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Did women suddenly lose their ambition—or did the 2025 Lean In & McKinsey “Women in the Workplace” report give everyone the wrong story about what’s actually going on? In this episode, Professor Leah takes a blowtorch to the idea of a so‑called “ambition gap,” arguing that the real problem isn’t women’s drive, it’s burnout, mental load, and structural barriers at work and at home. Leah breaks down why women, who now earn more degrees and participate in the workforce at historically high rates, can still look at the next promotion and think “I literally cannot carry one more thing,” while men are socially rewarded for chasing the top job.
You’ll learn:
If you’ve ever been told you’re “not ambitious enough” while simultaneously doing everything for everyone, this episode is your permission slip to call bullshit—and to start imagining a version of success that doesn’t require you to disappear to achieve it. Keywords: women in the workplace, ambition gap, Lean In report, McKinsey, burnout, mental load, working moms, gender bias, promotions, women’s careers.
Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner
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Is the clutter in your home actually messing with your health—or are you just “too sensitive”? In this episode of Misperceived, Professor Leah Ruppaner breaks down the science on clutter, stress, and the mental load, including a landmark UCLA study showing that women who describe their homes as cluttered and unfinished have elevated cortisol patterns across the day, while men in the same homes don’t show the same spike. Leah unpacks why a messy house hits women harder, how invisible labor and constant “noticing” turn piles of stuff into a 24/7 to‑do list, and why you are not the problem for feeling overwhelmed by dishes, laundry, and half‑done projects.
You’ll learn:
Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner
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In this episode of MissPerceived, Professor Leah unpacks what really happens when something goes wrong with your kids and the school, coach, or doctor has to pick up the phone: who do they call first, and why is it almost always mom? Drawing on new research from the Quarterly Journal of Economics and her own mental load interviews, Leah breaks down how schools and other institutions default to mothers as the family “911 call center,” even when parents explicitly ask them to call dad instead. She explains how this constant correspondence quietly reshapes women’s careers, health, and relationships, and offers practical ways dads, schools, and couples can push back on these norms so the burden is shared more fairly at home
Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner
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Why do college besties hit different from every other friendship you’ve had since? In this episode of Misperceived, Prof Leah breaks down what makes university friendships so intense and enduring, weaving in research on brain development, “self‑authorship,” and how women use friendships to test ideas, build identity, and stay sane in a hostile world. She explains why that 3 a.m. pizza‑and‑life‑chat friend often becomes your lifelong go‑to for truth, comfort, and tough love—and why those bonds set an almost impossibly high bar for adult friendships that get squeezed into work, school pick‑ups, and spin class. This episode doubles as a love letter to your uni bestie and an invitation to notice (and nurture) the people who have walked with you through your biggest growth spurts, even if they didn’t happen on a beach campus with epic house parties.
Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner
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When does keeping your kids safe turn into quietly wrecking their chances to grow up? In this episode, Prof Leah unpacks teen dating—covenants, text surveillance, and all—and asks what happens when parents’ fear of the future swallows their kids’ present. Drawing on her research on the mental load (and her forthcoming book Drained), she connects helicopter parenting, constant digital surveillance, and perfection pressure to teens’ isolation, anxiety, and lack of room to fail, urging parents to back off, drop the impossible standards, and let kids be gloriously imperfect humans.
Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner
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Ever feel like your day is just one “Are you kidding me?” moment after another? This week, Prof. Leah breaks down why some meetings should be illegal, how flat tires seem to know when you’re at your limit, and why venting to your best friend might actually be the healthiest thing you can do after a week of emotional overload . Drawing on new research from the Journal of Adolescent Health, we look at how teens—and adults—really cope with stress, and why texting a trusted friend trumps doomscrolling or actually sitting with your feelings (no judgment if you still want that bath and a glass of wine) .
Follow Leah: @prof.leahruppanner
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On this episode of MissPerceived, Leah flips the script on the mental load, shifting focus from mothers to the evolving experience of dads. Drawing from new research and hundreds of interviews across the US and Australia, Leah unpacks how modern fathers are navigating emotional thinking work-what she calls the “mental load logics”-while managing family, work, and parenting standards that have changed almost overnight. From comparing themselves to their own fathers (as anti-models or “good, but I can do better”) to wrestling with gendered expectations in their partnerships, today’s dads face a cognitive challenge that’s often overlooked. Leah explores the concept of metaparenting, the self-reflective work of deciding who you want to be as a parent in a society with few clear role models for engaged fatherhood.
Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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On this episode, Professor Leah dives into new research revealing why high-powered, high-earning mothers still can’t shake their mental load—no matter how much money, help, or flexibility they gain. Discover the difference between core and episodic mental load, why domestic cognitive labor sticks to women regardless of income or status, and how “gender stickiness” explains persistent burnout among mothers. With insights from over 2,000 parents and fresh findings on fatherhood, this episode gives a validating look into why women can outsource chores but not the relentless task of organizing, remembering, and anticipating every detail of family life.
Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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We’re digging into the real deal behind that “return to work” moment after having a baby. Have you ever wondered if you’re supposed to feel overwhelmed, lost, or suddenly less “yourself” as a mother, or if it’s just you? Spoiler: it’s not just you, and it’s not a flaw. On this episode, Leah breaks down what brand new research tells us about why mothers feel double the time pressure (hint: it’s not just diapers and sleepless nights), how cutting back work hours really affects mental health, and why all those stories about “doing it all” are misperceived from the get-go.
Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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Let’s get brutally honest about what really happens when you split up after 40. Professor Leah dives into the latest divorce research (with a little side-eye at bad advice and bad exes). Whether you’re thinking of leaving or just hanging on by a thread, you’ll get clear-eyed advice about dividing up homes and pensions, what happens when “the kids are grown,” and why being practical (and maybe a little ruthless) matters. Expect global stories, a few laughs, and plenty of “don’t be scared, be prepared” truth bombs. This episode is for anyone staring down a midlife divorce and wanting the inside scoop on protecting your heart and your future security.
Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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Professor Leah breaks down five everyday phrases women use—“I’m sorry for unloading,” “I don’t want to step on toes,” “I’m not that smart,” “I’m not sure, but…,” and “I’m so sorry for…”—and exposes the gender myths that fuel them, from needing to be liked to staying small and humble even when right. Together we’ll learn why taking up space, speaking with conviction, and sharing imperfect ideas drive innovation, reduce self-doubt, and build more equitable workplaces and relationships. You’ll get practical language shifts to help you own your expertise, stop over-apologizing, and lead with confidence. Perfect for women in leadership, early-career professionals, and allies committed to gender equity, future of work conversations, and culture change.
Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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Discover the realities behind the work-life balance choices facing women. Leah tackles myths about workplace flexibility, exploring why so many women are leaving traditional jobs for the gig economy and digital platform work. This episode unpacks the promises—and pitfalls of becoming your own boss, including the realities of algorithm-driven “digital bosses,” blurred personal boundaries, and the relentless mental load many face at home. If you’ve ever wondered whether freelancing or platform work truly delivers more autonomy, flexibility, and family time, this episode offers research-backed answers and practical insights.
Follow Leah Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
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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 Ruppanner at https://www.instagram.com/prof.leah/
Follow the MissPerceived Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/missperceivedpodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.