame — and keeps ...
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