Hugo Toovey has beaten cancer, twice. But this is far from the whole story.

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

In this special bonus episode, Hugo joins Hugh, Ryan and Josh to talk about health; how to know when to go to a doctor, how to wrangle with the emotions of being cancer free and how to be vulnerable with the people who love you most.

Extraordinarily open in the hope that it will help someone else, Hugo discusses his fertility and decision to have kids, how being a parent has effected his outlook on life, and how exhausting it was acting like everything was okay.

Hugo, you’re a lifesaver.

If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/00RG9jPCGXs

🩺Things to do (for your health):

• Order a Bowel Cancer Screening Kit - http://bit.ly/47A6cYt
• Check out Hugo’s charity 25 Stay Alive - https://www.25stayalive.com

🩷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/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

Have you ever dated someone you knew, logically, was a bad idea? A puppeteer twenty years your senior, perhaps?

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

Melanie Bracewell has, and she joins us in the Vulnerabilitea House to answer the question, ‘who do you go to advice for? Why?’ (spoiler: it’s not her puppeteer ex-boyfriend).

Unpacking the disarming realisation that all of our parents were once our age, Mel talks to the guys about making useful mistakes in your twenties, finding a litmus for what loves looks and feels like, and how to make friends with people as an adult (who aren’t already on your netball team).

Mel bonds with Hugh about the realities of an ADHD brain and the fallacy of thinking you are super organised for something, and most importantly, the burst of self-compassion that can come from a diagnosis.

Mel, we’ll be your side-by-side friend.

If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/NDKke1ATdLE

🫖Other imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

• Matt Okine - Comedy & Tragedy - http://bit.ly/4q5LW8f
• Hannah Ferguson - Outspoken but Not Broken - http://bit.ly/4qcCHDy
• Campbell ‘Struthless’ Walker - Withdrawing with Drawing - http://bit.ly/4q8MHgO

📺Things to watch

• Cheap Seats - http://bit.ly/3KNoEnA
• Mel’s YouTube Special ‘Forget Me Not’ - http://bit.ly/4hbCQ63

💻Things to check out

• Meladoodle (Mel’s Tumblr blog) - http://bit.ly/4mXO1AF

🎟️Things to buy tickets for

• Mel’s Live Tour ‘A Little Treat’ - http://bit.ly/46ZoZuU

🩷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/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

Whether you’re a ‘new year new me’ aficionado, a 5-year planner, or get sweaty at the thought of setting goals, this episode is for you.

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

Joined by our resident psychologist Dr Emily Musgrove, we’re unpacking goal setting, which at its core, is the intention to change our behaviour.

In this episode, Hugh, Ryan and Josh, with the help of Dr Em, talk through why goals may seem intimidating, and how to reconcile the idea that there is no growth when you are not changing.

Leading us into a very lovely introduction of a strengths-based approach to change, Dr Em explains SMART goals using Hugh’s bedtime as a real-life example. And for those with a particularly strong inner critic (or rocky relationship with goals), Dr Em gently guides Hugh, Ryan and, especially Josh, through the blessing of allowing ourselves some slack, leading from the feet up and engaging in committed action.

AND, we learn about temptation bundling and Hugh’s taste in music (not as dirty as it sounds).

Dr Em, you’re in all of our inner cheer squads

To watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/bUOUs0UKg_w

🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

• Chrissie Swan - Honesty - http://bit.ly/3IQd6zq
• Getting Vulny - Josh’s Big Announcement - http://bit.ly/4h5RI5V
• Dr Emily - The Meaning of Mid-Life - http://bit.ly/3IZGQtE
• Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - http://bit.ly/4mZwvvI
• Kemi Nekvapil - A Compass for When You’re Lost - http://bit.ly/4q2UFIw
• Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - http://bit.ly/470shxZ
• Josh van Cuylenburg - Midlife Crisis Averted - http://bit.ly/4mRxLkt

📖 Things to read

• Unstuck by Dr Emily Musgrove - http://bit.ly/4o8JFay
• Rick Hanson, The Inner Caring Committee - http://bit.ly/4h7USGq
• Katy Milkman, Fresh Start Effect - http://bit.ly/3J2sKrq

🎧Things to listen to

• River Deep Mountain High by Celine Dion - http://bit.ly/48Wuk8J

💻Things to do

• VIA Character Strength Ranker - http://bit.ly/4h2KYFJ

🩷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/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

If you’re not navigating your life through your values, what are you using?

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

Our lord and saviour is back (in a secular, informal way).

Kemi Nekvapil is back in the Academy of Imperfection to talk all things values: what they are, how we choose them, and how you add croissant as one of yours. Extending the conversation of our previous episode on values with Dr Em, Kemi talks with the guys about how their current personal values are working in their life.

Introducing terms such as val-rules, aspirational values and umbrella values, Kemi walks them through the difference between manipulation and modelling, and why the hard work starts AFTER we’ve chosen our values.

In a peak behind the metaphorical (and literal, hi Producer Bridge) curtain, we discuss what went down in our company values session with Kemi, and how these values come into play in a day-in-the-life of The Imperfects production team.

If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/TV-GL3dgtjg

🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

• Dr Emily - What Are Your Values? - http://bit.ly/4nWgRCf
• Hugh’s Open Letter to Parents of Neurodivergent Parents - http://bit.ly/4gVbQYu
• Kemi Nekvapil - How to Live a Life Without Apology - http://bit.ly/4q3NLCW
• Kemi Nekvapil - The Secret of Your Success - http://bit.ly/473cJuv

📖Things to read

• Grounded Success, by Kemi Nekvapil - http://bit.ly/4mOWw0J
• Power, by Kemi Nekvapil - http://bit.ly/4nTsZnn
• The Gift of Asking, by Kemi Nekvapil - http://bit.ly/4nvKgU8
• Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown - http://bit.ly/46GMMzC

💻Things to check out

• Kemi’s Website - https://www.keminekvapil.com

🩷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/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

The mid-life update we've all been waiting for.

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

In the final instillation of the Vulnerabilitea Volume 2 Cards Announcement Week, where Ryan, Hugh and Josh have each answered one of the 52 brand-spanking-new-vulnerable-questions, it’s Josh’s turn.

Answering the question, “what moment from your life are you grateful for, that profoundly changed you?” Josh reflects on the recording of the episode; Dr Emily – The Meaning of Mid Life, where he vulnerably disclosed that he was really struggling with finding meaning in the second half of his life.

Sparked from this moment of authentic connection, Josh shares with Hugh and Ryan how he was able to find compassion for himself and the joy of adopting a beginner’s mindset.

Josh, we love it when good things happen to great people. And we love you!

This can be a stand-alone episode, however Ryan and Hugh’s have been absolute corkers (and we don’t say corker lightly) and you can listen to them here https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH and here http://bit.ly/4nNXNWK.

If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/MrL2No3YiLQ

🫖Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

• Ryan Shelton - The Friend I Want To Be - https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH
• Hugh van Cuylenburg - This Is Burnout - http://bit.ly/4nNXNWK
• Dr Emily - The Meaning of Mid Life - https://bit.ly/4nNzmIP
• Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://bit.ly/3Kr9KTP
• Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - https://bit.ly/4nHTc8s
• Dr Emily - Other People Matter - https://bit.ly/46SBaL0
• Rick Davies - Living with OCD - https://bit.ly/4ndG2Ae

📖 Things to read

• Hitch-22, by Christopher Hitchens - https://bit.ly/4gC4yZk

📺 Things to watch

• Homer Simpson’s Spice Rack - https://bit.ly/46PCzlD

🩷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/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

Hugh’s turn!

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

This week, to celebrate the launch of our BRAND NEW Vulnerabilitea House Cards (with 52 brand-new life changing questions), Ryan, Hugh and Josh will each be answering a VII question on an episode this week.

Ryan kicked us off on Monday, and you can listen to that episode here (it’s a goody) - https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH

In this episode, Hugh answers the question “When was a time when you genuinely needed help? Were you able to ask for it?”

In an answer which provides a little more context to Ryan’s episode (an unplanned narrative arc), Hugh is vulnerable about the intense burnout he has been experiencing, and his fantasies for a guilt free period of time where he can just lie down for a bit.

Unpacking the symptoms of burnout, Hugh explains to Ryan and Josh the heaviness of the past year, how it has been impacting his mental health, and why it feels like everything is too much.

Hugh, thanks for calling the press conference. We love you so much.

If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/8K0eKoIfR-U

🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

• Ryan Shelton - The Friend I Want To Be - https://bit.ly/3VBvcrH
• Another Imperfect Chat About Men - http://bit.ly/4gC1aO6

🩷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/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

It’s a different sort of episode(s) this week.

🎟️ Our live show Together Again is on sale now! Tickets here - https://bit.ly/4mEK9Ep

Because, drum roll please*,* we have a BRAND-NEW deck of Vulnerabilitea House Cards, with 52 brand-new, life-changing questions.

That’s right baby, Volume II is available for purchase. Now.

This week, we are releasing three whole episodes (lucky you).

Each episode will feature either Ryan, Hugh or Josh in the spotlight as they answer one of our new Vulernabilitea House questions.

In this episode, Ryan answers the question, “do you have any regrets about the way you have treated others?” and talks about his relationship with Hugh, and why he has been feeling guilty.

See you Wednesday!

If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube (and see the new Tequila-Sunrise Card Deck), follow this link - https://youtu.be/PDsY2kaA4uU

🫖 Other Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode

• Dr Emily - Truth vs Harmony - http://bit.ly/4pCtl3D
• Hamish McLachlan - A World Turned Upside Down - http://bit.ly/42NYPd9

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/shop/

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz

💌To subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, click here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.

This moment is bigger than Mitch Brown.

💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy.

Tie up your laces and pull up your socks, this story is ones for the ages.

As the first male AFL player in the sport’s 129 year history to come out as bisexual, Mitch, and the public’s reaction to his story, epitomises the importance of visibility, role models and the creation of safe and inclusive environments.

Joining us in the studio, Mitch takes us back to the beginning, vulnerably telling Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the hyper-masculine environments which formed (and suppressed) his identity from a young age.

Talking through his newfound imposter syndrome, past-mistakes, and journey to finding his true, authentic self, Mitch emphasizes the critical importance of empathy.

Confiding with the guys about how monumental, overwhelming and joyful the past few weeks have been, Mitch also acknowledges the deep grief of people in his life who felt like they had let him down.

Mitch, you are making the world a better place. We love you (so much).

If you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/cLHU4CJkqww

This episode discusses an experience of sexual assault, if this is something you're not ready to hear right now, we suggest you skip this one and come back when you are ready.

🎧Things to listen to:

• The Daily Aus - Part 1: The AFL’s first openly bisexual player - http://bit.ly/4nHyQfJ
• The Daily Aus - Part 2: The AFL’s first openly bisexual player - http://bit.ly/3VpMdVM

🚨If you, or someone you know, is struggling, these are a few great resources

• QLife - provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people over 18 wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. 1800 184 527, www.qlife.org.au
• Minus 18 - Through a preventative model of mental health support, Minus 18 tackle social isolation by creating fun-filled spaces where LGBTQIA+ people under 18 feel they belong and are celebrated www.minus18.org.au
• 1800 RESPECT - If you, or someone you know needs support after after experiencing a sexual assault, please call the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line 1800 RESPECT on 1800 732 732.
• Lifeline - 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase the Vulnerabilitea House Cards here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz

🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz

🩵To join our patreon 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://bit.ly/4mq5BO5

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.