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 4, 2026 • 16min
The Kindness Paradox That Changes Your Child’s Mental Health
New research on how prosocial kindness can shift kids’ mental health. Evidence shows helping others reduces depression, anxiety and loneliness more than self-focused comfort. They explore why connection and feeling like you matter change wellbeing. Practical, simple ideas for families to practice outward kindness and make it a weekly habit.
Mar 3, 2026 • 15min
FAFO Parenting Is Breaking Your Connection
They unpack the rise of “mess around and find out” parenting and why it’s replacing gentle approaches. The conversation traces the trend’s cultural roots and links to parental burnout. They contrast real consequences with punitive, cold detachment. The focus is on how harsh, hands-off tactics erode security and connection in family life.
7 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 13min
When All Their Friends Have Phones and You’re Standing Firm
A parent wrestles with peer pressure as kids want phones while friends all have them. The conversation covers why friendship shapes identity around age 11 and the real harm of feeling dismissed. A simple Explore. Explain. Empower. framework is offered alongside research linking early phone use to sleep, mood, and health risks. Practical scripts and alternatives to keep connection without a device are suggested.
9 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 18min
What Really Happened When I Met the Roblox CEO
A tense thirty-minute meeting with Roblox leadership and the moments that made the room defensive. Discussion of troubling design choices framed for the absentee parent and why growth can trump child safety. A candid recount of lawsuits, safety roles in the room, and the point when things turned uncomfortable. Practical, concrete steps parents can take right away to protect kids online.
5 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 18min
You’re Stronger Than You Think (Even When You Blow It)
A candid chat about resilience, showing how small changes like a sunrise alarm can transform mornings. They explore backing a teen’s 20km bike goal and choosing priorities over sacrifice. A school plank challenge reveals hidden endurance. They also admit how exhaustion causes parenting slipups and emphasize repairing relationships and starting again.
Feb 25, 2026 • 17min
The World is Saying 'Enough'
They unpack landmark lawsuits claiming major platforms deliberately designed addictive features for children. They cover legal hurdles like proving addiction, causation and how Section 230 might shield companies. They track global policy moves sparked by Australia’s minimum-age law and the ripple effects in multiple countries. They highlight why shared awareness could accelerate real-world change.
Feb 24, 2026 • 26min
Stop Letting Your Ego Ruin Your Parenting [with Dr Shefali Tsabary]
Dr Shefali Tsabary, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author who blends mindfulness with Western psychology. Sheunpacks how ego hijacks parenting and why present-moment awareness matters. She contrasts validation with condoning, shares a two-step boundary approach, and explains how saying “I don’t know” can defuse teen conflict.
Feb 23, 2026 • 19min
Q&A: My Eight-Year-Old Turns Aggressive and I Don’t Know Why
They unpack why well-behaved 7–8-year-old boys can suddenly explode at home and the developmental shift behind it. They explain why screens and TV transitions feel so hard for kids. They discuss the role of unstructured play, risky play, and routines in emotional growth. Practical tactics include pre-planned transitions, neutral signals, and teaching emotional strength and healthy masculinity early.
Feb 22, 2026 • 16min
Whose Cup Are You Filling?
A playful metaphor about a daily jug of attention and where your energy actually goes. They list the many “cups” that compete for your focus and explain why attention reveals true priorities. They warn that even good activities can drain you and offer a simple end-of-day question to take stock. Small, practical steps for restoring presence are highlighted, with a hopeful reminder that the jug refills each morning.
Feb 19, 2026 • 14min
When “I Don’t Want To” Is Really “I’m Scared”
A parenting story about an 11-year-old who refused a 6am surf class and why resistance can hide fear. They explore how friendships can unlock confidence and the idea of offering a one-time trial instead of forcing commitment. The conversation highlights picking challenges just beyond comfort and protecting quiet, screen-free time to help kids feel capable.
