Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
Dr Justin Coulson
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
Mentioned books
Mar 18, 2026 • 16min
Justin & Kylie's 28th Anniversary
A candid anniversary chat about what keeps a marriage strong after nearly 30 years. They share practical habits for staying connected and why choosing each other matters every day. Conversation covers accepting unchangeable traits, owning your irritations, and prioritising relationship time over winning arguments.
Mar 17, 2026 • 16min
Responding to Your Child About Body Safety (John Cardamone)
John Cardamone, a body safety educator and survivor of childhood sexual abuse, shares practical guidance. He explains why spotting strange behaviours matters more than stranger danger. He outlines how everyday connection and clear boundaries create safety. He describes calm, validating responses to disclosures and introduces the BE KARMA framework for belief and support.
Mar 16, 2026 • 23min
Raising Boys in a Toxic Online World (Q&A re: The Manosphere Documentary)
A deep look at the online “manosphere” and why certain influencers push domination, misogyny, and outrage. Discussion of how algorithms and profit motives amplify extreme voices. Focus on what makes some boys vulnerable and why strong role models and moral conversations protect them. Practical steps for delaying unsupervised internet exposure and building healthy masculinity.
Mar 15, 2026 • 26min
Does Your Child Feel Worthy?
They argue that taking away every struggle can rob children of purpose and felt worth. They explore why meaningful effort and small daily challenges build resilience. They highlight flow, productive stretch, and the difference between pleasure and lasting meaning. They suggest letting kids choose hard things, supporting without rescuing, and modeling courage by doing hard tasks yourself.
Mar 12, 2026 • 12min
You’ll Give More Than You Ever Get as a Parent
A reflective take on how parenting asks for more giving than receiving. A candid story about frustration after an early-morning shift sparks a lesson about expectations and resentment. The conversation highlights how small daily sacrifices and family rituals like dinners quietly compound into deep connection over the years.
13 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 26min
Training for Old Age
A candid story about reclaiming health during perimenopause and the frustration of stalled progress. They talk about nearly choosing surgery, then joining a group challenge for accountability. Simple habits like more water, cutting refined sugar, enjoyable movement and photo tracking become the turning point. The conversation highlights consistency, planning and measuring progress beyond the scale.
Mar 10, 2026 • 15min
10 Reasons For Ditching Homework
They dig into research questioning primary-school homework and cite a major review that finds no academic benefit. They discuss how one-size-fits-all worksheets crowd out play, sleep and family time. They cover how homework fuels stress, inequality and conflict at home. They suggest playful, real-life alternatives that protect kids' motivation and relationships.
7 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 16min
When Independence Turns Into Dishonesty
A parent wrestles with giving freedom while discovering their 11-year-old has been bending rules and fibbing. The hosts unpack how to keep connection during tough conversations and why punishment can shut down trust. They share a simple framework—Explore, Explain, Empower—to understand motives, build empathy, and co-create boundaries so responsibility and trust can grow slowly.
Mar 8, 2026 • 17min
AI Is Making Our Kids Dumber and Schools Are Letting It Happen
They dig into an MIT study showing timing of AI use changes how well kids remember and engage. They explain why using AI first can replace thinking and why schools may be unintentionally enabling outsourcing. They share the “forklift at the gym” analogy to warn against over-reliance and offer a simple Brain-First rule plus prompts to make AI a challenger, not a writer.
Mar 5, 2026 • 12min
Does Your Child Mirror Your Worst Habits?
A candid dive into how kids often mirror parents' worst habits. Conversations explore defensiveness, blame and the importance of owning your part. They debate rising ADHD labels and the tilt toward quick medical fixes. Stories stress repairing quickly, apologising out loud and trusting non-medical approaches like lifestyle changes.
