The
Imperfects
Podcast
A podcast about how perfectly imperfect we all are. Join Hugh, Ryan and Josh for their chats with a variety of interesting people and learn how we can apply some valuable take-aways to our own imperfect lives.
Teaming up with one of Australia’s most successful comedians, Ryan Shelton, and his very talented brother Josh van Cuylenburg, Hugh has put together a podcast which is all about how perfectly imperfect we all are. Constantly comparing ourselves to others can not only be exhausting, but extremely harmful. However, when we share our struggles, we start to realise that everyone, no matter how successful, has something they are battling with.
In this podcast, Hugh, Josh and Ryan chat to a variety of interesting people who bravely share their struggles and imperfections, and we all learn some valuable take-aways we can apply to our own imperfect lives.
The Imperfects has three different formats: an interview, the Vulnerabili(tea) House, and, the Academy of Imperfection.
Season 4, Episode 4 – Dr Emily
Please welcome the newest member of The Imperfects family... our resident psychologist, Dr Emily!
Season 4, Episode 3 – The Vulnerabilitea House with Hamish Blake
Comedian Hamish Blake joins Hugh, Ryan and Josh in the Vulnerabilitea House to discuss the self-doubt he’s experienced while performing on TV, even after doing it for almost 20 years. Whether it be during one of his many appearances on panel shows, or even while standing in front of the contestants on his first day as host of Lego Masters.
Season 4, Episode 2 – The Academy of Imperfection with Johann Hari
We can all feel it. And unfortunately, it’s getting worse. Paying attention and properly focussing these days is getting harder and harder. And in the first Academy of Imperfection for 2022, Johann Hari is here to explain to Hugh, Ryan and Josh exactly why that is.
Season 4, Episode 1 – Kate Langbroek
Kate has experienced decades of success on Australian TV and radio, and in this raw episode of The Imperfects podcast, Kate generously shares what it was like when her eldest son Lewis was diagnosed with Leukaemia, and how it impacted her life and her family - then and now.
Season 3, Episode 26 – Georgia & Hugh
In this extremely special episode, Hugh reads the opening chapter from his second book, ‘Let Go’ to his younger sister (and Josh’s older sister) Georgia van Cuylenburg - a heartfelt letter from him to her. What follows is an incredibly powerful conversation between the two of them that, for the first time, addresses unspoken feelings and issues that have existed for years.
Season 3, Episode 25 – Almost end of year wrap (part 2)
After Hugh kicked things off with a beautiful bang in Part 1, Part 2 sees Josh and Ryan follow suit and reflect on 2 moments from the podcast that meant a lot to them in 2021 - powerful moments from Martin Heppell and Ben Crowe.
Season 3, Episode 24 – Almost end of year wrap (part 1)
We had to split our "End of Year Wrap" into 2 parts because of what came up in this ep. Without wanting to spoil it, it's yet another example of what can happen when we start the conversation and show a lil vulnerability to the ones we love.
Season 3, Episode 23 – The Vulnerabilitea House with Peter Helliar
Whether it’s TV, film, stand-up comedy, radio, books, podcasts... or... Straughanie, Peter “Pete” Helliar has been making us laugh for over 20 years and has found a lot of success doing it. But like anyone, Pete’s life has at times been imperfect.
Season 3, Episode 22 – Your Non-Free Gift! (Unannounced Surprise Podcast Episode)
Surprise! We have something special for you. Okay fine... it MAY be merchandise. Fine, you twisted our arm... it IS merchandise. But GOOD merchandise! PUN merchandise!!!
Season 3, Episode 21 – The Academy of Imperfection with Jeff Warren
You may have an image of what a “meditation teacher” sounds like. Whatever you’re thinking of, we’re pretty sure you’re not thinking of Jeff Warren. Jeff Warren is not your traditional meditation “guru”.
Season 3, Episode 20 – The Dyl & Friends crossover episode
We are very excited to release this episode of our podcast as a Dyl & Friends and The Imperfects collaboration - an episode which is a true mix of both shows.
Season 3, Episode 19 – The Vulnerabilitea House with Dr Yves Rees
One morning, in a hotel room in Canada, aged 30, Yves had a life changing epiphany. With this came a range of emotions - happiness, confusion, pain, joy...and almost everything in between. As well as being a renowned history professor at La Trobe University, Yves is transgender.
Season 3, Episode 18 – Becky Lucas
On this week's episode of the podcast we talk to Australian comedian Becky Lucas. Becky has written a book -Acknowledgements, and as you will hear Hugh is BIT of a fan...
Season 3, Episode 17 – The Vulnerabilitea House with Martin Heppell
For years people kept telling Hugh he needed to bring on a new presenter. He said he would only ever do it if he found someone extraordinary. In 2015, Hugh found that extraordinary person - Martin Heppell, and he's finally joining us on the podcast.
Season 3, Episode 16 – The Academy of Imperfection with Daniel Ellenberg
Today we welcome American psychologist, leadership coach and specialist in the area of male relationships, Daniel Ellenberg. Daniel shares some very insightful stuff on how men relate to other men before leading an impromptu men’s workshop with Hugh, Ryan and Josh.
Season 3, Episode 15 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Round 2 – Josh van Cuylenburg)
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 vulnerability. What is it? Why is it important? How do we best practise it?
Season 3, Episode 14 – A bonus snap podcast because we needed a chat
"I think I got to a point where I thought 'I can't keep doing this, I can't keep being so disappointed by the things I can't control', and I made a decision in that moment to let it go."
Season 3, Episode 13 – Travis Boak
Travis Boak is one of the best footballers in the country - 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.
Season 3, Episode 12 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Round 2 – Ryan Shelton)
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.
Season 3, Episode 11 – The Academy of Imperfection with Dr Billy Garvey
Billy is one of Australia's most respected and in-demand paediatricians (child medical doctor) with a wealth of knowledge to share with you in this thought-provoking episode of The Academy of Imperfection.
Season 3, Episode 10 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Round 2 – Hugh van Cuylenburg)
Our very own Hugh van Cuylenburg is back in the hotseat for a second round in the Vulnerabilitea House and he’s probably as raw and honest and vulnerable as he’s ever been on The Imperfects.
Season 3, Episode 9 – Christian O’Connell
In this episode of The Imperfects, we talk with Christian O'Connell about his anxiety & the panic attacks that nearly ended his career in radio. We chat about the life changing move him and his family have since made; we talk about being a vulnerable father; we talk about the challenges of starting a new in Australia...we talk about alot...it's a really good chat.
Season 3, Episode 8 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Missy Higgins)
Please welcome back to The Imperfects podcast, Missy Higgins. For those new to The Vulnerabilitea House, here’s how it works. We get together, we sip tea, someone picks a card from the deck of vulnerability-invoking questions, and then they answer that question, making themselves vulnerable to the group AND YOU.
Season 3, Episode 7 – The Academy of Imperfection with James Victore
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.
Season 3, Episode 6 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Josh van Cuylenburg)
We’re so grateful Josh van Cuylenburg is behind the mic in The Vulnerabilitea House with this incredible episode. Tune in as he 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.
Season 3, Episode 5 – Jamila Rizvi
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...
Season 3, Episode 4 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Ryan Shelton)
“Can I have some vulnerabili...tea, please?”
Vulnerability is on the menu in this latest episode of the imperfects. This time, it’s Ryan’s turn to pick a question and answer it as authentically as possible.
Season 3, Episode 3 – The Academy of Imperfection with Ben Crowe
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.
Season 3, Episode 2 – The Vulnerabilitea House (Hugh van Cuylenburg)
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.
Season 3, Episode 1 – Rick Davies
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 publicly about it.
Trailer – Season 3
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.
Season 2, Episode 6 – Steph Claire Smith
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.
Season 2, Episode 5 – Will McMahon
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.
Season 2, Episode 4 – Sam Willoughby
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.
Season 2, Episode 3 – Steen Raskopoulos
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 meteoric rise.
Season 2, Episode 2 – Catriona Bisset
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.
Season 2, Episode 1 – Johann Hari
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.
Season 1, Episode 6 – Ryan Shelton
In our last episode for 2019, our co-host Ryan switches roles to become the interviewee. Ryan talks about his career and his bold ambitions to write and appear in his own Emmy-winning series. He talks about his early career successes alongside best friend Hamish Blake, and his feelings of disappointment, jealousy and shame when he felt like their two career paths diverged.
Season 1, Episode 5 – Clare Bowditch
This week Hugh chats to singer, songwriter, actor and now published author, Clare Bowditch. Clare opens up to Hugh about the trauma of losing a family member at a very young age, the pressure to be a certain weight to live up to societal expectations and reaching a low point in her 20s which forced her to take action and seek help.
Season 1, Episode 4 – Georgie Gardner
This is the fourth podcast featuring TV host Georgie Gardner. Georgie chats candidly with Hugh about the challenges of parenting, dealing with intense public scrutiny, the challenges of screens and disconnection and the pain of seeing her parents going through a divorce at a very young age.
Season 1, Episode 3 – Erin Deering
This is the third podcast featuring entrepreneur Erin Deering. Erin was the co-founder of Triangl Swimwear, an extremely successful Australian company which revolutionised the way that bikinis are promoted through social media. Erin talks about how the idea was created and evolved with her ex-partner.
Season 1, Episode 2 – Jack Watts
In this episode, Hugh chats to AFL star, Jack Watts. Jack felt the weight of the world (or at least thousands of Melbourne Dees fans) on his shoulders when he became the number 1 draft pick in 2008. Facing constant criticism for not living up to expectations, he then had to deal with a scandal that broke out involving some compromising photos and questionable behaviour.
Season 1, Episode 1 – Missy Higgins
Our first guest for the podcast is one of Australia's most decorated singer-songwriters, Missy Higgins. Missy opens up about her struggles with depression, feeling the depths of despair during one of the highest points in her career, the stark realities of parenting and the weight of unrealistic expectations that we all feel in the age of social media.
the imperfects podcast – An Introduction
It's finally here. After months in the making, this is the intro episode to The Imperfects. You will be introduced to your hosts, founder of The Resilience Project, Hugh van Cuylenburg and award winning writer, producer and comedian, Ryan Shelton.
