Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Finding genuinely good books for tweens can feel impossible. Too young feels childish. Too old feels uncomfortable. So when one book keeps kids reading under the blankets long after bedtime… parents notice.
In this episode, Justin chats with author and coach Sam Summers about her new middle-grade fantasy novel The Lost Defenders — the fast-paced monster adventure kids are devouring in a single night.
But this conversation goes deeper than books.
Sam also opens up about rebuilding her life as a single mum, the pressure so many working mothers carry, and why “balance” might actually be making parents feel worse.
If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin while trying to raise happy, confident kids, this episode will hit home.
KEY POINTS:
Why finding age-appropriate books for tweens is so difficult
The secret to writing stories kids can’t put down
How Sam tested her book on real kids before publishing
Why reading together became an anchor during single motherhood
The hidden pressure working mums carry every day
Why “balance” is often an impossible goal
The healthier mindset shift parents need instead
What kids really learn from watching their parents
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“What we want is for our children to see us happy, because one day they’ll copy the way we lived.”
RESOURCES:
The Lost Defenders by Sam Summers
Top 48 Reads for Kids Aged 9-12
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Find books that stretch your child without overwhelming them
Create small reading rituals your kids will remember
Stop chasing perfect balance and focus on what matters most right now
Ask yourself: what version of adulthood am I modelling for my children?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cutting back sugar can help some ADHD kids feel calmer, happier, and more regulated… but how do you do it without accidentally creating food anxiety or body image struggles?
In this episode, Justin and Kylie respond to a parent navigating the difficult balance between supporting an ADHD child’s wellbeing while protecting her relationship with food and her body.
They unpack why the conversation should never be about weight, how parents can shift the focus toward wellbeing instead, and the powerful mindset change that helps children build healthier habits without shame or fear.
KEY POINTS:
Why reducing sugar should never be framed around weight
The wellbeing-focused approach that changes everything
How ADHD kids can learn to notice how food affects their bodies
Why family culture matters more than strict food rules
The danger of becoming too “fanatical” about healthy eating
How small awareness moments create long-term change
The connection between sleep, movement, nutrition, screens, and behaviour
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“It’s not about weight. It’s not even about behaviour. It’s about wellbeing and how we want to feel.”
RESOURCES:
Misconnection by Justin Coulson
Submit your tricky questions here
Episode #957 Diet Free Families, with Dietician Meg McClintock [Podcast]
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Talk about energy, mood, focus, and wellbeing instead of weight
Make healthy changes as a whole family, not just for one child
Help children notice how different foods make them feel
Avoid perfectionism or overly strict food rules
Prioritise sleep, movement, nutritious food, and reduced screen time
Focus on progress and awareness, not instant transformation
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stranger in a bakery made one comment about a young girl’s body — and it sparked a conversation every parent needs to hear.
When should we speak up? When should we walk away? And how do we help our kids build confidence in a world where careless comments about appearance are still far too common?
In this powerful episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the viral bakery confrontation that divided the internet, explore the lasting impact of body-shaming comments, and share practical ways parents can help children become resilient, self-aware, and emotionally strong.
They also dive into healthy masculinity, raising respectful boys, and the simple lesson every child should learn about commenting on other people’s bodies.
KEY POINTS:
Why comments about kids’ bodies can leave lasting emotional scars
The difference between reacting publicly and protecting your peace
How to teach children resilience without dismissing their feelings
The “30-second rule” for commenting on appearance
What healthy masculinity really looks like
How to help daughters identify respectful relationships and red flags
Using difficult moments as powerful teaching opportunities
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Healthy men help the people around them feel safer and stronger.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Boys: Building Strong Young Men From the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson
Happy Families podcast
News.com.au article discussed in the episode
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Teach children that other people’s opinions do not define their worth
Model respectful language about bodies and appearance
Use difficult social moments as teaching opportunities, not panic moments
Encourage kids to notice how people make them feel: safer and stronger, or smaller and ashamed
Remind children they never need to tolerate disrespect to be accepted
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One unexpected date night changed everything. What started with reluctance, exhaustion, and a pottery wheel in the middle of an industrial estate turned into one of the most immersive and connecting experiences we’ve had in years.
In this heartfelt episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, Justin and Kylie share why ordinary date nights often fall flat, how novelty can reignite connection, and the surprising activity that completely pulled Justin out of stress and into flow.
Plus, Kylie shares a deeply emotional story about one conversation between two sisters that revealed what children really know about a parent’s love — even in the middle of slammed doors, teenage tension, and hard seasons.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that the moments we think aren’t landing may matter more than we realise.
KEY POINTS:
Why routine date nights can lose their spark
The power of novelty and shared experiences in relationships
How stepping outside your comfort zone strengthens connection
The surprising mental health benefits of immersive activities
What teenagers really remember about love and safety
Why parenting is more about meaning than happiness
The hidden impact of simply continuing to show up for your kids
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Miss-Connection: Why your teenage daughter “hates” you, expects the world, and needs to talk by Dr Justin Coulson
Preorder Boys: Building strong young men from the inside out by Dr Justin Coulson
Claim your preorder bonuses for Boys
Happy Families membership and resources
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Plan one date night this month that feels new, adventurous, or slightly uncomfortable
Focus less on ‘getting quality time’ and more on shared experiences
Keep showing up with love, even when your child pushes you away
Look for quiet evidence that your influence is deeper than you think
Take time to savour the small family moments that often pass too quickly
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friendship drama is one of the biggest sources of stress for kids — and heartbreak for parents. In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack the six powerful habits that create strong, lasting friendships and explain how parents can help children build healthier relationships from the very beginning.
From loyalty and inclusion to emotional support and trust, these simple but profound friendship skills can shape your child’s confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging for years to come.
If your child is struggling socially, feeling left out, or constantly caught in friendship ups and downs, this conversation will help you guide them with clarity and compassion.
KEY POINTS:
The six friendship habits linked to stronger relationships
Why loyalty matters more than popularity
How gossip quietly destroys trust
The difference between emotional support and “fixing”
Why belonging at school impacts lifelong wellbeing
How small acts of kindness deepen friendships
What parents can teach kids about inclusion and empathy
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Kids who understand that friendships require active care are far better equipped to keep them.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Research by Michael Argyle and Monika Henderson on friendship
Dr Kelly-Ann Allen’s work on school belonging
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Talk with your child about what loyalty looks like in friendship
Encourage them to include others and notice who gets left out
Teach them to pause before sharing hurtful information
Model emotional support by listening without trying to fix everything
Help them look for small ways to encourage and serve friends
Remind them that good friendships need effort, kindness, and consistency
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.