The Imperfects

Angie’s OCD obsessions are that she has committed her worst, most insidious, fears. 💌 Join 9,500+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ Officially diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) when she was 19, some of Angie’s earliest memories are of obsessions, compulsions and seeking reassurance. Joining us in the studio, Angie talks to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the reality of living with OCD, how she navigates particularly bad episodes with her partner, and why she wouldn’t wish it on her worst enemy Angie explains false memories, and the lengths she has gone to seek reassurance, and finally, why it is so important to her to create something that helps people feel less alone. In amongst all of the OCD chat, Hugh asks Angie about her anti-discrimination work and the beautiful story of where that passion came from. Chapters 00:00:00 – Trailer 00:01:27 – Angie + Hugh don’t do small talk 00:03:46 – Why Angie accepted an ARIA on behalf of Sia 00:05:45 – Growing Up in Sporting Royalty 00:07:45 – Why Angie’s Brother Came Out To Her 00:10:41 – “I’m Crying Because I Could Have Helped” 00:13:21 – Why Feeling Safe To Be Yourself Matters 00:15:02 – Angie’s Moral Compass: Where Does It Come From? 00:18:17 – OCD: Obsessions, Compulsions + Reassurance 00:20:45 – OCD Stereotypes vs Reality 00:22:52 – Feeling Like A Bad Kid 00:24:52 – Why OCD Makes Your Excruciatingly Self-Aware 00:28:02 – Examples of Intrusive Thoughts 00:30:23 – Invisible Compulsions: Kissing, Hugging, Incest 00:32:19 – Relationship OCD: Constant Fear of Cheating On Your Partner 00:34:37 – OCD False Memories: How The Brain Builds ‘Evidence’ 00:36:10 – Why Reassurance Seeking Never Brings Relief 00:39:13 – What It’s Like Loving Someone With OCD 00:41:40 – What OCD Has Cost Angie: Peace, Presence + Precious Moments 00:50:08 – Why Getting The Right Treatment Was Lifechanging 00:54:52 – What Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Actually Looks Like 00:57:02 – How To Support Someone With OCD 00:59:01 – How Angie and Her Husband Manage OCD Episodes 01:02:53 – Finding Your People Through OCD 01:05:15 – How To Respond When Someone Tells You They Have OCD 01:08:24 – Tips for Supporting Someone Who Has OCD 🧠If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with or thinks they may have OCD, these are some great resources. In an emergency, always call 000. OCD BOUNCE - https://ocd.org.au OCD WA - https://www.ocdwa.com.au International OCD Foundation - https://iocdf.org The Joy Thief, by Penny Moodie - https://bit.ly/3VJaKZ4 It’s Not What You Think podcast - https://bit.ly/4iZppcj LifeLine - 13 11 14 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Penny Moodie - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - https://bit.ly/4jxTPTd Penny Moodie’s New Book - OCD & Finding Joy Again - https://bit.ly/4rGXkJa Rick Davies - Living with OCD - https://bit.ly/4hxuLZY Issac Humphries - Coming Out On Court - https://bit.ly/3VZDHQA 💻Things to check out Andrea Wallace’s Website - https://wonderpsychology.com Angie Greene’s Website - angiegreene.com.au 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Mid 20's and $250,000 in debt. Gripped by a gambling addiction. How do you recover? 💌 Join 9,500+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ From the outside, it looked like Luke Bateman was living the dream: a professional NRL career with ludicrous pay checks and sponsorship deals. On the inside, Luke was battling a crippling gambling addiction, deepening depression and a widening chasm between the character he was playing, and his true authentic self. With immense courage, honesty and vulnerability, Luke takes Hugh, Ryan and Josh through the ups and downs of his recovery journey. Luke unpicks the difference between unconditional love and conditional help from his parents, and why his time in rehab was the best thing that ever happened to him. Luke speaks about how his journey with addiction impacted his relationship with his mum, and the gratitude he feels for her now, and how learning about internal family systems changed his life forever. Luke, you are such a beautiful person. Thank you for joining us today. This episode discusses gambling addiction and suicidal ideation. Please take care when listening. This episode is part of the BE HOPE Podcast Takeover, bringing podcasts around the world together to explore the themes of hope and how we can continue to make progress in a rapidly changing world - https://globalgoals.org/behope/ 🚨If you, or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction Call LifeLine - 13 11 14 Register at BetStop - betstop.gov.au Gamblers Anonymous - https://bit.ly/3TJ1C6d Gambling Help Online - gamblinghelponline.org.au In an emergency, always call 000 🩵To hear our chat with Luke about The Manosphere and to join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 0:00 – Trailer: $250K of Gambling Debt 1:26 – Be Hope Podcast Takeover Announcement 4:15 – Luke Bateman doesn’t fit in a box 6:06 – Growing up ‘soft’ in Rural Queensland 10:03 – Hiding Books from the Boys 17:11 – The Shame of Reading 19:22 – Chasing a Dream to Fill the Void 22:26 – Money, Drugs & Alcohol in Professional Sport 27:40 – Lies, Debt & Betting Company ‘VIP’ Treatment 30:26 – Should Gambling Sponsorship Be Banned? 31:11 – Rock Bottom 33:18 – The Phone Call That Saved His Life 39:45 – Rehab, Recovery + Relinquishing Control 43:40 – Inside Rehab “Get a Real Addiction” 47:21 – Recovery Is Not Linear 50:21 – Internal Family Systems: Healing the exiled child 56:05 – Generational Masculinity: Why Men Struggle to Connect 58:19 – Denial + Corporate Greed 1:03:13 – Luke’s Honesty Policy 1:06:08 – Unconditional Love vs Conditional Help 1:10:18 – Sharing Shame with Teammates 1:11:37 – Luke’s Message to Anyone Struggling Right Now 1:13:03 – Finding Your Way Back 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Jack’s Gambling Addiction Story - https://bit.ly/4hFQmk1 📚Things to read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo - https://bit.ly/46FkS7v Keys to the Kingdom, by Garth Nix - https://bit.ly/4AnBxKB The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig - https://bit.ly/4d2Ozmx No Bad Parts, by Richard C Scharwtz - https://bit.ly/46FSGkU You Are The One You’ve Been Waiting For, by Richard C Schwartz - https://bit.ly/3Tp0gx8 🎧Things to listen to In The Good Books with Luke Bateman I Matt Haig: Writing What You Need to Hear - https://bit.ly/4jjvBvK 📱Things to check out Luke’s Instagram (and his thoughts on male silence) - https://bit.ly/46AnIuy 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Do you live in fear of being found out as a fraud? That despite your years of competency, achievement and high performance someone will uncover the truth? Well, you’re in the right place. Our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove is here to tell you that your imposter syndrome is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it’s not even a syndrome. 💌 Get practical take-aways from this episode, and join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ To get a little bit meta, Dr Emily explains that knowing that you don’t know everything, is a good thing. Especially if you’re starting a new role, or trying something for the first time. HOWEVER, the long-term consequences of the imposter cycle such as perfectionism, overcompensation, burnout, or even avoidance and procrastination, may impact your willingness to say yes to new opportunities, such as going for that promotion or asking for support. In this episode, Dr Emily asks Hugh, Ryan and Josh to think about the balance of their competence and confidence, and provides them (and you!) with four practical strategies for combatting this pesky phenomenon. And then, a weird amount of chat about Vlad the Impaler. 0:00 – An Emisode! 2:41 – Adam Grant is not an imposter 5:11 – Origins of Imposter Syndrome 6:45 – ‘Syndrome’ is the wrong word 8:19 – It all comes back to belonging 10:39 – How common is imposter syndrome? 12:20 – Fear of being found out as a fraud 15:16 – The evolutionary psychology of belonging and self-doubt 16:35 – Is self-doubt actually healthy? 17:42 – Is your confidence a mask? 18:57 – The Dunning-Kruger Effect 23:15 – The more you know …. 25:12 – Competence vs confidence 26:29 – The Imposter Cycle: anxiety, perfectionism, luck 32:09 – Becoming your own favourite artist 35:55 – Avoidance, procrastination + self-fulfilling prophecies 38:29 – Long term consequences ft. Hugh’s anus 45:26 – Authenticity as the antidote 46:22 – Less growth, less promotions 48:52 – Strategy 1: write down your skills 49:53 – Strategy 2: name your shame 51:40 – Supporting a friend with imposter phenomenon 52:29 – Self-doubt in a new role is a good sign 57:12 – Strategy 3: mentor a near peer 1:00:38 – Strategy 4: celebrate your success 1:02:57 – Creating a good workplace culture 1:04:06 – Belonging is good for business 1:06:25 – Want more on belonging? Dr Em, thanks for joining us. 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Adam Grant - The Potential of Your Potential - https://bit.ly/4jc0DFM Dr Emily - We’re Longing for Belonging - https://bit.ly/4yElLJp Rana Hussain - Belonging for Connection - http://bit.ly/4odhGY8 Esther Perel - It’s Not Them, It’s You - https://bit.ly/4yxgljs 🎧Things to listen to The Curiosity Shop with Brene Brown and Adam Grant - https://bit.ly/4gT05mW 📖Things to read Hidden Potential, by Adam Grant - https://bit.ly/4AemQcv Hardwiring Happiness, by Rick Hanson - https://bit.ly/3T6IhM0 📺 Things to watch Mad Men - https://bit.ly/4cLB6zx 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

When he was 15, Andy Lee’s mum forgot who he was. 💌 Join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ Given only two weeks to live, Andy tells Hugh, Ryan and Josh how this news impacted his family, impacted his childhood, and continues to impact his sense of self. And then, we’re going all the way back to the early days of Radio Karate, and Hamish & Andy. In a long overdue conversation (recorded, of course), Ryan and Andy chat about their own friendship dynamic and why they both felt like the odd one out. Getting down to business, Andy and Ryan discuss how a bunch of 20 year old guys made tough financial decisions while trying to remain mates, how they learnt to give constructive criticism to each other, and with the blessing of hindsight, how they feel about that time now. Andy, we’ve been waiting for this episode longer than a baker with his oven off. 0:00 – 2 years of secret vocal coaching 4:35 – HOW long for one cartoon episode? 5:48 – When Andy met Hamish (and Ryan) 9:39 – The impact of getting cancelled after 5 episodes 10:08 – The best advice Andy received 14:07 – Jealousy, Jealousy 20:25 – The Four Way Split of Hamish & Andy 23:42 – Should we be recording this? 25:10 – Social media has replaced the paparazzo 26:11 – Andy’s nude photo scandal 30:23 – Inspiration and renegotiation 36:55 – The Vulnerabilitea House 38:02 – When your mum is given two weeks to live 40:30 – Rapid deterioration and rush to hospital 43:28 – Taking on the parent role at 15 46:04 – Furious at the new normal 49:09 – Why “Don’t Worry, It’ll Be Fine” is the worst thing to say 54:36 – Andy’s Dad’s incredible sacrifice 58:20 – The Lee Gazette 1:00:50 – Why we should talk about will’s 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Ryan Shelton - Shame, Jealousy & Purpose - https://bit.ly/4A230B5 📺 Things to watch Institute of Sayings from Real Stories - https://bit.ly/4xBJHgq Do Not Watch This Show! - https://bit.ly/4cAwlIZ New Zealand Spy - https://bit.ly/4hdjPBI 🎧Things to listen to Andy Lee on Falling Upwards with Kate Langbroek - https://bit.ly/4yucp30 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Have you ever watched the person you love most get everything you ever wanted? Did you harden around envy, or shrink with comparison? Were you able to find happiness for their success? Philippa Northeast, Logie nominated and lead of Netflix’s My Brilliant Career, is a star quickly rising. Her most significant role? The little sister of our producer, Bridge. 💌Join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Joining us as a guest host, Producer Bridge, alongside Hugh, Josh and Ryan, discuss the years of failure and rejection behind the scenes of Pip’s overnight success. Constantly aware of the need to prove herself a success, Philippa is completely vulnerable about the obsession that came from certain rejections, and her anxiety which manifested itself as trichotillomania. Offering a unique and intimate perspective, both Bridge and Josh reflect on their respective siblings’ success, and how that has shaped their own identity. It’s sibling vs sibling, and only one will make it out alive (kidding, it has a happy ending). 0:00 – Meet Producer Bridge’s Little Sister 5:43 – Pip’s Brilliant Career: From Home & Away to Netflix Star 11:39 – Middle Child Syndrome 19:28 – Sibling Comparison: Cricket and Drama Solos 20:55 – Finding Success Straight Out of High School 22:56 – Self-belief vs Self-doubt: Why Pip Took The Leap and Bridget Didn’t 25:30 – Feeling Over-shadowed, and Under Pressure 28:00 – Becoming an Unemployed Clown 29:17 – The Sensational Potter Backup Plan 34:01 – Getting Undressed (Again) 35:46 – The Hollywood Grind 37:32 – Lockdown, Isolation and Growing Doubt 46:15 – Obsession born from Rejection 51:49 – What Loneliness in the Acting Industry Feels Like 52:46 – The Body Keeps Score: Trichotillomania 54:47 – Healing: Journalling, Yoga, Grounding 57:04 – The Hallmark Offer That Changed Everything 1:03:39 – The Downside of Growing Up Next To A Rising Star 1:07:29 – Choosing Pride Over Jealousy 1:09:49 – The Upside of Losing to Claudia Karvan 🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Claudia Karvan - Love, Her Way - https://bit.ly/3UNr9LC What’s Your ATAR? - https://bit.ly/4zQ4AG5 📺 Things to watch My Brilliant Career - https://bit.ly/4zPaW8L Family Next Door - https://bit.ly/4gEp0cw Newsreader - https://bit.ly/3UNr4ri A Royal Runaway Romance - https://bit.ly/3V8rGb2 Standing Up For Sunny - https://bit.ly/4xyeASP 🎧 Things to listen to Undressed by Sombr - https://bit.ly/4wY9Ipf 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

What impact does sleep deprivation really have on your wellbeing? What about your parenting? What about your identity? Matt D’Avella has amassed over 4 millions subscribers on YouTube undertaking 30-day wellness challenges, and promoting his minimalist lifestyle. In life that was meticulously controlled, having kids changed everything. 💌Join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Blessed with a baby who woke every 30 minutes for the first ten months of their life, Matt chats to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about how becoming a new parent impacted every facet of his life. Hugh and Josh share just how lonely they have felt at different times during their parenting journey, and Ryan saves the day by holding a baby for a full 40 minutes (save the applause! please!) Matt this was a dream come true. To watch the full episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/foilZTRGXco 00:00 - I Tried Being Vulnerable for 30 Days 7:03 - Minimalism Maxxing 18:00 - The Vulnerabilitea House 20:25 - Becoming a father, losing sleep (and himself) 24:14 - Depression Diagnosis Wake-Up Call 32:56 - Hugh's Sleep Score 40:38 - SOS: Hiring Help, Expanding your Village 48:50 - Sleep Training: What Actually Works 52:02 - The Real Cost of Sleep Deprivation 58:29 - Being A Mum: The Additional Burden 1:01:32 - 'Do You Regret Having Kids?' 1:04:00 - The New and Improved Matt D'Ad-Avella 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Edna Lekgabe - New Baby… New Brain… Matrescence - https://bit.ly/4zVt9Si 📺 Things to watch Minimalism Documentary - https://bit.ly/3SSZb0t Why I disappeared - Matt D’Avella - https://bit.ly/3SwYA4g Matt D’Avella YouTube - https://bit.ly/4wOzFXW 💤 Things to sleep train Tresillian Sleep Organisation - https://bit.ly/4zAGTS5 The Ferber Sleep method - https://bit.ly/4iCdqB4 Masada Sleep School - https://bit.ly/4qNi7uc 📚Things to read Regretful Parents subreddit - https://bit.ly/4gx9W0b 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

How does having cancer as a child impact the way you live as an adult? Uber successful chef and restauranteur Josh Niland doesn’t do things in halves (no, literally, have you read his book The Whole Fish?). From opening a restaurant at 26, to becoming the first Australian to win the James Beard Book of the Year award when he was just 30, Josh’s creativity came from a place of desperation to explore every opportunity presented to him. 💌Join 9,400+ people getting a Dr Emily values worksheet and takeaways from this week’s episode in our newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Diagnosed with cancer 2 days after his 8th birthday, Josh’s childhood transformed in a matter of hours into hospital hallways, chemotherapy and facing his own mortality. In this episode, Josh joins us in the Vulnerabilitea House to talk us through an experience which profoundly changed him, which he is now grateful for. Hugh, Ryan and Josh (our Josh), also ask about where his drive and ambitious creativity comes from, and just how close to failure Josh’s culinary career came. We wish this chat could have gone on longer, If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - 🫖Other Imperfect’s episodes mentioned on this episode Nathan Cavaleri - The Ups & The Blues - https://bit.ly/468HE7l 📺 Things to watch Josh’s Australian Story - https://bit.ly/4giDtKR 📚Things to read Saint Peter: Chapter & Verse, by Josh Niland - https://bit.ly/4bVM0SN The Whole Fish, by Josh Niland - https://bit.ly/4bVM0SN 🍽️ Places to eat Saint Peter - https://bit.ly/4qrs4gv 💻Things to check out Starlight Children’s Foundation - https://bit.ly/4hHDkmM Josh Niland’s Website - https://www.mrniland.com 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Is tough love to blame for our shame? 💌Join 9,200+ people getting a Dr Emily values worksheet and takeaways from this week’s episode in our newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy We all know that parent or coach on the sideline who takes under 10’s basketball a liiitttllleee too seriously. And occasionally, tough love might seem to work in the moment, long term, the shame train isn’t going anywhere good. Dr Emily, our resident psychologist, is here to name the shame to tame it, and teach us how we can be shame strippers too (get your head out of the gutter. Shame on you). We go into the difference between shame, humiliation, guilt and embarrassment, bow down to the queen Brene Brown, and introduce ourselves to our own Healthy Adult. Shamelessly, this is one of our best episodes to date. 0:00 – Ever heard of a shame stripper? 6:27 – Bow down to Brene Brown 12:25 – The other self-conscious emotions (they’re shy) 20:51 – Humour and humiliation 29:21 – Shame is a full body experience 36:16 – Beware of who you share (with) 40:43 – Manosphere + behaviour change 46:59 – Tough love + kids sport 57:07 – Working with shame 1:06:10 – Bring on the compassion! 1:10:07 – Introducing the Healthy Adult If you’d like to watch the full episode on YouTube, follow this link - 🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Ryan Shelton - Shame, Jealousy & Purpose - https://bit.ly/4qgEqrO Dr Emily - Compassion of The Self - https://bit.ly/4hqWa1k How do you know you’re in a thinking trap? - Maria Ruberto - https://bit.ly/4ze4eJh 🎧 Things to listen to Between Two Beers with Steven Adams - https://bit.ly/4g3wipS 📚Things to read Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown - https://bit.ly/45VT2Dx The Compassionate Mind, by Paul Gilbert - https://bit.ly/3UewPOq Movember study of the Manosphere - https://bit.ly/4wZxtOs Proneness to shame vs proneness to guilt research by Tangney et al. - https://bit.ly/4g4lQyl 📖Things to do The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer - https://bit.ly/4zg353K Othership (breath work app) - https://bit.ly/4g7Q03E 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Can nature help us to feel less alone? 💌Join 9,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ Psychologist on the incredible, Alone Australia series (remember our seminal episode with Gina Chick?), Mark Mathieson is in the Academy of Imperfection to help us understand how nature regulates our body, and how we can reconnect to it in this digital age. Mark talks about how to uncover the person behind the persona, the science behind gardening, and why Hugh had the best sleep of his life in a tent, with no pillow. According to Mark, human are immensely capable of change, and this episode provides a few things we can do to ensure nature is incorporated into our routines, without cramming the schedule more. Mark, it was great to be alone . . . with you. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIMSSRJg2vQ 0:00 – Ice breaker: where have we gone wrong?6:58 – The segmentation of exercise11:46 – Evolution of Mark18:53 – Person behind the persona24:10 – Our virtual reality future27:22 – Let’s learn to adapt36:00 – Building relationships with nature42:28 – The science of gardening and sunshine48:53 – Eventually, reality TV gets us all53:08 – Big city blues 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life - https://bit.ly/4xj0kga Sean Turnell - A Prisoner’s Guide to Life - https://bit.ly/4btNKCu Sex for Normal People with Ita O’Brien - https://bit.ly/4btNNya Dr Emily - The (pesky) Hedonistic Treadmill - https://bit.ly/4yXxx2B Dr Paul Callaghan - How To Follow The Dreaming Path - https://bit.ly/457l9PY 📚Things to read Comfort Crisis, by Michael Easter - https://bit.ly/4pV10Ga The Dreaming Path, by Dr Paul Callaghan and Uncle Paul Gordon - https://bit.ly/4gctqrZ 📺 Things to watch Alone Australia (new season out now) - https://bit.ly/4yWVW8n 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfects All views expressed in this podcast are Mark Mathieson’s and not representative of the Department of Defence, Australia. 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.

What is racism, really? 💌Join 9,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ Adam Briggs, rapper, writer, actor, senator and Yorta-Yorta man, joins Hugh, Josh and guest host Nazeem Hussain, to have an honest conversation about racism in Australia. We explore the impact of The Voice Referendum vote, how culture and community impacts identity, and why Briggs has never, ever felt the need to people please (yep, that’s the sound of us frantically scribbling down notes). Briggs also chats about the highs and lows of bipolar II. 0:00 – No boundaries Briggs 5:26 –Big Shep’ Washing Machine 12:25 – This is racism 21:27 – A hyper-vigilante 28:06 – Perfect storm for art 36:09 – Copping it Australia Wide 43:22 – The Yes Vote 53:08 – Australian Culture 57:02 – Never just about music 1:04:50 – Make Aboriginal Cool 1:09:19 – Bipolar, therapy, training 🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Ben Shewry (Pt 1) - The Other Side of Excellence - https://bit.ly/4fErGpQ Ben Shewry (Pt 2) - How The Chef Was Made - https://bit.ly/45sPsR7 Ben Shewry - Making It Right (And Delicious) - https://bit.ly/4gXyDEZ Nazeem Hussain - Losing a Parent - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-imperfects/id1476501557?i=1000589981824 🎧Things to listen to Big Noter - https://www.thebignoter.com The Children Came Back by Briggs & Gurrumul - https://bit.ly/4fGaxMH 📺Things to watch Briggs’s Voice Referendum ad - https://bit.ly/4bkiTs2 📚Things to read Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Adam Briggs - https://bit.ly/4yQKbjW 💻Things to check out Rumbalara Football Netball Club - https://www.rfnc.com.au/ Bad Apples Music - https://bit.ly/4x8Rdi3 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - https://www.patreon.com/c/TheImperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcast http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Sex is sometimes a taboo topic. Not today! Intimacy expert Ita O’Brien tells us all about the new normal in the bedroom, and how she’s introduced it to Hollywood. 💌Join 9,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In 2017, Ita O’Brien changed how Hollywood approached sex scenes when she pioneered intimacy co-ordination on the hit Netflix show, Sex Education, by introducing the framework, “Intimacy On Set Guidelines”. She went on to on productions for Netflix, BBC, HBO, Hulu, Amazon, including Sex Education and Normal People, founding her own company Intimacy on Set. And now she’s here. Ita chats with the guys about what sex scenes were like before Intimacy Co-ordination, and all the lies movies taught us about sex. She explains the mysterious orgasm gap, why consent is the foundation of all intimacy, and maybe most importantly of all… the male and female anatomy of arousal! That bit’s at the 16min mark if you’re really in a hurry. 😉 00:00 – Meet Ita O'Brien, the World's First Intimacy Coordinator 01:32 – Inside Her Work on Normal People, I May Destroy You & Sex Education 04:17 – What Intimacy Actually Means (It's Not Just Sex) 07:34 – The Untold Story of the First-Ever Intimacy Coordinator Job 09:35 – What Sex Scenes Were Like Before Consent Guidelines Existed 12:27 – Why On-Screen Intimacy Shapes How We See Ourselves 14:33 – The Hidden Lie Movies Taught Us About Sex 16:00 – The Male Anatomy of Arousal, Explained 18:33 – The Female Anatomy of Arousal, Explained 23:17 – Why Desire Fades in Long-Term Relationships 25:59 – The Power of Touch (and Why We're Losing It) 30:39 – How Screens Are Rewiring Kids' Ability to Connect 34:08 – The Truth About the Orgasm Gap 40:30 – Why Consent Is the Foundation of All Intimacy 43:10 – Filming the Iconic Birth Scene in We Live in Time 49:52 – How to Talk to Kids About Consent and Bodies 52:24 – "Consent Is Sexy": A Call to Writers and Filmmakers 54:33 – Sex, Menopause and Intimacy at Every Life Stage 📖Things to read Intimacy: A Field Guide to Finding Connection and Feeling Your Deep Desires by Ita O’Brien - https://www.penguin.com.au/books/intimacy-9781529954043 📺 Things to watch Sex Education (Netflix) - https://www.netflix.com/title/80197526 Normal People (BBC/Hulu) - https://www.hulu.com/series/normal-people I May Destroy You (BBC/HBO) - https://www.hbo.com/i-may-destroy-you Catastrophe - https://www.amazon.com/Catastrophe-Season-1/dp/B00YGB8UYK We Live in Time (Film4/A24) - https://www.a24films.com/films/we-live-in-time 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Esther Perel — Let's Be Better Lovers - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BantQso5Ef3xPn4PWNG2I 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcast http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Could you live without your phone for a month? 🩵To hear more episodes like this, join A Little More Imperfects! Patreon - www.patreon.com/theimperfects Apple - http://apple.co/theimperfects This week it's just the three of us. And like Odysseus before us, we embark on a life changing epic. Where he fought the trojans, monsters, cannibals, sirens, the oceans, a cyclops and ACTUAL GODS!! We will do something even ‘EPIC…ER’. We’re tackling our phones. Each of us take on a month-long challenge to fix our worst phone habits, inspired by the ‘god of no phones’ - Christopher Nolan and the release of THE ODYSSEY (if that wasn’t obvious already, but we promise this episode isn't an ad). We then share some of our favourite bits from behind the pay wall, from our Patreon/Subscriber community. Ryan has an unplanned, very generous on-air hair donation; Josh shares a bit from a book which changed his life a bit; which leads to one of the most honest conversations he and Hugh have ever had on (or off) the show, about comparison, self-esteem, and growing up idolising your older brother. This is one epic journey. 00:00 — The Phone Odyssey Begins 08:54 — Our Phone-Free Pledges 19:11 — Modelling Better Habits at Home 25:29 — Hairing is Caring 37:57 — A Bit From a Book That Changed Josh’s Life a Bit 48:18 — The Conversation Between Brothers That Needed to Be Had 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Bronte Campbell - Comparison, The thief of joy ****https://bit.ly/49S1S7C Joe Brumm & Hamish Blake - A Bluey Print for Dads https://bit.ly/4w4ohI8 How (and why) Ryan Dumped his iPhone https://bit.ly/3T3xdyM Sam Willoughby - The tragic injury that changed his life (and Ryan’s Finnastride admission) https://bit.ly/4fa5u8p 📖 Things to read The midnight library - Matt Haigh https://bit.ly/4vGgnE0 How Proust can change your life - Alain de Botton https://bit.ly/4dYfCkd In search of lost time - Marcel Proust https://bit.ly/4vt3lJG 📺Things to watch The Odyssey https://bit.ly/4vY8nij Christopher Nolan on 60minutes https://bit.ly/4yjfZgX 💌Join 8,300+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/shop/ 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/shop/ 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.

To be jealous is to be human. It is what you do with that feeling that counts. 💌Join 8,300+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove is in the studio to talk about THAT podcast moment: the one where Ryan admitted he was jealous of Hugh and Hamish Blake’s relationship. The one that lives in Imperfects history. According to Dr Em, we develop the emotion of jealousy at just 9 months old, and it shows up everywhere; family, work, school, friends. Feelings around jealousy can be extremely painful, especially if it is accompanied by shame. In this episode, Dr Emily explores why jealousy can be so dangerous when not listened to, and why our jealous behaviour can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. See you on the other side. If you want to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/dlufNQ7iXCc 00:00 - The Day Has Arrived 02:48 - When Ryan Revealed He Was Jealous of Hugh & Hamish 7:45 - Shame Tells You Not To Speak It 10:02 - Harry Styles Walks Into a Super Market 15:54 - You’re Making My Dog Jealous 22:31 - Feeling Jealous vs Being Jealous 43:49 - Hugh, Ryan & Hamish: 4 Years Later 47:50 - How To Have The Conversation (And Build Trust) 59:32 - You Can Feel Jealous AND Still Trust 🫖 Episodes mentioned in this episode Hamish Blake - Let’s Talk About Self Doubt - https://bit.ly/3QG8MXo 💻Things to check out Uncertainty vs inevitable pain study - https://bit.ly/43NWFKQ 🎵Songs to listen to Jealous Guy by John Lennon - https://bit.ly/43NWzCY 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want can you learn from playing with a child? In today's Academy of Imperfection, Bluey creator Joe Brumm joins us (for real life), with Hamish Blake stepping in as guest host. 💌Join 8,300+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In this episode we dig into the world of play - ”the voluntary overcoming of unnecessary obstacles”, we find out what makes a ‘good’ player and why kids' imaginative play tends to fade around age 12. Josh and Hugh take the chance to wax lyrical about their favourite Bluey episodes, Rain, Fruit Bat, Born Yesterday, The Decider (to name a few). And all three dads also share some moments of parenting shame as we discuss the constant battle for attention between our phones, and our kids. 00:00 - Hamish Blake from Rove 08:13 - Bluey, The Most Streamed TV Show of All Time 11:51 - The Best Definition of Play You've Ever Heard 21:00 - It’s All Improvising 38:02 - Permission to Pretend Again 51:20 - My Kids Wouldn’t Have The Dad They Have Without Bluey 54:00 - Doing Something Just for Fun Is a Valid Reason 58:07 - Being Present In a World of Distractions 01:22:00 - The Bluey Episode That Made a Room Full of Footballers Cry 01:27:16 - Let Them Lead and See What Happens If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/eMigxjhCkcs 🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode How (and why) Ryan dumped his iphone https://bit.ly/4vi83uA 📺 Things to watch Bluey - Shadowlands https://bit.ly/4eTzKTA Bluey - Calypso https://bit.ly/3QT6NyT Bluey - Magic Xylophone https://bit.ly/4gdY057 Bluey - Born Yesterday https://bit.ly/3SvY5HA Bluey - Bin Night https://bit.ly/4gd89Pt Bluey - The decider https://bit.ly/4eHS1V4 Bluey - Faceytalk https://bit.ly/4wpWWju Bluey - Pass the parcel https://bit.ly/4gi9PXU 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcast http://apple.co/theimperfects See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you raise a child whose brain works differently? This episode is for parents of kids with ADHD. And parents who have ADHD. And people who don’t have a diagnosis, but would consider themselves ‘fast and loose’. And for everyone who knows someone who fits the above criteria. 💌Join 8,300+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Janelle Booker, a psychologist who specialises in ADHD, is BACK, this time, to talk to parents of ADHD kids, and how to parent when you yourself have ADHD. And also, ADHD-curious Hamish Blake is here too. We look at the role of dopamine, energy vs stressors, and how to make your mornings less chaotic and more compassionate. Hamish and Janelle. What a duo. 0:00 – A dynamic duo: Hamish and Janelle 5:58 – The penny drop moment for Hugh 11:35 – ADHD or Fast and Loose? 19:56 – The beauty and beast of ADHD brains 22:38 – The life of an ADHD kid 27:16 – A crash course on dopamine 37:26 – Structure, sleep and school 44:38 – Identity and diagnosis 55:13 – ADHD kids and friendships 1:02:50 – Parenting WITH ADHD 1:16:29 – Finding and supporting regulation 1:23:13 – Slo-pamine 1:28:54 – Let’s talk about the strengths 1:34:35 – Get ‘em outside! If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/WwEBTIMohwg 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Janelle Booker - Living With ADHD - https://bit.ly/4g0CUXK Hugh’s ADHD…brief - https://bit.ly/4g567Rw Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://bit.ly/4uYFbGS 💻Things to check out Janelle’s website - https://bit.ly/3QJdO5t The MEHRIT Centre - https://self-reg.ca/ The ADHD Parent Circle Online Program - https://bit.ly/4g5Anvu ADHD Women’s Support Group (Perinatal and Early Parenting) - https://bit.ly/3T0BJ0N Online Q&A with Janelle about ADHD parenting - https://bit.ly/4g5wneu 📖Things to read ADHD: A Delightful Human Difference. Reframing ADHD for Good, by Janelle Booker and Matthew Johnson - https://bit.ly/4w7scU3 🎧Things to listen to Hamish & Andy podcast - https://bit.ly/43Z0RHJ Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction, by Huberman Lab - https://bit.ly/4xPnMCZ 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you choose who to trust? And how do you show others that you are trustworthy? 💌Join 8,100+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In this Academy of Imperfection, we are joined by Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia. No biggie (BIG biggie). And if there’s one thing Jimmy knows, it's how to garner and imbue the trust of millions. You’re right in feeling like the general level of trust globally is low right now, but this episode is here to step through Jimmy's 7 rules which will help you build, rebuild, and solidify what is in our innate human behaviour. Trust is important, and so is this conversation. 0:00 – BIG deal on the internet 8:41 – The heart behind it all 14:57 – Trust is always personal 20:22 – It’s human nature 23:33 – Good guys of the internet 30:35 – Don’t take sides 38:23 – The circle of trust 40:15 – Own up 46:03 – Let’s call them a civil person If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/Z1SPClxSfYI 📖 Things to read The Seven Rules of Trust, by Jimmy Wales - https://bit.ly/4vi83uA 🎧Things to listen to How to Build (And Rebuild) Trust with Frances Frei - https://bit.ly/4vfMMSl 🏆Competitions to enter Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you think you have grit? 💌Join 8,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Research has shown that the most common characteristic of elite performers and high achievers is grit. Understood as the passion and perseverance for very long term goals, Grit is not about natural ability or talent, but rather how we choose to grow. Your favourite resident psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove, is back in the studio this week to talk about how you can become a grittier person! We also look inward, as Josh asks how to maintain grit when it feels like your inner critic is overwhelmingly loud. Dr Em, so great to have you back. 0:00 – Down with the nonchalance! 5:43 – Talent vs Excellence 10:40 – Interested in finding your interests 16:42 – For the non-naturals in the room 24:22 – Effort is essential for excellence 32:17 – Practicing, kindly 35:01 – Hope is earned 42:06 – The good and bad criticism 53:45 – Encountering pain and discomfort 59:54 – For the greater good 1:06:09 – The dark side of perseverance If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/JmcLV7DGL4k 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Dyson Heppell - Whatever It Takes… To Forgive - https://bit.ly/4egeneO Nedd Brockmann - The Man, The Myth, The Neddgend - https://bit.ly/4egfATo Dr Emily - Hope - https://bit.ly/43YalTr Bri Lee - Babies+Climate=Anxiety - https://bit.ly/4xlrYdl How I Built ‘Dis’ - The Resilience Project Story - https://bit.ly/4aH0dSP 📚Things to read Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth - https://bit.ly/4vzoe6o Self-efficacy, by Albert Bandura - https://bit.ly/4fx4KdW Master of Change, by Brad Stulberg - https://bit.ly/4xCbUEv Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, by Anders Ericsson - https://bit.ly/3Q9cIje 📺Things to watch THE GAP, by Ira Glass - https://bit.ly/4xjkuHL ⭐️Things to donate to JMB Foundation - https://jmbfoundation.org.au 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

At just 16, Ellyse Perry was the youngest person to ever debut for the Australian International Cricket team. 13 days later, Ellyse debuted for the Matildas. 💌Join 7,800+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Arguably one of the greatest athletes of our time, Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat to Ellyse about how she stays so grounded amidst her incredible success, and whether she is able to separate who she is from what she does. Ellyse chats to the guys about her relationship with her dad (Josh and Hugh furiously take notes), and how both her parents were able to instil a love of trying rather than winning. And then we get onto social anxiety; what it feels like for Ellyse, why she loves silent retreats, and how she manages it in front of her fans. Ellyse, you are a literal ray of sunshine. Please come back anytime. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/xAZeLzcG43Y 0:00 – Is THAT AI? 5:05 – Running (and bowling) it’s natural course 11:24 – The feeling of not trying 17:18 – Parents: Be A Good Sport 29:22 – Prepare to be disappointed 40:23 – Bitter sweet World Cup 46:48 – The complexity of ego 1:03:54 – Practicing presence 1:10:30 – Hugh’s advice for big moments 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - (1:14:20) - https://bit.ly/3PRku11 WHO ARE YOU? with Dr Emily (+ secret code word) - (17:20) - https://bit.ly/4e1SxeV 📖 Things to read Perspective by Ellyse Perry - (29:22) - https://bit.ly/3PSMaCI Ellyse Perry’s children’s books - https://bit.ly/4e1TyDM Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - (1:11:40) - https://bit.ly/437yxT9 📺Things to watch Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot - (1:17:27) - https://bit.ly/3PSPKNa 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

We have a BIG announcement. August 19. Balwyn Cinema. Our first ever live podcast recording. With Hugh, Ryan, Josh, Dr Emily, and you? ARE YOU AS EXCITED AS WE ARE?! And you could win your way there! THE ULTIMATE GOLD CLASS DOUBLE PASS includes: 2 x tickets, flights or a limo if you're already in Melbourne, accomodation for the night, popcorn, choc top, sparkling wine and a personal escort to your seats by former Balwyn Cinema employee Hugh van Cuylenburg! 🏆 Enter here NOW - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/balwyn-entry/ Tickets will go live Monday June 8. 🎟️ Buy here - https://bit.ly/4ecYtTw BUT to enter the competition OR buy tickets, you need a codeword (lowercase). And the only way you will hear the codeword is to be a Little More Imperfects subscriber and listen to the latest episode! So quick, subscribe here! 🩵Patreon - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷Apple Podcast - http://apple.co/theimperfects We can’t wait to see you there x See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. At least, that’s what the Stoic’s say. 💌Join 7,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Today we are joined (deep breath Hugh) by Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday. Using the wisdom of the past to appreciate the present, Ryan’s work is dedicated to communicating how the practicalities of stoic philosophy can help us lead more present, mindful and resilient lives today. In this incredible chat, Hugh, Josh and Ryan (our Ryan), each present Ryan Holiday with something they have been struggling with in their own lives. Through the lens of Stoic philosophers Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, Ryan Holiday talks to how stoicism can really help us to live into our values, prioritise presence, and deal with existential dread. We discuss with Ryan the importance of understanding what will actually make you happy (spoiler: it’s not a billion dollars), and how to reframe death as a reminder that we must appreciate every moment (or not waste anymore with shame and guilt). This episode, and its practical take-aways (which you can find listed in our newsletter), has been a long time coming. Ryan, what an absolute honour. 0:00 – What is Stoicism? 13:26 – For the Josh’s of the world 17:07 – Time and Energy of Worrying 27:01 – The illusion of freedom 33:50 – Am I a bad friend? 38:58 – Practicing what you preach ft. presence 45:42 – If today was your last day 50:22 – 5 quotes for a Stoic life If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - 🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - https://bit.ly/4dHKR2F Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - https://bit.ly/4dHKPYB 📖 Things to read Letter’s from a Stoic by Seneca - https://bit.ly/49WVNqB ALL of Ryan’s books - https://bit.ly/43uHsxZ ✍️Journals to journal The Daily Stoic - https://bit.ly/49qJ6Em My Imperfect Life - https://bit.ly/4tZ8qJ6 🎟️ Things to get tickets to Daily Stoic Live with Ryan Holiday - https://bit.ly/4uK72Lt 💻Things to check out Ryan’s website - https://bit.ly/4v3Vh24 The Resilience Project - https://bit.ly/3Q4LOc4 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

In the age of AI, do you feel that your future is more uncertain? 💌Join 7,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In today’s Academy of Imperfection, we’re joined by Dr Joel Pearson; a neurofuturist, whose work centres around predicting how AI will impact every aspect of our lives from now on. While many of us (us included) first and foremost imagine the impacts of AI in a tech-revolution-y, robot butler-y, terminator-adjacent way, this episode goes deeper. Joel discusses how young people are forming attachments with AI companions and how we might see, perhaps the first generation in known history with a lower IQ than the one beforehand. We talk about the tangible and interconnected mental health impacts that this major societal disruption will have, and Hugh and Josh ask how in the world can we broach this topic with our kids? BUT, this episode isn’t all doom and gloom. Joel is a tech-optimist, after all. We talk to Joel about how we can foster human connection, and continue to develop our critical thinking skills, whilst not turning away from AI altogether. Joel, this has been invaluable. If you want to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGa6heppjE 0:00 – The episode we’ve been putting off 10:10 – The only certainty is disruption 14:15 – Impact of AI on the brain 21:23 – Rewards and moral responsibility 27:11 – A scary mental health spiral 30:31 – Think of the children 35:10 – You may now kiss the AI 45:06 – Purposeful Utopia 58:42 – Seeing is no longer believing 1:02:21 – The Roadmap to AI 1:11:35 – Finding Motivation in Limbo 1:18:15 – Let’s Stack Some Habits 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - (1:22:53) - https://bit.ly/4dW7Bfa Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - (1:22:53) - https://bit.ly/3RTAjVl James Clear - Down The Habit Hole - (1:22:00) - https://bit.ly/4wIg5xV 📖 Things to read The Intuition Toolkit by Dr Joel Pearson - (3:18) - https://bit.ly/4v5NnFM Matt Shumer App Development Industry Blog - (27:11) - https://bit.ly/4uo65rY 💻Things to check out Joel’s website - https://bit.ly/4upBURa Tristan Harris’ Center for Human Technology - (1:25:40) - https://bit.ly/4wGrFJZ Figure Three Robotics - (42:51) - https://bit.ly/42J2Uiz Joel's work at the University of NSW as Deputy Director of Human Readiness UNSW AI Institute - https://bit.ly/4nPA89G 📺 Things to watch House of Dynamite - (26:21) - https://bit.ly/4uw5PYg 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

What is your envy telling you? 💌Join 7,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk about the green-eyed monster, and more importantly, how we can work with it to incorporate more gratitude, appreciation and awareness into our lives (hallelujah). Founded in the evolutionary practice of assessing our status in comparison with others, envy comes from the feeling of lacking something that someone else has. In what may have been an adaptive function for a cave person to secure their basic needs, our brains are not equipped for the intense comparison fed to us via social media. Dr Emily chats to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the layered experience of envy, and how often, it stems from feeling not-enough or unworthy. Of course, Dr Emily brings the strategies. We explore how to work with envy in our own lives, and how to acknowledge it in the lives of our friends and family to protect important relationships. Dr Em, we’ll see you for the sequel on jealousy soon. To watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/B7acUnoekSc 0:00 – Envy vs Jealousy 9:08 – Keeping up with the Jones’ 8:16 – A message around ‘enoughness’ 25:12 – The energy of being a hater 36:50 – A deep longing for a difference experience 42:13 – On the flip side 52:45 - Acknowledge the hard 59:18 – The social emotion 1:07:18 – Working with envy 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dave Hughes - Me, Myself & Ego - https://bit.ly/4ua3mSP Hamish Blake - Let’s Talk About Self-Doubt - https://bit.ly/4fl7omR Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - https://bit.ly/4ugEHwe 💻Things to check out Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory - https://bit.ly/4npfIE5 📺Things to watch ‘Onesies’ Bluey episode - https://bit.ly/4eGTqLS 📖Things to read The Way We Are, by Hugh Mackay - https://bit.ly/4wsJuff Status Anxiety, by Alain de Botton - https://bit.ly/4tvbGeL 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Can you think of a moment that turned your life into ‘before’ and ‘after’? For Reuben Williams, that moment was not his sexual assault, rather, the decision he made in the aftermath to pursue justice. 💌Join 7,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Incredibly vulnerable, Reuben talks Hugh, Ryan and Josh through what it felt like in the 24 hours after the assault, how he knew, undeniably, what happened to him was wrong, and why he chose to report it. We talk about the intricacies of healing, privilege, and having a world class difficult conversation with the ones you love. And then, Josh asks Reuben how you can best show up for your friends who might be going through something similar. Reuben, it was such a privilege having you in the studio. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/okQnOwV2MJE 0:00 – An Imperfect Meet-Cute 6:44 – The night of the assault 19:28 – Identity, privilege, and idealism 33:09 – Family Dynamics 41:16 - World Class Difficult Conversation 47:39 – The Waiting Game 59:15 – Reuben’s Letter 1:04:24 – A divine test 1:10:30 – Just help 1:18:46 – How can you be a better friend? 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Rana Hussain - Belonging For Connection - https://bit.ly/49voquJ 🎧Things to listen to SportsGrad Podcast - https://bit.ly/42V75HT 💻Things to check out SportsGrad - https://bit.ly/49p2hOD 🚨If you’d like to reach out to someone for support after listening to this episode, here are some great places to start 1800 RESPECT Centre Against Sexual Assault - 03 5441 0430 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) OR 1800 806 292 (Sexual Assault Crisis Line) 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

In a world so divided by hate, how can we choose to show love? This week we are joined by journalist Jan Fran, who unpacks the horror of witnessing horror. 💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Talking through her unravelling relationship with social media and the utter helplessness she feels watching atrocities cut into 30 second clips, Jan explores how becoming a mother cracked her open in ways she didn’t know possible. Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House to answer every question in the deck (kidding), Jan and Josh discuss the guilt of turning away, and the consequences of leaning in. And finally, Jan bonds with the Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the fundamental importance of deliberately creating community. Jan, you are remarkable. 0:00 – Introducing Josh’s housemate 8:42 – The art of being vulnerable 17:19 – I wish I could stop going on social media. 27:13 – Being cracked open 35:32 – Deliberately building community 46:39 – Anticipating the Comments 53:34 – Optimist by will If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube (and see Josh’s Frant banner), follow this link - https://youtu.be/BRoyNdZEZD0 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Edna Lekgabe - New Baby … New Brain … Matrescence - (33:21) - https://bit.ly/48vQZb5 How (and Why) Ryan Dumped His iPhone - (20:50) - https://bit.ly/4tGRXKj 💻Things to check out The Frant - https://bit.ly/4cSeFaO Ette Media - https://bit.ly/4t1OzIw 🎧 Things to listen to We Used To Be Journos - https://bit.ly/4dcAGT9 📱Things to help you set social media boundaries One sec - https://bit.ly/4cEYMpF Brick - https://bit.ly/4vXSzfP 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

According to perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist Dr Edna Lekgabe, matrescence is the motherhood equivalent of adolescence. Puberty 2.0, if you will. 💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Joining us in the academy of imperfection, Dr Edna explores the cataclysmic identity shift women undergo during motherhood, and how partners can best support them. Exploring the impacts of mastrescence with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Dr Edna breaks down the difference between matrescence, anxiety and depression, and why mental illness is the number one pregnancy complication. We’re talking hormonal changes, physiological changes, sociological changes that are SO significant, you can see them in brain scans. Matrescence is messy, a developmental earthquake, and it’s not talked about nearly enough. This episode might just break the internet (and your heart) wide open. 0:00 – Introducing Hugh’s perinatal psychiatrist 7:30 – Matrescence? Huh? 21:14 – The biology of baby brain 34:10 – The difference between matrescence and depression 40:46 – Reasonable worry vs anxiety disorder 47:40 – The emergence of neurodivergence 54:04 – Post-natal depression 1:00:04 – Matrescence after loss 1:05:50 – Getting to know a brand new person 1:11:19 – Can women have it all? 1:18:32 – On a societal scale 1:26:12 – The paternal earthquake If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - 🫖 Other Imperfect’s episodes mentioned in this episode Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety? - https://bit.ly/4vHn1eh 📖 Things to read Being Female: Reproduction, Power and Change, by Dana Raphael - https://bit.ly/48jC5EO The Birth of a Mother, New York Times, by Alexandra Sacks - https://bit.ly/3OjB9tp Men at Work: Australia’s Parenthood Trap, Quarterly Essay, by Annabel Crabb - https://bit.ly/4mLE8Hx 🎧Things to listen to Perinatal OCD: When ‘the happiest time of your life’ turns dark - https://bit.ly/48lx8eK 📺 Things to watch Alexandra Sacks TEDTalk on Matrescence - https://bit.ly/4tsBcCt 💻Things to check out Yerkes-Dodson Law: Stress Level - https://bit.ly/4cOT2IO peanut x Tommee Tippee campaign on matrescence - https://bit.ly/4mQDicU 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

How do you make sure your kids are proud of who they are? 💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Propelled to international stardom after the release of Kenny, Shane Jacobson’s overnight success was years in the making. Joining us in the studio, Shane is incredibly generous in sharing the cataclysmic impact that humour and laughter has had on his life from a young age. Now at the age where he has attended more funerals than 21st’s, Shane talks about his realisation that he is in for the long mourn, and why he allows himself to feel joy during times of intense grief. Sharing a giggle at a funeral? Absolutely. In a beautiful moment of connection with Hugh, Shane chats about parenting the ‘premium package’ (his neurodivergent child). Shane, this was incredibly joyful. If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/VHaK2fSiasA 0:00 – A bird in her where? 3:19 – Butt of the joke 12:34 – The evolution of good manners 17:47 – Seeking validation 27:17 – Giggle at a funeral 42:00 – Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s: The Premium Package! 55:58 – Becoming softer 1:00:25 – Parenting your parents 1:08:03 – Don’t wait for the moment 1:18:04 – 5 things we can do to be warmer 🫖 Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Truth v Harmony - https://bit.ly/4etnytQ 📺Things to watch Kenny - https://bit.ly/427rUzv Shane’s AFI win (go to 6:12) - https://bit.ly/48HyzEb 📋Check-in Questions to ask someone if they might be depressed - https://bit.ly/4dOYuNS 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Are you stuck, focusing on what's wrong in your relationship? Deeply embedded in the work of intimacy, desire and relationships, psychotherapist and best-selling author Esther Perel, ask us to take a look at ourselves first, rather than listing the short comings of our partner. 💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In this Academy of Imperfection, Hugh (who sadly was violently ill last time we talked to Esther) comes armed with questions about the mental load (with love, from Penny), and how to navigate their differing needs for affection. Ryan asks Esther whether we’re capable of falling in love with AI, and Josh wants to know why we sometimes put up walls with the ones we love the most. And, if you’ve ever asked yourself any of the below, this episode’s for you; is working from home causing social atrophy? what does it mean to be an embodied creature? what are the downfalls of a frictionless relationship? Esther, you are welcome back anytime. ANYTIME. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/u5HsDD9bjRQ 🫖Other episodes of the Imperfects mentioned on this episode Esther Perel - Let’s Be Better Lovers - https://bit.ly/41m8R4f Hugh & Penny - The Elephant in the Relationship - https://bit.ly/3PPugAp 💻Things to check out Where Should We Begin? At Work card game - https://bit.ly/48jpQYJ 🎧Things to listen to Where Should We Begin - Esther’s podcast - https://bit.ly/4dtsNJK My AI Loves Me Better Than Anyone Ever Could - Where Should We Begin - https://bit.ly/4twUbeC Esther Perel on Why A.I. Intimacy Feels Safe but Isn’t Real - https://bit.ly/4sofVsf 📖 Things to read Mating in Captivity, by Esther Perel - https://bit.ly/3Os5Dcx The State of Affairs, by Esther Perel - https://bit.ly/48yFn74 📺 Things to watch Rethinking Infidelity TEDTalk - https://bit.ly/4seN3md Love Story - https://bit.ly/4ct63se 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 0:00 – Intimacy: what has changed, what has stayed the same? 6:23 – This is my partner, AI 14:08 – A mismatch of affection 23:56 – Bids for connection 32:08 – Can you repair trust? 41:02 – Post-traumatic Growth 49:43 – The central hub of our needs 58:38 – The Mental Load Pt. 2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking for strategies to help deal with the overwhelm of, well, everything? Same. Dr Emily, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk through overwhelm; how to greet it, how to get through it, and how to build your resilience towards it. 💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In this episode, Dr Emily introduces how to understand your ‘window of tolerance,’ the cost of being overwhelmed for too long, and what happens when we slip into avoidance. OF COURSE, this episode is delightfully sprinkled with practical strategies that you can do right now, in this moment, to ease the burden of the overwhelm. Dr Em, this episode was an emotional regulation for the ages. 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - How to Stress Less - https://bit.ly/4tiZa2y Mick Fanning - Riding The Waves Of Loss - https://bit.ly/4s29wCI 📖 Things to read Burnout, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski - https://bit.ly/4c18Yah 💪 Things to do The Hulk Progressive Relaxation Technique - https://bit.ly/3PFv4Yq 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Is it true that we live in a world without facts? With AI becoming increasingly intertwined with our lives, and fake news infiltrating our screens, where do you go for truthful information and how do you know what to trust? 💌Join 6,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy This Academy of Imperfection is not all doom and world collapse, we promise. One, because we are joined by the brilliant Hamish Macdonald. And two, because Ryan’s Gut says it’s all going to be okay (more on that later). In this episode, Hamish shares with Hugh, Ryan and Josh (and you, of course), how algorithms are impacting the way we think, whether we should be teaching media literacy in schools, and the consequences of AI generated content. Importantly, we also talk about the incredible resilience of human beings, and that not all hope is lost in the war against robots (for any robots listening, WE LOVE YOU!) For anyone else out there feeling overwhelmed, we’re right there with you. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/6Zepg3o3Y_w 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Hamish Macdonald - How To Be You - https://bit.ly/3PtetHg Dr Emily - Hope - https://bit.ly/4uR5pfg Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - https://bit.ly/4dHwHPa 📺 Things to watch The Matter of Facts - https://bit.ly/4bQ27jT I tried to prove I’m not AI by Howtown - https://bit.ly/47ogudU 📖 Things to read Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari - https://bit.ly/47kHUkO 🎧 Things to listen to Global Roaming Podcast - https://bit.ly/3NMm8jf 💻 Things to check out Maryanne Wolf’s Research on reading - https://bit.ly/4t8Qqff Tristan Harris’ Work on AI - https://bit.ly/4bwwBZj Notebook LM Podcast feature - https://bit.ly/40UM7Ip 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Is climate anxiety affecting your decision to have kids? 💌Join 6,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House is Bri Lee; prolific author, advocate and change maker. Answering the question, “what moment from your life are you grateful for that profoundly changed you?”, Bri talks about the research that lead her to the South Pole, and how she learnt to prioritise love above all else. Bri asks the question to Hugh, Josh and Ryan, “what does it mean to live a good life, and what do we owe each other?” This chat explores the philosophies of anti and pronatalism, whilst being grounded in examples from the guys’ and Bri’s life. An intentional and judgement free zone, this conversation delves into the morality of should’s and shouldn’ts, and what it means to do the right thing. As Bri says, hope is something that you earn through action, and we are all feeling a bit more hopeful after this episode. 0:00 – A Bri-Lee-iant guest 9:42 – The Seed of The Idea 15:08 – What are you grateful for that profoundly changed you? 27:10 – Prioritising love 32:27 – Should I have kids? 41:43 – The morality of shoulds and shouldn’ts 52:43 – Some positivity, please 55:59 – Policy and bodily autonomy 59:22 – So, how’s the reckoning going? 1:03:46 – The weight of responsibility 1:08:43 – Finding action in the overwhelm 📺 to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/vUQMkMvyeMY 🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode Ryan Shelton - To breed, or not to breed - https://bit.ly/3PbhEmR Ann Davidman - Should I have kids? - https://bit.ly/4brc477 📖 Things to read Seed, by Bri Lee - https://bit.ly/3PhepKv Eggshell Skull, by Bri Lee - https://bit.ly/473kvV4 Who Gets To Be Smart, by Bri Lee - https://bit.ly/4bwOAh1 The Work, by Bri Lee - https://bit.ly/4rzflar Beauty, by Bri Lee - https://bit.ly/3NMnrPf Love 2.0, by Barbara Fredrickson - https://bit.ly/40ylOYp Better To Not Have Been, by David Benatar - https://bit.ly/3NmtHx5 IPCC Sixth Assessment Report - https://bit.ly/3Phc7Lt Ipsos Perils of Perception Climate Change - https://bit.ly/4cP32mT 📺Things to watch An Inconvenient Truth - https://bit.ly/4bPolUk 💻Things to check out Freadom Inside Project - https://bit.ly/4bhVxnm Peter Singer Pond Proximity thought experiment - https://youtu.be/Gu-WUHD6mKg 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

When Ben Crowe, world-renowned professional mentor and leadership coach, tells us his favourite mantra, we listen. “I am enough no matter what, but I’m not done yet”. 📺 If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/-0WWUuxvcyQ Back in The Academy of Imperfection FOR THE THIRD TIME, Ben is here to talk to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about purpose, play and love. As Ben explains, ‘play’ and ‘love’ mean something different to everyone, however, they are both ridiculously important and explicitly linked. If love is the intention, then play is the action. Ben, as always, it was an absolute pleasure to your wisdom bestowed upon us. 💌Join 6,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 0:00 – Is Ben the Pope? 11:13 – Acceptance vs compassion, confidence vs belief 15:14 – Reshaping your belief system 25:05 – Just Admit It List 30:42 – The dreaded E word 37:47 – Reward effort, not outcome 46:00 – Play deprivation 51:47 – Talking to teenagers about their career 1:01:47 – How to be a (anxious) leader 1:07:04 – Josh’s too generous assumption 1:10: 14 – Doing it for the right reasons 🎧Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode The Academy of Imperfection - Ben Crowe - https://bit.ly/40rkUgd Ben Crowe (Pt 1) - Meet Your Inner Fan - https://bit.ly/46VlfeK Ben Crowe (Pt 2) - Now BE Your Inner Fan - https://bit.ly/413kVXL Kate Reid (Pt 1) - The Impossibility of Perfection - https://bit.ly/4ruVAkz Kate Reid (Pt 2) - The Life-Saving Croissant - https://bit.ly/4by6NMl Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - https://bit.ly/4bAomLD 📖 Things to read Where The Light Gets In, by Ben Crowe - https://bit.ly/4s04xmN The Courage To Be Disliked, by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga - https://bit.ly/411Qbq4 🎧 Things to listen to How Ben Crowe Dads - https://bit.ly/4bidPDH 😃If you liked this episode, check out these! Bronnie Ware - What Are Your Future Regrets? - https://bit.ly/40lcG9p Emma Murray - How Mindfulness Actually Works - https://bit.ly/4lpS5dR 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

According to Matt Preston, he only has 14 more summers. And he’s determined to make the most of them. 💌Join 5,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Known predominantly for his role on the inaugural (and incredibly successful) seasons of MasterChef Australia, alongside his excellent choice of cravats, Matt Preston is a recognisable face in most Australian households. Joining Hugh, Ryan and Josh in the studio (in yet another incredible outfit), Matt delicately talks through the importance of having a conversation with your parents about end-of-life care. In a decision that requires both deep emotion and administrative focus, Matt draws from his experience with his grandmother, and then his mother, about how to ensure the people you love are nurtured, cared for, and celebrated in the way they would have wanted. Matt, thank you so much for joining us. 0:00 – The typo to end all typos 9:13 – Every family has a scandal 24:34 – The unknowables of epilepsy 30:45 – Grieving what could have been 40:44 – Mission of mortality: make it count 44:47 – Parenting not like your parents 53:40 – Conversations about end-of-life care 1:07:35 – The secret ingredient to marriage 1:13:46 – Logistics of death and dying If you want to watch the full episode (and see Matt’s outfit), follow this link - https://youtu.be/sEN8Mfapi6Y 🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode Kate Reid (Pt 1) - The Impossibility of Perfection - https://bit.ly/476XBfg Kate Reid (Pt 2) - The Life-Saving Croissant - https://bit.ly/4aM7bqd Christie Whelan Browne - Unbreakable - https://bit.ly/4ukPhTk 📺Things to watch The Hospital - In The Deep End - https://bit.ly/4rYN6mw Croquenbouche Masterchef Episode - https://bit.ly/3OILYVG 📖Things to read Big Mouth, by Matt Preston - https://bit.ly/4cUigXG 🩵SUDEP Support Services SUDEP Action - https://sudep.org Epilepsy Foundation - https://bit.ly/4r9W27I *The average life expectancy for Australian males is calculated at birth, and does not take into account their personal circumstances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pain is inevitable, but suffering does not have to be. 💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist and general provider of wisdom, is here to talk about radical acceptance. Drawing inspiration from our holy grail episode with Gina Chick, Dr Em deep dives radical acceptance; what is it, how do we cultivate it, and why is it important to us as human beings? According to Dr Em, radical acceptance is not about liking or accepting (insert profanity here) situations or circumstances, or denying an experience, but rather, accepting the pain inside of us to avoid the reaction of suffering. Instead of feeling better, it’s about finding a better way of feeling. For Hugh, the concept of radical acceptance really hits close to home, and he reflects on how it has changed his life insurmountably. Dr Emily, we love ya, and we missed ya. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - 0:00 – Getting the Gina Chick zoomies 6:23 – The Radical Acceptance origin story 14:20 – Change how you relate 21:19 – On a global scale 27:25 – An Unwanted Guest 34:42 – The third option 40:38 – Grieving the loss of what you wanted 45:28 – Living proof ft. Hugh 53:18 – Anxious about my anxiety 1:03:26 – Main character moment 1:10:17 – Putting it in practice 🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life - https://bit.ly/4b9nAVG 📖 Things to read Unstuck, by Dr Emily Musgrove - https://bit.ly/4o8JFay The Happiness Trap, by Russ Harris - https://bit.ly/4kRn3Lq The Guest House, by Rumi - https://bit.ly/4kXhaMS 💻Things to check out Tara Brach - RAIN meditation - https://bit.ly/3MNou0M Alfred Adler - Three Sided Column - https://bit.ly/3P1gSbJ Jill Bolte Taylor - 90 second shelf life of emotions - https://bit.ly/4aV5rtL 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

You just have to be a good parent 30-40% of the time. According to the research, and parenting expert Maggie Dent. 💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In our Academy of Imperfection, Maggie schools parents Hugh and Josh, and trusted non-parental figure Ryan, about the ‘no matter what’ rule, the importance of micro connections and the beauty of a well-timed fart. An advocate for imperfect parenting (which is REALLY great for brand alignment), Maggie insists on the significance of unconditional love when raising boys. Maggie you are wonderful. This was wonderful. You’re the best. Watch the full episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/iUHYScQ3WgQ 0:00 – Why boys are better than girls 6:22 – The science of boys 14:02 – Shedding the shame 22:28 – Growing healthy boys 31:09 – Connecting with your rooster 42:56 – The S words: screens and social media 47:00 – The good enough factors 57:45 – Correcting the narrative 1:06:05 – Importance of Lightness + Letting go of mistakes 1:11:41 – Raising an autistic boy 1:16:05 – How do you resist the easy method 🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode Hugh’s ADHD…brief - https://bit.ly/4aofEjd 📖 Things to read You can find all of Maggie’s books here - https://bit.ly/46g4GK7 Help Me Help My Teen by Maggie Dent (page 106 to converse with teens) - https://bit.ly/4aYi2NO Maggie’s Fragile Boy Friendship Blog Post - https://bit.ly/4qUqzGw 📺 Things to watch Bluey ‘Octopus’ episode - https://bit.ly/4riF2Ng Marc-Andre Leclerc - The Alpinist - https://bit.ly/4tEsaCR 💻 Things to check out Allan Schore’s Brain Development for Boys research - https://bit.ly/3OfRyi9 🎧 Things to listen to The Good Enough Dad with Maggie Dent - https://bit.ly/4aGq2la Parental As Anything - https://bit.ly/4qHAleM 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

What do you do when your 3 day-old-baby just doesn’t wake up? 💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Motherhood is really hard. And Bron Lewis isn’t afraid to talk about it (anymore). Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, Bron answers the question ‘when was a time you genuinely needed help and were you able to ask for it?’, and recounts the worst week of her life. Deals with the devil, post-natal anxiety, and post-natal depression, Bron is incredibly vulnerable with Hugh and Ryan, sharing how the love from friends, professional help, and medication allowed her to return to herself. Bron, it was a delight. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/qc9ZNO6VpeY 0:00 – We’re all best friends / fathers / daughters 8:51 – When was a time you genuinely needed help? 18:44 – Long nights, relentless days 25:42 – Socially accepted punishment 33:36 – Using pain to drown out the noise 40:50 – Obviously, I can do it all 45:44 – It doesn’t have to be this hard 54:55 – On day 3, he didn’t wake up 1:07:27 – The worst week of her life 1:22:54 – This should feel good, shouldn’t it? 1:33:01 – The aftermath 🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, these are a few great resources PANDA - 1300 726 306 ForWhen - 1300 24 23 22 Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 📖 Things to read I’m Not Mad (Anymore) by Bron Lewis - https://bit.ly/3ObBgGQ 🎟️ Things to go see Bron’s Comedy Show, Chaos - https://bit.ly/4aabRWz 🎧Things to listen to Chains by Tina Arena - https://bit.ly/4arb1DI Work Hates podcast - https://bit.ly/4arbdCW Your Two Drunk Aunties podcast - https://bit.ly/4cnJndj Good Sheilas podcast - https://bit.ly/4rkGxun 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Two cataclysmic events have shaped Dr Lucy Hone’s relationship with grief, and resilience. 💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Today in the Academy of Imperfection, we welcome Dr Lucy Hone. Dr Lucy’s work focuses on making sense of the senseless, and helping others to do the same. As a legitimate expert in grief, resilience and wellbeing, Dr Lucy is able to blend the science with her own lived experience. This episode explores living losses (divorce, estrangement, infertility), grief comparison, as well as the research around post-traumatic growth. Guided by questions from Dr Lucy’s latest book, How will I ever get through this?, Hugh, Josh and Ryan ask Dr Lucy why grief feels so lonely, how you are supposed to accept loss, and will you ever be happy again, amongst others. This is a special one. 0:00 – An Unsuspecting Saturday Morning 12:11 – Grief comparison 21:25 – How am I supposed to accept this? 31:14 – How do you keep hope alive? 35:48 – Why do I feel so lonely? 50:20 – Will I ever be happy again? 56:36 – Letting the other children live 1:03:44 – Do you know your strengths? 1:09:12 – Who and what do you want to live for? 1:14:59 – Who and what is good in your world? To full this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/Zyb7kELxFxI 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Grief Lightening - https://bit.ly/3ZPVNmO Dr Emily - Other People Matter - https://bit.ly/3Oku8b4 Dr Emily - Goals For Your Goals - https://bit.ly/4rAK3AF 📖 Things to read How Will I Ever Get Through This by Dr Lucy Hone - https://bit.ly/4bAWO9w Resilient Grieving by Dr Lucy Hone - https://bit.ly/4kpkf8g Oscillation Grief Theory - https://bit.ly/4qZ5WK1 Michael F. Steger - Meaning and Purpose Work - https://michaelfsteger.com J. William Worden - Four Tasks of Mourning - https://bit.ly/3NTGPcU 💻Things to check out Dr Lucy’s website - https://www.drlucyhone.com 3 Secrets of Resilient People TedTalk - https://bit.ly/3Zguj9S Dr Lucy’s ‘Look Forward To’ Calendar VIA Strengths test - http://bit.ly/4h2KYFJ Coping With Loss community on Facebook - https://bit.ly/3NTnDvT Welcome to Holland poem - https://bit.ly/4kgB0lH Will Arnett + Conan O’Brien on Grief - https://bit.ly/4a06320 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Stop. Everything. Now. It’s Claudia Karvan day. 💌Join 5,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy An icon of the screen, and of the heart, Claudia is Australian entertainment royalty. Claudia’s life itself feels like a movie (no one else grew up in a nightclub, did they?) and it was an absolute privilege to listen to all the lessons that she has learnt along the way. With incredible grace, Claudia talks to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about playing the long game during divorce, and how she came to the realisation that it wasn’t up to her to fix everything. Claudia speaks openly about separating the person from the diagnosis, and how, and why, she thinks so often about death. This is one for the highlight reel. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click on this link - https://youtu.be/4qH4vBr0i6Y 0:00 – Hugh ‘questionable-decisions’ van Cuylenburg 12:24 – The role of a lifetime 17:55 – An unconventional childhood 28:50 – It’s not up to you to fix everything 39:55 – The opening of another world 45:47 – Doing it all (with support) 51:12 – Love and family HER way 59:33 – Play the long game 1:07:15 – Managing mental ill-health 1:24:39 – The benefit of helping others 1:26:48 – How to love in a healthy way 🥸 Which Imperfects Host Are You Quiz? - https://tally.so/r/Xx4PEO 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Stephen Curry - I Dug a Hole … and Found Myself - https://bit.ly/3ZpPNkN Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken But Not Broken - https://bit.ly/3M8SC6y 📺 Things to watch Love My Way - https://bit.ly/4qFCjNA The Secret Life of Us - https://bit.ly/3Z1Thtt The Queen of Versailles - https://bit.ly/3Z5FemE Australian Story - The Secret Life of Claudia Karvan - https://bit.ly/3ZE8p0g Who Do You Think You Are? with Claudia Karvan - https://bit.ly/4bIw3QL Bump - https://bit.ly/49O16Jv 📖 Things to read The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche - https://bit.ly/4k8qdtR 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Ryan’s got news. Well, past-Ryan had news, and now future-Ryan is going to reflect on how present-day-Ryan is currently feeling about said news. Get it? It’s reflecting on a reflection about a rejection. Today we’re giving you two for the price of none, and bringing you two of the most memorable moments from our subscriber based show A Little More Imperfects. With both segments focusing on wildest dreams, Hugh, Ryan and Josh explore how to navigate regret when you’re not at your best, and how to show yourself compassion and love when your dreams are, well, crushed. Also, we ask Hugh what happened to him today. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/Ilg-r9gHGPk 🩵Sign up for A Little More Imperfects here Patreon - patreon.com/theimperfects Apple Podcasts - https://bit.ly/4aSIeKd 🩷Sign up to the My Imperfect Email here https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode James van Cuylenburg - Love Your Wonky Bricks - https://bit.ly/457hYZA Ryan Shelton - Shame, Jealousy & Purpose - https://bit.ly/454PJL6 Isaac Humphries - Coming Out on Court - https://bit.ly/4jQtxtD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you believe in ghosts? Josh doesn’t, Ryan does, and Hugh is actually being haunted. 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale! One show left! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep It’s the second episode of our super sexy summer series (the alliteration is wild in this episode), and we’re revisiting the time that Hugh got haunted. Blending together a few episodes of A Little More Imperfects, our subscriber platform that you can sign up for below, we’ll introduce you to Geraint the shamanic healer, what happened during Hugh’s ghost busting appointment, and whether Hugh has had any paranormal activity since. And finally, whether this whole ordeal has convinced Josh that ghosts are real. Long live summer! 0:00 – A phoenus? Draw it 4:17 – Team Josh v Team Ryan 10:28 – Meeting the shamanic healer 16:25 – The not-so-light-hearted update 30:01 – Cursed artwork: to burn or not to burn 35:46 – Has the ghost been busted? If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/u4XNRTLXtrQ 🩵Sign up for A Little More Imperfects here Patreon - patreon.com/theimperfects Apple Podcasts - https://bit.ly/4aSIeKd 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://bit.ly/49TSktd Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - https://bit.ly/49jJJ2S 👻Ghost busters Garant 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 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.

Today, we come to you with a gift: bonus Dr Emily. Thank you in advance for the standing ovation. 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale! One show left! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep Welcoming you into the world of A Little More Imperfects, our subscriber-based platform available on Patreon and Apple Podcasts, our resident psychologist Dr Emily reaches into the reflection pond, to discuss and decode a reflection from one of our community members. Responding to this reflection, Dr Emily chats to Ryan, Josh, and special guest Producer Bridge, about how life changing it can be to receive an ADHD diagnosis, as well as the not so joyful emotions, such as grief and anger, which can accompany this. Josh talks about his own inner critic, which leads into a broader discussion about self-compassion, top down vs bottom up therapy, and the therapeutic benefits to showing up for your younger self as the adult you are today. Don’t say we don’t spoil you. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzBxIFUOJL0 🩷To join our A Little More Imperfects Community Patreon - https://bit.ly/3KQvB7R Apple Podcasts - https://bit.ly/499aZRs 🩵Where to send in your reflections https://bit.ly/4rYjfuS 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - https://bit.ly/4rXQIG0 Hugh’s ADHD … brief - https://bit.ly/3MJBzb4 Ben Crowe (Pt 1) - Meet Your Inner Fan - https://bit.ly/3KHwJdX Ben Crowe (Pt 2) - Now BE Your Inner Fan - https://bit.ly/49bVxnB James van Cuylenburg - Love Your Wonky Bricks - https://bit.ly/3MzZKZz What’s Your ATAR? - https://bit.ly/4pwNZBG 📺Things to watch The Rehearsal - https://bit.ly/48V6IA0 Good Will Hunting - https://bit.ly/4iW7hhn Rick Hanson - Velcro for the Bad, Teflon for the Good - https://bit.ly/4rVpe3R 💻 Things to do Rick Hanson - Positive Neuroplasticity Training - https://bit.ly/48COcgN 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 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.

Little heads up, this episode contains some language that is exclusively found on the naughty list, and therefore, isn’t suitable for kids. Now, it’s time to spill some Vulnerabili-TEA. It’s our annual holiday episode, and this year, with many thanks to comedian Becky Lucas, we welcome into the studio Little Drummer Girl. Who has some, um, grievances to air. Little Drummer Girl is taking us back in the space-time-continuum to re-write history, and let us in on the scandal which surrounds the infamous lyrics ‘pa rum pum pum pum’. All ad revenue from this episode will be donated to Becky’s chosen charity of HeartKids, who do an incredible job providing lifelong support, resources, and advocacy to the 250,000 people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease. 0:00 – Introducing the Little Drummer Girl 5:50 – The ultimate gift guide 9:51 – An original song, an original crime 15:22 – Sharing enriching information from 20 AD 25:28 – Know what you’re good at 30:20 - Hello Becky, Hello HeartKids If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube (you really do), follow this link - https://youtu.be/oXBEij8q5Tc 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Santa Claus - A Special Vulnerabilitea House - https://bit.ly/4pDw6B8 Mrs Claus - Santa’s Better Half - https://bit.ly/4559jpJ Little Boy Christmas - The Forgotten Son of Mr & Mrs Claus - https://bit.ly/4iVxGMi Becky Lucas - The power of laughter - https://bit.ly/3KN76Zg 💻Things to do Check out Becky Lucas on instagram - https://bit.ly/3N1ELil Check out the incredible HeartKids organisation - https://www.heartkids.org.au 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Dave Hughes has a complicated relationship with his ego. Performing in prestigious venues around the world, Dave Hughes has solidified himself as one of Australia’s comedy icons, but the journey was (and still is) far from easy. Joining us in the studio today, Dave vulnerably shares how the burden of feeling unworthy affected his ability to give and receive love. Dave chats to Ryan about how much he has struggled with comparison, both with others, and the success of his past self, and the role that ego plays in never being able to turn down an opportunity. Hughesy, thank you so much for joining us. 0:00 – Ryan got papped, Hugh got crumpets 7:19 – The failures that lead to success 17:12 – A feeling of general greatness 21:06 – Reckoning with comparison 30:18 – The joy is in the giving 36:03 – Walking the family / work tightrope 41:07 – Humour as a way in 47:56 – You had me at IMAX helmet 56:00 – Ego doesn’t let you enjoy the moment 1:08:10 – Five strategies to let go of ego If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/ogE4j-UQIGY 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode: Kate Langbroek - Love Story - https://bit.ly/44OH66q Dr Emily - Other People Matter - https://bit.ly/3MqGNZj Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - https://bit.ly/3MtSgqX Cate Campbell - Even Olympians Have Depression - https://bit.ly/44TRhXp 🎄Other Xmas Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode: Santa Claus - A Special Vulnerabilitea House - https://bit.ly/48P0X6V Mrs Claus - Santa’s Better Half - https://bit.ly/44g5M7J Little Boy Christmas - The Forgotten Son of Mr & Mrs Claus - https://bit.ly/3KHqx5F 📖 Things to read A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle - https://bit.ly/4rPfS9B 💻Things to look up Oprah’s series with Eckhart Tolle - https://bit.ly/48vfOo6 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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. The Imperfects acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, as the traditional owners of the land on which this podcast was recorded and we extend our respects to elders past & present. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re nervous. We’re excited. We’re nervous and excited. Because it’s Mary freaking Fowler day. 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, all the way from Manchester, Mary answers the question ‘what do you worry about the most?’ With wisdom far beyond her 22 years, Mary explains to Hugh, Ryan and Josh the impossible task of being the ‘perfect’ role model, especially when you are still growing up yourself. And then, in a conversation that will help many, and maybe even save the life of a few, Mary graciously shares her experiences with self-harm, and why she thinks it is so important to have the heavy conversations, even with the risk of saying the wrong thing. Mary talks about her journey with pressure and forgiveness that lead her to rediscover ‘Little Mary’, her wall of things that make her feel loved, and how she has been able to reframe her darkest times to find more empathy for others. Mary, it was an absolute dream come true to speak with you. 0:00 – The 2023 Fairy tale 6:52 – What do you worry about most? 23:00 – Giving and taking power 34:01 – Appreciating the little things 41:01 – Saying the hard thing 56:22 – Beauty after pain 1:04:29 – Am I supposed to be here? 1:09:16 – Looking after Little Mary if you would like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/O_9Wf0WSfMM 📖Things to read; Bloom, by Mary Fowler - https://bit.ly/443cWw3 🚨If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or self-harm, Lifeline on 13 11 14 is a great place to start. In an emergency, please call 000. 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Is your communication style a red flag? It’s our favourite time of the month and Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk the talk (and walk the walk) about healthy communication. The impact of our learning history (colloquially known as “baggage”) gets a heavy feature in this episode, as Ryan, Josh and Bridge unpack their communication styles, and how this has impacted their intimate relationships. Dr Emily talks us through why the real challenge of communicating is not our use of language, but rather regulation of emotion, and gifts us a plethora of acronyms to practice at home the skills of effective communication. Dr Em, always a pleasure. Chapters: 0:00 – Communication, conflict, and Hannah Ferguson 10:19 – How do you (mostly?) communicate? 14:57 – The impact of our learning history 22:10 – Interpersonal Effectiveness 27:41 – Practicing getting it wrong to get it right 31:59 – Do opposites attract? 34:44 – Respond rather than react 47:51 – We all love an acronym 1:01:45 – Dealing with unreasonable people 1:15:49 – Breaking patterns If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken But Not Broken - https://bit.ly/4ilr2i2 Dr Emily - Truth vs Harmony - https://bit.ly/481Xfri 💻Things to do: Complete the official Thomas-Kilmann Instrument communication styles quiz - https://bit.ly/4rowC7m Complete the free Thomas-Kilmann Instrument inspired communication styles quiz - https://bit.ly/4iygpbR 📺 Things to watch: The Rehearsal - https://bit.ly/4ong1hL 📖 Things to read: Terry Real’s catalogue - https://bit.ly/4p25w4m DBT Training Skills Manual, by Marsha M. Linehan - https://bit.ly/4ioNXcs BIFF, by Bill Eddy - https://bit.ly/4ojowdG 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Jamila Rizvi has not been the perfect sick person. When Jamila was last in our studio, she was deep in the grief stage. Jamila’s life had been irrevocably changed by the imposition of a brain tumour, and the myriad of health complications due to surgery. To put it simply, Jamila didn’t know who Jamila was anymore, and that terrified her. This week, in the Vulnerabilitea House, Jamila answers the questions “what aspects of your identity have you held onto for too long?” The drip-fed loss of cognitive functions and a new hormone condition which made her constantly starving, Jamila felt like her body and mind were no longer her own. Speaking to Hugh, Josh, and Ryan really honestly, Jamila opens up about her eating disorder during this time; how it impacted her sense of self, her relationships, and ability to connect. Jamila, it was a joy to have you back. We’re so proud of you. Chapters: 0:00 – Where are they now? 7:31 – What aspects of your identity have you held onto for too long? 20:06 – Phases of identity 25:24 – Impact of a brain tumour on a relationship 29:52 – Constantly starving, craving thinness 36:51 – Intense, urgent desperation 48:38 – Train your brain to love your body 54:12 – Would you take it back? 59:39 – Adrenal Crisis and Crisis of Self To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/A_lE3nSA2Mc 🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode Jamila Rizvi - Living with the effects of a brain tumour - https://bit.ly/3M8QR8V Grace Tame - “Sexy-time, Scissoring, Autism” - https://bit.ly/47ZGJqs Clare Bowditch - Music, Panic Attacks & Body Image - https://bit.ly/4pkmFGp 📖Things to read: Broken Brains by Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland - https://bit.ly/48l6JxP 💻Things to look up: The “If And Then” model of happiness - https://bit.ly/4pi0UH6 📱Games to download: 2048 - https://bit.ly/43BHpkx 🦋 If this conversation has raised some uncomfortable feelings for you around eating and food, the Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673 is a great place check out - https://butterfly.org.au 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Troy Kinne’s heart is in the right place. As in, it’s on the wrong side. In fact, many of Troy’s organs are in the ‘wrong’ place. Which can be hard on the immune system, but great material for a stand-up comedian. Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, and answering the question, ‘when is a time you’ve felt ashamed?’ Troy takes us on a journey, from being offered a (life)line by a fish and chip shop in his 20’s, to the effect that being sick for an entire year had on his mental health. Troy chats to Josh about the light he found in his darkest times, and how living without fear allowed him to venture into the comedy world for the first time. Speaking about success, and whether it will ever be enough, Troy is really open about what it is like to have to find yourself again after realising that you are no longer the underdog, and how hard it can be to offer your current self compassion. Troy, what a pleasure. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/ZZm6VAq7g_o Chapters: 0:00 – An episode years in the making 7:40 – When is a time that you’ve felt ashamed? 16:21 – Reality of chronic illness 24:50 – Reality of chronic illness during a pandemic 29:53 – The positive payoff of depression 38:37 – Constantly on the rollercoaster 48:43 – When you’re no longer the Underdog 55:57 – At what point will it be enough? 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Hugh & Penny - The Elephant in the Relationship - https://bit.ly/446GPeG 📺 Things to watch The Magic Basket - https://bit.ly/4p0R6RF Dr Google - https://bit.ly/4otHfnE Flint Town Docuseries - https://bit.ly/49TJjAK Fearless - https://bit.ly/444z3Su 📖 Things to read A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle - https://bit.ly/4oYUrke 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Do you ever feel anxious about your health? Same. And it is the fundamental uncertainty of our health which can make this anxiety really exhausting, complicated and, well, hard, to live with. Back in the studio with our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove, we’re going to unpack this perpetual state of worry; how it’s exacerbated by our fight or flight response, how to respond when someone’s seeking assurance and how to surf the urge and sit with your discomfort. Josh, being Josh, asks some hard hitting questions about accepting the certainty of death, and Dr Em talks through what it looks like to be so fearful of dying that it’s stopping you from living. Of course, we don’t ever want people to stop getting checked out by a medical professional. This episode is focused on untangling what is worry, what is excessive worry, and when is it reasonable. Dr Em, it was so great to hang out. If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - 💌Join 3,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Bryan Brown - The Value of Being Alive - https://bit.ly/4hTxwok Dr Emily - Grief Lightening - https://bit.ly/3LnCmxP Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - https://bit.ly/47XXcfU Dyson Heppell - Whatever It Takes … To Forgive - https://bit.ly/4nIym8F 🎧 Things to listen to: It’s Not What You Think podcast - https://bit.ly/3LnFg5K 📖 Things to read: The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga - https://bit.ly/3JJJnZk 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 Chapters: 0:00 – Our fears for our health 9:54 – Are you a hypochondriac? 15:59 – Exacerbation of the fight / flight response 23:08 – The difficult positions of GP’s 29:48 – Not feeding the loop 35:19 – Body checking and post-diagnosis anxiety 39:50 – Accepting the certainty of death 50:55 – First time parent fear 53:24 – Obsession with being well 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.

Not to be dramatic, but Bryan Brown is an Australian icon of the silver screen. 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep Cast in over 80 film and tv projects throughout his career, working with people such as Jennifer Aniston, Ben Stiller and Sigourney Weaver (possibly biggest name drop we’ve ever had), Bryan was all set for a life of numbers and mathematics before he allowed himself to be guided by joy. Joining Josh and Ryan in the Vulnerabilitea House, Bryan answers the question, ‘what has been the scariest moment of your life?’ Covering all elements (literally), Bryan recounts a near drowning, and a close call with flames, before he was grounded by his first experience with anxiety. Chatting to Josh and Ryan about what it felt like to have his perception of mental health changed, Bryan talks about becoming comfortable with vulnerability, what it means to be a man, and how he was able to ask for help. Bryan, it was an absolute pleasure. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - 📖 Things to read: Hidden, by Bryan Brown - http://bit.ly/48Qzfbw 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 Chapters 0:00 – Australian Icon Alert 9:23 – How do you live as a man? 12:54 – What has been the scariest moment in your life? 22:16 – This could all end 25:23 – When anxiety becomes physical 35:54 – The Human Experience 41:08 – Embracing the No’s 45:56 – Finding his voice through story 49:46 – Friends, girls + growing up 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.

Hugo Toovey has beaten cancer, twice. But this is far from the whole story. 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep In this special bonus episode, Hugo joins Hugh, Ryan and Josh to talk about health; how to know when to go to a doctor, how to wrangle with the emotions of being cancer free and how to be vulnerable with the people who love you most. Extraordinarily open in the hope that it will help someone else, Hugo discusses his fertility and decision to have kids, how being a parent has effected his outlook on life, and how exhausting it was acting like everything was okay. Hugo, you’re a lifesaver. If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/00RG9jPCGXs 🩺Things to do (for your health): Order a Bowel Cancer Screening Kit - http://bit.ly/47A6cYt Check out Hugo’s charity 25 Stay Alive - https://www.25stayalive.com 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 Chapters 0:00 – The other side of cancer free 12:36 – An invincible young bloke 15:54 – Knowing your ‘normal’ 24:40 – Doom, burden, guilt, escape 36:17 – The vulnerability ice-breaker 44:05 – The biggest killer 49:33 – 25’s the new 50 52:25 - Being responsible, just in case 1:01:10 – And what does she mean to you? 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.

Have you ever dated someone you knew, logically, was a bad idea? A puppeteer twenty years your senior, perhaps? 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep Melanie Bracewell has, and she joins us in the Vulnerabilitea House to answer the question, ‘who do you go to advice for? Why?’ (spoiler: it’s not her puppeteer ex-boyfriend). Unpacking the disarming realisation that all of our parents were once our age, Mel talks to the guys about making useful mistakes in your twenties, finding a litmus for what loves looks and feels like, and how to make friends with people as an adult (who aren’t already on your netball team). Mel bonds with Hugh about the realities of an ADHD brain and the fallacy of thinking you are super organised for something, and most importantly, the burst of self-compassion that can come from a diagnosis. Mel, we’ll be your side-by-side friend. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/NDKke1ATdLE 🫖Other imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Matt Okine - Comedy & Tragedy - http://bit.ly/4q5LW8f Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken but Not Broken - http://bit.ly/4qcCHDy Campbell ‘Struthless’ Walker - Withdrawing with Drawing - http://bit.ly/4q8MHgO 📺Things to watch Cheap Seats - http://bit.ly/3KNoEnA Mel’s YouTube Special ‘Forget Me Not’ - http://bit.ly/4hbCQ63 💻Things to check out Meladoodle (Mel’s Tumblr blog) - http://bit.ly/4mXO1AF 🎟️Things to buy tickets for Mel’s Live Tour ‘A Little Treat’ - http://bit.ly/46ZoZuU 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 0:00 – Can you just give me the clothes off your back? 12:48 – Who do you go to for advice and why? 23:57 – Realising your parents are human too 27:20 – The no-strings puppeteer 31:24 – A lot to un-pack, a lot to understand 35:56 – Side by side relationships 43:16 – Making useful mistakes 50:02 – Dodging a break-ups and short term memory loss 59:27 – Replying to negative comments 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.

Whether you’re a ‘new year new me’ aficionado, a 5-year planner, or get sweaty at the thought of setting goals, this episode is for you. 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep Joined by our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove, we’re unpacking goal setting, which at its core, is the intention to change our behaviour. In this episode, Hugh, Ryan and Josh, with the help of Dr Em, talk through why goals may seem intimidating, and how to reconcile the idea that there is no growth when you are not changing. Leading us into a very lovely introduction of a strengths-based approach to change, Dr Em explains SMART goals using Hugh’s bedtime as a real-life example. And for those with a particularly strong inner critic (or rocky relationship with goals), Dr Em gently guides Hugh, Ryan and, especially Josh, through the blessing of allowing ourselves some slack, leading from the feet up and engaging in committed action. AND, we learn about temptation bundling and Hugh’s taste in music (not as dirty as it sounds). Dr Em, you’re in all of our inner cheer squads To watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/bUOUs0UKg_w 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Chrissie Swan - Honesty - http://bit.ly/3IQd6zq Getting Vulny - Josh’s Big Announcement - http://bit.ly/4h5RI5V Dr Emily - The Meaning of Mid-Life - http://bit.ly/3IZGQtE Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - http://bit.ly/4mZwvvI Kemi Nekvapil - A Compass for When You’re Lost - http://bit.ly/4q2UFIw Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - http://bit.ly/470shxZ Josh van Cuylenburg - Midlife Crisis Averted - http://bit.ly/4mRxLkt 📖 Things to read Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - http://bit.ly/4o8JFay Rick Hanson, The Inner Caring Committee - http://bit.ly/4h7USGq Katy Milkman, Fresh Start Effect - http://bit.ly/3J2sKrq 🎧Things to listen to River Deep Mountain High by Celine Dion - http://bit.ly/48Wuk8J 💻Things to do VIA Character Strength Ranker - http://bit.ly/4h2KYFJ 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 Chapters 0:00 – A strange start to the episode 3:42 – Chrissie Swan tells us to move forward 13:58 – Strength-based approach to change 22:18 – SMART domains for change 34:57 – Strategies to achieve your goals 44:56 – Lapse vs relapse 51:09 – The fresh start effect, motivation slump and metaphors galore! 59:09 – Celebrate! 1:08:31 – Now is the time to get on the wrong train 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.

If you’re not navigating your life through your values, what are you using? 🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep Our lord and saviour is back (in a secular, informal way). Kemi Nekvapil is back in the Academy of Imperfection to talk all things values: what they are, how we choose them, and how you add croissant as one of yours. Extending the conversation of our previous episode on values with Dr Em, Kemi talks with the guys about how their current personal values are working in their life. Introducing terms such as val-rules, aspirational values and umbrella values, Kemi walks them through the difference between manipulation and modelling, and why the hard work starts AFTER we’ve chosen our values. In a peak behind the metaphorical (and literal, hi Producer Bridge) curtain, we discuss what went down in our company values session with Kemi, and how these values come into play in a day-in-the-life of The Imperfects production team. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/TV-GL3dgtjg 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - http://bit.ly/4nWgRCf Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent Parents - http://bit.ly/4gVbQYu Kemi Nekvapil - How to Live a Life Without Apology - http://bit.ly/4q3NLCW Kemi Nekvapil - The Secret of Your Success - http://bit.ly/473cJuv 📖Things to read Grounded Success, by Kemi Nekvapil - http://bit.ly/4mOWw0J Power, by Kemi Nekvapil - http://bit.ly/4nTsZnn The Gift of Asking, by Kemi Nekvapil - http://bit.ly/4nvKgU8 Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown - http://bit.ly/46GMMzC 💻Things to check out Kemi’s Website - https://www.keminekvapil.com 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 Chapters 0:00 – Third time (which is a charm) 6:38 – Croissant as a value 12:54 – Josh’s values are a pink flag 27:56 – Who you are vs who you want be 33:45 – Real world, reframing and living in alignment 38:06 – Trying on your values and setting goals 42:44 – Imperfect (company) Values 1:03:02 – Same value, differing actions 1:08:43 – How to get pants on a three year old 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.

The mid-life update we've all been waiting for. In the final instillation of the Vulnerabilitea Volume 2 Cards Announcement Week, where Ryan, Hugh and Josh have each answered one of the 52 brand-spanking-new-vulnerable-questions, it’s Josh’s turn. Answering the question, “what moment from your life are you grateful for, that profoundly changed you?” Josh reflects on the recording of the episode; Dr Emily – The Meaning of Mid Life, where he vulnerably disclosed that he was really struggling with finding meaning in the second half of his life. Sparked from this moment of authentic connection, Josh shares with Hugh and Ryan how he was able to find compassion for himself and the joy of adopting a beginner’s mindset. Josh, we love it when good things happen to great people. And we love you! This can be a stand-alone episode, however Ryan and Hugh’s have been absolute corkers (and we don’t say corker lightly) and you can listen to them here https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH and here http://bit.ly/4nNXNWK. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/MrL2No3YiLQ 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Ryan Shelton - The Friend I Want To Be - https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH Hugh van Cuylenburg - This Is Burnout - http://bit.ly/4nNXNWK Dr Emily - The Meaning of Mid Life - https://bit.ly/4nNzmIP Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://bit.ly/3Kr9KTP Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - https://bit.ly/4nHTc8s Dr Emily - Other People Matter - https://bit.ly/46SBaL0 Rick Davies - Living with OCD - https://bit.ly/4ndG2Ae 📖 Things to read Hitch-22, by Christopher Hitchens - https://bit.ly/4gC4yZk 📺 Things to watch Homer Simpson’s Spice Rack - https://bit.ly/46PCzlD 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Hugh’s turn! This week, to celebrate the launch of our BRAND NEW Vulnerabilitea House Cards (with 52 brand-new life changing questions), Ryan, Hugh and Josh will each be answering a VII question on an episode this week. Ryan kicked us off on Monday, and you can listen to that episode here (it’s a goody) - https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH In this episode, Hugh answers the question “When was a time when you genuinely needed help? Were you able to ask for it?” In an answer which provides a little more context to Ryan’s episode (an unplanned narrative arc), Hugh is vulnerable about the intense burnout he has been experiencing, and his fantasies for a guilt free period of time where he can just lie down for a bit. Unpacking the symptoms of burnout, Hugh explains to Ryan and Josh the heaviness of the past year, how it has been impacting his mental health, and why it feels like everything is too much. Hugh, thanks for calling the press conference. We love you so much. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/8K0eKoIfR-U 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Ryan Shelton - The Friend I Want To Be - https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH Another Imperfect Chat About Men - http://bit.ly/4gC1aO6 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

It’s a different sort of episode(s) this week. Because, drum roll please*,* we have a BRAND-NEW deck of Vulnerabilitea House Cards, with 52 brand-new, life-changing questions. That’s right baby, Volume II is available for purchase. Now. This week, we are releasing three whole episodes (lucky you). Each episode will feature either Ryan, Hugh or Josh in the spotlight as they answer one of our new Vulernabilitea House questions. In this episode, Ryan answers the question, “do you have any regrets about the way you have treated others?” and talks about his relationship with Hugh, and why he has been feeling guilty. See you Wednesday! If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube (and see the new Tequila-Sunrise Card Deck), follow this link - https://youtu.be/PDsY2kaA4uU 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Truth vs Harmony - http://bit.ly/4pCtl3D Hamish McLachlan - A World Turned Upside Down - http://bit.ly/42NYPd9 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/shop/ 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

This moment is bigger than Mitch Brown. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy. Tie up your laces and pull up your socks, this story is ones for the ages. As the first male AFL player in the sport’s 129 year history to come out as bisexual, Mitch, and the public’s reaction to his story, epitomises the importance of visibility, role models and the creation of safe and inclusive environments. Joining us in the studio, Mitch takes us back to the beginning, vulnerably telling Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the hyper-masculine environments which formed (and suppressed) his identity from a young age. Talking through his newfound imposter syndrome, past-mistakes, and journey to finding his true, authentic self, Mitch emphasizes the critical importance of empathy. Confiding with the guys about how monumental, overwhelming and joyful the past few weeks have been, Mitch also acknowledges the deep grief of people in his life who felt like they had let him down. Mitch, you are making the world a better place. We love you (so much). If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/cLHU4CJkqww This episode discusses an experience of sexual assault, if this is something you're not ready to hear right now, we suggest you skip this one and come back when you are ready. 🎧Things to listen to: The Daily Aus - Part 1: The AFL’s first openly bisexual player - http://bit.ly/4nHyQfJ The Daily Aus - Part 2: The AFL’s first openly bisexual player - http://bit.ly/3VpMdVM 🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling, these are a few great resources QLife - provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people over 18 wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. 1800 184 527, www.qlife.org.au Minus 18 - Through a preventative model of mental health support, Minus 18 tackle social isolation by creating fun-filled spaces where LGBTQIA+ people under 18 feel they belong and are celebrated www.minus18.org.au 1800 RESPECT - If you, or someone you know needs support after after experiencing a sexual assault, please call the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line 1800 RESPECT on 1800 732 732. Lifeline - 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Matt Okine has been privy to a few life changing events. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Hailing from Triple J infamy (the radio station ……. not the athletic event), Matt has seen success across television screens, the comedy scene and music stage. A triple threat, you might say. Joining us in the studio, Matt is incredibly vulnerable in sharing with Hugh, Ryan, and Josh the pain and confusion of losing his mum at just 12 years old, and how becoming a parent himself has filled him with an irrational, but at times crippling, fear of death. Matt and Ryan bond over the cathartic and confronting process of writing about yourself as a character, who doesn’t always get it right, and Matt talks to Josh about jealousy and how he learned to trust again after being cheated on. Matt, what a feeling. If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/SnV65OzHxEg 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Meaning of Mid-Life - http://bit.ly/3JRXb3O 📺 Things to watch The Other Guy - https://bit.ly/4m32zOL Ryan and Matt’s Legendary Moments Ad - https://bit.ly/4pfHxPE 🎧Things to listen to Helen’s Message 1992 - Matt and Alex - All Day Breakfast - http://bit.ly/46tLede 📖 Things to read Being Black ‘n Chicken, and Chips by Matt Okine - http://bit.ly/4nl9OCP 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy On average in Australia, 9 people die by suicide each day, and for every suicide, it is suggested 135 people find themselves in the impact zone. Today we speak to Karissa Lewis, a lived experience practitioner, who sits with those in perhaps their darkest moment, in the hours, days and weeks after someone they know has died by suicide. We discuss what a lived experience practitioner is, how it is professionalised, and how postvention (done well) is the most incredible prevention. Going into specifics, Ryan asks Karissa what the impact zone is like in a school environment, and how you can know what to say, what to do, and how to talk to children about suicide with honesty and age-appropriate language. Karissa is candid with Hugh, Ryan, and Josh about the stigma of suicide, which prompts Josh to share a story about the complicated nature of the word ‘choice’. And we get some scientific evidence of the power of a good cry. Life is not better off without you. To watch this incredible episode on YouTube, follow this link: 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Dr Emily - Grief Lightening - https://bit.ly/4nijyxP Samuel Johnson - A Life of Vulnerability - https://bit.ly/4mK0zvW 📖 Things to read Is crying good for you? - https://bit.ly/41ys2Iy Zone of Fabulousness by Vikki Reynolds - https://bit.ly/3I0i5Nv 📱Things to download Beyond Now - Safety Planning App - https://bit.ly/466T9Mo 💻Things to check out Social Futures StandBy Support After Suicide - https://bit.ly/4mHWZ5s National Centre for Childhood Grief - https://bit.ly/466ONop Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (there’s lots!) Living Works Australia - ASIST 2 Day Course - https://bit.ly/429tNMz 🎟️Things to buy tickets for Together Again, Imperfects Live Show - https://bit.ly/47VT9Bc 🚨If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide; Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support Line) – 13 92 76 Please call 000 in an emergency StandBy Support After Suicide – 1300 727 247 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Mid-life crises have a bad rap. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy Joined by our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove, this emisode is for everyone, but especially for those who’s back goes out more than them, and who are trying to fill the void with purpose (or a ponytail, or a sports car). Technically, you’re in your mid-life from about the ages of 35-70. Which would be quite bleak, if we didn’t have Dr Emily in the studio to reframe this period of our lives with hope, meaning and purpose. Tuning into what our soul is yearning for, Dr Emily discusses how we can intentionally look at generating legacy, combat narratives which suggest “we should have it all worked out”, and maybe even turn our intelligence into a …. um, butterfly. And then we hear from Josh, who’s right in the thick of it. Cue tears. Cue hugs. Cue sending Josh all of the love in the entire world. Dr Em, you’ve hit the nail on the head with this one. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/r6tdU-r5k4o 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Elizabeth Day - The Me-est Version of Me - http://bit.ly/3HTMKMi Lauren Zonfrillo - Grief: The Shittest Greatest Gift - http://bit.ly/4fYJonW Dr Emily - Compassion of The Self - http://bit.ly/45BW9kU 📖Things to read Unstuck, by Dr Emily Musgrove - http://bit.ly/4mAhUaA Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Your Life, by James Hollis - http://bit.ly/41oMED0 From Strength to Strength, by Arthur C Brooks - http://bit.ly/4lFObvD 💻Things to check out Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development - http://bit.ly/4oV1knq Jungian Therapy - http://bit.ly/3JyslNh Chip Connolly - Modern Elder Academy - http://bit.ly/4fZUN70 Kristen Neff - Online Self Compassion Practice - http://bit.ly/4mUIs68 Chris Germer - Mindful Self-Compassion - http://bit.ly/3Vj5d82 Paul Gilbert - Developing Self-Compassion - http://bit.ly/4fYN74U Regina Gurlach - Self-Compassion - http://bit.ly/3HO1Xi2 U-Shaped Curve of Happiness - http://bit.ly/4p0m5hQ Ron Siegel - The Disillusion of Living - http://bit.ly/4fYO11i 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Not shut down by the fear of humiliation, Hannah Ferguson believes her biggest failure would be to never try in the first place. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy In saying that, everything Hannah tries (and touches), inevitably turns to gold (media company, podcast, author, you get the point). In this episode of The Vulnerabilitea House, Hannah answers the question, “what have you learnt about love from the way you were cared for as a child?” Recounting the moment she was asked to be responsible for the lives of her siblings, Hannah is incredibly vulnerable and honest in reflecting on the status of her relationship with her parents now, and goes deep with Ryan about the importance of intention. In the spirit of her word of the year being ‘soft’, Hannah and Josh unpack why she has felt undesirable and undatable, and what makes her current partner feel like forev- a very long time (this could age poorly, but hopefully won’t). Hannah, our BFLT. If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, click here - http://bit.ly/3JLOd7S 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Origin of the Pink Dildo Story (Tim Minchin - Lucky To Be Here) - https://apple.co/492kgsN Dr Emily - That Guilty Feeling - http://bit.ly/47BcFmn 🎧Things to listen to Big Small Talk - http://bit.ly/41fHklq Brene Brown on Oprah - http://bit.ly/3Jqeit6 📺Things to watch Hannah’s National Press Club Address - http://bit.ly/4oPN7s8 Tony Abbott Freeze video - http://bit.ly/3HIW85m Tony Abbott Onion video - http://bit.ly/3UFCvy3 📖Things to read Bite Back, by Hannah Ferguson - http://bit.ly/4lyOxEf Taboo, by Hannah Ferguson - http://bit.ly/4mQrC8D 💻Things to check out Cheek Media Co. - http://bit.ly/4oM4zO6 🚨If you, or someone you know, has experienced or is at risk of domestic violence, call the 24 hour national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you’re feeling unsafe, call 000. 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://bit.ly/4mq5BO5 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.

Inside what might be the biggest scandal in Australian sporting history, Dyson Heppell, at 23 years old, found himself at the centre with a choice to make. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj A leader from the beginning of his career, Dyson was living his childhood dream playing AFL for the Essendon Bombers when everything turned upside down. In this episode, Dyson chats to Hugh, Ryan, and Josh about his relationship with trust, his teammates and the public in the aftermath of the scandal. Reframing, and rebuilding, Dyson shares how he was able to find joy, empathy and positivity in footy, and life, again. Hugh discusses with Dyson how he chased control through limiting calories, which resulted in a period of disordered eating and finally, the guys talk about Dyson’s relationship with Harrison, and the starting of Haych the Label. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: http://bit.ly/41EIbw1 🎧Things to listen to Dyson Heppell I Dyl & Friends - http://bit.ly/4mKhZZ7 🧢Things to check out Haych The Label - http://bit.ly/47xSohB The Resilience Project Journal - http://bit.ly/3UZtXSH 🦋If this conversation has raised some uncomfortable feelings for you around eating and food, the Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673 is a great place to visit - https://butterfly.org.au 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Hey Babe, what’s for (vulnerabili)tea? 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj Andy Hearnden, better known for his online moniker Andy Cooks, is a professional chef and home cook extraordinaire, with more YouTube and TikTok followers than the population of a small country. Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House, Andy answers the question, “what’s been your biggest failure and how was it good or bad for you?” Imitating the behaviour of others around him, alcohol became a normal part of Andy’s daily routine, and eventually, his identity. Andy opens up to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the non-linear nature of his sobriety journey, and the incredible support of his partner Katelyn (Babe). As a garnish, Andy chats to Ry about breaking the cycle of poor people management, and learning how to become a leader. Andy, you can cook (or chat) with us anytime. To watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/Pq8iKXWIfGA 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Ben Shewry (Pt 1) - The Other Side of Excellence - https://apple.co/4hhc2RB Ben Shewry (Pt 2) - How The Chef Was Made - https://apple.co/48hrQiQ Ben Shewry - Making It Right (And Delicious) - https://bit.ly/4jPHq9F 📖 Things to read The Cookbook, by Andy Cooks - https://bit.ly/3UIB161 💻Things to check out Andy Cooks - YouTube - https://bit.ly/4okLSRk 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Do you ever wonder whether you belong? 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj According to Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, belonging is an evolutionary need, literally built into our DNA. And in our current loneliness epidemic, the feeling of belonging uncertainty can impact our sense of safety, identity and even physical health. This week, Dr Em goes into the intolerable state of uncertainty, and the self-fulfilling prophecy we may induce when trying to protect ourselves. Unfortunately, for all of us introverts, creating connection involves risk. Thorough in her research as always, Dr Em explains the benefits to seeking perspective and crafting situations to help others feel like they belong. AND with a guest star appearance from Producer Bridge, we unpack what it looks and feels like to get it wrong, and how you can work to get it right. Dr Em, this is our favourite time of the month. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/r1qTUZwBLDw 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Rana Hussain - Belonging For Connection - http://bit.ly/4odhGY8 Fern Brady - Autistic in a Non-Autistic World - http://bit.ly/4l8Y4lt Grace Tame - “Sexy-time, Scissoring, Autism” - http://bit.ly/4mbPvaq Glenn Robbins - Listening to the Voice in Your Head - https://bit.ly/40HM8zK Billy Slater - Leading from the (Full) Back - https://bit.ly/45qvmrr 📖Things to read A question of belonging: race, social fit, and achievement by Geoffrey Cohen and Gregory Walton - https://bit.ly/4mbPMds A Brief Social-Belonging Intervention Improves Academic and Health Outcomes of Minority Students by Geoffrey Cohen and Gregory Walton - https://bit.ly/3UCcS0Y Breaking the cycle of mistrust: wise interventions to provide critical feedback across the racial divide by Geoffrey Cohen, David Yeager & others - https://bit.ly/4odZKgc Pygmalion in the Classroom by Robert Rosenthal & Lenore Jacobson - http://bit.ly/4fa2Tte BELONGING: The Feeling That We “Belong” May Depend in Part on “Affirmations” by Mary Rowe - http://bit.ly/4l8fPBo Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - http://bit.ly/3J8tieV 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Well, well, well, it’s time to prove things. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj Today we’re jumping in your ears for a public service announcement: The Resilience Project (TRP) is officially backed by some rock-hard, super-sciencey evidence. Founded by our very own Hugh (you know, from the podcast), TRP delivers emotionally engaging programs to over 1000 schools across Australia, as well as workplaces and sporting clubs. This longitudinal, independent study conducted by Roshini Balasooriya Lekamge is peer reviewed (no Ryan, not that pier), published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, and most importantly, highlights a staggering decrease in depression and anxiety for kids who are engaged with TRP programs and content. Yay! We hope you love this news as much as we do xx If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/MGLr0I9UE94 🧐To read this study yourself, click here! - https://bit.ly/4l7y9KR 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode How I Built Dis - The Resilience Project Story - http://bit.ly/40IhXZg 💻Things to check out The Resilience Project - https://theresilienceproject.com.au TRP @ Home - http://bit.ly/4ociNr0 The University of Melbourne Evaluation - http://bit.ly/44Snxe4 University of Adelaide Research Findings - http://bit.ly/44Sp83y 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Approached by 5 NRL clubs by the time he was 13, Joe was a sporting prodigy. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj Thrust into the spotlight Joe was introduced to a world of concussions, accolades and copious amounts of drugs and alcohol. Now 18 years sober, Joe is honest about how he found his power through truth and the experiences and learnings through which he navigates racism and understands human behaviour. Joe chats to Josh about the difference between being a dad and a father, and how he has found compassion for his younger self. This conversation also touches on Joe’s bipolar diagnosis, his relationship with the natural environment and the incredible difference that he is making in the mental health space now. Joe, we can’t believe you found the time to join us. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, click here: 📖 Things to read: Defying The Enemy Within by Joe Williams - https://bit.ly/4eY3cr0 What Happened To You by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey - https://bit.ly/4lYzl4F The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan with Uncle Paul Gordon - https://bit.ly/3ICXbEd 📺Things to watch: Seen The Film - https://seenthefilm.com 💻Things to check out: Our Way Academy - https://bit.ly/4lGt4uf 🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal ideation, thinking about suicide, or has issues with addiction, please call 000 in an emergency. Lifeline on 13 11 14 is also great resource, as well as the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Domestic violence is an epidemic in Australia, and Jess Hill has dedicated a good chunk of time trying to understand why. 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au Joining us in the Academy of Imperfection, Jess explains to Hugh, Ryan and Josh the unrelenting system of entrapment that many women find themselves in, including a detailed look at the history of coercive control, and the term ‘perspecticide’. Describing the importance of early intervention for young boys, and answering the question ‘Why don’t they just leave?’, Jess discusses with Josh the difference between guilt and shame, and the fundamental impact of these emotions. This episode is compulsory listening for everyone (obviously, it’s Jess Hill talking about one of the most significant issues in our country), but especially those who, in their quietest, most vulnerable moment, recognise themselves as a perpetrator and want to take the next steps to changing the cycle of trauma. Jess, we cannot thank you enough. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPAi24DyWRc 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Tarang Chawla - Men Talking About Men’s Violence - https://bit.ly/45p2aBN Chanel Contos - Consensual Healing - https://bit.ly/3SSvrND An Imperfect Chat About Men - https://bit.ly/4n4ce9o Another Imperfect Chat About Men - https://bit.ly/4jUHQf7 🎧Things to listen to The Trap - Why Do They Do It? - https://bit.ly/3G0H9D1 📺 Things to watch See What You Made Me Do - https://bit.ly/3STaUbW Matt Brown TedTalk - https://bit.ly/4jP1RUc 📖 Things to read See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill - https://bit.ly/3HG8gno The Reckoning by Jess Hill - https://bit.ly/3FQyZNy Losing It by Jess Hill - https://bit.ly/4ni3YD8 She Is Not Your Rehab by Matt Brown with Sarah Brown - https://bit.ly/45In6Uz Rape in Marriage by Diana E.H Russell - https://bit.ly/4n3q0Jr Home Truths by Jess Hill - https://bit.ly/402SfOC The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge - https://bit.ly/4eejITp Shame and Pride by Donald Nathanson - https://bit.ly/4lsrc7V Three Planet Model by Marianne Hester - https://bit.ly/4e4sG5t 💻Things to check out Yiliyapinya - https://yiliyapinya.org.au/about/ Inner Boy - She Is Not Your Rehab - Free 30 Day Program - https://bit.ly/4jPOdQA 🚨If you, or someone you know, is exhibiting behaviour that may be concerning or problematic, call MensLine on 1300 78 99 78, or No To Violence on 1300 766 491. 🚨If you feel like you are in immediate danger please call 000. If you need someone to talk to we recommend the nation24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line 1800 RESPECT on 1800 732 732. 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Art saved Vincent Fantauzzo’s life. 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au In this episode, Vincent paints the picture of his childhood in Broadmeadows, a childhood marked with violence and abuse, and how undiagnosed dyslexia deeply affected Vincent’s ability to read and write, as well as his memory. Now known worldwide for his award winning portraits of Asher Keddie (his now wife), Julia Gillard and Heath Ledger, Vincent chats to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the incredible father figures, role models and friends that he has connected with throughout his life, and the impact they have had on his sense of self. Vincent, this was a dream come true. To watch this video on YouTube (a picture paints a thousand words after all), follow this link - 🫖 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwH3A-jSd3U Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Billy Slater - Leading from the (Full)Back - https://bit.ly/45ZZfQ6 🎨Things to check out Vincent’s Gallery - https://bit.ly/4n4CyAr ‘Heath’ Portrait - https://bit.ly/3Tp8amG ‘Love Face’ Portrait - https://bit.ly/4lcE4yQ ‘All that’s good in me’ (self-portrait as son Luca) - https://bit.ly/4kJF8u1 📖Things to read Unveiled by Vincent Fantauzzo - https://bit.ly/4e3PsKO 🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts surrounding suicide, suicidal ideation or self-harm, please call 000 or Life Life on 13 11 14. 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

How often do you feel guilty? Guiding us on a guilt trip today is our resident psychologist (and published author) Dr Emily Musgrove. 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au Differentiating guilt from shame or regret, Dr Emily takes us back to the very beginning to explain the purpose and function of guilt as a pro-social behaviour which your cave-person ancestor probably would have used to keep them in the tribe. When used wisely, guilt is a useful recognition of information that can alert us when we have gone against our values or dropped our moral standards. However, as Dr Em explains (and people pleasers would know all too well) guilt can quickly becoming overwhelming, exhausting and make you feel like you’re always letting someone down. In this episode, Dr Em dives into the seemingly never-ending guilt of being a parent, especially a mum, as well as the guilt associated with caring for ageing parents. Dr Em, you’ve done it again. To watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/wLLJdF1edVE 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - https://apple.co/4dckMpy Dr Emily - What Are Your Boundaries? - https://bit.ly/409jO91 Dr Emily - Truth v Harmony - https://apple.co/40pgYO7 Dr Emily - Who Is Your Inner Critic - https://apple.co/3XaFdw9 Ben Shewry - Making It Right (And Delicious) - https://bit.ly/4jPHq9F Ben Shewry (Pt 1) - The Other Side of Excellence - https://apple.co/4hhc2RB Ben Shewry (Pt 2) - How The Chef Was Made - https://apple.co/48hrQiQ 📖Things to read Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins - https://bit.ly/3SUcvhv Good Inside by Dr Becky Kennedy - https://bit.ly/443BPXE Choice Points by Russ Harris and Colleagues - https://bit.ly/4jUZjnw 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au - this week, featuring a reflection from none other than Cate Campbell. By the time she was 16, Cate Campbell had figured out her social currency: achievement, in the form of gold medals, no less. Four time Olympian and world record holder Cate joins us in the Vulnerabilitea House to answer the question ‘How and when have you been dishonest with yourself?’ From telling herself she was ‘fine’ to having a breakdown over a Milo, Cate recounts the intense period of loneliness she experienced during Covid, and the depression she ‘didn’t deserve’ to feel. This episode emphasises the critical importance of connection for our mental health, and Cate so beautifully articulates the impact of finding love at first sight (friend addition), and navigating a changing relationship with her sister Bronte. Coming of age in a world where perfection is praised and your failure makes headlines, Cate is so generous in sharing how she had learn to ask for help and to value her mental health like she would her physical. Cate, you are simply the best. To watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: http://bit.ly/40ecuJc 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Bronte Campbell - Comparison, The Thief of Joy - https://bit.ly/44h52iW 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Do you think of yourself as a creative person? How does being creative make you feel? 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au Today we welcome into the Academy of Imperfection (reluctant) expert Campbell Walker, better known by his online moniker, Struthless. Drawing on his hypothesis that creativity is the antithesis of destruction, Struthless discusses how to train yourself in creativity, the 70% rule in completing a creative pursuit, and, thankfully for Hugh, how to recognise and celebrate your creative brain in everyday tasks. Struthless opens up about the moment he realised drugs had stopped becoming fun, going deeper into his struggles with addiction and how he reframed one of his most shameful moment by asking “how could this be the best thing that has ever happened to me”? Ryan and Struthless chat about the mental health benefits, and absolute joy, of journalling (just ask anyone who’s bought My Imperfect Life), and how to make sure that the pain doesn’t win. Figuratively, illustratively and literally, we loved hanging out with you, Struthless. If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - http://bit.ly/3TrGI7I 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Adam Grant - The Potential of Your Potential - https://bit.ly/4ksJXYL How (And Why) Ryan Dumped His iPhone - https://bit.ly/41RY15O 📖 Things to read Doom and Bloom, by Campbell Walker - https://bit.ly/3HnCQSv Your Head Is A Houseboat, by Campbell Walker - https://bit.ly/3SxJUOW The Medium is the Message, by Marshall McLuhan - https://bit.ly/3T7tUmP 📺 Things to watch Boss Baby - https://bit.ly/4438FJe Pingu - https://bit.ly/43V1EsW 🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling with addiction, the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015, is a great place to start. 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au There is currently only one gay man actively playing in a professional, top-tier basketball league anywhere in the world. And today, we had the enormous privilege of welcoming him into the studio. Demonstrating Olympic-level vulnerability, Isaac Humphries made global headlines in 2022 when he came out as gay to his basketball teammates. However, as Hugh, Ryan and Josh learn in this chat, this moment was the result of a lifetime of chaos, confusion, darkness, and ultimately, courage. In this episode, Isaac talks through his horrific experience of childhood bullying, and how basketball became both a sanctuary and a space of secrecy. For Isaac, he never imagined a world where he could keep his career and live authentically as his whole self. An incredible journey, which includes a Beyonce-esque move of dropping his last name for a time, Isaac describes to Hugh, Ryan and Josh what it felt like to come out to his mum, live as an openly gay man for the first time, and finally, come out to the world. Finding light in the darkest of times, Josh and Isaac discuss the importance of purpose, which prompts Hugh to reflect on how this episode is the epitome of The Imperfects: how vulnerability leads to authentic connection. Isaac, we love you. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube (and see Hugh’s model shot), click here - https://bit.ly/43YQXpc 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Janelle Booker - Living With ADHD - https://bit.ly/42GsmEJ Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People - https://apple.co/4l4kw0m 📺 Things to watch Isaac’s Coming Out video - https://bit.ly/3HxvR9O 🎧 Things to listen to Isaac’s music, including the song Be Alright - https://spoti.fi/4mTSGol 📖 Things to read The Velvet Rage, by Alan Downs - https://bit.ly/43XZ3hH 🏳️‍🌈For some great educational resources, head to Pride in Sport - www.prideinsport.com.au/resources 🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling, these are a few great resources QLife - provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people over 18 wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. 1800 184 527, www.qlife.org.au Minus 18 - Through a preventative model of mental health support, Minus 18 tackle social isolation by creating fun-filled spaces where LGBTQIA+ people under 18 feel they belong and are celebrated www.minus18.org.au Lifeline - 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

This is where the fun begins. 💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au Today we welcome the Return of the Dr Emily, our resident psychologist, to talk about the Force in all its (clinical) glory. Amongst the immense excitement of Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Dr Emily talks through the lightness and darkness inside us all, and how the presence of a good mentor makes a world of difference. Bringing psychology back to the forefront of this ep, Dr Emily likens Yoda’s general vibe to the principles of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, whilst also pointing out the incredible power of mindfulness (just ask Luke Skywalker). Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat with Dr Emily about The Hero’s Journey, main character syndrome and how to let go of our ego to embrace your authentic self. May the Force be with you. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://bit.ly/3FGlYG6 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Resent Less, Live More - https://bit.ly/4mGNOCP Dr Emily - Hope - https://apple.co/4l9des9 Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - https://bit.ly/3SyoWj0 Dr Emily - Grief Lightening - https://bit.ly/4kki9W6 Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://apple.co/4e2Io05 Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People - https://apple.co/4l4kw0m Hugh’s ADHD…brief (Bonus From Patreon) - https://bit.ly/4jefaNP 💻Things / people to check out Tara Brach - https://bit.ly/43Fk8gR Scott Barry Kaufman - https://bit.ly/4dSmwFK Dr Robyn D Walser - https://bit.ly/4kEI5M0 Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey - https://bit.ly/3HlH516 The Star Wars Catalogue - https://bit.ly/3HzXi2x 📖 Things to read Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

As the title suggests, Nas Campanella is really cool (and accomplished and driven and resilient). Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au You might recognise her voice from the Triple J cinematic universe or know her work as the Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC. But what you might not know is that Nas is vision impaired, or that a neurological condition means that she can’t read braille either. In this episode of The Vulnerabilitea House, Nas answers the questions “what childhood challenges best prepared you for adulthood?” Chatting to Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Nas talks about her relationship with her disability, and how it shapes her identity. Nas also dives into a powerful conversation with the guys about the role agency and accessibility in the experience of discrimination, and shares why, if a magical operation could restore her sight, she wouldn’t change a thing. Nas, it has been an absolute joy. 🩷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 join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

It’s that time of the month (sorry), and we’re welcoming back Dr Louise Newson to talk all things hormones. In case you missed it, last time we had Dr Louise on the pod, she shared her expertise on perimenopause and menopause. This, to no surprise, was Apple Australia's most shared podcast episode in 2024. Today, Dr Louise talks to the guys about hormones; what they are, how they impact our lives, and what the difference is between the natural and synthetic forms we can be prescribed. Discussing the naturally occurring cycles of hormones, as well as the dramatic hormone drop offs that can happen throughout a lifetime, Dr Louise shares the impact of hormones for PMS, PMDD and post-natal depression. Dr Louise, this has been life changing. If you would like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/l4naB7-GKto 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode: Dr Louise Newson - Maybe It’s Menopause - https://bit.ly/43qYwon 🎧Things to listen to: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast - Talking to my daughter: understanding hormones, contraception, PMS & the gaps in sex ed - https://bit.ly/43vnliX The Dr Louise Newson Podcast - Testosterone and the hormone triangle, with Dr Mohit Khera - https://apple.co/4duWhow 💻 Things to check out: Balance website - https://bit.ly/4mlLFwp Balance App - https://bit.ly/436uozz 💊To find more information about contraception Sexual Health Victoria - https://bit.ly/4jgfJ9M Children by Choice - https://bit.ly/4je80Ju Dr Louise Hormone Health Hub - https://bit.ly/44HQARP 🩷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 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

Quick! Is anyone here an author? Yes! And her book is finally here! Our favourite psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove, has published the most anticipated book of the year, Unstuck: A guide to finding your way forward to the life you want to live. Feeling stuck, and the yearning for something to change, is a human experience. And in Unstuck, Dr Emily doesn’t just acknowledge this feeling, she walks with you through it. We’re talking values, we’re talking an introduction to acceptance commitment therapy, and we’re talking self-compassion (among many, many other things). At its core, this book is a model for how we might approach change. It’s compulsory reading. Unstuck is available now in all good bookstores, or you can order it online here - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2. If you want to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://bit.ly/4mvgSgE 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - https://apple.co/4dckMpy 📖 Things to read: Summer Day by Mary Oliver - https://bit.ly/3Hh1gNo 🩷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 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

It’s a Monty type of day - and thank god, because this week we welcome the brilliant Monty Dimond into the studio. In this episode, Monty opens up about the heartbreak of losing her mum—her person, her sense of home and safety. She speaks candidly about the tunnel vision of ambition, living with imposter syndrome, and how a debilitating chronic illness left her bed-bound for 90% of last year. Hugh and Monty share an incredibly vulnerable chat about parenting neurodivergent children; sharing the intense challenges, boundless love and ways they can show compassion to themselves and others. If you're not familiar with Monty yet, she's the founder and co-host of the Show and Tell platform, which includes the newly released podcast iChronic, Monty is a pillar of Australian media (including a co-hosting a national drive show with our very own Sheltzy). Monty, we are in awe of you. To watch this full video of YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3GVUYmf 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode: Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - https://bit.ly/42GsmEJ Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People - https://apple.co/4l4kw0m Michael (Wippa) Wipfli - Light at the End of the Tunnel - https://bit.ly/3F6wy9d 🎧 Things to listen to: iChonric - https://bit.ly/4j1d3gb Show and Tell - https://bit.ly/3ZfWiGR 💻 Things to check out: Kristy Forbes’ Workshops - https://bit.ly/43eFxNK 🩷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 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects 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.

What would it look like if we were more open to grief? This week, as promised, we are joined by our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove to talk through grief from a clinical perspective. Grief is proof of life, and proof of love. And while it is an incredibly unique experience for each person, there is a universality to it as well. Dr Em walks us through how grief impacts the brain on a neurological level, and unpacks its unpredictable, non-linear path. Explaining the difference between grief and grieving, Em reminds us about the importance of turning towards the pain and how to learn to ride the waves of grief, rather than expecting them to disappear. And on a practical level, Ryan asks about what you can actually do for someone in grief to show them love and support. If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4jKdlco If you would like to pre-order Em’s book Unstuck, click here: https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2 🫖 Other Imperfects episode’s mentioned in this episode Lauren Zonfrillo - Grief: The Shittest Greatest Gift - https://bit.ly/3GGXCMA Jamila Rizvi - Living with the effects of a brain tumour - https://bit.ly/4jK7CmV Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life - https://apple.co/3UKpxQ8 Clare Bowditch - Music, Panic Attacks & Body Image - https://apple.co/43iqzau 📖 Things to read The Grieving Brain - Mary-Frances O’Connor - https://bit.ly/4m55Mi3 Self Compassion - Kristin Neff - https://bit.ly/4iQC25O Wherever You Go, There You Are - Jon Kabat-Zinn - https://bit.ly/3Z5LeMo Till Death Do Us Part - Lauren Zonfrillo - https://bit.ly/4m7Dy6z 💻 Things to check out Stroebe and Schut Dual-Process Model of Grief - https://bit.ly/4kbIeqc Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief - https://bit.ly/45tThVu Meghan Riordan Jarvis’ work - https://bit.ly/3RTyy7v ☎️ If you, or someone you know, is struggling with grief, Griefline 1300 845 745 is a great place to start 🩷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 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfect, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 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.

Jamila Rizvi is a writer/author, journalist, commentator, change advocate, feminist and all round wonderful human being. In 2018 Jamila was met with horrible news. She was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour. In the podcast, Jamila tells us of these challenging recent years...the multiple surgeries, the radiotherapy treatment the continuing recovery and the effects all of this has had on her life, her family and her mental health. If this episode has triggered anything for you around mental health, we recommend lifeline, 13 11 14. The Imperfects is produced by Ryan Shelton, Hugh & Josh van Cuylenburg. This episode was edited with the help of Michael Liberale. A very special thanks to 'No Mono' for generously allowing us to use 'Keep On' as the theme song for this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Zonfrillo knows grief - intimately, devastatingly, and meaningfully. Almost two years since the sudden death of her husband Jock, Lauren describes grief as the ‘shittest, greatest gift’, and how she navigated unimaginable loss while continuing to parent two young children. In this episode, Lauren shares what she learnt about herself in the days, weeks, and months since Jock’s passing. Discussing with Hugh, Ryan and Josh about her evolving relationship with spirituality, Lauren vulnerably shares how she is beginning to reconcile her identity as a mother, widow, and person in her own right. Lauren, thank you for such a special episode. If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4mi4mkD 📖 Things to read: Till Death Do Us Part - Lauren Zonfrillo - https://bit.ly/4m7Dy6z Last Shot - Jock Zonfrillo - https://bit.ly/4iCyfJi Finding Meaning - David Kessler - https://amzn.to/44QgNNU ☎️ If you, or someone you know, is struggling with grief, these are some great resources to start with National Centre for Childhood Grief - https://bit.ly/4iEMvkP Griefline - 1300 845 745 🩷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 🩵To join our patreon community, A Little More Imperfect, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 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.

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.

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 🦋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.

Trauma ran through Courtney Ugle’s family - until it ran into her. CEO and founder of Waangkiny, as well as a football superstar, Courtney is on a mission to transform her adversity into resilience, power, and love. In our Vulnerabilitea House, Courtney answers the question, “what childhood challenges best prepared you for adulthood?”, diving into how she copes with the loss of her greatest source of unconditional love and support, and how this drives the work that she does today. In conversation with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Courtney speaks to the raw intersection of grief and joy, and what it is like to realise that the only person coming to save you, is you. Courtney, we can’t wait to have an oat magic with you soon. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/G_Rdt1EhA0U If you would like to host your own Vulneratilitea House, you can purchase the cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP 💻 Things to checkout: Waangkiny - https://www.waangkiny.com 📺 Things to watch: Once Were Warriors - https://bit.ly/3XPMxyJ 🚨If you, or someone you know, has experienced or is at risk of domestic violence, call the 24 hour national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you’re feeling unsafe, call 000. 🩷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 This episode of The Imperfects discusses domestic and family violence. If these topics are too much for you right now, then we suggest you skip this one and come back when you're ready. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chances are, you’ve supported someone going through a tough time. And while the meaning sustains the sacrifice, today we want to support you ….. supporting them. A bit of support inception, if you will. To guide us through this incredibly complex and meaningful topic is our resident psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove. Navigating relationships requires awareness. Showing up as a partner, friend, parent, or sibling while holding space for pain – without being overwhelmed – is a skill that takes practice. Reminding us that no one hates their struggle more than the person suffering, Dr Em delves into some practical strategies of support, such as walking the line between respect and care, as well as always understanding the difference between effort and capacity. To all of the supporters and carers listening, we see you. We love you. And we hope you felt held, too. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://bit.ly/3XILzEe To pre-order Dr. Em’s book Unstuck, click here - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2 🎧 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Emily - Resent Less, Live More - https://apple.co/4hZiVWx Esther Perel - Let’s Be Better Lovers - https://bit.ly/42phpsh 💻Things to check out: Carer Gateway - https://bit.ly/41UEJhA 🩷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.

This is PART TWO of our chat with footballer, coach and uniter of people, Danielle Laidley. We HIGHLY recommend you go back and listen to part one if you haven’t heard it (linked below). In this episode, Danielle recounts how it felt to be publicly outed, her own voice removed as the media crafted their own narrative about her identity. A story of courage, resilience and love, Danielle vulnerably shares with Hugh, Ryan and Josh how she united her two worlds, and found the strength to live authentically for herself, and become a role model for others. To watch the entire interview with Danielle on YouTube, click here - https://bit.ly/3FJ8Lw2 📖 Things to read Don’t Look Away - Danielle Laidley - https://bit.ly/3XrTkyo 📺 Things to watch Revealed - Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes - https://bit.ly/3R8X6ct ☎ If you need support after listening to this episode, these are a few great places to start: QLife - 1800 184 527 Rainbow Door - 1800 729 367 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.

Danielle May Laidley was known by a different name for the first 53 years of her life. We are so proud that this episode is a contributing factor to her reclaiming her narrative as a transgender woman. An extremely talented AFL footballer, Danielle would go on to become a highly respected coach, always keeping within arm’s reach the version of herself which felt most authentic. Danielle’s story, in its entirety, is so incredibly important that we had to split it over two big and special episodes. In this first part, we are introduced to phase 1 of her life: the footballer, the husband and the coach and with an addictive personality that caused her to become tough, fierce and obsessed with footy. Danielle discusses with Hugh, Ryan, and Josh the strict compartmentalisation of the different parts of her life during her AFL career, and the terrifying risks she took to satisfy the cravings to be her authentic self. You can watch the entire interview (Part One and Part Two) on YouTube, here – https://bit.ly/3FJ8Lw2 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Mick Fanning - Riding The Waves of Loss - https://apple.co/4hNT0RN 📖 Things to read Don’t Look Away - Danielle Laidley - https://bit.ly/3XrTkyo 📺 Things to watch Revealed - Danielle Laidley: Two Tribes - https://bit.ly/3R8X6ct 🖼️ If you want to join out patreon A Little More Imperfects, go to www.patreon.com/theimperfects ☎ If you need support after listening to this episode, these are a few great places to start: QLife - 1800 184 527 Rainbow Door - 1800 729 367 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.

It’s been a big few weeks since Hugh released his Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People (episode linked below). If you haven't heard it, it’s best to listen to that before you listen to this episode. Today we wanted to catch up and reflect on whats happened since. Hugh shares some beautiful messages, and Josh asks, practically, how we can show less judgement and more empathy to neurodivergent people and the people who care for them. Then, Ryan does some quick maths to fact check Hugh’s claim to reply to every single message he’s received since the Open Letter went live. We are so profoundly grateful for every message of love and support. Love, The Imperfects xxx 🎧 If you want to listen to Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People, click here - https://apple.co/4l4kw0m 💻 If you want to watch this full chat on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/wFrlUkqR8y4 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get excited, it’s finally Steve Curry* day. Actor, comedian, and expert hole digger (you bet we snuck this in here), Steve joins us to share his personal and professional epiphany: a ‘collaboration realisation’ his lightbulb moment about teamwork, success, and the power of vulnerability. In our Vulnerabilitea House, Steve answers the questions ‘When was a time you genuinely needed help? Were you able to ask for it?’, and discusses the joy of working in a team where success is a joint effort. This is such a joyful episode, Steve, we are definitely friends for life (can you hook us up with Helen too?) *not the basket baller If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4iv72IO 🦁 Things to check out Helen Carmichael - https://bit.ly/4hv90YU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinical psychologist Dr Julie Smith has a gift for explaining complex ideas in under a minute (which is GREAT for new-age attention spans). With over 4.8 million TikTok followers, two best-selling books and a glowing endorsement from our own Dr Em, having Dr Julie join our Academy of Imperfection is nothing short of a dream. In this episode, Dr Julie reframes the feeling of overwhelm, helping us to see it as valuable information about how we might not be meeting our needs, rather than something to fear. Then, it’s all about confidence, baby. Getting into the nitty-gritty, Ryan and Dr Julie redefine failure, showing how confidence isn’t just built from successes, but from every experience – good, bad and (luckily for Hugh) the awkward. Oh, and did we mention she’s Dr Em approved? Smithy, we’d gladly talk to you forever. If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4iwtFwz 🫖 Imperfects episode mentioned in this episode Missy Higgins - Quitting Music, Depression & Connection - https://bit.ly/4fVM8Bo 📖 Things to read: Open When by Dr Julie Smith - https://bit.ly/4hq7y9T Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julie Smith https://bit.ly/3FkC2wH See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an open letter to parents of autistic and neurodivergent people. It may be confronting. Please take care when listening. Love, Hugh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah Diviney is one of the most powerful people in pop culture. At just 25 years old, the author, advocate, and actor hasn’t just called out Lizzo for using an ableist slur—she also took on Queen B herself. And she succeeded on both fronts. Which, once you get to know her, isn’t surprising at all. In our Vulnerabilitea House, Hannah reflects on the questions: “How do you see yourself? Is it the same way your loved ones see you?” Answering with incredible vulnerability, Hannah shares how her relationship with her disability has evolved over time and what it was like growing up in a world where the Paralympics seemed like the only visible marker of success. We talk to Hannah about being a part of intimate television history, and Ryan, the love doctor, Shelton manifests a Brad (or Stewie, or Chris, or Michael-Angelo) in her future. Hannah, we are so desperate to be your friend. To watch this full episode on YouTube, click here: https://bit.ly/41vzALg 🫖 Imperfects episode’s mentioned in this episode Grant Denyer - Self Worth Was Worth Fighting For - https://apple.co/4fyvmsj 🎟️ Things to go see Audrey at the Melbourne Women in Film Festival - https://bit.ly/4bvMHkq 📺 Things to watch Latecomers - https://bit.ly/4kBLFaG Hannah’s speech at the National Press Club - https://bit.ly/3QJPzQZ 📖 Things to read I’ll Let Myself In by Hannah Diviney - https://bit.ly/3DjeffZ 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.

Today, Dr Emily talks about hope. And in a world where things can feel a little bit hopeless, this really couldn’t have come at a better time. In contrast to all of our understanding up until this point, hope is not an emotion. Expertly defined by Dr Emily, hope is a belief. And most significantly, it can be learned, and it can be cultivated. Psychological mic-drop. This episode delves into strategies for creating both a sense of collective and individual hope, and in a discovery which happens to be VERY on-brand for this podcast, Dr Emily talks to the significance of vulnerability and connection in living a hopeful life. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did. If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://bit.ly/41j0pT1 📚To pre-order Dr Emily’s book Unstuck, click here - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode Dr Julia Baird - An Awe-full Conversation - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/episode/dr-julia-baird-an-awe-full-conversation/ 📖 Things to read Martin Seligman - Theory of Learned Hopelessness - https://bit.ly/3EY1oR2 Rick Snyder - Hope Theory: Rainbows in the Mind - https://bit.ly/4bAbu6Z Jamil Zacki - Hope for Cynics - https://www.jamil-zaki.com Robyn Walser - Heart of ACT - https://amzn.to/4izIv5x Barbara Frederikson - Reflections on Positive Emotions and Upward Spirals - https://bit.ly/3EY2yfl Nick Cave’s letter - https://bit.ly/3ETlr2O Victor Frankl - Man’s Search For Meaning - https://bit.ly/4iizuNM 💻Things to check out Dacher Keltner’s work - https://bit.ly/3XfJpfe Obama’s ‘Hope’ poster - https://bit.ly/4kgkvG4 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.

Matthew Murphy, front-man of the iconic UK band The Wombats, joins us in our first VulnerabiliTea House of 2025. In this episode, Murph answers one of life’s most terrifying questions, “In what ways do you fear you could negatively impact your children?” He also shares his experience with panic attacks, anxiety and depression and is extremely honest detailing how alcohol became a crutch. Becoming sober, which Murph describes as the best decision of his life, was not easy. Murph goes into detail about what the withdrawal process was like and how he began to find joy in activities again. Murph, thank you for soundtracking our youths (and current lives), and thank you for this incredibly helpful conversation. If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4i6hRRi 💿 Things to listen to: Love Fame Tragedy (Murph’s solo project) - https://apple.co/432zLQP The Wombats new album Oh! The Ocean - https://apple.co/4gNrgvV Enjoyed this episode but want a little more? Good news, we have a brand new show called A Little More Imperfects over on Patreon! Visit: www.patreon.com/theimperfects If you would like to receive a weekly Vulnerabilitea-mail newsletter, where you can answer this question yourself, click subscribe on 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.

It’s time for Announcement Number Three! A brand-new Imperfects Live Show (!!!!!!). That’s right, we’re going on the road again. In October, November, and December of this year (2025), we’ll be performing a brand-new stage show, around the country! It’s gonna be bigger, it’s gonna be better, and we promise we won’t let Hugh (or Chat GPT) write the show. All responsibility will henceforth be given to Random Word Generator! We would love and adore to see you there! 🎟️ Click here to get your tickets – https://bit.ly/3EHPYkj If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://bit.ly/3CYoOF8 If you would like to subscribe to A Little More Imperfects, click here – www.patreon.com/theimperfects 🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life - https://apple.co/3UKpxQ8 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychologist Maria Ruberto is back to talk about one of the most important parts of our day: sleep. Starting off with the biology of sleep, Maria takes us through how we get to sleep, what happens when we sleep, and why we desperately need to sleep for good health and longevity. With metaphors galore to make the science as relatable as possible, we discuss the role of melatonin, the impact of screens on our suprachiasmatic nucleus and whether it’s worth cutting your sleep short to exercise? In more practical terms, Maria shares what sleep hygiene actually looks like, and, to Hugh and Josh’s relief, how hormones released during parenthood act to buffer against sleep deprivation. So set your sleep alarms, get comfy, and tuck yourself in for a BIG episode! Sweet dreams x If you would like to watch this full video on YouTub, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4htdJLj If you’d like to subscribe to our Patreon, A Little More Imperfects, sign up here: Patreon.com/theimperfects 🫖 Other Imperfect’s episodes mentioned in this episode: Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://apple.co/4e2Io05 Dr Emily - Social Anxiety, They’ve Got It Too - https://apple.co/3COk1pd 💻 Things to check out: Salutegenics Psychology - https://bit.ly/3WuhOFG Resilience First Aid - https://bit.ly/4dEYzQT Matt Walker’s Website - www.sleepdiplomat.com Matt Walker’s QQRT assessment - https://bit.ly/4b0ErbF 🎧 Things to listen to: Jerry Seinfeld - The Tim Ferriss Show - https://apple.co/3CQc6Iv 📖 Things to read: Why We Sleep by Matt Walker - https://bit.ly/3COHNSv Michael Mosley’s Research - https://bit.ly/3WVkdKC Resilience First Peer Reviewed Research - https://bit.ly/3CB53n5 📺 Things to watch: Professor Jeff Ilaff - TedTalk on Sleep - https://bit.ly/3QhgB1G Matt Walker - REM sleep psychosis - https://bit.ly/4gJmv6J Matt Walker - MasterClass on Dreaming - https://bit.ly/3CQMkUs 💤 Melbourne Sleep Labs: *please note, some of these require a referral from a GP or specialist Alfred Health - https://bit.ly/42SKw80 Monash Health - https://bit.ly/3ECiLGM Epworth Sleep Centre - https://bit.ly/4hzylBI Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre - https://bit.ly/4gDFcbS The Royal Melbourne Hospital Sleep Clinic - https://bit.ly/3ELbm7Y 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.

The stoke level is pretty high this week because we are joined by three-time world champion surfer, shark attack survivor, and maybe the nicest guy we have ever met, Mick Fanning. We had high expectations for this chat (we mean, it’s Mick Fanning), but he absolutely blew us out of the water with his humanity, compassion, empathy, and positivity in the face of incredible tragedy. Mick, we’ll definitely take you up on that offer of a surf (and lifelong friendship). To watch this full video on our YouTube, click here - https://bit.ly/3Er6W6g To subscribe to A Little More Imperfects on Patreon, follow this link: Patreon.com/imperfects To subscribe to our newsletter, The Vulnerabilitea-Mail (which includes a reflective journalling question based on this episode), follow this link: https://bit.ly/42bYguo 🎧 Things to listen to: Brooke Blurton - The Path of Most Resilience - https://apple.co/4e8XmkP Michael Klim - The Race of His Life - https://apple.co/40PZZ7s 📺 Things to watch Mick’s encounter with the shark - https://bit.ly/3CQa76V ⛳️Things to check out Mick’s Charity Golf Day (all proceeds are donated to communities impacted by the 2022 Northern Rivers Floods) - https://bit.ly/4eWUJnl See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, well, well. We’re (officially) back for 2025, baby! On Hugh’s agenda for today’s episode: nugatory chat, ghosts, general excitement for the new season and we also reveal THE SECOND BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! That’s right, The Imperfects are bringing you a new show. A Little More Imperfects, which can be found on Patreon, is bonus fortnightly episodes featuring everything that you know and love (Josh going deep, Ryan being hilarious and Hugh giving life changing advice / intense second hand embarrassment) PLUS early access to live show tickets and events and great discounts on our merch. So enjoy this sneak preview, and we can’t wait for the season ahead. If you would like to subscribe to our Patreon, follow this link - https://www.patreon.com/theimperfects If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube (and catch a glimpse of organised Hugh for the only time this millennia), click here - https://bit.ly/4hC4XKI 🎧 Things to listen to: Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://apple.co/4e2Io05 Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - https://apple.co/41nL456 📖 Things to buy: Our new journal, My Imperfect Life - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP 📃Things to subscribe to: Our newsletter, The Vulnerabilitea-mail - https://bit.ly/42bYguo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s our last episode of Summer School, and today we welcome back clinical psychologist (and “clinical cousin” of Hugh and Josh), James van Cuylenburg. In this episode, James tells us EVERYTHING we need to know about our relationships… well almost everything…there’s a lot to cover. From attachment styles, to breaking trust, to learning how to own your feelings and navigating coupledom through life’s changing seasons. Getting into the nitty gritty, Hugh asks James about intimacy and what happens when you’re not…. having any. And how to start a conversation with your kids about pornography. Relationships make life worth living and whether they’re with an intimate partner, a friend, or yourself, they should be cherished and treated with care. James, we thank you for your guidance. If you liked this episode, and wanted to do some further reflection on it, each week our Vulnerabilitea-mail newsletter shares a question to get you thinking deeper. We’d love to hear from you, so please send your reflections in to the link provided. Subscribe here! If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://bit.ly/3WwDguJ 🎧Things to listen to James’ new podcast (that he makes with ANOTHER van Cuylenburg) You’re a Good Kid - https://apple.co/3E54MZR James van Cuylenburg - Love Your Wonky Bricks - https://apple.co/3UYXmgt Esther Perel - Let’s Be Better Lovers - https://apple.co/3Af9OB6 Chanel Contos - Consensual Healing - https://bit.ly/3RNKpEm 📖 Things to read Attached by Dr Amir Levine and Rachel S.F Heller M.A - https://amzn.to/3EeVDhe 💻Things to check out Teach Us Consent Website - https://bit.ly/3QVhlK0 Three Sided Pillar (triangle of happiness) - https://bit.ly/42kntmc 🚨If you, or someone you know, has experienced or is at risk of domestic violence or coercive control, call the 24 hour national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you’re feeling unsafe, call 000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of our Summer School, we are joined by Sophie Walker, creator, and host of Australian Birth Stories. With over 17 million downloads, and 500 episodes, Australian Birth Stories podcast has been accredited by the Australian College of Midwives and has been instrumental in educating and empowering both people who are giving birth, as well as birthing partners. Hugh shares the incredible trauma and fear involved with his first experience of birth, and how tools of education and empowerment, such as Lael Stone’s excellent counselling, helped him prepared for birth a second time around. The power of information is invaluable, and Josh opens up about how Hugh’s experience with birth shaped his own, and what the experience was like for him. Sophie, it was such a pleasure. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/3sey26-L4Rw 🎧 Things to listen to: Australian Birth Stories Podcast - https://apple.co/4f3PgKx Lisa Wipfli’s episode - https://apple.co/3CZ34sx Lael Stone’s episode - https://bit.ly/3ZhaZZD Lael Stone on The Imperfects: Creating Emotionally Intelligent Humans - https://apple.co/3V2vuIb Take Care of Yourself - https://apple.co/4eAJNuw Parent Yourself First - https://apple.co/3ZE28Tj Martin Heppell on The Imperfects: The Vulnerabilitea House - Martin Heppell - https://bit.ly/3ZerqqN Martin “Rac” Heppell - The other F word ….. FAILURE - https://bit.ly/4fUkDIk Jack Post - Natal Depression - https://apple.co/49AgxDb 💻 Things to check out: The danger of a single story TedTalk - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - https://bit.ly/4f16DM5 Australian Birth Stories Birth Class Course - https://bit.ly/3BdMgxc 📖 Things to read: The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Sophie Walker - https://amzn.to/3EscPQu If you, or someone you know, is struggling with post-natal depression or anxiety surrounding birth, these are a few great websites we’ve found cope.org.au panda.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

B b b bonus episode! We proudly present to you My Imperfect Life: a novel journal written by you. That’s right, we’re releasing a book, but making you do all the work. With 100 questions inspired by episodes from 2024 on The Imperfects, My Imperfect Life is an introduction to vulnerability, allowing you to unpack your own imperfect life and be more vulnerable with yourself (because we know vulnerability with others can be A LOT). To celebrate the launch of My Imperfect Life, we are inviting you to a reverse book singing at Readings Emporium Melbourne on Friday January 31st at 5:30pm, where we want to meet you, the author (and perhaps get a photo with you too, and maybe an autograph if you’re not too busy). 🎟️ To buy a ticket to the Reverse Book Signing (which includes a copy of My Imperfect Life that you will pick up on the day), follow this link – https://bit.ly/4hh0tcl 📖 To just purchase My Imperfect Life, click here – https://www.theimperfects.com.au/shop/ 📃 To become our penpal, join The VulnerabiliTea-mail, a weekly newsletter where we’ll send you one vulnerable question inspired by the current episode, to help you unpack your own imperfect life. Subscribe at theimperfects.com.au 🎧 Things to listen to Nathan Cavaleri – The Ups & The Blues - https://apple.co/42aTmh6 Michael Klim – The Race of His Life - https://bit.ly/4aiMyQr Rana Hussain – Belonging For Connection - https://apple.co/3NwftWC See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.