A LITTLE MORE IMPERFECTS

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The Imperfects

Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
  • 1.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We’re all imperfect. On this podcast, founder of The Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg, his good friend Ryan Shelton, and only one of their brothers, Josh van Cuylenburg, talks to a variety of interesting people who vulnerably share their own struggles and imperfections, or expertly pass on their wisdom on the subject of imperfection. Whether it’s in The Vulnerabilitea House, The Academy of Imperfection, or with our very own psychologist, Dr Emily, The Imperfects are here to find some valuable takeaways we can all apply to our own imperfect lives.

  1. Ben Crowe - Play School

    1 HR AGO

    Ben Crowe - Play School

    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 belief15:14 – Reshaping your belief system25:05 – Just Admit It List30:42 – The dreaded E word37:47 – Reward effort, not outcome46:00 – Play deprivation51:47 – Talking to teenagers about their career1:01:47 – How to be a (anxious) leader1:07:04 – Josh’s too generous assumption1:10: 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 Eckhart Tolle - 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.

    1h 23m
  2. The Amazing Hugh van Time-Blindness!

    5 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Amazing Hugh van Time-Blindness!

    We begin this episode with an updated version of Mission Impossible, also known as, ‘get Hugh to the airport on time to a flight that he simply cannot miss’. This story has drama, it has humour, and it also has an eleventh hour twist. We pull a reflection out of the reflection pond (pond, pond, pond), and discuss the role of ego in our lives. And finally, the quiz results you have all been waiting for. What percentage of you connect with Dr Em? Did anyone actually get Hugh? Find out here, now. Caio, love ya! 🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned in this episode - Dave Hughes - Me, Myself & Ego - https://bit.ly/46SR2Nr 📖Things to read - A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle - https://bit.ly/4aZTAM7 🩵Things to do - Sign up to the *my imperfect email -* https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ - Check out The Imperfects website - [www.theimperfects.com.au](http://www.theimperfects.com.au) - Buy the *my imperfect life* journal - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/shop/

    44 min
  3. Matt Preston - Only 14 Summers Left

    8 MAR

    Matt Preston - Only 14 Summers Left

    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 typos9:13 – 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 count44:47 – 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.

    1h 26m
  4. Dr Emily - Acceptance, That's Radical

    1 MAR

    Dr Emily - Acceptance, That's Radical

    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.

    1h 16m
  5. What To Do When The World Feels Too Much - with Dr Emily

    23 FEB • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    What To Do When The World Feels Too Much - with Dr Emily

    How are you coping with the world? Today, we’re thanking our lucky stars, because Dr Emily is joining A Little More Imperfects to talk us through our collective sense of overwhelm. In the first of 8 *A Little More Imperfects* episodes she will be doing for the year, Dr Em unpacks with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, the shame you may feel for not being able to engage, what a moral injury is, and how to balance being informed without being overwhelmed. Most importantly, the guys, with the guidance of Dr Emily, ask how you can sustainably continue to show up for causes you are passionate about, and how to take care of yourself when the world feels like a dumpster fire of yuck. Dr Em, it’s so nice to have you in our favourite place. Ciao! 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode - Tim Minchin - Lucky To Be Here - https://bit.ly/4rwMlAY 🎧Things to listen to - Sam Harris - https://bit.ly/4ryl3KJ

    49 min
  6. Maggie Dent - ‘Good Enough’ Parenting is Good Enough

    22 FEB

    Maggie Dent - ‘Good Enough’ Parenting is Good Enough

    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 girls6:22 – The science of boys14:02 – Shedding the shame22:28 – Growing healthy boys31:09 – 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.

    1h 26m
  7. Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety?

    15 FEB

    Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety?

    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.

    1h 41m
  8. Ryan Was At The Bondi Terrorist Attack

    10 FEB • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Ryan Was At The Bondi Terrorist Attack

    Say hello to 2026. We are joined, officially, by The Raw Dog (unmedicated Hugh), as we get an update on where he’s at on his ADHD medication journey. Exploring some New Years Resolutions of Hugh’s, and how he might be able to work to achieve them, we hear a story dubbed ‘Hall of Fame Hugh’ by Ryan. And then we put our hair up (bit of a deep cut to season 1), as Ryan talks to Hugh and Josh about his experience of being in Bondi during the terrorist attack in December 2025. 🥸 Which Imperfects Host Are You Quiz? - https://tally.so/r/Xx4PEO 🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode - Claudia Karvan - Love, Her Way - https://bit.ly/4r524XJ

    38 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

We’re all imperfect. On this podcast, founder of The Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg, his good friend Ryan Shelton, and only one of their brothers, Josh van Cuylenburg, talks to a variety of interesting people who vulnerably share their own struggles and imperfections, or expertly pass on their wisdom on the subject of imperfection. Whether it’s in The Vulnerabilitea House, The Academy of Imperfection, or with our very own psychologist, Dr Emily, The Imperfects are here to find some valuable takeaways we can all apply to our own imperfect lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    302
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
  • Show Website
    The Imperfects
  • Provider
    The Imperfects Podcast Pty Ltd

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