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  • For our final episode of 2024, we had envisioned something festive and cheerful to set the tone for a fun Christmas season.

    However, life had other plans. On November 18, 2024, our host, Rachel Chappell, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer, and those plans have taken a backseat—for now.

    In this deeply personal episode, Rachel sits down with co-host Sarah to share her journey so far, the shock of her diagnosis, and what lies ahead.

    This conversation was recorded just one day before Rachel underwent surgery—a lumpectomy and axillary clearance.

    You can continue to follow Rachel's Breast Cancer Journey on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/northshoremum.breastcancer/

    Send us a message!

    #theparentingcouch #theparentingcouchpodcast #parenting #northshoremums #parentingexperts #parentinginterviews

  • This week, we’re diving into speech and language development with the incredible Jules Tushuizen, an experienced Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist.

    Jules shares her wealth of experience to help parents navigate their child's exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking journey through communication milestones. From first words to forming sentences, we cover it all—plus what to do if your little one seems a bit behind.

    In this episode, Jules shares:

    Key speech milestones to watch for at different ages.Practical tips to support your child’s speech and language skills at home.Knowing when to seek professional support—and why early intervention matters.Where to get helpThe common language development myths (and why they may not be accurate!).Practical ‘do’s and don’t’s’ for parentsWhat to do if you think your child may be developmentally delayed or autistic.

    This conversation is packed with insights to empower you in supporting your child’s communication journey. Tune in for a lively and informative chat that will leave you feeling informed and inspired!

    Jules Tushizien – Speech Pathologist, Grow & Tell

    With 16 years of professional experience, Jules Tushizien is a dedicated speech pathologist passionate about empowering families to understand and support their children's communication journey. Holding a Master of Speech and Language Pathology, a Master of Inclusive Education in Autism, and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, English, and Sociology, Jules combines academic knowledge with hands-on expertise.

    Jules is the Founder of Grow & Tell Speech and OT, a thriving clinic in Rhodes established in 2019. Her career spans diverse roles, including positions at the OAC Head Office in St Leonards, SDN Head Office in Crows Nest, and the Portland Women and Children’s Hospital in London. She has also contributed to the NHS in London and began her career at Blacktown Speech Pathology in 2008.

    Driven by a mission to help parents navigate early childhood communication challenges, Jules aims to ensure that families recognise and address speech and language delays early while continuing to cherish the joy of parenting during the foundational years.

    Ice Cream Hunt: A Fun, One-of-a-Kind Speech Sound Tracker for Kids 4–6 Years by Jules Tushuizen

    Ice Cream Hunt: A Fun, One-of-a-Kind Speech Sound Tracker for Kids 4–6 Years by Jules Tushuizen, combines a charming storybook with a practical tool for tracking speech sound development. Featuring fun rhymes, engaging illustrations, and a photocopiable checklist, it simplifies identifying milestones for parents and educators using research from the 2018 McLeod and Crowe study. Designed for ages 4–6, it’s an empowering, easy-to-use resource that makes speech development fun for kids and stress-free for adults.
    Get yours here for only $14.99

    Grow & Tell Speech and Occupational Therapy

    Phone: 1300 848 795Email: [email protected]: www.growandtelltherapy.com.auFollow: Facebook or Instagram

    Handy Links
    📌 Get your child assessed for FREE at RNSH Community Health Centre
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  • So many mums are stressed with juggling kids, work and the bulk of the domestic load. The creep can be gradual and suddenly it seems like we’re ‘doing everything’. This can lead to feelings of bitterness and resentment – and now we’re bickering or testing each other, to see if the other one notices or really cares. The resentment also impacts our desire to be intimate.

    So how can we negotiate the mental load and take shared responsibility for family jobs? What do realistic expectations look like and how do we get back to a place of team-work and gratitude?

    In this episode, we’re joined by a special guest, Cherie Marriott, from The Good Relationship Practice, to help us unpack this topic.

    About Cherie Marriott

    Cherie Marriott is a Couple and Family Therapist at The Good Relationship Practice in McMahon’s Point.

    Cherie says she’s passionate about relationships and family life – and has an endless fascination with how humans interact and the stories we tell ourselves. She began her working career as a journalist – writing mostly about the banking and finance sector for 20 years, and living as an expat in London, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

    When her children hit primary school, she went back to University to study a Master's in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She first worked in the Women’s Health Centre Network with trauma in adults and children and then moved into private practice.

    Cherie has two daughters in their early 20s, a highly entertaining, slightly crazy artist/photographer husband, and 19 nieces and nephews! She and her husband were foster parents for five years, and Cherie also teaches part-time in the counselling program at Western Sydney University.

    Two years ago, she joined four like-minded therapists to form The Good Relationship Practice in McMahon’s Point on Sydney’s lower north shore. From their beautiful rooms, overlooking the cafés and the florist shop below, they see individuals, couples, and families to help them with their relationship issues.

    THE GOOD RELATIONSHIP PRACTICE

    Address: Level 1, 131 Blues Point Road, McMahons PointPhone: 0421 33 99 11Email: [email protected]: www.goodrelationship.com.au

    Send us a message!

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  • In this powerful episode, we dive into one of the hardest challenges facing kids and parents today: bullying. Joined by leading parenting expert Justin Coulson, we uncover what’s really at the heart of bullying behaviours, how they impact young minds, and, most importantly, the steps we can take to create safer, kinder spaces for our children.

    What bullying actually is (and what it isn’t)How parent should support their child if they suspect or know they are being bullied.Steps that parents can take to help their child build resilience and self-confidence in the face of bullying.How to address bullying with the school or teachers without escalating the situation?The situation when it might be okay to talk directly to the child’s parentsWhen should parents consider involving professional help, like a counsellor, to support their child?How parents can talk to their kids about cyber bullying.What can parents do if they discover their child is the one engaging in bullying behaviour?

    Justin’s insights and heartfelt advice give parents the tools to support their kids, empower them with resilience, and stand up against the cycle of hurt. This is an episode that every parent and educator needs to hear.

    About Dr Justin Coulson

    Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au. He holds a PhD in Psychology and is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts.

    Over the past decade, Justin has helped innumerable families with his nine books about raising children, his hundreds of media appearances (including all of Australia’s major news outlets, and even the Washington Post and the New York Times), and two viral videos that have been viewed a combined 80 million times!

    Justin earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Wollongong. He and his wife Kylie have been married since the late 90s and are the parents of 6 daughters and the grandparents of 1 granddaughter.

    Justin is also a sought-after keynote speaker, helping organisations and schools boost wellbeing and improve relationships.


    Justin's new book, The Parenting Revolution

    In The Parenting Revolution, Dr Justin Coulson also digs deep into the practical applications of this revolutionary new approach to parenting, looking in depth at a range of tricky parenting challenges including school refusal, homework, screen time, saying no, the morning rush, when your children don’t listen and how to parent on the same page. Buy a copy online now!


    Essential Details: Dr Justin Coulson

    Visit Happy Families websiteBuy The Parenting Revolution online

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  • In today’s episode, we sit down with Gen Muir, a renowned parenting expert, to discuss one of the biggest milestones in a child’s life — the transition to 'big' school. If you're preparing to send your little one off to kindergarten, this episode is packed with insights, tips, and advice on making the process smoother for parents and children.

    We chat about...

    When to send? Gen provides her guidance on when to ‘send early’ and when to ‘hold back’Understanding the Emotional Journey: We dive into the familiar excitement and anxiety children (and parents!) experience when starting a new school. Gen shares practical ways to support your child’s emotional well-being and build resilience.Preparation Tips: From settling the morning routine to practising independence, we discuss how you can help your child feel more confident as they enter their new environment.Dealing with Separation Anxiety: Strategies for handling those tearful goodbyes at the school gate, and what to do if your child struggles with being away from home.Parenting Self-Care: Let's remember you! Gen offers advice on managing one's emotions and expectations as one's child embarks on this new chapter.

    Starting ‘big’ school is a significant event for both children and parents, but it can be a joyful and successful transition with the right tools and mindset. Tune in for expert advice on supporting your child and yourself during this exciting time.

    About Gen Muir

    Gen Muir is a parent educator and founder of Connected Parenting, an obstetric social worker, and the mother of four boys.

    She has assisted over 40,000 parents in the highs and lows of raising kids. She is the author of ‘Little People, Big Feelings’, and co-host of the ‘Beyond the Chaos’ Podcast.

    She has a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from UNSW, a Graduate Diploma in Grief and Bereavement Counselling. She is also a qualified Circle of Security and Tuning into Kids facilitator.

    Gen has appeared on Sunrise, The Morning Show, Studio 10, 2Day FM and ABC.

    Send us a message!

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  • If you could be a part-time foster carer and make a real difference in a young person’s life, would you do it? With flexible care options like fostering for just a week or the occasional weekend, and an urgent need for carers in Sydney, this episode busts all the common misconceptions that you might have about taking on this role.

    Tim and Kylie from Uniting’s Permanency Support Program join Rachel and Sarah to bust some of the most common myths.

    From who can foster, to the realities of what it takes, this conversation reveals the truth behind the myths that hold people back from making a difference. Get ready for an enlightening chat that’ll leave you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to challenge what you thought you knew about foster care!

    Becoming a Uniting foster carer may be easier than you think

    Being there for a vulnerable child or young person is both a privilege and a significant learning experience. While it’s not for everyone, there are many ways to become a foster carer, and it’s often less complicated than you may imagine. With Uniting’s support, you can start by offering occasional overnight or weekend care or open your home and your heart to a child who needs longer-term care.

    Respite care gives full-time foster carers a break

    Some people begin their foster care journey by offering regular periods of care for a child who already has a permanent placement with a foster family. Called respite care, it gives people a break from full-time caring while expanding children’s support networks. It can be a one-off arrangement, or maybe for one weekend a month.

    Emergency care is another option to consider

    Another essential way of supporting a child is to provide emergency care at short notice, giving someone who may be leaving a critical situation a safe place to stay until they can return home or until a more permanent place is found. This type of short-term care may also be needed when a child cannot move to another carer immediately. It may just be for an overnight stay or for a few months while alternative arrangements are made.

    Uniting supports your foster care journey, every step of the way

    With decades of experience supporting foster families, you’re in excellent hands for every step of your fostering journey – from enquiry to application and beyond. You’ll receive a non-taxable allowance for each child in your care, access 24/7 phone support, and connect with our community of carers for training and wraparound assistance. We value diversity of age, faith, gender and experience and warmly welcome all enquiries.

    The right time is now

    If you’ve ever considered helping a child or young person in need – full-time, part-time or sometime - now is the time to take action. Flexible care options that fit with your life and your family can also offer a gateway to discovering if this is something you’d like to do on a more regular or permanent basis.

    Find out how you can foster your way with Uniting.

    Phone: 1800 864 846Email: [email protected] Website: uniting.org/fostercare

    Send us a message!

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  • Welcome to today’s episode, where we’ll dive deep into the world of child mental health— a more pressing issue than ever.

    Did you know that 1 in 7 children aged 4 to 17 meet the clinical criteria for a mental illness over 12 months? Yet, despite these staggering numbers, only half of these children will see a clinician. Access to professional help is limited, and waiting lists can be painfully long.

    To help guide us through this complex and often overwhelming issue, we are joined by Dr Billy Garvey, a developmental paediatrician, senior specialist at one of Melbourne's largest paediatric hospitals, and host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast. With his new book Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child’s Mental Health, Dr Billy is on a mission to arm parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their children, whether they’re grappling with anxiety, low self-esteem or behavioural challenges.

    Dr. Billy believes there is no such thing as a "bad child." He emphasises the importance of understanding the critical foundations of good mental health—from attachment and social skills to self-esteem and anxiety management.

    Join us as we explore the strategies that can help foster hope and resilience in our children’s lives.

    ‘Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child’s Mental Health’ is Dr Billy Garvey’s first book, and it’s out now.

    About Dr Billy Garvey

    Dr Billy Garvey is a developmental paediatrician with over 20 years of experience working with children. He is a senior specialist at one of the largest tertiary paediatric hospitals in the world, where he sees families, trains clinicians and other professionals working with children and conducts research in child development and mental health. He is also the founder of Guiding Growing Minds, a social enterprise that aims to allow all children to reach their potential and live rich and meaningful lives. The Pop Culture Parenting podcast is a part of this vision.

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  • Today, we’re tackling the tricky topic of returning to work after having kids. It’s one that most mums need to consider, and it’s never an easy decision. Whilst some mums are happy to return to work or have to return for financial reasons, others simply want to spend as much time as they can with their children while they’re little.

    There’s no right or wrong, and everyone makes the best decision for their family.

    But… what if there was another option?

    Today, we’re talking to Lauren Perrett… a Sydney mum who struggled when returning to work when her first baby was seven months old. She knew she wasn’t the only mum struggling with this and wanted to find another way.

    So, she created BubbaDesk! She launched in Erina a few years ago… providing hot desks and meeting rooms for parents and on-site childcare for kids. She now has three more centres—in St Leonards Caringbah and Wollongong… with more locations opening soon!

    In this episode, Lauren shares

    Her personal struggles with returning to workHow she turned a ‘lightbulb moment’ into a business. Her advice to new mums about their rights How they can negotiate flexible return-to-work conditionsHow to build a community of mums for your supportTips on how to balance work and motherhood

    BubbaDesk: The story so far

    BubbaDesk was founded by Lauren and Tom Perrett. Lauren returned to work after just six months of maternity leave and was riddled with post-natal anxiety, plus she found it challenging to find reliable (and affordable!) care for their son, Charles. They juggled working from home with a baby for a few months, but felt guilty that their child wasn’t getting the present, playful parents they wanted to be.

    They dreamed of a space where they could work, but also have their baby nearby. They knew that many of their friends faced the same struggle, so decided to turn that dream into a reality. The idea was to build a space where they could be super productive, and have their child close by being looked after by trusted professionals seemed like a no-brainer. And that’s where the idea for BubbaDesk started. Find out more about BubbaDesk.

    Essential Details: BubbaDesk

    Address: 92 Chandos Street, St LeonardsPhone: 0418 999 277Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8.30am-4.30pmWebsite: bubbadesk.com/st-leonardsFollow: Instagram | Facebook

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  • In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Nick Fuller, a leading expert in the field of childhood nutrition and author of the new book "Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids".

    We dive deep into the essentials of creating a healthy, happy home environment, starting with meal planning and how to involve your kids in choosing what’s on the menu. Dr Fuller shares his insights on why eating together at the kitchen table can have a profound impact on family dynamics and why breakfast truly earns its title as the most important meal of the day.

    We also explore the do’s and don’ts of encouraging your children to eat—why bribing or forcing them is never a good idea, and what strategies you can use if your child is a fussy eater.

    Dr. Fuller explains why the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for introducing a variety of foods and how to make movement and incidental activity a natural part of your family’s routine.

    And, because no discussion about health is complete without addressing sleep, we’ll also cover the importance of a good night’s rest and practical tips to ensure your family is getting the quality sleep they need. Whether you’re a parent or

    This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you foster a healthier lifestyle for your family.

    About Dr Nick Fuller

    Dr Nick Fuller is an internationally recognised health expert and leading obesity researcher with degrees in exercise physiology, nutrition and dietetics, and a doctorate in obesity and weight management.

    He is currently responsible for the clinical research program within the Boden Initiative, located within the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney. He is also the director of clinical trials within the Department of Endocrinology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

    Dr Fuller is a familiar face and voice across the Australian media spectrum. He is the resident Weight Loss Expert for Channel’s 9’s TODAY EXTRA breakfast morning show. He writes weekly for The Daily Telegraph, has a regular segment on the Number 1 AM Breakfast Show 2GB, and has regular appearances on Channel 7, 9, 10, ABC and SBS TV.

    He is also the author of the bestselling books Interval Weight Loss, Interval Weight Loss for Life, Interval Weight Loss for Women and Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids.

    Nick is a father of two children.

    For more information visit Interval Weight Loss and Feeding Fussy Kids.

    Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids, by Nick Fuller

    Providing your kids with the best start in life begins with parents, and leading health expert Dr Nick Fuller has distilled his years of research into six essential steps to setting parents and families on a path towards a positive relationship with several key areas of life: food, exercise, sleep and technology. Understanding your child’s needs at each stage of their development and modelling practical boundaries and positive decisions around these areas will bring your family energy, joy and freedom.

    Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids offers a clinically proven blueprint to total family wellness, including more than 100 tasty recipes. You’ll never be at a loss for delicious meal ideas for even the fussiest kids as you reconnect with a variety of fresh, healthy food—and each other—at the kitchen table. The ultimate goal is maintaining a natural optimum body weight throughout life and estab

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  • In a world where screens are everywhere, it can be challenging to find the right balance for our children.

    In today’s episode of The Parenting Couch, we chat with Parenting Educator Gen Muir to help us navigate this digital landscape, offering strategies to create healthy habits and foster a positive relationship with technology.

    Whether you're struggling with screen time rules or looking for ways to enhance your child's digital well-being, this episode is packed with actionable advice to make screen time work for your family. Tune in to learn how to set boundaries that are both effective and achievable.

    In the episode, we discuss:

    Why screen time isn’t the enemyThe pressures of modern parenting & how parents shouldn’t be hard on themselvesHow to set healthy boundaries around screen time, what these look like for young kids and how they work with older kidsHow joining your child in some of their screen time can make life better and increase cooperationHow to use play to bring their screen time interests to life


    About Genevieve Muir

    Genevieve Muir is a parent educator and founder of Connected Parenting, an obstetric social worker, mother of four boys and LEGO® DUPLO® ambassador.

    She is passionate about helping families to connect and thrive amid the many challenges of modern parenting.

    Gen has a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from UNSW and a Graduate Diploma in Grief and Bereavement Counselling. She is also a qualified Circle of Security and Tuning into Kids facilitator.

    She has assisted over 40,000 parents on the highs and lows of raising little ones. Author of Big People, Little Feelings published in 2024 and co-host of the Beyond the Chaos Podcast.

    Gen has appeared Sunrise, The Morning Show, Studio 10, 2Day FM and ABC, and is a spokesperson for LEGO Duplo, H&M Parent Hub and Kiindred.

    Send us a message!

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  • As parents, we all know the daily struggle of preparing a nutritious lunchbox... that our kids will actually eat. If you're in need of a little mid-year inspiration, we've called in the expert!

    In this episode, we dive into the art of crafting the perfect healthy lunchbox with renowned health and wellbeing specialist, Suzanne Burke. As a busy mum herself, Suzanne understands the challenges - and shares her wealth of knowledge, offering practical tips and creative ideas to make lunchtime enjoyable and healthy.

    Discover fresh, easy-to-implement ideas that will transform your lunchbox game! You’ll learn:

    The 5-step plan to packing a nutritious lunchboxWhat to pack in the lunchbox to help kids stay focussed throughout the dayHow packaged food affects children’s health, mood and behaviour.Simple swaps for chips and cookies.How to incorporate more fruit & vegetables into your child's lunchbox in a way that they will enjoyHow to read food labels to make informed choices when selecting items for my child's lunchbox?Alternatives to sandwichesHow to pack a waste-free lunchbox.

    Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters or simply in need of new inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will make healthy eating a breeze for your little ones. Don’t miss out on these expert tips that will save your sanity and keep your kids happy and healthy!

    About Suzanne Burke

    Suzanne is a health and wellbeing specialist with a passion for making healthy living easy and fun!

    With an Advanced Certificate in Nutrition Science from the Australian College of Natural Therapies in Sydney, she transitioned from corporate wellness to community education to positively impact health and nutrition locally.

    As the founder of BodySaysYay!, Suzanne is dedicated to educating children, empowering parents, and raising awareness about the impact of processed foods on health, behaviour, and the environment.

    She is a Certified Instructor with The Root Cause, delivering impactful programs like The Mad Food Science Incursion and Making Friends with Food at schools, along with parent/teacher sessions and community workshops.

    Suzanne's down-to-earth approach and passion for food and wellness stem from her role as a mum of two energetic boys.

    She advocates for mindful nutrition choices and sustainable practices, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

    Choosing real food isn't complicated or expensive! Join Suzanne in her mission to inspire healthier generations and promote a brighter future through mindful nutrition and education.

    Want more lunchbox ideas?

    Would you like a tried and tested system to make lunchboxes a breeze? Get lots of new ideas from ‘Nutritious Lunch Box For School’ E-book. Download for FREE.Book a Parents Nutrition Session for your school, childcare, workplace or community.Follow Suzanne on Facebook or Instagram

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  • Are you running on empty? Juggling a hundred things at once? And it seems there is no end in sight? Parental Burnout is real! Psychologist Dr Carryn Masluk breaks down what is happening to women, and how you can get help.

    In this episode, we're diving into a topic that hits close to home for so many of us: parental burnout.

    Are you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you’re running on empty? You're not alone!

    Dr Carryn Masluk is a renowned psychologist and expert in parental well-being, who’s here to help us unpack the stresses and pressures of modern parenting.

    We explore why burnout happens, how to spot the warning signs, and most importantly, what you can do to reclaim your sanity and joy.

    Get ready for some eye-opening insights and practical tips that could transform the way you approach parenthood.

    Tune in and discover how to thrive, not just survive, in your parenting journey!

    About Dr Carryn Masluk

    Dr Carryn Masluk is the founding Principal of TalkSpace Psychology in Neutral Bay and has over 15 years of experience as a psychologist.

    She opened TalkSpace Psychology in 2017, which has a focus on women's mental health and wellbeing issues.

    She enjoys working with adults and she understands the stressors, the juggles (and the joys!) that come with competing family and work commitments. Carryn has a particular interest in:

    working with new and would-be parents (both mums and dads)working with women who are raising a family or managing a career and struggling with burnout, brain fog, guilt, anxiety, and loss of a self.

    When not working, Carryn is the mother of two school-aged children and a dog.

    Follow: Website | Facebook | Instagram





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  • In this episode of The Parenting Couch, we delve into the important topic of nutrition during perimenopause.

    We’re joined by Susie Burrell, one of Australia’s leading dietitians, with extensive experience in women's health and nutrition. Susie shares valuable insights into how dietary choices can profoundly impact the symptoms and overall experience of perimenopause.

    You’ll learn…

    What is perimenopause, and what are the common symptoms? How does it differ from menopause?Why you are putting on weight even though you are eating & exercising the sameWhat food you should be eating more of during perimenopause (and what food you should reduce)Why you should speak to a Doctor when you think you are entering perimenopause - and the tests you should be asking for.Do you really need herbal supplements?What a woman in perimenopause should be eating for breakfast, lunch & dinner.How to increase your metabolism to burn more calories every dayCardio or Weights? The exercise you should be focussing on during perimenopause What type of diet is the best for women in perimenopauseIs it perimenopause, or could it be a thyroid issue?

    Whether you're currently going through perimenopause or might be entering that phase of life soon, this episode is packed with expert advice and practical strategies to help you thrive.

    Take charge of your health and well-being with our expert-guided journey through perimenopause and nutrition. 🌿💪

    About Susie Burrell

    Susie Burrell is one of Australia’s leading dietitians and is known for her extensive knowledge of food, eating behaviour and weight control. Susie holds an Honours degree in both Nutrition & Dietetics & Psychology and a Masters of Coaching Psychology.

    In her career Susie has worked as a paediatric dietitian at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead; as a sports dietitian to a number of elite sporting teams including the Parramatta Eels, St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney University Sport, and for 12 years as the resident dietitian at Channel 7’s top rating breakfast show, Sunrise.

    Susie now spends her time as ½ of the top rating podcast, The Nutrition Couch, which has had over 3 million downloads to date, whilst still consulting remotely, specialising in weight control for women in Peri and helping executives fuel for top performance.

    Susie is mum to twin boys Gus & Harry who keep her busy retrieving their rugby and soccer balls; she is a secret lover of building Lego houses and always has a series and good book on the go.

    The Peri Plan
    With detailed information on perimenopause, food guidelines, recipes and the all important mindset shifts you need so that you can focus and get the results you are looking for, The Peri Plan is a must read for any woman feeling the brunt of hormonal changes. Conveniently collated into an 107 page PDF E-Book that is instantaneously delivered to you, via email, upon purchase. Purchase now.

    The Peri Plan Recipes
    With 50 recipes that have been nutritionally balanced to suit the nutritional needs or perimenopause and beyond, The Peri Plan Recipe gives you the information and inspiration to continue your nutritional journey through Peri with ease. Purchase now.

    Send us a message!

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  • Does your child suffer from 'School Can't'?

    School Can’t… also known as school refusal, school phobia, school avoidance or school anxiety, is a condition where a child or teenager refuses to attend school or experiences extreme distress when faced with the prospect of going to school.

    It's more than just about not wanting to go to school. It involves significant emotional distress or anxiety that interferes with the child's ability to attend classes regularly.

    To unpack this issue, Rachel and Sarah chat to Dr Catherine Kizana, a medical doctor who has now transitioned to become a qualified parenting coach. We discuss:

    Catherine's personal journey with 'school can't' with her own daughter How common is 'school can't'?Why might a child be unable to go to school?How can parents support their children?What support can parents get?Her A, B, C approach to any parenting problem


    About Dr Catherine Kizana

    Dr Catherine Kizana is a medical doctor, specialising in emergency medicine. Her own journey into parenthood has inspired a recent career change away from the traditional medical model of health.

    She is now a qualified parenting coach and founder of ABC Parenting. Catherine is passionate about educating and supporting parents in the most important job they'll ever do.

    Send us a message!

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  • Got a teenager at high school? Want to support them to reach their personal goals?

    Ki Yan Baldwin is an education strategist and Founder of Kalibrate Education. In this episode, we shares many practical tips about how to help your child achieve great results whilst nurturing their overall wellbeing, ensuring teenagers are poised for the best university and career prospects.

    Ki Yan addresses many common parental concerns, offering actionable advice on what to do if:

    Your child's marks don't match their potentialYour child isn't motivated or doesn't want to studyYour child gets distracted easily or can't focusYour child can’t manage their time properlyYou're worried the impact of technology use on learning and wellbeingYour child is anxious or stressed about schoolYour child is struggling or doesn't like schoolYour child can’t leave their devices along during studiesYou want to help your child balance academic success with wellbeingYou’re unsure about subject selections

    From supporting children with learning challenges like anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, and depression to guiding parents through subject selections and navigating the complexities of school admissions, Ki Yan provides invaluable insights and strategies tailored to empower both students and their families in the pursuit of academic success and holistic growth.

    Whether you want to elevate your child's academic performance or navigate the educational landscape effectively, this episode offers practical wisdom and actionable steps to help you on your journey.

    About Ki Yan Baldwin

    Ki Yan Baldwin is Australia's leading Education Strategy expert and Founder of Kalibrate-Ed.

    Ki Yan is all about unlocking potential. Ki Yan works with parents of Year 7-12 students who want to unlock their child's highest potential by optimising their child's academic performance while balancing wellbeing, ensuring that teenagers are set up to access the very best university and career opportunities.

    She has helped struggling students shift from failing to 100%, overwhelmed students get a 99.95 ATAR, and students with ADHD or dyslexia add 18 points to predicted ATAR.

    Ki Yan frequently advises on the education strategy of Australia's top high schools and major universities, including prominent law and business schools, where she is also a guest lecturer and in-resident mentor. She appears regularly in the media on what's required to cultivate top performers in young people and strategies help parents and educators maximise overall impact beyond just academic marks.

    Free Resources for parents from Kalibrate-Ed

    Motivation First-Aid KitAssessment BattleplanExam ChecklistUpcoming FREE Events

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    Kalibrate WebsiteFacebookFacebook groupInstagramLinkedIn

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  • Is it possible to ‘thrive’ in motherhood? Tara Darlington from Empowering Motherhood believes that it is… and shares her wisdom about how to make that a reality!

    In this episode, Tara shares:

    How to integrate self-care into your daily life as a busy mother so that it nourishes you and your family. The importance of creating a lifestyle and family rhythm that includes your own needs, dreams and desires.Steps to shifting your perspective and your life from survive to thrive!The importance of slowing down to build up your reserves and rediscover who you are.Why you might need to simplify your life. Maternal depletion - what it is, and why you probably have it without realising!Why new mums need a period of ‘confinement’ after birthHow to use the lunar cycle as a template for the ultimate self-care practice.

    About Tara Darlington

    Tara Darlington from Empowering Motherhood is a doula, birth educator and motherhood mentor. She specialises in helping women to heal from birth trauma, grief, loss, pelvic floor problems, burnout and breakdown.

    Tara ran a boutique yoga studio specialising in women's health and well-being for 15 years in Sydney’s Hills District. She now lives on Sydney's Upper North Shore, and mentors women through her Thrive Program using a combination of yoga, positive psychology, energy healing, mentoring and community.

    Follow Empowering Motherhood: Website | Facebook | Instagram

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  • We all want to be the best parents we can for our kids... but nobody is perfect, and we can always learn new tips to help our kids thrive! From setting high expectations and comparing our kids to others, to being a little bit "too" gentle in our parenting, Dr Justin Coulson outlines the biggest mistakes parents make... and shares his expert guidance to help us get out of these traps.

    About Dr Justin Coulson

    Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au. He holds a PhD in Psychology and is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts.

    Over the past decade he has helped innumerable families with his 9 books about raising children, his hundreds of media appearances (including all of Australia’s major news outlets, and even the Washington Post and the New York Times), and two viral videos that have been viewed a combined 80 million times!

    Justin earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Wollongong. He and his wife Kylie have been married since the late 90s and are the parents of 6 daughters and the grandparents of 1 granddaughter.

    Justin is also a sought-after keynote speaker, helping organisations and schools boost wellbeing and improve relationships.


    Justin's new book, The Parenting Revolution

    In The Parenting Revolution, Dr Justin Coulson also digs deep into the practical applications of this revolutionary new approach to parenting, looking in depth at a range of tricky parenting challenges including school refusal, homework, screen time, saying no, the morning rush, when your children don’t listen and how to parent on the same page. Buy a copy online now!


    Essential Details: Dr Justin Coulson

    Visit Happy Families websiteWatch Parental Guidance Season 2Buy The Parenting Revolution online now!

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  • Online predators hide in all corners of the internet… and it’s more important than ever to understand the risks, how to reduce harm and what to do if you suspect something isn’t right.

    We chat with Jen Hoey, Parent Cyber Safety Consultant who shares her important insights into the importance of digital protection for children.

    From social media platforms to online gaming, our children navigate a virtual landscape fraught with potential threats. As parents and carers, it falls upon us to equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard their online experiences.

    Jen shares the distressing experience that her nine-year-old daughter had with an online predator - to help parents understand just how easily this can happen. She shares some simple strategies that parents can apply to prevent it happening to their child, as well as some important rules around tech in the home.

    Listen to learn how to navigate the digital age with vigilance and care.

    About Jen Hoey

    As a Parent Cyber Safety Consultant and the founder of 'Not My Kid', Jen Hoey specialises in providing parents with resources and information aimed at protecting children from online dangers, advocating for reduced screen time, and preventing online child sexual exploitation.

    Jen is a mother of three - two in their early twenties, and a younger child in primary school.

    Jen’s daughter was exposed to an online predator when she was just nine years old, giving her first-hand experience with the challenges faced by children and parents in the digital age.

    Jen has completed many courses in online safety and is currently pursuing a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She has also managed her husband's psychiatric practice for over ten years, where she has observed a worrying increase in teenagers needing help because of problematic internet use.

    Jen’s mission is to preserve childhood and keep all children safe from online child sexual exploitation, by empowering their parents through education.


    Where to report online abuse or illegal content:

    Australian Centre to Counter Child ExploitationeSafety Commissioner


    Follow Not My Kid:

    Website | Facebook | InstagramJoin the Not My Kid Facebook group

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  • Victoria Vanstone is the creator and host of the hugely popular Sober Awkward podcast. Her new memoir A Thousand Wasted Sundays is an unashamedly warts and all look at modern day drinking culture, its impact on mental health and one mothers journey into freeing herself from the grip of socially normalised binge drinking.

    Victoria grew up in 1980s England in a happy home full of laughter, booze and a disturbing amount of fancy-dress parties. From her youthful days downing cheap wine at the local park to dodging disastrous relationships and a messy run-in with a firework, her reliable mate alcohol was never far from reach.

    Throughout her 20s she travelled the world, sought refuge in booze, endured a slew of one-night-stands and several holiday romances. Among these dalliances she recalls details of a Thai boyfriend she thought had died in the Tsunami, a guitarist with a soft-rock mullet, a flat capped Canadian, a sweet Japanese boy, a geezer from London and a Romanian man with ‘teeth like abandoned beach huts.’

    Eventually, Victoria found herself in Australia with a husband and a child on the way. After sobering up for her first pregnancy, becoming a boring, bottom-wiping, cleaning machine meant she soon returned to her binge-drinking ways, and had to grapple anew with the habits and beliefs that had gone unchecked since childhood.

    Incredibly funny and highly relatable, A Thousand Wasted Sundays is for anyone that has ever had a close encounter of the drinking kind.

    Victoria says, ‘The book is about love, for myself and my family. Owning my story and being proud of who I am, no matter my errors. It’s also about dispelling shame and embracing what we perceive as ‘boring’.’

    About Victoria Vanstone

    Victoria Vanstone is the host of Sober Awkward – A popular comedy podcast about two ex-party animals navigating parenting and socialising without their old buddy booze. She’s also a blogger www.drunkmummysobermummy.com and the CEO of www.cuppa.community, the free social network for the sober and sober curious.

    Victoria started writing on the day she gave up alcohol and became a renowned over-sharer on her blog drunkmummysobermummy.com.

    The reformed 'party girl' is now on a mission to help others stuck in a pattern of normalised social binge drinking via the podcast she co-hosts (Sober Awkward), which tracks two former party animals as they navigate life without booze. Originally from Reading in the UK, Victoria now lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with her brood of uncontrollable children, a rather confused dog, and a very patient husband.

    Send us a message!

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  • Vapes, e-cigarettes, stigs, pods… they go by many names and they pose a health risk to our young people.

    Would your Year 5 or 6 child know what to do if a vape was offered to them? Would they understand the dangers? Would they know how to say "no"?

    It's frighteningly easy for kids to come across vapes. They might find one on the side of the road (yuck!) or have one offered one to them by a friend with older siblings.

    Vaping is on the rise with younger kids. Healthy Harold has launched a brand new program designed for kids in primary school, so that when they're offered a vape for the first time, they already have the knowledge and skills to make an informed decision.

    Listen to this interview with Lisa Woodward from Life Ed... who shares her insights into what's happening right now with vaping & teens, and why it's more important than ever to educate kids at a younger age.

    About Life Ed

    LifeEd run fun educational lessons at schools to help kids make safer, healthier and happier choices.

    They have recently added a new module to their program, called ‘Take a Breath’ - and it’s for kids in Year 5 and Year 6 at Primary School, to teach them about the dangers of vaping.

    Their programs are delivered by a team of specially trained educators and supported by tune in lessons prior to the visit and a series of post-visit resources, their evidence-based program is not a rule book and does not dictate to children, this is essential to our success. Adopting a system-wide approach, their program is most effective when engaging the entire school community; students, teachers and parents. Delivered face to face or virtually.

    About Lisa Woodward

    As Life Ed Australia’s Content Development Manager, Lisa Woodward is a master of shaping engaging material. But more than this, she has a clear goal in mind: “for every young person in Australia to see someone like them in Life Ed’s educational content.”

    Her passion for education and representation comes from her many years of experience at Life Ed. Since 1992, she has used her knowledge, skills, experience and enthusiasm to educate hundreds of young people across Australia. Over the years, she’s been an Educator, trainer, manager, and she’s played an integral part in the creation of Life Ed’s preschool, primary and secondary programs.

    She was appointed National Professional Learning Manager in 2018, where she developed and delivered quality training and professional development initiatives to all Educators across Australia.

    In 2021, Lisa was seconded to the National Program Development team where she led the redevelopment of new Early Childhood Education resources and some of Life Ed’s most popular modules – including bCyberwise and Relate Respect Connect.

    In 2022, Lisa developed and managed the creation of two new modules – Friends and Feelings and The Inside Story.

    Lisa is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion and the empowerment of children as she co-designs much of the educational content Life Ed develops with young people, providing them a platform to have their unique voices and life experiences heard.

    More Info: https://lifeed.org.au/

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