
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 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.

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.

Apr 20, 2025 • 1h 35min
Simon Hill - Eating Imperfectly vs Perfectly Eating
Chasing the ‘perfect’ diet is a trap; which is really great news for our brand. Simon Hill, nutritionist, physiotherapist, and host of The Proof podcast, joins us in the Academy of Imperfection to break down whether the latest dietary trends on social media actually match up with nutrition science. In this episode, Simon unpacks the role of both genetics and lifestyle choices in shaping our health, and specifically our risk of disease. Acknowledging the pressure, and sometimes shame, that comes with chasing the ‘perfect’ diet, Hugh, Ryan, and Josh discuss how to encourage kids to build positive relationships with food, and the incredible significance of ‘joy’ and ‘human connection’, that occurs when we get together to eat. And then, of course, we play Simon Says and bust some food-myths about supplements, plant protein, and whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Simon, thank you for all that you says. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4jyH2NL 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode: Felice Jacka - Food For Thought - https://apple.co/4ciWgn5 Professor Tim Spector - Food Fight - https://apple.co/3OjRlXR Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way to Your Top - https://bit.ly/3E3flgi 📖 Things to read: The Proof is in the Plants - Simon Hill - https://bit.ly/4lbj7VC The Skeptics’ Guide To The Universe - Steven Novella - https://bit.ly/3QUPYjI 🎧Things to listen to: The Proof with Simon Hill - https://bit.ly/3XCCDjS The Proof - Menopause masterclass (Part 1) - https://bit.ly/42aAoXC The Proof - Your menopause questions answered (Part 2) - https://apple.co/4cx0MhW 💻Things to research: Approx. 50% of cardiac deaths are sudden cardiac deaths 50% - https://bit.ly/4juCffP 30 different plants a week study - https://bit.ly/3XIXORj To know more about ApoB, and it’s link to cholesterol - https://bit.ly/42mRL6b & https://bit.ly/426dVLe The Mind Diet - https://bit.ly/42p3zFd Mediterranean Diet - https://bit.ly/4cPqBKp To know more about the Carnivore diet - https://bit.ly/3RcMZmR & https://bit.ly/426xvqT Creatine and cognition - https://bit.ly/4j8sd4e Impact of creatine on depression and CBT - https://bit.ly/3G401AL Impact of creatine on bone health for menopausal women - https://bit.ly/4cuahym & https://bit.ly/424KxoD Impact of creatine on sleep deprivation - https://go.nature.com/4cvR0wC Simon’s Prebiotics - 38TERA - https://bit.ly/4caa96Q 🍎Use code THEIMPERFECTS for $10 off your first order with 38TERA (not sponsored at all, Simon’s just a really nice guy). 🦋If this conversation has raised some uncomfortable feelings for you around eating and food, these are some great resources to find support: Eating Disorders Families Australia - https://bit.ly/3TLU7J5 The Butterfly Foundation - https://bit.ly/48YCSZe 🩷If you want A Little More Imperfects, join our Patreon to get just that - www.patreon.com/theimperfects 🩵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.

Apr 13, 2025 • 1h 16min
Courtney Ugle - Intergenerational Strength
Courtney Ugle, CEO of Waangkiny and a talented football player, transforms personal tragedy into empowerment. She discusses the profound impact of childhood traumas and the importance of resilience. Exploring her journey of grief after losing her mother, Courtney highlights the duality of joy and sorrow. She emphasizes how embracing one's identity and heritage can strengthen community ties and support, particularly for young Aboriginal girls. In a heartfelt conversation, she underscores the need for open discussions around trauma and healing.

26 snips
Apr 6, 2025 • 1h 23min
Dr Emily - How to Be Leaned On
Emily Musgrove, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Unstuck', shares insights on the delicate balance of supporting loved ones during tough times. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and self-care for caregivers to avoid burnout. The conversation also highlights the emotional dynamics in parenting and the complexities of authentic communication. Listeners are reminded that showing up for others is meaningful, yet it’s crucial to maintain one's own well-being. Practical strategies for navigating these relationships are discussed throughout.