After listening to this Academy of Imperfection, you’ll no doubt be heartily agreeing with Hugh, who introduces Dr Kiran Martin as the most impressive person he’s ever met. Over 30 years after jumping the fence to get inside a slum in Delhi so she could help treat the people in need, Dr Kiran now runs ASHA, an organisation she created that has helped over 900,000 people in over 100 slums across India. And counting! This is the story behind ASHA. And well… it’s incredible. But as this is an Academy, you will also learn things! Later in the episode, Dr Kiran shares her values around leadership and gratitude and explains the impact we can all have, when we simply “insist on the truth”.   To learn more about Asha and to donate, follow this link: https://asha-india.org/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

None of us like to feel rejected. Whether it be at work, with friends, or on a date. In this Dr Emisode, Dr Emily - our very own psychologist - tells Hugh, Ryan and Josh why some of us have a sensitivity to rejection. She explains what we can do about it, and how we can act compassionately towards others, and avoid making them feel unnecessarily rejected as well.   For research article, 'Recognising Emotion In Faces: Developmental Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect', by Seth Pollak, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3CqDee9 For research reference and book recommendation, 'The Joy of Movement', by Kelly McGonigal follow this link: https://bit.ly/3fv6Uhb To watch the Ted Lasso clip about making yourself feel confident through movement, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3dTVYcFThe 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 health care professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While many of us may think of Channel 7’s Hamish McLachlan as the voice of sport in Australia, Hamish is very quick to point to Bruce McAvaney instead. As it turns out, we all love Bruce McAvaney A LOT and apologetically talk about him for quite a while - including a few wonderful Bruce stories from Hamish. When we finally get to the Vulnerabilitea House card selection, Hamish answers the question, ‘When did your life get turned upside down and how did things change?’. This prompts Hamish to show incredible vulnerability and recount two formative events from his family life, and how they’ve reframed his own relationship with the meaning of “challenging times”.   For book recommendation, '4000 Weeks', by Oliver Burkeman, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3C4G6x3  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stand-up comedian Nazeem Hussain lost his father to COVID-19 in 2021. In this episode, Nazeem shares the difficulties surrounding his family’s loss, and how his Dad’s life and sudden death has impacted his own life. But Nazeem also tells some wildly funny stories - in particular one about a "comedy concert" he did in Sri Lanka in front of The Prime Minister, which turned out to be organised by none other than his Dad. You probably already know Naz from his many, MANY appearances on the telly including The Project, Orange Is The New Brown or maybe even I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. But his latest work sees him acting and writing on the new ABC show, Summer Love. Link below.   To watch Nazeem in Summer Love, follow this link: https://ab.co/3BR4gLC To pre-order Nazeem's new children's book, follow this link https://bit.ly/3UlxSHW For recommendation, 'Raising Boys', by Steve Biddulph, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3RLMpuV To read '7 Sneaky Ways Your Parents Influence Is Still Affecting Your Life', by Suzannah Weiss, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3UhkTam  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of this Academy of Imperfection, author and profanity purveyor, Johann Hari answers more of your brilliant questions. As a result, Johann talks with Hugh, Ryan and Josh about intrinsic and extrinsic values, and how they affect the things we do and social media’s role in why we do them. Also (speaking of click-bait), in an Imperfects exclusive, Johann reveals his go-to KFC order. And double-also, we recorded this episode before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, which will make more sense when you listen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imperfects regular, Johann Hari joins us IN STUDIO for the first time to answer your questions! In this very special edition of The Academy of Imperfection (which we’ve split into 2 MASSIVE EPISODES OVER 2 MASSIVE... um... EPISODES!), Johann Hari talks with Hugh, Ryan and Josh about our ability to change our habits in the face of addiction. And why we can learn from the approach of Overeater’s Anonymous to help our addiction to our phones and the internet. Johann will be back later this week to answer more of your questions. For app recommendation 'Freedom', to block websites, follow this link: https://freedom.to/ To learn more and purchase Johann's books, follow this link: https://johannhari.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2003, JET’s Are You Gonna Be My Girl was one of the biggest songs on the planet. It was so big, Apple even used it for their first iPod ad. Remember? The one with the dancing silhouettes on the colourful backgrounds? Yeah, that was JET. As the bass player for JET, Mark Wilson has lived the dream of any musician. He’s toured the world and played to packed stadiums, and even stood with Beyonce and Jay Z at the MTV Video Music Awards before playing on stage in front of them. But Mark has also been dealt with some of the most challenging tragedies we can face. In this emotional episode, Mark talks about the good times and the bad times and how he’s dealt with loss in his life. After the interview, Hugh talks with Ryan and Josh about some practical ways we can all deal with loss and trauma in our own lives.   To watch Bessel van der Kolk's "6 ways to to heal trauma without medication" on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3q7FnEH To read or purchase book recommendation, "The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel van der Kolk, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3BdSPgH  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To celebrate Father's Day, Hugh plays some intimate audio of him reading a chapter of his book, 'Let Go', to his Dad (and Josh's Dad incidentally). But not just any old chapter, the final chapter ABOUT his Dad. Afterwards, Hugh explains to Ryan and Josh, how writing a gratitude letter to your Dad (even if he isn't around anymore) can have a hugely positive impact. But of course, Gratitude Letters aren't just for Dads, they're for your Mum or any carer in your life as well. Happy Fathers Day. Have a listen, then go write a gratitude letter. ❤️   To watch Fitzy (Ryan Fitzgerald) read his gratitude letter to his dad, follow this link: https://vimeo.com/352402397 To view a version of the 'Power and Privilege Wheel' please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3ecWnGS  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Emily, a psychologist focused on the inner critic, dives into the origins and implications of this pervasive self-doubt. She discusses how critical parenting can shape adult anxiety and self-perception. The conversation explores the delicate balance between self-acceptance and harmful self-criticism, while emphasizing the importance of self-compassion. Dr. Emily shares strategies to transform negative self-talk into positive dialogues, helping listeners cultivate their inner nurturer to combat the critical voice and enhance emotional resilience.

Carlton footballer Darcy Vescio is one of the biggest names in the AFLW, having won multiple awards including the Carlton Best & Fairest, 2-time All Australian selection and the Mark of the Year. As a marquee player, Darcy is at the top of their game. But that’s just part of Darcy’s story. Less than a year ago, Darcy publicly came out as non-binary, announcing to the football community that they would now go by the they/them gender pronouns. In this Vulnerabilitea House, Darcy tells Hugh, Ryan and Josh what that experience was like for them. But also, after Hugh and Ryan regrettably slip up a few times during the episode, Darcy graciously explains why it matters so much to them when people do get their pronoun right.   To watch Darcy's 2017 Mark of The Year, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3Cp54Yy  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.