The Imperfects

Latest Episodes:

Dr Emily - Using The Force For Good Jun 08, 2025

Show notes

This is where the fun begins.

💌 Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au

Today we welcome the Return of the Dr Emily, our resident psychologist, to talk about the Force in all its (clinical) glory.

Amongst the immense excitement of Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Dr Emily talks through the lightness and darkness inside us all, and how the presence of a good mentor makes a world of difference.

Bringing psychology back to the forefront of this ep, Dr Emily likens Yoda’s general vibe to the principles of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, whilst also pointing out the incredible power of mindfulness (just ask Luke Skywalker).

Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat with Dr Emily about The Hero’s Journey, main character syndrome and how to let go of our ego to embrace your authentic self.

May the Force be with you.

If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://bit.ly/3FGlYG6

🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

Dr Emily - Resent Less, Live More - https://bit.ly/4mGNOCP
Dr Emily - Hope - https://apple.co/4l9des9
Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - https://bit.ly/3SyoWj0
Dr Emily - Grief Lightening - https://bit.ly/4kki9W6
Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://apple.co/4e2Io05
Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People - https://apple.co/4l4kw0m
Hugh’s ADHD…brief (Bonus From Patreon) - https://bit.ly/4jefaNP

💻Things / people to check out

Tara Brach - https://bit.ly/43Fk8gR
Scott Barry Kaufman - https://bit.ly/4dSmwFK
Dr Robyn D Walser - https://bit.ly/4kEI5M0
Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey - https://bit.ly/3HlH516
The Star Wars Catalogue - https://bit.ly/3HzXi2x

📖 Things to read

Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

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

🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here 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.

Nas Campanella - The First Blind Newsreader in the World Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

As the title suggests, Nas Campanella is really cool (and accomplished and driven and resilient).

Subscribe to our newsletter, the Vulnerabilitea-mail - www.theimperfects.com.au

You might recognise her voice from the Triple J cinematic universe or know her work as the Disability Affairs Reporter for the ABC. But what you might not know is that Nas is vision impaired, or that a neurological condition means that she can’t read braille either.

In this episode of The Vulnerabilitea House, Nas answers the questions “what childhood challenges best prepared you for adulthood?”

Chatting to Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Nas talks about her relationship with her disability, and how it shapes her identity.

Nas also dives into a powerful conversation with the guys about the role agency and accessibility in the experience of discrimination, and shares why, if a magical operation could restore her sight, she wouldn’t change a thing.

Nas, it has been an absolute joy.

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

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

🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Louise Newson - It's Hormones. Period. May 25, 2025

Show notes

It’s that time of the month (sorry), and we’re welcoming back Dr Louise Newson to talk all things hormones.

In case you missed it, last time we had Dr Louise on the pod, she shared her expertise on perimenopause and menopause. This, to no surprise, was Apple Australia's most shared podcast episode in 2024.

Today, Dr Louise talks to the guys about hormones; what they are, how they impact our lives, and what the difference is between the natural and synthetic forms we can be prescribed.

Discussing the naturally occurring cycles of hormones, as well as the dramatic hormone drop offs that can happen throughout a lifetime, Dr Louise shares the impact of hormones for PMS, PMDD and post-natal depression.

Dr Louise, this has been life changing.

If you would like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/l4naB7-GKto

🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:

Dr Louise Newson - Maybe It’s Menopause - https://bit.ly/43qYwon

🎧Things to listen to:

The Dr Louise Newson Podcast - Talking to my daughter: understanding hormones, contraception, PMS & the gaps in sex ed - https://bit.ly/43vnliX
The Dr Louise Newson Podcast - Testosterone and the hormone triangle, with Dr Mohit Khera - https://apple.co/4duWhow

💻 Things to check out:

Balance website - https://bit.ly/4mlLFwp
Balance App - https://bit.ly/436uozz

💊To find more information about contraception

Sexual Health Victoria - https://bit.ly/4jgfJ9M
Children by Choice - https://bit.ly/4je80Ju
Dr Louise Hormone Health Hub - https://bit.ly/44HQARP

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

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

🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Emily - How To Get UNSTUCK May 22, 2025

Show notes

Quick! Is anyone here an author? Yes! And her book is finally here!

Our favourite psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove, has published the most anticipated book of the year, Unstuck: A guide to finding your way forward to the life you want to live.

Feeling stuck, and the yearning for something to change, is a human experience. And in Unstuck, Dr Emily doesn’t just acknowledge this feeling, she walks with you through it.

We’re talking values, we’re talking an introduction to acceptance commitment therapy, and we’re talking self-compassion (among many, many other things).

At its core, this book is a model for how we might approach change.

It’s compulsory reading.

Unstuck is available now in all good bookstores, or you can order it online here - https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2.

If you want to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://bit.ly/4mvgSgE

🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - https://apple.co/4dckMpy

📖 Things to read:

Summer Day by Mary Oliver - https://bit.ly/3Hh1gNo

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

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

🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monty Dimond - Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired May 18, 2025

Show notes

It’s a Monty type of day - and thank god, because this week we welcome the brilliant Monty Dimond into the studio.

In this episode, Monty opens up about the heartbreak of losing her mum—her person, her sense of home and safety. She speaks candidly about the tunnel vision of ambition, living with imposter syndrome, and how a debilitating chronic illness left her bed-bound for 90% of last year.

Hugh and Monty share an incredibly vulnerable chat about parenting neurodivergent children; sharing the intense challenges, boundless love and ways they can show compassion to themselves and others.

If you're not familiar with Monty yet, she's the founder and co-host of the Show and Tell platform, which includes the newly released podcast iChronic, Monty is a pillar of Australian media (including a co-hosting a national drive show with our very own Sheltzy).

Monty, we are in awe of you.

To watch this full video of YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3GVUYmf

🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:

Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - https://bit.ly/42GsmEJ
Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent People - https://apple.co/4l4kw0m
Michael (Wippa) Wipfli - Light at the End of the Tunnel - https://bit.ly/3F6wy9d

🎧 Things to listen to:

iChonric - https://bit.ly/4j1d3gb
Show and Tell - https://bit.ly/3ZfWiGR

💻 Things to check out:

Kristy Forbes’ Workshops - https://bit.ly/43eFxNK

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

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

🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here apple.co/theimperfects

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Emily - Grief Lightening May 11, 2025

Show notes

What would it look like if we were more open to grief?

This week, as promised, we are joined by our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove to talk through grief from a clinical perspective.

Grief is proof of life, and proof of love. And while it is an incredibly unique experience for each person, there is a universality to it as well.

Dr Em walks us through how grief impacts the brain on a neurological level, and unpacks its unpredictable, non-linear path.
Explaining the difference between grief and grieving, Em reminds us about the importance of turning towards the pain and how to learn to ride the waves of grief, rather than expecting them to disappear.

And on a practical level, Ryan asks about what you can actually do for someone in grief to show them love and support.

If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4jKdlco

If you would like to pre-order Em’s book Unstuck, click here: https://bit.ly/4bhmCp2

🫖 Other Imperfects episode’s mentioned in this episode

Lauren Zonfrillo - Grief: The Shittest Greatest Gift - https://bit.ly/3GGXCMA
Jamila Rizvi - Living with the effects of a brain tumour - https://bit.ly/4jK7CmV
Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life - https://apple.co/3UKpxQ8
Clare Bowditch - Music, Panic Attacks & Body Image - https://apple.co/43iqzau

📖 Things to read

The Grieving Brain - Mary-Frances O’Connor - https://bit.ly/4m55Mi3
Self Compassion - Kristin Neff - https://bit.ly/4iQC25O
Wherever You Go, There You Are - Jon Kabat-Zinn - https://bit.ly/3Z5LeMo
Till Death Do Us Part - Lauren Zonfrillo - https://bit.ly/4m7Dy6z

💻 Things to check out

Stroebe and Schut Dual-Process Model of Grief - https://bit.ly/4kbIeqc
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief - https://bit.ly/45tThVu
Meghan Riordan Jarvis’ work - https://bit.ly/3RTyy7v

☎️ If you, or someone you know, is struggling with grief, Griefline 1300 845 745 is a great place to start

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Zonfrillo - Grief: The Shittest Greatest Gift May 04, 2025

Show notes

Lauren Zonfrillo knows grief - intimately, devastatingly, and meaningfully.

Almost two years since the sudden death of her husband Jock, Lauren describes grief as the ‘shittest, greatest gift’, and how she navigated unimaginable loss while continuing to parent two young children.

In this episode, Lauren shares what she learnt about herself in the days, weeks, and months since Jock’s passing. Discussing with Hugh, Ryan and Josh about her evolving relationship with spirituality, Lauren vulnerably shares how she is beginning to reconcile her identity as a mother, widow, and person in her own right.

Lauren, thank you for such a special episode.

If you would like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4mi4mkD

📖 Things to read:

Till Death Do Us Part - Lauren Zonfrillo - https://bit.ly/4m7Dy6z
Last Shot - Jock Zonfrillo - https://bit.ly/4iCyfJi
Finding Meaning - David Kessler - https://amzn.to/44QgNNU

☎️ If you, or someone you know, is struggling with grief, these are some great resources to start with

National Centre for Childhood Grief - https://bit.ly/4iEMvkP
Griefline - 1300 845 745

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh’s ADHD…brief (Bonus From Patreon) Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

It’s the episode we’ve all been waiting for – a peek inside Hugh’s brain.

After our episode with psychologist and ADHD expert Janelle Booker - and a reboot of his algorithm that Hugh related to on a spiritual level - Hugh began to wonder whether his time-blindness, reject sensitivity and inability to focus on things he wasn’t interested in, could be explained by ADHD.

Turns out, yeah. Hugh pretty much definitely has ADHD.

Exploring Hugh’s lived experience, Ryan and Josh chat through how Hugh has reconciled his incredible frustrations into acknowledgment and celebration for his strengths.

This episode is a snippet from an A Little More Imperfects Patreon episode: a place where we publish fortnightly bonus episode, early access to tickets and talk to our community about upcoming guests, bonus content and what they want to see more of.

If you would like to become a member of our Patreon community, follow this link: www.patreon.com/theimperfects

To watch this full episode on YouTube, click here: https://bit.ly/4cGOPpO

🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

Janelle Booker - Living with ADHD - https://bit.ly/42GsmEJ

💻 Things to check out

Alex Patridge - 12 Lie People with ADHD tell themselves - ttps://bit.ly/41cHcnd
Alex Patridge - How to understand ADHD Overwhelm in 35 seconds - https://bit.ly/4jWRq22

📺 Things to watch

Celeste Barber’s Australian Story - Unfiltered - https://ab.co/42l6VsD

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Hill - Eating Imperfectly vs Perfectly Eating Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

Chasing the ‘perfect’ diet is a trap; which is really great news for our brand.

Simon Hill, nutritionist, physiotherapist, and host of The Proof podcast, joins us in the Academy of Imperfection to break down whether the latest dietary trends on social media actually match up with nutrition science.

In this episode, Simon unpacks the role of both genetics and lifestyle choices in shaping our health, and specifically our risk of disease.

Acknowledging the pressure, and sometimes shame, that comes with chasing the ‘perfect’ diet, Hugh, Ryan, and Josh discuss how to encourage kids to build positive relationships with food, and the incredible significance of ‘joy’ and ‘human connection’, that occurs when we get together to eat.

And then, of course, we play Simon Says and bust some food-myths about supplements, plant protein, and whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Simon, thank you for all that you says.

To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://bit.ly/4jyH2NL

🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:

Felice Jacka - Food For Thought - https://apple.co/4ciWgn5
Professor Tim Spector - Food Fight - https://apple.co/3OjRlXR
Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way to Your Top - https://bit.ly/3E3flgi

📖 Things to read:

The Proof is in the Plants - Simon Hill - https://bit.ly/4lbj7VC
The Skeptics’ Guide To The Universe - Steven Novella - https://bit.ly/3QUPYjI

🎧Things to listen to:

The Proof with Simon Hill - https://bit.ly/3XCCDjS
The Proof - Menopause masterclass (Part 1) - https://bit.ly/42aAoXC
The Proof - Your menopause questions answered (Part 2) - https://apple.co/4cx0MhW

💻Things to research:

Approx. 50% of cardiac deaths are sudden cardiac deaths 50% - https://bit.ly/4juCffP
30 different plants a week study - https://bit.ly/3XIXORj
To know more about ApoB, and it’s link to cholesterol - https://bit.ly/42mRL6b & https://bit.ly/426dVLe
The Mind Diet - https://bit.ly/42p3zFd
Mediterranean Diet - https://bit.ly/4cPqBKp
To know more about the Carnivore diet - https://bit.ly/3RcMZmR & https://bit.ly/426xvqT
Creatine and cognition - https://bit.ly/4j8sd4e
Impact of creatine on depression and CBT - https://bit.ly/3G401AL
Impact of creatine on bone health for menopausal women - https://bit.ly/4cuahym & https://bit.ly/424KxoD
Impact of creatine on sleep deprivation - https://go.nature.com/4cvR0wC
Simon’s Prebiotics - 38TERA - https://bit.ly/4caa96Q

🦋If this conversation has raised some uncomfortable feelings for you around eating and food, these are some great resources to find support:

Eating Disorders Families Australia - https://bit.ly/3TLU7J5
The Butterfly Foundation - https://bit.ly/48YCSZe

🩷If you want A Little More Imperfects, join our Patreon to get just that - www.patreon.com/theimperfects

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtney Ugle - Intergenerational Strength Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

Trauma ran through Courtney Ugle’s family - until it ran into her.

CEO and founder of Waangkiny, as well as a football superstar, Courtney is on a mission to transform her adversity into resilience, power, and love.

In our Vulnerabilitea House, Courtney answers the question, “what childhood challenges best prepared you for adulthood?”, diving into how she copes with the loss of her greatest source of unconditional love and support, and how this drives the work that she does today.

In conversation with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Courtney speaks to the raw intersection of grief and joy, and what it is like to realise that the only person coming to save you, is you.

Courtney, we can’t wait to have an oat magic with you soon.

If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/G_Rdt1EhA0U

If you would like to host your own Vulneratilitea House, you can purchase the cards here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

💻 Things to checkout:

Waangkiny - https://www.waangkiny.com

📺 Things to watch:

Once Were Warriors - https://bit.ly/3XPMxyJ

🚨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.

🩷If you want A Little More Imperfects, join our Patreon to get just that - www.patreon.com/theimperfects

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - https://bit.ly/3Cx4tGP

🩷To subscribe to the Vulnerabilitea-mail weekly newsletter, join through our website - www.theimperfects.com.au

This episode of The Imperfects discusses domestic and family violence. If these topics are too much for you right now, then we suggest you skip this one and come back when you're ready.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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