Parenting & Family
266 episodes · 2018–2021 · 94 debates · 115 pieces of advice · 314 stories · 251 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed parenting & family across 266 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 251 verbatim quotes, 115 pieces of advice, 314 stories told on air, 94 on-air debates, each linked to the exact moment in the episode and on YouTube.
Where they stand
Moments where the table disagreed, straight from the transcripts.
criticism over the studio's reported $45,000 cost
Ep 100052:30Dismisses the online critic who called them 'trust fund babies' as a 'loser', defending the spending.
Argues the value of what they've built goes far beyond the dollar value of the physical items themselves.
Questions generalising men vs women in parenting capability, especially in primary-school-age caregiving, saying it becomes a more even playing field over time.
Agrees broadly but maintains there is a slight general difference, especially in early stages like breastfeeding, while acknowledging more men are becoming stay-at-home parents today.
Views Harry's exit as akin to someone escaping a cult-like, restrictive system, comparing it to Ayaan Hirsi Ali's escape from an arranged marriage, while still sympathizing with the family's complexity.
Finds the concept of the royal family and its authority confusing, comparing royal reporters to niche entertainment reporters and questioning the loyalty to 'grandma' despite criticizing 'the firm.'
Leans on Adam Grant's framing that 'family' rhetoric is unrealistic and that 'community' is a healthier, more honest description of the relationship with listeners.
Agrees the family framing can be used as an excuse for businesses to manipulate individuals, but notes much of the disconnection stems from things that were simply never discussed upfront.
Finds watching a parent sternly discipline their kid without apologizing entertaining, comparing it to 'porn' and saying there's no need to apologize for it.
Feels self-conscious and judged when disciplining his own kid in front of other parents, worried about how it looks rather than enjoying the act of disciplining.
Thinks Gatorade is a bit of a scam despite containing electrolytes and sugar marketed for exercise.
Defends Gatorade as legitimately useful for athletic performance and hangovers, while also jokingly saying it's more of a scam than probiotics.
Award shows are political/clique-driven and you have to network to be part of the scene, but winning still serves a purpose by giving attention or validation, even if he personally struggles to play that game.
Skeptical of the entire premise of awards nights, comparing them to kids' party games and questioning what the actual point of awards is, concluding it's 'not really my thing.'
Prefers easing into the day with quiet/talkback radio rather than loud music first thing in the morning, especially with a child in the car.
Says he personally would prefer playing tunes loud to get fired up, contrasting with Josh's quieter approach.
It's fine to do an accent as long as you commit to the correct pronunciation rather than mocking it.
Agrees it only works if done properly, giving the example that you can't speak Japanese like an 'Aussie bogan'.
Believes you need to listen to the whole interview to understand Kanye's thought process and unique character, rather than judging from clips that make him look awkward.
Admits he only listened to the first 10 minutes and final 5 minutes, relying on a partial impression.
Questions whether it's wise to risk having a kid just hoping you'll grow to like them if you're not already into kids, framing it as a risky bet.
Wants kids primarily for family togetherness — holidays, watching children grow and find their interests — though acknowledges she can't be sure she'd be a good mother until she experiences it.
Generalizes that many people have kids expecting to feel a certain way and are later surprised by an unexpected 'primitive' instinctual response, suggesting the desire often resolves itself after the fact.
whether Jim (Tommy's dad) was right to defy lockdown closures of his mowing/landscaping business
Ep 870▶ 1:55Supportive — argues mowing is an outdoor, low-risk activity and Jim was right to push back and stay open.
More cautious — notes the difficulty of drawing a line once some outdoor activities are allowed, since everyone could claim they can do their activity 'responsibly'.
Advice from the show
all 115pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
How should I discipline a young child without scaring them?
Rather than instilling fear, take something away as a consequence (like screen time) so the child learns actions have consequences without becoming scared to act at all.
How should a business decide on team-building or office perks?
Josh suggests tailoring activities to what the least-enthusiastic team member (in this case Jess) would actually enjoy, rather than defaulting to things like golf that not everyone likes.
What should you avoid giving a pregnant partner for a sore throat?
Avoid anaesthetic-based mouthwash/gargle products and throat lozenges, as the anaesthetic ingredient is not advised during pregnancy.
How do you avoid needing the bathroom on long-haul flights?
Josh says he avoids drinking much of anything during long flights because he doesn't like having to climb over other passengers to use the bathroom, rather than following typical advice to stay hydrated.
How should couples decide who stays home with kids and who keeps working?
Josh and Tommy suggest it comes down to communication and clearly identifying what each partner wants and needs, accepting that it's rarely a one-off decision but an ongoing negotiation, and that trade-offs (money, time, identity) should ideally be discussed before friction points arise rather than left to 'life happening'.
How can you build more self-compassion or empathy for yourself?
Tommy suggests a meditation technique of picturing yourself as the child you once were and considering how you'd want that younger version of yourself to be treated, as a way to build more kindness toward yourself and others.
Should a business or community be framed as a 'family'?
Avoid calling a team or audience a 'family'; instead frame it as a 'community'—a place of belonging and care—since family framing can be unrealistic and exploited.
How can you ensure durable, long-lasting socks instead of cheap ones that wear out?
Buy merino wool socks like Darn Tough Vermont, which come with a lifetime guarantee — worn-out pairs can be mailed back for free replacements, and buying multiple pairs on trips to the US (where they're more accessible) is a practical workaround for international buyers.
How should parents handle disciplining a child in a public setting?
Josh suggests the key is being considerate of people around you and giving kids an upbringing where they know how to behave in public, while recognizing occasional misbehavior shouldn't stop you from taking them out; he also notes public discipline feels more fraught because of perceived judgment from onlookers.
What's a good way to introduce a new baby to an older sibling?
Have the new baby 'give' a gift to the older sibling on the day they're born, so the older child feels included and positively connected to the new arrival from day one.
What should you bring to avoid getting into trouble on a hike?
Always carry more food and water than you think you'll need and bring a first aid kit so you can help yourself or others if something goes wrong.
How can I survive boring or repetitive small talk at family gatherings or holidays?
Find the person's specific quirk, obsession, or profession and ask deep, curious follow-up questions about it—this shifts focus away from yourself and can sustain a long, engaging conversation.
How do you get a young child to accept limited music choices on a long car trip?
Prime the child beforehand with a believable reason (e.g., the car was serviced and music options are limited) and offer a simple binary choice, such as 'Daddy's music or nothing,' so they feel in control while you still manage the actual music played.
How can a family create a music playlist that works for everyone on a road trip?
Hold a dedicated 'playlist organising' session where each family member shares their favorite tracks and the child picks favorites from each parent's selection, blending everyone's music into one rotating playlist.
How do you keep a relationship strong after having kids?
Matty and Laura enforce a 'no mobile phones after 7pm' rule once their daughter is in bed so they can focus on each other, acknowledging they break it sometimes but try to make a conscious effort.
What informal activities can help a toddler's early learning at home?
Josh describes using everyday moments like reading number plates, counting fingers, and saying birthdays as fun, low-pressure ways to support a toddler's learning without rigid structure.
How can I make it easier to remotely help parents or older relatives with tech problems?
Josh recorded screen-recorded video instructions and did live screen shares so his dad could follow along step by step, and set up a family password manager account with two-factor authentication rather than resetting the password each time, to create a longer-term fix rather than a repeated workaround.
What's the safest way to set up two-factor authentication?
Avoid linking 2FA to your local mobile number since it becomes unusable while traveling internationally without your home SIM; use an authenticator app or password manager instead.
How should you respond when a child's behavior emotionally triggers you?
Try to observe your emotional reaction as energy rather than being swept up in it — acknowledging the feeling without letting it control your response can change the outcome of the interaction.
How do you cope with reduced work time after becoming a parent?
Recognise it's okay to need dedicated uninterrupted work time (even just a few hours) and not feel guilty asking for it, since constant interruptions can be more draining than having less total time.
What should you do when values clash with a partner over generosity (like giving away someone else's belongings)?
Tommy frames the conflict as two different but valid values clashing (generosity toward others vs. attachment to specific special possessions) rather than one person being simply wrong.
What should parents consider before starting a YouTube channel featuring their young child?
Think about longevity and brand identity from the start (avoid boxing the channel into one narrow niche), consider YouTube's strict demonetisation rules for kids' content, be mindful of child-star-style psychological risks, and plan for a point where the child is given the choice of whether to continue participating.
How can I get a young child more engaged in creating rather than just consuming content?
Strip consumption apps like Netflix and YouTube off their tablet and leave only creation tools, give them an old iPad or a GoPro to start filming and taking photos, and gradually introduce basic editing and professional creative tools as they show interest.
How can parents savor fleeting moments with young kids even when it's tiring?
Pay attention to small things that will change soon, like a child's squealy voice, and treat ordinary moments (like drives to get a toddler to sleep) as worth savoring rather than only focusing on the restrictions of quiet, careful parenting.
Stories told on air
Josh tells a story about a man knocking on his parents' door in Phillip Island to invite his dad to a Chevy car club, which leads to a tangent about his dad actually belonging to a different, highly political car club full of bickering members.
told by Josh
While shopping for his mum's Mother's Day gift at Myer on a Friday night, a staff member jokingly singled Josh out for standing with his hands in his pockets while his partner Bree carried the items. Josh felt offended, walked away mid-transaction, and described feeling strangely satisfied afterward, as if he'd evened the score for a slow, confusing checkout experience.
told by Josh
Josh recounts his son Bodhi punching him in the face/lip after being picked up and taken away from a neighbor's house, leading Josh to remove all TV and screen access for the week as a consequence, and noting a dramatic positive change in his son's behaviour.
told by Josh Janssen
Jess describes growing up around car racing, with her dad and grandfather racing a car called a 'Turner' at tracks like Winton, including memories of the smell, sounds, and a skid-out scare.
told by Jess Lucas
1,000-episode recap video
Ep 10009:51George Martin's edited video runs through stats and highlights across 1,000 episodes: total minutes/hours, guest counts, COVID remote shows, a 24-hour livestream, breakdowns, and milestone moments like meeting Seth Godin and building the studio.
told by George Martin (narrated by Mason Lauder)
Josh recalls his dad being reluctant to play golf but eventually joining, and once on the course got annoyed about rubbish being left behind, an outburst Josh jokes got him 'banned.'
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy relays ad-tech jargon ('donuts' for dynamic ad insertion gaps) from his friend Mike Santos to Jess, who jotted a cryptic note in his diary reading just 'Mike Santos, donut' and then forgot the context, leading to a confusing follow-up call with their ads vendor AdsWiz and an enduring office in-joke.
told by Josh Janssen and George Martin
Josh briefly recounts an instance of feeling so overwhelmed when asked what he wanted at a bagel shop in New York that he simply walked out.
told by Josh Janssen
Tommy describes an impromptu Sunday night bonfire with neighbours in his backyard, including pizza, his 4-year-old son Bodhi playing with a 7-year-old neighbour's kid, and a conversation about kids and vegetables that sparked the evolutionary vegetable theory discussion.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recalls personally directing and filming the band 5 Seconds of Summer at a radio station, describing them as nice, very famous guys.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recounts how his son Bodhi heard Jay-Z and Kanye West's explicit song 'N***as in Paris' on Amy's pregnancy playlist at a backyard pizza night and became obsessed with it, mishearing the title as 'Knickers in Paris,' leading to an awkward explanation from Tommy.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh reflects that during roughly 10 weeks of a 'Friday Night Drinks' community format, he was foregoing his own comfort and values for the audience, which eventually led to a blowup (referenced alongside 'DJ Precious').
told by Josh Janssen
After the unprofitable LA trip led to a cash crunch at the end of 2019, Tommy and Josh had to have a hard conversation and borrow money (around $10,000-$20,000) from Tommy's parents to keep the business afloat.
told by Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett
Both hosts reminisce about early personal video technology: Tommy's family Handycam that used full VHS tapes, and his first small blue Kodak-style digital camera with a reverse-video trick mode; Josh recalls a similar Kodak camera and a Game Boy camera cartridge.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Tommy and his friend Donuts went to dinner and on the walk back invented a game: watch an owner walk into a dog daycare without a dog, then guess which breed they'll walk out with.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy discovers a dusty, nearly year-old Australia Post satchel stuffed inside a rarely-opened electrical cabinet at the office entrance. Josh opens it on camera to find it's one of their own show's outgoing mail items (a book and stickers meant for a supporter named Andrew) that had apparently been returned after a mail carrier left it there instead of delivering or leaving a card.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Josh describes giving Bodhi sips of Coke at a party which backfired as Bodhi kept seeking more from other parents; when Josh refused further drink, Bodhi had a public meltdown, knocking over a wine glass, leaving Josh feeling judged by onlooking parents.
told by Josh Janssen
Josh describes spending three hours cleaning a rental Weber barbecue using oven cleaner, wearing gloves, a mask and Crocs, convinced he might end up injured, while his partner Bree stood by on standby.
told by Josh Janssen
In their words
“You cannot go wrong with a wheat bag.”
“The phone is crack cocaine. The 64-inch is the coke, a bag of coke.”
“That's crazy! We've committed to do The Daily Talk Show for 10 years.”
“Whenever I hear someone say bad actor, can't help but think of Hollywood actors that are bad performers.”
“A human needs to learn through failing or through hurt.”
“Mainstream meaning popular? Yeah. The Trumps. The Trump family.”
“Kids just know where to fucking nip, don't they?”
“I don't think they're the government, are they? We need a royal expert because it fuck— it's so interesting because what decisions do they get to, like the Queen signing off on shit?”
“There's so many great things about having a kid. One of them is, one of them that's really bad is think about, think about listening to music.”
“The rhetoric about a company being a family is not realistic. Parents don't fire or furlough their children to cut costs. Leaders would be better off calling their company a community, a place where people feel a sense of belonging and care about one another”
“She's high.”
“Hey, isn't it weird how we've got to a stage where we're rooting for Joe Exotic to get a pardon?”
“Watching a parent tell off their kid is one of my favourite things.”
“You knew that you'd had a good day at the pools because your tits are on fire, you know, little man boobs on fire.”
“It's such a Josh way to go.”
“Go hard, find a quirk or find something they're obsessed with, this person, whoever they are. Profession. And it's about the right person too... you've got a real solid hour of a podcast.”
“It fucking feels real good, you know. Like when my son won Pass the Parcel.”
“65% of Americans expect to have A family fight at Thanksgiving.”