ional origin, age, disability and genetic information
eral employees at the company also raised concerns of this writing, there hasn’t been any word back from ts representatives.
The Network Beat had been given to verify the story ment training is due to the current presidential er regarding genders signed last January
“This course was subject to additional review due to Executive Orders (EO) and memoranda issued by the current Presidential Administration,” the passage reads “The content of this course has been reviewed by subject matter experts and was deemed to adequately address the relevant EO requirements at the time of last review.”
While Executive Orders are directives given by the head of the executive branch of government, they are not laws and therefore are not required to be strictly followed by private companies.
TIAA was seen during Charlotte’s Pride Month parade and included in the march in Uptown Charlotte this past August. The company could not be reached for comment.
Hyperpop For One Last Brat Summer Music Char’s Breakdown
By Keilen McNeil
Hey there, Gaymers! Long time, no see
I hope you’re well! I’m back for a little one-off with The Network Beat because I truly COULD NOT get this idea out of my head, and I needed to share it! I hope you’re ready for another musical adventure because I am!!
Okay, so I know I am speaking to the right group of people when I ask them if they know what a Brat summer is, but just in case you aren’t sure what it is: A Brat Summer is a cultural phenomenon which encouraged individuals to embrace their full unapologetic selves and live their best lives, heavily armed by Charli XCX’s album “Brat ” As of August 28, 2025, the album has reached 2.2 billion streams on Spotify alone, with the remix album, which features remixes of every track, three bonus tracks, and the original track list, sitting at 3.7 billion streams These streaming numbers break her streaming chart records previously held by her debut album “SUCKER,” which currently sits at 857 million streams.
The album received massive critical success with websites such as Album Of The Year and Pitchfork calling it a “must-hear record” and “her most vulnerable album to date.” In many lists, including mine, it is one of their top albums of the year And not to brag, but “Von Dutch” was my most listened-to song last year in my Spotify Wrapped. Tracks like “Guess (featuring Billie Eilish),” “360,” and “Apple” were everywhere, played hundreds of thousands of times, and featured in Instagram Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts. “Von Dutch” was the theme song for 2025’s Royal Rumble, the Apple dance has 1.5 million posted videos on TikTok alone, and Charli XCX was officially solidified as one of this decade’s best pop stars
Underneath the surface of the “365 party girl” aesthetic, there is a softer, almost squishier version of Charli, with her exposing her greatest insecurities and internal thoughts along ballads like “I Think About It All The Time” and “So I,” with my personal favorite track on the album called “Sympathy Is A Knife.” I especially enjoy this track because it holds my favorite trope of a pop song, a really danceable and catchy beat with very sad lyrical content. Especially within its chorus, this song carries around such a unique mask of partying and dancing to the thumps of the bass and loud synths while screaming a cry for help
Hyperpop For One Last Brat Summer (Cont.)
Starting with “I couldn’t even be her if I tried,” a deep sense of fear in Charli that she will never be as popular as artists such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, but also that she is very different than both of those artists. “I feel all these feelings I can’t control” is a real-life experience that many individuals have when trying to suppress those fears and anxieties and attempts to compare oneself to another “All this sympathy is just a knife” leads to a metaphor of not wanting others’ sympathies, not wanting to mention the internal struggles plaguing her every day, and my final lyrical point comes to the lyrics “why can’t I just grit my teeth and lie?” Why can’t she just smile through it? Why can’t she work past it? This is a pop star at her most vulnerable point, speaking to us as listeners as if we are in her childhood bedroom and sobbing with her, but expressing it in the best way that Charli XCX knows how: danceable, catchy music.
My initial thoughts on Brat were that a lot of the tracks were fun, danceable, and really captivating on the ears, as most of Charli XCX’s music has been in the past (for example: “Good Ones,” “Beg For You,” “Boom Clap,” “Lock It”) But what I hadn’t listened for was the depth that Charli was showing, the feeling of seeing things from her perspective and being able to feel her pain as she describes it. And when you listen to Brat with this perspective, even the cheerier songs like “Club Classics,” “Talk Talk,” and “Everything Is Romantic” will all speak to you differently as you listen closely to the lyrics and get a better understanding of the album’s message: to live your best life and party hard and acknowledge every part of yourself, the good and the bad.
Brat’s success only further drove my interest in hyperpop, a genre defined by hard-hitting beats and weird production that resembles a party-friendly, club-like feeling that can only truly exist when listened to with very good headphones. By definition, hyperpop is “characterized by an exaggerated or maximalist take on popular music ” (Thank you, Wikipedia!) Artists like A.G. Cook, Alice Longyu Gao, and SOPHIE all solidified their careers in this genre before it became mainstream and began shepherding the genre into its current form, and now we are seeing hyperpop become a staple in modern pop music! This made me think, how far can I stride into the dance-pop/hyperpop genre and find new music to share with others? And this is where I got the idea for this article! So, here are some songs to listen to for one last Brat summer.
Hyperpop For One Last Brat Summer (Cont.)
1.) Smoking Section - Lauren Sanderson (2025)
Ah, the song that made me want to start this article. I found this song on TikTok on a ranking video that had nothing to do with the song at all, but I fell in love with the rap-singing verse at the beginning and the infectious beat behind it. As I continued to listen to it, though, I found the chorus so catchy and fun, and it made me want to dance! Bonus points for it being sung by a sapphic artist!
2.) Go - Adéla (2025)
Adéla is by far the most stellar and interesting artist to debut so far in 2025 for me. If you’ve ever heard of KATSEYE (more on them in a moment), you will know that they were formed out of a survival television show called Dream Academy that’s currently on Netflix. Adéla was a contestant on the show who excelled at everything they threw at her, and the judges and producers looked at her and said, “You give more of a soloist vibe.” They were right, too. After not being selected to be in the group, Adéla took their advice and went out on her own. Now, she has a record deal with Capitol Records and an amazing EP filled with bangers like “Go!” I highly recommend it to anyone who likes the genre or wants to dive deeper into it!
3.) Venom - Slayyyter (2021)
Slayyyter was introduced to me by a friend of mine who actually co-created CGN (Hi Zach, I miss you buddy!), and I loved how in-your-face her approach was with “Venom!” She has stellar wordplay (“All these vegan bitches want beef”) and peculiar, but enjoyable production choices. I recommend her latest two albums, Troubled Paradise and STARFUCKER!
4.) IT girl - JADE (2025)
JADE is best known from her time in Little Mix, and while I personally wish that they would get back together, I’m very happy that we have solo projects from all of the girls now, but especially Jade! “IT girl” is her third single that she released after the group’s infinite hiatus, and she came out swinging! It’s her at her finest, hyping herself and her listeners up with great vocals and a confidence reminiscent of the early days of Little Mix, but so much stronger!
Hyperpop For One Last Brat Summer (Cont.)
5.) Gnarly - KATSEYE
Who remembers that cute little girl group that exploded out of nowhere and was everywhere on TikTok dancing to a song called “Touch?” That’s KATSEYE! A global girl group with six different girls from six different countries, all trained in the Kpop industry style? Sign me up! But… we’ve all heard Touch. Why is Gnarly so different? Firstly, Gnarly isn’t a song written by them; it was purchased from Alice Longyu Gao and The Chainsmokers, and they perform it with style, flash, and an aura of confidence that I don’t think I can replicate. While listening to the song, the lyrics will not make sense. I will say that to you now. I recommend watching a performance video on YouTube so that you can see how danceable and catchy it actually is!
6.) BOY CRAZY. - Kesha
Kesha’s first independent album is everything that I expected and everything that I wanted from Kesha, a freedom-induced dance banger album that sounded like something I’ve never heard before. This entire album is the perfect artistic expression from an artist who embodied the party girl aesthetic way back in 2009, and I have never been so proud of her for this. BOY CRAZY is my personal favorite because of how carefree and expressive it is, especially in its production! Listen to (…) y’all! Let’s get her streams up!
And there are so many more tracks that have been added to a Spotify playlist for you all to jam along with! I hope that you enjoy my suggestions and can send some back to me! I love music recommendations! Until next time!
Char out XOXO
~ All Tracks Mentioned Are Available on
Dr. Rhett's Health Corner
Presented By
By Jovanna Orozco, MS, RDN, LDN
Originally, electrolyte drinks and powders were made to help athletes maintain optimal hydration, especially when playing, practicing, or engaging in sports for long hours. Now, you can find these drinks and packets everywhere, marketed to the common person, with lots of different formulas. Here’s everything you need to know about electrolytes, including what they do, when we need them, and what can happen if we get too many.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals found in foods and beverages like sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and chloride. In the body, these minerals help contract muscles, keep the heart beating, and help maintain healthy fluid levels in and around the cells of the body. A balanced diet naturally provides enough of these minerals, and the kidneys help to hold onto or get rid of too many to keep their levels normal.
What Is In Electrolyte Drinks or Packs?
Electrolyte supplements can a mixture of one or more minerals in different amounts, and may also have added sugars, sweeteners, artificial colors, flavors, additives, and even caffeine. Today’s market offers a variety of different brands, types, and price points, which can make it difficult to know what to look for. These were originally made for very active athletes to help them stay hydrated for longer times while competing, exercising, or training, but are now marketed to the general public.
When Do We Need or Not Need Electrolyte Supplements?
Most people do not need additional electrolytes with regular activity and temperatures. If you are only lightly sweating or doing short, low-intensity activities, plain water and a balanced diet is enough to get the minerals we need.
Everything You Need to Know About Electrolyte Supplements (Cont.)
Electrolyte supplements are needed if you are doing exercise for more than 60 minutes at moderate to higher intensities or sweating a lot in hot and humid climates. Most health providers also recommend supplementing electrolytes when the body is having difficulty keeping water (diarrhea, vomiting, or certain medical conditions). It is important to consult with your doctor if electrolyte supplements are okay for you to take, especially if you have diabetes, heart or kidney problems, are pregnant, or are taking blood pressure medications.
How Do I Know if I am Getting Too Many Electrolytes?
Studies show that most Americans eat too much salt, sugar and calories, and do not necessarily need additional electrolytes. Too much electrolytes can lead to:
- Muscle cramps - Irregular heart beats
- Fatigue - Nausea - Confusion and irritability
- Headaches, and even difficulty breathing
In general, they can also increase blood pressure and stomach issues. Therefore, it is not recommended to sip on electrolytes all day as your go-to beverage. Aim for water and only use them when your body needs it (as mentioned above).
Everything You Need to Know About Electrolyte Supplements (Cont.)
What Should I Look for In An Electrolyte Supplement if I Need It? Look for:
- Low in added sugars, less than 5g per serving is a good goal
- Contains 200mg of sodium, 45 to 250mg of potassium per 16-oz serving
- Low in artificial colors and additives
- If it has sweeteners, look for stevia and sucralose
More electrolytes are not always better. Most people do not need to replenish in higher amounts unless you are sweating a lot, or doing high intensity workouts for long periods of time. We also do not lose a lot of magnesium in our sweat, but it can be helpful to make sure you are getting enough magnesium in your diet if a supplement contains it. If a packet contains larger amounts than this, we might recommend that patients dilute it with water or use a smaller amount of the powder at one time. A registered dietitian can help you reach your overall health goals and help make sure you are getting the best hydration and nutrition for you! Schedule online here or call (919) 237-1337, option 4 and a nutrition coordinator can help you set up a one-on-one appointment.
For More Information, consultation, and to make an appointment for you or your partner, please visit:
Upcoming CGN Events
September 5th
CGN Presents: Gaymer Gathering @ Tabbris - 7pm
September 13th Board Game Bash @ Tabbris - 7pm
September 26th
CGN’s Sapphic Social @ Great Wagon Road Distillery - 7pm
September 28th
CGN’s Level Up Drag Brunch: The “Eras” Edition @ Great Wagon Road Distillery - 11am
