Mental Health
The Imperfects
Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
We’re all imperfect. On this podcast, founder of The Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg, his good friend Ryan Shelton, and only one of their brothers, Josh van Cuylenburg, talks to a variety of interesting people who vulnerably share their own struggles and imperfections, or expertly pass on their wisdom on the subject of imperfection. Whether it’s in The Vulnerabilitea House, The Academy of Imperfection, or with our very own psychologist, Dr Emily, The Imperfects are here to find some valuable takeaways we can all apply to our own imperfect lives.
Open in Clue Episodes to Learn English 287
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Dr Emily - You're Full of Grit
Jun 14, 2026 1h 17m<p>Do you think you have grit?</p> <p>💌Join 8,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Research has shown that the most common characteristic of elite performers and high achievers is grit.</p> <p>Understood as the passion and perseverance for very long term goals, Grit is not about natural ability or talent, but rather how we choose to grow.</p> <p>Your favourite resident psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove, is back in the studio this week to talk about how you can become a grittier person!</p> <p>We also look inward, as Josh asks how to maintain grit when it feels like your inner critic is overwhelmingly loud.</p> <p>Dr Em, so great to have you back.</p> <p>0:00 – Down with the nonchalance! <br>5:43 – Talent vs Excellence<br>10:40 – Interested in finding your interests<br>16:42 – For the non-naturals in the room <br>24:22 – Effort is essential for excellence <br>32:17 – Practicing, kindly <br>35:01 – Hope is earned <br>42:06 – The good and bad criticism<br>53:45 – Encountering pain and discomfort <br>59:54 – For the greater good <br>1:06:09 – The dark side of perseverance</p> <p></p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - <a href="https://youtu.be/JmcLV7DGL4k">https://youtu.be/JmcLV7DGL4k</a> </p> <p>🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dyson Heppell - Whatever It Takes… To Forgive - <a href="https://bit.ly/4egeneO">https://bit.ly/4egeneO</a></li> <li>Nedd Brockmann - The Man, The Myth, The Neddgend - <a href="https://bit.ly/4egfATo">https://bit.ly/4egfATo</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Hope - <a href="https://bit.ly/43YalTr">https://bit.ly/43YalTr</a></li> <li>Bri Lee - Babies+Climate=Anxiety - <a href="https://bit.ly/4xlrYdl">https://bit.ly/4xlrYdl</a></li> <li>How I Built ‘Dis’ - The Resilience Project Story - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aH0dSP">https://bit.ly/4aH0dSP</a></li> </ul> <p>📚Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth - <a href="https://bit.ly/4vzoe6o">https://bit.ly/4vzoe6o</a></li> <li>Self-efficacy, by Albert Bandura - <a href="https://bit.ly/4fx4KdW">https://bit.ly/4fx4KdW</a></li> <li>Master of Change, by Brad Stulberg - <a href="https://bit.ly/4xCbUEv">https://bit.ly/4xCbUEv</a></li> <li>Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, by Anders Ericsson - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Q9cIje">https://bit.ly/3Q9cIje</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>THE GAP, by Ira Glass - <a href="https://bit.ly/4xjkuHL">https://bit.ly/4xjkuHL</a></li> </ul> <p>⭐️Things to donate to</p> <ul> <li>JMB Foundation - <a href="https://jmbfoundation.org.au/"></a><a href="https://jmbfoundation.org.au">https://jmbfoundation.org.au</a></li> </ul> <p>🏆Competitions to enter</p> <ul> <li>Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - <a href="https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr">https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr</a></li> </ul> <p>🎟️Things to buy tickets to</p> <ul> <li>Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema - <a href="https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr">https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Ellyse Perry - It Starts With Trying
Jun 7, 2026 1h 21m<p>At just 16, Ellyse Perry was the youngest person to ever debut for the Australian International Cricket team. 13 days later, Ellyse debuted for the Matildas.</p> <p>💌Join 7,800+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Arguably one of the greatest athletes of our time, Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat to Ellyse about how she stays so grounded amidst her incredible success, and whether she is able to separate who she is from what she does.</p> <p>Ellyse chats to the guys about her relationship with her dad (Josh and Hugh furiously take notes), and how both her parents were able to instil a love of trying rather than winning.</p> <p>And then we get onto social anxiety; what it feels like for Ellyse, why she loves silent retreats, and how she manages it in front of her fans.</p> <p>Ellyse, you are a literal ray of sunshine. Please come back anytime.</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/xAZeLzcG43Y">https://youtu.be/xAZeLzcG43Y</a> </p> <p>0:00 – Is THAT AI?<br>5:05 – Running (and bowling) it’s natural course<br>11:24 – The feeling of not trying<br>17:18 – Parents: Be A Good Sport<br>29:22 – Prepare to be disappointed<br>40:23 – Bitter sweet World Cup<br>46:48 – The complexity of ego<br>1:03:54 – Practicing presence<br>1:10:30 – Hugh’s advice for big moments</p> <p>🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - (1:14:20) - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PRku11">https://bit.ly/3PRku11</a></li> <li>WHO ARE YOU? with Dr Emily (+ secret code word) - (17:20) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4e1SxeV">https://bit.ly/4e1SxeV</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Perspective by Ellyse Perry - (29:22) - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PSMaCI">https://bit.ly/3PSMaCI</a></li> <li>Ellyse Perry’s children’s books - <a href="https://bit.ly/4e1TyDM">https://bit.ly/4e1TyDM</a></li> <li>Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - (1:11:40) - <a href="https://bit.ly/437yxT9">https://bit.ly/437yxT9</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot - (1:17:27) - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PSPKNa">https://bit.ly/3PSPKNa</a></li> </ul> <p>🏆Competitions to enter</p> <ul> <li>Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - <a href="https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr">https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr</a></li> </ul> <p>🎟️Things to buy tickets to</p> <ul> <li>Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema - <a href="https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr">https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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We're Doing a One-Off Live Show!
Jun 2, 2026 10 min<p>We have a BIG announcement.</p> <p>August 19. Balwyn Cinema. Our first ever live podcast recording. With Hugh, Ryan, Josh, Dr Emily, and you?</p> <p>ARE YOU AS EXCITED AS WE ARE?!</p> <p>And you could win your way there! THE ULTIMATE GOLD CLASS DOUBLE PASS includes: 2 x tickets, flights or a limo if you're already in Melbourne, accomodation for the night, popcorn, choc top, sparkling wine and a personal escort to your seats by former Balwyn Cinema employee Hugh van Cuylenburg!</p> <p>🏆 Enter here NOW - <a href="https://www.theimperfects.com.au/balwyn-entry/">https://www.theimperfects.com.au/balwyn-entry/</a></p> <p>Tickets will go live Monday June 8.</p> <p>🎟️ Buy here - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ecYtTw">https://bit.ly/4ecYtTw</a></p> <p>BUT to enter the competition OR buy tickets, you need a codeword (lowercase). And the only way you will hear the codeword is to be a <em>Little More Imperfects</em> subscriber and listen to the latest episode!</p> <p>So quick, subscribe here!</p> <p>🩵Patreon - <a href="http://patreon.com/theimperfects">patreon.com/theimperfects</a></p> <p>🩷Apple Podcast - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>We can’t wait to see you there x</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Ryan Holiday - A Stoic Life & Death
May 31, 2026 1h 15m<p>We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. At least, that’s what the Stoic’s say.</p> <p>💌Join 7,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Today we are joined (deep breath Hugh) by Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday.</p> <p>Using the wisdom of the past to appreciate the present, Ryan’s work is dedicated to communicating how the practicalities of stoic philosophy can help us lead more present, mindful and resilient lives today.</p> <p>In this incredible chat, Hugh, Josh and Ryan (our Ryan), each present Ryan Holiday with something they have been struggling with in their own lives. Through the lens of Stoic philosophers Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, Ryan Holiday talks to how stoicism can really help us to live into our values, prioritise presence, and deal with existential dread.</p> <p>We discuss with Ryan the importance of understanding what will actually make you happy (spoiler: it’s not a billion dollars), and how to reframe death as a reminder that we must appreciate every moment (or not waste anymore with shame and guilt).</p> <p>This episode, and its practical take-aways (which you can find listed in our newsletter), has been a long time coming.</p> <p>Ryan, what an absolute honour.</p> <p>0:00 – What is Stoicism? <br>13:26 – For the Josh’s of the world <br>17:07 – Time and Energy of Worrying <br>27:01 – The illusion of freedom <br>33:50 – Am I a bad friend? <br>38:58 – Practicing what you preach ft. presence <br>45:42 – If today was your last day <br>50:22 – 5 quotes for a Stoic life</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link -</p> <p>🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dHKR2F">https://bit.ly/4dHKR2F</a></li> <li>Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dHKPYB">https://bit.ly/4dHKPYB</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Letter’s from a Stoic by Seneca - <a href="https://bit.ly/49WVNqB">https://bit.ly/49WVNqB</a></li> <li>ALL of Ryan’s books - <a href="https://bit.ly/43uHsxZ">https://bit.ly/43uHsxZ</a></li> </ul> <p>✍️Journals to journal</p> <ul> <li>The Daily Stoic - <a href="https://bit.ly/49qJ6Em">https://bit.ly/49qJ6Em</a></li> <li>My Imperfect Life - <a href="https://bit.ly/4tZ8qJ6">https://bit.ly/4tZ8qJ6</a></li> </ul> <p>🎟️ Things to get tickets to</p> <ul> <li>Daily Stoic Live with Ryan Holiday - <a href="https://bit.ly/4uK72Lt">https://bit.ly/4uK72Lt</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Ryan’s website - <a href="https://bit.ly/4v3Vh24">https://bit.ly/4v3Vh24</a></li> <li>The Resilience Project - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Q4LOc4">https://bit.ly/3Q4LOc4</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Joel Pearson - I Think, Therefore AI
May 24, 2026 1h 29m<p>In the age of AI, do you feel that your future is more uncertain?</p> <p>💌Join 7,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p data-id="1aab7db2-a4f9-4202-9dd8-93a4b9387512">In today’s Academy of Imperfection, we’re joined by Dr Joel Pearson; a neurofuturist, whose work centres around predicting how AI will impact every aspect of our lives from now on.</p> <p data-id="74838d8d-ea17-4ab9-a81f-ffc4d8b743e8">While many of us (us included) first and foremost imagine the impacts of AI in a tech-revolution-y, robot butler-y, terminator-adjacent way, this episode goes deeper.</p> <p data-id="31ca6a3a-feb6-49cf-8d0d-dfc72ac9f68c">Joel discusses how young people are forming attachments with AI companions and how we might see, perhaps the first generation in known history with a lower IQ than the one beforehand.</p> <p data-id="6179439c-2930-4ae1-b680-fbe9387f67f8">We talk about the tangible and interconnected mental health impacts that this major societal disruption will have, and Hugh and Josh ask how in the world can we broach this topic with our kids?</p> <p data-id="06d518a9-cd3a-4912-b668-8acaa08e9454">BUT, this episode isn’t all doom and gloom. Joel is a tech-optimist, after all.</p> <p data-id="a3f4d8df-0c5c-4196-a143-4b32500cc908">We talk to Joel about how we can foster human connection, and continue to develop our critical thinking skills, whilst not turning away from AI altogether.</p> <p>Joel, this has been invaluable.</p> <p>If you want to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGa6heppjE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGa6heppjE</a> </p> <p>0:00 – The episode we’ve been putting off<br>10:10 – The only certainty is disruption<br>14:15 – Impact of AI on the brain<br>21:23 – Rewards and moral responsibility<br>27:11 – A scary mental health spiral<br>30:31 – Think of the children<br>35:10 – You may now kiss the AI<br>45:06 – Purposeful Utopia<br>58:42 – Seeing is no longer believing<br>1:02:21 – The Roadmap to AI<br>1:11:35 – Finding Motivation in Limbo<br>1:18:15 – Let’s Stack Some Habits</p> <p>🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - (1:22:53) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dW7Bfa">https://bit.ly/4dW7Bfa</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - (1:22:53) - <a href="https://bit.ly/3RTAjVl">https://bit.ly/3RTAjVl</a></li> <li>James Clear - Down The Habit Hole - (1:22:00) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4wIg5xV">https://bit.ly/4wIg5xV</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>The Intuition Toolkit by Dr Joel Pearson - (3:18) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4v5NnFM">https://bit.ly/4v5NnFM</a></li> <li>Matt Shumer App Development Industry Blog - (27:11) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4uo65rY">https://bit.ly/4uo65rY</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Joel’s website - <a href="https://bit.ly/4upBURa">https://bit.ly/4upBURa</a></li> <li>Tristan Harris’ Center for Human Technology - (1:25:40) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4wGrFJZ">https://bit.ly/4wGrFJZ</a></li> <li>Figure Three Robotics - (42:51) - <a href="https://bit.ly/42J2Uiz">https://bit.ly/42J2Uiz</a></li> <li>Joel's work at the University of NSW as Deputy Director of Human Readiness UNSW AI Institute - <a href="https://bit.ly/4nPA89G">https://bit.ly/4nPA89G</a> </li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>House of Dynamite - (26:21) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4uw5PYg">https://bit.ly/4uw5PYg</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dr Emily - What To Do With Envy
May 17, 2026 1h 19m<p>What is your envy telling you?</p> <p>💌Join 7,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk about the green-eyed monster, and more importantly, how we can work with it to incorporate more gratitude, appreciation and awareness into our lives (hallelujah).</p> <p>Founded in the evolutionary practice of assessing our status in comparison with others, envy comes from the feeling of lacking something that someone else has.</p> <p>In what may have been an adaptive function for a cave person to secure their basic needs, our brains are not equipped for the intense comparison fed to us via social media.</p> <p>Dr Emily chats to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the layered experience of envy, and how often, it stems from feeling not-enough or unworthy.</p> <p>Of course, Dr Emily brings the strategies. We explore how to work with envy in our own lives, and how to acknowledge it in the lives of our friends and family to protect important relationships.</p> <p>Dr Em, we’ll see you for the sequel on jealousy soon.</p> <p>To watch the full episode: <a href="https://youtu.be/B7acUnoekSc">https://youtu.be/B7acUnoekSc</a></p> <p>0:00 – Envy vs Jealousy 9:08 – Keeping up with the Jones’ 8:16 – A message around ‘enoughness’ 25:12 – The energy of being a hater 36:50 – A deep longing for a difference experience 42:13 – On the flip side 52:45 - Acknowledge the hard 59:18 – The social emotion 1:07:18 – Working with envy</p> <p>🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dave Hughes - Me, Myself & Ego - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ua3mSP">https://bit.ly/4ua3mSP</a></li> <li>Hamish Blake - Let’s Talk About Self-Doubt - <a href="https://bit.ly/4fl7omR">https://bit.ly/4fl7omR</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ugEHwe">https://bit.ly/4ugEHwe</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory - <a href="https://bit.ly/4npfIE5">https://bit.ly/4npfIE5</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>‘Onesies’ Bluey episode - <a href="https://bit.ly/4eGTqLS">https://bit.ly/4eGTqLS</a></li> </ul> <p>📖Things to read</p> <ul> <li>The Way We Are, by Hugh Mackay - <a href="https://bit.ly/4wsJuff">https://bit.ly/4wsJuff</a></li> <li>Status Anxiety, by Alain de Botton - <a href="https://bit.ly/4tvbGeL">https://bit.ly/4tvbGeL</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Reuben Williams - What Happened After My Sexual Assault
May 10, 2026 1h 28m<p>Can you think of a moment that turned your life into ‘before’ and ‘after’?</p> <p>For Reuben Williams, that moment was not his sexual assault, rather, the decision he made in the aftermath to pursue justice.</p> <p>💌Join 7,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Incredibly vulnerable, Reuben talks Hugh, Ryan and Josh through what it felt like in the 24 hours after the assault, how he knew, undeniably, what happened to him was wrong, and why he chose to report it.</p> <p>We talk about the intricacies of healing, privilege, and having a world class difficult conversation with the ones you love.</p> <p>And then, Josh asks Reuben how you can best show up for your friends who might be going through something similar.</p> <p>Reuben, it was such a privilege having you in the studio.</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/okQnOwV2MJE">https://youtu.be/okQnOwV2MJE</a> </p> <p>0:00 – An Imperfect Meet-Cute<br>6:44 – The night of the assault<br>19:28 – Identity, privilege, and idealism<br>33:09 – Family Dynamics<br>41:16 - World Class Difficult Conversation<br>47:39 – The Waiting Game<br>59:15 – Reuben’s Letter<br>1:04:24 – A divine test<br>1:10:30 – Just help<br>1:18:46 – How can you be a better friend?</p> <p>🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Rana Hussain - Belonging For Connection - <a href="https://bit.ly/49voquJ">https://bit.ly/49voquJ</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>SportsGrad Podcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/42V75HT">https://bit.ly/42V75HT</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>SportsGrad - <a href="https://bit.ly/49p2hOD">https://bit.ly/49p2hOD</a></li> </ul> <p>🚨If you’d like to reach out to someone for support after listening to this episode, here are some great places to start</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://1800respect.org.au">1800 RESPECT</a></li> <li><a href="https://casacv.org.au">Centre Against Sexual Assault</a> - 03 5441 0430 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) OR 1800 806 292 (Sexual Assault Crisis Line)</li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Jan Fran - Wars For Your Attention
May 3, 2026 1h 11m<p>In a world so divided by hate, how can we choose to show love?</p> <p>This week we are joined by journalist Jan Fran, who unpacks the horror of witnessing horror.</p> <p>💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Talking through her unravelling relationship with social media and the utter helplessness she feels watching atrocities cut into 30 second clips, Jan explores how becoming a mother cracked her open in ways she didn’t know possible.</p> <p>Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House to answer every question in the deck (kidding), Jan and Josh discuss the guilt of turning away, and the consequences of leaning in.</p> <p>And finally, Jan bonds with the Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the fundamental importance of deliberately creating community.</p> <p>Jan, you are remarkable.</p> <p>0:00 – Introducing Josh’s housemate <br>8:42 – The art of being vulnerable <br>17:19 – I wish I could stop going on social media. <br>27:13 – Being cracked open <br>35:32 – Deliberately building community <br>46:39 – Anticipating the Comments <br>53:34 – Optimist by will</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube (and see Josh’s Frant banner), follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/BRoyNdZEZD0">https://youtu.be/BRoyNdZEZD0</a> </p> <p>🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dr Edna Lekgabe - New Baby … New Brain … Matrescence - (33:21) - <a href="https://bit.ly/48vQZb5">https://bit.ly/48vQZb5</a></li> <li>How (and Why) Ryan Dumped His iPhone - (20:50) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4tGRXKj">https://bit.ly/4tGRXKj</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>The Frant - <a href="https://bit.ly/4cSeFaO">https://bit.ly/4cSeFaO</a></li> <li>Ette Media - <a href="https://bit.ly/4t1OzIw">https://bit.ly/4t1OzIw</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧 Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>We Used To Be Journos - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dcAGT9">https://bit.ly/4dcAGT9</a></li> </ul> <p>📱Things to help you set social media boundaries</p> <ul> <li>One sec - <a href="https://bit.ly/4cEYMpF">https://bit.ly/4cEYMpF</a></li> <li>Brick - <a href="https://bit.ly/4vXSzfP">https://bit.ly/4vXSzfP</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dr Edna Lekgabe - New Baby… New Brain… Matrescence.
Apr 26, 2026 1h 35m<p>According to perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist Dr Edna Lekgabe, matrescence is the motherhood equivalent of adolescence. Puberty 2.0, if you will.</p> <p>💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Joining us in the academy of imperfection, Dr Edna explores the cataclysmic identity shift women undergo during motherhood, and how partners can best support them.</p> <p>Exploring the impacts of mastrescence with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Dr Edna breaks down the difference between matrescence, anxiety and depression, and why mental illness is the number one pregnancy complication.</p> <p>We’re talking hormonal changes, physiological changes, sociological changes that are SO significant, you can see them in brain scans. Matrescence is messy, a developmental earthquake, and it’s not talked about nearly enough.</p> <p>This episode might just break the internet (and your heart) wide open.</p> <p>0:00 – Introducing Hugh’s perinatal psychiatrist <br>7:30 – Matrescence? Huh? <br>21:14 – The biology of baby brain <br>34:10 – The difference between matrescence and depression <br>40:46 – Reasonable worry vs anxiety disorder <br>47:40 – The emergence of neurodivergence <br>54:04 – Post-natal depression <br>1:00:04 – Matrescence after loss <br>1:05:50 – Getting to know a brand new person <br>1:11:19 – Can women have it all? <br>1:18:32 – On a societal scale <br> 1:26:12 – The paternal earthquake</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link -</p> <p>🫖 Other Imperfect’s episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety? - <a href="https://bit.ly/4vHn1eh">https://bit.ly/4vHn1eh</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Being Female: Reproduction, Power and Change, by Dana Raphael - <a href="https://bit.ly/48jC5EO">https://bit.ly/48jC5EO</a></li> <li>The Birth of a Mother, New York Times, by Alexandra Sacks - <a href="https://bit.ly/3OjB9tp">https://bit.ly/3OjB9tp</a></li> <li>Men at Work: Australia’s Parenthood Trap, Quarterly Essay, by Annabel Crabb - <a href="https://bit.ly/4mLE8Hx">https://bit.ly/4mLE8Hx</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>Perinatal OCD: When ‘the happiest time of your life’ turns dark - <a href="https://bit.ly/48lx8eK">https://bit.ly/48lx8eK</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>Alexandra Sacks TEDTalk on Matrescence - <a href="https://bit.ly/4tsBcCt">https://bit.ly/4tsBcCt</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Yerkes-Dodson Law: Stress Level - <a href="https://bit.ly/4cOT2IO">https://bit.ly/4cOT2IO</a></li> <li>peanut x Tommee Tippee campaign on matrescence - <a href="https://bit.ly/4mQDicU">https://bit.ly/4mQDicU</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Shane Jacobson - Permission To Laugh
Apr 19, 2026 1h 34m<p>How do you make sure your kids are proud of who they are?</p> <p>💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Propelled to international stardom after the release of Kenny, Shane Jacobson’s overnight success was years in the making.</p> <p>Joining us in the studio, Shane is incredibly generous in sharing the cataclysmic impact that humour and laughter has had on his life from a young age.</p> <p>Now at the age where he has attended more funerals than 21st’s, Shane talks about his realisation that he is in for the long mourn, and why he allows himself to feel joy during times of intense grief. Sharing a giggle at a funeral? Absolutely.</p> <p>In a beautiful moment of connection with Hugh, Shane chats about parenting the ‘premium package’ (his neurodivergent child).</p> <p>Shane, this was incredibly joyful.</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/VHaK2fSiasA">https://youtu.be/VHaK2fSiasA</a> </p> <p>0:00 – A bird in her where?<br>3:19 – Butt of the joke<br>12:34 – The evolution of good manners <br>17:47 – Seeking validation <br>27:17 – Giggle at a funeral<br>42:00 – Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s: The Premium Package!<br>55:58 – Becoming softer<br>1:00:25 – Parenting your parents<br>1:08:03 – Don’t wait for the moment<br>1:18:04 – 5 things we can do to be warmer</p> <p>🫖 Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dr Emily - Truth v Harmony - <a href="https://bit.ly/4etnytQ">https://bit.ly/4etnytQ</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>Kenny - <a href="https://bit.ly/427rUzv">https://bit.ly/427rUzv</a></li> <li>Shane’s AFI win (go to 6:12) - <a href="https://bit.ly/48HyzEb">https://bit.ly/48HyzEb</a></li> </ul> <p>📋Check-in</p> <ul> <li>Questions to ask someone if they might be depressed - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dOYuNS">https://bit.ly/4dOYuNS</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Esther Perel - It’s Not Them, It’s You
Apr 12, 2026 1h 11m<p data-id="b5a8b354-d7e9-4bfe-bc81-9ec8ec71780b">Are you stuck, focusing on what's wrong in your relationship?</p> <p data-id="f7948b4e-f739-4212-b1d6-ce7951844aa6">Deeply embedded in the work of intimacy, desire and relationships, psychotherapist and best-selling author Esther Perel, ask us to take a look at ourselves first, rather than listing the short comings of our partner.</p> <p>💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>In this Academy of Imperfection, Hugh (who sadly was violently ill last time we talked to Esther) comes armed with questions about the mental load (with love, from Penny), and how to navigate their differing needs for affection.</p> <p>Ryan asks Esther whether we’re capable of falling in love with AI, and Josh wants to know why we sometimes put up walls with the ones we love the most.</p> <p>And, if you’ve ever asked yourself any of the below, this episode’s for you;</p> <ul> <li>is working from home causing social atrophy?</li> <li>what does it mean to be an embodied creature?</li> <li>what are the downfalls of a frictionless relationship?</li> </ul> <p>Esther, you are welcome back anytime. ANYTIME.</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/u5HsDD9bjRQ">https://youtu.be/u5HsDD9bjRQ</a> </p> <p>🫖Other episodes of the Imperfects mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Esther Perel - Let’s Be Better Lovers - <a href="https://bit.ly/41m8R4f">https://bit.ly/41m8R4f</a></li> <li>Hugh & Penny - The Elephant in the Relationship - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PPugAp">https://bit.ly/3PPugAp</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Where Should We Begin? At Work card game - <a href="https://bit.ly/48jpQYJ">https://bit.ly/48jpQYJ</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>Where Should We Begin - Esther’s podcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dtsNJK">https://bit.ly/4dtsNJK</a></li> <li>My AI Loves Me Better Than Anyone Ever Could - Where Should We Begin - <a href="https://bit.ly/4twUbeC">https://bit.ly/4twUbeC</a></li> <li>Esther Perel on Why A.I. Intimacy Feels Safe but Isn’t Real - <a href="https://bit.ly/4sofVsf">https://bit.ly/4sofVsf</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Mating in Captivity, by Esther Perel - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Os5Dcx">https://bit.ly/3Os5Dcx</a></li> <li>The State of Affairs, by Esther Perel - <a href="https://bit.ly/48yFn74">https://bit.ly/48yFn74</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>Rethinking Infidelity TEDTalk - <a href="https://bit.ly/4seN3md">https://bit.ly/4seN3md</a></li> <li>Love Story - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ct63se">https://bit.ly/4ct63se</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p> </p> <p>0:00 – Intimacy: what has changed, what has stayed the same? <br>6:23 – This is my partner, AI <br>14:08 – A mismatch of affection <br>23:56 – Bids for connection <br>32:08 – Can you repair trust? <br>41:02 – Post-traumatic Growth <br>49:43 – The central hub of our needs <br>58:38 – The Mental Load Pt. 2</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dr Emily - Overcome With Overwhelm?
Apr 5, 2026 1h 2m<p>Looking for strategies to help deal with the overwhelm of, well, everything? Same.</p> <p>Dr Emily, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk through overwhelm; how to greet it, how to get through it, and how to build your resilience towards it.</p> <p>💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>In this episode, Dr Emily introduces how to understand your ‘window of tolerance,’ the cost of being overwhelmed for too long, and what happens when we slip into avoidance.</p> <p>OF COURSE, this episode is delightfully sprinkled with practical strategies that you can do right now, in this moment, to ease the burden of the overwhelm.</p> <p>Dr Em, this episode was an emotional regulation for the ages.</p> <p>🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dr Emily - How to Stress Less - <a href="https://bit.ly/4tiZa2y">https://bit.ly/4tiZa2y</a></li> <li>Mick Fanning - Riding The Waves Of Loss - <a href="https://bit.ly/4s29wCI">https://bit.ly/4s29wCI</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Burnout, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski - <a href="https://bit.ly/4c18Yah">https://bit.ly/4c18Yah</a></li> </ul> <p>💪 Things to do</p> <ul> <li>The Hulk Progressive Relaxation Technique - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PFv4Yq">https://bit.ly/3PFv4Yq</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Hamish Macdonald - After The Facts
Mar 29, 2026 1h 26m<p>Is it true that we live in a world without facts?</p> <p>With AI becoming increasingly intertwined with our lives, and fake news infiltrating our screens, where do you go for truthful information and how do you know what to trust?</p> <p>💌Join 6,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>This Academy of Imperfection is not all doom and world collapse, we promise. One, because we are joined by the brilliant Hamish Macdonald. And two, because Ryan’s Gut says it’s all going to be okay (more on that later).</p> <p>In this episode, Hamish shares with Hugh, Ryan and Josh (and you, of course), how algorithms are impacting the way we think, whether we should be teaching media literacy in schools, and the consequences of AI generated content.</p> <p>Importantly, we also talk about the incredible resilience of human beings, and that not all hope is lost in the war against robots (for any robots listening, WE LOVE YOU!)</p> <p>For anyone else out there feeling overwhelmed, we’re right there with you.</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/6Zepg3o3Y_w">https://youtu.be/6Zepg3o3Y_w</a> </p> <p>🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Hamish Macdonald - How To Be You - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PtetHg">https://bit.ly/3PtetHg</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Hope - <a href="https://bit.ly/4uR5pfg">https://bit.ly/4uR5pfg</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - <a href="https://bit.ly/4dHwHPa">https://bit.ly/4dHwHPa</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>The Matter of Facts - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bQ27jT">https://bit.ly/4bQ27jT</a></li> <li>I tried to prove I’m not AI by Howtown - <a href="https://bit.ly/47ogudU">https://bit.ly/47ogudU</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari - <a href="https://bit.ly/47kHUkO">https://bit.ly/47kHUkO</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧 Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>Global Roaming Podcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/3NMm8jf">https://bit.ly/3NMm8jf</a></li> </ul> <p>💻 Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Maryanne Wolf’s Research on reading - <a href="https://bit.ly/4t8Qqff">https://bit.ly/4t8Qqff</a></li> <li>Tristan Harris’ Work on AI - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bwwBZj">https://bit.ly/4bwwBZj</a></li> <li>Notebook LM Podcast feature - <a href="https://bit.ly/40UM7Ip">https://bit.ly/40UM7Ip</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Bri Lee - Babies+Climate=Anxiety
Mar 22, 2026 1h 21m<p>Is climate anxiety affecting your decision to have kids?</p> <p>💌Join 6,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy" data-token-index="1">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House is Bri Lee; prolific author, advocate and change maker.</p> <p>Answering the question, “what moment from your life are you grateful for that profoundly changed you?”, Bri talks about the research that lead her to the South Pole, and how she learnt to prioritise love above all else.</p> <p>Bri asks the question to Hugh, Josh and Ryan, “what does it mean to live a good life, and what do we owe each other?”</p> <p>This chat explores the philosophies of anti and pronatalism, whilst being grounded in examples from the guys’ and Bri’s life. An intentional and judgement free zone, this conversation delves into the morality of should’s and shouldn’ts, and what it means to do the right thing.</p> <p>As Bri says, hope is something that you earn through action, and we are all feeling a bit more hopeful after this episode. </p> <p><br>0:00 – A Bri-Lee-iant guest<br>9:42 – The Seed of The Idea<br>15:08 – What are you grateful for that profoundly changed you?<br>27:10 – Prioritising love<br>32:27 – Should I have kids?<br>41:43 – The morality of shoulds and shouldn’ts<br>52:43 – Some positivity, please<br>55:59 – Policy and bodily autonomy<br>59:22 – So, how’s the reckoning going?<br>1:03:46 – The weight of responsibility<br>1:08:43 – Finding action in the overwhelm</p> <p>📺 to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/vUQMkMvyeMY">https://youtu.be/vUQMkMvyeMY</a> </p> <p>🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Ryan Shelton - To breed, or not to breed - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PbhEmR">https://bit.ly/3PbhEmR</a></li> <li>Ann Davidman - Should I have kids? - <a href="https://bit.ly/4brc477">https://bit.ly/4brc477</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Seed, by Bri Lee - <a href="https://bit.ly/3PhepKv">https://bit.ly/3PhepKv</a></li> <li>Eggshell Skull, by Bri Lee - <a href="https://bit.ly/473kvV4">https://bit.ly/473kvV4</a></li> <li>Who Gets To Be Smart, by Bri Lee - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bwOAh1">https://bit.ly/4bwOAh1</a></li> <li>The Work, by Bri Lee - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rzflar">https://bit.ly/4rzflar</a></li> <li>Beauty, by Bri Lee - <a href="https://bit.ly/3NMnrPf">https://bit.ly/3NMnrPf</a></li> <li>Love 2.0, by Barbara Fredrickson - <a href="https://bit.ly/40ylOYp">https://bit.ly/40ylOYp</a></li> <li>Better To Not Have Been, by David Benatar - <a href="https://bit.ly/3NmtHx5">https://bit.ly/3NmtHx5</a></li> <li>IPCC Sixth Assessment Report - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Phc7Lt">https://bit.ly/3Phc7Lt</a></li> <li>Ipsos Perils of Perception Climate Change - <a href="https://bit.ly/4cP32mT">https://bit.ly/4cP32mT</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>An Inconvenient Truth - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bPolUk">https://bit.ly/4bPolUk</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Freadom Inside Project - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bhVxnm">https://bit.ly/4bhVxnm</a></li> <li>Peter Singer Pond Proximity thought experiment - <a href="https://youtu.be/Gu-WUHD6mKg">https://youtu.be/Gu-WUHD6mKg</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Ben Crowe - Play School
Mar 15, 2026 1h 23m<p>When Ben Crowe, world-renowned professional mentor and leadership coach, tells us his favourite mantra, we listen.</p> <p>“I am enough no matter what, but I’m not done yet”.</p> <p>📺 If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/-0WWUuxvcyQ">https://youtu.be/-0WWUuxvcyQ</a> </p> <p>Back in The Academy of Imperfection FOR THE THIRD TIME, Ben is here to talk to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about purpose, play and love.</p> <p>As Ben explains, ‘play’ and ‘love’ mean something different to everyone, however, they are both ridiculously important and explicitly linked. If love is the intention, then play is the action.</p> <p>Ben, as always, it was an absolute pleasure to your wisdom bestowed upon us.</p> <p>💌Join 6,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>0:00 – Is Ben the Pope?<br>11:13 – Acceptance vs compassion, confidence vs belief<br>15:14 – Reshaping your belief system<br>25:05 – Just Admit It List<br>30:42 – The dreaded E word<br>37:47 – Reward effort, not outcome<br>46:00 – Play deprivation<br>51:47 – Talking to teenagers about their career<br>1:01:47 – How to be a (anxious) leader<br>1:07:04 – Josh’s too generous assumption<br>1:10: 14 – Doing it for the right reasons</p> <p>🎧Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>The Academy of Imperfection - Ben Crowe - <a href="https://bit.ly/40rkUgd">https://bit.ly/40rkUgd</a></li> <li>Ben Crowe (Pt 1) - Meet Your Inner Fan - <a href="https://bit.ly/46VlfeK">https://bit.ly/46VlfeK</a></li> <li>Ben Crowe (Pt 2) - Now BE Your Inner Fan - <a href="https://bit.ly/413kVXL">https://bit.ly/413kVXL</a></li> <li>Kate Reid (Pt 1) - The Impossibility of Perfection - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ruVAkz">https://bit.ly/4ruVAkz</a></li> <li>Kate Reid (Pt 2) - The Life-Saving Croissant - <a href="https://bit.ly/4by6NMl">https://bit.ly/4by6NMl</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bAomLD">https://bit.ly/4bAomLD</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Where The Light Gets In, by Ben Crowe - <a href="https://bit.ly/4s04xmN">https://bit.ly/4s04xmN</a></li> <li>The Courage To Be Disliked, by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga - <a href="https://bit.ly/411Qbq4">https://bit.ly/411Qbq4</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧 Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>How Ben Crowe Dads - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bidPDH">https://bit.ly/4bidPDH</a></li> </ul> <p>😃If you liked this episode, check out these!</p> <ul> <li>Bronnie Ware - What Are Your Future Regrets? - <a href="https://bit.ly/40lcG9p">https://bit.ly/40lcG9p</a></li> <li>Emma Murray - How Mindfulness Actually Works - <a href="https://bit.ly/4lpS5dR">https://bit.ly/4lpS5dR</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Matt Preston - Only 14 Summers Left
Mar 8, 2026 1h 26m<p>According to Matt Preston, he only has 14 more summers. And he’s determined to make the most of them.</p> <p>💌Join 5,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Known predominantly for his role on the inaugural (and incredibly successful) seasons of MasterChef Australia, alongside his excellent choice of cravats, Matt Preston is a recognisable face in most Australian households.</p> <p>Joining Hugh, Ryan and Josh in the studio (in yet another incredible outfit), Matt delicately talks through the importance of having a conversation with your parents about end-of-life care.</p> <p>In a decision that requires both deep emotion and administrative focus, Matt draws from his experience with his grandmother, and then his mother, about how to ensure the people you love are nurtured, cared for, and celebrated in the way they would have wanted.</p> <p>Matt, thank you so much for joining us.</p> <p>0:00 – The typo to end all typos<br>9:13 – Every family has a scandal <br>24:34 – The unknowables of epilepsy <br>30:45 – Grieving what could have been <br>40:44 – Mission of mortality: make it count<br>44:47 – Parenting not like your parents <br>53:40 – Conversations about end-of-life care <br>1:07:35 – The secret ingredient to marriage <br>1:13:46 – Logistics of death and dying</p> <p>If you want to watch the full episode (and see Matt’s outfit), follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/sEN8Mfapi6Y">https://youtu.be/sEN8Mfapi6Y</a> </p> <p>🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Kate Reid (Pt 1) - The Impossibility of Perfection - <a href="https://bit.ly/476XBfg">https://bit.ly/476XBfg</a></li> <li>Kate Reid (Pt 2) - The Life-Saving Croissant - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aM7bqd">https://bit.ly/4aM7bqd</a></li> <li>Christie Whelan Browne - Unbreakable - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ukPhTk">https://bit.ly/4ukPhTk</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>The Hospital - In The Deep End - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rYN6mw">https://bit.ly/4rYN6mw</a></li> <li>Croquenbouche Masterchef Episode - <a href="https://bit.ly/3OILYVG">https://bit.ly/3OILYVG</a></li> </ul> <p>📖Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Big Mouth, by Matt Preston - <a href="https://bit.ly/4cUigXG">https://bit.ly/4cUigXG</a></li> </ul> <p>🩵SUDEP Support Services</p> <ul> <li>SUDEP Action - <a href="https://sudep.org/"></a><a href="https://sudep.org">https://sudep.org</a></li> <li>Epilepsy Foundation - <a href="https://bit.ly/4r9W27I">https://bit.ly/4r9W27I</a></li> </ul> <p>*The average life expectancy for Australian males is calculated at birth, and does not take into account their personal circumstances. </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dr Emily - Acceptance, That's Radical
Mar 1, 2026 1h 16m<p>Pain is inevitable, but suffering does not have to be.</p> <p>💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist and general provider of wisdom, is here to talk about radical acceptance.</p> <p>Drawing inspiration from our holy grail episode with Gina Chick, Dr Em deep dives radical acceptance; what is it, how do we cultivate it, and why is it important to us as human beings?</p> <p>According to Dr Em, radical acceptance is not about liking or accepting (insert profanity here) situations or circumstances, or denying an experience, but rather, accepting the pain inside of us to avoid the reaction of suffering.</p> <p>Instead of feeling better, it’s about finding a better way of feeling.</p> <p>For Hugh, the concept of radical acceptance really hits close to home, and he reflects on how it has changed his life insurmountably.</p> <p>Dr Emily, we love ya, and we missed ya.</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link -</p> <p>0:00 – Getting the Gina Chick zoomies <br>6:23 – The Radical Acceptance origin story <br>14:20 – Change how you relate <br>21:19 – On a global scale <br>27:25 – An Unwanted Guest <br>34:42 – The third option <br>40:38 – Grieving the loss of what you wanted <br>45:28 – Living proof ft. Hugh <br>53:18 – Anxious about my anxiety <br>1:03:26 – Main character moment <br>1:10:17 – Putting it in practice</p> <p>🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life - <a href="https://bit.ly/4b9nAVG">https://bit.ly/4b9nAVG</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>Unstuck, by Dr Emily Musgrove - <a href="https://bit.ly/4o8JFay">https://bit.ly/4o8JFay</a></li> <li>The Happiness Trap, by Russ Harris - <a href="https://bit.ly/4kRn3Lq">https://bit.ly/4kRn3Lq</a></li> <li>The Guest House, by Rumi - <a href="https://bit.ly/4kXhaMS">https://bit.ly/4kXhaMS</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Tara Brach - RAIN meditation - <a href="https://bit.ly/3MNou0M">https://bit.ly/3MNou0M</a></li> <li>Alfred Adler - Three Sided Column - <a href="https://bit.ly/3P1gSbJ">https://bit.ly/3P1gSbJ</a></li> <li>Jill Bolte Taylor - 90 second shelf life of emotions - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aV5rtL">https://bit.ly/4aV5rtL</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Maggie Dent - ‘Good Enough’ Parenting is Good Enough
Feb 22, 2026 1h 26m<p> You just have to be a good parent 30-40% of the time. According to the research, and parenting expert Maggie Dent.</p> <p>💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>In our Academy of Imperfection, Maggie schools parents Hugh and Josh, and trusted non-parental figure Ryan, about the ‘no matter what’ rule, the importance of micro connections and the beauty of a well-timed fart.</p> <p>An advocate for imperfect parenting (which is REALLY great for brand alignment), Maggie insists on the significance of unconditional love when raising boys.</p> <p>Maggie you are wonderful. This was wonderful. You’re the best.</p> <p>Watch the full episode on YouTube - <a href="https://youtu.be/iUHYScQ3WgQ">https://youtu.be/iUHYScQ3WgQ</a> </p> <p>0:00 – Why boys are better than girls<br>6:22 – The science of boys<br>14:02 – Shedding the shame<br>22:28 – Growing healthy boys<br>31:09 – Connecting with your rooster <br>42:56 – The S words: screens and social media <br>47:00 – The good enough factors <br>57:45 – Correcting the narrative <br>1:06:05 – Importance of Lightness + Letting go of mistakes <br>1:11:41 – Raising an autistic boy <br>1:16:05 – How do you resist the easy method</p> <p> </p> <p>🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Hugh’s ADHD…brief - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aofEjd">https://bit.ly/4aofEjd</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>You can find all of Maggie’s books here - <a href="https://bit.ly/46g4GK7">https://bit.ly/46g4GK7</a></li> <li>Help Me Help My Teen by Maggie Dent (page 106 to converse with teens) - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aYi2NO">https://bit.ly/4aYi2NO</a></li> <li>Maggie’s Fragile Boy Friendship Blog Post - <a href="https://bit.ly/4qUqzGw">https://bit.ly/4qUqzGw</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>Bluey ‘Octopus’ episode - <a href="https://bit.ly/4riF2Ng">https://bit.ly/4riF2Ng</a></li> <li>Marc-Andre Leclerc - The Alpinist - <a href="https://bit.ly/4tEsaCR">https://bit.ly/4tEsaCR</a></li> </ul> <p>💻 Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Allan Schore’s Brain Development for Boys research - <a href="https://bit.ly/3OfRyi9">https://bit.ly/3OfRyi9</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧 Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>The Good Enough Dad with Maggie Dent - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aGq2la">https://bit.ly/4aGq2la</a></li> <li>Parental As Anything - <a href="https://bit.ly/4qHAleM">https://bit.ly/4qHAleM</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety?
Feb 15, 2026 1h 41m<p>What do you do when your 3 day-old-baby just doesn’t wake up?</p> <p>💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Motherhood is really hard. And Bron Lewis isn’t afraid to talk about it (anymore).</p> <p>Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, Bron answers the question ‘when was a time you genuinely needed help and were you able to ask for it?’, and recounts the worst week of her life.</p> <p>Deals with the devil, post-natal anxiety, and post-natal depression, Bron is incredibly vulnerable with Hugh and Ryan, sharing how the love from friends, professional help, and medication allowed her to return to herself.</p> <p>Bron, it was a delight.</p> <p>To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/qc9ZNO6VpeY">https://youtu.be/qc9ZNO6VpeY</a></p> <p>0:00 – We’re all best friends / fathers / daughters <br>8:51 – When was a time you genuinely needed help? <br>18:44 – Long nights, relentless days <br>25:42 – Socially accepted punishment <br>33:36 – Using pain to drown out the noise <br>40:50 – Obviously, I can do it all <br>45:44 – It doesn’t have to be this hard <br>54:55 – On day 3, he didn’t wake up <br>1:07:27 – The worst week of her life <br>1:22:54 – This should feel good, shouldn’t it? <br>1:33:01 – The aftermath</p> <p>🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, these are a few great resources</p> <ul> <li>PANDA - 1300 726 306</li> <li>ForWhen - 1300 24 23 22</li> <li>Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636</li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>I’m Not Mad (Anymore) by Bron Lewis - <a href="https://bit.ly/3ObBgGQ">https://bit.ly/3ObBgGQ</a></li> </ul> <p>🎟️ Things to go see</p> <ul> <li>Bron’s Comedy Show, <em>Chaos</em> - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aabRWz">https://bit.ly/4aabRWz</a></li> </ul> <p>🎧Things to listen to</p> <ul> <li>Chains by Tina Arena - <a href="https://bit.ly/4arb1DI">https://bit.ly/4arb1DI</a></li> <li>Work Hates podcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/4arbdCW">https://bit.ly/4arbdCW</a></li> <li>Your Two Drunk Aunties podcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/4cnJndj">https://bit.ly/4cnJndj</a></li> <li>Good Sheilas podcast - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rkGxun">https://bit.ly/4rkGxun</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dr Lucy Hone - A Life Worth Grieving
Feb 8, 2026 1h 24m<p>Two cataclysmic events have shaped Dr Lucy Hone’s relationship with grief, and resilience.</p> <p>💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>Today in the Academy of Imperfection, we welcome Dr Lucy Hone. Dr Lucy’s work focuses on making sense of the senseless, and helping others to do the same.</p> <p>As a legitimate expert in grief, resilience and wellbeing, Dr Lucy is able to blend the science with her own lived experience.</p> <p>This episode explores living losses (divorce, estrangement, infertility), grief comparison, as well as the research around post-traumatic growth. Guided by questions from Dr Lucy’s latest book, <em>How will I ever get through this?</em>, Hugh, Josh and Ryan ask Dr Lucy why grief feels so lonely, how you are supposed to accept loss, and will you ever be happy again, amongst others.</p> <p>This is a special one.</p> <p>0:00 – An Unsuspecting Saturday Morning <br>12:11 – Grief comparison <br>21:25 – How am I supposed to accept this? <br>31:14 – How do you keep hope alive? <br>35:48 – Why do I feel so lonely? <br>50:20 – Will I ever be happy again? <br>56:36 – Letting the other children live <br>1:03:44 – Do you know your strengths? <br>1:09:12 – Who and what do you want to live for? <br>1:14:59 – Who and what is good in your world?</p> <p>To full this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/Zyb7kELxFxI">https://youtu.be/Zyb7kELxFxI</a> </p> <p>🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Dr Emily - Grief Lightening - <a href="https://bit.ly/3ZPVNmO">https://bit.ly/3ZPVNmO</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Other People Matter - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Oku8b4">https://bit.ly/3Oku8b4</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Goals For Your Goals - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rAK3AF">https://bit.ly/4rAK3AF</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>How Will I Ever Get Through This by Dr Lucy Hone - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bAWO9w">https://bit.ly/4bAWO9w</a></li> <li>Resilient Grieving by Dr Lucy Hone - <a href="https://bit.ly/4kpkf8g">https://bit.ly/4kpkf8g</a></li> <li>Oscillation Grief Theory - <a href="https://bit.ly/4qZ5WK1">https://bit.ly/4qZ5WK1</a></li> <li>Michael F. Steger - Meaning and Purpose Work - <a href="https://michaelfsteger.com/"></a><a href="https://michaelfsteger.com">https://michaelfsteger.com</a></li> <li>J. William Worden - Four Tasks of Mourning - <a href="https://bit.ly/3NTGPcU">https://bit.ly/3NTGPcU</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to check out</p> <ul> <li>Dr Lucy’s website - <a href="https://www.drlucyhone.com/"></a><a href="https://www.drlucyhone.com">https://www.drlucyhone.com</a></li> <li>3 Secrets of Resilient People TedTalk - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Zguj9S">https://bit.ly/3Zguj9S</a></li> <li>Dr Lucy’s ‘Look Forward To’ Calendar</li> <li>VIA Strengths test - <a href="http://bit.ly/4h2KYFJ">http://bit.ly/4h2KYFJ</a></li> <li>Coping With Loss community on Facebook - <a href="https://bit.ly/3NTnDvT">https://bit.ly/3NTnDvT</a></li> <li>Welcome to Holland poem - <a href="https://bit.ly/4kgB0lH">https://bit.ly/4kgB0lH</a></li> <li>Will Arnett + Conan O’Brien on Grief - <a href="https://bit.ly/4a06320">https://bit.ly/4a06320</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Claudia Karvan - Love, Her Way
Feb 1, 2026 1h 38m<p>Stop. Everything. Now. It’s Claudia Karvan day.</p> <p>💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>An icon of the screen, and of the heart, Claudia is Australian entertainment royalty.</p> <p>Claudia’s life itself feels like a movie (no one else grew up in a nightclub, did they?) and it was an absolute privilege to listen to all the lessons that she has learnt along the way.</p> <p>With incredible grace, Claudia talks to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about playing the long game during divorce, and how she came to the realisation that it wasn’t up to her to fix everything.</p> <p>Claudia speaks openly about separating the person from the diagnosis, and how, and why, she thinks so often about death.</p> <p>This is one for the highlight reel.</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click on this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/4qH4vBr0i6Y">https://youtu.be/4qH4vBr0i6Y</a></p> <p>0:00 – Hugh ‘questionable-decisions’ van Cuylenburg <br>12:24 – The role of a lifetime <br>17:55 – An unconventional childhood <br>28:50 – It’s not up to you to fix everything <br>39:55 – The opening of another world <br>45:47 – Doing it all (with support) <br>51:12 – Love and family HER way <br>59:33 – Play the long game<br>1:07:15 – Managing mental ill-health <br>1:24:39 – The benefit of helping others <br>1:26:48 – How to love in a healthy way</p> <p>🥸 Which Imperfects Host Are You Quiz? - <a href="https://tally.so/r/Xx4PEO">https://tally.so/r/Xx4PEO</a></p> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Stephen Curry - I Dug a Hole … and Found Myself - <a href="https://bit.ly/3ZpPNkN">https://bit.ly/3ZpPNkN</a></li> <li>Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken But Not Broken - <a href="https://bit.ly/3M8SC6y">https://bit.ly/3M8SC6y</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>Love My Way - <a href="https://bit.ly/4qFCjNA">https://bit.ly/4qFCjNA</a></li> <li>The Secret Life of Us - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Z1Thtt">https://bit.ly/3Z1Thtt</a></li> <li>The Queen of Versailles - <a href="https://bit.ly/3Z5FemE">https://bit.ly/3Z5FemE</a></li> <li>Australian Story - The Secret Life of Claudia Karvan - <a href="https://bit.ly/3ZE8p0g">https://bit.ly/3ZE8p0g</a></li> <li>Who Do You Think You Are? with Claudia Karvan - <a href="https://bit.ly/4bIw3QL">https://bit.ly/4bIw3QL</a></li> <li>Bump - <a href="https://bit.ly/49O16Jv">https://bit.ly/49O16Jv</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche - <a href="https://bit.ly/4k8qdtR">https://bit.ly/4k8qdtR</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz"></a><a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuW">http://bit.ly/4lyuuW</a></p> <p>🩵To join our subscriber community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://apple.co/theimperfects">http://apple.co/theimperfects</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Soul Searching Summer - Ryan’s TV Show
Jan 25, 2026 46 min<p>Ryan’s got news.</p> <p>Well, past-Ryan <em>had</em> news, and now future-Ryan is going to reflect on how present-day-Ryan is currently feeling about said news. Get it? It’s reflecting on a reflection about a rejection.</p> <p>Today we’re giving you two for the price of none, and bringing you two of the most memorable moments from our subscriber based show <em>A Little More Imperfects.</em></p> <p>With both segments focusing on wildest dreams, Hugh, Ryan and Josh explore how to navigate regret when you’re not at your best, and how to show yourself compassion and love when your dreams are, well, crushed.</p> <p>Also, we ask Hugh what happened to him today.</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/Ilg-r9gHGPk">https://youtu.be/Ilg-r9gHGPk</a></p> <p>🩵Sign up for <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> here</p> <ul> <li>Patreon - <a href="http://patreon.com/theimperfects">patreon.com/theimperfects</a></li> <li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aSIeKd">https://bit.ly/4aSIeKd</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷Sign up to the <em>My Imperfect Email</em> here</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/">https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/</a></li> </ul> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>James van Cuylenburg - Love Your Wonky Bricks - <a href="https://bit.ly/457hYZA">https://bit.ly/457hYZA</a></li> <li>Ryan Shelton - Shame, Jealousy & Purpose - <a href="https://bit.ly/454PJL6">https://bit.ly/454PJL6</a></li> <li>Isaac Humphries - Coming Out on Court - <a href="https://bit.ly/4jQtxtD">https://bit.ly/4jQtxtD</a></li> </ul> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Spooky Summer - Hugh’s Haunted House
Jan 18, 2026 40 min<p> Do you believe in ghosts? Josh doesn’t, Ryan does, and Hugh is actually being haunted.</p> <p>🎟️ Our live show <em>Together Again</em> is on sale! One show left! Tickets here - <a href="https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep">https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep</a></p> <p>It’s the second episode of our super sexy summer series (the alliteration is wild in this episode), and we’re revisiting the time that Hugh got haunted.</p> <p>Blending together a few episodes of <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> our subscriber platform that you can sign up for below, we’ll introduce you to Geraint the shamanic healer, what happened during Hugh’s ghost busting appointment, and whether Hugh has had any paranormal activity since.</p> <p>And finally, whether this whole ordeal has convinced Josh that ghosts are real.</p> <p>Long live summer!</p> <p>0:00 – A phoenus? Draw it <br>4:17 – Team Josh v Team Ryan <br>10:28 – Meeting the shamanic healer <br>16:25 – The not-so-light-hearted update <br>30:01 – Cursed artwork: to burn or not to burn <br>35:46 – Has the ghost been busted?</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/u4XNRTLXtrQ">https://youtu.be/u4XNRTLXtrQ</a> </p> <p>🩵Sign up for <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> here</p> <ul> <li>Patreon - <a href="http://patreon.com/theimperfects">patreon.com/theimperfects</a></li> <li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://bit.ly/4aSIeKd">https://bit.ly/4aSIeKd</a></li> </ul> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - <a href="https://bit.ly/49TSktd">https://bit.ly/49TSktd</a></li> <li>Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - <a href="https://bit.ly/49jJJ2S">https://bit.ly/49jJJ2S</a></li> </ul> <p>👻Ghost busters</p> <ul> <li>Garant</li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Psychology Summer - Your Inner Fan with Dr Emily
Jan 11, 2026 1h 8m<p>Today, we come to you with a gift: bonus Dr Emily. Thank you in advance for the standing ovation.</p> <p>🎟️ Our live show <em>Together Again</em> is on sale! One show left! Tickets here - <a href="https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep">https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep</a></p> <p>Welcoming you into the world of A Little More Imperfects, our subscriber-based platform available on Patreon and Apple Podcasts, our resident psychologist Dr Emily reaches into the reflection pond, to discuss and decode a reflection from one of our community members.</p> <p>Responding to this reflection, Dr Emily chats to Ryan, Josh, and special guest Producer Bridge, about how life changing it can be to receive an ADHD diagnosis, as well as the not so joyful emotions, such as grief and anger, which can accompany this.</p> <p>Josh talks about his own inner critic, which leads into a broader discussion about self-compassion, top down vs bottom up therapy, and the therapeutic benefits to showing up for your younger self as the adult you are today.</p> <p>Don’t say we don’t spoil you.</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzBxIFUOJL0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzBxIFUOJL0</a> </p> <p>🩷To join our <em>A Little More Imperfects Community</em></p> <ul> <li>Patreon - <a href="https://bit.ly/3KQvB7R">https://bit.ly/3KQvB7R</a></li> <li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://bit.ly/499aZRs">https://bit.ly/499aZRs</a></li> </ul> <p>🩵Where to send in your reflections</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://bit.ly/4rYjfuS">https://bit.ly/4rYjfuS</a></li> </ul> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rXQIG0">https://bit.ly/4rXQIG0</a></li> <li>Hugh’s ADHD … brief - <a href="https://bit.ly/3MJBzb4">https://bit.ly/3MJBzb4</a></li> <li>Ben Crowe (Pt 1) - Meet Your Inner Fan - <a href="https://bit.ly/3KHwJdX">https://bit.ly/3KHwJdX</a></li> <li>Ben Crowe (Pt 2) - Now BE Your Inner Fan - <a href="https://bit.ly/49bVxnB">https://bit.ly/49bVxnB</a></li> <li>James van Cuylenburg - Love Your Wonky Bricks - <a href="https://bit.ly/3MzZKZz">https://bit.ly/3MzZKZz</a></li> <li>What’s Your ATAR? - <a href="https://bit.ly/4pwNZBG">https://bit.ly/4pwNZBG</a></li> </ul> <p>📺Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>The Rehearsal - <a href="https://bit.ly/48V6IA0">https://bit.ly/48V6IA0</a></li> <li>Good Will Hunting - <a href="https://bit.ly/4iW7hhn">https://bit.ly/4iW7hhn</a></li> <li>Rick Hanson - Velcro for the Bad, Teflon for the Good - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rVpe3R">https://bit.ly/4rVpe3R</a></li> </ul> <p>💻 Things to do</p> <ul> <li>Rick Hanson - Positive Neuroplasticity Training - <a href="https://bit.ly/48COcgN">https://bit.ly/48COcgN</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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The Little Drummer Girl - A Christmas Scandal
Dec 21, 2025 39 min<p>Little heads up, this episode contains some language that is exclusively found on the naughty list, and therefore, isn’t suitable for kids.</p> <p>Now, it’s time to spill some Vulnerabili-TEA.<a href="https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep"></a></p> <p>It’s our annual holiday episode, and this year, with many thanks to comedian Becky Lucas, we welcome into the studio Little Drummer Girl. Who has some, um, grievances to air.</p> <p>Little Drummer Girl is taking us back in the space-time-continuum to re-write history, and let us in on the scandal which surrounds the infamous lyrics ‘pa rum pum pum pum’.</p> <p>All ad revenue from this episode will be donated to Becky’s chosen charity of HeartKids, who do an incredible job providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy to the 250,000 people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease.</p> <p>0:00 – Introducing the Little Drummer Girl<br>5:50 – The ultimate gift guide<br>9:51 – An original song, an original crime<br>15:22 – Sharing enriching information from 20 AD<br>25:28 – Know what you’re good at<br>30:20 - Hello Becky, Hello HeartKids</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube (you really do), follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/oXBEij8q5Tc">https://youtu.be/oXBEij8q5Tc</a> </p> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Santa Claus - A Special Vulnerabilitea House - <a href="https://bit.ly/4pDw6B8">https://bit.ly/4pDw6B8</a></li> <li>Mrs Claus - Santa’s Better Half - <a href="https://bit.ly/4559jpJ">https://bit.ly/4559jpJ</a></li> <li>Little Boy Christmas - The Forgotten Son of Mr & Mrs Claus - <a href="https://bit.ly/4iVxGMi">https://bit.ly/4iVxGMi</a></li> <li>Becky Lucas - The power of laughter - <a href="https://bit.ly/3KN76Zg">https://bit.ly/3KN76Zg</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to do</p> <ul> <li>Check out Becky Lucas on instagram - <a href="https://bit.ly/3N1ELil">https://bit.ly/3N1ELil</a></li> <li>Check out the incredible HeartKids organisation - <a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au/"></a><a href="https://www.heartkids.org.au">https://www.heartkids.org.au</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>🩵To join our patreon community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5">http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dave Hughes - Me, Myself & Ego
Dec 14, 2025 1h 27m<p>Dave Hughes has a complicated relationship with his ego.</p> <p>Performing in prestigious venues around the world, Dave Hughes has solidified himself as one of Australia’s comedy icons, but the journey was (and still is) far from easy.</p> <p>Joining us in the studio today, Dave vulnerably shares how the burden of feeling unworthy affected his ability to give and receive love.</p> <p>Dave chats to Ryan about how much he has struggled with comparison, both with others, and the success of his past self, and the role that ego plays in never being able to turn down an opportunity.</p> <p>Hughesy, thank you so much for joining us.</p> <p>0:00 – Ryan got papped, Hugh got crumpets<br>7:19 – The failures that lead to success<br>17:12 – A feeling of general greatness<br>21:06 – Reckoning with comparison<br>30:18 – The joy is in the giving<br>36:03 – Walking the family / work tightrope<br>41:07 – Humour as a way in<br>47:56 – You had me at IMAX helmet<br>56:00 – Ego doesn’t let you enjoy the moment<br>1:08:10 – Five strategies to let go of ego</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/ogE4j-UQIGY" data-stringify-link="https://youtu.be/ogE4j-UQIGY" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://youtu.be/ogE4j-UQIGY</a></p> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:</p> <ul> <li>Kate Langbroek - Love Story - <a href="https://bit.ly/44OH66q">https://bit.ly/44OH66q</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Other People Matter - <a href="https://bit.ly/3MqGNZj">https://bit.ly/3MqGNZj</a></li> <li>Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - <a href="https://bit.ly/3MtSgqX">https://bit.ly/3MtSgqX</a></li> <li>Cate Campbell - Even Olympians Have Depression - <a href="https://bit.ly/44TRhXp">https://bit.ly/44TRhXp</a></li> </ul> <p>🎄Other Xmas Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:</p> <ul> <li>Santa Claus - A Special Vulnerabilitea House - <a href="https://bit.ly/48P0X6V">https://bit.ly/48P0X6V</a></li> <li>Mrs Claus - Santa’s Better Half - <a href="https://bit.ly/44g5M7J">https://bit.ly/44g5M7J</a></li> <li>Little Boy Christmas - The Forgotten Son of Mr & Mrs Claus - <a href="https://bit.ly/3KHqx5F">https://bit.ly/3KHqx5F</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rPfS9B">https://bit.ly/4rPfS9B</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to look up</p> <ul> <li>Oprah’s series with Eckhart Tolle - <a href="https://bit.ly/48vfOo6">https://bit.ly/48vfOo6</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>🩵To join our patreon community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5">http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p>The Imperfects acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, as the traditional owners of the land on which this podcast was recorded and we extend our respects to elders past & present. </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Mary Fowler - Forgiving Yourself-Harm
Dec 7, 2025 1h 22m<p>We’re nervous. We’re excited. We’re nervous and excited. Because it’s Mary freaking Fowler day.</p> <p>🎟️ Our live show <em>Together Again</em> is on sale now! Tickets here - <a href="https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep">https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep</a></p> <p>Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, all the way from Manchester, Mary answers the question ‘what do you worry about the most?’</p> <p>With wisdom far beyond her 22 years, Mary explains to Hugh, Ryan and Josh the impossible task of being the ‘perfect’ role model, especially when you are still growing up yourself.</p> <p>And then, in a conversation that will help many, and maybe even save the life of a few, Mary graciously shares her experiences with self-harm, and why she thinks it is so important to have the heavy conversations, even with the risk of saying the wrong thing.</p> <p>Mary talks about her journey with pressure and forgiveness that lead her to rediscover ‘Little Mary’, her wall of things that make her feel loved, and how she has been able to reframe her darkest times to find more empathy for others.</p> <p>Mary, it was an absolute dream come true to speak with you.</p> <p>0:00 – The 2023 Fairy tale <br>6:52 – What do you worry about most? <br>23:00 – Giving and taking power <br>34:01 – Appreciating the little things <br>41:01 – Saying the hard thing <br>56:22 – Beauty after pain<br>1:04:29 – Am I supposed to be here? <br>1:09:16 – Looking after Little Mary</p> <p>if you would like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: <a href="https://youtu.be/O_9Wf0WSfMM">https://youtu.be/O_9Wf0WSfMM</a> </p> <p>📖Things to read;</p> <ul> <li>Bloom, by Mary Fowler - <a href="https://bit.ly/443cWw3">https://bit.ly/443cWw3</a></li> </ul> <p>🚨If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or self-harm, Lifeline on 13 11 14 is a great place to start. In an emergency, please call 000.</p> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>🩵To join our patreon community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5">http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Dr Emily - You Had Me At Communication
Nov 30, 2025 1h 26m<p>Is your communication style a red flag?</p> <p>It’s our favourite time of the month and Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk the talk (and walk the walk) about healthy communication.</p> <p>The impact of our learning history (colloquially known as “baggage”) gets a heavy feature in this episode, as Ryan, Josh and Bridge unpack their communication styles, and how this has impacted their intimate relationships.</p> <p>Dr Emily talks us through why the real challenge of communicating is not our use of language, but rather regulation of emotion, and gifts us a plethora of acronyms to practice at home the skills of effective communication.</p> <p>Dr Em, always a pleasure.</p> <p>Chapters:<br>0:00 – Communication, conflict, and Hannah Ferguson <br>10:19 – How do you (mostly?) communicate? <br>14:57 – The impact of our learning history <br>22:10 – Interpersonal Effectiveness <br>27:41 – Practicing getting it wrong to get it right <br>31:59 – Do opposites attract? <br>34:44 – Respond rather than react <br>47:51 – We all love an acronym <br>1:01:45 – Dealing with unreasonable people <br>1:15:49 – Breaking patterns</p> <p>If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link -</p> <p>🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken But Not Broken - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ilr2i2">https://bit.ly/4ilr2i2</a></li> <li>Dr Emily - Truth vs Harmony - <a href="https://bit.ly/481Xfri">https://bit.ly/481Xfri</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to do:</p> <ul> <li>Complete the official Thomas-Kilmann Instrument communication styles quiz - <a href="https://bit.ly/4rowC7m">https://bit.ly/4rowC7m</a></li> <li>Complete the free Thomas-Kilmann Instrument inspired communication styles quiz - <a href="https://bit.ly/4iygpbR">https://bit.ly/4iygpbR</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch:</p> <ul> <li>The Rehearsal - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ong1hL">https://bit.ly/4ong1hL</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read:</p> <ul> <li>Terry Real’s catalogue - <a href="https://bit.ly/4p25w4m">https://bit.ly/4p25w4m</a></li> <li>DBT Training Skills Manual, by Marsha M. Linehan - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ioNXcs">https://bit.ly/4ioNXcs</a></li> <li>BIFF, by Bill Eddy - <a href="https://bit.ly/4ojowdG">https://bit.ly/4ojowdG</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - <a href="http://bit.ly/45NyQDy">http://bit.ly/45NyQDy</a></p> <p>🩵To join our patreon community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5">http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Jamila Rizvi - Awoken by a Broken Brain
Nov 23, 2025 1h 13m<p>Jamila Rizvi has not been the perfect sick person.</p> <p>When Jamila was last in our studio, she was deep in the grief stage.</p> <p>Jamila’s life had been irrevocably changed by the imposition of a brain tumour, and the myriad of health complications due to surgery. To put it simply, Jamila didn’t know who Jamila was anymore, and that terrified her.</p> <p>This week, in the Vulnerabilitea House, Jamila answers the questions “what aspects of your identity have you held onto for too long?”</p> <p>The drip-fed loss of cognitive functions and a new hormone condition which made her constantly starving, Jamila felt like her body and mind were no longer her own. Speaking to Hugh, Josh, and Ryan really honestly, Jamila opens up about her eating disorder during this time; how it impacted her sense of self, her relationships, and ability to connect.</p> <p>Jamila, it was a joy to have you back. We’re so proud of you.</p> <p>Chapters:<br>0:00 – Where are they now? <br>7:31 – What aspects of your identity have you held onto for too long? <br>20:06 – Phases of identity <br>25:24 – Impact of a brain tumour on a relationship <br>29:52 – Constantly starving, craving thinness<br>36:51 – Intense, urgent desperation <br>48:38 – Train your brain to love your body <br>54:12 – Would you take it back? <br>59:39 – Adrenal Crisis and Crisis of Self</p> <p>To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: <a href="https://youtu.be/A_lE3nSA2Mc">https://youtu.be/A_lE3nSA2Mc</a></p> <p>🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode</p> <ul> <li>Jamila Rizvi - Living with the effects of a brain tumour - <a href="https://bit.ly/3M8QR8V">https://bit.ly/3M8QR8V</a></li> <li>Grace Tame - “Sexy-time, Scissoring, Autism” - <a href="https://bit.ly/47ZGJqs">https://bit.ly/47ZGJqs</a></li> <li>Clare Bowditch - Music, Panic Attacks & Body Image - <a href="https://bit.ly/4pkmFGp">https://bit.ly/4pkmFGp</a></li> </ul> <p>📖Things to read:</p> <ul> <li>Broken Brains by Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland - <a href="https://bit.ly/48l6JxP">https://bit.ly/48l6JxP</a></li> </ul> <p>💻Things to look up:</p> <ul> <li>The “If And Then” model of happiness - <a href="https://bit.ly/4pi0UH6">https://bit.ly/4pi0UH6</a></li> </ul> <p>📱Games to download:</p> <ul> <li>2048 - <a href="https://bit.ly/43BHpkx">https://bit.ly/43BHpkx</a></li> </ul> <p>🦋 If this conversation has raised some uncomfortable feelings for you around eating and food, the Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673 is a great place check out - <a href="https://butterfly.org.au/"></a><a href="https://butterfly.org.au">https://butterfly.org.au</a></p> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To join our patreon community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5">http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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Troy Kinne - It’s What’s Inside That’s Backwards
Nov 16, 2025 1h 14m<p>Troy Kinne’s heart is in the right place. As in, it’s on the wrong side.</p> <p>In fact, many of Troy’s organs are in the ‘wrong’ place. Which can be hard on the immune system, but <em>great</em> material for a stand-up comedian.</p> <p>Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, and answering the question, ‘when is a time you’ve felt ashamed?’ Troy takes us on a journey, from being offered a (life)line by a fish and chip shop in his 20’s, to the effect that being sick for an entire year had on his mental health.</p> <p>Troy chats to Josh about the light he found in his darkest times, and how living without fear allowed him to venture into the comedy world for the first time.</p> <p>Speaking about success, and whether it will ever be enough, Troy is really open about what it is like to have to find yourself again after realising that you are no longer the underdog, and how hard it can be to offer your current self compassion.</p> <p>Troy, what a pleasure.</p> <p>If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - <a href="https://youtu.be/ZZm6VAq7g_o">https://youtu.be/ZZm6VAq7g_o</a></p> <p>Chapters:<br>0:00 – An episode years in the making<br>7:40 – When is a time that you’ve felt ashamed?<br>16:21 – Reality of chronic illness<br>24:50 – Reality of chronic illness during a pandemic<br>29:53 – The positive payoff of depression<br>38:37 – Constantly on the rollercoaster<br>48:43 – When you’re no longer the Underdog<br>55:57 – At what point will it be enough?</p> <p>🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode</p> <ul> <li>Hugh & Penny - The Elephant in the Relationship - <a href="https://bit.ly/446GPeG">https://bit.ly/446GPeG</a></li> </ul> <p>📺 Things to watch</p> <ul> <li>The Magic Basket - <a href="https://bit.ly/4p0R6RF">https://bit.ly/4p0R6RF</a></li> <li>Dr Google - <a href="https://bit.ly/4otHfnE">https://bit.ly/4otHfnE</a></li> <li>Flint Town Docuseries - <a href="https://bit.ly/49TJjAK">https://bit.ly/49TJjAK</a></li> <li>Fearless - <a href="https://bit.ly/444z3Su">https://bit.ly/444z3Su</a></li> </ul> <p>📖 Things to read</p> <ul> <li>A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle - <a href="https://bit.ly/4oYUrke">https://bit.ly/4oYUrke</a></li> </ul> <p>🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) <em>My Imperfect Life,</em> click here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz">http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz</a></p> <p>🩵To join our patreon community, <em>A Little More Imperfects,</em> follow this link - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mqunxu">http://bit.ly/4mqunxu</a></p> <p>🩷 AND you can subscribe to <em>A Little More Imperfects</em> through Apple Podcasts too, here - <a href="http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5">http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5</a></p> <p>The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.</p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
