Our Mind Tells Us Stories

Our Mind Tells Us Stories

Author: Dr Justin Coulson May 10, 2026 Duration: 20:41

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Finding a clear path through the chaos of family life can feel overwhelming. Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families steps into that space with grounded, relatable conversations. Hosted by parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson and his wife Kylie, this podcast feels like a honest chat with friends who truly understand the daily grind. Together, they draw from their own life raising six daughters, offering a common-sense perspective that resonates with parents everywhere. The discussions move beyond theory, focusing on practical strategies you can apply immediately to navigate common challenges and strengthen your relationships at home. Each episode aims to cut through the noise of conflicting advice, providing thoughtful insights that address real-world situations with empathy and evidence-based wisdom. Tuning into this podcast is like finding a moment of calm reflection in a busy week, a resource for building a more connected and joyful family culture. It’s a place where the complexities of parenting, culture, and society are explored through the lens of everyday experience, making the journey feel a little less solitary and a lot more manageable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families
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