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

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

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

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

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

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

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: @prof.leahruppanner

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

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: @prof.leahruppanner

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

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: @prof.leahruppanner

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

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: @prof.leahruppanner

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

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: @prof.leahruppanner

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

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: @prof.leahruppanner

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

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

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

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

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