Conversations with Kristi

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Brooke McIntosh - speaker, endurance runner, and founder of the Just One More movement - for a raw, powerful conversation about mental health, courage, healing, and the ripple effect of choosing to speak when silence feels safer.

Brooke shares the deeply personal story behind her decision to run 14,000 kilometres around Australia - a journey born from suicidal ideation, unspoken trauma, and a life-changing car accident that forced her to confront the reality that she was not okay, despite appearing strong on the outside.

Together, Kristi and Brooke explore how “just one more” - one step, one breath, one conversation - became a lifeline, not only for Brooke, but for countless people she encountered along the road. What began as a mission to spark conversation within FIFO, mining, and construction communities quickly revealed a much wider truth: mental health struggles do not discriminate. They exist everywhere - across families, generations, genders, and professions.

This episode dives into the cost of emotional shutdown, the normalisation of masking pain, and how generational silence around trauma, addiction, and abuse shapes the way adults cope - or don’t cope - later in life. Brooke speaks candidly about childhood sexual abuse, substance use, shame, and the long-term impact of carrying stories alone for decades.

Kristi and Brooke also reflect on the power of vulnerability to break cycles - from the unexpected moment Brooke’s father felt safe enough to say “I’m not okay”, to the way children who saw Brooke running began asking questions that opened conversations within their families.

This is not a conversation about toughness or pushing through at all costs.
It’s about courage, honesty, mental fitness, and choosing connection - even when it’s uncomfortable.

Key Themes Covered

Suicidal ideation and the turning point that saved Brooke’s life

The meaning of Just One More as a daily practice

Mental fitness vs mental health

Why masking pain is so common - and so dangerous

The ripple effect of courageous, vulnerable conversations

Generational trauma, silence, and healing

Childhood sexual abuse and delayed disclosure

Addiction as a coping strategy for unprocessed pain

Running as therapy, regulation, and trauma processing

Listening to the body instead of pushing through it

Breaking cycles for the next generation

Why healing yourself can give others permission to speak

Why This Conversation Matters

So many people are surviving - not living.

They show up, work hard, care for others, and appear “fine”, while silently carrying trauma, grief, shame, and exhaustion. This episode reminds us that strength is not found in silence or self-abandonment - it’s found in honesty, courage, and asking for support.

Brooke’s story shows how quickly things can change when someone chooses to speak - and how one brave conversation can unlock many more.

You don’t need to run around Australia to make a difference.
Sometimes, just one more conversation is enough to save a life.

About Brooke McIntosh - Just One More

Brooke McIntosh is an endurance runner, speaker, and founder of the Just One More movement, using lived experience to spark honest conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, and emotional wellbeing.

Through her run around Australia and her ongoing work in communities, schools, and workplaces, Brooke encourages people to build mental fitness, challenge silence, and remember that pain never gets the last say.

Follow Brooke McIntosh on her socials: 👉 Instagram - Facebook

Brooke McIntosh website: 👉 https://brookemcintosh.com.au/

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has brought up big feelings or difficult memories, Kristi offers trauma-informed education and resources to support healing, prevention, and connection.

🔗 Explore education and resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

trauma-informed education

child safety and prevention resources

guidance for courageous, supportive conversations

tools to help adults respond calmly and safely to disclosure

Content Warning

This episode includes discussion of:

suicidal ideation

childhood sexual abuse

addiction and substance use

trauma and mental health challenges

Some listeners may find this content confronting. Please listen with care and pause or step away if needed.

Support Services (Australia)

If you or someone you love needs support, help is available:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au

If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with Dr. Justin Coulson to explore a topic that feels increasingly urgent for parents today: raising boys. Together, they dive into why so many young men are struggling to find their footing and what it actually takes to raise a generation that is resilient, purposeful, and grounded.

Dr. Coulson shares his own "failure to launch" story-from failing school to a decade-long radio career before finding his true calling in psychology-and explains why the path to adulthood isn't a race. They unpack the "Hope Theory," the dangers of "vanity careers," and the power of "Autonomy Support," providing a roadmap for parents who want to move from controlling their kids to guiding them.

This is a candid, insightful conversation about shifting the narrative for our sons and helping them become men who make the people around them feel "safer and stronger".

Content Covered in This Episode

The "Crisis of Purpose": Why kids today have more freedom than ever but less direction and resilience.

Dr. Coulson’s Journey: From the bottom 15% of his class to a PhD in psychology and the "Happy Families" brand.

The Value of the Gap Year: Why "earning and learning" through life experiences often leads to more success than rushing straight into university.

The 2026 Brain Maturity Update: New research suggesting neurological maturity may not occur until our early 30s.

Autonomy Support vs. Control: How to help kids "endorse" rules and values rather than just following them out of fear.

The Hope Theory: Breaking down the three essential pillars of hope: Goals, Pathways, and Agency.

Screen Time and Lost Potential: The neurological "hijacking" of our youth and how it impacts their ability to discover their values.

Healthy Masculinity: Defining a healthy man as someone who helps those around him feel safer and stronger.

The "Sunday Chat": A practical family ritual for discussing everything from consent to mental health.



Why This Conversation Matters

We often expect too much from our little kids and not enough from our teenagers. As Dr. Coulson explains, our job as parents is not to slay the dragons for our children, but to prepare them to be "dragon slayers" themselves.

Many young men are failing to thrive because they lack a sense of worthiness derived from doing hard, productive things. By fostering "Autonomy Support," we can guide our children toward financial viability and personal fulfillment without resorting to "victimhood" or blaming external labels for a lack of progress. This conversation challenges parents to step up, have the hard conversations, and model the character we want our children to inherit.



About Dr. Justin Coulson

Dr. Justin Coulson is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. He is the co-host of Channel 9’s Parental Guidance, the host of the #1 parenting podcast in Australia (The Happy Families Podcast), and the author of 11 books. After a successful radio career, Justin returned to university as a mature-age student, earning first-class honors in psychology and a PhD. He is a father of six daughters and is dedicated to helping families flourish through evidence-based psychological principles.

Connect with Dr. Justin Coulson:
Website: www.happyfamilies.com.au
Podcast: The Happy Families Podcast

New Book: "Boys"

Dr. Justin Coulson’s latest book, "Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out," is a culmination of four years of work. It provides a framework for raising boys who are confident, kind, and capable of navigating the complexities of modern masculinity.

Pre-order Now: Pre-orders are critical for a book's success. You can pre-order your via the Happy Families website happyfamilies.com.au/boys-book-waitlist

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has inspired you to start more meaningful conversations with your kids, Kristi provides trauma-informed education and practical tools to help you guide them toward a life they can be proud of.

🔗 Explore education and resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Support Services (Australia)

If this episode has raised difficult feelings or if you need immediate support:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au

Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services (000).

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Kimberly King - author, educator, and founder of Tough Topics Mom - for a candid and deeply informative discussion on child safety, prevention, and fostering open communication with children.

Kimberly shares her personal journey that led her to advocate for body safety, including a formative experience with her son that resurfaced memories from her own childhood. She reflects on the importance of early conversations about consent, boundaries, and safe adults, and how these conversations can empower children to recognize and respond to unsafe situations.

Together, Kristi and Kimberly explore: the challenges parents face in navigating “tough topics,” the role of repressed memories in adult perspectives on child safety, and why prevention strategies are more effective when implemented early. They also discuss the unique risks posed by online spaces, how technology affects children’s development and safety, and practical tools for teaching kids about safe interactions in both real-life and digital environments.

Through stories, practical advice, and evidence-based insights, this episode highlights how consistent, thoughtful conversations can make children less vulnerable to harm, support early disclosure, and strengthen parent-child relationships.

Content Warning:
This episode includes discussion of:

Childhood sexual abuse

Grooming behaviours

Online safety risks

Trauma and mental health challenges

Some listeners may find this content confronting. Please listen with care and pause or step away if needed.

Key Themes Covered:

How early body safety education reduces risk and empowers children

The importance of recognizing “safe” vs. “red flag” adults

Practical strategies for having calm, ongoing safety conversations

Online grooming, sextortion, and managing digital risks for children

How parents’ past experiences shape their approach to safety

Creating an environment where children feel heard and supported

The role of consistent, intentional communication in prevention

Why This Conversation Matters:
Child sexual abuse and emotional harm thrive in secrecy and silence. Many parents want to protect their children but feel unsure how to start conversations about body safety or online risk. Kimberly’s insights provide practical strategies and encouragement for parents and carers to normalize these discussions, reduce vulnerability, and create safe spaces where children feel empowered to speak up.

About Kimberly King:
Kimberly King is an author, educator, and advocate for child safety. She is the founder of Tough Topics Mom, a platform offering guidance, resources, and support for parents navigating difficult conversations about consent, boundaries, and online safety. Her books, including I Said No and Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults, have been translated internationally and are used by families and educators worldwide to teach children about safety in an empowering, age-appropriate way.

🔗 Learn more about Kimberly King: 👉 www.toughtopicsmom.com

🔗 Tough Topics Mom Books: 👉 www.toughtopicsmom.com/books

Practical Support & Resources:
If this episode raises questions about supporting child safety, Kristi offers trauma-informed resources to help parents and carers:
🔗 Explore tools and guides: 👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Support Services (Australia):

Lifeline - 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic & family violence) - 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au

Kids Helpline (ages 5-25) - 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Monique Christidis - registered nurse, child health nurse of 30+ years, and founder of BaaBaa Baby - for a grounded, compassionate conversation about infant development, sleep, regulation, and the foundational role of connection from birth.

Monique brings a wealth of clinical expertise alongside deep empathy for parents navigating the often overwhelming early years. Together, Kristi and Monique explore how babies communicate through behaviour, why crying is not manipulation but communication, and how understanding brain development can radically shift the way parents respond to sleep, distress, and big emotions.

This episode gently challenges outdated behaviourist approaches to parenting and sleep, unpacking why concepts like “self-soothing” and “cry it out” can be misunderstood when we don’t fully understand infant brain development. Monique explains how safety, consistency, and presence support a baby’s nervous system - and how regulation always begins with the adult.

Kristi and Monique also discuss the immense pressure placed on modern parents, the loss of the “village”, and how comparison culture and unrealistic expectations can leave parents feeling isolated, guilty, and exhausted. The conversation reinforces that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting - and that learning to trust your intuition is a powerful protective factor for both parents and children.

This is a reassuring, science-informed, and deeply validating episode for parents, carers, and professionals - reminding us that connection, not perfection, is what children need most.

Key Themes Covered

Infant brain development and why the first years are about safety and survival

Why babies cry - and why it’s communication, not manipulation

The role of connection and co-regulation in sleep and emotional development

How outdated parenting narratives can undermine parental intuition

The impact of parental exhaustion, isolation, and comparison culture

Why self-care and regulation in adults directly supports children

Understanding sleep without shame, fear, or rigid rules

Supporting children through distress rather than withdrawing connection

Why there is no “one size fits all” approach to parenting

How early connection builds resilience, confidence, and self-esteem

Why This Conversation Matters

Babies and young children rely entirely on safe, attuned adults to help them regulate, feel secure, and make sense of the world.

When parents are overwhelmed, unsupported, or unsure - often due to conflicting advice or unrealistic expectations - it can erode confidence and connection. This episode reframes parenting through a trauma-informed, developmentally accurate lens, offering reassurance that responding with presence, curiosity, and compassion is not “spoiling” a child - it’s building safety.

By understanding how children’s brains develop and how behaviour communicates need, parents can move away from fear-based approaches and toward connection-led care that supports both child wellbeing and parental mental health.

About Monique Christidis - BaaBaa Baby

Monique Christidis is a registered nurse and child health nurse with over 30 years’ experience supporting families. She is the founder of BaaBaa Baby, a private child health service in Western Australia, where she provides individualised support for families from birth to five years.

Monique specialises in infant development, sleep, emotional regulation, and early attachment, offering practical, compassionate, and evidence-based guidance tailored to each family’s unique needs.

Learn more about Monique and BaaBaa Baby:
https://www.baabaababy.com.au
Instagram: @baabaababy

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has raised questions about infant sleep, regulation, or building stronger connection with your child, Kristi offers trauma-informed education and practical resources for parents and carers.

🔗 Explore education and tools:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

connection-based parenting guidance

child safety and prevention education

tools to support calm, confident responses to children’s distress

practical strategies grounded in child development and trauma-informed care

Support Services (Australia)

If parenting stress, exhaustion, or emotional overwhelm feels unmanageable, support is available:

Lifeline - 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) – 1300 726 306 | panda.org.au

If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Neil Milton - founder of The Table Talk Project, advocate, and survivor - for a powerful and deeply human conversation about connection, prevention, and the role safe relationships play in protecting children and strengthening families.

Neil shares his lived experience of growing up without a voice at home, the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse, and how unaddressed trauma shaped his relationships, sense of safety, and ability to ask for help. He reflects on how becoming a parent - and later recognising his own experiences as abuse - became a catalyst for creating spaces where children are heard, believed, and supported.

Together, Kristi and Neil explore how everyday disconnection within families can increase vulnerability to harm, why children often communicate distress through behaviour rather than words, and how something as simple - and intentional - as sharing a meal can create profound protective factors.

This episode unpacks how grooming can occur in plain sight, the dangers of “busy” culture, and why having a designated space for conversation matters. It also explores the ripple effects of connection - from improved mental health and resilience, to early disclosure of harm and strengthened family bonds.

This is not about perfection.
It’s about presence, prevention, and creating environments where nothing is off the table.

Content Warning

This episode includes discussion of:

childhood sexual abuse

grooming behaviours

trauma and mental health challenges

suicide and suicidal ideation

family violence and relational harm

Some listeners may find this content confronting. Please listen with care and pause or step away if needed. Support resources are listed below.

Key Themes Covered

How disconnection within families increases vulnerability to harm

Why children often communicate distress through behaviour

The lifelong impact of growing up without a safe voice

How grooming can occur in everyday environments

The protective power of connection and consistent presence

Why “busy” culture can unintentionally silence children

The role of shared meals in building trust and safety

Supporting disclosure through calm, trauma-informed responses

How prevention starts with small, consistent moments of connection

Why safe relationships are a cornerstone of child protection

Why This Conversation Matters

Child sexual abuse and emotional harm thrive in silence, secrecy, and disconnection.

Many parents and carers deeply care about protecting children but feel overwhelmed, unsure, or stretched thin. This episode reminds us that prevention does not require perfection, expertise, or constant vigilance - it requires presence, listening, and relationship.

By creating regular opportunities for connection and normalising conversation, adults can interrupt grooming, support disclosure, and ensure children know they are not alone.

Prevention is possible - and it begins with being heard.

About The Table Talk Project

The Table Talk Project is a family-centred initiative designed to help households create intentional spaces for connection through shared meals and guided conversations. By encouraging families to come together regularly and engage in meaningful dialogue, the project supports emotional wellbeing, strengthens relationships, and creates protective environments where children feel safe to speak.

🔗 Learn more about The Table Talk Project:
👉Website: https://thetabletalkproject.org/

👉Back at The Table Web App: https://thetabletalkproject.org/at-the-table/

👉Latest Blog Post: https://thetabletalkproject.org/category/the-table-talk-news/

👉Book our services: https://thetabletalkproject.org/speaking-engagements-and-presentations/

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has raised questions about how to build safer, more connected environments for children and families, Kristi has created practical, trauma-informed resources to support parents and carers.

🔗 Explore education and tools:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

conversation guides for families

body safety and consent education tools

support for calm, protective conversations without fear or overwhelm

Support Services (Australia)

If you or someone you love needs support, help is available:

Lifeline - 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic & family violence) - 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au

Kids Helpline (ages 5-25) - 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.