In this episode of MissPerceived, Professor Leah Ner tackles the fraught label of “women’s work”—and what really happens when men step into these traditionally gendered roles. Leah pulls apart the stubborn myths about who should do what in our homes, communities, and institutions, drawing on her decades of research and candid conversations. You’ll hear: • How the phrase “women’s work” shapes our assumptions about care, trust, and responsibility—even when men are just as involved. • Why men who t...
Jul 22, 2025•18 min
Leah dives into the social construct of breastfeeding and the overwhelming guilt often placed on mothers. Drawing from research and lived experiences, Leh explores how cultural expectations, medical advice, and shifting family structures have created an impossible standard for mothers—one that demands exclusive breastfeeding as proof of being a “good” parent. Leah challenges the narrative that mothers must navigate these pressures alone, highlighting the historical context of communal caregiving...
Jul 15, 2025•16 min
Ever wonder why you're freezing in your office while your male coworkers seem perfectly comfortable? Turns out, the temperature war isn’t just personal—it’s deeply gendered. In this episode, Professor Leah puts her sociology and gender equity expertise to work: breaking down the science, history, and sexist assumptions behind workplace temperature settings. From menopause and pregnancy - to outdated 1970s standards based on men in business suits, Leah explores how the "ideal office climate" has ...
Jul 08, 2025•17 min
What’s behind the trending TikTok “tradwife” and 1950s housewife nostalgia? Leah unpacks the myths and realities of traditional homemaking—examining why so many yearn for a past that was far from idyllic for most women. Discover the historical roots of domesticity, the limited rights and resources women actually had, and why today’s push for “going back” ignores the progress we’ve made for gender equity. Leah explores the risks of romanticizing the past, the importance of choice, and how societa...
Jul 01, 2025•21 min
Is it really a red flag if a man is still living with his parents in his late twenties or early thirties? In this episode of MissPerceived, sociologist Leah Ruppanner breaks down the latest research on young men who stay at home longer, exploring what it means for their employment prospects, mental health, and relationships. Drawing on a major new study, Leah reveals why a short stint at home can actually boost a man’s career… or maybe not. She unpacks the social and economic factors driving thi...
Jun 24, 2025•21 min
In this episode of MissPerceived, Leah welcomes author Courtney Lund O’Neil to discuss her book, Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders. The conversation explores the often-overlooked stories of those living in the shadow of infamous crimes, focusing on the intergenerational impact of trauma, the mental load carried by mothers, and the power of storytelling to reclaim narratives from perpetrators. They address the importance of honoring victims’ humanity, breaking gender stereotyp...
Jun 17, 2025•42 min
Are men really wired to desire more sex, or have we just been taught to think so? In this episode, Leah dives into the age-old question: do men have higher sex drives? Join us as we unpack the science behind libido, explore how hormones, culture, and social norms shape our desires, and challenge the stereotypes that keep this conversation stuck in the bedroom. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mis...
Jun 10, 2025•23 min
Is the workday really over when you leave the office, or does your boss live in your pocket? Join Leah as she explores the growing movement to reclaim life outside of work through the right to disconnect . From late-night emails to weekend pings, we unpack how work culture has blurred the boundaries between on and off—and what it means to reclaim your time in an always-on world. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://ww...
Jun 03, 2025•23 min
Why do razors, deodorants, and even a haircut cost more for women? In this episode, Leah unpacks the so-called pink tax - what it means, where it shows up, and how it quietly shapes our spending. From personal care products to pricing tricks, find out why being a woman can come with a higher price tag (and yes, it's often pink). Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast Follow Leah Ru...
May 27, 2025•20 min
From fierce debates in the '70s to today’s OnlyFans era, feminist views on pornography have shifted dramatically. In this episode, Leah traces the complex history of feminist discourse on porn - exploring battles over empowerment vs. exploitation, the rise of feminist porn, and the growing influence of social media and AI on how we create and consume erotic content. What does the future of porn look like in an increasingly digital, decentralised world, and where do feminist values fit in? Follow...
May 20, 2025•21 min
Is salary transparency the key to closing the pay gap? In this episode, we explore whether we should know each other’s salaries, especially among women. Could sharing pay help us understand our worth and spark important conversations about raises? Or is it too much of a social taboo? Listen now for a thought-provoking discussion on pay transparency and its potential impact! Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.ins...
May 13, 2025•16 min
Ever caught yourself searching for your keys… again? In this episode, Leah explores the truth behind pregnancy brain fog, cognitive changes after childbirth, and how your menstrual cycle might affect your mind. Did you experience brain fog during these times, or is it all just in our heads? Listen now to find out! Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast Follow Leah Ruppanner at http...
May 06, 2025•18 min
Is being in a long-distance relationship a recipe for heartbreak or could it be the secret to lasting love? In this episode, Leah unpacks the realities of loving from afar. From immigration to job deployments, we explore why couples live apart, whether distance actually harms relationship quality, and what the research says about staying connected across the miles. Spoiler: it's not all bad. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagr...
Apr 29, 2025•14 min
Haley Swenson (Better Life Lab, New America Foundation) takes over the mic to interview Leah on the invisible weight of the mental load and her upcoming book Drained . How is the mental load talked about in academia versus everyday life? What does the data reveal—and what are we still missing? They unpack why language matters, how gender shapes the conversation, and what real solutions might look like. You can find Haley’s work at the New America Foundation through their website https://www.newa...
Apr 24, 2025•44 min
This week, Leah tacks a question sent in by one of our listeners that’s been making the rounds on TikTok and Insta reels: Do mothers who have babies later in life actually live longer? It’s a viral claim that’s got people talking—but what does the research really say? We dig into the science behind fertility timing and maternal longevity, explore the biological theories, and ask whether social and economic factors are playing a bigger role than we think. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.inst...
Apr 22, 2025•14 min
What does the mental load look like for women with intersectional identities, especially migrant mothers from Southeast Asia? In this episode, Leah and Haley are joined by Mira Gunawansa to dive into her groundbreaking PhD research exploring how the mental load manifests for women of colour and how their unique experiences—navigating visas, cultural assimilation, familial expectations, and racism—are often overlooked in current literature. How are the solutions for these women different and how ...
Apr 17, 2025•39 min
Do parents secretly prefer their daughters over their sons? In this episode, Leah unpacks the complexities of parental favouritism: Is it about gender, birth order, or a child’s personality? And what happens when kids perceive they’re treated differently from their siblings? We explore how these dynamics shape identity, self-esteem, and family relationships. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missp...
Apr 15, 2025•21 min
In this episode, Leah and Haley chat with Avni Patel Thompson, founder of Milo & Verity Tuck and co-founder of Goldee AI, about how technology can help lighten the mental load of parents. Avni and Verity share how AI and language modeling are streamlining day-to-day tasks, easing the mental burden, and letting parents breathe a little easier. Tune in for real-life stories and practical insights on using tech to help share the load and make parenting a little bit easier! "Download the Milo an...
Apr 10, 2025•50 min
Leah and Haley are joined by Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play , to reframe how we understand the mental load. They explore how men and women conceptualise invisible labour, the systems that uphold these imbalances, and how boundaries and communication can essential to creating more equitable and fair partnerships. Eve shares real-life stories of couples negotiating their mental loads using the Fair Play system—not just as a way to split tasks, but as a tool for reimagining fairness at home. Follo...
Apr 03, 2025•53 min
In this episode, we challenge the misconception that being a parent makes you a bad employee. We dive into how taking time out for caregiving can be career enhancing, how parenting skills are highly transferable to the workplace, and why these skills are crucial for the future of work. Plus, we introduce the Parenting Work Skills Certificate—our team’s initiative to highlight the value of parenting in professional settings. Tune in to discover how the experience of being a parent can enhance you...
Apr 01, 2025•22 min
The mental load isn’t just about managing household tasks and mental to-do lists —it’s about carrying the weight of everything happening around us. From the rise of AI to the cost-of-living crisis and threats to democracy, our cognitive and emotional burdens are shifting in ways we’re only beginning to understand. In this episode, Leah and Haley Swenson from the New America Better Life Lab dive into the meaning of "mental load," who carries it, and whose responsibility it is—individuals, familie...
Mar 27, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In this episode, we dive into the sociology of egg freezing—who it’s for, how it’s marketed, and what it really offers. We unpack the classed experience of this costly procedure, from its strategic targeting of high-income, unmarried women to its role in the ‘economy of hope.’ Join Leah as she examines the intersection of assistive reproductive technology, gendered marketing, and the complexities of medically assisted fertility and risk management. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram....
Mar 25, 2025•17 min
This week, join Leah as she delves into how sibling dynamics shift after a parent's passing, from unresolved childhood rivalries to the burden of caregiving and inheritance. When a parent dies, family relationships can change in unexpected ways. What sparks tension—or strengthens bonds—between brothers and sisters in grief? And how do gender roles influence the way sons and daughters navigate loss? Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on ...
Mar 18, 2025•24 min
In this week's episode, Leah discusses the economics of being single. Ever noticed how flying solo can cost more ? We dive into the ‘single tax’ - from paying for utilities to groceries alone - to explore economies of scale, the power of shared resources, and why going it alone often comes with a higher price tag. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast Follow Leah Ruppanner at http...
Mar 11, 2025•13 min
Join us this week as we talk all things International Women's Day! In this episode, Leah takes us through the history of IWD—from its radical socialist roots to its modern-day celebrations—and asks whether we’ve lost sight of its purpose. More than just a day for hashtags and brunches, IWD should be a call to action. Join us as we unpack what this day really means and why the fight for gender equality is far from over. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the Miss...
Mar 06, 2025•25 min
Why do people still believe the myth that girls aren’t good at maths? In this episode, join Leah as she breaks down the gender stereotypes that hold women back in STEM, unpack the so-called “leaky pipeline,” and talk about what we really wants our daughters and younger generations to know about their educational potential. Because talent isn’t gendered—so why are opportunities? Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www...
Mar 04, 2025•18 min
Menopause is a natural transition in life, but should you talk about it at work? In this episode, Leah dives into the latest research on menopause in the workplace, your reproductive rights, and the policies (or lack thereof) supporting women through this stage. How do symptoms impact your career? And what does this mean for your identity at work? Tune in for expert insights on navigating menopause on the job. Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Do queer couples break free from traditional gender roles, or do old patterns creep in? In this weeks episode, Leah explores how LGBTQIA+ partners divide housework compared to heterosexual couples. Is the split more equal, or do unseen forces shape who scrubs the dishes and who takes out the trash? Tune in for an academic deep dive into love, labour, and the politics of domestic life! Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram http...
Feb 18, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Love languages say gifts = love, but should we rethink the way we give? Women often take on the emotional and financial labour of gift-giving—planning, making, and wrapping—while men’s gifts can sometimes feel like a quick fix for deeper issues. And with rising costs, is the pressure to give even sustainable? In this episode, we unpack the gendered side of gift-giving, the financial weight of presents, and whether it’s time to break free from the expectation that love = stuff. Tune in as Leah di...
Feb 11, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode, we break down the science of intelligence—cognitive, emotional, and beyond—to challenge outdated stereotypes. Is intelligence a spectrum? How do we measure it? And why do we still equate IQ with superiority? Tune in as we dismantle the myths, explore the biases, and reveal what intelligence really looks like. Who’s smarter—men or women? Or is that the wrong question entirely? Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/ Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instag...
Feb 04, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 9
