The Parent Pod

Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts, an author, researcher and speaker, and the founder of Happy Families. He is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9’s Parental Guidance and has spent more than two decades helping families build stronger relationships and raise thriving children. In this episode of The Parent Pod, Rachel sits down with Dr Justin Coulson...

Danielle C. Baker is a Canadian parenting expert, author of Bringing Up the World, and host of the Talk to Danielle podcast. With over two decades of experience in early childhood education, parenting support, and child development, she helps families navigate behaviour, emotional regulation, and connection. In this episode, we dive into micro wins in parenting and child development: small, intent...

In this deeply personal solo episode, Rachel shares what it has been like being the mum of a transgender child. With permission and honesty, she opens up about the grief, fear, love, learning, and growth that has shaped their family’s journey. This episode is for any parent trying to hold love and uncertainty at the same time. In this episode, parents will hear about: • How this journey first show...

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion around PTSD, mental health, trauma, and suicide. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kym for a really honest conversation about what it’s like to love, support, and parent alongside someone living with PTSD. We talk about how trauma can shape family life, relationships, emotional safety, and parenting, and what it means to hold your own wellbeing whi...

** Content warning: This episode includes discussion of PTSD, mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. ** In this episode of The Parent Pod, Rachel Russell speaks with Mark Thomas, Victoria Police officer, co-founder of The Code 9 Foundation, and father of two, about parenting while living with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Mark shares his personal mental health journey, from psy...

Why do parents react in ways they don’t want to? In this episode, Rachel Russell explores how the nervous system and early patterns shape our parenting reactions, and what parents can do to build awareness, interrupt old patterns and respond with greater calm and connection. To purchase a copy of Raising R.A.D. Kids: Parenting with the brain in mind - https://amzn.asia/d/0egbG1O0

Talking to our kids about bodies, gender, sex and consent can feel awkward. It can make even the most confident parent freeze. In this episode, I’m joined by Danae Beckwith, sexologist, therapist and educator, to unpack how we actually do these conversations in real life. We talk about: What matters more than getting the words right. How to respond when your child asks something that catches you o...

What do you say to your child when the other parent won’t apologise? In this episode, Rachel explores what it means to stand in the middle. Holding your child’s hurt while trying not to undermine your partner. She unpacks how to validate feelings without validating poor behaviour, how to avoid triangulation, and how to keep boundaries steady. This is about supporting your child to regulate, reflec...

Why is “sorry” so hard for some adults? And what does it mean for kids when repair never comes? In this episode, I unpack what’s really happening when a parent doesn’t apologise, and why the absence of “sorry” can be so much heavier on children than we realise. We explore: why kids notice when repair doesn’t happen how children often internalise blame when apologies are missing what actually helps...

Content note: This episode includes a brief mention of suicide. Please listen with care. What if your child’s behaviour isn’t something to fix — but something to understand? In this episode, I’m joined by Cameron Allen, neuroscience technologist, founder of Neuro Progeny and co-founder of Sensorium Neuro Wellness. Cameron has spent nearly two decades studying how the brain and nervous system shape...

Do you ever feel triggered by your kids and then feel ashamed about how you reacted? You’re not alone. In this episode, parenting educator and author Rachel Russell explores why parenting can feel so triggering, what’s actually happening in your nervous system, and how exhaustion, old patterns and constant demands play a role. You’ll learn how to recognise triggers without shame, understand why sm...

In this episode, we explore what emotional readiness for school really looks like and why it’s built over time, not rushed or forced. We talk about co-regulation, interdependence, waiting and turn-taking, boundaries, and separation, with practical, long-term ways parents can support their children’s nervous systems before and after school begins. This is a gentle, realistic conversation for anyone...

Starting school is a significant milestone! There is so muchto learn! And it brings big emotions for both kids and parents.  In this episode, Rachel talks about (from a teacher's perspective) the real challenges of beginning school and what children truly need to feel able and confident during those first few weeks. This episode is for parents who want to help their child feelprepared and conf...

Oxytocin is the kingpin of brain chemistry and hormones. It helps dial down stress, reduces feelings of anxiety and overwhelm, and creates the internal conditions for calm, safety, and regulation. When oxytocin is flowing, it becomes the gateway to deeper connection, love, and a sense of belonging. In this episode, Rachel explores what oxytocin actually is, why it matters so much for emotional reg...

Today, my book is officially out in the world, and this episode is about how it came to be. After nearly fifteen years of working with children and families, and many more months of writing, revising, and editing, this book grew out of what I kept seeing in classrooms over time. More big feelings, more anxiety, more children struggling to cope, and a growing focus on behaviour without enough atten...

If your kids seem to be falling apart after Christmas, with more meltdowns, more tears, and bigger reactions, you are not imagining it, and you are not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I talk about why kids often struggle once the Christmas build-up is over. Using a nervous system lens, I explain what is really going on underneath post-Christmas meltdowns, why behaviour can worsen when thing...

In this heartfelt episode, I chat with Leila Kubesch, an award-winning educator, researcher, and founder of Parents 2 Partners, about what it truly takes to blend families with care, compassion, and connection. Leila shares stories from her decades of experience supporting parents across cultures, and offers powerful insights into how we can raise emotionally secure kids—no matter what our family...

In this inspiring episode of The Parent Pod , Rachel is joined by best-selling author, speaker, and content photographer Coral Emerson. Coral shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, living with a neurological condition, and rising above life’s challenges to create a life of purpose, creativity, and joy. Drawing from her book Open the Door to a New You , Coral offers heartfel...

In this episode of The Parent Pod , I’m joined by Leisa Robertson, whose journey is as honest as it is powerful. Together, we explore what it really means to let goof expectations—of ourselves, our children, and the parenting playbook we thought we were supposed to follow. This conversation dives deep into the messy, meaningful moments that shape us—not just as parents, but as people. From questio...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Kerry Morrison—an Aboriginal social worker, coach, parent, and founder of Empowerment2Be, based on Noongar Boodja in WA’s South West. With over 15 years’ experience across disability, education and trauma recovery, Kerry brings a deeply grounded, culturally safe, and strengths-based approach to her work with families of neurodivergent and disabled ch...

In this episode of The Parent Pod , Rachel is joined by public speaker, educator, clinical hypnotherapist, and life coach Dani Hewton. With over 25 years of experience, Dani specialises in stress and pain reduction using a unique blend of science, psychology, energy healing, and holistic tools. Dani shares her powerful personal journey of transformation—from chronic pain and financial hardship to...

In this episode of The Parent Pod , Rachel is joined by energy healer, coach, and Reiki Master Janene Shanahan for a powerful conversation about the unseen forces that shape our parenting and family life. With training in NLP, Timeline Techniques, and Hypnosis, Janene brings a deep, holistic perspective to the way we relate, regulate, and connect with our children. Together, they explore Janene’s...

In this episode of The Parent Pod , Rachel chats with naturopath and nutritionist Jacqueline Stenhouse from The Healthy Alternative. With a calm, grounded approach and a passion for practical wellness, Jacqueline shares simple, doable ways families can support their health through food, daily habits, and a low-tox lifestyle. We explore: What “clean eating” really means for busy parents Easy routin...

In this powerful episode, Rachel sits down with Mitch Tambo – singer, songwriter, author, and one of Australia’s most distinctive First Nations entertainers – to explore fatherhood, culture, creativity, and healing. Hailed as “the new voice of a generation,” Mitch has earned 14 consecutive Top 10 singles on the Australian iTunes Worldwide chart and performed at major national events including the...

In this episode of The Parent Pod , Rachel is joinedby Professor Narelle Lemon—internationally recognised researcher, educator, and coach—who invites us to rethink self-care as the foundation for wellbeing in all aspects of life. As Lead of the Wellbeing and Education Research Community at Edith Cowan University and Director of Explore & Create Co, Narelle brings a rich blend of experience fro...