Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

A heartbreaking family loss changed the way Professor Nicholas Epley understood his own research. In this episode, he shares how grief, adoption and decades of social science reveal a simple truth that can help every parent raise more connected, confident children.

You'll also discover why crowded rooms can still feel lonely, how to create more meaningful conversations, and the simple daily habit that strengthens every relationship...

Your child doesn't need better social skills. They need more chances to use them.

University of Chicago behavioural scientist Professor Nicholas Epley explains why we're wired for connection but keep avoiding it. His research reveals one surprising mistake almost all of us make and how parents can help children build stronger friendships by changing one simple habit.

This conversation will make you think differently about strangers...

Watching your child be ignored hurts. You want to step in, fix it and make it stop.

Before you do, listen to this conversation.

Justin and Kylie answer a question from a mum whose young sons are being shut out by older neighbourhood kids. They share practical ways to help children handle rejection, build confidence and develop friendships that last.

KEY POINTS

• Why children grow when they're part of solving t...

Seven million school days were missed in Victoria last year. Is this a sign of a growing problem, or are parents finally putting their families first?

A new report has sparked fierce debate about school attendance. Should children ever miss school for a holiday, a family celebration or a mental health break?

Dr Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack what the numbers actually tell us, why so many families are choosing term-time travel, and...

You finish the day exhausted. Work's done, dinner's over and the last thing you want is another thing to do.

But the moments your kids remember rarely come from expensive holidays or perfectly planned activities. They happen on a walk around the block, over a board game or while you're side by side with no phones in sight.

Justin and Kylie share how an after-dinner walk became the place where their daughters finally opened up. They...

Australia banned social media for under-16s. It hasn't stopped kids from using it.

New research shows most young people are still logging on, creating fake accounts and finding easy ways around age checks. Dr Justin Coulson explains why the law isn't delivering what parents hoped for and why families still have the biggest influence on their children's online lives.

Then the conversation turns to something far more hopeful.

Dutch c...

You're not imagining it. Parenting really does feel harder when you're running on empty.

If you've caught yourself wishing for just one day where nobody needs you, this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar.

Organisational psychologist and bestselling author Dr Amantha Imber joins Dr Justin Coulson to explain why so many parents feel exhausted and what actually helps. No impossible morning routines. No guilt. Just practical, sci...

A fight video lands on your child's phone. They laugh. They watch it again. They send it to a friend.

What do you do next?

This week, Justin and Kylie answer a question from a mum whose 12-year-old daughter received violent footage that was spreading through local schools. They explain what repeated exposure to this content does to kids, why sharing a video makes them part of the harm, and how one conversation at home can change wh...

What if the moment you're desperate to get through today becomes the one you'd give anything to have back?

Brushing tangled hair. Carrying a sleeping child inside. Sitting through one more song. These moments can feel frustrating when you're tired and running late. Then one day they stop happening, and you never realise the last time has already passed.

In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson shares a simple idea from philosophy called ...

A Disney movie about toys ended with a conversation about screens, sewing and what childhood is starting to lose.

After watching Toy Story 5, Justin and Kylie found themselves talking less about the movie and more about what happens when tablets replace cubby houses, craft tables and backyard adventures.

Kylie shares how teaching their 12-year-old daughter to sew sparked confidence, patience and a brand new business idea. They also...

AI is becoming the friend people never argue with, never disappoint, and never switch off. New research suggests that's exactly the problem.

A 12-month study of more than 2,000 adults found people who turned to AI chatbots for emotional support became more emotionally isolated over time. With more teens now sharing serious problems with AI instead of trusted adults, what does this mean for parents?

Dr Justin Coulson explains why AI...

What if being a better parent had nothing to do with having the right answers?

Beloved radio host and bestselling author Christian O'Connell joins Dr Justin Coulson for an honest conversation about anxiety, authenticity, and what it feels like when your children leave home.

A forgotten ice-block wrapper tucked into the couch becomes a lesson in letting go. Christian also shares the simple approach that helped him stay connected wit...

A student dies by suicide. Suddenly every parent is asking the same question: What do I say to my child?

Justin and Kylie tackle one of the toughest conversations a parent can face. They unpack the latest research, explain why children can be deeply affected even if they didn't know the student, and share practical ways to start the conversation without making things worse.

You'll hear what to say, what to avoid, the warning signs ...

Six kids. One house. Endless noise, constant mess, and a level of logistics that would test anyone.

With Australia's birth rate at a record low, Justin and Kylie share the reality of raising a large family in 2026. They unpack the costs, the exhaustion, and the emotional load that rarely gets talked about. They also reveal why, despite every challenge, they wouldn't change a thing.

If you've ever wondered what family life really lo...

What if the thing your family needs most… isn’t more time - but better conversations?

In this episode, we reveal the one habit that keeps us aligned, connected, and actually moving forward - despite the chaos of raising six kids.

It’s simple. It’s structured. And almost no one does it.

If your family feels reactive, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode… this might be the reset you didn’t kno...

We’ve told kids for years that effort changes everything.

But the biggest review of growth mindset research in decades just found the results are tiny… sometimes nothing at all.

So should parents and teachers stop talking about “not yet”?

In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what the science really says, why the data might be missing the magic, and the simple belief that still change...

The harder we try to be the "perfect" parent, the more we can unintentionally hold our children back.

Family therapist Dr Jenny Brown explains why modern parenting has become so intense, how worry fuels conflict, and why the best thing you can do for your child is often to work on yourself instead. This practical conversation will help you step out of exhausting worry cycles, respond more calmly, and create the space your child nee...

Everyone else has a phone. Your child feels left out. And you’re the “mean parent” holding the line.

So what now?

In this solo Q&A episode of the Happy Families Podcast, I unpack one of the most common parenting dilemmas today: peer pressure, smartphones, and the fear that saying no will push your child away.

If your 10–12 year old is desperate to “follow the crowd,” this episode gives you a ...

You are pouring yourself out every single day. But into whose cup?

In this powerful conversation inspired by Derek Thompson, Justin and Kylie explore a simple metaphor that will stop you mid-scroll: every morning you wake with a full jug of water. By night, it’s empty. The only question that matters is where it went.

Work. News. Regret. Netflix. Anxiety. Group chats. Your kids. Your marriage.

Attention never lies. It reveals ...