- 1 hour 43 minutesJanelle Booker & Hamish Blake - The ADHD Playbook for Parents
How do you raise a child whose brain works differently?
This episode is for parents of kids with ADHD. And parents who have ADHD. And people who don’t have a diagnosis, but would consider themselves ‘fast and loose’. And for everyone who knows someone who fits the above criteria.
💌Join 8,300+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Janelle Booker, a psychologist who specialises in ADHD, is BACK, this time, to talk to parents of ADHD kids, and how to parent when you yourself have ADHD.
And also, ADHD-curious Hamish Blake is here too.
We look at the role of dopamine, energy vs stressors, and how to make your mornings less chaotic and more compassionate.
Hamish and Janelle. What a duo.
0:00 – A dynamic duo: Hamish and Janelle
5:58 – The penny drop moment for Hugh
11:35 – ADHD or Fast and Loose?
19:56 – The beauty and beast of ADHD brains
22:38 – The life of an ADHD kid
27:16 – A crash course on dopamine
37:26 – Structure, sleep and school
44:38 – Identity and diagnosis
55:13 – ADHD kids and friendships
1:02:50 – Parenting WITH ADHD
1:16:29 – Finding and supporting regulation
1:23:13 – Slo-pamine
1:28:54 – Let’s talk about the strengths
1:34:35 – Get ‘em outside!If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/WwEBTIMohwg
🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode
- Janelle Booker - Living With ADHD - https://bit.ly/4g0CUXK
- Hugh’s ADHD…brief - https://bit.ly/4g567Rw
- Maria Ruberto - Advancing Despite Adversity - https://bit.ly/4uYFbGS
💻Things to check out
- Janelle’s website - https://bit.ly/3QJdO5t
- The MEHRIT Centre - https://self-reg.ca/
- The ADHD Parent Circle Online Program - https://bit.ly/4g5Anvu
- ADHD Women’s Support Group (Perinatal and Early Parenting) - https://bit.ly/3T0BJ0N
- Online Q&A with Janelle about ADHD parenting - https://bit.ly/4g5wneu
📖Things to read
- ADHD: A Delightful Human Difference. Reframing ADHD for Good, by Janelle Booker and Matthew Johnson - https://bit.ly/4w7scU3
🎧Things to listen to
- Hamish & Andy podcast - https://bit.ly/43Z0RHJ
- Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction, by Huberman Lab - https://bit.ly/4xPnMCZ
🏆Competitions to enter
- Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://apple.co/theimperfects
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 June 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 2 minutesJimmy Wales (Wikipedia) - In Trust We Trust
How do you choose who to trust? And how do you show others that you are trustworthy?
💌Join 8,100+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
In this Academy of Imperfection, we are joined by Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia. No biggie (BIG biggie).
And if there’s one thing Jimmy knows, it's how to garner and imbue the trust of millions.
You’re right in feeling like the general level of trust globally is low right now, but this episode is here to step through Jimmy's 7 rules which will help you build, rebuild, and solidify what is in our innate human behaviour.
Trust is important, and so is this conversation.
0:00 – BIG deal on the internet
8:41 – The heart behind it all
14:57 – Trust is always personal
20:22 – It’s human nature
23:33 – Good guys of the internet
30:35 – Don’t take sides
38:23 – The circle of trust
40:15 – Own up
46:03 – Let’s call them a civil personIf you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/Z1SPClxSfYI
📖 Things to read
- The Seven Rules of Trust, by Jimmy Wales - https://bit.ly/4vi83uA
🎧Things to listen to
- How to Build (And Rebuild) Trust with Frances Frei - https://bit.ly/4vfMMSl
🏆Competitions to enter
- Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://apple.co/theimperfects
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
21 June 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 16 minutesDr Emily - You're Full of Grit
Do you think you have grit?
💌Join 8,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Research has shown that the most common characteristic of elite performers and high achievers is grit.
Understood as the passion and perseverance for very long term goals, Grit is not about natural ability or talent, but rather how we choose to grow.
Your favourite resident psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove, is back in the studio this week to talk about how you can become a grittier person!
We also look inward, as Josh asks how to maintain grit when it feels like your inner critic is overwhelmingly loud.
Dr Em, so great to have you back.
0:00 – Down with the nonchalance!
5:43 – Talent vs Excellence
10:40 – Interested in finding your interests
16:42 – For the non-naturals in the room
24:22 – Effort is essential for excellence
32:17 – Practicing, kindly
35:01 – Hope is earned
42:06 – The good and bad criticism
53:45 – Encountering pain and discomfort
59:54 – For the greater good
1:06:09 – The dark side of perseveranceIf you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/JmcLV7DGL4k
🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode
- Dyson Heppell - Whatever It Takes… To Forgive - https://bit.ly/4egeneO
- Nedd Brockmann - The Man, The Myth, The Neddgend - https://bit.ly/4egfATo
- Dr Emily - Hope - https://bit.ly/43YalTr
- Bri Lee - Babies+Climate=Anxiety - https://bit.ly/4xlrYdl
- How I Built ‘Dis’ - The Resilience Project Story - https://bit.ly/4aH0dSP
📚Things to read
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth - https://bit.ly/4vzoe6o
- Self-efficacy, by Albert Bandura - https://bit.ly/4fx4KdW
- Master of Change, by Brad Stulberg - https://bit.ly/4xCbUEv
- Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, by Anders Ericsson - https://bit.ly/3Q9cIje
📺Things to watch
- THE GAP, by Ira Glass - https://bit.ly/4xjkuHL
⭐️Things to donate to
- JMB Foundation - https://jmbfoundation.org.au
🏆Competitions to enter
- Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr
🎟️Things to buy tickets to
- Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema - https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
14 June 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 20 minutesEllyse Perry - It Starts With Trying
At just 16, Ellyse Perry was the youngest person to ever debut for the Australian International Cricket team. 13 days later, Ellyse debuted for the Matildas.
💌Join 7,800+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Arguably one of the greatest athletes of our time, Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat to Ellyse about how she stays so grounded amidst her incredible success, and whether she is able to separate who she is from what she does.
Ellyse chats to the guys about her relationship with her dad (Josh and Hugh furiously take notes), and how both her parents were able to instil a love of trying rather than winning.
And then we get onto social anxiety; what it feels like for Ellyse, why she loves silent retreats, and how she manages it in front of her fans.
Ellyse, you are a literal ray of sunshine. Please come back anytime.
If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/xAZeLzcG43Y
0:00 – Is THAT AI?
5:05 – Running (and bowling) it’s natural course
11:24 – The feeling of not trying
17:18 – Parents: Be A Good Sport
29:22 – Prepare to be disappointed
40:23 – Bitter sweet World Cup
46:48 – The complexity of ego
1:03:54 – Practicing presence
1:10:30 – Hugh’s advice for big moments🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode
- Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - (1:14:20) - https://bit.ly/3PRku11
- WHO ARE YOU? with Dr Emily (+ secret code word) - (17:20) - https://bit.ly/4e1SxeV
📖 Things to read
- Perspective by Ellyse Perry - (29:22) - https://bit.ly/3PSMaCI
- Ellyse Perry’s children’s books - https://bit.ly/4e1TyDM
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - (1:11:40) - https://bit.ly/437yxT9
📺Things to watch
- Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot - (1:17:27) - https://bit.ly/3PSPKNa
🏆Competitions to enter
- Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr
🎟️Things to buy tickets to
- Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema - https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
7 June 2026, 7:00 pm - 9 minutes 50 secondsWe're Doing a One-Off Live Show!
We have a BIG announcement.
August 19. Balwyn Cinema. Our first ever live podcast recording. With Hugh, Ryan, Josh, Dr Emily, and you?
ARE YOU AS EXCITED AS WE ARE?!
And you could win your way there! THE ULTIMATE GOLD CLASS DOUBLE PASS includes: 2 x tickets, flights or a limo if you're already in Melbourne, accomodation for the night, popcorn, choc top, sparkling wine and a personal escort to your seats by former Balwyn Cinema employee Hugh van Cuylenburg!
🏆 Enter here NOW - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/balwyn-entry/
Tickets will go live Monday June 8.
🎟️ Buy here - https://bit.ly/4ecYtTw
BUT to enter the competition OR buy tickets, you need a codeword (lowercase). And the only way you will hear the codeword is to be a Little More Imperfects subscriber and listen to the latest episode!
So quick, subscribe here!
🩵Patreon - patreon.com/theimperfects
🩷Apple Podcast - http://apple.co/theimperfects
We can’t wait to see you there x
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 June 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 15 minutesRyan Holiday - A Stoic Life & Death
We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. At least, that’s what the Stoic’s say.
💌Join 7,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Today we are joined (deep breath Hugh) by Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday.
Using the wisdom of the past to appreciate the present, Ryan’s work is dedicated to communicating how the practicalities of stoic philosophy can help us lead more present, mindful and resilient lives today.
In this incredible chat, Hugh, Josh and Ryan (our Ryan), each present Ryan Holiday with something they have been struggling with in their own lives. Through the lens of Stoic philosophers Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, Ryan Holiday talks to how stoicism can really help us to live into our values, prioritise presence, and deal with existential dread.
We discuss with Ryan the importance of understanding what will actually make you happy (spoiler: it’s not a billion dollars), and how to reframe death as a reminder that we must appreciate every moment (or not waste anymore with shame and guilt).
This episode, and its practical take-aways (which you can find listed in our newsletter), has been a long time coming.
Ryan, what an absolute honour.
0:00 – What is Stoicism?
13:26 – For the Josh’s of the world
17:07 – Time and Energy of Worrying
27:01 – The illusion of freedom
33:50 – Am I a bad friend?
38:58 – Practicing what you preach ft. presence
45:42 – If today was your last day
50:22 – 5 quotes for a Stoic lifeIf you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link -
🫖 Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode
- Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - https://bit.ly/4dHKR2F
- Maria Ruberto - Sleep Your Way To Your Top - https://bit.ly/4dHKPYB
📖 Things to read
- Letter’s from a Stoic by Seneca - https://bit.ly/49WVNqB
- ALL of Ryan’s books - https://bit.ly/43uHsxZ
✍️Journals to journal
- The Daily Stoic - https://bit.ly/49qJ6Em
- My Imperfect Life - https://bit.ly/4tZ8qJ6
🎟️ Things to get tickets to
- Daily Stoic Live with Ryan Holiday - https://bit.ly/4uK72Lt
💻Things to check out
- Ryan’s website - https://bit.ly/4v3Vh24
- The Resilience Project - https://bit.ly/3Q4LOc4
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
31 May 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 29 minutesJoel Pearson - I Think, Therefore AI
In the age of AI, do you feel that your future is more uncertain?
💌Join 7,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
In today’s Academy of Imperfection, we’re joined by Dr Joel Pearson; a neurofuturist, whose work centres around predicting how AI will impact every aspect of our lives from now on.
While many of us (us included) first and foremost imagine the impacts of AI in a tech-revolution-y, robot butler-y, terminator-adjacent way, this episode goes deeper.
Joel discusses how young people are forming attachments with AI companions and how we might see, perhaps the first generation in known history with a lower IQ than the one beforehand.
We talk about the tangible and interconnected mental health impacts that this major societal disruption will have, and Hugh and Josh ask how in the world can we broach this topic with our kids?
BUT, this episode isn’t all doom and gloom. Joel is a tech-optimist, after all.
We talk to Joel about how we can foster human connection, and continue to develop our critical thinking skills, whilst not turning away from AI altogether.
Joel, this has been invaluable.
If you want to watch this full video on YouTube, follow this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGa6heppjE
0:00 – The episode we’ve been putting off
10:10 – The only certainty is disruption
14:15 – Impact of AI on the brain
21:23 – Rewards and moral responsibility
27:11 – A scary mental health spiral
30:31 – Think of the children
35:10 – You may now kiss the AI
45:06 – Purposeful Utopia
58:42 – Seeing is no longer believing
1:02:21 – The Roadmap to AI
1:11:35 – Finding Motivation in Limbo
1:18:15 – Let’s Stack Some Habits🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode
- Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - (1:22:53) - https://bit.ly/4dW7Bfa
- Dr Emily - The Certainty of Uncertainty - (1:22:53) - https://bit.ly/3RTAjVl
- James Clear - Down The Habit Hole - (1:22:00) - https://bit.ly/4wIg5xV
📖 Things to read
- The Intuition Toolkit by Dr Joel Pearson - (3:18) - https://bit.ly/4v5NnFM
- Matt Shumer App Development Industry Blog - (27:11) - https://bit.ly/4uo65rY
💻Things to check out
- Joel’s website - https://bit.ly/4upBURa
- Tristan Harris’ Center for Human Technology - (1:25:40) - https://bit.ly/4wGrFJZ
- Figure Three Robotics - (42:51) - https://bit.ly/42J2Uiz
- Joel's work at the University of NSW as Deputy Director of Human Readiness UNSW AI Institute - https://bit.ly/4nPA89G
📺 Things to watch
- House of Dynamite - (26:21) - https://bit.ly/4uw5PYg
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
24 May 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 18 minutesDr Emily - What To Do With Envy
What is your envy telling you?
💌Join 7,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Dr Emily Musgrove, our resident psychologist, is back in the studio to talk about the green-eyed monster, and more importantly, how we can work with it to incorporate more gratitude, appreciation and awareness into our lives (hallelujah).
Founded in the evolutionary practice of assessing our status in comparison with others, envy comes from the feeling of lacking something that someone else has.
In what may have been an adaptive function for a cave person to secure their basic needs, our brains are not equipped for the intense comparison fed to us via social media.
Dr Emily chats to Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the layered experience of envy, and how often, it stems from feeling not-enough or unworthy.
Of course, Dr Emily brings the strategies. We explore how to work with envy in our own lives, and how to acknowledge it in the lives of our friends and family to protect important relationships.
Dr Em, we’ll see you for the sequel on jealousy soon.
To watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/B7acUnoekSc
0:00 – Envy vs Jealousy 9:08 – Keeping up with the Jones’ 8:16 – A message around ‘enoughness’ 25:12 – The energy of being a hater 36:50 – A deep longing for a difference experience 42:13 – On the flip side 52:45 - Acknowledge the hard 59:18 – The social emotion 1:07:18 – Working with envy
🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode
- Dave Hughes - Me, Myself & Ego - https://bit.ly/4ua3mSP
- Hamish Blake - Let’s Talk About Self-Doubt - https://bit.ly/4fl7omR
- Dr Emily - Acceptance, That’s Radical - https://bit.ly/4ugEHwe
💻Things to check out
- Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory - https://bit.ly/4npfIE5
📺Things to watch
- ‘Onesies’ Bluey episode - https://bit.ly/4eGTqLS
📖Things to read
- The Way We Are, by Hugh Mackay - https://bit.ly/4wsJuff
- Status Anxiety, by Alain de Botton - https://bit.ly/4tvbGeL
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
17 May 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 28 minutesReuben Williams - What Happened After My Sexual Assault
Can you think of a moment that turned your life into ‘before’ and ‘after’?
For Reuben Williams, that moment was not his sexual assault, rather, the decision he made in the aftermath to pursue justice.
💌Join 7,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Incredibly vulnerable, Reuben talks Hugh, Ryan and Josh through what it felt like in the 24 hours after the assault, how he knew, undeniably, what happened to him was wrong, and why he chose to report it.
We talk about the intricacies of healing, privilege, and having a world class difficult conversation with the ones you love.
And then, Josh asks Reuben how you can best show up for your friends who might be going through something similar.
Reuben, it was such a privilege having you in the studio.
If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/okQnOwV2MJE
0:00 – An Imperfect Meet-Cute
6:44 – The night of the assault
19:28 – Identity, privilege, and idealism
33:09 – Family Dynamics
41:16 - World Class Difficult Conversation
47:39 – The Waiting Game
59:15 – Reuben’s Letter
1:04:24 – A divine test
1:10:30 – Just help
1:18:46 – How can you be a better friend?🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode
- Rana Hussain - Belonging For Connection - https://bit.ly/49voquJ
🎧Things to listen to
- SportsGrad Podcast - https://bit.ly/42V75HT
💻Things to check out
- SportsGrad - https://bit.ly/49p2hOD
🚨If you’d like to reach out to someone for support after listening to this episode, here are some great places to start
- 1800 RESPECT
- Centre Against Sexual Assault - 03 5441 0430 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) OR 1800 806 292 (Sexual Assault Crisis Line)
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
10 May 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 10 minutesJan Fran - Wars For Your Attention
In a world so divided by hate, how can we choose to show love?
This week we are joined by journalist Jan Fran, who unpacks the horror of witnessing horror.
💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Talking through her unravelling relationship with social media and the utter helplessness she feels watching atrocities cut into 30 second clips, Jan explores how becoming a mother cracked her open in ways she didn’t know possible.
Joining us in the Vulnerabilitea House to answer every question in the deck (kidding), Jan and Josh discuss the guilt of turning away, and the consequences of leaning in.
And finally, Jan bonds with the Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the fundamental importance of deliberately creating community.
Jan, you are remarkable.
0:00 – Introducing Josh’s housemate
8:42 – The art of being vulnerable
17:19 – I wish I could stop going on social media.
27:13 – Being cracked open
35:32 – Deliberately building community
46:39 – Anticipating the Comments
53:34 – Optimist by willIf you’d like to watch this full video on YouTube (and see Josh’s Frant banner), follow this link - https://youtu.be/BRoyNdZEZD0
🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode
- Dr Edna Lekgabe - New Baby … New Brain … Matrescence - (33:21) - https://bit.ly/48vQZb5
- How (and Why) Ryan Dumped His iPhone - (20:50) - https://bit.ly/4tGRXKj
💻Things to check out
- The Frant - https://bit.ly/4cSeFaO
- Ette Media - https://bit.ly/4t1OzIw
🎧 Things to listen to
- We Used To Be Journos - https://bit.ly/4dcAGT9
📱Things to help you set social media boundaries
- One sec - https://bit.ly/4cEYMpF
- Brick - https://bit.ly/4vXSzfP
🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz
🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW
🩵To join our subscriber 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://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.
3 May 2026, 7:00 pm - 1 hour 35 minutesDr Edna Lekgabe - New Baby… New Brain… Matrescence.
According to perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist Dr Edna Lekgabe, matrescence is the motherhood equivalent of adolescence. Puberty 2.0, if you will.
💌Join 6,500+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy
Joining us in the academy of imperfection, Dr Edna explores the cataclysmic identity shift women undergo during motherhood, and how partners can best support them.
Exploring the impacts of mastrescence with Hugh, Ryan and Josh, Dr Edna breaks down the difference between matrescence, anxiety and depression, and why mental illness is the number one pregnancy complication.
We’re talking hormonal changes, physiological changes, sociological changes that are SO significant, you can see them in brain scans. Matrescence is messy, a developmental earthquake, and it’s not talked about nearly enough.
This episode might just break the internet (and your heart) wide open.
0:00 – Introducing Hugh’s perinatal psychiatrist
7:30 – Matrescence? Huh?
21:14 – The biology of baby brain
34:10 – The difference between matrescence and depression
40:46 – Reasonable worry vs anxiety disorder
47:40 – The emergence of neurodivergence
54:04 – Post-natal depression
1:00:04 – Matrescence after loss
1:05:50 – Getting to know a brand new person
1:11:19 – Can women have it all?
1:18:32 – On a societal scale
1:26:12 – The paternal earthquakeIf you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link -
🫖 Other Imperfect’s episodes mentioned in this episode
- Bron Lewis - Is It Me or Postnatal Anxiety? - https://bit.ly/4vHn1eh
📖 Things to read
- Being Female: Reproduction, Power and Change, by Dana Raphael - https://bit.ly/48jC5EO
- The Birth of a Mother, New York Times, by Alexandra Sacks - https://bit.ly/3OjB9tp
- Men at Work: Australia’s Parenthood Trap, Quarterly Essay, by Annabel Crabb - https://bit.ly/4mLE8Hx
🎧Things to listen to
- Perinatal OCD: When ‘the happiest time of your life’ turns dark - https://bit.ly/48lx8eK
📺 Things to watch
- Alexandra Sacks TEDTalk on Matrescence - https://bit.ly/4tsBcCt
💻Things to check out
- Yerkes-Dodson Law: Stress Level - https://bit.ly/4cOT2IO
- peanut x Tommee Tippee campaign on matrescence - https://bit.ly/4mQDicU
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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.
26 April 2026, 7:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App