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The Imperfects

The Imperfects

By: Hugh van Cuylenburg Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
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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.2026 Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Dr Emily - The Phenomenon That Is Imposter Syndrome

    Dr Emily - The Phenomenon That Is Imposter Syndrome
    Sep 20 2026
    Do you live in fear of being found out as a fraud? That despite your years of competency, achievement and high performance someone will uncover the truth? Well, you’re in the right place. Our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove is here to tell you that your imposter syndrome is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it’s not even a syndrome. 💌 Get practical take-aways from this episode, and join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/ To get a little bit meta, Dr Emily explains that knowing that you don’t know everything, is a good thing. Especially if you’re starting a new role, or trying something for the first time. HOWEVER, the long-term consequences of the imposter cycle such as perfectionism, overcompensation, burnout, or even avoidance and procrastination, may impact your willingness to say yes to new opportunities, such as going for that promotion or asking for support. In this episode, Dr Emily asks Hugh, Ryan and Josh to think about the balance of their competence and confidence, and provides them (and you!) with four practical strategies for combatting this pesky phenomenon. And then, a weird amount of chat about Vlad the Impaler. 0:00 – An Emisode!2:41 – Adam Grant is not an imposter5:11 – Origins of Imposter Syndrome6:45 – ‘Syndrome’ is the wrong word8:19 – It all comes back to belonging10:39 – How common is imposter syndrome?12:20 – Fear of being found out as a fraud15:16 – The evolutionary psychology of belonging and self-doubt16:35 – Is self-doubt actually healthy?17:42 – Is your confidence a mask?18:57 – The Dunning-Kruger Effect23:15 – The more you know ….25:12 – Competence vs confidence26:29 – The Imposter Cycle: anxiety, perfectionism, luck32:09 – Becoming your own favourite artist35:55 – Avoidance, procrastination + self-fulfilling prophecies38:29 – Long term consequences ft. Hugh’s anus45:26 – Authenticity as the antidote46:22 – Less growth, less promotions48:52 – Strategy 1: write down your skills49:53 – Strategy 2: name your shame51:40 – Supporting a friend with imposter phenomenon52:29 – Self-doubt in a new role is a good sign57:12 – Strategy 3: mentor a near peer1:00:38 – Strategy 4: celebrate your success1:02:57 – Creating a good workplace culture1:04:06 – Belonging is good for business1:06:25 – Want more on belonging? Dr Em, thanks for joining us. 🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode Adam Grant - The Potential of Your Potential - https://bit.ly/4jc0DFMDr Emily - We’re Longing for Belonging - https://bit.ly/4yElLJpRana Hussain - Belonging for Connection - http://bit.ly/4odhGY8Esther Perel - It’s Not Them, It’s You - https://bit.ly/4yxgljs 🎧Things to listen to The Curiosity Shop with Brene Brown and Adam Grant - https://bit.ly/4gT05mW 📖Things to read Hidden Potential, by Adam Grant - https://bit.ly/4AemQcvHardwiring Happiness, by Rick Hanson - https://bit.ly/3T6IhM0 📺 Things to watch Mad Men - https://bit.ly/4cLB6zx 🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop 🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects 🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts 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.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Andy Lee - DO NOT Listen To This Episode!

    Andy Lee - DO NOT Listen To This Episode!
    Sep 13 2026

    When he was 15, Andy Lee’s mum forgot who he was.

    💌 Join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/

    Given only two weeks to live, Andy tells Hugh, Ryan and Josh how this news impacted his family, impacted his childhood, and continues to impact his sense of self.

    And then, we’re going all the way back to the early days of Radio Karate, and Hamish & Andy.

    In a long overdue conversation (recorded, of course), Ryan and Andy chat about their own friendship dynamic and why they both felt like the odd one out.

    Getting down to business, Andy and Ryan discuss how a bunch of 20 year old guys made tough financial decisions while trying to remain mates, how they learnt to give constructive criticism to each other, and with the blessing of hindsight, how they feel about that time now.

    Andy, we’ve been waiting for this episode longer than a baker with his oven off.

    0:00 – 2 years of secret vocal coaching
    4:35 – HOW long for one cartoon episode?
    5:48 – When Andy met Hamish (and Ryan)
    9:39 – The impact of getting cancelled after 5 episodes
    10:08 – The best advice Andy received
    14:07 – Jealousy, Jealousy
    20:25 – The Four Way Split of Hamish & Andy
    23:42 – Should we be recording this?
    25:10 – Social media has replaced the paparazzo
    26:11 – Andy’s nude photo scandal
    30:23 – Inspiration and renegotiation
    36:55 – The Vulnerabilitea House
    38:02 – When your mum is given two weeks to live
    40:30 – Rapid deterioration and rush to hospital
    43:28 – Taking on the parent role at 15
    46:04 – Furious at the new normal
    49:09 – Why “Don’t Worry, It’ll Be Fine” is the worst thing to say
    54:36 – Andy’s Dad’s incredible sacrifice
    58:20 – The Lee Gazette
    1:00:50 – Why we should talk about will’s

    🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode

    • Ryan Shelton - Shame, Jealousy & Purpose - https://bit.ly/4A230B5

    📺 Things to watch

    • Institute of Sayings from Real Stories - https://bit.ly/4xBJHgq
    • Do Not Watch This Show! - https://bit.ly/4cAwlIZ
    • New Zealand Spy - https://bit.ly/4hdjPBI

    🎧Things to listen to

    • Andy Lee on Falling Upwards with Kate Langbroek - https://bit.ly/4yucp30

    🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop

    🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop

    🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects

    🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts 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.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Philippa Northeast - My Brilliant Career Took Years of Rejection

    Philippa Northeast - My Brilliant Career Took Years of Rejection
    Sep 6 2026

    Have you ever watched the person you love most get everything you ever wanted? Did you harden around envy, or shrink with comparison? Were you able to find happiness for their success?

    Philippa Northeast, Logie nominated and lead of Netflix’s My Brilliant Career, is a star quickly rising. Her most significant role? The little sister of our producer, Bridge.

    💌Join 9,400+ others in our newsletter community - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

    Joining us as a guest host, Producer Bridge, alongside Hugh, Josh and Ryan, discuss the years of failure and rejection behind the scenes of Pip’s overnight success.

    Constantly aware of the need to prove herself a success, Philippa is completely vulnerable about the obsession that came from certain rejections, and her anxiety which manifested itself as trichotillomania.

    Offering a unique and intimate perspective, both Bridge and Josh reflect on their respective siblings’ success, and how that has shaped their own identity.

    It’s sibling vs sibling, and only one will make it out alive (kidding, it has a happy ending).

    0:00 – Meet Producer Bridge’s Little Sister
    5:43 – Pip’s Brilliant Career: From Home & Away to Netflix Star
    11:39 – Middle Child Syndrome
    19:28 – Sibling Comparison: Cricket and Drama Solos
    20:55 – Finding Success Straight Out of High School
    22:56 – Self-belief vs Self-doubt: Why Pip Took The Leap and Bridget Didn’t
    25:30 – Feeling Over-shadowed, and Under Pressure
    28:00 – Becoming an Unemployed Clown
    29:17 – The Sensational Potter Backup Plan
    34:01 – Getting Undressed (Again)
    35:46 – The Hollywood Grind
    37:32 – Lockdown, Isolation and Growing Doubt
    46:15 – Obsession born from Rejection
    51:49 – What Loneliness in the Acting Industry Feels Like
    52:46 – The Body Keeps Score: Trichotillomania
    54:47 – Healing: Journalling, Yoga, Grounding
    57:04 – The Hallmark Offer That Changed Everything
    1:03:39 – The Downside of Growing Up Next To A Rising Star
    1:07:29 – Choosing Pride Over Jealousy
    1:09:49 – The Upside of Losing to Claudia Karvan

    🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode

    • Claudia Karvan - Love, Her Way - https://bit.ly/3UNr9LC
    • What’s Your ATAR? - https://bit.ly/4zQ4AG5

    📺 Things to watch

    • My Brilliant Career - https://bit.ly/4zPaW8L
    • Family Next Door - https://bit.ly/4gEp0cw
    • Newsreader - https://bit.ly/3UNr4ri
    • A Royal Runaway Romance - https://bit.ly/3V8rGb2
    • Standing Up For Sunny - https://bit.ly/4xyeASP

    🎧 Things to listen to

    • Undressed by Sombr - https://bit.ly/4wY9Ipf

    🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop

    🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop

    🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects

    🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts 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.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 16 mins
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