December 28, 2024 • 25 mins
Prepare to be swept away by the musical phenomenon that is Taylor Swift's Era Tour, as we uncover its magic through the experiences of Dr. Meredith McClure. This episode brings to light how Taylor's music not only transforms concert arenas but also brings vitality to unexpected places—like Dr. McClure's operating room. Get ready to hear about the unforgettable journey of a mother and daughter as they create cherished memories at Taylor's concerts in Dallas and New Orleans, amidst a sea of fans spanning all generations. Dr. McClure shares her personal story of how Taylor's music became a soundtrack to both her professional and personal life, bonding with her daughter over shared moments of joy and nostalgia.
Listeners will be intrigued by Taylor's unparalleled impact on the live music scene, where her tours have become a beacon of creativity and community. This episode explores the warmth and unity among Swifties, who bring the party to life with vibrant costumes and the beloved tradition of trading friendship bracelets. We dive into Taylor's inspiring resilience, highlighting her triumphant journey from overcoming public controversies to becoming a record-breaking icon. The discussion also touches on her unwavering support for fellow artists and the heartfelt connection she nurtures with her fans. Join us for an extraordinary look at Taylor Swift's tours and the magnetic energy that makes them a life-changing spectacle.
Please visit our website https://www.techexecwellness.com to stay up to date and subscribe to our newsletter!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, welcome back to the Tech Exec Wellness Podcast,
the show where we dive deep intothe stories of technology and
business executives, trends andcultural moments like we're
going to do today that defineour world.
I'm your host, melissa, andtoday we're stepping into a
phenomenon that's transcendedmusic, fashion and fandom the
Taylor Swift's Era Tour.
(00:20):
But first I want to introducemy guest, dr Meredith McClure.
Dr Meredith is a gynecologistwho specializes in menopause and
midlife women's health care.
She enjoys working with herpatients to address their
hormonal and relationshipchallenges.
Dr McClure, working with herpatients to address their, also
recognizes the care gaps thatexist for the phase of life and
(00:41):
strives to educate patients,learners and other practitioners
wherever she can about how tooptimize midlife women's health.
So, from record-breaking ticketsales to its jaw-dropping
production, the Heiress Tour hasbecome more than a concert.
It's a movement, a celebrationof artistry and a masterclass in
creating unforgettableexperiences.
(01:03):
Whether you're a dedicatedSwifty or just fascinated by the
cultural juggernaut this tourhas become, this episode is for
you.
We'll explore the storiesbehind the scene, the ripple
effects it's had on the musicindustry, and even some of the
behind the scenes stagestrategies that have made it an
unparalleled success.
Grab your metaphoricalfriendship bracelets.
(01:25):
And let's dive into the erastour, dr Meredith welcome to the
show.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Thanks for having me Super fun.
What a segue from gynecology toTaylor Swift.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Yeah, and let me ask you this how did you first get
into Taylor Swift's music?
How did you discover her andwhen?
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Probably when she was really young and my work
partner, her daughter, was youngshe's now in college and she
was really into it and theywould go to shows then.
So we actually would operateand listen to Taylor Swift.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So in surgery you had Taylor Swift on.
We did, we still do so whatsongs?
Can I ask?
What gets you going when you'redoing your surgery here?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
I mean any of them.
Now we're into the later eras,so the latest eras, midnight's
and, of course, tortured Poetswhen those come on.
But the classics like the Redand all that we jam out to
Britney Spears, taylor Swift,spice Girls, that's our usual.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
That sounds like a really cool operating room there
.
So how many concerts have youbeen to?
Is it two, am I correct?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
I have been to three Taylor Swift concerts oh three.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
What cities?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Dallas for Reputation , and then Dallas for Eras and
New Orleans for Eras.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Reputation, and then Dallas for Eras and New Orleans
for Eras.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Wow, and I know tickets were really hard to come
by.
How did you secure yours?
So, for Reputation, I dabbledin Taylor Swift but really came
into Taylor Swift when one of myreally really good friends,
who's a big time Swifty, gottickets for her birthday to
reputation, by joining the fanclub.
We got tickets to that.
We were supposed to go to theLover in California but then
(03:14):
COVID shut that down.
We had tickets to that one andthen for Eras, when she
announced that we all you know,did all the things signed up to
get the tickets, my friend wasin the fan club and all of us
struck out.
And then her husband thankfullyhis boss at the Christmas party
for his company was giving away, you know, presents and one of
(03:37):
them was seats for his cowboyseason tickets for the Arras
tour and her husband snaggedthem for us.
So we actually got to go forfree.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Which was amazing, and of course the seats were
perfect, so that was great.
And then New Orleans was.
I just signed up for thelottery and randomly got tickets
for the lottery.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Yeah, it's crazy.
I've seen face value and thenup to $15,000 for floor seats.
So crazy.
Yeah, it's.
I don't think I've ever seen aconcert like this in my life,
and I've been to a lot of them.
I talk about that on my podcastwith other guests, but this one
here was something else.
What is your favorite era?
Which one really resonates withyou?
(04:18):
And I know you mentionedMidnight and you mentioned TTPD,
but which one is your favorite?
Speaker 2 (04:27):
nights and you mentioned ttpd, but which one is
your favorite by far?
I don't know.
I think I like red lover.
Those are probably my faves.
Reputation's good too yeah,it's good.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
So when you were at the, at the concert in dallas
and um, or you know new orleans,can you describe the energy of
the crowd like, how did you feel?
What are some of the emotionsyou felt during that concert?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
So it's kind of fun because I mean, in Dallas we
went, it was April 2023.
And then, of course, newOrleans was October of 2024.
So to go, you know there aredifferent shows, which is kind
of fun from that regard too, butlike how things changed from
one to the other, because inDallas, you know, it just
(05:12):
started.
We were the third venue, so alot of the things that you see
now didn't exist then, like thefriendship bracelets and all of
that.
A lot of things have kind ofthe show's changed a little bit,
but even just the atmospherehas changed quite a bit.
Probably one of my favoritethings and I told my husband
came with me to New Orleans withme, brought my 12 year old
daughter, and I told him you'regoing to cry.
He's like no, I'm not going tocry.
I'm like no, you're going tocry because you're going to see
all these girls and they're allscreaming their hearts out and
(05:34):
crying themselves, and you'regoing to look at our daughter
and you're going to cry.
And I think just transcends.
I mean, it's just like you justget in there and it's all ages,
young, old, no matter what, andeverybody is just they're happy
and they're.
You know, everyone you know,shares the friendship bracelets
(05:54):
now and they're helping eachother out and it's just.
It's just a fun experience.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Yeah, you're right about that.
Notice from the beginning, likeyou said, the third stop.
To now it seems like she gother confidence.
Not that she hasn't been aconfident person, but you could
just tell she's just soenergetic and you know, three
and a half hours is just totallyathletic.
And I've seen some of theprofessional athletes.
They just have so much respectfor her because it's really.
(06:23):
I mean, she dances the wholetime and costume changes.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Exactly, and jumping in and out of a stage and all
the things I mean reputation.
She flew across the stadium,which was amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Oh my gosh.
Well, speaking of the concert,what era from a visual
perspective was your favoriteLike what performance was was
wow, this is cool the torturepoets was actually kind of
really cool.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
That was, that was new and different.
Um, I mean, her entrance isjust like probably the best
thing in the whole world too, tobe totally honest you know, I
think, tell me if you agree withthis, but it was a concert, a
musical.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
it covered every element of what a performance is
100%.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
She's a true performer.
I mean, she's an artist inevery sense of the word.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Was there a song or performance?
When you talk about yourhusband, you know you're going
to cry.
Was there anything that you canrecollect, that you get
teary-eyed thinking about?
Speaker 2 (07:29):
For me watching it with my daughter, I think for
her and me, fearless was the onethat I was like waiting for the
most, just because it's awesomeand her outfit's amazing and
like it's just a good one, Ithink it's just a good good.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
That's just a good, a good one, I think, for me.
I, I think I get teary-eyedbecause I don't know about you,
but I've watched almost all ofthe tiktok live streams from
everywhere in the world and I Iknow I'm like what the hell.
But I think what makes me cryis a cardigan.
That folklore evermore and Ithink that's when I became a big
fan was over the pandemic, butI always get teary eyed with
those for some reason.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Yeah, that's awesome, yeah.
So when we went to New Orleanswith the Evermore, all of a
sudden, like these people showup with these orange balls in
the stands in the crowd and I'mlike what's going on?
Because you have your braceletsto light up, I'm like did we
not get one of those bracelets?
What's going on?
And then I realized like peoplehad snuck in orange balloons
(08:29):
and they were shining theirflashlights from their cell
phones on them and likemimicking the dancers out there
holding those orange globethings.
And we were walking out.
My friend was with us and she'slike those people are really
committed bringing those ballsin.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
They were balloons really committed bringing those,
those balls in.
They were balloons.
Yeah, that's for the songwillow.
I've seen it on tiktok wherepeople are like this is demonic,
she's summoning people, okaywhat's happening?
Speaker 2 (08:54):
like all these things are lighting up and it was
balloons.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
People were speaking in you know what I've noticed?
And the dancers.
I love the dancers, they'reextraordinary, but none of them
dropped the, the, the orangeball, I mean and they're dancing
and in some of those situationsthey had open stadiums where
they still performed in the rain.
And I'm like I'm over herecringing I don't have kids, but
(09:18):
I'm almost like a mother going.
I hope they don't slip and fall.
It's so wet and it's pouringdown.
They just were superprofessional.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, I was worried for Taylor's safety when she's
on the house in the rain.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
I was like I hope she does not fall down.
Yeah, oh, my gosh, that wascrazy.
Let me ask you this If you wereto describe in one word the
heiress tour, what would that be?
One word, transcends.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
She just does like everything you know everything
she does.
She's just everything her songs, her, you know, her costumes,
her shows, everything.
I mean, it's just it's amazingwhat she does.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
What is so unique about Taylor's fan base?
Because I don't see this withNine Inch Nails.
I don't see this with DefLeppard.
I don't see this with any otherband out there, any concert
I've been to.
What makes her community unique, you think?
Speaker 2 (10:15):
I think it's inclusive.
Again, it's all ages, soeveryone, I think, can enjoy it
and it just makes people happyLike no one.
There is angry, which is greatwhen we live in this really
angry world.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
I've read articles and I've read a post where
people say that kind of the samething you said, Dr Merrill, is
it's inclusive, but people sayit's a safe space.
And that really took me abackbecause I'm like, wow, is the
world really that crazy?
But a lot of people were sayingit felt like a safe space.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Yeah, and even just you know New Orleans, with the
friendship bracelets made.
People were just, you know, wewalked out of the Superdome and
there's, you know guys withAK-47s, you know all the
security and stuff, and peopleare just handing these guys with
bulletproof vests and big oldguns friendship bracelets.
It was just and they were superappreciative.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
And it was just, you know, it was just great
Vancouver.
The horses had on thefriendship bracelets and I
thought, wow, that is so cool.
Yeah, Three and a half hours.
Did it meet your expectations?
Was it everything?
And then some.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Of course, yeah, I mean, it's you.
Just she just keeps going andyou're there for three and a
half hours, but you don't feelit at all.
It's just, it feels like itgoes by in a in a flash.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
I don't know if you've heard this.
I don't know if you go onTikTok, but when she first
started the tour, a lot ofpeople said that they were so
excited over Joy that theywalked out of that concert and
they don't remember anythingthat happened.
Did you hear about that?
No, yeah, so she elevated themto another place in time.
(11:58):
I guess I wasn't a part of that, but it sounds cool, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
We missed out on that , I guess.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
I know you mentioned TTPD.
Was there a song specificallythat you love seeing her perform
?
Good question, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
The whole thing was good.
I'm kind of thinking of, likeindividual names.
I'm not as up to date on theTTPD on the names of the songs,
but that's a tough one.
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
When we talk about the music you mentioned
reputation, her earlier country,genre and whatnot.
Why do you think her musicresonates with so many fans?
Because when I've heard aboutthe attendees that were there,
like Eddie Vedder was there atthe last show, so you have
people from all different genresthat are there.
What do you think?
Why do you think it resonateswith people?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I mean she's been around.
I mean she's, you know, fromher young, young years and
singing about school and thingslike that.
And then you know intoadulthood and just knowing what
she's like, all the things she'sdone and been through, you know
she just takes her life I meanit's her whole life that she
just sings some songs.
(13:08):
You've got to give her creditfor that.
So I think that just resonateswith a lot of people and just
certain things that she's goingthrough in her life, that she's
talking and singing about andpeople can relate.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
I think she's the ultimate storyteller because
when, I really got into her andyou know I've always liked her.
But I think when you listen toworks like Evermore Folklore and
you listen to the lyrics,they're pretty deep, they're
pretty.
She's a storyteller.
When you're listening to thesongs like Willow or Seven, you
(13:38):
really get entrenched into thoselyrics and you start
visualizing these characters andI think that is something no
other artist has done.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
In my opinion yeah, yeah, do you think she's going
to tour again?
I?
Speaker 1 (13:57):
mean I would hope so, but I mean I think she would.
This was two years.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
I think there's no way she's done, no way it's
going to take some time.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I hope not.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Either.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
I mean, but two years , though.
Do you think we'll?
We'll get another tour likeeras.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I mean, I doubt it, I don't know, but I tried to
explain to my daughter, you know, like this is your first huge
concert, like you're never goingto see anything like this again
.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yeah, and you know the whole like Kanye West thing,
I again I didn't really payattention to that stuff.
I was kind of busy in my ownpersonal life.
But when I look back on some ofthe drama, if you will, that
happened to her.
I said she went into I don'tknow if this is correct but just
kind of off the radar for awhile and talk about a comeback
(14:47):
story.
I mean, here she is.
I think it's the highestgrossing tour in the world,
breaking records but I think shecame back better than ever.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yeah, that's one of the things I like.
I mean that's personally.
I like what I like about herbecause she was.
She really came out ofadversity and I don't know how
someone at such a young agecould have that happen to them
and just power through andpersevere and do what she did.
You know it's credit to her.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Yeah, and I love the latest collaborations on this
TTPD, and Midnight she had LanaDel Rey TTPD, florence Welch and
Post Malone, so that was reallycool, I think.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Yeah, I think she's supportive of other artists too,
which is nice.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
She's really set the bar high, I think, in my opinion
, I don't think.
I personally myself, I don'tthink I can go see an artist now
and I've got high expectations.
Do you think this is making alasting impact on how we will
experience live music movingforward?
Speaker 2 (15:57):
I mean, she definitely sets the bar, you
know, like it's, it's a, it's atough, tough one to surpass, I
would say for sure.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
I would agree with that the energy.
And let's talk from the timefirst time we saw her you know,
2023 to Nat to 2024.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I mean, we had to wait in line for three hours the
morning of our show to get asweatshirt.
It was pure insanity.
Everyone was super nice andeverything and trading their
bracelets and everything in line.
But it was quite the experience, for sure.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Bracelets and everything in line, but it was.
It was quite the experience forsure.
What was that experience like?
Besides the long wait, Were youtalking to other people?
What did you do to keepyourself entertained?
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Yeah, I mean people were.
You know it was hot because itwas New Orleans, but we were
outside.
But you know people were.
They're out there sellingwaters and things like that and
the people were, you know,talking to each other.
Of course, everyone was tradingbracelets, like my daughter,
she got approached all the timegetting bracelets and she
thought that was super fun andand all of that.
(17:10):
So yeah, it was great.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
That's amazing.
What do you think it is abouther fan base?
Again, when I was like reallyback into concerts growing up
and stuff, I never saw anythinglike this.
I mean, do you think it's justthe camaraderie, like just what
makes it unique to other artistslike the Stones or whatever?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, well, I think she's so many years she's been
doing this and so again, shejust transcends so many
generations of people and youknow her older stuff, even the
young people know it.
Like, you know, you go to someconcerts and the people might
not know the songs all the time,but in her case it's like
(17:49):
everybody just knows everythingand and everybody and they all,
just it brings them together.
You know, it just kind of bindseverybody, I feel.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
I saw some of the live streams and some of the
people are just screaming thelyrics out and you know I've
seen all kinds of things.
Babies were there withheadphones, obviously.
Yeah, people had their servicedog, so it's like who is in a
swifty?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
it's crazy.
Well, and who and what otherconcerts do you go to that
people dress up?
None because I mean we, I meanI had to dress up for these like
pick your era, wear your things.
Like everyone just pulls thingsfrom what she thinks and makes
costumes and goes to her show incostume yeah, that's right, and
(18:35):
uh, I midnights, I saw a lot ofmidnights costumes.
Oh yeah, this I mean.
It's sequins everywhere, somany sequins.
The whole floor is covered insequins I think about eras.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
I think probably the one that stands out for me is
closing with karma, because ifyou listen to the words and
everything, it's so empowering,but just the performance, the
dancers and and everything, it'sjust a goosebumps moment for me
.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Yeah, it's that that is a good one, and their and
their outfits are amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Yeah, the outfits are amazing and the dancers I you
know, I want to find out.
Hopefully there's a documentarycoming out but I want to know
what they eat after each show, Imean they work so hard.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
It's amazing.
I don't know how they do it.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I want to know how many calories she's burning a
concert.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Well, in the entourage they have to bring
with them for everything.
I mean, that's physical work.
You know physical therapistsand whatnot.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Yeah, she's quite the philanthropist too.
The money, the bonuses that shegives to her people and I'm
going to share this in anotherepisode but some of the notes,
the heartfelt Instagram poststhat her staff is making about
she's just a unique person.
Everybody loves her.
I don't think I've ever heardanything bad.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yeah, and who has their parents come to almost
every show?
It's like a whole family thing,you know.
That's pretty awesome.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Somebody had said before and I'm glad you bring
that up but you'll see Andreaand Scott and you'll see like
80,000 people.
Could you imagine as a parentyou're a parent, meredith how
would you feel just seeingeverybody chanting your
daughter's name and looking upand seeing that many people?
Speaker 2 (20:27):
I don't know how they do it.
And then everybody kind oflooks at them as their parents
too and they roll with it.
They really just embrace it.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
One thing to say again.
I bring up the Kanye thingbecause it was embarrassing and
you know she was young and Ifelt embarrassed for her.
I think the whole room wasembarrassed when he took the mic
from her and said Beyonceshould have won.
And you look forward now andthat's just pure resilience.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Yeah, I saw some TikTok recently and it was
showing how, like other people,when they're winning awards and
at whatever events, and Taylorwill stand up in the crowd and
cheer for them.
Wherever else is sitting downand she's doing that out of the
solidarity of what she wentthrough.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Stiles won and I think somebody was booing him
saying Beyonce should have wonand she's the only one standing
up for him and she's definitelya champion of other people.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, that's really.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
I appreciate you coming by.
I would like to have you onagain if she tours, but I it's
good to see that she has thestaying power and in my opinion,
I think she'll take a year off.
But think about it, dr Meredithwith you and your education,
all your training and everything, could you imagine what it
feels like to just go nonstopand then it's quiet?
(21:42):
She's not getting ready for atour, she's not traveling.
What do you think about that?
Speaker 2 (21:47):
It's got.
I mean that's gotta be I don'tknow odd for her, but you I mean
you know she's going toincubate and she'll do other
things and probably gives hertime to even just do that where
she hasn't necessarily had thatmuch time probably gives her
time to even just do that whereshe hasn't necessarily had that
much time.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Yeah, and one thing I did see on TikTok is the
dancers, cam and An, but a lotof people were talking about
those two specifically, and willthey ever be back together
again?
I hope so.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, and she lets them kind of be themselves,
which I think is really fun hopeso yeah, and she lets them kind
of be themselves, which I thinkis really fun.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Oh, I was going to say I love the man, I love
seeing the dancers and everybodyin suits and the man.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
What did you think about that performance?
Yeah, that was that was thatwas good.
Yeah, that was a good.
I mean, that was a good one.
It's not my favorite song, butmade me like it a little more.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
I have one more question for you, somebody who
is a physician.
What do you think about all ofthe endurance and everything?
What kind of self-care do youthink they were, or even Taylor
had, after each performance,because that's a rigorous
workout?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Oh my gosh, I mean they've got to have like you
know as far as like nutrition,but I mean they have.
I mean they have a whole team,I'm sure of people because they
injure themselves, and they'vegot a physical therapist and
chiropractors and all the thingsto keep them going.
I don't know how they do it.
Three nights, four nights in arow sometimes doing that, that's
insane.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
I don't think I've seen anybody injured where they
weren't.
At the next show.
I can't wait for thedocumentary, because I'm the
behind the scenes person.
I want to know what they wereeating.
I want to know what they weredoing, you know.
Are they having smoothies inbetween breaks?
And here's another thing how dothey go to the bathroom?
Because I was never waiting forfive minutes for the next song.
I mean, it was right there.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
No, there's no way.
I don't know.
Questions left unanswered yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
Well, I'm going to have to tweet that.
Oh, and the backup singers.
I love those four ladies.
The Starlight, I don't know, drMeredith, I hope we get another
tour.
I think there's probably goingto be a pent-up demand for the
next one, as this one was justextraordinary.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Yeah, I don't know how we would even get tickets,
oh we'll find a way.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
We'll find a way.
We'll find a way.
We'll talk offline.
We'll find a way.
Dr Meredith, thank you so muchfor for coming in here.
I know you're a big Swifty andthis is going to be amazing to
our listeners, who are like, wow, they're playing Taylor Swift
in the operating room, so Ithink that's really cool.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Of course we play together in the operating room.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Well, thank you for being here and to our listeners.
Check us out on every streamingplatform, send us some feedback
and, as always, thank you foryour support.
Hi, welcome back to the Tech Exec Wellness Podcast,
the show where we dive deep intothe stories of technology and
business executives, trends andcultural moments like we're
going to do today that defineour world.
I'm your host, melissa, andtoday we're stepping into a
phenomenon that's transcendedmusic, fashion and fandom the
Taylor Swift's Era Tour.
(00:20):
But first I want to introducemy guest, dr Meredith McClure.
Dr Meredith is a gynecologistwho specializes in menopause and
midlife women's health care.
She enjoys working with herpatients to address their
hormonal and relationshipchallenges.
Dr McClure, working with herpatients to address their, also
recognizes the care gaps thatexist for the phase of life and
(00:41):
strives to educate patients,learners and other practitioners
wherever she can about how tooptimize midlife women's health.
So, from record-breaking ticketsales to its jaw-dropping
production, the Heiress Tour hasbecome more than a concert.
It's a movement, a celebrationof artistry and a masterclass in
creating unforgettableexperiences.
(01:03):
Whether you're a dedicatedSwifty or just fascinated by the
cultural juggernaut this tourhas become, this episode is for
you.
We'll explore the storiesbehind the scene, the ripple
effects it's had on the musicindustry, and even some of the
behind the scenes stagestrategies that have made it an
unparalleled success.
Grab your metaphoricalfriendship bracelets.
(01:25):
And let's dive into the erastour, dr Meredith welcome to the
show.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Thanks for having me Super fun.
What a segue from gynecology toTaylor Swift.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Yeah, and let me ask you this how did you first get
into Taylor Swift's music?
How did you discover her andwhen?
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Probably when she was really young and my work
partner, her daughter, was youngshe's now in college and she
was really into it and theywould go to shows then.
So we actually would operateand listen to Taylor Swift.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So in surgery you had Taylor Swift on.
We did, we still do so whatsongs?
Can I ask?
What gets you going when you'redoing your surgery here?
Speaker 2 (02:06):
I mean any of them.
Now we're into the later eras,so the latest eras, midnight's
and, of course, tortured Poetswhen those come on.
But the classics like the Redand all that we jam out to
Britney Spears, taylor Swift,spice Girls, that's our usual.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
That sounds like a really cool operating room there
.
So how many concerts have youbeen to?
Is it two, am I correct?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
I have been to three Taylor Swift concerts oh three.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
What cities?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Dallas for Reputation , and then Dallas for Eras and
New Orleans for Eras.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Reputation, and then Dallas for Eras and New Orleans
for Eras.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Wow, and I know tickets were really hard to come
by.
How did you secure yours?
So, for Reputation, I dabbledin Taylor Swift but really came
into Taylor Swift when one of myreally really good friends,
who's a big time Swifty, gottickets for her birthday to
reputation, by joining the fanclub.
We got tickets to that.
We were supposed to go to theLover in California but then
(03:14):
COVID shut that down.
We had tickets to that one andthen for Eras, when she
announced that we all you know,did all the things signed up to
get the tickets, my friend wasin the fan club and all of us
struck out.
And then her husband thankfullyhis boss at the Christmas party
for his company was giving away, you know, presents and one of
(03:37):
them was seats for his cowboyseason tickets for the Arras
tour and her husband snaggedthem for us.
So we actually got to go forfree.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Which was amazing, and of course the seats were
perfect, so that was great.
And then New Orleans was.
I just signed up for thelottery and randomly got tickets
for the lottery.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Yeah, it's crazy.
I've seen face value and thenup to $15,000 for floor seats.
So crazy.
Yeah, it's.
I don't think I've ever seen aconcert like this in my life,
and I've been to a lot of them.
I talk about that on my podcastwith other guests, but this one
here was something else.
What is your favorite era?
Which one really resonates withyou?
(04:18):
And I know you mentionedMidnight and you mentioned TTPD,
but which one is your favorite?
Speaker 2 (04:27):
nights and you mentioned ttpd, but which one is
your favorite by far?
I don't know.
I think I like red lover.
Those are probably my faves.
Reputation's good too yeah,it's good.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
So when you were at the, at the concert in dallas
and um, or you know new orleans,can you describe the energy of
the crowd like, how did you feel?
What are some of the emotionsyou felt during that concert?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
So it's kind of fun because I mean, in Dallas we
went, it was April 2023.
And then, of course, newOrleans was October of 2024.
So to go, you know there aredifferent shows, which is kind
of fun from that regard too, butlike how things changed from
one to the other, because inDallas, you know, it just
(05:12):
started.
We were the third venue, so alot of the things that you see
now didn't exist then, like thefriendship bracelets and all of
that.
A lot of things have kind ofthe show's changed a little bit,
but even just the atmospherehas changed quite a bit.
Probably one of my favoritethings and I told my husband
came with me to New Orleans withme, brought my 12 year old
daughter, and I told him you'regoing to cry.
He's like no, I'm not going tocry.
I'm like no, you're going tocry because you're going to see
all these girls and they're allscreaming their hearts out and
(05:34):
crying themselves, and you'regoing to look at our daughter
and you're going to cry.
And I think just transcends.
I mean, it's just like you justget in there and it's all ages,
young, old, no matter what, andeverybody is just they're happy
and they're.
You know, everyone you know,shares the friendship bracelets
(05:54):
now and they're helping eachother out and it's just.
It's just a fun experience.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Yeah, you're right about that.
Notice from the beginning, likeyou said, the third stop.
To now it seems like she gother confidence.
Not that she hasn't been aconfident person, but you could
just tell she's just soenergetic and you know, three
and a half hours is just totallyathletic.
And I've seen some of theprofessional athletes.
They just have so much respectfor her because it's really.
(06:23):
I mean, she dances the wholetime and costume changes.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Exactly, and jumping in and out of a stage and all
the things I mean reputation.
She flew across the stadium,which was amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Oh my gosh.
Well, speaking of the concert,what era from a visual
perspective was your favoriteLike what performance was was
wow, this is cool the torturepoets was actually kind of
really cool.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
That was, that was new and different.
Um, I mean, her entrance isjust like probably the best
thing in the whole world too, tobe totally honest you know, I
think, tell me if you agree withthis, but it was a concert, a
musical.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
it covered every element of what a performance is
100%.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
She's a true performer.
I mean, she's an artist inevery sense of the word.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Was there a song or performance?
When you talk about yourhusband, you know you're going
to cry.
Was there anything that you canrecollect, that you get
teary-eyed thinking about?
Speaker 2 (07:29):
For me watching it with my daughter, I think for
her and me, fearless was the onethat I was like waiting for the
most, just because it's awesomeand her outfit's amazing and
like it's just a good one, Ithink it's just a good good.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
That's just a good, a good one, I think, for me.
I, I think I get teary-eyedbecause I don't know about you,
but I've watched almost all ofthe tiktok live streams from
everywhere in the world and I Iknow I'm like what the hell.
But I think what makes me cryis a cardigan.
That folklore evermore and Ithink that's when I became a big
fan was over the pandemic, butI always get teary eyed with
those for some reason.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Yeah, that's awesome, yeah.
So when we went to New Orleanswith the Evermore, all of a
sudden, like these people showup with these orange balls in
the stands in the crowd and I'mlike what's going on?
Because you have your braceletsto light up, I'm like did we
not get one of those bracelets?
What's going on?
And then I realized like peoplehad snuck in orange balloons
(08:29):
and they were shining theirflashlights from their cell
phones on them and likemimicking the dancers out there
holding those orange globethings.
And we were walking out.
My friend was with us and she'slike those people are really
committed bringing those ballsin.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
They were balloons really committed bringing those,
those balls in.
They were balloons.
Yeah, that's for the songwillow.
I've seen it on tiktok wherepeople are like this is demonic,
she's summoning people, okaywhat's happening?
Speaker 2 (08:54):
like all these things are lighting up and it was
balloons.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
People were speaking in you know what I've noticed?
And the dancers.
I love the dancers, they'reextraordinary, but none of them
dropped the, the, the orangeball, I mean and they're dancing
and in some of those situationsthey had open stadiums where
they still performed in the rain.
And I'm like I'm over herecringing I don't have kids, but
(09:18):
I'm almost like a mother going.
I hope they don't slip and fall.
It's so wet and it's pouringdown.
They just were superprofessional.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah, I was worried for Taylor's safety when she's
on the house in the rain.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
I was like I hope she does not fall down.
Yeah, oh, my gosh, that wascrazy.
Let me ask you this If you wereto describe in one word the
heiress tour, what would that be?
One word, transcends.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
She just does like everything you know everything
she does.
She's just everything her songs, her, you know, her costumes,
her shows, everything.
I mean, it's just it's amazingwhat she does.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
What is so unique about Taylor's fan base?
Because I don't see this withNine Inch Nails.
I don't see this with DefLeppard.
I don't see this with any otherband out there, any concert
I've been to.
What makes her community unique, you think?
Speaker 2 (10:15):
I think it's inclusive.
Again, it's all ages, soeveryone, I think, can enjoy it
and it just makes people happyLike no one.
There is angry, which is greatwhen we live in this really
angry world.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
I've read articles and I've read a post where
people say that kind of the samething you said, Dr Merrill, is
it's inclusive, but people sayit's a safe space.
And that really took me abackbecause I'm like, wow, is the
world really that crazy?
But a lot of people were sayingit felt like a safe space.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Yeah, and even just you know New Orleans, with the
friendship bracelets made.
People were just, you know, wewalked out of the Superdome and
there's, you know guys withAK-47s, you know all the
security and stuff, and peopleare just handing these guys with
bulletproof vests and big oldguns friendship bracelets.
It was just and they were superappreciative.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
And it was just, you know, it was just great
Vancouver.
The horses had on thefriendship bracelets and I
thought, wow, that is so cool.
Yeah, Three and a half hours.
Did it meet your expectations?
Was it everything?
And then some.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Of course, yeah, I mean, it's you.
Just she just keeps going andyou're there for three and a
half hours, but you don't feelit at all.
It's just, it feels like itgoes by in a in a flash.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
I don't know if you've heard this.
I don't know if you go onTikTok, but when she first
started the tour, a lot ofpeople said that they were so
excited over Joy that theywalked out of that concert and
they don't remember anythingthat happened.
Did you hear about that?
No, yeah, so she elevated themto another place in time.
(11:58):
I guess I wasn't a part of that, but it sounds cool, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
We missed out on that , I guess.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
I know you mentioned TTPD.
Was there a song specificallythat you love seeing her perform
?
Good question, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
The whole thing was good.
I'm kind of thinking of, likeindividual names.
I'm not as up to date on theTTPD on the names of the songs,
but that's a tough one.
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
When we talk about the music you mentioned
reputation, her earlier country,genre and whatnot.
Why do you think her musicresonates with so many fans?
Because when I've heard aboutthe attendees that were there,
like Eddie Vedder was there atthe last show, so you have
people from all different genresthat are there.
What do you think?
Why do you think it resonateswith people?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I mean she's been around.
I mean she's, you know, fromher young, young years and
singing about school and thingslike that.
And then you know intoadulthood and just knowing what
she's like, all the things she'sdone and been through, you know
she just takes her life I meanit's her whole life that she
just sings some songs.
(13:08):
You've got to give her creditfor that.
So I think that just resonateswith a lot of people and just
certain things that she's goingthrough in her life, that she's
talking and singing about andpeople can relate.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
I think she's the ultimate storyteller because
when, I really got into her andyou know I've always liked her.
But I think when you listen toworks like Evermore Folklore and
you listen to the lyrics,they're pretty deep, they're
pretty.
She's a storyteller.
When you're listening to thesongs like Willow or Seven, you
(13:38):
really get entrenched into thoselyrics and you start
visualizing these characters andI think that is something no
other artist has done.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
In my opinion yeah, yeah, do you think she's going
to tour again?
I?
Speaker 1 (13:57):
mean I would hope so, but I mean I think she would.
This was two years.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
I think there's no way she's done, no way it's
going to take some time.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I hope not.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Either.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
I mean, but two years , though.
Do you think we'll?
We'll get another tour likeeras.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I mean, I doubt it, I don't know, but I tried to
explain to my daughter, you know, like this is your first huge
concert, like you're never goingto see anything like this again
.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yeah, and you know the whole like Kanye West thing,
I again I didn't really payattention to that stuff.
I was kind of busy in my ownpersonal life.
But when I look back on some ofthe drama, if you will, that
happened to her.
I said she went into I don'tknow if this is correct but just
kind of off the radar for awhile and talk about a comeback
(14:47):
story.
I mean, here she is.
I think it's the highestgrossing tour in the world,
breaking records but I think shecame back better than ever.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yeah, that's one of the things I like.
I mean that's personally.
I like what I like about herbecause she was.
She really came out ofadversity and I don't know how
someone at such a young agecould have that happen to them
and just power through andpersevere and do what she did.
You know it's credit to her.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Yeah, and I love the latest collaborations on this
TTPD, and Midnight she had LanaDel Rey TTPD, florence Welch and
Post Malone, so that was reallycool, I think.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Yeah, I think she's supportive of other artists too,
which is nice.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
She's really set the bar high, I think, in my opinion
, I don't think.
I personally myself, I don'tthink I can go see an artist now
and I've got high expectations.
Do you think this is making alasting impact on how we will
experience live music movingforward?
Speaker 2 (15:57):
I mean, she definitely sets the bar, you
know, like it's, it's a, it's atough, tough one to surpass, I
would say for sure.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
I would agree with that the energy.
And let's talk from the timefirst time we saw her you know,
2023 to Nat to 2024.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I mean, we had to wait in line for three hours the
morning of our show to get asweatshirt.
It was pure insanity.
Everyone was super nice andeverything and trading their
bracelets and everything in line.
But it was quite the experience, for sure.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Bracelets and everything in line, but it was.
It was quite the experience forsure.
What was that experience like?
Besides the long wait, Were youtalking to other people?
What did you do to keepyourself entertained?
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Yeah, I mean people were.
You know it was hot because itwas New Orleans, but we were
outside.
But you know people were.
They're out there sellingwaters and things like that and
the people were, you know,talking to each other.
Of course, everyone was tradingbracelets, like my daughter,
she got approached all the timegetting bracelets and she
thought that was super fun andand all of that.
(17:10):
So yeah, it was great.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
That's amazing.
What do you think it is abouther fan base?
Again, when I was like reallyback into concerts growing up
and stuff, I never saw anythinglike this.
I mean, do you think it's justthe camaraderie, like just what
makes it unique to other artistslike the Stones or whatever?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, well, I think she's so many years she's been
doing this and so again, shejust transcends so many
generations of people and youknow her older stuff, even the
young people know it.
Like, you know, you go to someconcerts and the people might
not know the songs all the time,but in her case it's like
(17:49):
everybody just knows everythingand and everybody and they all,
just it brings them together.
You know, it just kind of bindseverybody, I feel.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
I saw some of the live streams and some of the
people are just screaming thelyrics out and you know I've
seen all kinds of things.
Babies were there withheadphones, obviously.
Yeah, people had their servicedog, so it's like who is in a
swifty?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
it's crazy.
Well, and who and what otherconcerts do you go to that
people dress up?
None because I mean we, I meanI had to dress up for these like
pick your era, wear your things.
Like everyone just pulls thingsfrom what she thinks and makes
costumes and goes to her show incostume yeah, that's right, and
(18:35):
uh, I midnights, I saw a lot ofmidnights costumes.
Oh yeah, this I mean.
It's sequins everywhere, somany sequins.
The whole floor is covered insequins I think about eras.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
I think probably the one that stands out for me is
closing with karma, because ifyou listen to the words and
everything, it's so empowering,but just the performance, the
dancers and and everything, it'sjust a goosebumps moment for me
.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Yeah, it's that that is a good one, and their and
their outfits are amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Yeah, the outfits are amazing and the dancers I you
know, I want to find out.
Hopefully there's a documentarycoming out but I want to know
what they eat after each show, Imean they work so hard.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
It's amazing.
I don't know how they do it.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
I want to know how many calories she's burning a
concert.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Well, in the entourage they have to bring
with them for everything.
I mean, that's physical work.
You know physical therapistsand whatnot.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Yeah, she's quite the philanthropist too.
The money, the bonuses that shegives to her people and I'm
going to share this in anotherepisode but some of the notes,
the heartfelt Instagram poststhat her staff is making about
she's just a unique person.
Everybody loves her.
I don't think I've ever heardanything bad.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yeah, and who has their parents come to almost
every show?
It's like a whole family thing,you know.
That's pretty awesome.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Somebody had said before and I'm glad you bring
that up but you'll see Andreaand Scott and you'll see like
80,000 people.
Could you imagine as a parentyou're a parent, meredith how
would you feel just seeingeverybody chanting your
daughter's name and looking upand seeing that many people?
Speaker 2 (20:27):
I don't know how they do it.
And then everybody kind oflooks at them as their parents
too and they roll with it.
They really just embrace it.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
One thing to say again.
I bring up the Kanye thingbecause it was embarrassing and
you know she was young and Ifelt embarrassed for her.
I think the whole room wasembarrassed when he took the mic
from her and said Beyonceshould have won.
And you look forward now andthat's just pure resilience.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Yeah, I saw some TikTok recently and it was
showing how, like other people,when they're winning awards and
at whatever events, and Taylorwill stand up in the crowd and
cheer for them.
Wherever else is sitting downand she's doing that out of the
solidarity of what she wentthrough.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Stiles won and I think somebody was booing him
saying Beyonce should have wonand she's the only one standing
up for him and she's definitelya champion of other people.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, that's really.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
I appreciate you coming by.
I would like to have you onagain if she tours, but I it's
good to see that she has thestaying power and in my opinion,
I think she'll take a year off.
But think about it, dr Meredithwith you and your education,
all your training and everything, could you imagine what it
feels like to just go nonstopand then it's quiet?
(21:42):
She's not getting ready for atour, she's not traveling.
What do you think about that?
Speaker 2 (21:47):
It's got.
I mean that's gotta be I don'tknow odd for her, but you I mean
you know she's going toincubate and she'll do other
things and probably gives hertime to even just do that where
she hasn't necessarily had thatmuch time probably gives her
time to even just do that whereshe hasn't necessarily had that
much time.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Yeah, and one thing I did see on TikTok is the
dancers, cam and An, but a lotof people were talking about
those two specifically, and willthey ever be back together
again?
I hope so.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, and she lets them kind of be themselves,
which I think is really fun hopeso yeah, and she lets them kind
of be themselves, which I thinkis really fun.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Oh, I was going to say I love the man, I love
seeing the dancers and everybodyin suits and the man.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
What did you think about that performance?
Yeah, that was that was thatwas good.
Yeah, that was a good.
I mean, that was a good one.
It's not my favorite song, butmade me like it a little more.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
I have one more question for you, somebody who
is a physician.
What do you think about all ofthe endurance and everything?
What kind of self-care do youthink they were, or even Taylor
had, after each performance,because that's a rigorous
workout?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Oh my gosh, I mean they've got to have like you
know as far as like nutrition,but I mean they have.
I mean they have a whole team,I'm sure of people because they
injure themselves, and they'vegot a physical therapist and
chiropractors and all the thingsto keep them going.
I don't know how they do it.
Three nights, four nights in arow sometimes doing that, that's
insane.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
I don't think I've seen anybody injured where they
weren't.
At the next show.
I can't wait for thedocumentary, because I'm the
behind the scenes person.
I want to know what they wereeating.
I want to know what they weredoing, you know.
Are they having smoothies inbetween breaks?
And here's another thing how dothey go to the bathroom?
Because I was never waiting forfive minutes for the next song.
I mean, it was right there.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
No, there's no way.
I don't know.
Questions left unanswered yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
Well, I'm going to have to tweet that.
Oh, and the backup singers.
I love those four ladies.
The Starlight, I don't know, drMeredith, I hope we get another
tour.
I think there's probably goingto be a pent-up demand for the
next one, as this one was justextraordinary.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Yeah, I don't know how we would even get tickets,
oh we'll find a way.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
We'll find a way.
We'll find a way.
We'll talk offline.
We'll find a way.
Dr Meredith, thank you so muchfor for coming in here.
I know you're a big Swifty andthis is going to be amazing to
our listeners, who are like, wow, they're playing Taylor Swift
in the operating room, so Ithink that's really cool.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Of course we play together in the operating room.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Well, thank you for being here and to our listeners.
Check us out on every streamingplatform, send us some feedback
and, as always, thank you foryour support.
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