In today’s world, the global wellness industry has reached an astonishing milestone, with a market valuation of $6.32 trillion in 2023. This expanding industry now outpaces pharmaceuticals and sports, highlighting a significant shift in consumer priorities toward holistic health. The wellness market growth covers various sectors, including personal care, beauty, weight loss, nutrition, and even wellness real estate, showcasing an increased focus on mental and physical well-being in daily life.

The Wellness Boom: A Post-Pandemic Priority

Following the pandemic, individuals have become more health-conscious, leading to a surge in demand across wellness sectors, especially in personal care and nutrition. This post-pandemic wellness trend underscores the heightened importance people place on preventive health and self-care, resulting in a robust rebound for the wellness industry after the temporary setbacks experienced during COVID-19. North America, known for its higher expenditure in wellness, remains at the forefront of wellness market spending, emphasizing regional differences in health-related investments.

Corporate Wellness: Investing in Employee Well-Being

The corporate wellness market is also expected to witness considerable expansion by 2032 as companies increasingly recognize the value of prioritizing employee health. Employers are investing in wellness initiatives—like mental health resources, fitness programs, and wellness retreats—to foster a happier, healthier workforce. This evolution in workplace culture signals a new era where corporate wellness programs are as essential as traditional benefits, underscoring the strong connection between well-being and productivity.

Hybrid Work and Remote Job Satisfaction

The rise of hybrid work productivity is another trend reshaping the wellness industry. Research shows that employees working in a hybrid model report similar productivity levels to in-office employees while experiencing higher job satisfaction. Many credit this satisfaction to the flexible balance between work and personal life that hybrid work enables. Reflecting the quirks of remote work, Kevin O’Leary recently commented on the “business on top, casual on the bottom” fashion trend during a television appearance, capturing the essence of remote work culture.

Tech Innovations: Smart Glasses and Health Monitoring

In the tech world, wellness trends are influencing the development of new devices. Following Meta’s success with its recent launches, Apple is now considering entering the smart glasses market. With wearable technology already playing a pivotal role in health tracking, Apple’s potential entry could further revolutionize how people engage with their well-being.

Surprising Shifts in Wealth and Health Culture

A recent analysis also uncovered that the wealthiest U.S. city is not in New York or California, reflecting new demographic trends in wealth and wellness priorities across regions. This unexpected shift further emphasizes how health and wellness are spreading beyond traditional high-income areas, with other regions leading in wellness-oriented lifestyles and investments.

Wellness Industry Trends: The Future Outlook

The future of the wellness industry points to sustained growth across various areas, from corporate wellness to advanced personal care solutions. Companies are likely to increase their investment in wellness programs, creating a more supportive workplace culture focused on employee well-being. As health and wellness industry trends continue to evolve, the industry’s growth will likely see further expansion into wellness tourism, sustainable health products, and more personalized wellness solutions.

This remarkable rise of the global wellness industry exemplifies the shift in modern values, with a focus on health, fulfillment, and a balanced lifestyle. The wellness sector’s continued growth signals a bright future where personal well-being takes center stage in both our personal and professional lives.

In the contemporary business landscape, prioritizing mental health has emerged as a fundamental aspect of effective leadership. While many companies traditionally focus on financial performance and operational efficiency, the mental well-being of both leaders and employees is now recognized as essential for fostering a thriving workplace. By understanding the profound impact that mental health has on productivity, creativity, and overall organizational success, businesses can create environments that empower individuals to perform at their best.

The Importance of Mental Health in Businesses

Mental health is often overlooked in the corporate world, yet it plays a significant role in the overall performance of businesses. Companies that prioritize mental well-being see higher employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and a more positive workplace culture. When leaders focus on their mental health and encourage their teams to do the same, they create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Signs That It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health

Businesses must recognize the signs that indicate it’s time to prioritize mental health initiatives. Common symptoms include increased stress, poor communication, and a decline in productivity. If team members exhibit changes in behavior or mood, it’s a signal that mental health support is needed.

Strategies for Businesses to Prioritize Mental Health

1. Create a Supportive Culture: Foster an environment where employees feel safe discussing mental health issues without fear of stigma. Encourage open dialogue and provide resources for support.
2. Implement Mental Health Programs: Offer workshops, counseling services, and wellness programs that focus on building mental resilience and coping strategies.
3. Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to take breaks, use their vacation time, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can significantly reduce stress and burnout.
4. Lead by Example: Business leaders should openly prioritize their mental health, demonstrating its importance to their teams. Sharing personal experiences can help normalize conversations around mental well-being.

The Business Case for Prioritizing Mental Health

Investing in mental health is not just a moral obligation; it’s a smart business strategy. Companies that prioritize mental well-being enjoy lower turnover rates and increased productivity, leading to higher profitability. When businesses recognize that mental health is a core component of success, they position themselves to attract and retain top talent.

As we move forward in an increasingly competitive marketplace, the need for businesses to prioritize mental health has never been more critical. By taking proactive steps to address mental well-being, companies can create a healthier work environment, leading to sustainable success. Let 2025 be the year that mental health becomes a central focus for businesses everywhere.

Health experts have discovered that certain blockbuster weight-loss drugs could significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, offering new hope for broader cardiovascular protection. Certain blockbuster weight-loss drugs have been found to offer significant protection to the heart, and new research indicates that the cardiovascular benefits of these drugs may extend to a much broader set of patients than clinical trial data has previously shown. This new insight suggests that these drugs, specifically GLP-1 receptor agonists, could prevent tens of thousands of heart attacks and strokes in the United States each year. These findings could mark a substantial shift in how these drugs are viewed, moving beyond their use for weight loss to potentially becoming critical tools in preventing cardiovascular events on a much larger scale.Clinical trial data from Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy, showed that people who used the drug had a 20% lower risk of experiencing a cardiac event, such as a heart attack or stroke, compared to those who were given a placebo. This data prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March to approve an update to Wegovy’s label, making it the first weight-loss medication officially approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death in individuals who are at a higher risk of these conditions. Wegovy belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, and its active ingredient, semaglutide, is also available as Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk’s clinical trial, however, was limited to people who were living with obesity and had already experienced a previous cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or those with symptoms of peripheral artery disease, which includes conditions like clogged arteries in the limbs. This group is at higher risk of future heart problems, and the trial focused on whether Wegovy could help prevent subsequent events in this population.

Now, new research from Dandelion Health, a health platform leveraging real-world data and artificial intelligence (AI) to advance personalized care, suggests that GLP-1 drugs could also be highly effective as a primary prevention method. This means that these drugs might significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes even for people who have mild or moderate cardiovascular disease but have not yet suffered a major cardiovascular event. The implications of this research are profound, as it suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists could benefit an even larger group of people than previously thought, extending beyond those with a history of heart disease.

The researchers at Dandelion Health used AI to analyze real-world medical records of patients who shared similarities with those in the Novo Nordisk clinical trial but had no history of major cardiovascular events. By tracking years of medical data, particularly focusing on electrocardiogram readings (which measure the heart’s electrical activity), the AI model predicted the potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The AI-driven predictions were then validated against actual patient outcomes. 

What the researchers found was striking: GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of heart attack or stroke by 15% to 20%—a result that mirrors the findings of the clinical trial but for a much broader population. Based on these results, the researchers estimate that if everyone in this larger group of potentially eligible patients took GLP-1 drugs, it could prevent around 34,000 heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. each year. This could transform the way cardiovascular disease is managed in millions of people, marking a shift toward using GLP-1 drugs as a cornerstone in heart disease prevention.

“In clinical research, you take the moderate to severe patients because you require fewer patients to prove out the efficacy. But there’s this huge danger that you will consistently miss the impact of medication on broader populations because you just can’t afford the time or money to study them. This is just a natural flaw of clinical research,” explained Elliott Green, co-founder and CEO of Dandelion Health. He emphasised that broadening the scope of research through the use of AI can help capture data on patients who might otherwise be overlooked in traditional clinical trials—those he referred to as the “clinically silent” group.

The potential for GLP-1 drugs to reshape cardiovascular care has already been transformative. Many experts now consider these drugs not merely as weight-loss solutions but as powerful tools that promote overall health, particularly heart health. Dr. Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist and scientist at Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital, who was not involved in the Dandelion Health analysis, sees the growing evidence of the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1s as potentially game-changing. “We could reframe the discussion,” Krumholz said, explaining that instead of focusing solely on the weight-loss effects of these drugs, the conversation could shift to how they help reduce cardiovascular risk and promote longer, healthier lives. This added evidence of heart health benefits may help persuade more people to consider the use of GLP-1 drugs.

Dr. Brendan Everett, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, is among the physicians who have already begun prescribing GLP-1 drugs for their cardiovascular benefits. “I am a preventive cardiologist who wants people to be well and has watched this epidemic of obesity and what we call cardiometabolic disease consume the United States over the past two or three decades,” he said. Everett highlighted that GLP-1 drugs have created an “absolute paradigm shift” in the way cardiovascular disease is treated. He believes that expanding the use of these drugs to patients with mild or moderate cardiovascular disease could provide even greater benefits, as long as the costs and prevention goals are clearly understood.

However, the cost of GLP-1 drugs remains a critical consideration. A recent analysis published in *Health Affairs* suggested that if Medicare were to cover weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, Part D spending could increase by $3 billion annually, even if only 5% of eligible patients were prescribed the drug. However, preventing costly heart attacks and strokes through the use of GLP-1 drugs could potentially offset these costs in other areas of healthcare. For example, research from last year found that each heart attack costs hospitals an average of about $19,000.

While clinical trials with randomized controls, such as those conducted by Novo Nordisk, remain the gold standard for determining the safety and efficacy of medications, AI-driven research like that from Dandelion Health offers valuable insights. This new research also had some advantages over the Novo Nordisk trial. For instance, the Dandelion Health analysis included a more diverse patient population, with a more balanced ratio of men and women and nearly three times the number of non-white patients. Additionally, the AI model was able to identify the decreased cardiovascular risk in less than two years, whereas the Novo Nordisk clinical trial took over three years to complete.

As heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and stroke is the fifth leading cause, the opportunities to improve cardiovascular health through the use of GLP-1 drugs are significant. With the growing popularity of these medications, additional data from real-world analyses and clinical trials could help healthcare providers better allocate the currently limited supply to those who would benefit the most.

 In a recent study, children who used the weight loss drug liraglutide experienced a significant reduction in weight compared to those who received a placebo. This groundbreaking research sheds light on a potential new treatment avenue for younger children struggling with obesity, a group that has traditionally relied on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as diet and exercise.

Managing obesity is challenging for individuals of all ages, but it is particularly difficult for children. While adults and adolescents aged 12 and older have access to GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medications effective for weight management, younger children typically rely solely on lifestyle modifications. These include dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral counseling. Despite these efforts, substantial weight loss in younger children has often proven elusive, with most interventions yielding only modest results.

Liraglutide, known commercially as Saxenda and Victoza, was initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 for weight loss in adults. Its approval was expanded in 2020 to include children aged 12 to 17. The recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the annual European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference, represents the first investigation into liraglutide’s effects on children aged 6 to 12 with high BMI.

Conducted by Dr. Claudia Fox, a pediatrician at the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, the study involved 82 children. These participants were divided into two groups: 56 children received daily liraglutide injections, while 26 received a placebo. All participants also received counseling designed to promote healthier eating habits and an increase in physical activity, specifically moderate to high-intensity exercise for at least an hour each day.

The results were notable. After just over a year, children in the liraglutide group experienced a 5.8% reduction in BMI, compared to a 1.6% increase in the placebo group. This represents a 7.4 percentage point difference in BMI between the two groups. These findings align with previous studies involving teenagers but were even more pronounced in the younger children studied.

Liraglutide was generally well-tolerated by the participants, though some adverse effects were reported. Both the liraglutide and placebo groups experienced gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, with these symptoms being more prevalent among those receiving the medication. However, these side effects were mostly transient and did not result in a high dropout rate.

The study has several important implications but also some limitations. One key unanswered question is the long-term effectiveness and safety of liraglutide for younger children. The trial did not explore how long children would need to remain on the medication or the long-term effects of discontinuing it. After the study period ended and medication and counseling stopped, BMI levels among participants began to increase again, although the rise was less pronounced compared to previous studies involving teenagers. This suggests that early intervention with liraglutide might offer more durable results, but additional research is needed to confirm this.

Obesity is a prevalent and serious health issue among children in the United States, affecting nearly 20% of the population. This condition often persists into adulthood, leading to various health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other serious conditions. Effective treatments for childhood obesity are crucial not only for managing weight but also for preventing long-term health complications.

Developing and implementing weight loss medications for children is complex due to their ongoing growth and development. It is crucial to ensure that such treatments do not negatively impact physical growth or developmental milestones. Although the study did not indicate any adverse effects on growth or puberty, further research is essential to verify that liraglutide does not interfere with these important developmental processes.

The potential benefits of weight loss medications like liraglutide must be weighed against their costs and long-term effects. While the current research is promising, more studies are needed to fully understand the implications of such treatments for young children. These studies should focus on long-term safety, potential impacts on growth and development, and the overall efficacy of maintaining weight loss over time.

In summary, the study on liraglutide offers a promising new option for managing obesity in younger children. With significant weight loss observed and a generally acceptable safety profile, liraglutide could become a valuable tool in treating childhood obesity. However, further research is needed to fully understand its long-term impact and to ensure its safe and effective use in the younger population.

When a demanding week disrupts your regular sleep routine, catching up on sleep over the weekend often seems like a sensible remedy. However, new research suggests that this approach might offer more than just temporary relief—it could actually benefit your heart health. Set to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual congress on September 1, the study indicates that making up for lost sleep on weekends is linked to a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease.

This research, based on data from the UK Biobank study involving over 90,000 participants, reveals intriguing findings. Those who used weekends to compensate for lost sleep showed a 19% lower risk of heart disease compared to individuals who didn’t catch up as much. The benefit was notably greater for those who regularly faced inadequate sleep during the workweek. Over an average follow-up period of nearly 14 years, participants who averaged the most additional sleep on weekends were less likely to develop serious cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

For people suffering from chronic sleep deprivation—defined as getting less than seven hours of sleep per night—this research found that catching up on sleep over the weekend reduced the risk of heart disease by 20%. This suggests that even intermittent sleep recovery can have a protective effect on cardiovascular health.

Despite these promising results, experts stress the importance of maintaining a consistent sleep schedule throughout the entire week. Irregular sleep patterns, often referred to as “social jet lag,” can have detrimental effects on heart health, undermining the benefits of weekend sleep recovery. For instance, excessive weekend sleep might not fully mitigate the adverse effects of insufficient sleep during the week.

The research, while compelling, remains in abstract form and has some limitations. It primarily reflects the UK population, and the study’s methodology does not yet account for all potential risk factors for heart disease or variations in individual sleep needs. Further research is needed to determine the optimal amount of daily sleep and whether there are thresholds beyond which additional weekend sleep offers no further benefit.

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of Atria New York City and a clinical associate professor of medicine at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, emphasizes the broader implications of the findings. She points out that chronic sleep deprivation is known to contribute to various cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and stroke. Therefore, while catching up on sleep can be beneficial, it is crucial to aim for a consistent sleep routine to maximize heart health.

Other experts, like Dr. Nour Makarem from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, highlight that maintaining regular sleep patterns every day is likely the best strategy for long-term health. They also suggest discussing sleep issues with healthcare providers to address any underlying problems and ensure the most effective approach to improving sleep and overall cardiovascular health.

In summary, while making up for lost sleep on weekends appears to offer heart health benefits, the ideal approach is to maintain a consistent and adequate sleep schedule throughout the week. Further research will be needed to refine these findings and provide more specific guidelines for optimizing sleep for heart health.

The vibrant, cubic universe of Minecraft is set to leap off the screen with the release of the first teaser trailer for “A Minecraft Movie,” the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved video game. Starring Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, and Jack Black, the film promises to bring the pixelated world of Minecraft to life in an exciting new way.

The teaser introduces Momoa as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, who, along with Brooks, “Wednesday” star Emma Myers, and Sebastian, finds himself transported into the enchanting realm of Minecraft through a mysterious portal. The trailer showcases their journey through this imaginative landscape, where they encounter various Minecraft creatures like bleating sheep, menacing piglins, and an intriguing character named Steve, played by Jack Black.

In a memorable moment from the trailer, Black’s character declares, “Anything you can dream about here, you can make,” while The Beatles’ “The Magical Mystery Tour” plays in the background. This line underscores the movie’s theme of creativity and exploration in the fantastical world of Minecraft.

The film’s official synopsis reveals that Momoa’s character and his friends face ordinary challenges that become extraordinary once they are thrust into the Overworld, a surreal and cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To return home, they must embrace their unique creative abilities, which will ultimately help them in their real-world lives.

Directed by Jared Hess, known for “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Masterminds,” “A Minecraft Movie” marks the first live-action adaptation of the popular video game that originally launched in 2011. The film is a collaborative effort between Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, and is scheduled to hit theaters on April 4, 2025.

 Rachael Gunn, known in the breakdancing world as Raygun, has issued a heartfelt apology to the breaking community following the significant backlash from her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old university lecturer and breakdancer garnered international attention for her unique and unconventional routine, but her performance did not resonate with many in the sport, leading to a storm of criticism.

In an interview aired on the Australian current affairs show “The Project,” Gunn expressed her deep regret over the negative impact her Olympic appearance had on the breaking community. Gunn’s performance, which featured distinctive moves like the kangaroo hop, backward rolls, and various contortions while lying or crawling on the floor, did not score a single point in her matches against competitors from the United States, France, and Lithuania. She lost each round 18-0, a result that fueled the controversy surrounding her style and approach.

Gunn’s style was met with confusion and disapproval from many in the breaking community, who felt that her routine diverged significantly from traditional breakdancing elements. Despite qualifying for the Olympics by winning the Oceania championships, Gunn admitted in her interview that she was nervous about competing and anticipated a mixed reception to her performance. “I knew that I was going to get beaten, and I knew that people were not going to understand my style and what I was going to do,” she said. “The odds were against me, that’s for sure.”

The reaction to Gunn’s performance extended beyond the breaking community and captured the attention of the global media. Singer Adele publicly questioned the seriousness of the performance during a concert in Munich, while actress Rachel Dratch parodied Gunn’s routine on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Gunn revealed that she had not seen the Fallon sketch but felt conflicted about the attention it brought her. “I don’t know whether to hug (Fallon) or yell at him, because what platform he ended up giving me,” she remarked.

Gunn’s performance, while controversial, was a bold attempt to bring a new perspective to breakdancing, a sport that made its Olympic debut in Paris but will not be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Gunn’s approach, though not widely accepted, highlights the ongoing debate within the sport about the balance between innovation and tradition.

In light of the backlash, Gunn has decided to take a step back from competitive breakdancing. She expressed a desire to avoid the spotlight and focus on the positive aspects of her experience, including the joy and fun she found in performing. “I would much rather focus on the positives out of this, and the positive responses and the joy that I brought people,” she said. Gunn emphasized that her goal was to have fun and push boundaries, even in the face of defeat.

Rachael Gunn’s apology and decision to step away from competition reflect her acknowledgment of the controversy and her commitment to the sport, despite the challenges she faced. Her story underscores the complexities of introducing innovative approaches to traditional sports and the need for ongoing dialogue within the breaking community about the future direction of the sport.

Fatman Scoop, the acclaimed rapper and hype man known for his collaborations with Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey, has passed away at the age of 56 after collapsing onstage during a concert in Hamden, Connecticut. The news was confirmed by his publicist, Chanel Rae, who directed fans to a tribute posted on Fatman Scoop’s official Instagram page. The tribute described him as a “radiant soul” and “beacon of light,” recognizing him not only as a top performer but also as a father, brother, uncle, and friend. Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett also offered condolences on Facebook, acknowledging the large turnout for what would be Fatman Scoop’s final performance and expressing gratitude to those who provided life-saving assistance. She announced that grief counseling would be available for those affected by the tragedy. Sharron Elkabas, the musician’s representative, expressed shock at his sudden death, noting that he had been in good spirits recently. Details regarding the cause of death have not yet been released. Fatman Scoop gained prominence with his 1999 hit “Be Faithful” and went on to collaborate with notable artists such as Lil Jon, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Pitbull, and Skrillex. His contributions included helping to make Missy Elliott’s 2005 single “Lose Control” a hit and collaborating with Mariah Carey on “It’s Like That,” earning him a Grammy in 2006 for best short form music video

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning the public to avoid consuming recalled deli meats amid a significant listeria outbreak, which has become the largest in the US since 2011.

In late July, Boar’s Head recalled over 7.2 million pounds of its ready-to-eat liverwurst and other deli meat products due to potential listeria contamination. Recently, the CDC has reported at least a dozen additional listeriosis cases linked to the outbreak.

Documents from the US Department of Agriculture reveal that insects and mold were found at the facility connected to the recall. The outbreak has resulted in 57 hospitalizations across 18 states and nine deaths. The CDC notes that this outbreak is now the largest since the 2011 listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe.

The CDC also indicates that the actual number of illnesses might be higher, as some milder cases may not have been tested for listeria. There is also a delay between when an illness occurs and when it is linked to an ongoing investigation.

Consumers are advised to check their kitchens for any remaining recalled products, as they can have a long shelf life. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on labels. Some products have sell-by dates extending into October 2024. Recalled items include liverwurst, ham, bologna, sausage, and roasted bacon. Most reported illnesses are associated with eating turkey or liverwurst, though some involve ham.

Boar’s Head has stated that products currently available at deli counters are not part of the recall.

Left-leaning Taylor Swift fans joined artists like Carole King and politicians, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, for a Zoom call organized by the group “Swifties for Kamala” to mobilize supporters to vote for Kamala Harris.

Swift herself has no affiliation with the group and was not involved in the call on Tuesday. The group has amassed roughly a quarter of a million followers across multiple social media platforms since President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term and endorsed Vice President Harris. To date, “Swifties for Kamala” has raised over $13,000 for the Harris-Walz campaign.

More than 26,000 participants registered for the Tuesday evening call, which also featured remarks by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), and North Carolina Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton.

Irene Kim, co-founder of “Swifties for Kamala,” had previously hoped that Harris or her running mate, Tim Walz, might join the call, though neither were present.

“Hello Swifties!” Warren, the first speaker of the night, greeted the group as heart, thumbs up, and party emojis flowed through the Zoom stream. “You are resilient, and you know how to take on bullies and be your most authentic, joyful selves,” Warren said. “You come together hand-in-hand, friendship bracelets on your wrist, and you overcome pretty much anything that life throws at you. And that is what the Kamala Harris campaign is all about. It’s about standing up for what is right in the face of bullies, like Donald Trump.”

King sang her favorite Swift song, “Shake It Off,” and encouraged attendees to stand up and use their voices in the lead-up to the election. “I’ve been a political activist for years, I’ve been a volunteer, I’ve been a door knocker, even as a famous person,” King said. “I am a Swiftie, and Taylor and I are actually friends. We’ve had conversations backstage, and I see her as sort of my musical and songwriting granddaughter, and we have a lovely relationship. I’m so excited about Kamala because so many people are excited about Kamala.”

Gillibrand told a few Swiftie jokes (“Karma is a relaxing thought, but for Donald Trump, it’s not” and “Kamala is saying, look what you made me do”) and referenced the now-infamous cat lady remarks made by Trump’s running mate, JD Vance. “I think it’s important that we, as single cat ladies, as independent women, as women who know every lyric that Taylor Swift has ever written, that we are part of this campaign and part of this election,” Gillibrand said. “I think she can be a voice for this generation that is really profound, as someone who values women’s words, who values women, who values our independence.”

Markey spoke about climate change, alluding to Swift’s Rhode Island summer home. “Climate change is threatening our favorite phenomena,” Markey said. “The waters on the shores of Taylor’s holiday house in New England are some of the fastest warming waters in the world, outside of the Arctic. Right now, Kamala is running against the climate-denier-in-chief.”

In the chat, organizers called for action in Swift-appropriate fashion: asking for donations in amounts of $13 or $19.89—numbers significant to the singer—or $47, in reference to the next president.