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.

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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/

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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 Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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.newamerica.org/, or their instagram @newamericaorg.

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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.

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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 can we better account for this in the research? Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on how intersectionality shapes the mental load and how we can rethink support for diverse groups of women.

You can find Haley’s work at the New America Foundation through their website https://www.newamerica.org/, or their instagram @newamericaorg.

Connect with Mira Gunawansa through instagram @mgunawansa, and to read her most recent article on the Mental Load of Christmas you can visit the UniMelb website - https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/maybe-just-think-about-whos-carrying-the-mental-load-at-Christmas. 

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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/missperceivedpodcast

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.