

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Jan 21, 2024 • 54min
Lael Stone - Parent Yourself First
Parenting expert Lael Stone discusses the importance of self-compassion. Topics include reflecting on past experiences, the impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior, addressing unresolved childhood wounds, and navigating our children's experiences.

Dec 17, 2023 • 32min
Mrs Claus - Santa’s Better Half
Heads up: Mrs Claus is VERY close friends with comedian, Urzila Carlson. As such, this Special Christmas Episode is definitely not appropriate for kids.Last year, we were honoured to sit down with the one and only Santa Claus as he joined us in The Vulnerabilitea House. A big thank you to Glenn Robbins for organising that interview for us! Link below if you missed it.This year, Hugh, Josh and Ryan meet the woman who claims to be the brains behind the operation, Mrs Claus (or is it Ms Claus?). In a very busy time of the year for her, she generously picks a few cards from the Vulnerabilitea House card deck and shares what really goes down behind the scenes on… The Pole.The Imperfects will donate all ad revenue from this episode to Urzila Carlson's charity of choice, Women’s Refuge. They are New Zealand's largest nationwide organisation that supports and helps women and children experiencing family violence. If you'd like to know more about the charity, or make a donation, follow this link: https://bit.ly/41lUUTd To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/48fzwlf To see Urzila Carlson live in 2024, follow this link: https://bit.ly/46RdhAnTo listen to last years Vulnerabilitea House episode with Santa Claus, follow this link: https://apple.co/40Y7HNs. Or to watch it, follow this link: https://bit.ly/41or14A To listen to Urzila's podcast, That's Enough Already, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3RDowb6 To purchase our Vulnerabilitea House card sets, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3PBFlkRSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 snips
Dec 10, 2023 • 1h 4min
Dr Emily - Merry Not-Enoughmas
Dr. Emily, a psychologist known for her insightful takes on mental health, delves into the emotional rollercoaster many face during the holidays. She discusses the pervasive feeling of 'not-enoughness' that often surfaces among families and friends. The conversation highlights the pressures of perfectionism and the importance of self-care during festive gatherings. With practical advice, Dr. Emily encourages listeners to acknowledge their emotions, set intentions, and embrace imperfections for a more fulfilling holiday experience.

19 snips
Dec 3, 2023 • 1h 20min
Chanel Contos - Consensual Healing
Chanel Contos discusses consent, rape culture, and sexual violence. The podcast explores the complexities of consent and the importance of open communication. It delves into different types of rapists and the need for accountability. The hosts discuss navigating fear and anxiety in intimate encounters. They also highlight the role of media in promoting consent education and discuss the importance of self-accountability. The podcast concludes with gratitude for Chanel Contos' work and encourages seeking professional help if needed.

Nov 26, 2023 • 1h 49min
Gina Chick - Don't Fight Life
Guest Gina Chick, winner of ALONE Australia, discusses her experience surviving for 67 days in the Tasmanian wilderness. They also explore her friendship with Hugh Jackman, embracing discomfort, the impact of nature on mental health, grief and loss, and the power of dance and breath work for processing emotions.

Nov 19, 2023 • 1h 55min
Hamish Macdonald - How To Be You
As co-host of The Project, Hamish Macdonald has seen and done more than most journalists could ever dream to achieve in their entire career.Before The Project and a stint hosting ABC’s Q+A program, Hamish worked and reported around the world from war zones to natural disasters, winning a bunch of prestigious awards including a coveted Walkley Award in the process.But as he discusses with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, he’s also faced bullying throughout his life, whether that be from students during his high school days, or from online trolls during his Q+A days - a challenging experience that drove him to leave social media forever.This open and honest chat covers it all, and turns out to be a pretty handy, albeit accidental guide on How To Be You.To listen to Hamish's new podcast, Take Me To Your Leader, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3ukzpph To listen to our episode with Missy Higgins, follow this link: https://apple.co/4fVM8Bo To listen to our episode on stress and burnout with Dr Emily, follow this link: https://apple.co/3CE41WT To listen to Josh's song, We Were Here, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3Zyg3bG To read article recommendation, Why The Internet Isn't Fun Anymore, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3FZGnTh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 snips
Nov 12, 2023 • 1h 11min
Dr Louise Newson - Maybe it’s Menopause
Dr Louise Newson, a GP and Menopause specialist, discusses the importance of understanding menopause and the challenges women face. She shares personal experiences with menopausal symptoms, highlights the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, and advocates for better menopause care for all women. The podcast sheds light on misconceptions about menopause, the significance of estrogen in brain function, and the need for proactive symptom management and support during this natural transition.

Nov 5, 2023 • 59min
Dr Emily - Who Do You Desire?
We know, we know, we know. ‘Who Do You Desire? is a very click-baity title. But we’re pretty confident that if you DO take the bait (come onnnn), you’ll be nicely rewarded. In this episode, our resident psychologist Dr Emily talks with Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the concept of Mimetic Desire - the idea that whether we like it or not, pure originality is impossible. All of us are being influenced by someone. The question is, are we proud of the someones currently influencing us, or does our influencer list need a shake up?Once again, Dr Emily has the answers.For book recommendation, 'Wanting, Mimetic Desire: How to Avoid Chasing the Things You Don't Want', by Luke Burgis, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3QIpFOmThe 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.

Oct 29, 2023 • 1h 39min
Steve Hooker - The Ups & Downs & Ups
Olympic gold medalist Steve Hooker shares his story of triumph and loss, discussing how he coped with suddenly losing his ability to pole vault. The hosts also cover awkward encounters, reflections on career milestones, the power of visualization, and their goal of breaking a record in a relay event.

Oct 22, 2023 • 1h 26min
Lewis Hobba - Success Is Never Enough
Lewis Hobba grew up idolising Triple J. But despite being chosen as Triple J’s drive-time co-host by the age of 30, and being selected by Andrew Denton as one of Australia’s most creative and talented young performers for the show Hungry Beast, Lewis never felt like he succeeded in anything. In this Vulnerabilitea House, Lewis tells Hugh, Ryan and Josh what it was like behind the scenes for him during this time and how he dealt with crippling anxiety on a daily basis until eventually seeking help.To listen to Lewis's podcast 'Silver Bullet', follow this link: https://bit.ly/3ScFmyBTo hear Ryan's episode where he talks about shame, jealousy and finding his purpose, follow this link: https://bit.ly/46AfnW3To purchase our Vulnerabilitea House card sets, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3PBFlkR See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.