Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

#933 The Taylor Swift Effect on Heart & Mind Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

Dr Jennifer Beckett explains the effect Taylor Swift is having on society and the world at large, and why parents of young Swifties should encourage critical engagement over blind consumption.

In this episode:

"Pandemonium and hysteria" at the Melbourne show - a report from Karen
Dr Jennifer Beckett - The Taylor Swift Effect
Swiftposium 2024: An academic conference on Taylor Swift
Dr Jennifer Beckett - ‘Dear John’: Taylor’s responsibility to her Swifties
Who is affected by Taylor, and how?
Archaeological evidence of Taylor's Era's Tour
The financial impact of Taylor
Social media
The darker side of the Swiftie fandom
Teaching children to be engaging critically
Blind consumers of all things Taylor Swift
Is Taylor a good role model?

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#932 There's No Swift Fix to Taylor FOMO Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

The biggest news story across Australia this week is Taylor Swift. There are 5 things you can do to help your child to process their grief, heartache, and disappointment around missing out on tickets.

In this episode:

Saturated media
Soft eyes
Compassion and empathy
Emphasising reality
A Happy Families article - I missed out on seeing Taylor Swift

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#931 Inside the Brain of Your Teenage Boy Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Does your teenage boy seem entitled dismissive, and lacking empathy? Understand the "why" so you can help your teen contribute in a way that works for your family - without needing to read the riot act!

In this episode:

Egocentric life of a teen
Affective empathy
Cognitive empathy
Developmental reality of teenagers
Gender differences in teenagers
Relationship bucket analogy
Connection vs correction
Family meetings
Discipline
The Teenage Brain - Happy Families
Developmental Milestones [Part 5: Adolescence] - Happy Families

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#930 Why Big Tech Doesn't Care About Your Kids Feb 18, 2024

Show notes

An opinion piece on the issue of technology: the tech giant's complete disregard for child online safety, a call to action, and 4 things YOU can do to keep your children safe online.

In this episode:

Safer Internet Day
Online child sexual exploitation
Platitudes but no real action to protect our children - Julie Inman Grant | The Australian
Big tech companies and our leaders ignoring E-safety Commissioner warnings
Mark Zuckerberg's car crash "apology"
Rising numbers of young people exposed to harmful content on social media
Who is to blame?
Meta earnings
Government legislations (or lack of)
Parent responsibility
#887 Online Capping: What You Need to Know
#639 Online Sextortion With Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling
#837 Must Know Online Safety With Madonna King
Online safety | eSafety Commissioner
ACCCE | Australian Centre To Counter Child Exploitation
Happy Families article - Why Big Tech Doesn't Care About Your Kids

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#929 Mental Health Days & Mental Health Action Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

I'll Do Better Tomorrow - we share a young boy's poem in the hope that it will inspire you to have better relationships with your kids even when times are tough and difficult conversations are required.

In this episode:

The role of humour in romantic relationships
Laughter and love boost each other in romantic relationships | BPS
Mental health day for kids
Homeschooling update
Neurodiversity in the classroom
An email from listener Mel, and a poignant poem
Men's mental health

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Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about joining THE QUEST at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#928 February Book Club: 2 Books, 2 Stars & A Classic! Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

February Book Club brings you: a tale of female friendships forged in challenging circumstances, a call to embrace creativity, an ancient (and ultimate!) classic, some scathing reviews, and a book that, like a great roast dinner, will leave you begging for more! Plus, a parenting hack to get your children reading (and a tidy bedroom to boot!).

In this episode:

Homeschooling
Incidental reading
Don't judge a book by its cover
Books to avoid
Cheesy segways
Fatherhood
Episode #922 The Health Habit with Dr Amantha Imber
Parenting hack

Kylie's books:

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes 4/5
The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland 3.5/5

Justin's books:

Same as Ever by Morgan Housel 2/5
Lessons in Chemistry 2/5
The Health Habit by Dr Amantha Imber 5/5
The Odyssey by Homer 5/5
Of Boys and Men: Why the modern male is struggling, why it matters, and what to do about it by Richard Reeves 5/5

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#927 Justin & Kylie's Love Story Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Get the lowdown on Justin and Kylie's love story: first impressions, a courtship of letters and late-night long-distant calls, and the phone proposal you do not want to miss! Plus, the 3 things that support their happiest of marriages—26 years and counting!

In this episode:

First impressions
The President of the Good Time Committee
Dating, and a first kiss
Surviving a radio career, 8.5 years of full-time study, and raising 6 kids
Commitment
Common values and beliefs
Valentines Day
Divorce
Alain de Botton's pessimistic view on marriage/relationships
The poem that won Justin a honeymoon to Fiji

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Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our website

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#926 Who Tops the List of Child Sexual Abusers? Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Content Warning: Listener discretion advised.

The percentage of children who have experienced sexual assault is shocking. Dr Ben Mathews shares some practical steps you can take to keep your children safe from harm.

In this episode:

Dr Ben Mathews - lead researcher of the Australian Child Maltreatment Studies.
5 types of child maltreatment and associated impacts
Developmentally normal and typical early childhood/adolescent experimentation/exploration
Defining Child Sexual Assault
Pornography
Stranger danger
Perceived societal expectation and pressure on adolescents
Masculinity
Education
Strong parent/child relationships
Consent

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Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#925 Single Sex vs Co-Ed Schools - Which is Best? Feb 11, 2024

Show notes

Losing sleep over whether to send your child to a single-sex or co-educational school? There are more important issues to be focused on, such as the culture of a school.

In this episode:

Socio-economic impact on academic performance
Pros and cons of single-sex education
How the pros and cons play out in the real world
The culture of a school
Quality of staff

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Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

Find out more about becoming a Happy Families member at our website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#924 Creating Family Traditions Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

A fun hack for solving sibling arguments over who gets "first dibs", and why family traditions and coming-of-age experiences are so important for our children.

In this episode: