

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

40 snips
Feb 2, 2023 • 1h 14min
Lael Stone - Take Care of Yourself
Okay so quick brag… last year’s episode with parenting expert Lael Stone was 2022’s #1 Most Shared Episode on Apple Podcasts, which you can listen to at the link below. 💁♀️But now, Lael is back for a brand new b-b-b-bonus ep with Hugh, Ryan and Josh to talk all about YOU! Well… you and your kids and your loved ones and some other very shareable things that you might be verrrrrry interested in.As your kids start a new year of school and you start a new year of… you… you might be a lil overwhelmed with… everything. But as Lael explains, self-care is important. Because when we’re at our best, we bring the best version of ourselves to our family, friends and work. Thanks Lael… we LOVE this one.To listen to Lael's previous Imperfects episode, 'Creating Emotionally Intelligent Humans' follow this link: https://apple.co/3HMCbH5To purchase Lael's book, follow this link: https://amzn.to/3WWCpReTo learn more about Lael's work, follow this link: https://laelstone.com.au/To watch Bluey episode, 'Facey Talk', on abc iview, follow this link: https://ab.co/3Yi5ojzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 snips
Jan 15, 2023 • 1h 2min
How (and Why) Ryan Dumped His iPhone
Ryan loves his smart phone. Or at least, he used to.Recently, he became fed up with it ruling his life. Endless scrolling, lost time, and just general bleh. So, three months ago he traded in his beloved iPhone for a not-so-smart flip phone - which he affectionately refers to as his ‘SmugPhone’.In this b-b-b-bonus episode, Ryan talks Hugh and Josh through every aspect of his smug journey so far:- Why he gave up his iPhone- How it’s going - pros and cons- What’s his actual set up (how YOU can do it too!)- His fantasy phone/device that doesn’t exist… YETIf you’ve been spending too much time on your phone, this could be the episode that inspires you to make a change as well.For more information, or to purchase the Nokia 2720 Flip, follow this link: https://nokia.ly/3WyNnMUUpdate* Ryan is now using Opel Mobile's Touch Flip which can be purchased via this link: https://bit.ly/3GUSd0K See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 18, 2022 • 29min
Santa Claus - A Special Vulnerabilitea House
Well… it doesn’t get more exclusive than this!During the busiest time of his year, Santa Claus has been kind enough to join Hugh, Ryan and Josh in the Imperfects studio, so he can enter The Vulnerabilitea House.Despite some issues with parking his sleigh and some disruptive reindeers during the recording of this episode, Santa still manages to answer all three of the cards he pulls from the Vulnerabilitea House deck.It’s safe to say that this is not our normal type of Imperfects episode. Obviously. But we couldn’t be more thankful to Glenn Robbins for making this interview happen.All the money we make from ads in this episode will be donated directly to ASHA to help the incomparable Dr Kiran Martin (former guest) provide essential medical care to the millions of poverty-stricken people currently living in the slums of Delhi. To learn more or donate to this incredible organisation, follow this link… https://asha-india.orgMerry Everything to you all! See you in 2023!To listen to Glenn Robbin's Imperfects episode, follow this link: https://apple.co/3G0mBI5To listen to Glenn's podcast, Somehow Related with Dave O'Neil & Glenn Robbins, follow this link: https://apple.co/3FXxZUZ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 11, 2022 • 36min
Hugh van Cuylenburg - Ageing, and Other Reflections
In this third of three b-b-b-bonus episodes, Hugh enters the Vulnerabilitea House and answers the question, ‘What do you see when you look in the mirror?’ For the first time in Hugh’s life, he doesn't see a young man reflected back at him, and he generously tells Ryan and Josh how this is effecting him. How do we feel when we realise we’re not “young” anymore? It really is the age-old question isn’t it? P.S. Keep an eye out for a very special Christmas episode next week!!! You won’t believe who our final guest of the year is!! Although, your kids will definitely believe it. 😉 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 4, 2022 • 42min
Josh van Cuylenburg - How to Defeat Envy
In yet another b-b-b-bonus episode, it’s Josh’s turn to draw from the deck Vulnerabilitea House cards. And in doing so he shares his struggle with envy and jealousy amongst his successful friends, but also how it’s changed for him in recent years. And why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 snips
Nov 30, 2022 • 55min
Esther Perel - Let's Be Better Lovers
If there’s such thing as a b-b-b-bonus B-B-B-BONUS ep, this is it. Psychotherapist Esther Perel is THE woman to turn to for relationship advice - IYKYK! Her two TED talks have been viewed over sixty million times, she’s written two books that have both been featured on the New York Times Bestseller list, and her intimate podcasts with real people in real counselling sessions have positively changed the relationships of millions of couples - including ours. In this Academy of Imperfection, among other things, Esther tells Ryan and Josh (Hugh was sadly sick) why no relationship or partner is perfect, and to expect anything different is at our own peril. Whether you’re already in a relationship or currently looking for a partner, YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY LEARN SOMETHING FROM THIS EP! Pinky promise. To learn more about Esther Perel and her work, follow this link: www.estherperel.com To listen to Esther's podcasts, Where Should We Begin and How's Work with Esther Perel, follow this link: https://www.estherperel.com/podcast To purchase Esther's card game, Where Should We Begin, A Game of Stories, follow this link: https://www.estherperel.com/australia2022 For tickets and tour information for Esther's remaining Australian shows, visit: www.tegdainty.com For book recommendation The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3gHVNCH See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 27, 2022 • 43min
Ryan Shelton - To breed, or not to breed
Teeeeechnically the season is over… but who cares about rules when you’ve got three hosts who eat rules for breakfast! Hugh, Ryan and Josh have decided to add three B-B-B-BONUS Vulnerabilitea House episodes to the end of the season! To kick things off, Ryan answers the question: What parts of ageing scare you most? Ryan goes on to share something big that’s been on his mind recently - whether or not he should have children - and his fear around making a decision that he may regret later in life. Next time it’s Josh’s turn, as he picks a card for another special Vulnerabilitea House. For book recommendation, Embracing Uncertainty, by Susan Jeffers, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3AOkSCN See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 20, 2022 • 1h 36min
Nedd Brockmann - The Man, The Myth, The Neddgend
If you look up ‘Nedd Brockmann’ in the dictionary you won’t find anything because it’s a proper noun. But if you google ‘Nedd Brockmann’, you’ll see the true meaning of ‘legendary’. For 46 days in 2022, Nedd ran 100km a day from Cottesloe Beach to Bondi Beach, literally RUNNING ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. Why? That’s the best part. Nedd (23!) not only wanted to raise $1m for homelessness (it’s currently at $2.5m - link below to donate), but he also wanted to inspire people and show them they’re more capable than they think they are. But as Nedd explains to a stunned Hugh, Ryan and Josh, this superhuman feat came at great cost to Nedd’s physical and mental health. To donate to We Are Mobilise for Nedd's Record Run, please follow this link: https://www.neddsrecordrun.com/ To learn more about the charity group We Are Mobilise, follow this link: https://wearemobilise.com/ To listen to our episode with Harry Garside, follow this link: https://apple.co/3UNSzMy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 13, 2022 • 1h 6min
Dr Emily - Lonely? You're Not Alone
Dr Emily is back with Hugh, Ryan and Josh for the final Emisode of the year, and she’s chosen to talk about something we can all relate to in one way or another… loneliness. In reflecting on last year’s raw episode with Christian O’Connell (link below), Dr Emily deep-dives into the many facets of loneliness. - Why do we feel lonely? - How do we handle our own loneliness? - What can we do to help others who feel lonely? The holiday season is approaching, which for some of us signals a happy time spent with the people we love. However for many of us, it can highlight feelings of loneliness. But like anything, the more we understand it, the more we can help ourselves and each other. As always, Dr Emily is here to help. To listen to Christian O'Connell's Imperfects episode, follow this link: https://apple.co/3TxWonuThe 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.

Nov 10, 2022 • 15min
A DARN GOSH BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
We’re doing it. Well… there’s no turning back now. Hugh, Ryan and Josh are going live on tour around the country with a stage show that they promise will be some of the most imperfect shows they’ve ever done. Live. Uncut. 100% guaranteed imperfection! The Imperfects… LIVE ON STAGE in 2023 Special pre-sale tickets available from November 11-14 2022 Tickets available from livenation.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.