Ever caught yourself searching for your keys… again? In this episode, Leah explores the truth behind pregnancy brain fog, cognitive changes after childbirth, and how your menstrual cycle might affect your mind. Did you experience brain fog during these times, or is it all just in our heads? Listen now to find out!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.
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17:49
Is Being in a Long Distance Relationship a Bad Idea?
Is being in a long-distance relationship a recipe for heartbreak or could it be the secret to lasting love? In this episode, Leah unpacks the realities of loving from afar. From immigration to job deployments, we explore why couples live apart, whether distance actually harms relationship quality, and what the research says about staying connected across the miles. Spoiler: it's not all bad.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.
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14:20
The Mental Load: “Can it be solved?’” (w/ Leah Ruppanner interviewed by Haley Swenson)
Haley Swenson (Better Life Lab, New America Foundation) takes over the mic to interview Leah on the invisible weight of the mental load and her upcoming book Drained. How is the mental load talked about in academia versus everyday life? What does the data reveal—and what are we still missing? They unpack why language matters, how gender shapes the conversation, and what real solutions might look like. You can find Haley’s work at the New America Foundation through their website https://www.newamerica.org/, or their instagram @newamericaorg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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43:42
Do Women Who Have Children Later in Life Live Longer?
This week, Leah tacks a question sent in by one of our listeners that’s been making the rounds on TikTok and Insta reels: Do mothers who have babies later in life actually live longer? It’s a viral claim that’s got people talking—but what does the research really say? We dig into the science behind fertility timing and maternal longevity, explore the biological theories, and ask whether social and economic factors are playing a bigger role than we think.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.
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13:57
The Mental Load: “The Challenges Faced by Migrant Mothers and Women of Color” (w/ Mira Gunawansa)
What does the mental load look like for women with intersectional identities, especially migrant mothers from Southeast Asia? In this episode, Leah and Haley are joined by Mira Gunawansa to dive into her groundbreaking PhD research exploring how the mental load manifests for women of colour and how their unique experiences—navigating visas, cultural assimilation, familial expectations, and racism—are often overlooked in current literature. How are the solutions for these women different and how can we better account for this in the research? Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on how intersectionality shapes the mental load and how we can rethink support for diverse groups of women.You can find Haley’s work at the New America Foundation through their website https://www.newamerica.org/, or their instagram @newamericaorg.Connect with Mira Gunawansa through instagram @mgunawansa, and to read her most recent article on the Mental Load of Christmas you can visit the UniMelb website - https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/maybe-just-think-about-whos-carrying-the-mental-load-at-Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leah Ruppanner is a no-nonsense Sociologist from the University of Melbourne on a mission to dispel society’s biggest and most divisive gender myths. In MissPerceived, Leah will tackle pervasive questions and draw upon decades of academic research and evidence to debunk the gender myths that benefit no one - showing that women aren’t better than men at seeing mess or multitasking, and that men aren’t bumbling caregivers who can’t change a diaper or find the keys. MissPerceived will show how as a society we use these myths to explain gender inequality and maintain the status quo. Leah doesn’t shy away from tough topics and touches on all those messy conversations about life including sex, relationships, work, parenting, and self-help. MissPerceived showcases how we got here, where we need to go next, and how to get there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand