At Cairns Crocodiles, Hugh van Cuylenburg and Ryan Shelton shared their perspectives on vulnerability, warning there is a fine line between meaningful openness and performative oversharing online.
The pair, who co-host hit podcast The Imperfects, spoke about the growing role vulnerability plays in modern conversations around mental health, as audiences increasingly seek authentic connection from creators, brands and public figures.
The Imperfects, which centres on conversations with high-profile Australians and interesting personalities, encourages guests to openly discuss their struggles, flaws and imperfect lives.
Van Cuylenburg said vulnerability remains one of the strongest ways to create emotional engagement around mental health, but stressed it needs to come from the right place.
“I do feel like it’s the only way really to generate emotional engagement, in a topic that is only getting more and more vital,” he said.
He added that there is an “appropriate level of vulnerability” required when discussing mental health publicly.
“We are sharing our scars, not our open wounds,” van Cuylenburg said.
“I just feel like that creates emotional engagement, and that’s what we need for such an important topic right now.”
Shelton acknowledged there will always be concerns about people using vulnerability performatively online, particularly in the creator economy.
“Maybe there will be people who will see it as an opportunity to gain followers, or to do it in a way which isn’t with the intention to help people or connect with someone,” he said.
“I think maybe that’s the only point where it’s unnecessary.”
Van Cuylenburg agreed, adding: “It’s not about creating attention, it’s about support and help.”
