Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

#993 Schoolyard Misogyny with Stephanie Westcott May 19, 2024

Show notes

Andrew Tate's harmful ideology is infiltrating schools. Boys, broadly speaking, are big fans, and their behaviour in the classroom is reflecting this.

Dr Stephanie Westcott (researcher and lecturer in the School of Education, Culture, and Society at Monash University) shares her research on the experiences women are having in educational settings across Australia, looking at the influence of misogynistic ideology, how algorithms on TikTok and Youtube direct young boys to these ideas, and what parents, carers, and educators can do to combat the rise of these radicalised masculine myths.

In this episode:

Andrew Tate
Misogyny infiltrating classrooms
Harmful ideology influencing young boys
Andrew Tate’s extreme views about women are infiltrating Australian schools. We need a zero-tolerance response, Westcott & Roberts | The Conversation
Experiences women are having in educational contexts
Behaviours of boys in the classroom
Framing boys and men as victims
Radicalisation of masculinity
Andrew Tate Effect in Australian Classrooms | ABC News
What it means to be a real man
Algorithms on social media are showing young boys very specific content
Respectful relationships education
Zero tolerance

Related links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#992 Pillow Fights & Dishy Decibels May 16, 2024

Show notes

Justin's singing turned complaints about dishes into a whole lot of fun, with sound levels hitting dangerous decibel levels!

Term 2 of homeschooling started off rather rocky for The Coulsons, but thinking outside the box created an opportunity for a reluctant writer to be creative and expressive in a new way!

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#991 This Week in Parenting: Vape Zones, Baby Bans & Nicotine Pouches May 15, 2024

Show notes

There's a brand new nicotine product out, so invisible you may not even be aware your child has it! Plus, the dangers of vaping, a nation-leading move by SA to protect our children from social media, and 118 reasons to be child-free.

In this episode:

Bluey 'The Sign' - a missed opportunity?
Advocate pushes for vaping areas in schools as NSW holds inquiry into vape laws | news.com.au
Harm-reduction policy regarding vaping
#498 Children and Vaping, with Lisa Damour - Happy Families
Vaping is a 'young person' phenomenon in Australia | Pursuit, Uni of Melb
A new nicotine product that tastes and smells great - known as zyns, snus or little lip pillows
‘Invisible threat’: Nicotine pouches taking over schools | news.com.au
Should social media be banned for children?
How should you approach your children's and teenagers' social media use? | abc.net.au
Parents in defensive mode
Australian model Ellie Gonsalves shared 118 reasons to be childfree | ABC

Related links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#990 Mental Health Challenges with Anne Hollonds May 14, 2024

Show notes

Anne Hollonds was the opening speaker at the Breaking Point Digital Conference. On the podcast today you will hear an excerpt from Anne's presentation, discussing the mental health of young people around the country and what we can do to help them.

In this episode:

Anne Hollonds - National Children’s Commissioner.
Young people and mental health
Residual effects of Covid pandemic
Barriers to accessing mental health support for young people
Strong therapeutic alliance = better outcomes
Breaking Point Digital Conference: Unpacking the Crisis in Youth Mental Health

Related links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#989 Winning at All Costs May 13, 2024

Show notes

Today, Justin is answering two listeners' questions.

First up is Bridget from Victoria, a mum of two. Her question is about her five-year-old son, whose over-competitiveness and inability to handle losing are causing issues in the family and in his wider circle of friends.

Becky, a single mum from Melbourne, is looking for ways she can implement rules and boundaries that won't lead to anxiety-fuelled and explosive reactions from her son, who has autism and OCD.

Helpful links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#988 School Can't May 12, 2024

Show notes

Do you have a child who refuses to or is unable to go to school?

Sydney mum Alice joins Justin on the Happy Families podcast today to share the day-to-day pressure of trying to help a child get to school when emotions are high and nervous systems are in fight or flight mode.

If you are deep in the trenches of ‘school can’t’, this is a not-to-be-missed conversation, with some beautiful advice and encouragement to parents who are feeling stressed, judged, and alone in their struggle to get a child to school.

In this episode:

Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA)
Reasons for 'school can't'
School Can't Australia (Parent/Carer Peer Support) | Facebook
Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD)
Importance of friendships
Pressure on parents, judgement
Homeschooling
Mental health of parents
Moving schools
"Is it just me? Am I the only one who can't get their kid to go to school?"
School refusal and the Australian families gripped by blame, shame, and the fear of a lost education - ABC News

Related links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#987 Mummy Daughter BFF's May 09, 2024

Show notes

An encouragement to any parent feeling like they are stuck in a rut with a child determined to be horrible and difficult - there is hope! The relationship with your child changes as they age into adulthood and can become a delightful and close friendship.

In this episode:

Changing parent/child relationships during the young adult years
Friendships with adult children
Routines and structures
Finding Balance – Happy Families
#952- A Rippin Good Read – Happy Families
Troubled by Rob Henderson | A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

Related links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#986 The Mother's Day Yes/No Game May 08, 2024

Show notes

Kylie is back, answering some quick-fire "Have you ever...?" questions about motherhood and family life.

Mother's Day Links:

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#985 Responding to Gendered Violence With Richard Ryan May 07, 2024

Show notes

How can parents ensure their children grow up to be respectful, kind, and considerate towards others?

This conversation with author and academic Richard Ryan examines the typical backgrounds of perpetrators of violence and aggression and gives practical advice to parents so they can meet their child's basic psychological needs of relatedness, autonomy, and competency.

In this episode: