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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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Leah dives into the social construct of breastfeeding and the overwhelming guilt often placed on mothers. Drawing from research and lived experiences, Leh explores how cultural expectations, medical advice, and shifting family structures have created an impossible standard for mothers—one that demands exclusive breastfeeding as proof of being a “good” parent.

Leah challenges the narrative that mothers must navigate these pressures alone, highlighting the historical context of communal caregiving and the modern isolation of the nuclear family. She discusses the emotional toll of breastfeeding distress, the pain of inauthenticity, and the disproportionate impact on women from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

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Ever wonder why you're freezing in your office while your male coworkers seem perfectly comfortable?

Turns out, the temperature war isn’t just personal—it’s deeply gendered.

In this episode, Professor Leah puts her sociology and gender equity expertise to work: breaking down the science, history, and sexist assumptions behind workplace temperature settings. From menopause and pregnancy - to outdated 1970s standards based on men in business suits, Leah explores how the "ideal office climate" has been built to suit male bodies—leaving women literally out in the cold.

Learn how this invisible bias affects women’s health, confidence, and productivity

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What’s behind the trending TikTok “tradwife” and 1950s housewife nostalgia? Leah unpacks the myths and realities of traditional homemaking—examining why so many yearn for a past that was far from idyllic for most women. Discover the historical roots of domesticity, the limited rights and resources women actually had, and why today’s push for “going back” ignores the progress we’ve made for gender equity. Leah explores the risks of romanticizing the past, the importance of choice, and how societal constraints still shape women’s decisions today. Whether you’re curious about gender roles, feminism, or just want to understand the viral “tradwife” trend, this episode is your essential guide to separating fact from fantasy. 

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Is it really a red flag if a man is still living with his parents in his late twenties or early thirties? In this episode of MissPerceived, sociologist Leah Ruppanner breaks down the latest research on young men who stay at home longer, exploring what it means for their employment prospects, mental health, and relationships. Drawing on a major new study, Leah reveals why a short stint at home can actually boost a man’s career… or maybe not. She unpacks the social and economic factors driving this trend, the cultural differences around leaving the nest, and what it all means for dating today.

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In this episode of MissPerceived, Leah welcomes author Courtney Lund O’Neil to discuss her book, Postmortem: What Survives the John Wayne Gacy Murders. The conversation explores the often-overlooked stories of those living in the shadow of infamous crimes, focusing on the intergenerational impact of trauma, the mental load carried by mothers, and the power of storytelling to reclaim narratives from perpetrators. They address the importance of honoring victims’ humanity, breaking gender stereotypes—especially around raising boys—and the unique ways women process and are drawn to true crime.

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Are men really wired to desire more sex, or have we just been taught to think so? In this episode, Leah dives into the age-old question: do men have higher sex drives? Join us as we unpack the science behind libido, explore how hormones, culture, and social norms shape our desires, and challenge the stereotypes that keep this conversation stuck in the bedroom.

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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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