Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

#880 Someone to Talk To Oct 29, 2023

Show notes

Every young person needs to have a close, significant adult to talk to when they experience challenges in life. Sadly, new research has revealed that far too many adolescents do not feel listened to and aren’t speaking to anyone when they’re worried.

Dr Katrina Lines (CEO of Act for Kids, and registered psychologist) shares some simple ways to connect with your child that will encourage them to share their problems with you.

Topics in this episode:

Speaking to a professional
Act for Kids Campaign "Get Comfy Switching ON by Switching OFF" - all the research stats, tip sheets and an animation
Incidental conversation or "small talk"
Being present
Connection
Pressures of school, friendships, social media
3 basic psychological needs
Mental health issues - anxiety, depression, poor sleep
Fear of parental criticism or dismissal, or not being listened to

Enough: Overcoming Anxiety, Perfectionism, & Self Loathing - a Happy Families article

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#879 Why School Matters with Nigel Howard Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Education is important. Completing high school is important. And yes, final exams are also important. But they are not MORE important than other things - like connection, resilience, hope, and wellbeing.

Nigel Howard is a Research associate at Flinders University, a former Secondary Principal, and currently studying for his PhD. As someone who sees the importance of education and knows the terrain of senior school/final exams both practically and academically, Nigel gives some terrific advice to parents and students currently facing the pressure of HSC exams.

Topics in this episode:

Gap in school completion rates between city/country and high/low socioeconomic backgrounds
Entry-level jobs and apprenticeships
Why do kids stay at school? Why do others leave?
The importance of listening to our children
Specialised/alternative education
Learning to pass exams vs learning how to apply knowledge
National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)
Neurodiversity
Responsiveness of schools to struggling students
How important is the ATAR system? What does it mean for schools?
Resilience and success
Articles in The Conversation written by Nigel Howard -

Listen to our “Failed at School, Successful at Life” series:

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#878 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Tom O'Brien Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

School matters, and education is important... but they are not "the be-all and end-all".

Your graduating child can look forward to their future with excitement and positivity irrespective of grades or academic outcomes.

From humble beginnings growing up in the west of Ireland, to retiring at 41 years of age, Tom O'Brien shares his powerful story of how life can play out regardless of your level of formal education.

Topics in this episode:

Work ethic and motivation
Do kids today need the 'safety net' of a university degree to get a good job?
Opportunities - where and how to find them?
Tools for success in life
Chasing your passion
When decisions need to be made - taking chances or playing it safe?
When your child decides to drop out of school or university
Opportunity, effort, and doing hard things
How do we measure failure or success?

Listen to more from our “Failed at School, Successful at Life” series:

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#877 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Susan Rogers Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Is your child experiencing exam pressure, final year stress, or feeling burdened by expectations? Are they worried about their future? It's time to reassure them that it is going to be ok - THEY are going to be ok - regardless of academic results.

Listen in for fantastic advice and encouragement from Dr Susan Rogers, who graduated from high school at the age of 44 and then obtained a PhD in Music and Psychology (after working as Sound Engineer for Prince!).

Topics in this episode:

Difficulties in youth when parents are unwell
Bright kids, challenging circumstances
Pursuing passions
The Guardian - Prince's sound engineer, Susan Rogers: 'He needed to be the alpha male to get things done'
"Lightbulb moments"
Stepping into the world of the unknown after school
Learning to listen to the voice within
Mature-aged students
Parental expectations
Dr Susan Rogers' book - This is what it sounds like: What the music you love says about you
Questions to ask your child - helping to figure out what success looks like for them

Listen to more from our “Failed at School, Successful at Life” series:

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#876 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Cam Barber Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Education is important - but how it looks differs for every child. The messages around education that we are delivering to our children need to develop their initiative, their character and their thinking skills - especially when it comes to their education. These conversations matter, because education matters to us all.

Today's guest is Cam Barber, who started as a public speaking coach, and then broadened out to leadership skills/marketing messages. His clients include Paramount Pictures and Hawthorn Football Club.

Topics in this episode:

Cam Barber's story, and his bestselling book "What's Your Message".
Homework and self-discipline
The change from Primary School to Highschool in structure, routine, and overall ease
Exchange Student Program, Tertiary/Tafe programs, work experience
Deferring University
Twice gifted children
Getting an education outside of the educational system
"Vivid" messages - valuable, customisable parenting messages
How to Help when School Sucks - a Happy Families article

Listen to more from our “Failed at School, Successful at Life” series:

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#875 Failed at School, Successful at Life: Ian Steel Oct 22, 2023

Show notes

Educational successes and failures, high school dropouts, the pressure of HSC exams, and finding your passion in life... these are BIG and pressing issues for our graduating kids! Learn how to have conversations with your children about educational outcomes and choices, and what being successful in school (and in life) looks like to them.

Today we're talking with Ian Steel, who despite being a high school dropout, has gone on to run a string of successful businesses, and is the founder of the South Australian charity Kickstart for Kids.

Topics in this episode:

Why school can be so hard
ADHD, dyslexia
How the school experience differs for girls vs boys
Research report: Understanding the non-completion of apprentices (ncver.edu.au)
The importance of education
School, trade/apprenticeship, or paid employment?
Kickstart for Kids - supporting at-risk children
Breaking the cycle of unemployment and poverty
Relationship between hunger and classroom behaviours
Do exams matter?
The teenage brain - a Happy Families article
How to Help when School Sucks - a Happy Families article

Listen to more from our “Failed at School, Successful at Life” series:

Last day to register for the 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#874 Make Every Moment Matter Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

In this week's "I'll Do Better Tomorrow" Kylie shares the pros and cons of unschooling, and Justin cooks the best omelet EVER as he strives to make Every Second Count.

And a sneak-peak into next week's lineup of comforting conversations for any parent raising kids who are struggling with school or experiencing HSC pressure.

Topics in this episode:

HSC stress
School dropouts
Outcomes of kids who do finish school, and those who don't
Reflecting on how to be more intentional with parenting
Homeschooling / unschooling in the Coulson household
The challenge of finding rhythm in change
Child-initiated conversations
Sibling rivalry / connection
'The Bear' receives a rave review from Justin
Every second counts!

Last chance to register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#873 Calm, Chaos & Corporal Punishment Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Is being a mindful and present parent really that important? How does household chaos impact on family communication? Should corporal punishment be banned in Australia? In this week's 'From the Doctor's Desk' Justin and Kylie unpack these questions and more - sharing the science that will help make you a better parent.

Topics in this episode:

Mindful parenting
Positive parenting and childhood stress
The hippocampus, memory and learning
The impact of household chaos on healthy family communication (particularly adolescent disclosure)
Smacking/corporal punishment
Mindfulness in schools
Joan Grusec - 'Mindful Parents, Mindful Children'
Jamie Hansen - Positive parenting can help protect against the effects of stress in childhood and adolescence
Professor Daryl Higgins - Corporal punishment of children in Australia: The evidence-based case for legislative reform
Why It's Not Ok To Smack Your Kids - a Happy Families article
Jackie Nelson - A Hidden Source of Disconnection Between Teens and Parents
The MYRIAD project - Mindfulness in schools

Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

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Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#872 Amanda Keller's Parenting Hacks & Highlights Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Journalist, broadcaster and TV host Amanda Keller has just won the Commercial Radio Australia Award for Best On-air Team with her co-host Brendan Jones. To celebrate we are re-playing her Lightning Round interview with Justin - a series of short, sharp questions about parenting life. (Replay)

Topics in this episode:

IVF
Can you have a favourite child?
Parental expectations
Benefits of tag-team parenting
Teaching children to drive
The ultimate joy of parenthood
Why Amanda would be happy to go into Witness Protection with her kids
Amanda's biggest parenting win

Register for the BRAND-NEW 'Supporting Autistic Children: Nurturing Neurodiversity' course hosted by Dr Justin Coulson & Dr Joey Lawrence

Find us on Facebook at Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Email us your questions and comments at podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#871 The Secret to Regulating Emotions Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

The meltdown out of nowhere, an angry and aggressive child, the emotionally flooded teen - kids of all ages have BIG emotions, and experience emotional dysregulation!

Discover the tools and skills that will help you respond to your child with compassion and kindness - and build emotional awareness and regulation for you both.

Topics in this episode: