Taylearning: A Taylor Swift Podcast

For literally years now, we've been quoting Rob Sheffield on this podcast. Rob, who is perhaps best known for his work writing for Rolling Stone, is both a long-time fan and professional critic of Taylor Swift. He also is a self-proclaimed fan of Taylearning…so we had to get him on the podcast! Tune into this hefty TL4 Season Finale to hear us interview Rob about his life, opinions, observations, and his new book - “Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music.” The novel, which is a kaleidoscopic and passionate look at Taylor's life through Rob's eyes, has received acclaim and has quickly become a staple piece of literature in the Swiftie fandom. Hot tip- listen all the way through the end to see how you can get your hands on a signed copy! This episode serves as the final episode of Season 4. Keep in touch with us in the offseason, submit to our listener mailbag form below to be a part of our Three Year Anniversary episode, and we will see you soon! ---LISTENER MAILBAG FORM: Click Here!!!--- Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch- leaving in one week! Rob's Famous Taylor Song Ranking: Click here! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

Taylor Swift has had many fellow famous “BFFs” in her years of being in the public eye. However, one of them has been there since almost the very beginning - Selena Gomez: actress, pop star, philanthropist, producer, and businesswoman. Since meeting in 2008, Taylor and Selena, or “Taylena,” have been mostly inseparable, as far as public friendship connections go  They consistently bring up one another, post each other on social media, and support one another's projects. In this penultimate episode of Season 4 of Taylearning, your hosts talk through the full Taylena friendship timeline, including all of its public (and not-so-public) ups and downs. Tune in as we tackle this massive friendship and continue The Squad miniseries! -LISTENER MAILBAG FORM: Click Here!!! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Go to YohoandCo.ca and use code “LEARN” to get 22% off their Taylor Swift-themed pennants! Expires at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT- April 30th! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Drug Content, Mild Sexual Content

We all know someone who has become so lost in their [toxic] relationship that they cut off other loved ones. In today's ‘Dear Taylistener' episode - our advice column miniseries where we use Taylor Swift songs as a source of wisdom - our listener writes to us about being on the receiving end of the social chop when her close guy friend cuts her off to appease his new girlfriend. It can be difficult to convince others that your cross-gender friendship is solely platonic, but it can be even harder to watch that friendship dissolve due to others' insecurities. What do you do? In this case, we turn to the lyrics of Taylor Swift to get by, and your hosts dispense their own wisdom from similar experiences! LISTENER MAILBAG FORM: Click Here!!! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Go to YohoandCo.ca and use code “LEARN” to get 22% off their Taylor Swift-themed pennants! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content

For her entire professional career up until the transition between 1989 (2014) and Reputation (2017), Taylor had a predictable schedule of releasing a new album every two years. But 2016 was different, as we saw the ostensible cancellation of Taylor and her subsequent reclusivity. As a result, we got one of the most iconic and fabled pieces of lost media: Taylor Swift's “missing” album from 2016. Nicknamed “Karma” by Swifties, the existence of this album is hotly debated, and there are good arguments on both sides. Tune in to hear your hosts discuss facts and quotes to argue both for and against the existence of “Karma,” the details surrounding the conspiracy theory, and what would've/could've/should've been had 2016 gone differently for our girl. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Go to YohoandCo.ca and use code “LEARN” to get 22% off their Taylor Swift-themed pennants! LISTENER MAILBAG FORM: Click Here!!! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content

It's time for the song that features the namesake of this miniseries to have its moment in the sun: This Is Me Trying. This track, an underrated gem from 2020's ‘folklore,' features Taylor singing from multiple devastating perspectives. She acts as the mouthpiece for a melancholic alcoholic, a regretful burnout, and a despondent suicidal person. Through these lyrics, she tells the story of how hard it is to simply try for some people. Sometimes, your best looks like hell to everyone else, and no one pats you on the back for the work it took you to get there. But Taylor noticed…no one ever talks about these people or tells these stories. These people who are really trying. So she decided to give us this track, and we decided to break it down for you today. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Go to YohoandCo.ca and use code “LEARN” to get 22% off their Taylor Swift-themed pennants! LISTENER MAILBAG FORM: Click Here!!! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Suicide/Self Harm

The time has come for the final installment of the Eras Tour Post Mortem miniseries. We know, we're sad too. But it has been four months since Taylor left the Eras stage for the final time, which has given us ample opportunity to analyze what were the highest highs and the lowest lows of the 21-month-long tour! After calling out on Instagram and scouring the web, we learned what Swifties from all over the world took away from the tour, both positive and not-so-positive. Join us as we close this chapter and reminisce on the past so we can turn our focus to the future! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Go to YohoandCo.ca and use code “LEARN” to get 22% off their Taylor Swift-themed pennants! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

Two words: Lead. Singles. But what is a lead single, you may ask? It's typically a carefully selected track from an upcoming album designed to both lend itself to potential commercial success AND give you a taste of what's to come from an artist. Taylor Swift has 11 albums, thus she has 11 lead singles to chat about! Some were released in advance of an album, some were released alongside an album. Some were acclaimed and beloved, some were criticized and ridiculed. In today's episode, Dani & Olivia go through each lead single and rate it as a song, success as a lead single, and they even make their own suggestions for the lead singles that could've been. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Go to www.YohoCo.ca and use code “LEARN” to get 22% off their Taylor Swift-themed pennants! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

In 2006, Taylor released her debut album. On that album, she gave us “Tied Together with a Smile”, a sincere and heartbreaking song about a girl who struggles to hide her pain behind a fake smile. Today, your hosts dissect this track in our very first song analysis from Debut! Taylor has given us a lot of insight into this tragic tune, so tune in as we break it all down in this installment of the ‘Mental Cages' miniseries. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Eating Disorders, Suicide/Self-Harm

From 2009-2010, Taylor Swift embarked on her first ever headlining tour: The Fearless Tour! Later in 2010, “Journey to Fearless” would be released- a docuseries all about the tour and the steps Taylor took to get there. This episode features Dani and Olivia a) talking about the reception and impact of The Fearless Tour, and b) going through each scene of the series to talk through the story it tells. Go back in time with us, head first and fearless! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content

It has been nearly three months since the final bow of ‘The Eras Tour,' but we will do anything we can to make it live on. This includes the continuation of our Eras Tour Post Mortem series, in which your hosts dissect tour details! In this requested episode, Dani & Olivia go through the many outfits Taylor wore on stage during tour (including alterations and capes, she wore ~100 outfits!) to decide their favorite and least favorites for each era. They also talk fan favorites, iconic outfit moments, and their costume redesign concepts. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

Taylor once admitted to being lost in the labyrinth of her mind- but what exactly does that mean? In today's episode, Olivia & Dani continue the Mental Cages miniseries to break down “Labyrinth” from “Midnights.” This song - which is a divisive song amongst the Swiftie fandom - has Taylor opening up about her anxiety concerning falling in love after everything she has been through. But, as with all Taylor Swift songs, there is more to the story than what we see on the surface! Join us as we tear back the layers of this synth-filled, vibey track. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

Let's face it: we are all constantly on the hunt for the high we felt during The Eras Tour. The magic was felt in each city from the days leading up to a show all the way through walking out of the stadium. Lucky for us, there is someone actively working to recreate this magic- and she's sharing it with Swifties all across North America! Joining us today is Karla, CEO of “Taylgate Takeovers,” and she is on a mission - along with her esteemed team of event planners - to host weekend-long Taylor-themed festivals in honor of The Eras Tour. Join us as we talk to Karla about what Taylgate Takeovers is, why she's doing it, and why you might be interested in going when it comes to a city near you in 2025! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Also, head to https://www.taylgatetakeovers.com/ to see what all the fuss is about regarding this exciting festival! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back. Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here!

Like Taylor, we've spent the past 5+ months religiously following and rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, our joy crumbled alongside KC's offensive line at the Super Bowl this past Sunday. So let's talk through our sorrows, chat about the season, and we humbly ask your forgiveness for our sadness. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

Since 2008, Taylor Swift has been considered a perennial Grammy threat in the music industry. But with 58 total Grammy nominations and 14 total wins, can she truly be considered a “Grammy Darling?” Your hosts are going back in time to dive into this question! This episode, recorded and released off the heels of the 67th Grammy Awards, has Dani & Olivia going over every single nomination - wins AND losses - Taylor Swift has ever received from The Recording Academy. Who won? Who did people think would win? Who “should've” won? Listen in to (tay)learn what we've found! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

If you look up “who is Taylor Swift's best friend?”, you will receive a handful of answers. One of those answers is stylist Ashley (Ash) Avignone. Way back in 2008, Taylor met Ashley through a famous mutual friend. Seventeen years later, and their friendship is still going strong! Tune into this installment of “The Squad” miniseries to hear all about the long-standing friendship between Taylor and Ashley. And trust us…if you don't recognize her name, you almost certainly know her face. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

It's time! After months of collecting YOUR hottest takes about The Eras Tour, your hosts are here to talk about them over alcoholic beverages. In today's return of the fan favorite “Tipsy Swifties” miniseries, guest host Rebecca guides Olivia & Dani through each hot take, and your girls have to drink if they agree! With over 150 submissions and countless drinks later, we're proud to present today's fun (and undeniably controversial) episode. Grab your favorite drink and play along! Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! Click here for article about Ticketmaster/LiveNation lobbying *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Binge Drinking/Alcohol As always, we don't condone binge drinking. Imbibe at your own risk and judgement.

From the outside looking in, becoming a Taylor Swift fan seems like an almost insurmountable challenge. With nearly two decades of lore and hundreds of songs in her discography, it's no secret that the path to becoming a Swiftie can be daunting. Where should someone begin? In this episode, Dani & Olivia seek to help you answer that question! This “crash course” was designed with potential Swifties in mind and acts as an overview of need-to-know information to catch anyone up and bring them into the world of Swiftiedom. To cap it off, your hosts give song recommendations by genre to help get you started in her music. Long time Taylisteners, send this episode to someone you want to see become a Swiftie! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! MENTIONED EPISODE LINKS: Easter Eggs The Muses: Joe Jonas The Muses: Taylor Lautner Part One AND Part Two Taylor vs. Kimye aka The Rise of a Snake Part One AND Part Two The Muses: John Mayer Part One AND Part Two The Muses: Jake Gyllenhaal The Muses: Conor Kennedy The Muses: Harry Styles Part One AND Part Two AND Part Three AND Part Four The Muses: Calvin Harris The Muses: Tom Hiddleston The Masters Controversy Part One AND Part Two The Muses: Matty Healy Part One AND Part Two Our Episode with Harvard's Stephanie Burt Taylor's Political Evolution Champagne Problems Song Analysis Betty Song Analysis August Song Analysis The Archer Song Analysis Out of the Woods Song Analysis Delicate Song Analysis Peace Song Analysis CALIFORNIA FIRE RELIEF LINKS: California Fire Relief Fund Resources for those impacted *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content

There is much debate about if Taylor Swift's 2024 topped her groundbreaking 2023. Today, your hosts return from their holiday break to tackle that question! In this episode, Olivia & Dani continue their yearly tradition of giving you a “Taylor Wrapped” of sorts, talking through a timeline of Taylor's highlight reel of 2024. Additionally, they top it off by recapping the accuracy of their 2024 predictions and cementing their 2025 predictions. So tell us- what is your biggest Taylor prediction for the new year? We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! Carbon Emissions Episode: Here! Grammy Predictions Episode: Here! *Explicit: Language

After 21 months, 149 shows, hundreds of songs performed live, and millions of traded friendship bracelets, The Eras Tour finally came to its bittersweet end in Vancouver, Canada on December 8th. By way of luck, magic, and our good friend Rebecca, Olivia & Dani were able to attend closing night in person. The final show was emotional, heartbreaking, joyful, somber, sparkling, and perfect. Your hosts are honored to take you through the full experience of closing night, from standout moments to general vibes, so everyone listening can live in the experience of what it was like to be there for the final bow. We are taking a short break for the next two weeks for the ~HoliTays~! See you back here on January 8th, 2025. FINAL CHANCE! LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

The simplest answer to the question “what makes an era?” is: …an album. An album cycle makes an era. But is that the whole truth? In today's special episode, Justice - your TayIntern - guest-hosts to walk us through each intricate detail that characterizes a musical era. Join Justice, Olivia, & Dani as we cap off The Eras Tour with a lesson on the art, marketing, and groupings of all of Taylor Swift's iconic eras that have defined her career thus far. LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

The Eras Tour is over, and our episode is delayed, and Dani is here to tell you what's going on! LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com

In October of 2011, lifelong Swiftie and Journalism student Sarah Chapelle decided to combine her passions to create the blog “Taylor Swift Style.” This blog has since amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, all of whom eagerly await for Sarah to post outfit details, prices, and even dupes of Taylor's latest look every time she steps in front of a camera. Today, Dani & Olivia are joined by Sarah - now a New York Times best selling author - to discuss her new book, Taylor's oxymoronic skill of marketing authenticity, and how music and fashion cannot be divorced when it comes to the iconography of a Taylor Swift Era! LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! Follow Sarah! The Site/Blog Access: Click here! Get the Book: Click here! Instagram: @TaylorSwiftStyled We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast Personal Instagrams: @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

With 14 Grammy Award wins and 58 nominations, it's no secret that The Recording Academy is a fan of Taylor Swift- and she is a fan of theirs in return! But the perennial question remains: will Taylor succeed in this upcoming Grammy cycle? Today, your hosts do their best to put themselves in the shoes of a voting member of The Academy to make educated guesses about how things will shake out in each category Taylor is nominated for. LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

She hates it here, so she goes to secret gardens in her mind. The job of your hosts today is to find those secret gardens and take you along on the journey! In this installment of the fan fave ‘Mental Cages' series, Olivia & Dani walk through TTPD's “I Hate It Here”, a divisive and solemn track from ‘The Anthology' half of the record. What does Taylor mean with the opening/closing lyric about a finance guy? What are the mid-sized city hopes and small town fears she is referencing? And what exactly was she trying to say with the controversial 1830s lyric? Tune in to find out! LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok/Bluesky: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Self-Harm/Suicide, Drugs, Conversations surrounding Sexual and Physical Assault

Today, we revisit the “Fantasy Football” song draft miniseries to take on the most recent installment to the Taylorverse: ‘The Tortured Poets Department'! Dani is a shameful 1-3 in her song draft record, and Olivia is looking to pad her lead. Your hosts go back and forth to draft their strongest teams, but who will actually take the prize? Will Dani begin her redemption arc, or will Olivia skyrocket to 4-1? That, Taylisteners, is entirely up to you. Be sure to vote in the Spotify comments section and/or on our Instagram! LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content

Throughout most of her long career, Taylor Swift was (in)famous for staying quiet politically. Some read this as apathy, some read it as calculating, and some went so far as to accuse her of being a secret alt-right icon. But in 2019, Taylor tore off the muzzle she had on herself and finally told the world her secret: she's a Democrat. Her political affiliation and progressive ideology became a cornerstone of her ‘Lover' era, and she has been open about her party alliance and voting habits ever since. However, it was a long time coming for her to emerge as ‘Miss Americana.' The question much of the world has for Taylor is…why? In this episode, Olivia & Dani talk about the inextricable relationship between American politics and country music, the delicate dance between fame and politics, and how Taylor found her political voice over the span of twenty years. Stick around until the end to see how you could be entered into a giveaway! But hurry, this one ends SOON! We will be taking next week off for Election Week in the USA. See you again in two weeks! *Our views do not necessarily represent our partners at Bleav. LINK TO 'ERAS TOUR HOT TAKES' SUBMISSION FORM: CLICK HERE! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! Information on 9/11 and the War in Iraq: Article 1, Article 2, Book The Guardian article mentioned & heavily quoted: Click here! The “Miss Americana” article mentioned: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Sexual & Domestic Violence, Politics in general

We'll admit it: we were wrong. Well, kinda. In our initial ‘The Muses: Taylor Lautner' episode from February of 2023, we made an assumption that Taylor Squared had fallen out of touch over the years and were no longer close. To our credit, that was true at the time. However, we couldn't have predicted that in the following months, they'd reconnect and be closer than ever! In this episode, your hosts talk through everything that has happened between Taylor Swift & Taylor Lautner since we last chatted about them, and it's more than you may think. Join us for this wholesome, happy episode as we revisit the ‘Muses: From the Vault' subseries! And be sure to brush up on your homework and listen to the first installation of the Taylor Squared story HERE, because we pick up right where we left off.   We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post.   Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content, Self-Harm

Hey hey hey! When it comes to Eras Tour tickets, have you been gettin' down and out about the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world? Well, Catie & Marissa are here to help! In today's special episode, Catie joins us to talk about the community she and Marissa have built that specializes in ticket reselling, scam spotting, and making a safe space in the Swiftie world online. Ticket scams can be found everywhere, but since their Facebook group's inception in the Summer of 2023, there have been zero scams within their group of nearly 9,000 members (and counting!). Listen in to hear about how to spot ticket scams in this final Eras leg, how this group is about more than just tickets, and how you can join this thriving online community (and maybe get tickets of your own!).   Click HERE to join Catie & Marissa's TSwift Group! Follow Catie & Marissa on Twitter: @CatieRaissipour @rissaaalyn We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Mild Language

To this day, the world wonders what happened between Taylor Swift and budding pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo in 2021. Olivia, who was experiencing a meteoric rise to fame with her debut album ‘Sour', had also publicly branded herself a lifelong Swiftie with the receipts to back her claim up. She was even called the “original Taydaughter” on the internet! So what occurred between them that made their public friendship suddenly dry up? Some people believe Taylor sued for royalties. Some people believe Olivia wanted to make a name for herself absent of Taylor. In this hot button episode, your hosts go through their hours of research so you can make your own determination about what went down between the megastars. We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Assault

Nine years to the day after the release of ‘1989', Taylor released it again with her Taylor's Version of the Pop Bible! The key difference, of course, is that when Taylor opted to drop a full-blown pop record in 2014, the (pop culture) world practically stood still. With a decade-defining singles run, an abundance of critical praises, and endless good vibes, the OG album left a legacy that the Taylor's Version built upon. Today, your hosts talk through all things about both versions of ‘1989', all while Dani stifles her joy for her “heart album.”   We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com   Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Eating Disorders, Language, Sexual Content

Often (unfairly) overlooked and frequently (unjustly) criticized, ‘Midnights' closer “Dear Reader” is a diaristic, confessional, and somber track that reminds its listener that, despite being full of advice, the author herself is not to be trusted. In this installment of the Mental Cages series, which doubles as Taylearning's landmark 100th episode (!!!), Dani & Olivia break down this divisive track, chewing on every lyric to make some sense of it all. Taylor has spent the better part of two decades giving advice to millions through her lyrics, but in this song, she has herself (and the audience) wondering- is she really qualified to be a beacon of truth? 100 EPISODES!!! Thank you for being here. It's cheesy, but we love this community and what we have built from the ground up. To celebrate and to thank you, listen all of the way through the very end of this episode- we have a surprise :)    We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post.   Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language

Taylor made history (again) last week when she won the Video Music Award (VMA) for Video of the Year with TTPD's “Fortnight”- but many people believe she was undeserving of the iconic award. This video, which was directed by and starring Taylor herself, beat out several other strong contenders! The award is fan-voted, but there are also so many layers and interpretations to this metaphor-heavy video, so today we answer the trending question- do we think it earned the VOTY title? Tune in as we break it down, scene by scene! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Inarguably, the friendships we make (and lose) throughout our lives impact us greatly. The same is likely true for Taylor Swift! In our NEW mini-series, The Squad, Olivia & Dani take you through Taylor's friendships and the impact they've made on her life, image, and in some cases, her music. Today, we start with up-and-coming main pop girl, Sabrina Carpenter, in honor of her #1 album ‘Short n' Sweet'. Sabrina, who has been a Taylor fan since long before her fame, now classifies Taylor as one of her best friends. In this episode, your hosts walk you through Sabrina's journey from OG Swiftie to Disney star to major pop star- and where Taylor fits into it all. We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

The prologue to ‘The Tortured Poets Department' is one of the most intimate looks into Taylor's mind we've ever been given. It's the perfect appetizer to this massive album, and it has not received the attention it deserves…until now! In today's episode, join Olivia & Dani as they go through the prologue line by line to better understand the stories Taylor tells throughout the album. With all of the context Taylor is giving us here, it's a wonder more people aren't talking about it- so crack open your TTPD vinyls/CD booklets, and let's Taylearn together! We are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our first post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast, @danielle_winchester, @olivia_kotarski Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Taylearning is back for Season 4, and we are better than ever! Today's Season Premiere is a continuation of The Muses miniseries, and it also brings us further into the lore of Matty Healy. As we discuss what songs The 1975's controversial frontman may have inspired in Taylor's discography, we also continue to unravel the story of ‘The Tortured Poets Department.' Taylor Swift gives us so much insight into her life and mind through her lyrics, so today, we are going to give you an in-depth analysis of how they fit into the story of her life…especially in regards to Matty. Listen to Part 1 if you have not yet- you'll want to take that prerequisite before diving into this one! Also, we are still fighting to get our Instagram back! Please help us by going to @taylearningpodcast_backup and following instructions on our one and only post. Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast  Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Website: www.TaylearningPodcast.com Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Drugs --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Welcome back to your favorite Taylor Swift podcast that dives into everything Taylor! From the music to the lore to the theories, you can Taylearn alongside us with new episodes every Wednesday. Season 4 premieres August 28, wherever you get your podcasts! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

SURPRISE! We are back today with a super special in-between-seasons episode! Today, we are so excited to feature one of our favorite SwiftTokers, Jake Deyton, to chat about the recent "controversy" surrounding Taylor's fight to stay #1 on the charts. With the release of Billie Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft" and the rise of Charli XCX's "brat" summer, we are reminded that Taylor's mere existence lives in the minds of stans of all artists. Jake, who has been closely following Taylor's chart positions since 2012, brings us incredible insight on what it means to "block" artists...and if it's even truly possible. Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Mild Sexual Content Follow Jake on social media! TikTok: jakedeyton1 Instagram: jakedeyton --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

It's finally here. In today's electric season finale, which serves as the longest informative episode of Taylearning released to date, your hosts cover a comprehensive timeline of the torrid & sordid relationship between Taylor Swift and Matty Healy. After scouring the internet, cross-referencing multiple timelines, and reaching out to personal contacts, Dani & Olivia have compiled ~150 noteworthy moments in time…and they are ready to share their findings. It may have been surprising to most when ‘The Tortured Poets Department's' muse apparent was the frontman of pop rock band The 1975, but once you're presented with the decade of details compiled in this episode, you'll understand how a relationship that only formally lasted a month could inspire over two hours of songs…at least. Remember to keep in touch with us in the off season, and we will see you back here for Season 4! Instagram/TikTok: @TaylearningPodcast Twitter (X): @Taylearning Email: taylearningpodcast@gmail.com Spotify Playlist: ⁠Click here!⁠ *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Drugs The initiative for our finale and our offseason is Save the Children. Without immediate support, vulnerable children are at risk of physical and emotional harm with devastating, lifelong consequences. Together, we can fight threats to children's lives. Click here to join us in donating. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Who's afraid of little old Taylor? Well, she tells us that we should be. In today's penultimate episode of Season 3, Olivia & Dani revisit the Mental Cages series to dissect Track 10 from ‘The Tortured Poets Department.' This song, which is performed immaculately on The Eras Tour 2.0, is a personal and confessional look into how growing up famous/constantly scrutinized can turn a “good girl” into the monster people think she is. However, Taylor is aware that she technically put herself in this “asylum”- but does that mean she has no right to complain about it? And what of the good things she has done for artists who have followed in her footsteps…such as Billie Eilish (wanna talk about the drama, anyone)? Pop in as we talk through it all! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Lyrics containing self-harm This week's initiative is Save the Children. Without immediate support, Gaza's vulnerable children are at risk of physical and emotional harm with devastating, lifelong consequences. Together, we can fight threats to children's lives. Click here to join us in donating. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Have you ever felt scared to take a massive leap of faith? Because that's what we talk about in today's ‘Dear Taylistener' episode! This miniseries is our version of an advice column, where we intake stories from you - the Taylisteners - and give advice through Taylor Swift songs. Today's submission is all about the fear, loneliness, excitement, and confusion surrounding moving away from everything you know. Most of us have done it or will do it, and your hosts are both moving away right now, so what better way to wade through these complex emotions than together through Taylor lyrics? Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language This week's initiative is to get eSims to Palestinians in need of contacting the world outside its borders. Click here to join us in donating. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

This week, your Harvard education continues as Stephanie Burt joins your hosts in talking through many Taylor topics! Stephanie, the professor of the viral Taylor Swift class at Harvard University, takes the time to talk about what it's like to teach about Taylor, thoughts on ‘The Tortured Poets Department,” and we finally touch on a subject many of you have requested: Gaylor theories. Tune in to get Taylearned with the second and final part of our Harvard lecture series! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Sexual Content --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Taylisteners, welcome to our first Harvard class! In today's episode, prolific and iconic legal scholar/Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein joins your hosts to talk about his new book, “How to Become Famous: Lost Einsteins, Forgotten Superstars, and How the Beatles Came to Be.” This book, released this week, covers the magic and madness of how people become famous- and how they don't. Taylor Swift is a perfect case study of the mixture of luck and talent needed to be the biggest name in the world, so let's talk about it with one of the best minds in higher education! Spotify Playlist: Click here! Cass Sunstein Profile: Click here! Get your copy of the book here! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

What if we told you she's back…with a whole new version of The Eras Tour?! Well, kinda. Over this past weekend in Paris, Taylor debuted a revised version of the tour we've come to know over the past 14 months. Between cutting tracks, adding a Tortured Poets Department set, 23 new outfits, and a Tayvis PDA showcase in the City of Love(r), we had to bring you another installment of ‘State of Swift' to bring you up to speed. Spotify Playlist: Click here! As many of you know, there is a humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza. In our efforts to help the people of Palestine, we are highlighting the GoFundMes of several of our favorite Swiftie creators. Each week, we will be supporting a new Palestinian family in raising money to escape Rafah. We hope you join us in these lifesaving fundraisers. Today, we highlight Abdullah Al-Ashi and his family, sponsored by Elizabeth (aka MoonyBug on TikTok). Please support by donating here. *Explicit: Language --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Attention rap fans: do you now understand why Swifties are obsessed with analyzing Taylor's songs for tea? In today's extra credit episode, Dani walks you through the ongoing 'KenDrake' rap battle. Why, you ask? Because Taylor and her Swifties are somehow a part of the narrative, so it's probably important to understand what's going on. Hop in for the tea party! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Lyrics that contain Domestic Violence & Pedophilia --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Almost two weeks has passed since TTPD entered the Taylorverse. Is that enough time to pass judgement on the album and rank the tracks? Confidently, no, it is not...but we are going to try! In today's episode, Dani & Olivia talk criticisms, praises, and reactions to the album. Additionally, they rank each track in order of least to most favorite. Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

All's fair in love and poetry. But you know what's NOT fair? Trying to quickly process a 31 song album, half of which was a surprise in the first place. In today's episode, your hosts give their first impressions on each of the tracks and on the album as a whole. Together, they work through the good, bad, and ugly of TTPD to tell you what initially went through their minds during this crazy start to our newest era. Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Drug References, Mental Health, Suicide --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

THIS IS IT. We have entered TTPD week! In less than two days, we all will hear ‘The Tortured Poets Department' for the first time. And the second time, and the third time….because let's be real, we will all be binge listening to it over and over again! To keep up with our traditions, your hosts spend this episode speculating on what each of the 20 tracks will sound like. Play along with us, and come back after the album drops to see how right (or, more likely, wrong) they were! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

What if Taylor Swift told us she was a mastermind? Well, she did! “Mastermind”, track 13 from ‘Midnights', is a confessional track about how Taylor plays her life like chess: every move and countermove is intricately planned to get the result she desires. However, living life this way has proven to be draining for the pop star…if it's true. She oscillates wildly between claiming her life is designed by fate and claiming she is her own divine architect. Join us as we break down this synth-driven bop! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

Taylor Swift has mostly managed to dodge major controversy since her rise to fame 18 years ago. However, there is one topic that seems to haunt her: carbon emissions. In today's episode, Dani & Olivia do a deep dive into Taylor's carbon output. They aim to answer some questions: Why is high carbon output dangerous? How did Taylor become the poster child for climate change? Does Taylor even care about her carbon footprint? These controversial questions, among other hotly debated inquiries, are answered in today's highly requested and intense episode. Our top picks for charities to combat climate change: Click here! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

What better way to come back from a midseason break than with a drunk episode? How about a highly requested episode? How about BOTH? In today's chaotic third installment of the Tipsy Swifties, join Olivia, Dani, and Rebecca as they play a drinking game using misheard lyrics that YOU submitted! Taylor is not always the best at enunciating, and sometimes her words get lost in the production. This can lead to some hilarious misinterpretations of her songs, and we are here to talk it all out over cocktails. Head to taylearningpodcast.com NOW to get yourself some limited edition Tipsy Swifties merch! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Binge Drinking/Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support

It's time for a throwback, Taylisteners! Our first ever mini series from Season 1, Remaining Relevant, is all about Taylor's songs that dive into her anxiety about staying famous. When 'Castles Crumbling' was released on Speak Now TV, it became apparent we needing to reopen our own vault to break this song down. Why did Taylor feel like her castle was crumbling down? Why was Hayley Williams featured? Was this song simply too personal to be released in 2010? Join us as we talk it all through! We are entering a brief midseason break. See you all in a few weeks- don't forget about us in the meantime! Spotify Playlist: Click here! *Explicit: Language --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taylearning-podcast/support