At Remarkable, our Virtual Clubhouse isn’t just a place to hang out online. It’s a space where young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can connect, grow, and feel like they truly belong. One of the ways we do that? We talk about what’s happening in the world — from pop culture moments to viral videos, major sporting events, movie releases, award shows, and more.
You won’t find us diving into heavy topics like politics, war, or religion. But we will be talking about the Super Bowl halftime show and box office milestones. We’ll definitely be sharing reactions to the latest Pixar movie or singing along to the newest Taylor Swift track. And we’re not just doing it for fun (though it is fun!) — there’s a deeper reason we lean into current events and pop culture.
Because Conversation Starters Are Social Lifelines
Many young adults with IDD have what we call “special interests” — favorite topics they can talk about for hours. While these passions are beautiful and important, they can sometimes create barriers in social settings if others don’t share that same interest. By exposing our members to a broader range of pop culture and current trends, we’re helping them build a toolkit of conversation starters they can use with peers, coworkers, family, and in the community.
When a peer says, “Did you see the latest Marvel movie?” — we want our Clubhouse members to feel confident jumping in and saying, “Yes! I loved it!” or “I haven’t seen it yet, but I heard it did really well at the box office.” These small interactions are the building blocks of social connection.
Because Everyone Deserves to Feel “In the Know”
Inclusion means more than just being invited — it means being engaged. We want our members to experience that spark of recognition when they see a meme online, or to feel that sense of belonging when they understand the joke everyone’s laughing at. Pop culture is a shared language. It’s what people are talking about. And when our Clubhouse members can participate in those conversations, they feel seen, heard, and included.
Because Exposure Sparks Curiosity
We’ve seen it time and time again: a Clubhouse conversation about a Grammy-winning artist leads to a new musical interest. A discussion about the Olympics leads to a new hobby or interest in fitness. A funny moment on a reality TV show leads to questions about relationships and communication.
Because Feeling Connected Builds Confidence
When you can contribute to a conversation — whether it’s about a celebrity’s Met Gala look or a viral dance challenge — you feel empowered. You feel like your voice matters. You feel like you belong. And for many young adults with IDD, that feeling doesn’t come often enough.
In the Remarkable Virtual Clubhouse, we work hard to create a space where our members feel current, capable, and confident. We use today’s headlines (minus the heavy stuff) to help build tomorrow’s social skills.
So yes — we’re absolutely going to talk about Taylor Swift. And when the next big pop culture moment happens, we’ll be ready for that too. Because being connected to the world — and to each other — is what makes our Clubhouse so remarkable.