MissPerceived

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 better. 

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 emotional responsibilities simultaneously? We also discuss what this debate reveals about the value we place on different types of work, and whether the very concept of multitasking undermines our understanding of productivity and fairness in modern life.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 sense of self…even when life feels like a 24/7 circus.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 complex emotions, negotiations, and subtle power shifts that arise when gender expectations clash with financial realities.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 shows about hurricane impact since naming conventions changed, and learn how these myths tie into broader issues of women’s anger, societal expectations, and intersectionality. Backed by recent research and powerful sociological insight, this episode challenges you to rethink how subtle biases influence our understanding of both storms and gender.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 lasting beauty standards, bias, and double standards for women in professional life? Join us as we explore!

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 workplace authority to family dynamics.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 hiring, career advancement, and salary in 2025, with new data showing significant workplace bias, and how these standards intersect with issues of race and exclusion. Is the celebration of “good genes” a harmless compliment or a window into social hierarchies and the historic discrimination that persist in modern institutions?

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 authentic.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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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 domestic, emotional, or supportive roles often face stigma, skepticism, or even suspicion.

• The hidden harms of closing off these roles to men, including what’s overlooked, undervalued, or outright ignored—sometimes with heartbreaking consequences.

• What it really takes to untangle deeply held beliefs and build a culture where everyone’s contributions are recognized, no matter their gender.

Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner

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