Start Here: The Imperfects Podcasts - Apple Podcasts

24/08/2025

Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken But Not Broken

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.

1h 23m
13/03/2025 · BONUS

Hugh's Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People

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.

15 min
31/08/2025

Dr Emily - The Meaning of Mid-Life

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.

1h 26m
24/11/2024

Jim Rogers - A Life Bigger Than Dementia

Today we are introducing you to Jim Rogers, who, in amongst a wild and vibrant life, has been diagnosed with younger-onset dementia. So generous, and such an amazing storyteller, Jim tells us the three acts of his life, so far. The grief of losing his first love, the surprise of his second, and the shock of a dementia diagnosis at 55, this conversation left Hugh, Ryan, and Josh with an invigorated sense for the preciousness of life, love, and family. In Jim’s words, dementia strips you of the most important things: your memory and recognition of your loved ones, as well as your ability to make choices for your own wellbeing. Dementia affects the lives of more than 421,000 individual Australians, and countless family members, loved ones and carers. There is no known cure for dementia, however there are treatments for many of the symptoms. This episode is heart-breaking and heart-warming in the same breath, and we know you’re about to fall in love with Jim, just like we did. Special thanks to Hamish Macdonald, and the Dementia Australia team, who introduced us to Jim. To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/MUk5ED2Ppug 🎧 Things to listen to: Hold The Moment - https://apple.co/3YCOjUz 📺 Things to watch: Still Alice - https://bit.ly/3YD5cyu 🧠 If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with Dementia, here are some great resources as a starting point: Dementia Australia Helpline - 1800 100 500 Dementia Australia - https://www.dementia.org.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.

1h 37m
31/03/2024

Elizabeth Day - The Me-est Version Of Me

We’re not sure if podcasts can date. But if they could we would want to date Elizabeth Day’s podcast - ‘How to fail?’. (A proposition Hugh awkwardly put to Elizabeth in the final moments of the show). This conversation covers a lot of ground. Elizabeth vulnerably discusses her journey through infertility, IVF and her eventual decision to stop fertility treatment; we explore the role exercise and strength training can have in reclaiming one's connection to their body; Ryan and Elizabeth bond over a love of reality TV; and there’s much much more. It’s fair to say there was a lot of chat and a lot of love in the room for this one. Elizabeth Day is a Journalist, podcaster and author. The podcast ‘How to fail’ is a brilliant (and wildly successful…ironically) pod that shares intimate conversations with guests about their experiences with failure. And we couldn't recommend it any more highly. You can find links to Elizabeth’s podcast, her books and everything else she is doing here https://bit.ly/3VCnSNE. To watch the full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/b01GMVnoRuk We encourage you to visit your local bookstore to purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode, but you can also find them here. Friendaholic - Elizabeth Day https://bit.ly/4a7PzCk. Strength to strength - Arthur C Brooks https://bit.ly/3VCaZTD And you can listen to our episode of The Imperfects with Pat Cummins here: https://apple.co/4eHc4zJ This episode discusses fertility treatments, miscarriage, grief and acceptance. If these topics feel like too much for you to hear right now, please revisit this episode when you are ready. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 39m
29/05/2022

Dr Emily - Truth vs Harmony

In this Emisode, Dr Emily returns to talk about a topic that is VERRRRRY close to the bones of Ryan, Hugh and Josh. The ongoing battle of Truth vs Harmony. Does that ring any bells for you? Do you choose to live truthfully? Or harmoniously? And what does that even mean? What’s the difference? And how do living ‘truthfully’ or ‘harmoniously’ affect us and the people around us? Dr Emily goes into all of it. In this episode, Dr Emily references conversations from Hamish Blake's episode and our last bonus episode. To listen to those, follow the links below: Hamish Blake's episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hamish-blake-lets-talk-about-self-doubt/id1476501557?i=1000555382728 Bonus episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/we-need-to-talk-hugh-checks-in-with-ryan-josh-after-a-big-month/id1476501557?i=1000556568682 Dr Emily also references Rick Hanson, to follow his work visit: www.rickhanson.net If you have experienced, or are at risk of domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault, you can call the 24 hour national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you are not feeling safe, always call the police on 000. - https://www.1800respect.org.au/servicesThe Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a health care professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

53 min
21/01/2024

Lael Stone - Parent Yourself First

To look after our loved ones, we need to start by looking after ourselves. And according to parenting expert Lael Stone, that means looking back and showing compassion to our younger selves.In this b-b-b-bonus summer episode we’re very lucky to have Lael back for a third time (her previous episodes are linked below) as we prepare for a new year with new challenges. But don’t worry. You’ll be ready for anything after an hour with Lael Stone. To learn more about Lael and her work, follow this link: https://bit.ly/46RXZvg To learn more about Lael's school, Woodline Primary, follow this link: https://bit.ly/487YAKj To hear our first two episodes with Lael, follow these links: Lael Stone - Take Care of Yourself: https://apple.co/4eAJNuw Lael Stone - Creating Emotionally Intelligent Humans: https://apple.co/3V2vuIb To hear our episode with Gina Chick, mentioned in this episode, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3UKpxQ8 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.

54 min
10/03/2024

Adam Grant - The Potential of Your Potential

World leading organisational psychologists, Adam Grant is this week's guest in The Academy of Imperfection and honestly, we can’t believe how much ground the brilliant man managed to cover in this episode. I mean, sure, you might expect him to touch on the value of embracing our imperfections. Or perhaps he might explore imposter syndrome & the importance in believing in others' belief in yourself. Or how procrastination can actually be a creative force. Or maybe even some tips for those of us who have found ourselves languishing. All of this might seem pretty reasonable stuff to cover. However you might not expect a deep dive into the lessons learned from a junior olympic diving career or an actual magic trick! This ep covers it all…and much much more. To watch this episode on youtube (and see the magic trick) follow this link: https://youtu.be/s2sY3-mT-u8 If you’re interested in hearing more from Adam, the best place to start is his website: https://adamgrant.net Recommended books & articles mentioned in the episode: Hidden Potential, The Science of Achieving Greater Things, by Adam Grant: https://bit.ly/3wBynWW Give and Take, A Revolutionary Approach to Success, by Adam Grant: https://bit.ly/3TrKwqI Creativity Inc: Overcoming Unseen Forces That Stand In The Way of True Inspiration, by Ed Catmull: https://bit.ly/49ZgNur Born Standing Up: A Comics Life, by Steve Martin: https://bit.ly/3TnZTjK It’s Called Languishing (article) by Adam Grant https://nyti.ms/48J86Uf Listen to Adam’s interview with Steve Martin on his ReThinking Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Tosvtb and transcript: https://bit.ly/3T3cKXa To watch Matthew Mitcham’s dive, follow think link: https://bit.ly/3InmPJJ To listen to our episode with Dr Emily on Truth vs Harmony, follow this link: https://apple.co/40pgYO7 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 31m
21/05/2023

Dr Emily - Curb Your Perfectionism

We’ve spent about four and a half years on this podcast telling you why we’re all imperfect. But on this episode, Dr Emily actually explains why trying to be PERFECT is… well… really bad. And not only why it’s really bad, but why perfectionism’s mere existence is stealing all the good from our lives. Take it away Dr Emily……… PSYCHOLOGIST! To learn more about Lynn Lyon's work around anxiety and perfectionism, follow this link: https://www.lynnlyons.com/ To hear Josh's first VulnerabiliTea House, where he talks about "the notebook" and why he struggles to write music now, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3OsQVj2The 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.

1h 9m
26/11/2023

Gina Chick - Don't Fight Life

Gina Chick grew up… different. She wasn’t like the other kids, and they let her know about it. But as an adult she learned to see her “different” as a strength, which led to her most well-known achievement, outlasting everyone else for 67 days in the Tasmanian wilderness to win ALONE Australia. But as you’ll hear, that’s only a part of her story - as is the fact that she’s very close friends with Hugh Jackman.After going through some of the lowest lows a human can experience, Gina learned the power of discomfort and is here to spread the word in our very first ever outdoor episode! To learn more about Gina, her rewilding camps and 5Rythyms dance, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3QRnkzq To watch Alone Australia, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3Rd3m3This episode includes a discussion about the loss of a child, if this feels like it might be too much for you to listen to right now, feel free to come back to it when you're feeling up to it. 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.

1h 49m
30/11/2022

Esther Perel - Let's Be Better Lovers

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

55 min
23/04/2023

Dr Emily - How Anger Affects Us All

We all get angry. Some of us show our anger and some of us suppress it, but at the end of the day, we’re all susceptible to being angry.In this episode, Dr Emily goes into the many aspects of anger - how it can show up in our lives, how it affects us and the people around us, and of course, what we can do about it.If you liked this episode, you might be interested in book recommendation, When the Body Says No, The Hidden Cost of Stress, by Dr Gabor Mate: https://bit.ly/3NcTFQS To view research and studies around emotional suppression, anger and mortality, follow these links, https://bit.ly/3UZvOGr , https://bit.ly/3H5h8zS and https://bit.ly/3LlBDupTo learn more about Chris Germer's work, around anger as information, mindfulness and self-compassion, follow this link: https://chrisgermer.com/ To lean more about Robyn Walser's work on the four components of anger and to purchase a self-directed, commitment and acceptance therapy based workbook on managing emotions and anger, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3H6QINY To listen to Tarang Chawla's Imperfects episode about men's violence against women, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3N4altS To listen to Tarang Chawla's podcast, There's No Place Like Home, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3H5w2WyTo learn more about the Oura Ring Hugh spoke about, follow this link: https://ouraring.com/ 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.

1h 7m