Today we welcome Dr Yves Rees into The Vulnerabilitea House. 

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.

In today’s episode of The Imperfects, Ryan, Josh and Hugh are educated and enlightened by the insightful and vulnerable Dr Yves Rees. Dr Rees has recently released their memoir, All About Yves.

If this episode sparks anything for you that you wish to explore further, we recommend transhub.org.au as a fantastic resource to learn more.

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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.

We cover a-lot in this ep, from bitchy English exchange students, Becky’s parents' divorce, 'dick-lit’, the stresses of lock down; and somehow we manage to squeeze in a discussion of 90s NBL basketball under the ‘auspice’ of a special birthday surprise.

Afterwards we discuss the role of laughter and comedy in our lives and why laughter is such an incredible thing for changing our mood and improving our mental health.

Yep, as I said, we cover quite a lot...

If this chat has brought up any troubling emotions or thoughts for you, as always we strongly recommend Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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There is no one else in the world quite like our guest this week. 

For years people kept telling Hugh he needed to bring on a new presenter to meet the demand from schools and workplaces around the country. He said he would only ever do it if he found someone extraordinary. In 2015, Hugh found that extraordinary person - Martin Heppell. In today’s episode, Ryan, Hugh and Josh are both moved and inspired as Martin steps into the Vulnerabilitea and shares a heart breaking story from his childhood. As only Martin can do, he starts the interview by sharing the trauma of his past, but ends the interview leaving the boys inspired to be better people. Warning. This episode contains references to child abuse.

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Ready to learn? Us too.

In The Academy of Imperfection this week, imperfect students Hugh, Ryan and Josh speak with 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 - why they do what they do, and why they DON’T do what they don’t do! But by the end of the episode, what was supposed to be a casual “lecture” turns into a men’s workshop of sorts, as Hugh, Ryan and Josh show a lot more vulnerability towards each other than they were expecting. The recording of this episode was definitely a memorable experience.

Daniel Ellenberg, PhD is a co-founder of Relationships That Work https://www.relationshipsthatwork.com, the founder/director of Strength with Heart men’s groups and workshops https://www.strengthwithheart.com, and a principal in Rewire Leadership Institute https://rewireleadership.com

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Two episodes in a week, what is going on? Well, it's another Vulnerabilitea House that's what. This week it's Josh's turn.

Lockdown rules meant this teahouse was spread across three tea houses but it doesn't detract from the quality of the tea, and the vulnerableness. 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?

Being vulnerable can be scary, but it creates stronger and more authentic connections with others. Just make sure to be mindful about who you’re vulnerable with. It’s always important to trust and feel safe with those you open up to.

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In the beginning, it was novel. A change of pace. A good excuse to bake our own bread and believe that “we’ll always bake our own bread from now on because it’s so nice to wake up to the smell of fresh bread in the morning!”

But come on... seriously... we’re not baking bread anymore are we? This whole COVID thing has become a proper bummer. Like, next-level maximum bummer.

So, because we’ve all been feeling the pinch recently, Hugh assembled Ryan and Josh for a very unplanned Snap Podcast to talk about it, and share what’s been helping him cope with the current and ongoing shitness of lockdown.

This isn’t a regular episode. There’s no guests, no experts and no tea. It’s just Hugh, Ryan and Josh trying to find some light during an extremely challenging time.

Hope you’re doing okay out there. We know it’s tough. But hopefully this helps a little.

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Travis Boak is one of the best footballers in the country. At age 33, he is showing no signs of slowing down, in fact many believe he is just getting better. His brilliance on the ground is 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. Due to the tragic passing of his father, Travis has, for way too long, carried the baggage and trauma of this tragedy. Join Travis for this heartfelt conversation as he talks us through the power of letting go of the things you cannot control and embracing the uncertainties of life.

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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.

Ryan shares some recent discoveries he’s had with his psychologist in regards to how certain aspects of his childhood prepared him... or DIDN’T prepare him for adulthood.

N.B. There’s also a quick digression into the nostalgic world of 90s NBL Basketball. Don’t worry, it’s quick.

Also, while being vulnerable can be scary, it creates stronger and more authentic connections with others. Just make sure to be mindful about who you’re vulnerable with. It’s always important to trust and feel safe with those you open up to.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go get your pens and notebooks everyone!

In this edition of The Academy of Imperfection, students Hugh, Ryan, Josh sit down with famed paediatrician, Dr Billy Garvey of The Royal Children’s Hospital.

Currently, Billy regretfully has a two and a half year waiting list to see him in person, but is keen to reach as many of you as possible NOW. And with all the talk on our podcast about parenting recently, we felt this was a very necessary episode.

Billy may not look like one of Australia’s most respected and in-demand paediatricians, as we speak about in the episode, but gee whiz, he sure does talk like it!

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Our very own Hugh van Cuylenburg is back in the hotseat for a second round in the Vulnerabilitea House! And guys... wowee. Potentially inspired by the most recent Vulnerabilitea House episode with Missy Higgins, Hugh opens up about how much he is actually struggling right now. In fact, he’s probably as raw and honest and vulnerable as he’s ever been on The Imperfects. The Vulnerabilitea House (and the whole podcast tbh) is all about encouraging vulnerability by sharing our own struggles and imperfections. Why? Because being vulnerable creates stronger and more authentic connections with others. But like we’ve said a number of times on this podcast, you can’t just be vulnerable with anyone. It’s important to always trust and feel safe with those you open up to.

If this episode has triggered anything for you around mental health, we recommend lifeline, 13 11 14. The Imperfects is produced by Ryan Shelton, Hugh & Josh van Cuylenburg.

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