Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Dr Justin Coulson
  • 4.9 (138)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Semiweekly

Deciding which parenting advice to follow? Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia’s most downloaded parenting podcast. Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting. From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

  1. 1d ago

    Justin Won an Award, But His Biggest Achievement Happened at Home

    What matters most when you walk through your front door? Justin Coulson has spent years helping families build happier lives, and his work has now earned him a University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award. But the moment that mattered most wasn't the trophy. It was the reminder that strong families change lives, and the most important work we do often happens at home. Justin and Kylie share the story behind the award, the sacrifices that shaped his career, a hilarious university confession, and the acceptance speech that left a room full of people in tears. KEY POINTS Why strong family relationships shape happier, healthier lives The unexpected path from struggling dad to parenting expert The people and sacrifices behind Justin's achievement What research tells us about the lifelong impact of loving caregivers Why the most important work often happens at home QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “The most important work many of us will ever do is not in the office. It's waiting for us when we walk back through our own front door.” RESOURCES MENTIONED University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Awards Happy Families books and resources at happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Make time for connection with your children, even on busy days. Think about the example you're setting through your relationships. Recognise the small, everyday things that help your family feel safe, loved and supported. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 2d ago

    Rethinking Success After High School

    Worried your teenager is falling behind or has no idea what they want to do after school? You’re not alone, and their future is bigger than their grades. Dr Justin Coulson chats with educator and careers expert Dr Jo Winchester about career pressure, gap years, alternative pathways and the changing world of work. They explore how to support neurodivergent kids, take the pressure off big decisions and help young people find a path that fits who they are. KEY POINTS Why your child’s ATAR doesn’t define their potential When a gap year might be the right choice How to explore careers in a rapidly changing world Supporting neurodivergent kids without focusing on grades Helping teenagers make decisions without passing on your anxiety QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “The thing that I want you to concentrate on more is, is your child happy? Are they being supported in a loving environment at that school?” RESOURCES MENTIONED Dr Jo Winchester for career guidance and free resources Range by David Epstein Dark Horse by Todd Rose ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Take the pressure off choosing a lifelong career right now. Explore university open days by focusing on the environment and teaching staff, not rankings. Help your teenager identify their interests, strengths and skills. Set small, achievable goals if school is a struggle. Remind your child that their grades are not a measure of their intelligence or future success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 4d ago

    Why Telling Kids to Use Their Words Doesn't Always Work [a Listener Q&A]

    Your five-year-old is hitting other children when they're angry, frustrated or feel something is unfair. You've talked about using words, encouraged them to burn off energy and tried everything you can think of. So what actually helps? Justin and Kylie Coulson explain why young children lash out, how to practise emotional regulation at home and what to do when your child comes home after a difficult day at school. Learn how to set boundaries without shame, build better responses and help your child manage big feelings as their brain develops. KEY POINTS Why five-year-olds struggle to control big emotions How to practise calming strategies before frustration takes over Why difficult conversations work better when everyone is calm Helping children find their own solutions to conflict Responding with compassion while still addressing hitting How classroom culture and maturity can influence behaviour QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “When emotions are hot or high, there's not a lot that soaks in or sinks in.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families: https://happyfamilies.com.au Send your tricky questions to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Practise when things are calm. Rehearse taking deep breaths, walking away or asking an adult for help. Problem-solve together. Ask your child what they could do next time they feel angry or treated unfairly. Reconnect after school. Offer cuddles, space and understanding before discussing what went wrong. Keep the boundary clear. Acknowledge their feelings while making it clear that hitting isn't okay. Give them time to learn. Emotional regulation develops gradually, and children need repeated practice and support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 5d ago

    5 Secrets to Raising Resilient Kids Who Can Handle Hard Things

    When your child is anxious, overwhelmed or afraid, should you step in or let them work it out? The answer could change how you parent. Justin and Kylie Coulson share five research-backed ways to build resilience in children, from listening without rushing to fix things to letting kids tackle challenges, take safe risks and discover what they're capable of. Because raising resilient kids isn't about toughening them up. It's about giving them the support and confidence to face hard things. KEY POINTS Why feeling cared for and listened to is the foundation of resilience How staying calm helps children manage big emotions When to support your child and when to resist the urge to rescue them How family identity and purpose help kids through difficult experiences Why independent activity and safe, risky play build confidence QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “Resilience is built as much inside a child as it is built around a child.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families: https://happyfamilies.com.au Andrew Fuller, Australian psychologist and resilience researcher Steve Biddulph, parenting expert Anne Masten, resilience researcher Peter Gray, play researcher ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Put your phone down and give your child your full attention when they want to talk. Take a slow, audible breath before responding to your child's big emotions. Encourage your child to try something difficult before stepping in to rescue them. Find small ways for your child to contribute to your family and feel part of something bigger. Give your child age-appropriate opportunities to explore, play independently and take safe risks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Oct 15

    What Failure Taught Justin About Asking for Help

    What happens when you give everything you have and still can’t finish? Justin shares the emotional reality of attempting a 50km charity walk with a 10kg vest, battling an injury and facing the decision to quit. Justin and Kylie reflect on failure, resilience and the courage it takes to admit when you need help. They also share how their Lift the Load challenge raised almost $95,000 for Top Blokes, helping more young men access vital mentoring and support. KEY POINTS Why admitting you need help can be harder than pushing through. The difference between resilience and ignoring your limits. How asking for help can change the outcome. Why we can support others without carrying everything for them. How one person's actions can inspire a whole community. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “It's wonderful when you feel strong and capable that you would offer to carry somebody else's load. But there comes a time where you have to recognise when that load is no longer bearable.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Top Blokes Foundation Lift the Load Challenge Happy Families ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Show your children that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Talk about the difference between giving up and recognising when something needs to change. Check in with the people around you. Ask how they're really going and listen to the answer. Remind your family that supporting someone doesn't mean carrying every burden for them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Oct 14

    When Your Phone Gets Between You and Your Child

    Your phone might be getting in the way of your child’s learning, confidence and connection with you. Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack three research findings every parent should know, from the link between heavy AI use and lower school test scores to why early puberty may increase anxiety risk in girls. They also explore how being ignored while a parent scrolls can affect a teenager’s sense of security in the relationship. Discover what the research tells us, where the limits of the evidence lie, and how to give your child more opportunities to feel supported, connected and confident. KEY POINTS AI and learning: Students who frequently use AI chatbots for schoolwork scored lower in science and reading than those who rarely use them. How children use AI matters. Early puberty and anxiety: Research links earlier, faster puberty in girls with a higher risk of anxiety symptoms. Supportive relationships may help provide important protection. Phone distraction and attachment: Teenagers who feel ignored by a parent’s phone use are more likely to report insecure attachment to that caregiver. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “She needs protective factors in her life.” RESOURCES MENTIONED PISA assessment findings on AI use and student performance, reported by Lucy Carroll in The Australian Danish National Birth Cohort analysis on pubertal development and anxiety, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Research examining parental phone use, "phubbing" and adolescent attachment ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Encourage your child to use AI to explore ideas and learn, rather than letting it do their thinking or writing for them. If your daughter experiences early puberty, focus on supportive relationships, trusted role models and a safe home environment. Put your phone away when your child is trying to connect with you. Give them your attention, listen and show them they matter. Remember that research showing a link between two things does not automatically prove that one causes the other. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Oct 13

    The Side of Justin Coulson You Don’t Usually Hear (Happy Birthday Dr J!)

    Behind the parenting advice is a dad, a husband, a son and a grandad who’s still learning as he goes. For Justin Coulson’s birthday, Kylie takes the microphone and asks the questions we don’t usually hear on the Happy Families podcast. From the grandmother who made him feel like the favourite to the moment he burst into tears at the news he was becoming a grandad, Justin shares the memories, mistakes and moments that shaped him. He also reveals the question from one father that changed the way he thinks about parenting. It’s a reminder that being a better parent starts with looking at ourselves. KEY POINTS The childhood memories and family relationships that shaped Justin The overwhelming joy of becoming a grandfather Why his enthusiasm for research is sometimes mistaken for arrogance The parenting question he’s never forgotten The hard-won lessons behind his books What he hopes to achieve in the year ahead QUOTE OF THE EPISODE “How do I be the father that my son needs me to be?” RESOURCES MENTIONED Happy Families: https://happyfamilies.com.au Justin Coulson’s parenting books ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS Ask yourself what kind of parent your child needs you to be right now. Think about the parenting habits you inherited from your own parents. Which ones do you want to keep, and which ones do you want to change? Give yourself permission to keep learning. Even the experts have lessons they learn the hard way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Oct 12

    Calmer School Mornings Start the Night Before [a Listener Q&A]

    School mornings shouldn't end with tears, frustration and everyone feeling like they've failed. Justin and Kylie answer Emma's question about her two daughters and share practical ways to make getting ready for school less stressful. From preparing the night before to swapping constant instructions for connection, discover how small changes can help your kids feel more capable and get everyone out the door in a better mood. Key Points Prepare uniforms, bags, lunches and everything else the night before. Get up early enough to feel calm and ready to help. Reduce morning stress by removing unnecessary steps. Replace constant instructions with connection and offers of support. Create a simple checklist with your kids so they know what's next. Make mornings fun with music, games and family routines. Quote of the Episode “The more you can do tonight, the less you have to do tomorrow morning.” Resources Mentioned The Parenting Revolution by Justin Coulson Happy Families: happyfamilies.com.au Action Steps for Parents Get school bags, uniforms and shoes ready tonight. Make a simple morning checklist with your kids. Ask “What's next on your list?” instead of telling them what to do. Sit with your kids at breakfast and offer help when they need it. Try a morning playlist to make getting ready more fun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Deciding which parenting advice to follow? Join the thousands of mums and dads who turn to Australia’s most downloaded parenting podcast. Dr Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie bring real parenting solutions every day, cutting through the noise of modern advice with clear, practical guidance for every step of parenting. From early childhood challenges to the complexities of the teenage years, each daily episode offers simple, evidence-based strategies to help you feel more confident in your decisions and more connected to your kids.

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