
The Imperfects
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 22, 2025 • 1h 24min
Campbell "Struthless" Walker - Withdrawing with Drawing
Campbell "Struthless" Walker, an Australian artist and YouTuber, dives into the fascinating interplay of creativity and mental health. He shares insights on transforming pain into artistic expression and discusses his journey through addiction with candor. Struthless introduces the 70% rule for creative pursuits, asserting that progress is more important than perfection. He also emphasizes the joy of journaling and everyday creativity, encouraging listeners to embrace their creative selves in daily life.

Jun 15, 2025 • 1h 40min
Isaac Humphries - Coming Out On Court
Isaac Humphries, an NBL basketballer and the only actively openly gay player in professional basketball, shares his inspiring journey of self-acceptance. He recounts experiences of childhood bullying and the sanctuary basketball provided during his struggles. Isaac's emotional story includes coming out first to his mother and then to the world, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and authentic connection. He discusses the transformative power of acceptance, the role of supportive relationships, and how courage can reshape one's life.

Jun 8, 2025 • 1h 20min
Dr Emily - Using The Force For Good
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Emily Musgrove, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Unstuck', shares insights on the light and dark within us, likening Yoda’s wisdom to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She highlights the significance of mentorship and mindfulness, drawing parallels to the Hero's Journey and the battle with ego. The team explores how storytelling, especially in Star Wars, fosters resilience and hope, while emphasizing acceptance as a powerful tool for emotional regulation. Prepare for a blend of psychology and pop culture!

Jun 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
Nas Campanella - The First Blind Newsreader in the World
In this engaging conversation, Nas Campanella, the world’s first blind newsreader and Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC, shares her inspiring journey. She discusses how childhood challenges shaped her resilience and identity, embracing her disability as a source of pride. Nas highlights the critical role of agency and accessibility while navigating discrimination, and reveals why she wouldn't change her sight if given the chance. Her reflections on parenting, cultural traditions, and the importance of trust provide powerful insights into the nuances of life with a disability.

11 snips
May 25, 2025 • 1h 38min
Dr Louise Newson - It's Hormones. Period.
Dr. Louise Newson, a GP and menopause expert, dives into the world of hormones, shedding light on their profound impact on women's health throughout life. She explains the differences between natural and synthetic hormones and their effects on conditions like PMS and post-natal depression. Louise emphasizes the importance of hormone replacement therapy and advocates for better education and individualized care. The conversation also touches on the historical context of women's health and the necessity for women to reclaim their narrative in hormonal discussions.

15 snips
May 22, 2025 • 28min
Dr Emily - How To Get UNSTUCK
Dr. Emily Musgrove, a psychologist and author of "Unstuck: A guide to finding your way forward to the life you want to live," joins the conversation to discuss her new book. She explores how to navigate feelings of being stuck and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and identifying core values. The discussion also touches on the emotional journey of personal growth, the therapeutic approaches that can facilitate change, and the shared human experience of overcoming challenges, including reflections on resilience in times of personal struggle.

7 snips
May 18, 2025 • 1h 38min
Monty Dimond - Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired
Monty Dimond, founder of Show and Tell and co-host of iChronic, dives deep into her personal journey of grief after losing her mother. She fearlessly discusses the realities of living with a chronic illness and battling imposter syndrome, sharing how these challenges influenced her parenting of neurodivergent children. Monty and her co-host explore the joys and trials of raising kids in a world that often misunderstands neurodiversity, blending heartfelt stories with humor and resilience. Their candid discussions offer insight into vulnerability and the importance of connection.

22 snips
May 11, 2025 • 1h 26min
Dr Emily - Grief Lightening
Emily Musgrove, a resident psychologist and author of 'Unstuck', dives into the intricacies of grief, presenting it as a reflection of love and life. She explains the neurological impacts of grief, emphasizing its non-linear nature and the importance of embracing pain. The conversation explores how grief can be more than just mourning a loved one, addressing various forms of loss. Emily also shares practical ways to support grieving friends, advocating for open dialogues and authentic connections during such sensitive times.

9 snips
May 4, 2025 • 1h 25min
Lauren Zonfrillo - Grief: The Shittest Greatest Gift
Lauren Zonfrillo, widow of chef Jock Zonfrillo and founder of Pulse Collective, shares her profound journey through grief. She describes grief as the ‘shittest, greatest gift’ while navigating life as a mother to two young children. Lauren opens up about her evolving spirituality and the challenge of rebuilding her identity post-loss. She discusses the delicate dynamics of family life during grief and highlights the power of storytelling in healing. Her reflections emphasize resilience and the coexistence of joy and sorrow in honoring loved ones.

14 snips
Apr 27, 2025 • 55min
Hugh’s ADHD…brief (Bonus From Patreon)
It’s the episode we’ve all been waiting for – a peek inside Hugh’s brain. After our episode with psychologist and ADHD expert Janelle Booker - and a reboot of his algorithm that Hugh related to on a spiritual level - Hugh began to wonder whether his time-blindness, reject sensitivity and inability to focus on things he wasn’t interested in, could be explained by ADHD. Turns out, yeah. Hugh pretty much definitely has ADHD. Exploring Hugh’s lived experience, Ryan and Josh chat through how Hugh has reconciled his incredible frustrations into acknowledgment and celebration for his strengths. This episode is a snippet from an A Little More Imperfects Patreon episode: a place where we publish fortnightly bonus episode, early access to tickets and talk to our community about upcoming guests, bonus content and what they want to see more of. If you would like to become a member of our Patreon community, follow this link: www.patreon.com/theimperfects To watch this full episode on YouTube, click here: https://bit.ly/4cGOPpO 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - https://bit.ly/42GsmEJ 💻 Things to check out Alex Patridge - 12 Lie People with ADHD tell themselves - ttps://bit.ly/41cHcnd Alex Patridge - How to understand ADHD Overwhelm in 35 seconds - https://bit.ly/4jWRq22 📺 Things to watch Celeste Barber’s Australian Story - Unfiltered - https://ab.co/42l6VsD 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP 🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.