#1289 - It Takes a Village – and a Whole Lot of Index Cards

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

What do AI chatbot dangers, thirty young adults crammed into a tiny home, and a book-writing marathon have in common? They’re all part of this week’s rollercoaster ride in the Coulson household. In this deeply personal episode, Justin and Kylie share what lit them up—and what nearly broke them. From a powerful conversation about building community around our kids, to the sobering risks of digital "friendships," and the heavy toll of creating a book that could change lives, this is an episode about showing up, staying intentional, and doing better tomorrow.

KEY POINTS:

• The importance of intentional community building for our children’s wellbeing

• Why involving young adults in parenting conversations can have a powerful ripple effect

• The real-world risks of AI chatbots for kids—romantic roleplay, misinformation, and impersonating therapists

• How curiosity and loneliness make kids vulnerable to chatbot manipulation

• Behind the scenes of writing a parenting book: three years, 600 index cards, and countless sacrifices

• Why the upcoming book on raising tween and teen boys might be Justin’s most important work yet

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
"One of the biggest predictors for mental wellbeing is connection—and building that village around our kids is imperative." – Kylie Coulson

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Tristan Harris and the Center for Humane Technology

• Parental Guidance (TV series)

• Happy Families website: happyfamilies.com.au

• Register your interest in Justin’s upcoming book on raising boys

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Be Intentional About Community: Invite others into your home—even if it’s tight. Connection doesn’t need perfection.

2. Talk to Your Kids About AI: Don’t assume they're safe just because you haven’t seen the risks firsthand. Pre-arm them with knowledge.

3. Stay Curious About Your Child’s World: Ask what apps or sites they use. Learn with them and for them.

4. Support Resources That Serve Families: Share tools and conversations that spark growth—like this podcast and the upcoming book.

5. Model Vulnerability and Growth: Let your kids see that you're always learning, always growing. It’s okay to say, “I’ll do better tomorrow.”

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