Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

You want your child to be responsible. You give them a little freedom… and suddenly the rules start bending, the truth gets a little fuzzy.

One mum is trying to help her 11-year-old become more independent — letting him go to the park with friends, trusting him to come home on time, and simply asking that he communicates where he is. But recently she’s discovered he’s been stretching the truth… going...

AI is writing essays. AI is passing exams. AI is graduating with honours.

But what’s happening to our kids’ brains?

When an MIT study found students who used ChatGPT had dramatically worse recall, headlines screamed: “AI is destroying intelligence.” The truth is more complicated — and more confronting.

In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what AI is actually doing to developing brains, why schools ...

The hardest part of parenting isn’t managing our kids. It’s facing ourselves.

This week, a heated family moment revealed something uncomfortable — our children often mirror the very behaviours we struggle with. Defensiveness. Blame. Excuses. Denial. And when we see it in them… it’s confronting.

In this honest Friday “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode, we unpack emotional reactivity, a...

When your child is anxious, lonely or flat… your instinct is to comfort them.

But what if the fastest way to help them feel better isn’t self-care — it’s helping someone else?

New research reveals a powerful mental health shift that happens when kids practise kindness outward instead of inward. The results are surprising — and incredibly practical for everyday family life.

In this Doctor’s Desk ...

It’s the parenting trend everyone’s talking about — and it might be doing more harm than good.

“FAFO parenting” (mess around and find out) is being framed as the antidote to gentle parenting. Tougher. Harder. No-nonsense. Let kids face the consequences and toughen up.

But here’s the problem: when parenting swings from one extreme to another, kids don’t get stronger — they get disconne...

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 ...

I’ve publicly called Roblox a “pedophile hellscape.” Then the CEO invited me to meet.

Thirty minutes. One room. No media. No spin.

In this episode, I take you inside the meeting with David Baszucki, co-founder and CEO of Roblox — and share exactly what was said, what got uncomfortable, and why I left unconvinced that kids are truly safe.

If your child plays Roblox, you need to hear this.

KEY POINTS

You snap at the kids. You’re exhausted. You promise, “I’ll do better tomorrow.”

This week we learned something powerful: we are stronger than we think — but that doesn’t mean we’re limitless.

From a sunrise alarm clock that changed our mornings… to a 15-year-old riding 20km before school… to a stadium concert that tested endurance… to a parenting moment that missed the ...

The tide is turning.

For years, parents have worried about what social media is doing to their children. Now the courts — and entire countries — are stepping in.

In this episode, we unpack the landmark lawsuits against Meta and YouTube, accusing them of deliberately designing addictive platforms for kids. Could this finally be the moment Big Tech is held accountable?

Plus, we explore how Australia’s minimum age so...

You’re not reacting to your child. You’re reacting to your ego.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with world-renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary to unpack the real reason parenting feels so triggering — especially with teens.

If you’ve ever taken your child’s mood personally… spiralled into guilt… or wondered why you “know better” but still lose it &mdas...

He’s perfect at school. Polite. Award-winning. Well behaved.

Then he comes home… and explodes.

If your 7–8-year-old is melting down over TV, pushing boundaries, or even getting physical when you say no — this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.

We unpack the hidden developmental shifts happening in boys around this age, why “just turn it off” can fe...

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 ...

What if your child’s resistance isn’t laziness… but fear?

In this heartfelt Friday “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode of the The Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie unpack a powerful parenting moment: an 11-year-old who didn’t want to try the 6am surf class — and the surprising truth behind her pushback.

This episode is about competence, courage, friendship, and why slowing down ...

When your child says “I can’t do this” and wants to quit right now… what do you do?

Whether it’s maths, piano, friendships, or riding a bike, kids hit the wall. They avoid. They melt down. They take their bat and ball and go home.

But what if that uncomfortable moment isn’t failure… it’s the doorway to growth?

In this episode, we unpack the powerful reframe that helps kids push thro...

Teenagers are riding at 70km/h with no helmets. Police are investigating. Communities are furious. Parents are terrified.

E-bikes are everywhere — and the debate is explosive. Is this about reckless teens? Bad laws? Or something far closer to home?

In this episode, Dr Justin Colson from the Happy Families podcast unpacks the real issue behind the headlines. It’s not just about e-bikes. It’s about freedom, responsi...

Your child lies. You catch them. They double down. Now what?

When an 8-year-old swears they didn’t sneak the TV or the treats (even with chocolate on their face), most parents panic about what it means for the future.

In this episode of The Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie explain why lying is normal, why punishment makes it worse, and how to respond in a way that builds honesty instead of fear.

If you want truth with...

We tell ourselves it’s about safety.
But what if tracking our kids is quietly costing them confidence, independence… and trust?

With apps like Life360 becoming the norm, many parents are asking: Are we protecting our children — or projecting our anxiety onto them?

In this episode, we unpack what constant monitoring does to developing autonomy, whether location-sharing normalises surveillance, and how to balanc...

You’re one eye-roll away from losing it.
You’ve called their name four times.
You’re hot, tired, and absolutely done.

And then patience changes everything.

In this Friday episode, Justin and Kylie share two small choices that create big connection: making time for the people marrying into your family, and holding your nerve long enough for your child to come to you.

Because when we slow down, relationships g...

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...