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.

What do you say to your children when their father dies by suicide?

In this deeply emotional conversation, radio personality and author Robin Bailey shares the heartbreaking reality of losing her husband, raising three boys through grief, and learning how love and hope can still exist after unimaginable loss.

Robin opens up about the conversations parents never feel prepared for, the questions grieving children ask, and why surrounding boys with strong male role models became her mission.

She also shares the extraordinary love story that followed — a second chance at happiness that came with another devastating goodbye.

This episode is raw, wise, hopeful, and unforgettable.

KEY POINTS

• How Robin told her sons their father had died by suicide
• The hidden things children notice during family crisis
• Why avoiding hard conversations can leave kids confused
• The importance of trusted male role models for boys
• Parenting through grief without losing hope
• Why joy and celebration still matter during terminal illness
• The powerful lesson Robin wants every parent to hear about love

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“The journey can be full of love and full of celebration.” — Robin Bailey

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Flamingo's Aren't Born Pink by Robin Bailey

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Create space for honest conversations with your children, even when the topic feels overwhelming.
• Pay attention to what your kids already notice and understand.
• Intentionally surround boys with safe, trustworthy male role models.
• Remember that grief and joy can exist together.
• Don’t underestimate the healing power of love, connection, and community.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve set the routines. Had the conversations. Tried the calm approach. But your child still ignores expectations, pushes back, and explodes when you call it out. What do you do when parenting feels like an endless cycle of nagging, conflict, and resentment?

In this deeply honest episode, Justin and Kylie respond to a single mum struggling with her 13-year-old son’s non-compliance, screen battles, disrespect, and emotional shutdowns. They unpack why “calling out bad behaviour” often makes things worse, the hidden shame underneath teen defiance, and the simple mindset shift that can start rebuilding trust and cooperation at home.

If you’re exhausted from feeling ignored, blamed, or stuck in constant conflict with your child, this episode will help you move from power struggles to connection.

KEY POINTS:

• Why calling out bad behaviour often backfires
• The hidden shame driving teen defensiveness and rage
• How screens can fuel emotional withdrawal and conflict
• The trust question that changes difficult conversations
• Why collaboration only works when connection comes first
• A simple family conversation that builds buy-in instead of resistance
• How to break the cycle of nagging, resentment, and shutdowns

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Stop trying to control your child into compliance. Start getting curious instead.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Boys by Dr Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

• Stop “calling out” behaviour in the heat of the moment
• Ask your child what they want your home to feel like
• Focus on rebuilding trust before solving problems
• Listen without correcting or defending yourself
• Work together on solutions instead of enforcing control
• Celebrate small moments of connection and progress

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When life gets overwhelming, even good people become hard to live with.

In this deeply honest episode, Justin and Kylie open up about the pressure, stress, snapping, guilt, and emotional overload that can quietly take over family life — especially when the mental load becomes too heavy to carry well.

From impossible deadlines and overflowing to-do lists to the simple reset strategies that actually help, this conversation is a powerful reminder that productivity means nothing if it costs you your relationships.

If you’ve ever felt short-tempered, emotionally unavailable, constantly “on edge,” or like your family gets the worst version of you… this episode will hit close to home.

KEY POINTS

• Why overwhelm makes us less patient, kind, and emotionally available
• The hidden cost of “pushing through” stress
• How emotional bandwidth affects family relationships
• Simple ways to reset when you’re close to breaking point
• Why movement, sleep, connection, breathing, and nutrition matter more than we think
• The surprising productivity boost that comes from slowing down

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Stop being a human doing and remember how it feels to be a human being.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson
• 4-7-8 breathing technique
• happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Pause for 5–10 minutes before pushing harder
• Go outside, move your body, or reconnect with someone you love
• Prioritise sleep, hydration, and proper meals during stressful seasons
• Notice when your overwhelm is spilling onto your family
• Replace “powering through” with small moments of regulation and connection

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you finally slow down long enough to notice what’s not working?

After an unexpected week away at a health retreat, Justin and Kylie came home with two surprisingly simple insights that completely shifted the way they parent, connect, and live. From the tension between personal growth and relationships… to the life-changing impact of putting phones away and sitting quietly in nature… this episode is a gentle but powerful reminder that sometimes the smallest changes create the biggest calm.

If family life has felt noisy, rushed, or emotionally crowded lately, this conversation might be exactly the reset you need.

KEY POINTS:

• Why “good” priorities can still create tension
• The hidden emotional load parents carry every day
• What Justin learned from putting screens away at 6pm
• How stillness and green space affect stress and connection
• The surprising power of intentional downtime
• Why parents rarely give themselves permission to pause

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
"There are many good things competing for our time and energy. At any given moment, we just have to decide what matters most right now."

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

• Put your phone away one hour earlier tonight
• Spend 5–10 minutes outside with no agenda
• Ask yourself: What matters most in this moment?
• Notice which “good” priorities are creating tension
• Create one small daily ritual that helps you slow down

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A teddy bear that talks. Comforts your child. Learns their secrets. Sounds harmless… until you hear what it’s actually teaching them.

In this eye-opening Doctor’s Desk episode, Justin Coulson unpacks the terrifying rise of AI-powered toys for toddlers and preschoolers — including new research showing these “smart” toys may be emotionally dismissive, developmentally harmful, and collecting deeply personal data from children as young as three.

If you’ve ever been tempted by an AI toy that promises learning, comfort, or companionship, this episode is essential listening. Because the biggest risk may not be screen time… it may be replacing human connection.

KEY POINTS

• Why AI toys for toddlers are already raising major red flags
• The disturbing responses researchers heard from AI-powered toys
• How AI may interfere with emotional and language development
• The hidden privacy risks parents aren’t being told about
• Why “educational” tech products often prioritise profit over children
• What young kids actually need for healthy development

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Your children do not need AI toys. Humans will trump AI always, in every way.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• OpenAI
• AI toy “Gabo” discussed in research from University of Cambridge
• Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Dr Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Avoid AI-powered toys for young children
• Prioritise real human interaction over “smart” technology
• Read privacy policies before introducing connected devices into your home
• Pay attention to how tech responds to children’s emotions and communication
• Trust your instincts when something feels “off” about a product marketed to kids

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your child’s brain is being shaped right now — and screens may be changing it faster than most parents realise.

In this confronting but deeply practical conversation, neuroscientist Professor Mark Williams joins Dr Justin Coulson to unpack what excessive screen use is actually doing to developing brains. From dopamine loops and gaming addiction to social disconnection, emotional health, and the alarming changes researchers are seeing in children’s brains, this episode explains why so many parents feel like they’re losing their kids to devices — and what they can do about it.

You’ll hear the simple question Mark asks his own son to check whether gaming is becoming a problem, why “educational apps” may not be as educational as parents think, and the small changes that make the biggest difference.

If you’ve ever wondered whether screens are really affecting your child… this episode will stay with you.

KEY POINTS

• What “brain rot” really means for children and teens
• How screens affect white matter and brain development
• Why dopamine keeps kids glued to devices
• The hidden problem with “educational” apps
• The social and emotional skills kids miss online
• Why face-to-face interaction matters so much for healthy brains
• Mark Williams’ practical approach to gaming and screen boundaries
• Why doing the “hard stuff” early makes parenting easier later

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“If you do the easy thing when they’re young, it becomes a whole lot harder when they’re older.” — Professor Mark Williams

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Screen Smart Children
• Mark Williams
• Justin Coulson

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Delay personal devices for as long as realistically possible
• Prioritise face-to-face connection every day
• Watch for changes in mood, motivation, and social behaviour after screen use
• Keep gaming and screen activities balanced with real-world activities
• Ask yourself regularly: “Is this helping my child thrive offline?”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

)Your child loves reading… but now the books feel too mature. Do you step in, or risk shutting it down altogether?

This episode tackles the tricky middle ground between protecting your child and preserving their love of reading. Discover how to set boundaries without constant battles, why pushing back can backfire, and how to guide your child toward better choices—without losing connection. 

Plus some great book recommendations below!

KEY POINTS:

• Why boundary-pushing is a normal (and necessary) part of growing up
• The tension between encouraging reading and managing content
• The risk of shutting down a child’s love of reading
• How to guide without controlling—and reduce power struggles
• When to hold firm boundaries—and when to soften
• Shifting from protecting kids to preparing them

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Get curious, not furious—because the moment you push, they pull away.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• The Keepers Trilogy by Leanne Tanner
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
• Clean romance suggestions for 10-12 and 12-14 year olds (from @thekidsbookshop)
• Two Hearts - Australian middle-grade romance series
• Romance Novels for Tweens - compiled by author A.L.Tait (@yourkidsnextread)
• Top 48 reads for kids aged 9-12 - free download from @bookswithbecandjane

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

• Protect your child’s love of reading—even when the content worries you
• Have regular, low-pressure conversations about what they’re reading
• Ask more questions instead of shutting things down
• Offer alternatives that align with their interests (not just “better” options)
• Set clear boundaries where it truly matters—and explain why
• Focus on teaching values so they can self-regulate over time

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some parents are devastated to hear, “It’s a boy.”
Not disappointed - devastated.

In this confronting episode, we unpack the rising fear around raising boys, where it’s coming from, and the dangerous story we’re starting to believe. Are boys really the problem… or are we shaping them that way?

This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about gender, parenting, and the future of our kids.

KEY POINTS:

• Why “gender disappointment” is shifting toward boys
• The cultural fears driving anxiety about raising sons
• How low expectations quietly shape boys’ behaviour
• What boys are actually craving from adults (it’s not what you think)
• Why strong family culture matters more than social narratives
• The simple but powerful role parents play in raising good humans

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“Boys aren’t the problem. They’re the solution.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out (pre-order here)
• Research and commentary on gender disappointment
• Parenting support resources for perinatal mental health: 
  • PANDA
  • Gidget Foundation

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

• Challenge your own assumptions about boys and behaviour
• Focus on values over stereotypes - raise a good human first
• Create a home culture that prioritises safety, strength, and kindness
• Speak belief into your child - don’t let fear define them
• Model the behaviour you want them to grow into

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re doing everything “right”… so why is it making things worse?

In this honest and vulnerable episode, Justin shares a parenting tension many of us feel but rarely admit: knowing what matters for our kids - like time, productivity, and healthy habits - but completely missing the mark in how we teach it.

Because when good intentions turn into constant correction, something breaks. And it’s usually connection.

If you’ve ever felt the urge to push harder… only to be met with resistance, this episode will help you rethink what actually works.

KEY POINTS

• Why being “right” doesn’t mean your approach is working
• How constant correction quietly damages connection
• The hidden cost of becoming the “enforcer” in your child’s life
• Why kids can’t learn self-regulation if we’re always controlling them
• The power of small, everyday moments to rebuild family connection
• Why repair - not perfection - is the real goal in family relationships

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“Am I helping them… or just making them feel like they’re not enough?”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Pre-order Boys now

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Swap one correction today for a moment of connection
• Notice when “helping” starts to feel like pressure
• Let your child sit in the natural consequences of their choices (within reason)
• Create simple, shared moments (a movie, a meal, a walk) that bring you back together
• Practice repair: model how to apologise, reconnect, and move forward

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.