You felt confident. Radiant. Unstoppable.

Then nothing changed… except your thoughts - and suddenly, everything looked wrong.

In this powerful episode, a simple set of family photos reveals a confronting truth: your mind is constantly telling stories - and many of them aren’t real.

What if the way you see your child, your partner… even yourself… isn’t truth, but a narrative you’ve unknowingly rehearsed?

This episode will change how you interpret behaviour, emotions, and the hard moments of family life - so you can raise more resilient kids (and be kinder to yourself in the process).

KEY POINTS
Your brain can’t distinguish between imagination and reality - and your body reacts accordingly
We all have a built-in negativity bias that distorts how we see people and situations
You move towards what you focus on - in parenting, relationships, and life
A simple language shift using “but” can completely reframe your thinking
Kids absorb the stories we model - your mindset becomes their inner voice
Negative thoughts are loud and bossy - positive ones are quieter and require intention

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Your mind is a great storyteller—let’s make sure it’s telling you great stories.”

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Catch the story: Notice when your thoughts shift negative - pause and question them
Flip the “but”:
“They’re driving me crazy, but they’re a good kid”
Redirect your focus: Ask: What’s working right now?
Model self-talk: Speak about yourself and your kids in ways you want them to internalise
Turn down the noise: Be intentional about listening to the quieter, calmer thoughts
Create better scripts: If reality feels hard, visualise what you want - your brain will follow

You felt confident. Radiant. Unstoppable.
Then nothing changed&hellip; except your thoughts - and suddenly, everything looked wrong.
In this powerful episode, a simple set of family photos reveals a confronting truth: your mind is constantly telling stories - and many of them aren&rsquo;t real.
What if the way you see your child, your partner&hellip; even yourself&hellip; isn&rsquo;t truth, but a narrative you&rsquo;ve unknowingly rehearsed?
This episode will change how you interpret behaviour, emotions, and the hard moments of family life - so you can raise more resilient kids (and be kinder to yourself in the process).
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Your brain can&rsquo;t distinguish between imagination and reality - and your body reacts accordingly</li>
<li aria-level="1">We all have a built-in negativity bias that distorts how we see people and situations</li>
<li aria-level="1">You move towards what you focus on - in parenting, relationships, and life</li>
<li aria-level="1">A simple language shift using &ldquo;but&rdquo; can completely reframe your thinking</li>
<li aria-level="1">Kids absorb the stories we model - your mindset becomes their inner voice</li>
<li aria-level="1">Negative thoughts are loud and bossy - positive ones are quieter and require intention</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Your mind is a great storyteller&mdash;let&rsquo;s make sure it&rsquo;s telling you great stories.&rdquo;
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Catch the story: Notice when your thoughts shift negative - pause and question them</li>
<li aria-level="1">Flip the &ldquo;but&rdquo;:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">&ldquo;They&rsquo;re driving me crazy, but they&rsquo;re a good kid&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Redirect your focus: Ask: What&rsquo;s working right now?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Model self-talk: Speak about yourself and your kids in ways you want them to internalise</li>
<li aria-level="1">Turn down the noise: Be intentional about listening to the quieter, calmer thoughts</li>
<li aria-level="1">Create better scripts: If reality feels hard, visualise what you want - your brain will follow</li>
</ul>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Our Mind Tells Us Stories

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/b235caaa-cdf6-4048-8205-b43d008b3a7a/transcript