# Ryan Shelton, being. with Lael Stone | Silliness is Worth Taking Seriously ♥︎

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/humans-being-with-lael-stone-7489374/ryan-shelton-being-with-lael-stone-silliness-is-worth-taking-seriously
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/humans-being-with-lael-stone-7489374/ryan-shelton-being-with-lael-stone-silliness-is-worth-taking-seriously.md
Podcast: [Humans, being. with Lael Stone](https://stenobird.com/podcast/humans-being-with-lael-stone-7489374)
Published: 2026-04-05T20:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/humans-being-with-lael-stone/2545427
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/347610/2545427/humans-being-with-lael-stone/2026_03_22_23_32_56_6fe82625-b0cc-4d61-8114-cbafd1fc901c.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/humans-being-with-lael-stone-7489374/episodes/ryan-shelton-being-with-lael-stone-silliness-is-worth-taking-seriously
Duration seconds: 3881

## Resource

There are conversations that feel like they're about one thing, but they're actually about something else entirely. This one starts with laughter… and ends up in a tender place. Ryan Shelton is such an excellent human. He's one third of The Imperfects alongside Hugh and Josh van Cuylenburg, and a face on Australian screens for the better part of two decades, from Rove to Hamish & Andy . I knew going into this chat that it'd be warm and funny and real. We talk about what it costs to keep seeking approval, the psychology behind why so many of us are still waiting for someone to say "it's your turn now," and the surprising power of small, silly, seemingly pointless things. Ryan's beautiful quote - delivered with perfect comic timing and complete sincerity - might be my favourite callout from the whole season so far: "Silliness is worth taking seriously." We explore: The fear that stops you putting creative work into the world - and what actually happens when you finally do it anyway "Juvenile condition" - the Adlerian psychology concept that explains why so many adults are still waiting for permission to start their own lives Laughter as a nervous system response - and why it shows up in the strangest, most inconvenient moments The "three-sided column" from The Courage to Be Happy - and how it changes who you think is responsible for your life Why silliness might be the most underrated form of connection and healing we have right now All the fear, the procrastination, the need for approval. The creativity, the silliness, the courage it takes to put something out there, even when you're scared. Ryan reminded me to take that a lot more seriously - and to laugh a lot more while I'm doing it. [Recorded January 2026] About Ryan Shelton: Ryan Shelton is one of Australia's m…

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## Transcript

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