Some books entertain.
Some books inform.
And then there are books that unsettle you—and quietly change how you see the world, your kids, and the systems shaping their lives.

In this episode, Kylie and I step away from parenting advice (just briefly) to share the books that mattered most to us in 2025. These aren’t light beach reads. They’re confronting, provocative, and deeply relevant for parents raising children in a digital, diagnosed, distracted world.

If you love books—and you care about the future your kids are growing up in—this one stays with you.

Books & Resources Mentioned
Boys — Dr Justin Coulson (join the waitlist to learn more!)
Careless People — Sarah Wynn-Williams
Searching for Normal — Sami Timimi
Essentialism — Greg McKeown
The Let Them Theory — Mel Robbins
A Thousand Wasted Sundays — Victoria Vanstone
Mumming — Victoria Vanstone
1984 — George Orwell
Lonesome Dove — Larry McMurtry
A Gentleman in Moscow — Amor Towles
Greenlights — Matthew McConaughey
Parenting ADHD [The Course]
My 8 Favourite Books in 2025 [Article]

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Choose one book this year that challenges your assumptions—not just your habits
Notice what makes you uncomfortable while reading—and sit with it
Talk with your partner or teen about what you’re noticing in tech, mental health, and culture
Remember: protecting kids starts with seeing the systems shaping them

Some books entertain. Some books inform. And then there are books that unsettle you&mdash;and quietly change how you see the world, your kids, and the systems shaping their lives.
In this episode, Kylie and I step away from parenting advice (just briefly) to share the books that mattered most to us in 2025. These aren&rsquo;t light beach reads. They&rsquo;re confronting, provocative, and deeply relevant for parents raising children in a digital, diagnosed, distracted world.
If you love books&mdash;and you care about the future your kids are growing up in&mdash;this one stays with you.
Books &amp; Resources Mentioned
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Boys &mdash; Dr Justin Coulson (<a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/boys-book-waitlist">join the waitlist </a>to learn more!)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Careless People &mdash; Sarah Wynn-Williams</li>
<li aria-level="1">Searching for Normal &mdash; Sami Timimi</li>
<li aria-level="1">Essentialism &mdash; Greg McKeown</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Let Them Theory &mdash; Mel Robbins</li>
<li aria-level="1">A Thousand Wasted Sundays &mdash; Victoria Vanstone</li>
<li aria-level="1">Mumming &mdash; Victoria Vanstone</li>
<li aria-level="1">1984 &mdash; George Orwell</li>
<li aria-level="1">Lonesome Dove &mdash; Larry McMurtry</li>
<li aria-level="1">A Gentleman in Moscow &mdash; Amor Towles</li>
<li aria-level="1">Greenlights &mdash; Matthew McConaughey</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/parenting-adhd-the-course">Parenting ADHD [The Course]</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/articles/my-8-favourite-books-in-2025">My 8 Favourite Books in 2025</a> [Article]</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Choose one book this year that challenges your assumptions&mdash;not just your habits</li>
<li aria-level="1">Notice what makes you uncomfortable while reading&mdash;and sit with it</li>
<li aria-level="1">Talk with your partner or teen about what you&rsquo;re noticing in tech, mental health, and culture</li>
<li aria-level="1">Remember: protecting kids starts with seeing the systems shaping them</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

The Best Books We Read in 2025

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/63333a78-395b-4abb-8c88-b3d600cec4dc/transcript