Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

You snap at the kids. You’re exhausted. You promise, “I’ll do better tomorrow.”
This week we learned something powerful: we are stronger than we think — but that doesn’t mean we’re limitless.
From a sunrise alarm clock that changed our mornings… to a 15-year-old riding 20km before school… to a stadium concert that tested endurance… to a parenting moment that missed the mark — this episode is about resilience, sacrifice, and what really makes families stronger.
Because sometimes the win isn’t perfection.
It’s showing up again tomorrow.
KEY POINTS
Why a sunrise alarm clock transformed our mornings (and kept phones out of the bedroom)
The hidden power of supporting your teen’s big goals
A live school experiment proving we all have more in the tank
Why resilience is relational
What exhaustion does to even “expert” parents
The difference between sacrifice and choosing what matters more
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“You are stronger than you think — but how you push through matters.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Sunrise Alarm Clock
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Keep phones out of bedrooms for one week and notice the difference.
When your child sets a hard goal, ask: How can I support this?
The next time you think you’re done, try 10% more.
Protect sleep like it protects your parenting.
If you blow it, model repair. Say sorry. Start again.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tide is turning.
For years, parents have worried about what social media is doing to their children. Now the courts — and entire countries — are stepping in.
In this episode, we unpack the landmark lawsuits against Meta and YouTube, accusing them of deliberately designing addictive platforms for kids. Could this finally be the moment Big Tech is held accountable?
Plus, we explore how Australia’s minimum age social media legislation is sparking global momentum — with France, Indonesia, Spain, Netherlands and even the United States watching closely.
Is this the beginning of real change — or a legal mountain too high to climb?
KEY POINTS
Multiple U.S. lawsuits claim Big Tech intentionally designed platforms to addict children.
Plaintiffs argue engagement was prioritised over wellbeing.
The burden of proof will be enormous — especially around “addiction” and mental health causation.Section 230 in the U.S. could shield platforms from liability.
Australia’s minimum age legislation is triggering global ripple effects.
When “everyone knows that everyone knows,” social change accelerates.
Screens displace sleep, movement, connection, and real-world development.
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“Life happens analog, not digital — and parenting should too.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Ten Things Every Parent Needs to Know – Dr Justin Coulson
When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows – Steven Pinker
The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt
Parenting ADHD [The Course]
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Delay social media as long as possible.
Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight.
Prioritise sleep, movement, and face-to-face connection.
Have open conversations about persuasive design and algorithms.
Remember: you are not powerless — your home rules matter more than any platform.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re not reacting to your child. You’re reacting to your ego.
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with world-renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary to unpack the real reason parenting feels so triggering — especially with teens.
If you’ve ever taken your child’s mood personally… spiralled into guilt… or wondered why you “know better” but still lose it — this episode will hit home.
Dr. Shefali shares the truth about conscious parenting, present-moment awareness, boundaries that actually work, and the dangerous misunderstanding of “gentle parenting.”
This one might just change how you show up tomorrow.
KEY POINTS
Why most parenting stress comes from not being present
The real definition of ego (and how it hijacks your reactions)
The subtle difference between validating feelings and condoning behaviour
How to respond to teen attitude without escalating
The two-step boundary framework that actually works
When you need stronger limits — and when you need deeper connection
Why saying “I don’t know what to do right now” is incredibly powerful
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“The answer is found in the honesty of the present moment.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Dr. Shefali’s Australian tour – Melbourne (March 11) & Sydney (March 12)
More from Dr. Shefali at: events.drshefali.com/australia
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Pause before reacting. Ask: Is this about my child… or my ego?
Reflect instead of correct. Calmly describe what you see without judgement.
Separate behaviour from identity. Don’t validate harmful behaviour in the name of validation.
Use the two-step boundary rule: Connect first (while regulated).
If needed, architect the boundary yourself.

Say the honest thing. “I don’t know how to respond right now” builds connection, not weakness.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s perfect at school. Polite. Award-winning. Well behaved.
Then he comes home… and explodes.
If your 7–8-year-old is melting down over TV, pushing boundaries, or even getting physical when you say no — this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.
We unpack the hidden developmental shifts happening in boys around this age, why “just turn it off” can feel impossible for them, and practical strategies to reduce the blow-ups — without constant battles.
If you’re exhausted, confused, or questioning yourself… this one’s for you.
KEY POINTS
Why boys around 7–8 experience a surge in emotional intensity (adrenarche)
The surprising reason “good at school” can mean explosions at home
Why turning off TV feels bigger than it looks
How to build emotional regulation before age 10
A powerful way to teach healthy masculinity early
Practical tools: transitions, routines, signals, and collaborative problem-solving
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“A strong, healthy man doesn’t use his strength to dominate. He uses it to help the people around him feel safer and stronger.”
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Pre-plan transitions before TV ends — decide together what happens next.
Use a neutral signal (timer, lights, countdown) to reduce confrontation.
Have calm conversations later, not in the heat of the moment.
Teach emotional strength explicitly — especially for boys.
Stay consistent. Regulation takes repetition, not one perfect talk.
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You are pouring yourself out every single day. But into whose cup?
In this powerful conversation inspired by Derek Thompson, Justin and Kylie explore a simple metaphor that will stop you mid-scroll: every morning you wake with a full jug of water. By night, it’s empty. The only question that matters is where it went.
Work. News. Regret. Netflix. Anxiety. Group chats. Your kids. Your marriage.
Attention never lies. It reveals what we truly value.
If you’ve been feeling depleted, resentful, stretched thin — this episode will gently realign you with what actually matters.
Because tomorrow morning?
The jug refills.
KEY POINTS
The “Cup Game” metaphor and why you’re playing it whether you realise it or not
Why attention is your most honest measure of values
The hidden cost of pouring into cups that don’t matter
Why good things can still drain you
A simple end-of-day question that changes everything
How to reset — even if you’ve been “losing” the game for years
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“Attention never lies. It reveals what we truly value.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Derek Thompson Substack article: Whose Cup Are You Filling?
Stephen Covey – “The things that matter most should never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.”
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
At the end of today, ask: Whose cup did I fill?
Notice one cup that received too much water.
Choose one relationship that gets first pour tomorrow.
When you feel depleted at 4pm, take one small intentional step toward connection.
Remember: the jug refills in the morning.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.