Do people who are seen as “more attractive” actually earn more money?

In this episode, we dig into the research behind appearance-based pay gaps — what the data says, how big the effect really is, and why it shows up in hiring, promotions, and income over time.

But we don’t stop at the numbers.

We unpack how ideas of “attractiveness” and “professionalism” are not neutral, and how they’re shaped by race, class, gender, and colonisation. We talk about the extra pressure Indigenous people often face to look and behave a certain way just to be taken seriously — and how judgment around appearance can quietly affect income, confidence, and opportunity.

In this episode we cover:

• What the research says about attractiveness and earnings
• How bias shows up in hiring, pay, and promotion
• Why “professionalism” often reflects dominant cultural norms
• How Māori and other Indigenous communities experience added scrutiny
• Why this isn’t about self-worth — it’s about systems
• How to think strategically about money and stability without erasing yourself

This isn’t about beauty tips or telling people to change how they look. It’s about understanding bias, naming the reality, and building financial options in a world that isn’t neutral.

🎧 Listen now.

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