What if your child reviewed your parenting performance today? Would you want to hear the results?

In this deeply personal episode, Justin and Kylie share the parenting exercise that completely changed the way they connect with their children. From painful truths to unexpected reassurance, they reveal how asking a few simple questions uncovered what their kids truly needed most.

This conversation is honest, emotional, and incredibly practical for any parent who wants a stronger relationship with their child — even if the feedback stings a little.

KEY POINTS:

• The 10 powerful questions that reveal how your child experiences you
• Why good intentions don’t always feel loving to kids
• The surprising parenting moments children remember most
• How small daily habits can quietly damage connection
• Why honest feedback from your child can strengthen trust
• The difference between providing for your child and making them feel supported
• How to create emotional safety so kids open up honestly

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Your children’s honesty is a gift. They’re giving you another opportunity to get it right.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• What Your Child Needs From You by Dr Justin Coulson
• Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

• Ask yourself: “Would my child say I’m truly available to them?”
• Put away distractions during conversations with your child
• Choose one area where your child may need more connection or reassurance
• Try a simple parenting check-in using the questions shared in this episode
• Listen without defending yourself if your child shares something difficult

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quiet car ride. A game of footy. A conversation no one planned to have.

This week, Justin and Kylie reflect on a Mother’s Day that unexpectedly became one of their most meaningful yet — not because of gifts or grand gestures, but because of honest conversations with their adult daughters about motherhood, family, and the impact mums really have.

Plus, Justin shares how a surprising new obsession with rugby league has created an unexpected bond with their teenage daughter, proving that sometimes connection happens in the most ordinary moments.

This episode is a reminder that the small things families do together often become the moments kids remember forever.

KEY POINTS

• Why motherhood often matters more than the world gives it credit for
• The powerful conversations that can happen side-by-side in the car
• How adult children begin to see parenting differently with age
• Why simple family traditions create lasting connection
• The surprising way sport brought a father and daughter closer
• How shared interests help teens open up naturally
• The hidden joy of grandparenting

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Sometimes the small things families do together become the moments kids remember forever.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Happy Families
• Boys: Building Strong Young Men From the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Create space for side-by-side conversations — especially during car rides or shared activities
• Don’t underestimate the impact your parenting is having, even when it feels unnoticed
• Look for low-pressure ways to connect with teens through shared interests
• Prioritise time together over perfect celebrations
• Build small family rituals that give everyone something to look forward to

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your child finishes assignments faster than ever… but are they actually learning anything?

In this Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie Coulson unpack two alarming new studies on how AI is changing the way kids think, learn, remember, and make decisions. From “cognitive offloading” to “cognitive surrender,” they explore why students using AI remembered less, trusted wrong answers more, and became increasingly dependent on technology to do the thinking for them.

If AI is becoming our children’s autopilot instead of their co-pilot, what happens to critical thinking, confidence, and real learning?

This conversation will challenge the way you think about ChatGPT, schoolwork, and the future of parenting in an AI-driven world.

KEY POINTS

• Why students using AI remembered significantly less information
• The hidden learning deficit created by cognitive offloading
• How AI can weaken confidence in our own thinking
• The shocking number of people who follow AI advice even when it’s wrong
• Why “doing it the hard way” still matters for growth
• The difference between getting outcomes and building capability
• What parents need to teach kids before AI becomes their default brain

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“If you’re going for the growth, do it the hard way.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• University of Pennsylvania research on “cognitive surrender”
• Brazilian study on AI use and memory retention

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Encourage kids to use AI as a helper, not a replacement thinker
• Ask children to explain ideas in their own words after using AI
• Prioritise learning and understanding over speed and convenience
• Talk openly about AI mistakes, hallucinations, and misinformation
• Create opportunities for kids to solve problems without technology assistance

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI isn’t just helping your kids with homework - it’s shaping who they trust, how they think, and what they feel.

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with Chris McKenna from Protect Young Eyes to unpack what most parents are missing about screens, social media, and the explosive rise of AI.

This isn’t about screen time. It’s about attachment, influence, and a digital world that’s moving faster than families can keep up.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, outpaced, or unsure what actually matters anymore - this episode will change how you parent in a tech-saturated world.

KEY POINTS

• Why focusing on “screen time” is distracting parents from bigger risks
• The hidden shift from attention to emotional attachment in AI
• How chatbots are designed to pull kids back in - and keep them there
• Why government restrictions aren’t enough to keep kids safe
• The real reason screen battles keep happening at home
• The two strategies every parent must balance: relational vs technical
• How building “digital trust” reduces conflict and increases influence
• Why modelling your own tech habits matters more than rules

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Social media came for their attention. AI is coming for their affection.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Protect Young Eyes
• Five Habits of a Tech-Ready Family by Chris McKenna
• Jonathan Haidt’s After Babel blog

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Shift your focus from screen time to what your child is experiencing and who they’re connecting with
• Start proactive conversations about AI - don’t wait until there’s a problem
• Build digital trust through regular, calm, curiosity-led chats
• Reduce unnecessary devices and access points in your home
• Clearly define boundaries - and the path to earning more freedom
• Model healthy tech use consistently (they’re watching more than listening)
• Balance technical controls (filters, limits) with relational connection

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re worried. They don’t care. And somehow, headphones have become the hill your relationship might die on.

When one mum fears Bluetooth is harming her teen’s brain—and he flatly refuses to listen—this episode unpacks what’s really going on beneath the conflict.

Because this isn’t just about radiation. It’s about teenage psychology, risk, independence… and knowing which battles are worth fighting.

KEY POINTS

• Why “I don’t care, I’ll be fine” is peak teenage brain development
• The surprising truth about Bluetooth and radiation risk
• What actually is harming teens’ hearing (and why it matters more)
• Why logic and research rarely change teen behaviour
• How pushing too hard can quietly damage your relationship
• The mindset shift that instantly reduces conflict with teens
• A simple compromise that teens are far more likely to accept

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“‘I don’t care, I’ll be fine’ is the most accurate summary of a teenage boy’s brain.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• World Health Organization (2023 review on wireless device exposure)
• BMJ Global Health study on youth hearing loss risk

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Let go of battles that don’t have strong evidence behind them
• Focus on connection before correction
• Shift the conversation from “danger” to “practical impact”
• Set boundaries where it matters most—and hold those consistently
• Talk about volume, not just device use
• Offer compromises your teen can realistically agree to
• Protect the relationship, even when you disagree

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You felt confident. Radiant. Unstoppable.

Then nothing changed… except your thoughts - and suddenly, everything looked wrong.

In this powerful episode, a simple set of family photos reveals a confronting truth: your mind is constantly telling stories - and many of them aren’t real.

What if the way you see your child, your partner… even yourself… isn’t truth, but a narrative you’ve unknowingly rehearsed?

This episode will change how you interpret behaviour, emotions, and the hard moments of family life - so you can raise more resilient kids (and be kinder to yourself in the process).

KEY POINTS

• Your brain can’t distinguish between imagination and reality - and your body reacts accordingly
• We all have a built-in negativity bias that distorts how we see people and situations
• You move towards what you focus on - in parenting, relationships, and life
• A simple language shift using “but” can completely reframe your thinking
• Kids absorb the stories we model - your mindset becomes their inner voice
• Negative thoughts are loud and bossy - positive ones are quieter and require intention

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Your mind is a great storyteller—let’s make sure it’s telling you great stories.”

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Catch the story: Notice when your thoughts shift negative - pause and question them
• Flip the “but”:
• • “They’re driving me crazy, but they’re a good kid”
• Redirect your focus: Ask: What’s working right now?
• Model self-talk: Speak about yourself and your kids in ways you want them to internalise
• Turn down the noise: Be intentional about listening to the quieter, calmer thoughts
• Create better scripts: If reality feels hard, visualise what you want - your brain will follow

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A school assembly Justin never wanted to attend turned into one of the proudest parenting moments of his life.

In this heartfelt Friday “I’ll Do Better Tomorrow” episode, Justin and Kylie share the emotional moment their daughter Lilli received a standing ovation after overcoming bullying, rediscovering her confidence, and landing a school-based apprenticeship doing what she loves most.

They also reveal the hilariously unexpected family tradition that’s taken over Sunday nights — and why a simple handstand challenge is bringing their whole family closer together.

This episode is about passion, connection, showing up for your kids, and the little rituals that become the moments everyone remembers.

KEY POINTS

• Why following a child’s passion can completely change their confidence
• The emotional parenting win Justin almost missed
• How alternative schooling helped Lilli thrive after bullying
• What kids really need in order to shine
• The accidental family tradition strengthening connection across generations
• Why playful challenges create powerful family bonds

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“When we help our children tap into the things they love, that’s when we see them shine.”

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Look for the environments where your child naturally comes alive
• Don’t underestimate the power of simply showing up
• Create one playful weekly ritual your family can share together
• Celebrate effort and growth loudly and publicly
• Find activities that connect your family beyond screens and schedules

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the very thing we use to motivate kids is actually making them less motivated?

New research from Harvard University reveals something surprising: when children play just for fun, they naturally seek challenge, take risks, and stretch themselves further. But the moment rewards, prizes, or competition enter the picture, kids start choosing the easiest possible path.

In this fascinating Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin and Kylie unpack what this means for parenting, learning, sport, motivation, and raising resilient kids who actually enjoy hard things.

If you’ve ever relied on sticker charts, rewards, bribery, or competition to encourage your child — this conversation may completely change the way you think about motivation.

KEY POINTS

• Harvard researchers found kids seek harder challenges when rewards are removed
• Competition and prizes often reduce creativity, risk-taking, and persistence
• Children are naturally wired for growth and exploration
• “Hard fun” is often more rewarding than easy success
• Motivation increases when kids feel ownership and autonomy
• External rewards can shift focus away from learning and onto “getting the prize”
• Parents can encourage resilience by focusing less on outcomes and more on challenge

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“The more you remove rewards and say, ‘Let’s just do this because it’s fun,’ the more kids seek challenge.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn
• Research published in Developmental Psychology

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Reduce reliance on rewards, bribes, and sticker charts
• Let kids experiment, explore, and challenge themselves without pressure
• Focus on effort, curiosity, and growth rather than winning
• Create opportunities for “hard fun” through play, sport, and learning
• Help children set personal goals instead of competing against others
• Ask: “What challenge feels exciting to you?” instead of “How can you win?”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.