

The Imperfects
Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

54 snips
Sep 8, 2024 • 1h 8min
Dr Emily - Compassion of The Self
Dr. Emily is a clinical psychologist who dives into the challenges of self-compassion and its transformative power. She reveals how self-compassion differs from self-pity and stresses its importance in healing after trauma. The conversation also explores the role of the inner critic, highlighting how our upbringing can shape self-judgment. Dr. Emily encourages embracing kindness toward oneself while balancing accountability, making for a deeper understanding of personal growth and resilience.

29 snips
Sep 1, 2024 • 1h 25min
Grace Tame - "Sexy-time, Scissoring, Autism"
Grace Tame, an Australian of the Year and ultra-marathon runner, opens up about her journey of survival and advocacy against child sexual abuse. She shares powerful insights on confronting trauma and the challenges of living with anorexia and endometriosis. Grace discusses her autism diagnosis candidly, blending humor with vulnerability. She emphasizes the need for conversations about mental health and healing, illustrating how personal struggles shape resilience and intimacy. Her story is one of strength, hope, and an unwavering quest for truth.

9 snips
Aug 25, 2024 • 1h 16min
Rana Hussain - Belonging For Connection
In this engaging conversation, Rana Hussain, founder of Good Human and board member of Reconciliation Australia, shares her insights on the essential human need for belonging. She discusses the importance of curiosity and listening in fostering genuine connections. Rana reflects on her experiences as a Muslim Indian migrant, navigating the complexities of identity and cultural expectations. With a heartfelt love story and her belief in positive connections, she highlights how small interactions can transform relationships and promote inclusivity in all spheres of life.

Aug 18, 2024 • 1h 6min
Jack Steele - Socials Anxiety
Jack Steele and Matt 'Falcon' Ford, creators of 'The Inspired Unemployed', share their journey from tradies to social media stars. Jack bravely discusses his struggles with social anxiety, panic attacks, and the pressure of staying relevant. They delve into the importance of vulnerability, mental health, and the impact of friendships on well-being. The duo also explores lighthearted topics like hair loss while emphasizing deeper discussions on ADHD and personal growth. Their candid insights will resonate with anyone grappling with similar issues.

20 snips
Aug 11, 2024 • 1h 24min
Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity
Maria Ruberto, director of Salutegenics Psychology and co-designer of an acclaimed resilience certification, shares transformative insights from her impactful career. She explores the connection between biology and behavior and defines resilience as an active process of overcoming adversity. The conversation touches on screen time's negative effects, the power of collaboration in fostering resilience, and practical techniques like breathing exercises for anxiety management. Listeners gain valuable tools for emotional regulation and learn how nurturing connections enhance well-being.

4 snips
Aug 4, 2024 • 1h 14min
Jackson Tozer - Don’t Give Up On Me
In this engaging conversation, Jackson Tozer, a talented actor known for sharing the screen with stars like John Cena and Zac Efron, opens up about his personal battles with addiction and mental health. He reflects on the profound grief stemming from the loss of his best friend, navigating the complexities of bulimia, anxiety, and depression. Jackson discusses the superficiality of nightlife and his journey through undiagnosed ADHD, emphasizing the healing power of vulnerability, community, and self-acceptance as essential themes for overcoming challenges.

6 snips
Aug 1, 2024 • 58min
Another Imperfect Chat About Men
Chanel Contos is an advocate working with Teach Us Consent, dedicated to tackling issues of consent and behavior. In this enlightening discussion, she shares insights on vulnerability and the importance of open conversations about violence and consent. The conversation covers the complexities of masculinity, the societal pressures that define aggressive behavior, and the critical nature of empathy in relationships. They also explore ways to break the cycle of shame in sports, encouraging men to reflect on their past actions and foster a positive dialogue.

11 snips
Jul 28, 2024 • 1h 17min
How I Built Dis - The Resilience Project Story
Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project, focuses on building wellbeing programs for schools and workplaces. He discusses his personal entrepreneurial journey, filled with failures and hard-earned successes. Hugh shares transformative moments, like an unexpected speaking opportunity that shaped his career. He emphasizes the project's impact on youth mental health, demonstrating resilience during the pandemic. The conversation uncovers the power of vulnerability, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique paths to success.

118 snips
Jul 21, 2024 • 1h 29min
Dr Emily - What Are Your Values?
Dr. Emily, resident psychologist, discusses the importance of understanding and living by personal values, using them as a compass for decision-making. She emphasizes the connection between values, fulfillment, and well-being, encouraging listeners to align actions with core values for a more meaningful life.

Jul 14, 2024 • 1h 8min
Zan Rowe - If I Had A Year To Live
In the ultimate power move, we interview Zan Rowe, ‘one of Australia’s best interviewers’. Talk about pressure. Champion of the airwaves, TV presenter, music journalist and podcaster, Zan has soundtracked the lives of many Australians. In this episode of the Vulnerabilitea House, Zan draws the card; ‘how would your ambitions change if you only had one year to live?’ In between getting ‘death ready’ and facing burnout just when her professional dreams were all coming true, Zan and Hugh fan-girl hard for Johann Sebastian Bach. You can watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/g-ABdHgMKyE Links mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Previous episodes of the imperfects Linda Marigliano - https://apple.co/4hUsiIl 📺 Things to watch To watch Take 5’s episode with Guy Pearce - https://ab.co/3xRKYGA 🎧 Things to listen to Zan's podcast 'Bang On', with Myf Warhurst - https://ab.co/3SbvDHN Night of the Swallow by Kate Bush - https://bit.ly/4cw18o4 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


