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United States, August 22, 2026 -- House of Heroes, a family storytelling adventure platform, has launched a monthly subscription service designed for parents and children aged 4 to 11. The platform delivers guided adventure stories that parents read aloud word for word, while children direct the outcome of every story through their own choices.

The service is available globally in English and is accessible from any device, with new adventure content delivered on a regular basis. The platform was created to address a growing gap in the family activity market: the absence of a structured, repeatable activity that produces genuine parent-child connection without screens, creative burden on the parent, or rules the child must learn before they can participate.

The Challenge Facing Modern Families

Screen time among children in the 4 to 11 age group continues to rise year on year, with researchers at the American Academy of Pediatrics noting that children in this group now spend an average of four to six hours per day on screens. The effects on attention, creativity, and family connection are well documented.

The alternatives available to parents present their own barriers. Board games require rules to be learned before play can begin. Traditional roleplay requires creative improvisation that many parents find demanding after a full working day. Reading aloud is passive for the child. Educational applications replace one screen with another. Activity kits tend to lose their appeal within days of arrival.

The gap that House of Heroes addresses is specific: a structured, repeatable family activity that is genuinely engaging for children, places no creative burden on the parent, requires no screen involvement, and creates the kind of collaborative, story-driven connection that child development researchers consistently identify as valuable for families.

How House of Heroes Works

Every House of Heroes adventure is written in full, word for word. Parents open the adventure and read aloud exactly as written, at whatever pace feels natural. No character voices are required. No preparation is needed before the session begins.

At regular intervals throughout the story, approximately every two to three minutes, the narrative pauses and the child is asked what they want their character to do next. The parent accepts the child's idea, adds a natural consequence to the story, and continues. Every choice the child makes is treated as the right choice. There are no wrong answers and no dead ends.

The stories are set in Eternia, a magical world in which the child's character attends an academy called the House of Heroes. The child's character learns spells, goes on quests, meets a recurring cast of characters, navigates moral choices, and earns items that carry forward from one adventure to the next. Each session runs for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

The platform delivers new adventures on a rolling basis, alongside shorter character stories, a Storyteller Tips series designed for parents, and personalised content created specifically for each subscriber's child, including a family portrait illustration and a custom magical cloak based on the child's own choices within the story.

The Design Principle Behind the Platform

The mechanism at the centre of House of Heroes is called the YES Loop. When a child makes a decision within the story, the parent accepts it, adds a consequence, and asks what happens next. This structure means the child is always the author of their own story. The parent is the voice that brings it to life.

This distinction has a specific effect on the parent-child dynamic. The parent is not performing or improvising — they are reading. The child is not consuming content — they are creating it. The result is a shared activity in which the parent is fully present and the child is genuinely in control, without either party needing skills or experience they do not already have.

"Screen-conscious parents understand the problem clearly," says Filip Maciejewicz, founder of House of Heroes. "They want to be present with their children, but they come home tired. The activity options available either require creativity they do not have at the end of a long day, or they hand the child another device. House of Heroes removes both problems at once. The parent reads. The child leads. That is the entire design."

Values Within the Story

House of Heroes is built around three core values — courage, kindness, and grit — which are woven into the story arcs rather than delivered as explicit instruction. Children encounter situations within the adventures that ask them to demonstrate these values through their choices, making the learning experiential rather than didactic.

The platform also features a recurring character called Master Tolm, a values teacher who visits the child's character between adventures to explore each principle through conversation and a single reflective question that the parent asks the child directly. The question is designed to connect the value to the child's own real-world experience.

Platform Access and Pricing

House of Heroes is available as a monthly subscription at $97 per month. New subscribers receive ongoing access to the full platform library including all published adventures, mini-stories, the Storyteller Tips series, and personalised content creation.

A first adventure is available for immediate download at no cost, requiring no payment information or account creation. The adventure introduces Chester, the academy's pug wizard headmaster, and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It is available in PDF format and can be printed for a fully screen-free experience or read on any device.

A 14-day satisfaction period applies to all new subscriptions, with no conditions attached to cancellation requests made within that window.

Further Information

The first adventure is available for download at houseofheroes.co/start. Full platform details are available at houseofheroes.co.

About House of Heroes

House of Heroes is a guided family storytelling adventure platform for parents and children aged 4 to 11. The platform delivers scripted adventures that parents read aloud while children make every decision that shapes the story. No experience, no screens, and no preparation are required. The service is available globally by monthly subscription, with new content delivered on a daily basis.

Contact Info:
Name: Filip Maciejewicz
Email: Send Email
Organization: House of Heroes
Website: https://www.houseofheroes.co/

Release ID: 89201116

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Epic Games announced that cosmetics from dozens of franchises would soon be added as part of the Gaming Legends series, namely Kingdom Hearts, Pac-Man, Mega Man, Persona 5 Royal, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, 99 Nights in the Forest, Crash Bandicoot, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Spyro. While these are great additions, I think that there are key characters that are still missing, and putting them in Chapter 7 Season 4 would turn it from a good gaming season to an excellent gaming season.

In this article, I've listed some crucial video game characters that would look great as in-game cosmetics, but that would make sense in the world of Fortnite. This means that I didn't include some fan-favorite Nintendo characters like Link, Tom Nook, or Mario because I simply don't think in their nature to appear in a video game where they can hold AKs as they work to get that Victory Royale. The worst I can see them doing is face-kicking their opponents in Super Smash Bros., using animated laser guns in Mario + Rabbids, or running a real estate monopoly on a deserted island.

1

The Last of Us

Image: Naughty Dog/Playstation PC via Polygon

Cosmetic ideas: Joel (skin), Ellie (skin), Ellie's guitar (back bling or pickaxe)

Ellie and Joel are one of the best duos in video game history, and they're zombie-killing machines — or fungus-infested-human-killing machines. Either way, they would certainly fit right into Fortnite. They would be great additions for Save the World, as players' main objective in this game mode is to protect their home base from husks. And, considering that this season will be live during Fortnitemares, the game's annual Halloween celebration, fans could have a blast rocking these skins as they take down pesky husks during the event.

2

Metroid

Cosmetic ideas: Samus (skin), Ridley (glider)

The Nintendo Entertainment System was many gamers' first console. It is one of the many reasons why Nintendo became a household name in the '80s. Over the years, the company has released hundreds of games that have made their way into our hearts and become essential in the gaming world.

Nintendo's many well-known franchises contain hundreds of iconic characters, and some players would love to see all of them in Fortnite. However, many of these series consist of E-rated games. The family-friendly rating is likely what makes Nintendo less willing to put these characters in Fortnite. It is the same reason why Disney refused to create a Mickey Mouse skin.

Out of all Nintendo franchises, Metroid is one of the few I could imagine in Fortnite. While its earlier titles are rated E for everyone, more recent Metroid games are rated T for Teen. I wouldn't resist seeing Samus as a skin in the Item Shop. Additionally, Ridley would look awesome as a glider — just about everyone would want him in their lockers, even if they're not familiar with the franchise.

3

Conker

Image: Rare/Microsoft

Cosmetic ideas: Conker (sidekick), Berri (skin), Panther King (skin), Cash (sidekick or back bling)

Conker might look just like a cute and fuzzy squirrel, but Rare had no problem putting a gun in his hand and filling his games with foul language and blood. Therefore, if there was any problem with putting Conker in Fortnite, Epic Games might be one to think the character is too violent to be seen in its Battle Royale game.

Berri and Panther King would make great skins, as they are both quite tall. Since Conker is much shorter, he might be best suited as a sidekick. He can use his helicopter tail to easily reach tall areas and follow the player around.

4

Grand Theft Auto

Cosmetic ideas: CJ (low-poly style skin), Niko (skin), Michael + Franklin + Trevor (skin bundle)

Grand Theft Auto is a franchise with a lot of chaotic yet fun characters. While some of them may be a little... much — here's looking at you, Trevor — it's hard to dislike them. If Epic Games were to create GTA skins in Fortnite, they'd have a lot of characters that they could choose. A particularly fun addition would be CJ from the OG version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He would look great teamed up in a squad with the low-poly "Classic" alternative style for the Lara Croft skin.

5

Hitman

Cosmetic ideas: Agent 47 (skin, low-poly style), Briefcase (back bling or pickaxe)

The Hitman franchise has been around for over 25 years. It's safe to call it a classic at this point. Fans have been playing as Agent 47 and taking on targets all over the world for decades, and now, it's time for them to take out the competition in Fortnite. Agent 47 does what it takes to get things done, and even though he has an intimidating look, he's not afraid of dressing up if it's what's necessary to complete his mission. This means that there would be an array of alternative style possibilities for Agent 47 if he came to Fortnite. From Florida Man to Clown, Agent 47 has done it all. This character would be another great character for a low-poly style.

6

Mass Effect

Cosmetic ideas: Commander Shepard (skin, alternative styles for Male and FemShep), Garrus (skin), Wrex (skin), Tali (skin), Liara (skin), Reaper (glider)

Mass Effect is a beloved franchise that won over fans' hearts back in 2007. Gamers followed this series as each entry in the trilogy came out and lived an epic adventure alongside the Normandy crew. Stakes were always high, and some decisions were particularly hard to make, which is how the series was able to get such a grip on fans. Over the years, we got to build a relationship with this crew, and now, many of us are eagerly awaiting a new entry in the series so we can hopefully reunite with them — or, at least some of them.

I would surely rush to the shop and spend thousands of V-Bucks if that meant I could have Garrus in my Fortnite locker.

So many video game characters have made it into Fortnite as skins as part of the Gaming Legends series; it's time for Mass Effect to join them. The future of the Mass Effect series is on the line with EA's recent buyout. If the next Mass Effect game is, in fact, canceled, fans would want a way for their characters to live on in the world of video games. %!s()

But before you ditch your workouts, it’s important to note that exercise still plays a really important role when it comes to health – perhaps especially in keeping the pounds off after reaching your goal weight.

There are several processes that help explain why exercise doesn’t always result in huge amounts of weight loss.

Exercise can stimulate appetite, leading to increased food intake. People may also subconsciously move less throughout the rest of the day after doing a workout, which means exercise may have less impact on their overall calorie deficit.

The body also becomes more efficient over time – burning fewer calories while doing the same activity. This process, sometimes called “metabolic adaptation”, reflects the body’s tendency to defend against weight loss.

From an evolutionary perspective, conserving energy during periods of intense physical activity probably protected our ancestors from starvation. But in today’s world, metabolic adaptation is one of many factors that can make weight loss difficult.

The importance of exercise

Although exercise may not be the main driver of weight loss, it seems it might play a role in maintaining weight loss.

In a study of over 1,100 people, physical activity was shown to have little effect on the amount of weight a person initially lost. However, doing higher levels of activity after losing weight was strongly linked to maintaining the weight loss.

It’s worth noting that exercise was also associated with measurable health improvements – including better cholesterol, lower inflammation, better blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity, all of which are associated with lower risk of health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

These many health benefits show just how important it is to exercise both while losing weight and maintaining weight loss.

Evidence also suggests that combining exercise with weight loss drugs (such as Saxenda), may help people maintain their weight loss better than using the drug alone.

Why exercise works

It may seem confusing that exercise isn’t especially effective for losing weight but can help prevent regain. The reasons behind this paradox aren’t fully understood, but several mechanisms may offer an explanation.

The first has to do with our resting energy expenditure (the amount of calories our body burns when doing nothing).

When we lose weight, our resting energy expenditure decreases by more than you would expect for the amount of weight lost. This is thought to contribute to weight regain. But exercise raises total daily energy expenditure, which can help to partially offset this.

A second factor relates to muscle mass.

Weight loss usually results in the loss of both fat and muscle. Losing muscle lowers resting energy expenditure, which can contribute to weight regain.

But exercise, especially resistance training (such as Pilates or lifting weights), can help preserve or even rebuild muscle mass. This can boost our metabolism, which may aid in long-term weight maintenance.

Physical activity also helps our body to maintain its ability to burn fat. After losing weight, the body often becomes less efficient at using fat for energy.

But intense exercise can improve fat burning and metabolic flexibility – the ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat depending on what’s available. This helps the body continue burning fat even when calorie intake is low or weight is lost.

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity as well. This reduces the amount of insulin required to regulate blood sugar. This is beneficial as higher insulin levels can promote fat storage and reduce fat breakdown.

Exercise has many indirect effects on us that can aid in weight maintenance. For instance, exercise can improve sleep, mood and reduce stress levels. These all reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which could lower the amount of fat the body stores.

Regular activity can also help regulate appetite and blood glucose, which may help reduce cravings and limit overeating.

It’s important to acknowledge that everyone is different. This means we all respond differently to exercise in terms of how many calories we burn or whether a workout makes us feel hungrier later in the day.

Different types of workouts also confer their own benefits when it comes to health and weight maintenance.

Aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking, cycling or running) burns calories and, at higher intensities, may also enhance the body’s ability to burn fat for fuel.

Resistance training, on the other hand, helps build and preserve muscle mass. This supports a higher resting energy expenditure, aiding long-term weight maintenance.

Exercise may not be the most powerful tool for losing weight, but it could help sustain hard-earned weight loss. Perhaps most importantly, it offers many physical and mental health benefits that go far beyond the numbers on the scale. %!s()

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Crock pot Mississippi Chicken Recipe

I’m a big fan of slow cookers! They’re great for meal prep, feeding a small army, and stretching leftovers, so you better believe I’ve put this Mississippi chicken into my regular rotation. It’s inspired by the classic Mississippi pot roast, but made even MORE budget-friendly by swapping the beef for chicken!

For my recipe, I arrange chicken breasts in one layer in my slow cooker, sprinkle them with ranch seasoning and au jus gravy mix, then add a stick of unsalted butter and some tangy pepperoncini peppers. I like to use unsalted butter here because both seasoning packets already contain plenty of sodium. And guess what? There’s no searing, stirring, water, or stock needed. The chicken releases liquid as it cooks, which combines with the melted butter and seasonings to make a rich, savory sauce. The chicken shreds easily right in the crockpot, and cleanup couldn’t be simpler! I like to pile this juicy chicken high on sandwiches, or spoon it over tortilla chips with plenty of cheese (they’re the best nachos I’ve ever had!)

1. Arrange the chicken in one even layer. Place 3 lbs. chicken breasts in a single layer in a 6-quart slow cooker rather than stacking them. This helps them cook more evenly. If your chicken breasts are smaller or you’re using a different-sized slow cooker, start checking them earlier (the internal temperature should reach 165°F). If your chicken is frozen, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before adding it to the slow cooker.
2. There’s no need to add extra liquid! I let the chicken create its own broth as it cooks, which combines with the melted butter and seasoning packets to make the savory sauce. Adding water or stock would dilute all that flavor!
3. Adjust the spice level. Jarred pepperoncini are mild, tangy pickled peppers usually found near the pickles and olives at the grocery store. To some, pepperoncini peppers can be spicy. If you’re worried about the spice level, you can reduce the number of peppers. (Or add more if you love pepperoncini peppers like me!)
4. Keep the lid closed. There’s no need to stir or flip this Mississippi chicken as it cooks. Opening the slow cooker releases heat and can extend the cooking time, so let it do its thing!
5. Check the temperature and texture. Before shredding, I check that the thickest part has reached 165°F and that the chicken separates easily with two forks. Chicken size and slow cookers can vary, so if it isn’t ready after 6 hours on LOW (or HIGH for 3-4 hours), cook it for another 20 minutes before checking again.
6. Add vegetables to make it a complete meal. You can add potatoes, carrots, or onions to the slow cooker with the chicken. Using our pot roast recipe as a guide, try 2 large carrots peeled and cut into large chunks, 1 large yellow onion peeled and quartered, or 1-1½ lbs. of mini potatoes (kept whole). Keep the chicken in one layer, then arrange the vegetables around and over it.

Save money by using 3 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken thighs if they’re cheaper than breasts. They work just as well, especially if you prefer dark meat or already have some on hand! Arrange the thighs evenly in the slow cooker and cook until they reach at least 165°F and shred easily. Chicken thighs release more fat than breasts, so I usually trim large pieces of visible fat first and spoon off any excess from the cooking liquid before shredding.

Also, watch your pennies and go for store-brand seasoning packets! Store-brand ranch and au jus seasoning work just as well as the name-brand options, so save some money and grab whichever is cheaper. You can also use our homemade ranch seasoning mix if you already have the ingredients in your pantry.

And on that note, if you can’t find au jus mix or regular brown gravy mix is cheaper at your store, use a packet of that instead! Jess uses a brown gravy mix in her Mississippi pot roast, and it still adds plenty of savory flavor!

Cost $10.44 recipe / $1.74 serving

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This easy Mississippi Chicken is made in the slow cooker with five ingredients for tender, juicy shredded chicken in a tangy, buttery, savory sauce.

• ▢ 3 lbs. chicken breasts (3 large chicken breasts, $7.71*)
• ▢ 1 oz. ranch seasoning packet ($0.57)
• ▢ 1 oz. au jus gravy mix packet ($0.98)
• ▢ 1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup, (8 Tbsp) $0.77**)
• ▢ 8 pepperoncini peppers (about 2oz., $0.41)

• Gather and prepare all ingredients.

• Place the chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker.

• Sprinkle the au jus gravy mix and ranch seasoning on top of the chicken breasts.

• Place the stick of butter in the middle of the slow cooker.

• Evenly top with pepperoncini peppers.

• Cook on LOW for 6 hours. Or if you’re in a pinch, you can cook it on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

• After 6 hours (or 3-4 if cooking on high), using two forks, shred the chicken, then enjoy.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

*Use 3 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which was about three very large breasts for me. Weight is more reliable than the number of breasts, so you may need more than three if your store sells smaller pieces. You can also use 3 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Make sure frozen chicken is fully thawed before adding it to the slow cooker and it reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 165°F once cooked.

**I recommend using unsalted butter, so this dish isn’t too salty. You can always add more salt after it’s cooked, if needed.

Salt levels can vary: Seasoning packet brands vary in sodium, so check the labels and choose lower-sodium options if needed. Stick with unsalted butter, then taste the finished chicken before adding any extra salt.

Serving: 1serving (~1 cup)Calories: 420kcal (21%)Carbohydrates: 5g (2%)Protein: 49g (98%)Fat: 21g (32%)Sodium: 1281mg (56%)Fiber: 0.5g (2%)

The nutrition data is automatically calculated using all ingredients listed on the recipe card, including any listed as optional. Percentages are of daily value.

how to make Mississippi Chicken Step-by-Step Photos

Gather all of your ingredients.

Season the chicken: Place 3 lbs. of chicken breasts in an even layer across the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker with as little overlap as possible. This helps the thick breasts cook at a similar rate. Evenly sprinkle the chicken with a 1-oz. packet of au jus gravy mix.

Now sprinkle 1-oz. packet of ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken, making sure there aren’t any large piles of either seasoning. The surface will look dry at this stage, but that’s expected. There’s no need to add water or stock because the chicken will release plenty of liquid as it cooks.

Add the butter and peppers: Place 1 stick of unsalted butter (½ cup or 8 Tbsp) in the center of the chicken. Arrange 8 pepperoncini peppers evenly around the slow cooker.

Cook the chicken: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, keeping the lid closed so the slow cooker doesn’t lose heat. If you’re short on time, cook it on HIGH for 3-4 hours and begin checking it at the 3-hour mark. When ready, the butter will be completely melted, the pepperoncini will look softened, and the chicken will be surrounded by plenty of savory cooking liquid. Check that the thickest part of each breast has reached at least 165°F.

If the chicken hasn’t reached 165°F, replace the lid and cook for another 20 minutes before checking again.

Shred and serve: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. It should separate easily without much resistance. Stir the shredded chicken into the buttery cooking liquid until it’s evenly coated.

Taste your Mississippi chicken before adding any salt because the seasoning packets are already well seasoned. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

I love serving Mississippi chicken straight from the slow cooker over mashed potatoes with steamed frozen peas on the side. Add a pepper or two from the slow cooker, then spoon plenty of that savory sauce over the chicken and potatoes. It’s delicious as-is, but a dollop of sour cream on each serving makes it creamy and helps mellow the heat from the peppers. You can also stir some softened cream cheese into the hot sauce until smooth, or finish each plate with crumbled cooked bacon for smoky, salty flavor and a little crunch.

For something different, spoon the chicken and plenty of sauce over seasoned rice so the rice can soak up all those buttery juices. It also makes a delicious slider filling piled onto split Hawaiian rolls, where the soft, slightly sweet bread pairs perfectly with the tangy chicken. Or scatter the shredded chicken over our black bean nachos with the beans and cheese, using just enough sauce to add flavor without making the chips soggy (these are so, so good!). And for dessert? It has to be a slice of Mississippi mud pie, of course!

This Mississippi chicken is great for meal prep because it makes six generous servings (about 1 cup each). I portion the leftovers into split meal prep containers, as shown in the photo below, and usually pair the chicken with something fresh, like a crisp green salad made with whatever vegetables I have on hand or what’s in season. The separate compartments help the salad leaves stay crisp. Keep everything refrigerated and use it within 3-4 days.

I also love this chicken in sandwiches and wraps, but I store the bread separately until serving so it doesn’t turn soggy. A baked potato topped with this chicken and served with coleslaw is another delicious option! I’d keep the coleslaw separate so I can reheat the potato and chicken together.

Storage & Reheating

After the leftovers have cooled, you can store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store the chicken with some of the cooking sauce to help keep it moist.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave, covered, in short intervals, stirring between each one until the chicken is heated evenly. You can also warm it in a covered saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a small splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened, and heat the chicken to 165°F.

Freezing

Freeze the cooled Mississippi chicken with some of its sauce in meal-sized freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Press out as much air as possible to help prevent freezer burn. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it using one of the methods above.

Try These Crockpot Shredded Chicken Recipes:

• Our Pulled Chicken has a simple, versatile seasoning, making it perfect for meal prep, chicken salad, tacos, pasta, and more!
• When I’m craving Tex-Mex flavors, this no-chop Crock Pot Salsa Chicken gives me a saucy filling for tacos, burritos, nachos, and bowls.
• This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken uses similar ingredients to my recipe here, with chicken breasts, ranch seasoning, and butter, but mixes in tangy hot sauce for a buffalo finish. SO GOOD.
• Our Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is coated in smoky seasonings and plenty of tangy BBQ sauce, then shredded for sandwiches, nachos, baked potatoes, or pizza.

Posted in: Budget Friendly Meal Prep Ideas, Chicken Breast Recipes, Chicken Meal Prep, Chicken Recipes, Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes, Egg Free Recipes, Main Dish Recipes, Meat Recipes, Recipes, Recipes under $15, Slow Cooker Recipes, Under $3 per serving

Melissa NolanMelissa is a proud Jacksonville native who attended FSU earning a business hospitality degree and a minor in anthropology. She then went to Johnson and Wales University to fulfill her dream of becoming a chef. Melissa’s culinary experience includes interning at Thomas Keller’s famed Per Se Restaurant in NYC and working at many of Northeast Florida’s finest restaurants. The past 5 years she has been able to share her knowledge and fallen in love with teaching at JAX Cooking Studio as a Chef Instructor. She’s excited for the next step in her career at Budget Bytes as a Recipe Developer. Her favorite things include coffee, dogs, and of course, FOOD!More About Melissa %!s()

August 22, 2026

Olivia Rodrigo surprise-released her new song “Serena Joy” Friday via a limited-edition CD single sold exclusively at an indie record shop closest to her upcoming Daisy Chain Fields festival.

Tustin, California’s Analog Music Shop — located 7.5 miles from Irvine’s Great Park, where Daisy Chain Fields will be held next weekend — announced on social media Friday that Rodrigo had provided 500 CD copies of her Handmaid’s Tale-inspired new song to the store, Variety reported; by Friday night, the shop sold all copies had sold out.

“When we heard that Olivia Rodrigo was bringing an all-women music festival to Orange County, we were honestly just excited to see something this special happening right here in our hometown,” the record shop wrote on social media. “As one of the closest record stores in the area, we wanted to find a way to support Daisy Chain Fields.”

The store continued, “We knew Olivia had a track record of supporting record stores, but we were still taken aback when we heard the news: Olivia is releasing a new song ahead of Daisy Chain Fields called ‘Serena Joy,’ and she wants the physical CD copies to be exclusively sold at Analog Record Shop. And the best part… She’s giving it to us 3 DAYS before anyone else can hear it. Three days early. More than anything, we’re grateful for what this represents: An artist building a stage for women in music and raising funds for women and girls. An artist willing to support a local independent record store. And a hometown getting to be part of something really special. That means a lot to us.”

“Serena Joy” was among the tracks Rodrigo recorded for her recent LP You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, but it ultimately didn’t make the final cut.

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“I actually really love [‘Serena Joy’]. It didn’t fit on the album,” Rodrigo told Etalk. “The record was very much a chronicle of a relationship — beginning, middle and end. But I hope that it’ll be a part of something else down the line.”

While Rodrigo hasn’t commented on the limited edition release, Analog Record Shop alluded to “Serena Joy” receiving a wider digital release on Monday.

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