The “mental load” is something many people carry, but actually struggle to name. It’s the invisible work of planning, organising, anticipating and worrying that sits behind everything we do, both at work and at home. And while it affects everyone, it’s not experienced equally.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Leah Ruppanner, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Director of the Future of Work Lab and author of her new book, "Drained". Leah’s research sits at the intersection of work design, gender equity and wellbeing - asking whether the way we work today is truly sustainable for people, families and organisations.

Together, we unpack what the mental load really is, why it matters in today’s workplaces and what leaders can do to better recognise (and reduce!) the invisible demands placed on their people.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the mental load actually is and why it’s often hard to see or measure

• The invisible labour behind keeping work and life running smoothly

• Why the mental load is unevenly distributed, particularly across gender

• The impact on wellbeing, energy and sustainable performance

• How current ways of working can amplify (or reduce) this load

• Practical ways leaders can better support their teams and design healthier work environments

Why it matters:

Mental load isn’t just a personal challenge, it’s a workplace issue. When the invisible effort behind work isn’t recognised, it can quietly drain energy, impact performance and contribute to burnout. Addressing it is key to building healthier, more sustainable and more equitable workplaces

Resources

Dr Leah Ruppanner: https://www.leahruppanner.com

Book: Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762972/drained-by-leah-ruppanner-phd/

Miss Perceived Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/missperceived/id1744434731

Connect with Dr Leah Ruppanner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-ruppanner-1657a417/