New Books Network Misty L. Heggeness, "Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine Our Economy" (U California Press, 2026)
Jan 27, 2026
Misty L. Heggeness, an economist and co-director of the Kansas Population Center, uses pop stars like Taylor Swift to show how women reshape the economy. She discusses women reinventing careers, fans and social media as economic power, hidden unpaid care work, and practical reforms and networks that help women thrive. The conversation blends data, culture, and clear policy ideas.
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Taylor As A Muse For Women's Agency
- Taylor Swift serves as a relatable example of women's economic agency rather than an outlier phenomenon.
- Misty Heggeness uses Swift's career to show how women craft careers around barriers and reinvent themselves.
Stars Build Businesses To Bypass Typecasts
- Big female stars pivot into businesses to escape typecasting and capture female consumers.
- Misty links moves by Rihanna and Reese Witherspoon to women's rising spending power and desire for representation.
Women Reinvent Careers More Often
- Reinvention is common: most people change careers at least once and women do so more frequently.
- Heggeness suggests women shift more because of stifling workplaces and care-related rebalancing.
