The Imperfects

Two episodes in a week, what is going on? Well, it's another Vulnerabilitea House that's what. This week it's Josh's turn. Lockdown rules meant this teahouse was spread across three tea houses but it doesn't detract from the quality of the tea, and the vulnerableness. Josh discusses an issue he's had for a long, long time and Hugh takes some time to delve a little deeper into the concept of vulner...

In the beginning, it was novel. A change of pace. A good excuse to bake our own bread and believe that “we’ll always bake our own bread from now on because it’s so nice to wake up to the smell of fresh bread in the morning!” But come on... seriously... we’re not baking bread anymore are we? This whole COVID thing has become a proper bummer. Like, next-level maximum bu...

Travis Boak is one of the best footballers in the country. At age 33, he is showing no signs of slowing down, in fact many believe he is just getting better. His brilliance on the ground is a direct result of the hard work he puts into his game. What many don’t know however, is that he works just as hard on his mental and emotional health. Due to the tragic passing of his father, Travis has,...

Thirsty? How about a nice cup of Vulnerabilitea from The Vulnerabilitea House? Join Hugh and Josh as they listen to co-host Ryan Shelton pick a card at random and get vulnerable. Ryan shares some recent discoveries he’s had with his psychologist in regards to how certain aspects of his childhood prepared him... or DIDN’T prepare him for adulthood. N.B. There’s also a quick digres...

Go get your pens and notebooks everyone! In this edition of The Academy of Imperfection, students Hugh, Ryan, Josh sit down with famed paediatrician, Dr Billy Garvey of The Royal Children’s Hospital. Currently, Billy regretfully has a two and a half year waiting list to see him in person, but is keen to reach as many of you as possible NOW. And with all the talk on our podcast about parentin...

Our very own Hugh van Cuylenburg is back in the hotseat for a second round in the Vulnerabilitea House! And guys... wowee. Potentially inspired by the most recent Vulnerabilitea House episode with Missy Higgins, Hugh opens up about how much he is actually struggling right now. In fact, he’s probably as raw and honest and vulnerable as he’s ever been on The Imperfects. The Vulnerabilite...

At the beginning of 2018, Christian O'Connell was the host of the number one breakfast radio show in England, he averaged over 2 million listeners a day, he'd won basically every award possible in the radio industry, he was seemingly on top of his world. Unbeknownst to almost everyone in his life though, he could barely make it on the air. At the age of 45, Christian had started suffering debilita...

Prepare yourself for a very different episode of The Vulnerabilitea House (for a few reasons): We welcome our first guest... MISSY HIGGINS IS BACK ON THE POD! We all live in Melbourne and it was COVID lockdown at the time of recording so we were on Zoom. The whole thing almost didn’t happen at all... and you’ll hear why. For those new to The Vulnerabilitea House, here’s how it wo...

Welcome back to The Academy of Imperfection - a conversational lecture series that features guest lecturers talking with students Hugh, Ryan, Josh and you about different areas of imperfection. Today, designer, author and teacher, James Victore talks about CREATIVITY. Before writing his brilliant 2019 book ‘Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Creativity’, James created...

We’re back in The Vulnerabilitea House! This time it’s Josh van Cuylenburg. The proven question-ASKER, becomes a first-time question-ANSWERER as he sips some Vunerabilitea and shares an honest and raw story from his past that not even his brother Hugh knew about - all in the name of vulnerability and connection. Pour yourself a cup of tea everyone... it’s great to see you again....

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,...

This week on the podcast we return to The Vulnerabilitea House, and this time its Ryan Shelton's turn. The Vulnerabilitea House, is a new style of episode from The Imperfects, where we share something honest and a little bit vulnerable, all over a nice cup of tea.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Academy of Imperfection! Presented by The Imperfects, this new series of conversational lectures will feature experts talking about different areas of imperfection with students Hugh, Ryan, Josh and you. The inaugural guest lecturer is someone we are extremely excited about. Ben Crowe. Along with Brene Brown, Ben has easily been the most mentioned person on...

The most hyped pun in podcasting, well, sort of... This is a new style of episode from The Imperfects, something a bit shorter than normal, which we’ll scatter between the longer eps. As you’ll see from the title of these episodes (pun revealed in the ep!), they’re designed to encourage vulnerability.  First up. it's Hugh's turn to be vulnerable, if all goes well, we'll try...

Best known for his role as ‘Jimmy’ on TV show, Offspring, actor Rick Davies doesn’t remember a time in his life without Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Despite that, this is the first time Rick is speaking publicy about it. Rick selflessly shares a number of uncomfortable (and slightly embarrassing) stories from his life with OCD, and afterwards Hugh chats with Ryan and Josh...

In preparation for what they “promise” will be the biggest year yet for The Imperfects, Hugh, Ryan and Josh catch up for a short warm-up episode. Yes, there’ll of course NEW episodes in Season 3, but also there’ll be new TYPES of episodes, including one that involves an extremely overhyped pun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steph Claire Smith is one of Australia's most successful models. She rose to fame as the Instagram 'it girl' and has managed to transform this fame into a highly accomplished international modelling career; and with the help of best friend Laura, a fast growing health & fitness brand, Keep It Cleaner . If anyone's life looks perfect, it's Steph's. However, as she bravely details in this fascin...

In 2019 Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw (of Will & Woody fame) released the video, "Best Mates Sit Down For A Heart To Heart About Depression". If you haven't seen it, you really must. It's a fantastic example of the power of vulnerability. Will McMahon has enjoyed a phenomenal career in radio, currently co-hosting the drive slot on the KISS network. He's at the top of his game, yet Will has a...

On this week’s episode, Hugh chats with Australian BMX racer, world champion, multi-Olympian, Sam Willoughby. In 2016, Sam experienced a life-changing neck injury which left him with tetraplegia. At 29 Sam has lived a remarkable life and is an incredible person who tells his life story with candour and honesty. Following the chat, Ryan and Hugh discuss Sam's journey whilst exploring some of...

This week we talk to the wonderful Australian comedian, actor and improviser Steen Raskopoulos. Over the past 8 years Steen Raskopoulos has enjoyed a remarkable career with acclaimed stand up shows, starring roles on tv shows, working with his comedic idols, copious awards...the works. In this episode Steen talks candidly of the mental health struggles going on behind the scenes during this meteor...

This week we talk to Australian athlete, the incredible Catriona Bisset. Catriona talks candidly of her unconventional...almost unintentional journey of becoming the fastest woman in Australian history over 800m. Following this, Ryan and Hugh discuss some of the valuable lessons we can learn from Catriona's fascinating journey. If this episode has triggered anything for you around mental health, w...

In the first episode of season two, Hugh chats with international best-selling author, Johann Hari. For those of you who listened to season one, you will have heard us mention Johann Hari, and his book  Lost Connections,  ALOT. We’re big fans. In fact, he’s had a huge influence on not just us, but some of our previous guests ( see Missy Higgins Ep. 1).  So, even though i...

Hugh and Ryan take a quick look at season two of The Imperfects. With guests like Johann Hari, Steen Raskopolous and Catriona Bisset (plus many more), there's a lot to look forward to. Hugh and Ryan also discuss some exciting changes for The Imperfects in 2020. As always thanks to No Mono (Pie Eater) for allowing us to use Keep On as the theme to this podcast.   See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - It's often quoted yet misunderstood. In this special bonus ep, Hugh talks to Penny Moodie about what living with OCD anxiety is really like. Penny, amongst other things, is also Hugh’s wife, so we get to know what living with Hugh is really like! If this episode has triggered anything for you around mental health, we strongly recommend lifeline on 13 11...

A different episode for very different times. In this special episode, Ryan & Hugh take a break from our standard format to discuss some tools & strategies we can implement to increase our resilience and improve our mental health during these unprecedented times. This episode was recorded prior to the increased quarantine measures implemented but the Australian Government. All necessary pr...