Ben Vasiliou, Dr Zac Seidler & Josh van Cuylenburg, will Address the National Press Club on “Beyond the Rhetoric: Reimagining Masculinity in Modern Australia”.
What does it mean to be a man in Australia today?
Join the National Press Club on Wednesday, 18 November 2026 for a critical and timely forum exploring the evolving landscape of Australian masculinity.
Hosted by Club President and Sky News News24 Anchor Tom Connell, this panel moves past standard talking points to bring together three leading voices at the forefront of mental health, youth advocacy, and mainstream cultural storytelling.
Hear insights from our expert panel:
- Ben Vasiliou – Chief Executive Officer of The Man Cave
- Dr Zac Seidler – Global Director of Men’s Health Research
- Josh van Cuylenburg – Co-host of The Imperfects Podcast & well-known Filmmaker
Together, they will dive into the real challenges facing modern men—from mental health and emotional vulnerability to the societal shifts needed to build healthier communities.
Don’t miss this essential conversation.
Ben Vasiliou
Chief Executive Officer of The Man Cave
- Background: Ben is a highly regarded youth worker, social entrepreneur, and social justice advocate. Before taking the helm at The Man Cave, he spent seven years as the CEO of Youth Projects Ltd, working on the frontline with youth facing homelessness and complex disadvantage.
- Focus: He leads Australia’s primary preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity for teenage boys. His work focuses on shifting rigid, outdated masculine stereotypes into an “expansive masculinity” that allows boys to embrace emotional maturity and empathy.
- Accolades: Named an “Innovator of the Year” and ranked among Pro Bono Australia’s top 25 most influential people in the social economy. He is also the author of the book Better Man: Reclaiming Masculinity for Good.
Dr Zac Seidler
Global Director of Men’s Health Research
- Background: Dr Seidler is a leading clinical psychologist, researcher, and preeminent men’s mental health expert. Alongside his role at Movember, he is an Associate Professor and Head of the Young Men’s Mental Health Lab with Orygen at the University of Melbourne.
- Focus: His professional mission revolves around drastically reducing global rates of male suicide and domestic violence by bridging clinical practice with policy change. He created Men in Mind, a world-first global training program designed to teach mental health clinicians how to effectively engage and respond to male distress.
- Media & Impact: He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and frequently acts as an expert consultant to state, federal, and international governments.
Josh van Cuylenburg
Co-host of The Imperfects Podcast & Freelance Filmmaker
- Background: Josh is a freelance filmmaker, photographer, and visual storyteller. He initially worked behind the scenes as a producer on the hit Australian podcast The Imperfects before moving in front of the microphone to co-host alongside his brother Hugh van Cuylenburg and comedian Ryan Shelton.
- Focus: On the podcast—which garners over a million monthly downloads—Josh brings a quiet wisdom, curiosity, and deep personal vulnerability. He regularly shares his own mental health journeys, including overcoming low self-esteem and impostor syndrome, to help normalize the struggles of others.
