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PODCAST

MissPerceived

Leah Ruppanner is a no-nonsense Sociologist from the University of Melbourne on a mission to dispel society’s biggest and most divisive gender myths. In MissPerceived, Leah will tackle pervasive questions and draw upon decades of academic research and evidence to debunk the gender myths that benefit no one - showing that women aren’t better than men at seeing mess or multitasking, and that men aren’t bumbling caregivers who can’t change a diaper or find the keys. MissPerceived will show how as a

science social sciences

All Episodes

17:36

Your College Bestie Changed Your Brain (And Your...

MissPerceived ·

2025/12/09

Why do college besties hit different from every other friendship you’ve had since? In this episode of Misperceived, Prof Leah breaks down what makes university friendships so intense and enduring, weaving in research on brain development, “self‑authorship,” and how women use friendships to test ideas, build identity, and stay sane in a hostile world. She explains why that 3 a.m. pizza‑and‑life‑chat friend often becomes your lifelong go‑to for truth, comfort, and tough love—and why those bonds set an

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13:28

Helicopter Parenting, Teen Sex, and the Crushing...

MissPerceived ·

2025/12/02

When does keeping your kids safe turn into quietly wrecking their chances to grow up? In this episode, Prof Leah unpacks teen dating—covenants, text surveillance, and all—and asks what happens when parents’ fear of the future swallows their kids’ present. Drawing on her research on the mental load (and her forthcoming bookDrained), she connects helicopter parenting, constant digital surveillance, and perfection pressure to teens’ isolation, anxiety, and lack of room to fail, urging parents to back

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9:52

Phone a Friend: Why Texting Your Bestie Is...

MissPerceived ·

2025/11/25

Ever feel like your day is just one “Are you kidding me?” moment after another? This week, Prof. Leah breaks down why some meetings should be illegal, how flat tires seem to know when you’re at your limit, and why venting to your best friend might actually be the healthiest thing you can do after a week of emotional overload . Drawing on new research from the Journal of Adolescent Health, we look at how teens—and adults—really cope with stress, and why texting a trusted friend trumps doomscrolling

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20:47

How’s Dad Doing? The New Mental Load of Fatherhood

MissPerceived ·

2025/11/18

On this episode of MissPerceived, Leah flips the script on the mental load, shifting focus from mothers to the evolving experience of dads. Drawing from new research and hundreds of interviews across the US and Australia, Leah unpacks how modern fathers are navigating emotional thinking work-what she calls the “mental load logics”-while managing family, work, and parenting standards that have changed almost overnight. From comparing themselves to their own fathers (as anti-models or “good, but I can

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15:25

Why You Can’t Outsource Your Mental Load: The Sticky...

MissPerceived ·

2025/11/11

On this episode, Professor Leah dives into new research revealing why high-powered, high-earning mothers still can’t shake their mental load—no matter how much money, help, or flexibility they gain. Discover the difference between core and episodic mental load, why domestic cognitive labor sticks to women regardless of income or status, and how “gender stickiness” explains persistent burnout among mothers. With insights from over 2,000 parents and fresh findings on fatherhood, this episode gives a

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16:14

Back to Work? Why Motherhood, Work, and Gender Myths...

MissPerceived ·

2025/11/04

We’re digging into the real deal behind that “return to work” moment after having a baby. Have you ever wondered if you’re supposed to feel overwhelmed, lost, or suddenly less “yourself” as a mother, or if it’s just you? Spoiler: it’s not just you, and it’s not a flaw. On this episode, Leah breaks down what brand new research tells us about why mothers feel double the time pressure (hint: it’s not just diapers and sleepless nights), how cutting back work hours really affects mental health, and why

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19:10

Midlife Divorce: The (Real) Costs, Gender Myths, and...

MissPerceived ·

2025/10/28

Let’s get brutally honest about what really happens when you split up after 40. Professor Leah dives into the latest divorce research (with a little side-eye at bad advice and bad exes). Whether you’re thinking of leaving or just hanging on by a thread, you’ll get clear-eyed advice about dividing up homes and pensions, what happens when “the kids are grown,” and why being practical (and maybe a little ruthless) matters. Expect global stories, a few laughs, and plenty of “don’t be scared, be

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21:03

Stop Saying These 5 Phrases at Work If You Want a...

MissPerceived ·

2025/10/07

Professor Leah breaks down five everyday phrases women use—“I’m sorry for unloading,” “I don’t want to step on toes,” “I’m not that smart,” “I’m not sure, but…,” and “I’m so sorry for…”—and exposes the gender myths that fuel them, from needing to be liked to staying small and humble even when right. Together we’ll learn why taking up space, speaking with conviction, and sharing imperfect ideas drive innovation, reduce self-doubt, and build more equitable workplaces and relationships. You’ll get

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23:09

Work-Life Balance: Gig vs. Job

MissPerceived ·

2025/09/30

Discover the realities behind the work-life balance choices facing women. Leah tackles myths about workplace flexibility, exploring why so many women are leaving traditional jobs for the gig economy and digital platform work. This episode unpacks the promises—and pitfalls of becoming your own boss, including the realities of algorithm-driven “digital bosses,” blurred personal boundaries, and the relentless mental load many face at home. If you’ve ever wondered whether freelancing or platform work

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19:45

Why Women Tune Out Politics: The Hidden Cost of...

MissPerceived ·

2025/09/23

Dive into the mental load crisis as Profrssor Leah uncovers how motherhood leads to burnout and impacts women’s political engagement. This episode explores why overburdened mothers are tuning out of politics, the persistent gender gap in civic participation, and the unique ways mothers channel energy into causes like gun violence prevention. Discover the real story behind domestic cognitive labor, the consequences for democracy, and why amplifying mothers’ voices could change our communities for the

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17:58

Better Multitaskers: Women, Men, or Just a Myth?

MissPerceived ·

2025/09/16

In this episode, we unpack one of the most enduring cultural beliefs: that women are inherently better multitaskers than men. Drawing on research, cognitive science, and the history of gender roles, we examine whether this assumption is rooted in real performance differences or if it’s a product of societal expectations and labor divisions. How much of “multitasking ability” is biological, and how much is the result of women being socialized (and often expected) to juggle domestic, professional, and

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17:25

Work-Life Chaos Is Making You A Jerk (And Yes, The...

MissPerceived ·

2025/09/09

In this brutally honest episode, Leah exposes how all that work-life juggling isn’t just making people tired it’s rewiring who they are. Pulling from top research and real stories, she shows how juggling kids, deadlines, and never-ending to-do lists transforms us into more anxious, less fun, slightly pricklier humans (especially if you’re a mom). Leah doesn’t just talk stats; she dishes out real talk, science-backed validation, and gives doctor’s orders for carving out sanity, connection, and a

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18:31

What Happens When Women Earn More? The Breadwinner Myth

MissPerceived ·

2025/09/02

How does it affect families (and gender roles) when women out-earn men? In this eye-opening episode of MissPerceived, sociologist and gender equity leader Leah unpacks the latest research on household income dynamics, challenging the persistent breadwinner myth. Discover what happens behind closed doors when women become primary earners, how traditional norms shape family finances from the U.S. to the UAE, and why women’s contributions are still too often invisible or discounted.Leah explores the

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14:23

Are Female-Named Hurricanes More Destructive?

MissPerceived ·

2025/08/26

Do hurricanes with women’s names really cause more damage? In this thought-provoking episode of MissPerceived, sociologist and gender equity expert Leah Ner dives deep into the origins of hurricane naming and the science behind the headline-grabbing myth that female-named hurricanes are deadlier. Leah explores the gendered history of hurricane naming, revealing how old traditions and modern stereotypes have shaped public perceptions and fueled persistent gender myths.Discover what the data actually

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17:54

Blondes and the Beauty Premium: Does Hair Color Shape...

MissPerceived ·

2025/08/19

Do blondes really have more fun or just fatter paychecks? We dig into new research on the “beauty premium,” focusing on whether women with blonde hair actually earn more. Using fascinating data from a decades-long national survey, Leah explores why women’s physical appearance—especially hair color—may shape their income, career prospects, and even who they marry. Is being blonde an economic advantage, or does it feed into harmful stereotypes and workplace discrimination? What does this say about

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15:15

Smiling Women, Crying Men: How Gender Shapes...

MissPerceived ·

2025/08/12

Leah unpacks the deeply ingrained social rules around emotion and gender. Why are women expected to smile constantly at school, at work, even on planes? What does it cost them when they do, or don’t? Why are men discouraged from expressing sadness but given a free pass to anger? Drawing from new research and decades of gender studies, Leah explores how cultural norms shape when and where women and men are permitted to show their feelings and why violating those norms can impact everything from

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22:48

Pretty Privilege, Backlash, and the Power of Genes

MissPerceived ·

2025/08/06

The internet’s explosive reaction to Sydney Sweeney’s headline-grabbing American Eagle jeans ad set social media alight and reignited debates about “pretty privilege” and the supposed “genetic lottery.” As critics dissect the campaign’s tagline—“Sydney Sweeney has great jeans”—for its double entendre and uncomfortable brush with eugenics rhetoric, we ask: What happens when beauty standards meet the politics of who counts as ‘desirable’? We explore how conventions of attractiveness continue to drive

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54:10

Breaking the Cage: Ellie Angell on the Cost of Living...

MissPerceived ·

2025/07/29

In this powerful episode of Misperceived, Leah sits down with Ellie Angell, a trans woman who shares her raw, personal journey toward living as her true self. Diving into gender identity, Ellie discusses the emotional realities of transitioning—gains, losses, and the courage it takes to confront deeply rooted misperceptions. Through heartfelt conversation, Leah and Ellie expose the impact of societal myths on the trans community and challenge listeners to rethink what it means to truly be

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18:02

Men Doing ‘Women’s Work’: Myths, Truths, and What We...

MissPerceived ·

2025/07/22

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 take on

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15:55

The Breastfeeding Guilt Trap: Unpacking All the Feels

MissPerceived ·

2025/07/15

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 and

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85 results

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