Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

• #1286 - [Parental Guidance Episode 1] AI “Friends” or Digital Deceivers? What Every Parent Must Know

  They look fun. They seem harmless. But behind the screen, AI chatbots are creating dangerously deceptive relationships with our kids. In this gripping recap of Parental Guidance Season 3, Episode 1, Justin and Kylie unpack the most confronting challenge yet: kids creating AI “friends.” From flirtatious bots to false identities and emotional manipulation, this episode reveals just how easily our children can be drawn into harmful digital connections—and what parents must do to protect them. KEY POINTS: AI chatbots are being marketed directly to kids as a solution for loneliness and boredom. All four children in the challenge encountered manipulative, deceptive bots, including flirtation, secrets, and attempts to move conversations to apps like Snapchat. The bots often blurred the line between real and fake, undermining children's understanding of truth and connection. Expert insights from Dr Raphael Chayérello (AI ethics, University of Sydney) highlighted how AI is designed to mine data, provoke emotional reactions, and retain attention at all costs. There is currently no legislation protecting children in these spaces—and some real-life cases have ended in tragedy. The episode illustrates why AI “friendships” are never in a child’s best interest. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:“There is nothing redeeming about these bots. They are deceptive, manipulative, and dangerous—and they are not your child’s friend.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Parental Guidance Season 3 – Episode 1 (available on 9Now) HappyFamilies.com.au for daily episode recaps and parenting tools Dr Raphael Chayérello, AI Ethics Expert, University of Sydney ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Talk to your kids today about AI bots: Ask if they or their friends use them. What are those chats like? Explain clearly that AI is not real, not a friend, and often not safe. Stay informed: Watch the episode with your child and open up discussion about what they saw. Prioritise real-world friendships: If your child is lonely, support them in developing face-to-face connections. Set boundaries around tech: AI bots are just one of many digital dangers—have regular conversations about safe and healthy screen use. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1285 - Parental Guidance Starts Tonight! Here’s Why You Can’t Miss It

  Reality TV with a purpose? Yes, please. Parental Guidance Season 3 kicks off tonight—and in this special preview episode, Justin and Kylie share everything you need to know before tuning in. From parenting styles to hot-button topics like body image, screen time, and AI bots, this four-night TV event dives deep into the challenges real families are facing right now. Whether you're a traditional parent, a positivity parent, or somewhere in between, this season is designed to spark honest conversations and offer hope for families doing their best in tough times. KEY POINTS: Parental Guidance Season 3 airs over four consecutive nights on Channel Nine and 9Now. It’s not about winning—just eight families courageously sharing their parenting lives. Topics include: Screen time (including AI friends and bots) Body image (a heart-wrenching and inspiring episode) Mental health Peer pressure Unexpected insights into education Parenting styles this season include: Traditional, Protect, Active, Upfront, Authoritative, Hard Way, Life School, and Positivity. The aim: Honest, respectful conversations about what parenting looks like today—and what’s working. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “As parents, we need to believe in a positive future for our kids—and I think this show gives us the tools and the keys we need to get there.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Parental Guidance Season 3 (Channel Nine and 9Now) HappyFamilies.com.au for related resources and daily podcast reviews following each episode. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Watch tonight’s episode live (7:30pm on Nine and 9Now) to be part of the national conversation. Talk with your kids after each episode—what do they think about what they saw? Tune in to the Happy Families daily recap podcasts this week for expert insights into the challenges raised on the show. Share the show and the podcast with friends or family—it’s a powerful conversation starter. Reflect on your own parenting style and ask: What’s working? What might I try differently? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1284 - Building & Strengthening Resilience With Tim Curtis

  Are we making life too easy for our kids? In a world where we rush to remove every obstacle from our children’s paths, we may be unintentionally robbing them of the very thing they need most—resilience. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Justin Coulson is joined by Tim Curtis—former SAS Commander, humanitarian, and author of Building Resilient Kids. From war zones to raising teens, Tim’s lived experience offers extraordinary insights into how resilience is truly built. Together, they unpack why a little stress is good, why failure matters, and the foundational layers that make kids bounce back stronger. This is the resilience masterclass every parent needs. KEY POINTS: Resilience isn’t fixed; it can be built. The Resilience Shield Model: Six layers—Innate, Mind, Body, Social, Professional, and Adaptation. Stress is essential—but it needs to be the right amount. Overprotective parenting harms resilience—kids need to struggle to grow. The power of strong family connections as the cornerstone of resilience. Practical stories from war zones, camps, and families that highlight resilience in action. How parents can role model resilience every day (including how we handle bad drivers and broken sinks!). Why rest and recovery are crucial parts of resilience—not signs of failure. The difference between resilience, willpower, and grit. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “Resilience varies by degree, not by kind. The stress in your child’s life is real to them—and they need it to grow.” – Tim Curtis RESOURCES MENTIONED: Book: Building Resilient Kids by Tim Curtis (out July 1) Podcast: The Unforgiving Sixty Podcast: Building Resilient Kids (Tim’s companion podcast to the book) Resilience Shield Model – Research-backed framework Jill Bolte Taylor on emotions passing in 90 seconds Research by Carol Dweck (Growth Mindset) and Angela Duckworth (Grit) ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Model resilience. Let your kids see you handle stress, setbacks, and failure with grace and recovery. Let them fail—safely. Small failures help kids build the coping mechanisms they’ll need later in life. Prioritise the basics: Sleep, nutrition, exercise, and social connection—these are resilience superpowers. Let them sit with discomfort. Don’t rush to fix every negative emotion. Let them learn that emotions pass. Talk about effort, not outcomes. Celebrate trying, learning, and persisting more than trophies or grades. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1283 - Communication Wins and Big Conversations

  “Having your heart right towards your child is probably the most important thing you can do... but how you communicate is right up there too.” In this episode of I’ll Do Better Tomorrow, we share two powerful parenting wins from our own family this week. From navigating bedtime battles with our youngest to having a meaningful (and sometimes hilarious) conversation about consent and relationships with our teens, this is real-life parenting in action. These are the conversations that create connection, foster trust, and build resilience — and we’re sharing exactly how we did it. KEY POINTS: A Bedtime Breakthrough: How revisiting the basics (routines, rituals, and conversations) transformed bedtime struggles with our youngest daughter. The Power of the 3 E’s: Explore, Explain, Empower — a simple yet profound communication framework that creates buy-in, not battles. Tricky Talks That Stick: Why our once-a-month ‘tough talks’ with our teens have become weekly — and how they’re building confidence and safety around topics like consent, relationships, pressure, and boundaries. Start Early, Talk Often: Even our 11-year-old stayed engaged in a complex conversation about consent, showing that these conversations are never too early (or too late). It’s Not About Perfection: Success comes from showing up, leaning in, and keeping the conversations going — not from getting it right every time. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “When kids understand the rationale, things go so much better.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Happy Families – Resources for a happier family. Consent.gov.au – Consent resources and the Consent Can’t Wait campaign. Parental Guidance TV Show – Channel 9 and 9Now. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Use the 3 E’s: Next time you face a challenge, pause and ask yourself — have I explored their perspective, explained mine, and empowered them to help solve it? Rethink Bedtime: If routines are breaking down, revisit rituals that worked when they were younger — and involve your child in creating the new plan. Schedule Tricky Talks: Don’t wait for problems to arise. Make space for regular conversations about emotions, consent, relationships, and boundaries. Make It Fun (and Safe): Keep these talks light, warm, and open — banter, laughter, and snacks help! Remember the Timing: Big conversations are most effective when emotions are calm — not in the middle of conflict. Share This Episode: Know someone struggling with bedtime battles or tricky teen conversations? Flick this episode their way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• #1282 - The Unboxing That Could Save Lives

  This episode isn’t like our usual Thursday chats. Today, we’re unboxing something that could genuinely change — or even save — lives. It’s not about us. It’s about a cause close to our hearts: men’s mental health and suicide prevention. After losing our nephew to suicide in 2023, this mission became deeply personal. Join us as we unpack the Gotcha For Life Men's Care Box — a collaboration between Gotcha For Life and Chemist Warehouse. For just $20, you get over $100 worth of products, and every single cent supports suicide prevention efforts. Hear what's inside, why it matters, and how this simple purchase could help someone you love. KEY POINTS: A Personal Story: The heartbreaking loss of Justin’s nephew to suicide in 2023 reshaped their family and their conversations forever. Gotcha For Life's Mission: Aiming to reduce suicide to zero by fostering meaningful connections and conversations. The Men’s Care Box: $20 at Chemist Warehouse, packed with over $100 worth of self-care items. Every Dollar Helps: 100% of proceeds go directly to Gotcha For Life’s mental fitness initiatives. Why It Matters: A simple gesture — like gifting this box — reminds the men in your life that they are seen, valued, and loved. The Bike Analogy: We often see people moving through life like a bike’s headlight in the dark — not realising how hard they’re pedalling just to stay afloat. QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: “We see the light—that’s a life. But we don’t see how hard someone is pedalling underneath to stay afloat.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Gotcha For Life – Mental fitness programs and support. Gotcha For Life Men’s Care Box – Available at Chemist Warehouse (while stocks last). Happy Families – Resources for a happier family. ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS: Buy a Box: Head to Chemist Warehouse and grab a Gotcha For Life Men's Care Box — for yourself, or for someone who needs a reminder that they matter. Check In: Reach out to a mate. Ask how they're really going. Start a meaningful conversation. Look for the Pedalling: Pay attention to the people around you — even those who seem like they’re doing fine. Explore Mental Fitness: Check out Gotcha For Life’s resources to strengthen your own mental fitness and support those around you. Normalise Vulnerability: Model open, honest conversations with your children about emotions, struggle, and seeking help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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