Australia's most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon, shares intimate insights about her journey from young swimmer to Olympic champion, revealing the crucial role her parents played in fostering success without pressure. Her story provides a masterclass in supporting children's sporting endeavors while maintaining joy and balance.

Key Points:

• The importance of enjoyment over achievement in youth sports
• How parental support without pressure builds self-determination
• Managing early-morning training and self-motivation
• Balancing multiple activities during teenage years
• Transforming competition anxiety into positive energy

Quote of the Episode: "They never pressured me either way to swim or not to swim... They just wanted me to enjoy what I was doing and be happy in what I was doing, find something I was passionate about."

Key Insights:

• Success comes from internal motivation, not external pressure
• The value of maintaining multiple interests and activities
• How to handle failure and setbacks constructively
• The importance of supporting children "no matter what"
• Why enjoyment must precede excellence

Personal Stories Shared:

• Missing the 2012 London Olympics by 0.1 seconds
• Early morning training experiences
• Having her father as both parent and coach
• Balancing swimming with other activities

Resources Mentioned:

• Self-Determination Theory
• Research on youth sports participation
• Multi-sport participation benefits

Action Steps for Parents:

1. Focus on enjoyment before achievement
2. Allow children to set their own goals
3. Support multiple activities and interests
4. Help reframe anxiety as excitement
5. Maintain unconditional support regardless of performance

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can a little “selfishness” make you a better parent? Join Kylie and Justin as they share relatable parenting mishaps, with a reminder that taking care of yourself is a gift to everyone around you.

Key Points:

• The value of a "do nothing" holiday
• Finding permission for personal time
• How parenting changes across different children
• The impact of slowing down

Quote of the Episode: "We've been trained for so long to believe that taking time out for ourselves is selfish. And we've got to change the narrative." - Kylie Coulson

Key Insights:

• Younger children often get different versions of their parents
• Taking time for yourself makes you better for everyone else
• Growth and maturity in parenting benefit all children differently
• Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what families need

Action Steps:

1. Give yourself permission for personal time
2. Recognize different seasons of parenting
3. Look for ways to connect with older children
4. Create space for new family traditions

Resources Mentioned:

• happyfamilies.com.au
• Emma McKeon interview (upcoming weekend content)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Out 2 isn’t just a movie—it’s a parenting masterclass on navigating the beautiful chaos of adolescence! Justin and Kylie Coulson explore the profound parenting insights from Inside Out 2, discussing teen brain development, emotional complexity, and why this film offers valuable understanding for parents.

Key Points:

• Teen brain development and the "construction zone" phase
• The role of anxiety in adolescent decision-making
• How emotions work together (or sometimes don't)
• Why perfect isn't possible or desirable
• The importance of embracing all experiences, both good and bad

Quote of the Episode: "Life is supposed to be joyful. It's just that it can't stay that way all the time." - Justin Coulson

Key Insights:

• Understanding teen brain development through visual metaphors
• How anxiety can both protect and hinder
• The exhaustion of trying to maintain constant positivity
• Why difficult experiences contribute to wholeness
• The complexity of managing multiple emotions

Research Referenced:

• Dr. Lisa Damour's work on teen psychology
• Adolescent brain development research
• The role of the prefrontal cortex in teen decision-making

Action Steps for Parents:

1. Watch the film with your teens
2. Discuss emotional complexity openly
3. Acknowledge the challenge of growth
4. Embrace imperfection
5. Create space for all emotions

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma McKeon, with 14 Olympic medals, knows what it takes to excel without burning out—and she credits her parents for getting the balance just right. In this episode, we dive into Emma’s upbringing to uncover strategies for encouraging kids to pursue their passions with joy and self-determination. From transforming performance anxiety into a secret weapon to helping children develop discipline on their own terms, this conversation offers invaluable insights for every parent. Tune in to learn how to support your child’s journey—whether they’re a budding athlete, artist, or simply exploring what they love.

Key Points:
- Finding the balance between encouragement and pressure
- The role of self-determination in achievement
- How to support children through performance anxiety
- Why giving space for autonomy leads to better outcomes
- The importance of maintaining joy in activities

Personal Stories Shared:
- Annie's piano journey from age 3 to 17
- Kylie's telegraph pole experience and anxiety management
- The statistical rarity of Olympic athletes (0.002%)

Quote of the Episode:
"Nerves are showing you that you're doing something brave and worthwhile." - Emma McKeon

Key Insights for Parents:
"Sometimes when our kids are in that tricky space, we often fill that space with unnecessary noise. We call it encouragement. But what they actually need is our quiet patience." - Kylie Coulson
- Allow children to drive their own interests
- Create quiet space for processing anxiety
- Remember it's their life, not ours

Maintaining Perspective:
"It's important that we don't crush what brings them joy... The important thing is that they're doing things that bring them joy and light them up." - Kylie Coulson
- Success looks different for every child
- Focus on enjoyment over achievement
- Allow space for changing interests

The Bigger Picture:
"There are loads and loads of fully functional, wonderful people who quit music or who quit sport and have still gone on to live good lives and even achieve and accomplish in other areas in their lives." - Justin Coulson
- Achievement isn't limited to childhood pursuits
- Life offers multiple paths to success
- Early decisions don't determine lifetime outcomes

Resources Mentioned:
- Dr. Lisa Damour's work on anxiety management
- Emma McKeon's full interview (airing Saturday)
- happyfamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Listeners:
1. Reflect on whether you're supporting or pushing
2. Practice giving space during moments of anxiety
3. Focus on enjoyment over achievement
4. Allow children to set their own goals and pace
5. Remember that quitting one thing doesn't mean failure in life

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever feel like you’re stuck in the loop of “How was your day?” and hearing “meh” in response? Justin and Kylie share research-backed strategies for having meaningful conversations with your children, including five core questions that build emotional intelligence and resilience. Learn why timing and technique matter more than the questions themselves, and discover how these conversations can significantly reduce anxiety and depression in children. 

Key Points:
- The power of well-timed, meaningful conversations
- How conversations build executive function and emotional regulation
- The connection between parent-child discussions and mental health
- Why traditional questions often fail to engage kids
- The importance of timing and technique in family discussions

Research Highlights:
- Harvard's Center on the Developing Child: Back-and-forth conversations build executive function
- Minnesota longitudinal study: Regular meaningful conversations improve emotional intelligence
- Arizona State University: 48% lower rates of anxiety and depression in kids who have regular meaningful discussions with parents

Quote of the Episode:
"Sometimes when we're having difficult conversations, we handle the conversations better if we're actually doing something side by side." - Kylie Coulson

The Five Core Questions:
1. What are some things you're most excited about for 2025?
2. Is there anything you're nervous or worried about this year?
3. What's something you'd love to learn or try this year?
4. When do you feel most like you?
5. What qualities do you admire in others and which ones would you like to develop in yourself?

Key Techniques:
- The WAIT Principle (Why Am I Talking?)
- Using strategic silence
- The power of "Tell me more"
- Avoiding problem-solving unless asked
- Side-by-side conversations

Best Times for Conversations:
- During dinner
- Bedtime
- Walking together
- Car rides
- Over breakfast

Resources Mentioned:
- Harvard's Center on the Developing Child research
- Minnesota longitudinal study
- Dr. Suniya Luther's research at Arizona State University
- happyfamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Parents:
1. Choose the right timing for conversations
2. Practice the WAIT principle
3. Use side-by-side activities for difficult discussions
4. Create regular conversation opportunities at dinner
5. Focus on listening rather than problem-solving

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin and Kylie kick off 2025 with a powerful discussion about resetting family life using their WISE Family Reset framework. After experiencing burnout in 2024, they share personal insights about slowing down and making intentional changes for the year ahead.

Quotes of the Episode:

"We're not striving for perfection. We're striving for small, incremental changes." - Justin Coulson
"It's not about getting more things done. It's about getting the right things done." - Greg McKeown

Key Points:
- The challenge of feeling constantly busy but not productive
- How burnout affects family dynamics and personal wellbeing
- The importance of creating space for personal reflection
- Introduction to the WISE Family Reset framework

The WISE Family Reset Framework:

Work out what matters
* Create personal space for reflection
* Understand individual and family priorities

Implement tiny changes
* Start with small, manageable adjustments
* Avoid overwhelming yourself with too many changes at once

Sync as a team
* Get everyone involved in the planning
* Create buy-in through collaboration

Encourage, don't nag
* Focus on positive reinforcement
* Have important conversations at the right time
* Avoid being the "police" when it comes to rules

Resources Mentioned:
Book: "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown
Website: happyfamilies.com.au

Action Steps for Listeners:
1. Schedule some "escape time" for personal reflection
2. Identify one small change to implement this week
3. Plan a family meeting to discuss priorities for 2025
4. Practice encouragement instead of nagging

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered how to go beyond the tinsel and treats of Christmas to create a truly holy and meaningful celebration? Justin and Kylie Coulson take you on a journey through the "Three Levels of Christmas," offering heartfelt ideas and inspiring stories to bring joy and purpose to your family’s holiday season.

Whether it's singing carols, setting up nativity scenes, or reflecting on deeper spiritual themes, this episode is full of inspiration for making Christmas a time of connection, love, and purpose.

In this episode:

• Understanding different perspectives & beliefs
• Creating a Christ-centred Christmas
• The three levels of Christmas:
  • Level 1: Santa Claus, gifts, & festive indulgence
  • Level 2: The nativity story & spiritual reflection
  • Level 3: Celebrating Jesus' life & message
• Ideas for making Christmas more meaningful, including carolling, nativity scenes, & giving back
• Stories from listeners about their faith-centred Christmas traditions

Related Links:

• Christmas Day and Divorced Families
• 10 Easy Traditions That Can Make Christmas Meaningful For Your Family
• Have I Ruined Christmas for My Child by Telling the Truth About Santa?

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does Christmas gift-giving feel more like a burden than a joy as you try to find a balance between gift-giving and avoiding entitlement?

Dr. Justin Coulson and Kylie discuss how to preserve the magic of the season while avoiding the trap of indulgence and entitlement.

In this episode:

• Finding perspective
• Reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas
• Having zero agenda—relationships, games, joyful moments
• What to do when Christmas is hard
• Focusing on others—emphasising giving, kindness, and family traditions over materialism
• The Secret to Happiness? Giving.—Elizabeth Dunn research

Related Links:

• How to Unspoil your Kids this Christmas [Webinar]

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Are we there yet?"

Long family road trips can definitely be painful, BUT they can also be a great opportunity for some quality family time! We share a list of some helpful road trip games to keep everyone entertained.

• I-spy
• Spotto
• I went to the shops and I bought
• The alphabet game
• Car cricket
• Old MacDonald Had A Farm
• The Goanna Gang
• Bingo
• This Is The Song That Never Ends
• Peel The Avocado
• The Fart Game
• Stay quiet or else!

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Christmas movies that will keep your children from getting underfoot while you get the gifts wrapped!

G-rated options:

• The Polar Express
• Klaus
• Arthur Christmas
• Elf
• Home Alone
• Santa Clause

Honourable (grown up) mentions:

• Christmas Chronicles
• Bad Santa
• The Holiday

Nativity movies:

• The Nativity Story (2006)
• Chasing The Star (2017)
• VeggieTales: The Little Drummer Boy (2011)
• The Star (2017)
• Journey to Bethlehem (a musical) (2023)
• The First Christmas (1998)

Purchase Tis the Season to be Cranky or How to Unspoil your Kids this Christmas

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas is a time where we can really lean into and celebrate family traditions! 

Christmas traditions:

• Gifts, Santa. decorating
• Spending time with loved ones
• Advent, carols, the nativity
• Christmas Eve, stockings, pyjamas, Jolabokaflod
• Christmas ninjas - giving & serving others

Related Links:

• Take Back Christmas
• Family Traditions Help Kids Make Sense of Life

Find us on Facebook or TikTok

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

Leave a voice memo here or email your questions/comments to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.