Conversations with Kristi

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.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi is joined by Sharon Collon - ADHD educator, coach, speaker, and founder of The Functional Family - for an honest and practical conversation about neurodiversity, online safety, learning differences, and what actually helps families thrive.

Sharon is also host of the ADHD Families Podcast, where she supports parents navigating life with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles. Having supported tens of thousands of families, Sharon’s work focuses on turning overwhelming information into clear, doable strategies.

Together, Kristi and Sharon unpack what parents are truly crying out for - not more theory, not more labels - but practical tools that make everyday life easier.

This episode weaves together neurodiversity, digital safety, emotional regulation, learning styles, rejection sensitivity, impulsivity, and body safety education - highlighting how prevention and support must be adapted for how children actually process the world.

This is not a conversation about fear.
It’s about understanding how your child’s brain works - and meeting them there.

What This Episode Explores

1. The Reality of an ADHD Diagnosis

Sharon shares her own journey of receiving her son’s diagnosis - including the overwhelm of being handed outdated information and left to figure it out alone.

She explains why families don’t need more generic ADHD content online - they need:

Clear, practical strategies

Real-world application

Emotional validation

Support that reduces shame, not increases it

2. Processing Modalities: Why Talking Isn’t Always Enough

Sharon explains that children process information in different ways, including:

Conceptual (needing to understand why)

Auditory

Visual

Verbal processing

Emotional

Intuitive

Tactile (hands-on learners)

When parents rely only on talking, many children simply don’t absorb the message - especially neurodivergent children.

This becomes particularly important when teaching:

Body safety

Consent

Online safety

Social boundaries

Risk awareness

Kristi shares how role play - not just verbal instruction - helped her daughter internalise body safety rules. Sharon reinforces the importance of repetition and experiential learning over lecture-style conversations.

3. Online Safety, Gaming & Neurodivergence

Kristi and Sharon have a grounded conversation about what’s actually happening in online spaces — especially for neurodivergent kids.

They explore:

Impulsivity and posting without thinking

Dopamine-driven reward pathways

How predators exploit attention and validation

Difficulty reading social cues

Why online interactions can feel safer than playground dynamics

The very real impact of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

Sharon strongly encourages parents to understand RSD - explaining that for many children with ADHD, rejection can feel like physical pain.

Rather than banning technology outright, Sharon recommends:

Curiosity over confrontation

Coaching conversations (not interrogation)

Moving gaming into shared spaces

Researching games before approving them

Using tools like Common Sense Media to review age-appropriateness

Understanding that shame shuts down learning

This episode reframes tech supervision as relationship-based guidance - not surveillance.

4. Social Skills & Emotional Safety

Sharon explains that social skills are not intuitive for everyone - and many adults would benefit from explicit social skills training.

They discuss:

Why some children miss subtle social cues

Why gaming environments can feel predictable and therefore safer

The need for explicit teaching rather than assumption

The importance of consent-based connection (including hugs)

Regulation before conversation

Kristi highlights something powerful: sometimes children - and adults - need a hug before they can process words.

Key Themes Covered

ADHD and late diagnosis

Practical strategies over theory

Processing modalities and learning differences

Role play vs verbal instruction

Repetition and retention

Body safety education

Online grooming risks

Impulsivity and dopamine reward systems

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

Social skills development

Curiosity-based parenting

Regulation before correction

Consent in everyday parenting moments

Why This Conversation Matters

Many parents feel:

Overwhelmed

Behind

Outpaced by technology

Unsure how to adapt for neurodivergent children

This episode reminds us:

Children don’t need perfect parents.
They need informed, regulated adults who are willing to adjust their approach.

When we understand how a child processes information, we can teach safety, boundaries, and skills in ways that actually stick.

Prevention doesn’t start with fear.
It starts with connection, repetition, and knowing your child’s brain.

About Sharon Collon

Sharon Collon is an ADHD educator, family coach, speaker, and founder of The Functional Family. She supports parents to move from confusion and overwhelm to clarity and confidence through evidence-informed, practical strategies.

She is also the host of the ADHD Families Podcast, where she explores neurodiversity, regulation, parenting tools, and family wellbeing.

Her work focuses on helping families:

Understand ADHD beyond stereotypes

Develop regulation skills

Strengthen communication

Build practical systems at home

Support emotional and social development

Create Your Family’s ADHD Roadmap – FREE Coaching Week
One clear, tailored plan for your family
https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/roadmap

The ADHD Family Quest
https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/questwaitlist

The ADHD Families Podcast
https://www.thefunctionalfamily.com/podcast

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has raised questions about neurodiversity, safety education, or regulation, Kristi provides trauma-informed education and tools for families.

🔗 Explore resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

Body safety education

Consent and protective behaviours tools

Trauma-informed parenting guidance

Support for calm disclosure conversations

Support Services (Australia)

If you or someone in your family needs support:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

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

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

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

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.