This week, we look at a viral influencer’s take on why men don’t step up at home. He's just one of many creators who exist in the genre of “relationship advice” whose content insidiously blames women for their partner’s lack of initiative. Apparently, the problem with a lack of effort isn't... the lack of effort... It's that you must be smothering his divine masculine spark.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly

BoyMom by Ruth Whippman

Erased by Anna Malaika Tubbs

The Future Is Disabled by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha

Care Work by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha

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This week Crystal and Laura discuss the challenges of care work, societal expectations of default partners, and the internet's attempts at poking fun at these dynamics. Spoiler alert: we don't think it's funny. We analyze a viral video that pokes fun at a woman managing her family's needs while being late, highlighting the unfairness of couples comedy posts. Instead of trying to punch down, shouldn't we be trying to emphasize the importance of recognizing the value of care work, questioning societal norms, and teaching children about responsibility and empathy?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Our Home by Lori Sugarman-Li, a childrens book on domestic equity!

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In this episode, Laura and Crystal discuss planning ahead when one partner takes on a new task--should you make contingency plans just in case they mess it up?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Fight Right by the Gottmans

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In this episode, Laura and Crystal discuss a clip from the popular Showtime show, “Couples Therapy,” where a pair of clients discuss incompetence, ability, and blame.

Disclaimer:

Time to Lean is an educational and conversational podcast intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not constitute therapeutic advice, clinical guidance, or a substitute for professional mental health care. While we speak from lived experience and professional backgrounds, we’re not your therapists—and this podcast is not therapy.

Please consult a qualified mental health provider if you’re experiencing distress or need individualized support. And remember: systemic change takes all of us, but you don’t have to do it all alone.

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In this episode, Crystal and Laura discuss the importance of positive language in gardening, the joy of birding through apps, and the impact of social media on relationship dynamics. The conversation delves into parenting roles, cultural narratives, and the normalization of toxic behaviors in relationships, ultimately calling for a rethinking of feminist perspectives and deeper discussions about relationship expectations.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chakya

Bird Watching App!

Nature Identifying App!

Kin: The Future of Family by Sophie Lucido Johnson

Pre-Order Laura’s Upcoming Book, NO MORE MEDIOCRE: A CALL TO REIMAGINE OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND DEMAND MORE!

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This week, Crystal presents a new study that claims handling home life well can boost your work performance. We dig into what’s really being said(and what’s not), why the framing matters, and how corporate culture keeps co-opting care.

In this episode:

How you handle your home life can boost work performance, shows new study: https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/how-you-handle-your-home-life-can-boost-work-performance-shows-new-study/

Pillars of White Supremacy

Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber

When You Care by Elissa Strauss

📖 Preorder No More Mediocre by Laura Danger and get a bonus High Impact Tasks resource!

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

https://www.thehotline.org/

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Why is it that we blame the mom when something kid-related falls through the cracks? In this episode, Laura and Crystal discuss double standards in gendered expectations, the way that clear communication can prevent resentment, and how emotional safety can impact domestic problem-solving.

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.today.com/parents/toddlers/mom-forgets-diapers-flight-toddler-rcna203556

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

https://www.thehotline.org/

Check out Substack for resources and ad-free episodes! http://timetoleanpod.substack.com/

Preorder No More Mediocre: A Call to Reimagine Our Relationships and Demand More and get a free bonus workbook!

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Is the point of feminism to become a power mom/CEO powerhouse? (spoiler alert: BIG no). In this episode, Laura and Crystal discuss why the new branding of feminism misses the mark by a w i d e margin.

Mentioned in this episode:

Power Moms Marie Claire Article

Book: A Decolonial Feminism by Françoise Vergès

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In this super unhinged episode, Laura and Crystal discuss the HBO show The Rehearsal, specifically episode 2 of season 2. We talk emotional labor, Nathan Fielder, and airline pilots.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rose Hackman's article: Telling Women to Modulate Their Tone Will Not Hinder Male Extremism

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This week, Laura and Crystal unravel the messy, misunderstood concept of nagging—and spoiler alert, it’s not just a "you problem." We’re diving headfirst into the nag paradox, that familiar dynamic where one partner becomes the designated project manager of the household… and the other somehow forgets how time works.

From cringey comic strip tropes (hello, bathrobe lady with the slipper) to the emotional weight of carrying the mental load, we break down why nagging isn’t about being “overbearing”—it’s often a desperate bid to feel seen, heard, and understood in a system that undervalues care work.

We explore how this pattern plays out in everyday moments, like who’s picking up the kids, and how resentment builds when you’re forced to either ask for help perfectly or just do it yourself. We also talk about how neurodivergence, gender roles, and unspoken emotional labor all collide to make this a setup for burnout—and sometimes, abuse.

Plus:

• How to spot the difference between weaponized incompetence and skill gaps
• What emotional safety in conflict really looks like
• Why “division of labor” doesn’t always equal equity
• When it’s okay to say, “this is enough” and walk away

Whether you’ve felt like the “default parent,” are trying to unlearn your own baggage, or are questioning how to rebalance your relationship, this episode is your big, validating exhale.

🛠️ Resources Mentioned:

• Fresh Starts Registry – for imagining and building what your new beginning could look like
• Our Substack: timetoleanpod.substack.com
• No More Mediocre by Laura Danger

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