Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

“My daughter says she doesn’t like being alone with her thoughts at night… so she plays music to drown them out.” In this episode of the Happy Families podcast, we explore a powerful listener question from a mum worried about her anxious child using music as a form of avoidance. Is it helpful? Harmful? And what can we do instead? We unpack the fine line between healthy dis...

Are we really setting our kids up for success in the real world? From burnt spaghetti to budgeting fails, this episode dives into the seven critical life skills every parent should teach their child before they fly the nest — unless you want them boomeranging back! This is the essential parenting checklist for raising capable, confident, and independent adults. KEY POINTS Get Organised &...

Would you get out of bed at 2:30am to drive your teen to Work Experience with horses? In this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow , we share the parenting wins, fails, and funny moments from our week - including freezing mornings, heartfelt messages from listeners, and a couple of one-star reviews that left us speechless (almost). Also, Justin’s withdrawal from the Tour de France and un...

Ever been halfway through a parenting reel thinking *“Oh wow, this is gold”… only to realise it’s actually terrible advice dressed up with pretty music and a pastel background? We’ve been there too. In today’s episode, Justin and Kylie unpack six pieces of popular parenting advice they’re choosing to ignore forever—and why you should too. From contr...

They talk a lot about culture in schools/education.   What’s really driving teacher burnout, student disengagement, and poor behaviour in schools? In this compelling conversation, I’m joined by Adam Voigt—former principal, education thought leader, and founder of Real Schools—to explore why culture , not curriculum, is the true heart of great education. From phone bans...

You send out party invitations and… crickets. Or worse — a wall of “maybe” and no-shows. Are parents today just too busy, too anxious, or too uninterested to connect? Justin and Kylie tackle the growing epidemic of “commitment-phobia” among modern parents and uncover why it’s harder than ever to build the village our kids desperately need. From loneliness...

Every parent hits that moment — the eye roll, the “you’re so unfair,” the slammed door. It’s the backchat that drives us up the wall. But what if we told you that this so-called “sass” is actually a sign of something  good ? In today’s episode, Justin and Kylie unpack why backchat is one of the most misunderstood parts of child development &mdas...

What kind of parent willingly gives up a peaceful beach day… for four hours of standing in theme park lines? In this episode, Justin shares the story of his most "Father of the Year" moment — and Kylie reveals how she did something even braver. If you’ve ever had to choose between comfort and connection, this one’s for you. KEY POINTS: Why showing up — even when it&r...

Few topics divide parents more than gender identity — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On the last episode of Parental Guidance , the debate ignited strong emotions and hard truths about what it means to protect our kids’ mental health while avoiding irreversible mistakes.  In today’s podcast, Justin and Kylie break down the episode, share insights from research, and...

What does “boys will be boys” really mean—and why does it get under so many parents’ skin? In this powerful episode, we dive into the final challenge of Parental Guidance and unpack the loaded stereotypes around masculinity, parenting roles, and what it means to raise emotionally healthy boys in today’s world. From baby dolls to rough-and-tumble play, the conversation...

What happens when your child becomes the parent — even just for a day? In this episode, we unpack last night’s Parental Guidance challenge, where kids were asked to care for a realistic baby doll, revealing what they’ve learned from their parents’ example. From “cry-it-out” methods to family role clarity, and even the silent weight of unappreciated parents &mdas...

What do you do when your baby screams from 7 PM to 3 AM every night? Tonight, Parental Guidance tackles one of the toughest, most overlooked issues facing families: the silent epidemic of mental illness. Heartbreaking stories. Honest conversations. And real hope for parents who feel alone in the dark. Don’t miss this powerful episode—stream it on 9Now or watch live at 7:30 PM on Channe...

Talking about money with kids can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. In episode #1302, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Yish Koh, Managing Director of Kit, to unpack practical, simple ways parents can raise kids who are confident and smart with money. From avoiding the ‘tap trap’ to setting stretch goals, you’ll learn how your own money mindset shapes theirs...

What happens when a child falls years behind in reading and writing? This week’s episode of The Happy Families Podcast dives into one of the most talked-about moments from Parental Guidance : the Life School parents’ children struggling with basic literacy. Justin and Kylie share why reading matters so much, how to help children who resist school and learning, and practical steps for p...

What do you do when your child refuses to eat? When food, health, and body image turn into a dangerous battleground? In this deeply moving episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the devastating reality of eating disorders — with insights from a brave young woman who overcame anorexia, her incredible family, and a specialist psychologist who shares life-saving advice for parents. KEY POINTS 90% of...

“You don’t let other people tell you what beautiful is.” In this heartfelt episode of the Happy Families Podcast, Justin and Kylie Coulson reflect on the powerful lessons from Parental Guidance Season 3, Episode 3, exploring body image, self-worth, and how parents can shape their children’s relationship with their bodies—for better or worse. With vulnerable personal s...

Why do girls talk about their looks and boys talk about their abilities? Last night’s  Parental Guidance episode tackled the big, emotional topic of body image — from what our kids see in the mirror to what they learn from us. In this Happy Families Podcast recap, Justin and Kylie unpack the powerful moments, the heated debates about Botox and social media, and what the research s...

What happens when kids are asked how they really see themselves? This episode of Parental Guidance (and our podcast preview) dives deep into one of the most powerful and emotional topics we’ve covered yet: body image. We unpack the heartbreaking reality of how children talk about their own appearance, the surprising ways parents influence those conversations, and a gripping, must-see story o...

Talking to kids about money can feel daunting. What if you say the wrong thing? What if they pick up your bad habits? In this episode of  The Happy Families Podcast , Dr Justin Coulson is joined by financial literacy expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon to unpack practical, age-appropriate ways to help kids develop healthy money habits. From pocket money tips and goal-setting to avoiding the &ldqu...

Ever feel like bedtime (or just family life in general) is chaos? In this warm, honest episode of  I’ll Do Better Tomorrow , Justin and Kylie share two powerful but simple parenting insights that can transform your family’s connection and calm. From spontaneous expressions of love to creating structured, soothing routines, you’ll walk away inspired to make small changes that...

t’s the conversation most parents hope they never have — but need to. Sexting, short shorts, and the values we bring into how we talk to our kids about consent, respect, and peer pressure. In this episode, Justin & Kylie Coulson unpack the big issues raised on this week’s Parental Guidance, and how you can guide your kids through a digital world where nothing sent is ever tru...

It’s one of the hardest — and most important — conversations parents can have: teaching kids about consent. In this episode of the Happy Families Podcast , we break down the powerful lessons from Parental Guidance season 3, episode 2, including insights from consent educator Dan Principe. From why consent conversations can’t wait, to the right age to start, to how to empowe...

In a world where kids feel lonelier than ever- despite being constantly “connected” - how can we help them build real, meaningful friendships and resist negative peer pressure? How are the families on Parental Guidance helping their kids make and foster friendships? In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of social skills, healthy face-to-face interactions, and intentional paren...

Tonight on Parental Guidance , Season 3 continues with one of the most important—and challenging—parenting topics: peer pressure and consent. Justin and Kylie preview Episode 2, teasing the big questions you’ll want to discuss with your kids after watching. From raising upstanders to helping kids say “no” when it matters most, this episode is packed with practical way...

Talking about money with kids can feel awkward, but it matters more than most parents realise. In this episode, Dr Justin Coulson is joined by Yish Koh, Managing Director of Kit – a pocket money app by the Commonwealth Bank. Together, they unpack how to teach kids under 10 the foundations of money management. From delayed gratification to understanding digital money, this is a must-listen fo...