Goodable

In a moving full-circle moment, Carrie Underwood reunited with Make-A-Wish alum Noel Miller, whom she first met in 2008 when Miller, then 12 and battling a heart condition, got her wish to meet the country star.

Now 28 and a dedicated WishMaker herself, Miller joined Underwood onstage during the finale of her Las Vegas residency to perform the chart-topping hit All-American Girl.

“That was so awesome, to be able to reunite with my idol, so great!” Miller said.

Underwood presented a donation to Make-A-Wish America of more than $200,000, representing $1 from every ticket sold in the residency.

April is World Wish Month and 2025 is the 45th anniversary of Make-A-Wish, the organization told Storyful.

In a moving full-circle moment, Carrie Underwood reunited with Make-A-Wish alum Noel Miller, whom she first met in 2008 when Miller, then 12 and battling a heart condition, got her wish to meet the country star. Now 28 and a dedicated WishMaker herself, Miller joined Underwood onstage during the finale of her Las Vegas residency to perform the chart-topping hit All-American Girl. “That was so awesome, to be able to reunite with my idol, so great!” Miller said. Underwood presented a donation to Make-A-Wish America of more than $200,000, representing $1 from every ticket sold in the residency. April is World Wish Month and 2025 is the 45th anniversary of Make-A-Wish, the organization told Storyful.

Carrie Underwood Just Had an Epic Reunion With a Make-A-Wish Alum

BBC News

A teenager from Sheffield has her sights set on Formula 1 after becoming the first female driver to win one of Britain’s most prestigious karting titles.

Maisy Creed, 16, made history in November by claiming the PF International X30 Junior Championship, a title previously held by future F1 stars like Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, and Lando Norris.

"I'm there with all the guys, the only female driver there, and it just feels really special," Maisy said. "I've done something nobody else has done — and that feels special."

The win not only cements her place among the UK’s top young racing talents but also strengthens her case for a future spot in the F1 Academy, the all-female driver development programme launched by Formula 1 to help promote gender diversity in the sport.

Maisy started indoor karting at the age of eight, later than many of her competitors. But her rapid rise through the ranks has turned heads. She now plans to train at Silverstone — home of the British Grand Prix — to sharpen her skills behind the wheel of a racing car, moving beyond karts and towards formula racing.

The goal is to build up a strong set of performance data that could help her earn a coveted place in the F1 Academy by 2027.

Her father, Adam Creed, said he couldn’t be prouder of her achievements so far.

"For girls to come into that sport and excel, it's unbelievably difficult," he said. "It's a massively male-dominated sport."

Maisy hasn’t shied away from calling that out. Despite her success, she says female drivers still face sexism.

"There's a few girls that I'm quite close with, and we all experience it," she said. "It's just really annoying to deal with because I don't understand why they [males] find it so unbelievable, and they really just don't want to be beaten by me."

Still, she’s not letting any of it slow her down. Maisy knows she’s already part of a very rare group of women capable of racing — and winning — at the highest levels of karting.

"I'm one of a tiny handful of girls on the whole planet that can actually compete at the top level against the boys and actually be at the front," she said.

And she’s far from finished.

"I have the passion and desire to reach for the very top of this amazing sport that I love," she said. "I can't wait to experience the journey over the next five years."

This 16-Year-Old Karting Champion is Eyeing an F1 Future After Historic Win

Talker News

Cutting out alcohol for just one month can lead to lasting benefits in sleep, mood, energy, and overall health, according to a major new study from researchers at Brown University.

The analysis, published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, reviewed data from 16 studies involving over 150,000 people who took part in Dry January — the month-long challenge where participants give up alcohol for the first 31 days of the year.

The results are striking. People who abstained completely during Dry January reported better sleep, improved concentration, lower blood pressure, healthier liver function, and even weight loss. Those who didn’t fully abstain but reduced their drinking also experienced health improvements, though to a lesser extent.

“The effort leads to sustained moderation,” said Dr. Megan Strowger, the study’s lead author. “Most participants continue to drink less alcohol rather than increasing consumption afterwards.”

That outcome — drinking less after the challenge ends — is key to why researchers say Dry January works. It doesn’t just hit pause on drinking; it helps people rethink their habits entirely.

The study also looked at who is most likely to join the challenge. Participants tend to be younger, female, and more likely to have higher incomes and college degrees. They also tend to drink more than average — a group that’s traditionally been harder to reach through public health campaigns.

Dry January began as a small UK campaign in 2013 with just 4,000 participants. Now it’s a global phenomenon, with millions taking part each year — including those trying what some call “Damp January,” where the focus is on cutting back rather than cutting out completely.

One of the study’s more hopeful findings is that even those who didn’t fully abstain still reported mental health gains. Dr. Matthew Meisel, one of the co-authors, called it “a very good thing” in a culture where alcohol is deeply embedded in social norms.

“There is so much more support for living an alcohol-free lifestyle now,” said researcher Suzanne Colby. “It is more socially acceptable than ever to be ‘sober curious’ or alcohol free. Social norms have shifted, in part with the help of influencers on social media sharing the benefits of sobriety and reducing the stigma of not drinking.”

The study also found that people who officially signed up for the campaign and used its tools — like the Try Dry app, daily emails or text messages — were far more likely to succeed in staying alcohol-free through January and maintain healthier habits afterward.

Still, the review didn’t ignore potential downsides. A small number of participants who failed to complete the month reported drinking more than usual afterward — a kind of “rebound” effect. Researchers said this highlights the need for more support and more research, especially for those trying the challenge on their own.

The team is now calling for further studies not just on Dry January but also on Damp January, to explore the effects of reduced — rather than eliminated — alcohol consumption during the month.

“I think the most important takeaway from our Dry January review is that taking a break from drinking can be reframed as a positive experience,” Colby said. “I tried it myself and experienced benefits first-hand.”

As 2026 begins, more people appear to be embracing that message — and raising a glass of sparkling water to the idea that less really can be more.

New Study Finds ‘Dry January’ Linked to Better Sleep, Mood and Long-Term Health Gains

Two years ago, Divine Aikbekean was heading down a dangerous path. Today, the 17-year-old from Heywood, Greater Manchester, is a British Muay Thai champion with dreams of going pro — and helping others stay off the streets.

At 6'5" and 108 kilograms, Divine has the frame of a natural heavyweight. But it wasn’t until age 15, after a referral from his school and a message from a local charity, that he discovered where that power could take him.

“I was doing stuff that I shouldn't be doing, hanging with the wrong people,” he said. “The school referred me to Your Trust and they messaged me saying, would you like to have a go at doing Muay Thai? I said, yeah, why not.”

That one “yes” changed everything.

In December, Divine became the adult British Muay Thai Nai Khanom Tom Heavyweight Champion — a major milestone after just four fights. He now trains most days of the week at Middleton Martial Arts Academy and has even started helping coach younger kids.

“I had one session and I thought, I like this, I want to keep on going,” he said. “If you’d asked me two years ago what my purpose was in life, I’d tell you I don’t know. I was just coasting through life. But if you ask me now, I have things to do. I actually have something I have to commit to.”

Divine is now part of England’s Muay Thai squad and has been invited to train in Thailand — the birthplace of the sport.

His transformation is part of a wider effort by Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which carried out more than 40,000 interventions last year. The program has been linked to a 13% drop in knife crime across the region.

Gareth Chambers from Your Trust, the charity supporting Divine, said his dedication has stood out from the beginning.

“He’s just turned into a real role model now and I don’t really know anybody who’s put that time and effort in like that,” said Chambers. “Greg, his coach, keeps telling me he just can’t get him out of the gym!”

“He’s been really inspirational. I know that he’s desperate to pass that knowledge and that message on to groups of kids to try and help them stop going down the wrong path as well.”

For Divine, it’s personal.

“I always think, what if I never said yes to the session?” he said. “What would I have been doing now? Some people I know are in prison now. Some people I used to hang about with are dead. So now I think, what if I went that way?”

Instead, he’s focused on going forward — and going far.

“I want to be a world champion. That’s the goal now,” he said. “I want to go professional, and I want to help others do the same. Because if I can turn it around, so can they.”

Teen Boxer Transforms Life Through Crime Reduction Program, Wins British Heavyweight Title

A new UK study suggests that something as simple as singing and playing with your baby in a group setting could make a meaningful difference for new parents’ mental health.

The research, from the Universities of Leeds and Huddersfield, tracked the impact of a five-week creative play program called Let’s Play and found it significantly reduced symptoms of postnatal depression in moms, dads, and caregivers of children under two.

The program was developed by children’s arts charity Theatre Hullabaloo and combines informal, artist-led play sessions with a focus on building parent confidence and supporting child development, especially around speech and language. But the biggest surprise? The mental health benefits for parents.

“This time is crucial for development, but for parents and carers, it is often a socially isolating, tiring and challenging time,” said Dr. Paige Davis, lead researcher from the University of Leeds School of Psychology. “So it is encouraging to see improvements to mental health in this research.”

A total of 57 parents participated in the study. Many were referred by GPs or health workers through a system of social prescribing — connecting patients with non-medical community support programs. They completed surveys before and after the program to measure symptoms of postnatal depression. Not only did symptoms drop over the course of the five-week program, they continued to fall for those who came back for a second round.

The structure is simple: same group of parents and babies, meeting weekly in a relaxed, play-filled space, led by artists trained in early childhood development. A key ingredient? Repetition and relationship-building.

“Creative programs have really made a difference to local families,” said Miranda Thain, artistic producer at Theatre Hullabaloo. “Giving new creative approaches to supporting vital development and helping new parents build supportive networks.”

For Kellie, a mom of two who participated in the program twice, the experience was transformative. Struggling with anxiety after her first child was slow to start speaking, she began to doubt herself as a parent.

“Before taking part in Let’s Play, I had thoughts like, am I a bad parent? Am I alone here?” she said. “It was reassuring to hear about how other children were developing.”

She was referred to the program by her GP and was nervous at first — arriving late and feeling tense. But the moment she stepped into the space, something shifted.

“It was inviting and welcoming,” she said. “I genuinely felt accepted from that first session.”

The benefits weren’t just emotional. Inspired by the sessions, Kellie now takes her son to music classes — something she and her partner, Jason, hadn’t considered before. “He absolutely thrives when music is playing,” she said. “It really uplifts our mood too.”

Kellie and Jason recently welcomed their second child in May.

Study co-author Dr. Susanna Kola-Palmer said the program’s social connection is key. “This social support can help reduce postnatal depression, social isolation, and enhance emotional well-being in early parenthood,” she explained. “We’d expect to see these benefits ripple out to the children, who are more likely to feel secure and thrive when parents are emotionally balanced.”

One surprising takeaway from the research: parents didn’t join the program for social reasons, but by the end, that became the most valued part. Many said it was the first time they felt seen — not just as caregivers, but as people.

“It’s beneficial to both parents and children, rather than one or the other, and backed by real science,” Kellie said.

The team behind Let’s Play is now calling for the NHS to roll out similar programs nationwide, training more artists to deliver “Play on Prescription” as a way to better support parents during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.

“This is something that should be available to everyone,” Kellie said. “In an ideal world, it would be.”

Study Finds Playing With Your Baby Could Boost Your Mental Health

GoodGoodGood

Since 2006, the Carnegie Corporation of New York has celebrated the Fourth of July with something a little different: a comic book series called Great Immigrants, Great Americans, featuring the stories of naturalized citizens and the extraordinary ways they’ve shaped the country. Now, thanks to a new partnership, these real-life stories are making their way into classrooms across the country.

This summer, Carnegie teamed up with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to bring the comics to middle and high school students nationwide. Instead of handing schools a finished product, they invited teachers from across the U.S. to help design classroom resources based on the series.

“I’m really pleased and excited that Carnegie wanted to bring in teachers… rather than create something on their own and have teachers react to it,” said Emily Kirkpatrick, NCTE’s executive director, in an interview with K-12 Dive. “That’s something that I wish a lot of other entities in our world would model.”

Each comic book opens with a simple message: “In this comic book, naturalized U.S. citizens tell their immigrant stories in their own words: how they built careers, fled war zones, united with family, found belonging, created a new home, and made America a better place.”

The stories vary widely — and intentionally so. One highlights Mona Hanna, a pediatrician and public health advocate whose research helped uncover the Flint water crisis. Born in the United Kingdom after her family fled Iraq’s Baath regime, Hanna later moved to the U.S. and dedicated her career to protecting children’s health.

“It’s impossible for me to separate me from my background,” she writes in her comic. “The circumstances that shaped me led me to advocate for children. My story is an immigrant’s story.”

Visually, each character is drawn in bold, superhero style — capes, power poses, and all. It’s an eye-catching design choice meant to reflect the courage and resilience behind each story.

“We know that the more that an individual reads, the better a reader they become,” said Kirkpatrick. “So one of the most important things an educator can do is find the type of content that’s most attractive to a student.”

For teachers, the series offers more than just compelling reading material. It’s also a practical tool to connect classroom lessons to identity, history, and civic engagement — especially for students who may see parts of their own family story reflected on the page.

“This is really important, especially when we’re seeing so much turnover in the teaching profession,” Kirkpatrick added. “We need to find new and novel ways to encourage and engage teachers, and NCTE really sees evidence that we’re on to something.”

The comic book project and its new classroom expansion come at a time when the stories of immigrants are often politicized — or erased entirely. But through this creative blend of storytelling, art, and education, teachers are finding a way to bring those stories front and center, where students can read, reflect, and see that greatness often begins with a journey.

Immigrant Heroes In Comic Books are Inspiring a New Classroom Curriculum

Fox News

Adding more vitamin C to your diet this winter might not just help fight off colds — it could also quietly improve your skin.

Researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand found that people who ate two kiwis a day for eight weeks saw significant increases in skin vitamin C levels, along with signs of enhanced skin density and cell renewal. Both are linked to collagen production, which plays a key role in maintaining firm, healthy skin.

“We were surprised by the tight correlation between plasma vitamin C levels and those in the skin,” said lead author Margreet Vissers in a university news release. “This was much more marked than in any other organ we have investigated.”

Twenty-four healthy adults in New Zealand and Germany participated in the study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Each ate two kiwifruits daily for eight weeks while researchers monitored their blood and skin vitamin C levels, as well as changes in skin function using imaging and lab tests.

By the end of the study, skin density had increased by nearly 50%, and cell turnover rose by about 30%. The researchers were especially interested in how efficiently vitamin C from food made its way into the skin — something they say hasn’t been shown this clearly before.

“Our study shows that the skin is extremely good at absorbing vitamin C from the blood circulation,” Vissers said. “It reaches all layers of the skin and is associated with measurable improvements in function.”

Vitamin C is already a familiar ingredient in skincare products, often promoted for its role in collagen production and its antioxidant effects. But since the nutrient is water-soluble, topical applications don’t always absorb well through the skin’s outer layers. That’s why researchers wanted to explore whether dietary sources might be a better way to deliver the nutrient where it’s needed.

The answer appears to be yes — though, as the researchers note, the benefits may not be immediately visible.

“Because the improvement in density was on a cellular level, any cosmetic improvement would be difficult to appreciate with the naked eye,” said Dr. Brian Toy, a board-certified dermatologist at Providence Mission Hospital in California, who was not involved in the study.

Toy called the findings interesting, especially the idea that diet might influence skin function. However, he pointed out that the study didn’t show measurable improvements in skin elasticity or protection against UV damage, and it only included a small group of people who already had relatively low vitamin C levels.

“If a patient suffers from low vitamin C, dietary changes and supplement use would be advised regardless,” Toy told Fox News Digital.

Healthy adults are advised to consume about 250 milligrams of vitamin C per day to maintain proper plasma levels. Because the body doesn’t store vitamin C, researchers emphasized the importance of getting it regularly through food.

While this study focused on kiwifruit, the researchers said similar benefits could come from other vitamin C–rich foods like citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, and broccoli.

The research was partially funded by Zespri International, a major kiwifruit producer. But Toy noted that industry funding is common and said the Journal of Investigative Dermatology is a reputable, peer-reviewed journal.

Though two kiwis a day likely won’t replace your skincare routine or reverse aging overnight, researchers say the findings add to growing evidence that what you eat can influence your skin — in ways you might not immediately see, but that matter underneath.

Eating Two Kiwis a Day May Boost Your Skin From the Inside Out, Study Finds

Science Daily

A team of researchers at McGill University has developed a new injectable hydrogel that could one day help people recover from vocal cord injuries more effectively — and with fewer repeat procedures.

The new material, described in the journal Biomaterials, shows early promise as a longer-lasting alternative to current voice restoration treatments. In preclinical tests, the gel stayed intact for weeks, giving damaged vocal cords more time to heal.

Voice loss can become permanent when scar tissue forms on the vocal cords, a common result of injury. While injectable fillers are used today to help restore the voice, they tend to break down quickly in the body. That often means repeated injections, each of which increases the risk of further damaging the already fragile tissue.

A Stronger, More Stable Gel

The hydrogel is made from natural tissue proteins that are first processed into a powder, then transformed into a gel. To enhance its durability, the team used a chemical technique called “click chemistry” — a method that acts like a molecular glue, locking the gel together at a microscopic level.

“This process is what makes our approach unique,” said co-senior author Maryam Tabrizian, a professor in McGill’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Nanomedicine and Regenerative Medicine. “It acts like a molecular glue, locking the material together so it doesn’t fall apart too quickly once injected.”

A Common, Overlooked Condition

Vocal cord injuries are more common than many people realize. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, around one in 13 adults experiences a voice disorder each year. Older adults, people with acid reflux, and smokers are particularly vulnerable, as are professionals who use their voices constantly — such as teachers, singers, and radio hosts.

“People take their voices for granted,” said co-senior author Nicole Li-Jessen, an associate professor in McGill’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “But losing it can deeply affect mental health and quality of life, especially for those whose livelihoods depend on it.”

Li-Jessen, who also holds a Canada Research Chair in Personalized Medicine of Upper Airway Health and Diseases, brings a personal understanding of the issue. As a trained pianist and clinician-scientist working closely with vocal performers, she’s seen the emotional and professional toll voice loss can have.

What’s Next

The team plans to further study the hydrogel using computer simulations to better understand how it behaves inside the human body. If those simulations confirm its stability and safety, the next step will be clinical trials in humans.

The goal is a minimally invasive treatment that can reduce the need for repeat procedures and offer lasting support to people recovering from vocal injuries.

The study, titled Clicktetrazine dECM-alginate hydrogels for injectable, mechanically mimetic, and biologically active vocal fold biomaterials, was authored by Mika Brown, Hideaki Okuyama, Ling Li, Zhen Yang, Jianyu Li, Maryam Tabrizian, and Nicole Li-Jessen. It was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Canada Research Chair research stipends.

A New Gel Created by Researchers in Montreal is Helping People Regain Their Voices

A golden retriever named Phoenix is safe and warm after a dramatic rescue from a frozen pond in Rhode Island that kicked off the New Year for firefighters with a reminder: no ice is safe.

The dog fell through the ice on Little Maschaug Pond in Westerly just before 9 a.m. on January 1, while out on a morning walk with its owner. According to the Misquamicut Fire Department, Phoenix had wandered toward the center of the pond, where the ice gave way. His owner could only watch helplessly from the shore.

Firefighters from Misquamicut and neighboring departments were on scene within minutes, outfitted in bright red and orange ice rescue suits. Tethered with safety ropes, they crawled across the dangerously thin ice as it cracked and broke beneath them. Photos and video show chunks of ice floating around them as they reached the struggling dog.

“Volunteers were on scene within minutes and located Phoenix, a golden retriever, struggling in the water and unable to move with his owner safely on shore,” the Misquamicut Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post.

Backup came from the Watch Hill Fire Department, which brought additional gear. Crews also deployed an inflatable rescue boat and staged equipment along the shoreline in case the situation worsened.

“Members from both fire departments quickly donned ice rescue suits and entered the pond, making a swift and successful rescue,” the post continued.

Once Phoenix was pulled from the water, firefighters carried him back to shore, where emergency medical personnel checked both the dog and the rescuers for signs of hypothermia. Everyone was reported to be doing well and didn’t require medical treatment.

The response drew immediate praise online, with hundreds of people commenting on the fire department’s post.

“God bless you for saving that pup,” one Facebook user wrote. “Responders like you remind us that there is good and kindness.”

Another added, “We are all so lucky to have such great fire and rescue departments. A very lucky dog!”

The department used the moment to issue a seasonal warning about the dangers of frozen water bodies.

“No ice is ever safe,” officials said, adding that even with training and proper equipment, ice rescues are risky.

The incident marked the first emergency call of 2026 for the Misquamicut Fire Department.

“All of the Chiefs from MFD and WHFD extend kudos to everyone involved for their quick response and teamwork this morning,” the department said.

Firefighters Rescued a Golden Retriever From an Icy Pond in a Dramatic New Year’s Day Save

Euro News

A few decades ago, padel was little more than a niche pastime, born from one man’s frustration over a lack of space to build a tennis court. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the world — and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

From buzzing clubs in southern Spain to new venues opening across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, padel is booming. What was once a modest hobby played behind glass walls has exploded into a global sensation, with tens of millions of people picking up a racket and stepping onto the court.

Padel’s origin story begins in 1960s Acapulco, Mexico. Enrique Corcuera, a tennis enthusiast, didn’t have the room to build a regulation court. So he improvised. He built a smaller court with surrounding walls that kept the ball in play — and unintentionally created an entirely new game.

One of his friends, Spanish aristocrat Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg, visited Corcuera’s home, tried the new sport, and was immediately hooked. In 1974, he built the first two padel courts in Marbella, Spain. From there, the game spread quickly throughout Spain and into Argentina, Uruguay, and other Spanish-speaking countries.

Today, padel is played in over 130 countries. According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), more than 90 of those countries now have organized federations.

Why It’s Taking Off

The appeal is simple: padel is accessible, fun, and highly social. Most often played in doubles on a compact court about a third the size of a tennis court, padel keeps the ball in play longer thanks to the glass walls, which allow for rebounds and make rallies more forgiving.

“It’s relatively easy to move the ball from one side of the court to the other,” says Francis Calvache, a padel coach and the highest-ranked player in Spain’s Almería province. “And because there are also walls, you have the chance for the ball to bounce back and not lose it, unlike in tennis.”

The rules are easy to learn, even for beginners, and games often favour tactics and positioning over pure power. That makes it appealing to all ages — from young children to retirees.

Padel’s popularity isn’t limited to elite clubs. In Spain, it’s everywhere: in apartment complexes, public parks, and beach towns. In the coastal village of San José, for instance, a group of local women meet every Friday morning for casual games. None of them has taken a formal lesson, but rallies are spirited and full of laughter.

“It reminds me of when I used to play bat and ball on the beach,” says María Jesus, one of the players. “It brings me back to those beach moments with my family in summer.”

The sport’s growth has been helped along by its affordability. Compared to tennis courts, padel courts are cheaper to build and maintain, and more players can rotate through in a day. That’s made the sport especially attractive to private sports clubs and local governments looking to promote community health.

Spain remains the powerhouse of the professional game. As of 2025, seven of the top ten male players in the world are Spanish. But other countries are quickly catching up. Argentina continues to be a major contender, while growth across Europe, the Middle East, and North America is accelerating.

In the UK, the Lawn Tennis Association says over 400,000 people played padel at least once in 2025 — a number that’s climbing fast.

For a sport born out of limited space, padel is expanding with remarkable ease. As demand increases, more clubs are popping up in cities that just a few years ago had never heard of the sport.

It’s fast-paced, beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require years of training to enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned tennis player or just looking for a new way to spend an hour with friends, padel offers something unique — and clearly, the world is taking notice.

Why Padael is Set To Become One Of The Fastest-Growing Sports By 2026

People

When Kara Baldus-Mehrmann sits down at her piano, her dog Bradford knows the routine. As soon as the music starts, the fluffy white pup climbs into her lap, closes his eyes, and sways to the sound. Together, the two have become one of TikTok’s most comforting corners of the internet — a place where music, calm, and canine charm come together.

“It’s the dream,” says Baldus-Mehrmann, a longtime jazz piano instructor at Washington University in St. Louis. “And I didn’t realize that my sweet dog angel would be a part of getting my music out there.”

Baldus-Mehrmann first began uploading videos with Bradford during the COVID-19 lockdown. Teaching her university students remotely from a basement piano, she noticed Bradford liked to sit with her while she played. Her students loved it. A friend encouraged her to post a clip to TikTok, and it didn’t take long for one video — a song from Amélie — to go viral.

That moment sparked a wave of support and interest that hasn’t slowed down. Her account now has more than 175,000 followers and nearly 5 million likes, with near-daily videos of her playing song requests while Bradford rests, blinks, and sways — almost meditatively — in her lap.

“He believes he is a lap dog,” she jokes.

Baldus-Mehrmann has been playing piano since the age of 5. “It’s all I’ve ever known,” she says. A passion for jazz led her to study jazz piano in college, followed by a master’s in jazz performance. She’s been teaching for over 20 years.

Bradford came into her life 13 years ago, when she rescued him at just 12 weeks old. Now, the pair are inseparable, and their gentle, music-filled videos have reached audiences far beyond their hometown. Even celebrities have taken notice — singer SZA commented “I LOVE BRADFORD,” while Charlie Puth called him a “great listener.” The official Pixar account chimed in too, especially when she played the theme from Up.

“I’m just amazed by the musicians that follow me,” she says. “I think I need to collab with more people.”

But the account isn’t just about music. It's grown into a small online refuge — something Baldus-Mehrmann says she's especially grateful for after sharing news of Bradford’s cancer diagnosis a few years ago. She wasn’t sure whether to go public with it, but the outpouring of support was overwhelming.

“Everyone’s like, ‘I’m thinking good thoughts for you,’” she recalls. “That part has been really lovely — all the good vibes.”

The relationship flows both ways. She regularly gets messages from followers saying her content helped them through hard days or provided a few minutes of peace from the nonstop doomscrolling that defines most timelines.

“It’s a joyful thing no matter what’s going on in their day,” she says. “They can just rest and breathe easy, look at [his] sweet face, and listen to some piano.”

Bradford is now up for a Pet Lovers’ Choice Award in the macroinfluencer category — a nod to just how many people he’s reached. And while she has a few big ideas in the works, including a possible children’s book inspired by Bradford, Baldus-Mehrmann says her focus is on staying true to what works.

“I’m just letting him be a bright spot in the social media world,” she says. “Whatever it evolved into, I’m so grateful.”

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