Podcasts about After School

When is $48 million still not enough? That's the big question Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. is facing after deciding to move forward with hundreds of job cuts in the School District of Philadelphia, despite City Council's recent funding boost. The superintendent explains his reasoning to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, while also addressing the controversy surrounding Pride festivities at a South Philadelphia elementary school. 00:00 Why City Council's $48 million cash infusion isn't enough to thwart impending job cuts 03:27 Concerns about relationship with City Council moving forward? 05:41 Addressing conservative social media criticism of Meredith Elementary's Pride celebration 06:42 Enrollment information about summer school enrichment program Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM.

The School District of Philadelphia may not want to budge on its facilities plan, but that doesn't mean Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. isn't willing to keep lines of communication open. From having frank conversations with students at schools set for closure to hearing concerns from City Council members, the superintendent understands there are pockets of people still upset with his vision. He addresses this topic with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, as well as the district topping the charts of a recently-released study assessing post-pandemic academic performance in big American cities. They also discuss a bell-to-bell cell phone ban bill making its way through the Pennsylvania state legislature. 00:00 Would Watlington return to the negotiating table for district facilities master plan? 00:43 Reflections on recent visit to Lankenau High School, set to close as part of facilities plan 02:36 Reaction to district ranking no. 1 among big American cities in recent Harvard / Stanford study of post-pandemic academic performance 06:42 How would district implement a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban? Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM

"It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me.” This week, we (finally) go line-by-line through what might be Taylor Swift's most psychologically dense song: “Anti-Hero” from Midnights (2022). From the Hamlet-coded antihero definition, to the “Beauty and the Beast” reference lurking in "tale as old as time," to ghosts and Freud, this song keeps delivering new angles. We each came to the song with our own anxieties, and we leave with three potentially different purposes of this high-anxiety, deeply revealing song. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.  After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Hamlet, William Shakespeare Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll Beauty and the Beast (Disney) Dexter (Showtime) Younger (Paramount+) 30 Rock, "Seinfeldvision" — the "sexy baby" episode "Blank Space," 1989 (2014) The Miss Americana Documentary (Netflix) Lena Dunham's Substack

Craig - GM; Drevian - Sonny; Holly - Ruby; Jeremy - Lexie; Mara - Lila; Sen - Zachariel; Shani - Billie Jean-----Thanks to all of our supporters at patreon.com/fsfilms for making this possible!Especially our $25+ Donors:Drevian AlexanderL ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Have you seen the recent viral “Can you read?” TikTok that exploded for over 15 million views? The montage doesn't reflect well on the reading aptitude of Philadelphia high school students, who are shown in the video struggling to read simple sentences and words on index cards. Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. told KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo he hasn't seen the clip, but the superintendent also didn't back down from sharing impassioned thoughts about the message the video implies, and how the district intends to address its reading performance scores. The superintendent also discusses the impending vote on the district's annual budget, as well as returns the district has received on a million-dollar AI contract. 00:00 Expectations and goals ahead of this week's district budget vote 02:04 Assessment of $1.4 million contract with firm behind district's AI website chatbot feature 03:53 Response to viral “Can you read?” TikTok video Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM.

“Seems the only one who doesn't see your beauty is the face in the mirror looking back at you.”This week, we're doing a Show and Tell on one of literature's most enduring symbols: the mirror. From Narcissus to Dorian Gray, Snow White's magic mirror to Alice Through the Looking Glass, mirrors have long served as devices of identity, vanity, the supernatural, and the soul, and Taylor Swift is no stranger to the motif. We trace mirrors across three songs: Tied Together with a Smile (Taylor Swift, 2006), Begin Again (Red, 2012), and Anti-Hero (Midnights, 2022). Along the way, we explore distorted self-perception and the inner child, the mirror as a post-breakup identity reset, why Taylor would rather stare directly at the sun than face her own reflection, and what social media has to do with all of it. Plus: Dorian Gray, Narcissus, vampires without souls, the Bloody Mary game, and an accidental Justin Timberlake shout-out. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in this episode: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde Hamlet, William Shakespeare Alice Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll Reflection — Mahesh Dattani (Indian play) Reflection — Mulan (1998 film) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film) Greek Mythology: Narcissus Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Mirror of Erised), J.K. Rowling Tied Together with a Smile — Taylor Swift (2006) Begin Again — Taylor Swift, Red (2012) Anti-Hero — Taylor Swift, Midnights (2022)   Episode Highlights: [01:13] Mirrors in literature and the arts: identity, vanity, and the soul [09:00] Song 1: Tied Together with a Smile — the fractured self and distorted physical perception [23:52] Song 2: Begin Again — “Took a deep breath in the mirror” [34:11] Song 3: Anti-Hero — “I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror”   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals — krownedkrystals.com — use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm — Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z

It's been more than a year since the School District of Philadelphia, under the direction of the Board of Education, launched Project RiSE, an initiative aimed at tracking the future of charter school performance and accountability in the city. In addition to giving an update on the program's timeline, Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' recent release of its own facilities master plan, and whether he deems the union's proposal worthy of moving the needle. 00:00 Update on Project RiSE's timeline 01:54 Response to teachers union-commissioned facilities report Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM.

“I was ridin' shotgun with my hair undone,” and the rest is history. This week, we do a full line-by-line deep dive into a classic, “Our Song” (Taylor Swift, 2006). Join us as we discuss the self-referential recursion (she wrote a song about their song, and that song is their song) and the sounds and silences Taylor chose to define a teenage romance. This is Taylor before anyone believed in her, holding the pen, writing herself into her debut album. For more on "Our Song" in the context of Taylor's full debut album, become a paid subscriber at aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe — we go deep on the album in our After School series.

Partagez votre opinion avec la rédactionCe mardi 19 mai 2026 a eu lieu un débat électoral pour les élections consulaires de la circonscription de New York, du New Jersey, du Connecticut et des Bermudes. Animé par Rachel Brunet pour le média Lesfrançais.press et la radio Lafrench.us,  cette émission a réuni les représentants des six listes candidates qui s'affronteront lors du scrutin en ligne (du 22 au 27 mai) et aux urnes (le 30 mai 2026) afin d'élire six conseillers consulaires et neuf délégués consulaires.Pascale Richard – Liste « Agissons Ensemble » soutenue par Renaissance, le MoDem et les progressistes.Installée à New York depuis 35 ans, ancienne journaliste et ancienne directrice du centre culturel du Lycée Français de New York pendant 15 ans, elle est conseillère consulaire sortante (élue en 2021). Elle met en avant son bilan : introduction du vote par internet, soutien aux femmes victimes de violences conjugales avec l'organisme *Women for Women*, et lancement de la réforme de l'AEFE.Constatant que les frais de scolarité privés sont prohibitifs, elle mise sur le programme présidentiel *French for All*, qui a déjà permis l'ouverture de 10 filières bilingues publiques et gratuites dans la circonscription. Elle s'engage à accompagner les parents pour ouvrir de nouvelles filières gratuites dans le New Jersey (Hoboken, Jersey City) en lien avec les districts scolaires. Elle soutient également les structures FLAM (écoles du samedi) et les programmes d'After School.Lire son interview sur lesfrancais.press Philippe Deswel – Liste « La France au cœur » soutenue par Les Républicains (LR) et leurs alliés.Professionnel de la finance dans une banque française à Manhattan, marié et père de deux enfants, il prône le renouveau face à l'« immobilisme » et à la bureaucratie. Selon lui, la communauté a besoin d'élus actifs issus du monde de l'entreprise pour dynamiser la représentation locale.Il propose de créer une plateforme numérique cartographiant l'ensemble des entreprises et services français de la région pour centraliser une information aujourd'hui fragmentée. Sur le plan fiscal, il défend l'attractivité économique, s'oppose fermement à tout impôt universel, et demande la baisse de la fiscalité ainsi que la suppression de la CSG/CRDS pour les non-résidents. Il confirme qu'il soutiendra la majorité sénatoriale de droite lors des sénatoriales de septembre 2026.Lire son interview sur lesfrancais.press Jean-Philippe Berteau – Liste « La Gauche Unie » - soutenue par le Parti Socialiste (PS), Europe Écologie Les Verts (EELV), le PRG, la GRS et l'association Français du Monde ADFE.Enseignant-chercheur en biomécanique à l'Université publique de New York (CUNY) et résident depuis 12 ans, il conçoit le mandat comme une mission de service public de proximité. Il s'inscrit dans la continuité directe d'Annie Michel (numéro 2 de la liste), qui a géré 4 500 dossiers d'expatriés en cinq ans.Priorité – Santé et Accès aux droits :** Il met l'accent sur la protection lors des moments de transition (arrivées et retours en France). Il demande le maintien de la carte vitale pour les retraités et la suppression automatique du délai de carence de la Sécurité sociale pour les retours définitifs en cas d'urgence médicale (Affections de Longue Durée, IVG). Soutenu par la présidente de la CFE (Isabelle Frech), il propose un portail de télémédecine en français avec tiers payant. Pour financer ces mesures, il suggère de flécher 25 % de la CSG payée par les Français de l'étranger vers la protection sociale des expatriés.Lire son interview sur lesfrancais.press Jean-François Guéguen – Liste « Français d'Amérique Ensemble », liste indépendante de terrain, présentée lors du débat par l'élu sortant Richard Ortoli.Absent pour assister à la remise de diplôme de sa fille, Jean-François Guéguin a été représenté par Richard Ortoli (qui ne se représente pas à cette élection). Établi aux États-Unis depuis 25 ans et directeur des ressources humaines d'une académie dans le New Jersey depuis 20 ans, Guéguin est présenté comme la première tête de liste véritablement ancrée dans le New Jersey. La liste revendique un pragmatisme local loin des clivages idéologiques nationaux.Siégeant à la commission des bourses scolaires depuis 15 ans, Guéguin refuse les promesses de réformes lointaines et privilégie l'aide humaine directe pour trouver des solutions financières immédiates pour les familles. Ortoli a rappelé que les conseillers consulaires forment la mémoire de la communauté face aux équipes diplomatiques qui changent tous les 3 ou 4 ans.Lire son interview sur lesfrancais.press Dr Gérard Epelbaum – Liste « Union des Français d'Amérique », liste indépendante et transpartisane.Chirurgien-dentiste installé à New York depuis 30 ans, il est conseiller consulaire sortant et élu depuis 2014. Très actif dans le milieu caritatif, il préside l'UFE New York et a été vice-président de l'Entraide Française pendant neuf ans.Il met en avant ses actions concrètes passées, comme le combat mené en 2021 pour lever les interdictions de retour en France des expatriés ou la simplification des règles de permis de conduire. Pour l'avenir, il s'engage à se battre pour exclure définitivement les fonds de retraite par capitalisation (type 401k) du calcul des bourses de l'AEFE et pour éliminer les délais de carence. Au niveau national, il soutient les sénateurs de l'ASFE (Alliance Solidaire des Français de l'Étranger).Lire son interview sur lesfrancais.press Matthieu Humeau – Liste « Union de la Gauche Écologiste », soutenue par La France Insoumise (LFI), Génération.s, Les Verts Populaires et la Confédération Internationale Solidaire Écologiste.Ingénieur, résident à New York depuis 10 ans et bénévole à l'Entraide Française, il mène une liste de 14 citoyens engagés dans le monde associatif et syndical. Il dresse un bilan critique de l'état des services publics dans la circonscription : fermeture de l'état civil à New York obligeant à des déplacements à Washington, suppression d'un poste au service social en mai 2026, fin de l'accueil téléphonique et suppression du site internet propre du consulat au début de l'année 2026.Sa liste propose de donner aux Français de l'étranger un accès numérique entièrement gratuit au catalogue des bibliothèques municipales de France (livres, presse, films) afin d'entretenir le lien linguistique et culturel. Il dénonce également la coupe budgétaire de 63 millions d'euros infligée à l'AEFE dans le budget national 2026 par le recours au 49-3. La liste met en avant un programme écrit et détaillé de 40 propositions.Lire son interview sur lesfrancais.press Appel à la mobilisation Dans leur mot de la fin, tous les candidats ont appelé à une mobilisation massive des électeurs de la circonscription. Ils ont rappelé que plus la participation sera élevée, plus le poids des 3 millions de Français établis hors de France sera reconnu par le gouvernement et l'administration nationale.Pub FRANCE PAY ETE 2026Support the show

“It's the first kiss, it's flawless, really something, it's fearless.” Over on our paid feed on Substack, we''re in our Fearless era (literally), diving deep into Taylor's second album track by track for our After School paid subscribers. We go through all 13 original tracks,  from the sparkly country-pop opening of "Fearless" to the quietly defiant closer "Change,” examining what each song adds to the album, what literary and emotional threads connect them, and how this era set the template Taylor would spend the next eras of her career perfecting. Along the way, we track the evolution of Taylor's fearlessness from a teenager writing on tour buses to the artist who re-recorded her masters and looked the whole industry dead in the eye. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.  After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com This episode is exclusively for our paid subscribers. Thank you for supporting AP Taylor Swift! Mentioned in this episode: Album context, album art, and the “Fearless” era's place in Taylor's discography Track 1: “Fearless”, previously covered in Episode 88: Weather Songs Track 2: “Fifteen”, previously covered in Episode 124: Time & Episode 125: Deep Dive Track 3: “Love Story”, previously covered in Episode 31: Shakespeare & Episode 32 Deep Dive Track 4: “Hey Stephen”, previously covered in Episode 1 “Songs that Made us Swifties” Track 5: “White Horse”, previously covered in Episode 33: Animal Studies and Episode 110: High School Musical Track 6: “You Belong With Me”, previously covered in Episode 98: Unreliable Narrators Track 7: “Breathe” ft. Colbie Caillat Track 8: “Tell Me Why”  Track 9: “You're Not Sorry” Track 10: “The Way I Loved You”, previously covered in Episode 52 Psychoanalytic Theory & Episode 53 Deep Dive Track 11: “Forever & Always” Track 12: “The Best Day”, previously covered in Episode 81: Female Artists Track 13: “Change”, previously covered in Episode 110: High School Musical The purpose of the album as a whole: what Fearless was trying to do when it came out in 2008, and what it means now looking back across the full discography Episode Highlights: [00:00] Welcome to After School — Fearless era begins  [01:11] Fearless as a sophomore album: branding, stakes, and proving it wasn't a fluke  [06:46] Why "Fearless" and not "Love Story": the title as identity [09:00] The album's critical reception and Billboard dominance  [12:14] The Kanye VMAs moment and what it meant for the era  [29:43] Track 1 — "Fearless": dancing in the rain, connective tissue to debut [01:35:44] Track 13 — "Change": ending on a note of inevitability  [01:43:31] What the album is actually about: manifesting fearlessness  [01:46:01] The lesson from Fearless: just do the thing, even badly [01:49:27] Taylor's Version and why she started with Fearless   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

The School District of Philadelphia won't be closing any facilities until after the 2026-27 academic year, but with his plan now approved by the Board of Education, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. realizes staff and students at lame-duck buildings could be in store for anxious, bittersweet emotions. The superintendent tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo how his administration intends to support communities ahead of impending facility transitions, and expresses hope that a new attendance initiative between the district and faith-based programs can make an impact. 00:00 When can communities impacted by impending school closures expect transitional support? 01:23 Navigating potential academic and social consequences for students and staff affected by school closures 04:04 The benefits of implementing new partnerships with faith-based leaders 06:19 Renaming district headquarters in honor of former superintendent Dr. Constance E. Clayton Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM.

“I'll be your father figure.” This week, we're diving deep into one of Taylor Swift's most underrated literary tools: alliteration. From the phonetic cadence of a teenage Taylor on Debut to the silky-smooth flow of reputation's Call It What You Want, to the hard-hitting, power-packed punch of Father Figure from The Life of a Showgirl, we trace how Taylor uses the repetition of consonant sounds to create rhythm, evoke emotion, and tell a story. Whether she's channeling JFK-level emphasis or crafting an earworm you can hit the notes on without music, alliteration is a tool Taylor reaches for selectively and with purpose. Join Maansi, Jennifer, and Jodi as they break down soft sounds, staccato slams, and everything in between.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in this episode: “Our Song” – Taylor Swift (Debut, 2006) “Call It What You Want” – Taylor Swift (Reputation, 2017) “Father Figure” – Taylor Swift ft. George Michael interpolation (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) “Pied Beauty” – Gerard Manley Hopkins “The Raven” – Edgar Allan Poe JFK Inaugural Address – John F. Kennedy (1961) Grammarly: What Is Alliteration?   Episode Highlights: [01:32] Defining alliteration: Initial rhymes, brand names, and types (symmetrical, unvoiced) [07:04] “Our Song” (Debut, 2006): Slamming screen doors and the phonetic cadence of baby Taylor [14:43] “Call It What You Want” (Reputation, 2017): Soft sounds, effortless love, and the R&B-adjacent flow [22:19] “Father Figure” (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025): Hard consonants, hard power, and the father figure persona   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals – krownedkrystals.com — use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!   Libro.fm – Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z

"What could you possibly get for the girl who has everything and nothing all at once?" What happens when you reach a level of fame so singular that there's almost no one left who can truly understand your life? That's the question at the heart of "Elizabeth Taylor" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025), and it's why Taylor Swift had to go all the way back to Hollywood's golden age to find her patron saint. This week, we go line by line through one of the standout tracks from “The Life of a Showgirl”, unpacking the Portofino references, the white diamonds, and why the bridge answers the song's central question in the most unexpected way. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Elizabeth Taylor, Wikipedia "Elizabeth Taylor," The Life of a Showgirl (2025) Portofino, Italy Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume How I Write podcast, Ward Farnsworth interview Episode Highlights: [00:00] Intro to "Elizabeth Taylor" [03:00] Who was Elizabeth Taylor? The Vince Canby quote that sets up everything [04:30] "Do you think it's forever?"  [13:00] "All the right guys promised they'd stay"  [17:00] "Been number one, but I never had two" [30:00] "Be my NY when Hollywood hates me"  [36:45]  "The girl who has everything and nothing all at once" [40:00] “I would trade the Cartier for someone to trust (just kidding)" [45:00] “Yhey say I'm bad news, I just say thanks" [52:00] The bridge: White Diamonds, lovers, and what's actually forever [57:45] Purpose round: Elizabeth Taylor as patron saint, mentor, and mirror Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

Come with the queens as they travel back to a time of gay bookstores, queer anthems, and a boom in LGBT+ publishing: the gay 90s! Support Breaking Form by reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts here.Aaron's STOP LYING is available from the Pitt Poetry Series. BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE is available from Bridwell Press. James's ROMANTIC COMEDY is available from Four Way Books. Show Notes:Check out Michael Nava's wonderful essay "Creating a Literary Culture: A Short, Selective, and Incomplete History of LGBT Publishing, Part II"Learn more about Gendertrash zineRead Melvin Dixon's essay "I'll Be Somewhere Listening for My Name." Read more about Texas Tech's limitations on studying gender and sexuality.Sabah as-Sabah's work appears in many 90s anthologies, including In the Tradition: An Anthology of Young Black Writers (1992; edited by Kevin Powell & Ras Baraka), Catch the Fire!!: A Cross-Generational Anthology of Contemporary African American Poetry (1998), and The Road Before Us: 100 Gay Black Poets (ed. Assotto Saint, 1991).  Read Audre Lorde's "The Electric Slide Boogie" in The Marvelous Arithmetic of Distance: 1987-1992.Read Marilyn Hacker's "The Boy"Justin Chin's "Cocksucker's Blues" is included in his first book of poems, Bite Hard (1997). Watch a tribute to Chin here. Here's the table of contents (with some hyperlinks) of The World in Us, edited by Elena Georgiou and Michael Lassell.You can read Maureen Seaton's "Blonde Ambition" (and the entirety of Furious Cooking)Read Dennis Cooper's "After School, Street Football, Eighth Grade"Read Gerry Gomez Pearlberg's "Marianne Faithfull's Cigarette" Some queer poets/poems we mention: Eileen Myles, "American Poem"JD McClatchy, "My Mammogram"David TrinidadRafael Campo, The Other Man Was MeEloise Klein HealyFrank Paino, The Rapture of MatterPaul Monette, 18 Elegies for RogJoan LarkinJudy GrahnRobin BeckerMaggie AndersonRichard McCann, Ghost LettersWayne Koestenbaum, The Queen's ThroatChrystosCheryl Clarke

Unlock the power of South Carolina afterschool programs with the Riley Institute. Learn how evidence-based education policies drive lifelong student success.Episode Resources:What Works SC Education InitiativeSouth Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (SCALE) FellowshipAmerica After 3PM National Study on Afterschool DemandWhite-Riley-Peterson Afterschool Policy FellowshipTriple P (Positive Parenting Program) South CarolinaEngaging Creative Minds Arts-Infused LearningSimple Civics:Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good GreenvilleGet in touchSupport Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contributionSign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.View our entire catalogueSimple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

“Best believe I'm still bejeweled” and diving into an incredibly rich discussion this week! In this week's show and tell episode, we're examining the age-old literary theme of luxury in Taylor Swift's music, through the songs “Bet You Think About Me” (Red Taylor's Version, 2021), “Bejeweled” (Midnights, 2022), and “Elizabeth Taylor” (Life of a Showgirl, 2025). Join us as we dive into how the meaning and significance of luxury changes through each of these songs that span across Taylor's discography, and how luxury can be used to comment on social status, identity, and emotional depth. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Jane Austen The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wild   *** Episode Highlights [00:00] Introduction to luxury as a theme in literature and music [03:00] “Bet You Think About Me” - the contrast in social classes [10:50] “Bejeweled”- precious jewels and self-worth [20:36] The luxurious, lonely life of “Elizabeth Taylor” [34:31] Conclusion: The Multifaceted Nature of Luxury in Taylor's Music Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  Affiliate Codes:  Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!  Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.  

This week, we are continuing our full album deep dive series for our paid subscribers, and finishing up our analysis of Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (2006). In this preview, we dig into the second half of this album where we start to really get a sense of who Taylor Swift was and the budding talent of the Taylor Swift we know today!  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  

As the Board of Education appears poised to take a long-awaited position on the School District of Philadelphia's facilities master plan, tensions have escalated between district officials and local lawmakers. Some Council members have gone as far as to threaten withholding funds from the district if it follows through on closing over a dozen buildings. Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. finds himself smack dab in the middle of the controversy. The superintendent tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo why reconciling his proposal isn't as easy as pointing to the district's considerable $4.6 billion budget.  00:00 “Final ‘final' recommendations” and changes to facilities plan ahead of upcoming Board meeting 01:38 Why Watlington has kept Lankenau and Robeson High Schools on the closure list 04:25 Watlington's back-and-forth with City Council members 07:22 Are SEPTA passes with unlimited rides for students a good idea? Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM.

"You had to make your own sunshine, but now the sky is opalite." This week we're deep diving the second single from “The Life of a Showgirl,”  Opalite! We'll explore why Taylor chose “opalite” over “opal,” what it means to create your own luck instead of waiting for it, and the song's shift from being stuck in a cycle to finding resilience. Along the way, we debate who's really speaking—is Mama Swift talking the whole time?—trace the song's self-referential connections to “Daylight,” “Fearless,” “right where you left me,” and more, and unpack how this bubblegum pop track is actually a deeply philosophical song about agency, community, and paying it forward. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Right Where You Left Me - Deep Dive The Fate of Ophelia - Deep Dive Metaphors Show & Tell  Hamlet, William Shakespeare Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson   Episode Highlights:  [01:57] What is “Opalite”? [08:06] “I had a bad habit…” [16:14] “Life is a song, it ends when it ends” [20:59] “Dancing through the lightning strikes” [28:38] “Sleepless in the onyx night” [33:23] “You finally left the table” [46:51] “All of the foes, and all of the friends” [50:21] “This is just a temporary speed bump” [59:48] “Oh my lord never met no one like you before” [01:01:11] The Purpose: “But now the sky is Opalite” Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

First, enrollment begins this upcoming Monday for the recently-expanded San Diego Unified free afterschool program. Then, we'll tell you why the cost of buses, trolleys and trains could increase. Also, Mayor Todd Gloria is proposing cuts to the city's budget. And, we bring you an early preview of “Giants” opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego this weekend.

So far, the press for the School District of Philadelphia's $2.8 billion facilities plan has skewed mostly in one direction. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. gets it. Communities feel strong attachments to schools; closure talks cause tension. The counterpoint, however, is that nearly 160 buildings will benefit from the proposal. Watlington tells KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo what type of improvements to expect, and also addresses the emerging lobbying tiff between Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration and ride-share giant Uber over taxes aimed at funding Philadelphia public schools.  00:00 Mayor Parker vs. Uber; will Watlington get involved? 01:27 More details about building improvements in facilities master plan 03:18 Looking ahead to upcoming appearance in front of City Council Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die." What's an AP class without a not-so-brief discussion about touching grass? In honor of Earth Day, we're exploring Transcendentalism — the 19th-century movement that said the divine lives in nature, not in dusty pews — and finding it everywhere in Taylor Swift's music. Jenn returns to "the lakes" (folklore, 2020) and pairs it with Ralph Waldo Emerson's foundational essay Nature to explore how Taylor's retreat from society mirrors the transcendentalist search for truth in the natural world. Maansi takes on "Bigger Than the Whole Sky" (Midnights, 2022), tracing its imagery and cosmic grief through themes of universal divinity and interconnectedness. And Jodi brings "Opalite" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) to pose a question: is this song an acceptance of transcendentalism — or a rejection of it? Dust off your Emerson, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to go touch grass with us. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Discover all our book recs and episode guides: https://swift-recs-explorer.lovable.app/ Mentioned in this episode: Nature, Ralph Waldo Emerson Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson Walden, Henry David Thoreau E7: Ecocriticism — our original nature episode E8: Deep Dive - the lakes Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Walt Whitman Margaret Fuller *** Episode Highlights: [00:30] Introduction to Transcendentalism  [08:29] "the lakes,” folklore [18:28] "Bigger Than the Whole Sky," Midnights [30:16] "Opalite” The Life of a Showgirl Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.  

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. believes the School District of Philadelphia's $2.8 billion facilities master plan presents a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to eliminate buildings with poor and unsatisfactory ratings, while expanding higher-quality pre-K and extracurricular offerings. Any next steps, however, are currently on hold, as the Board of Education continues to review the proposal. KYW Newsradio's Mike DeNardo asks Watlington when he expects to hear back from the Board. The two also discuss a complaint filed involving Thomas B. Moffitt and Horatio Hackett elementary schools.  00:00 Thoughts on the Mayor's dramatic revision to her proposed rideshare tax that would fund public schools 03:43 Reaction to a human relations commission complaint involving Moffitt and Hackett elementary schools 05:50 Any sense when the Board of Education might weigh in on the facilities plan? 06:48 Expectations for the 2026 “Philly School Experience” student survey  Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Take a deep breath and you walk through the doors. It's the morning of your very first day." This week, we're going line by line through "Fifteen.” From the significance of 15 as an age that rarely gets its pop culture moment, to Abigail and the quiet power of female friendship, to the devastating simplicity of "and we both cried," we unpack why this deceptively simple song keeps hitting harder with every passing year. We dig into who the "I" and the "you" really are, debate whether that night ends on a high or a heartbreak, and explore what it means to pay it forward to a generation of girls who are still walking through their very first doors.  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in This Episode: Fearless, Taylor Swift (2008 album) "Beautiful Ghosts" — Taylor Swift (from Cats, 2019) "You're On Your Own, Kid" — Taylor Swift (Midnights) "All Too Well" — Taylor Swift "Seven" — Taylor Swift (folklore) "22" — Taylor Swift (Red) Inside Out (2015 film) — Pixar / core memories concept Episode Highlights: [02:42] The title: Why Taylor chose “Fifteen”  [16:23] "Feeling like there's nothing to figure out," and the count-to-10 anxiety hack [23:07] Abigail, in-groups and out-groups, and the adolescent psychology of finding your people [33:22] Second chorus debate: Does the night end on a high or a heartbreak?  [43:00] The flower metaphor, purity culture, and what "everything she had" really means in context [54:55] Getting to the purpose of “Fifteen”    Follow AP Taylor Swift Podcast on Social! tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift instagram.com/APTaylorSwift youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift linktr.ee/aptaylorswift bookshop.org/shop/apts tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals — krownedkrystals.com — use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm — Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z

The School District of Philadelphia's facilities master plan has been in the hands of the Board of Education for over a month. As Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. and district community members continue to wait for next steps, the superintendent addresses why certain buildings were removed from the initial closure list and others weren't. Watlington also shares with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo his stance on whether the district would ultimately accept philanthropic support to save certain schools, as Councilmember Jamie Gauthier suggested. 00:00 Listener question: why wasn't Parkway Northwest High School spared? 02:34 Would the district accept philanthropic support to save buildings? 04:33 Timeline for Board of Education vote Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Time won't fly, it's like I'm paralyzed by it.” What happens when you try to pin down something as slippery as time itself? This week's episode gets philosophical as we explore how Taylor Swift uses time as a literary device—as narrative structure, as metaphor, as a way to measure how much we've changed. From flashbacks and tense shifts to nostalgia and the ache of looking back, we unpack how time shapes Taylor's storytelling. Maansi traces the dramatic irony of “15” (Fearless, 2008), Jenn explores how “Timeless” (Speak Now (Taylor's Version), 2023) removes time to reveal the purest form of love, and Jodi breaks down the stream-of-consciousness time travel of “All Too Well” (Red, 2012). Grab your clocks, calendars, and time-turners—class is in session. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Discover all our book recs & episodes: https://swift-recs-explorer.lovable.app/ Mentioned in this episode: Memento (2000 film) The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel Inside Out (2015 film) The Merge, [Author] StoryGraph Atonement, Ian McEwan The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley Outlander, Diana Gabaldon The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young The Good Place (Jeremy Bearimy)   ***   Episode Highlights: [01:12] Time as a literary device: structure, theme, and symbolism [08:52] “Fifteen,” Fearless [20:23] “Timeless,” Speak Now (Taylor's Version)   [31:39] “All Too Well,” (Red)   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

Facing a sizable structural deficit, superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. recently announced a job-cutting plan that would save the School District of Philadelphia $225 million. Mayor Cherelle Parker, in the midst of pitching a budget of her own to City Council, believes hitting rideshare operators like Lyft and Uber with a $1 tax could boost funding for schools and keep staff employed. KYW Newsradio Mike DeNardo asks Watlington for his thoughts on Parker's pitch, and the implications it could carry for full- and part-time district personnel.  00:00 How Mayor Parker's ride share tax could impact the school district 02:57 What about the fate of building substitute teachers? 04:16 The latest on potential central office cuts Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I cry a lot but I am so productive, it's an art.” This week, we're doing a deep dive on “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024, Track 13), written by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff. A continuation of our Strong Women series, this episode goes line by line through one of Taylor's most devastatingly relatable songs. We explore the rhetorical triangle of the I, the you, and the they; the “performative perkiness” of the chorus; why the poetry meter literally snaps to the beat of a performance; the crucial evidence hiding in drawers; and how dark humor becomes a coping mechanism. Whether you're a Type A eldest daughter, a new mom, or anyone who has ever had to show up for work when their heart was broken, this one hits. Try and come for our job.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in This Episode The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift (2024) The Eras Tour Concert Film / Documentary Moulin Rouge! (2001 film) Harley Quinn / Birds of Prey (2020 film) Barbie (2023 film) Episode Highlights [02:17] Verse one: “She's having the time of her life” — glittering prime, sequined stars, and the opening twist [08:23] Pre-chorus: “I'm a real tough kid” — internalizing what we're told as little girls [20:23] The chorus: “I'm so depressed I act like it's my birthday every day” — dark humor as coping [39:24] “Try and come for my job” — who is she talking to? [50:54] Why this is a twofer song: the sad version and the celebration version   Follow AP Taylor Swift Podcast on Social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes Krowned Krystals — krownedkrystals.com — use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm — Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

It's Episode 08 of Season 24. Enter the dark waters of the Cape Fear River as we present tales about pernicious partners."After School" by John Kuyat (Story starts around 00:03:20)Produced by Phil MichalskiCast: Narrator - Jeff Clement, Landon - Matthew Bradford"Heart in Her Throat" by Christine Lajewski (Story starts around 00:29:00)TRIGGER WARNING!Produced by Jeff ClementCast: Narrator - Mike DelGaudio, Marlena - Linsay Rousseau, Hadley - Graham Rowat, Danny - Danielle McRae, Debbie - Nichole Goodnight"Cynthia" by Hannah Mescon (Story starts around 00:44:35)TRIGGER WARNING!Produced by Phil MichalskiCast: Viv - Marie Westbrook, Callie - Danielle McRae, Jake - Dan Zappulla, Liquidator - Katabelle Ansari, Emma - Nichole Goodnight"The Walls in This House" by Lyndsey Croal (Story starts around 01:06:00)TRIGGER WARNING!Produced by Claudius MooreCast: Freya - Sarah Ruth Thomas, Mama - Kristen DiMercurio, Nana - Nikolle Doolin"Devil's Night" by Percy Morgan (Story starts around 01:23:00)TRIGGER WARNING!Produced by Jesse CornettCast: Diana Clark - Erin LillisThis episode is sponsored by:Quince - Build your wardrobe with pieces from Quince that mix well and last. Go to Quince.com/nosleep to get free shipping and a 365-day return period.Click here to learn more about The NoSleep Podcast teamCheck out our NEW MERCH!Click here to learn more about the Crimewave at Sea 2.0 Cruise!Click here to get your Crimewave at Sea discount code and bonus event! Executive Producer & Host: David CummingsMusical score composed by: Brandon Boone"Heart in Her Throat" illustration courtesy of Krys HookuhThe NoSleep Podcast is Human-made for Human Minds. No generative AI is used in any aspect of work.Audio program ©2026 - Creative Reason Media - The copyrights for each story are held by the respective authors. No duplication or reproduction of this audio program is permitted without the written consent of Creative Reason Media. No part of this audio program may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. All rights reserved.

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. summed it up plain and simple: “We are not a cash-rich school district.” Accordingly, the superintendent has some big budget cuts in mind - to the tune of what he projects could be nine-figure savings over the next four years. On top of that, Watlington believes his plan would not only eliminate the School District of Philadelphia's deficit, but do so without personnel lay-offs. He shares his vision with KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo, and says there could always be wiggle room for him to tweak the plan. 00:00 How the school district could make up to $225 million in cuts 03:58 The need to eliminate contracts with vendors providing low return-on-investment 05:56 What message could budget cuts send to district financial stakeholders  Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Never be so kind, you forget to be clever; Never be so clever, you forget to be kind." We're celebrating Women's History Month the only way we know how: looking at strong women in Taylor Swift's music. Jenn traces the wisdom and boldness Taylor inherited from her grandmother in "Marjorie" (evermore, 2020), Jodi unpacks the resilience hiding in plain sight throughout "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart" (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024), and Maansi makes the case that "Eldest Daughter" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) is basically the anthem of every firstborn girl who had to figure it out before anyone else did. Plus: why the Iceland women's strike of 1975 worked, and why Taylor Swift might be the only person capable of organizing a global one. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!  Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Unlikable Female Characters, Anna Bogutskaya Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen Little Women, Louisa May Alcott The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins Play the Patriarchy, Reductress "The End of an Era" Documentary "Marjorie," evermore (2020) "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart," The Tortured Poets Department (2024) "Eldest Daughter," The Life of a Showgirl (2025) Iceland Women's Strike, 1975   Episode Highlights: [00:34] Introduction to strong women  [05:59] "Marjorie," evermore (2020)  [16:03] "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart," The Tortured Poets Department (2024)  [23:42] "Eldest Daughter," The Life of a Showgirl (2025) Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

Nearly two months since its release, the School District of Philadelphia's facilities master plan continues to dominate headlines. With another public hearing on the horizon, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. speculates whether his proposal will ultimately pass the Board of Education as is, or if further revisions will be necessary. The superintendent also talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about the recent support he received from Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker.  00:00 Does Watlington anticipate further revisions to facilities master plan?  01:14 Reaction to Mayor Parker backing Watlington, Board of Education 02:20 How the district will help students transition to new schools should current ones close 03:40 Addressing recent plumbing problems at Southwark School Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we're going line by line through "Down Bad" from Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Jenn, Maansi, and Jodi unpack one of the album's most emotionally raw — and unexpectedly hilarious — songs, diving deep into its extended alien abduction metaphor, what it really means to be "down bad," and how Taylor uses sci-fi imagery to explore love bombing, power dynamics, and the messiest stages of heartbreak. We also discuss how this song connects to last week's Hero's Journey episode, why crying at the gym might be the most relatable lyric Taylor has ever written, and what the repetitive, fading outro says about the cycle of emotional abuse. Plus: cow mutilation, Kate McKinnon's SNL alien sketches, Thor and Natalie Portman, and The Other Boleyn Girl. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Episode Highlights: [01:12] What does "down bad" actually mean? From Google's AI overview to Usher to Grease [05:50] Verse one line by line: Being beamed up, cosmic love, and the alien abduction metaphor [13:08] The chorus: Down bad, crying at the gym — from the cosmic to the devastatingly mundane [31:52] The chorus again: "Like I lost my twin" — Plato's soulmate theory and twin flames in Taylor's discography [34:18] The bridge: hostile takeovers, indecent exposures, and Close Encounters — loving all the red flags [36:20] "I'll build you a fort on some planet" — savior complex, desperation, and what fort-building actually means [43:35] The stages of grief in one song: is this processing, or just a very messy beginning of processing? [46:03] Getting to the purpose   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals — krownedkrystals.com, use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!   Libro.fm — Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z

This week, we're giving you a taste of something brand new: our full album deep dive series, starting at the very beginning with Taylor Swift's self-titled debut (2006). In this preview, we dig into the cover art, the context, and what it meant to introduce yourself to the world as a 16-year-old girl in a genre that had never really made room for one. Want the full track-by-track breakdown — from Tim McGraw through Tied Together with a Smile — and everything we unpack about ambition, identity, and the thesis statement Taylor locked in before she could legally drive.  Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  

During a marathon public meeting with the Board of Education that lasted longer than a school day, Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. announced that two schools initially designated for closure as part of the School District of Philadelphia's facilities master plan will now stay open. Why did Watlington change his mind about Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School? What prompted him to stick with his decision to close Lankenau High School, despite community outcry? Watlington explains the rationale, and also praises major changes to the district's student wellness policy. 00:00 Why were Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School spared? 02:09 The controversial Lankenau High School decision 03:53 Reaction to public blowback to facilities master plan 06:43 Incorporating mandatory bathroom breaks for students and other changes into wellness policy Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"She had a marvelous time ruining everything" This week, we're doing a Show and Tell episode on one of literature's most enduring narrative structures: the Hero's Journey. We explore three songs through the Hero's Journey lens: Maansi unpacks the cross-generational dual hero's story in "The Last Great American Dynasty" (Folklore, 2020), Jenn applies the framework to "Down Bad" (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024),and Jodi walks us through how "The Life of a Showgirl" (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) follows every classic beat, from the call to adventure to the triumphant (and pithy) return. Plus: the Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Hindu goddess Kali, The Traitors, and why Jodi thinks the bridge of "The Life of a Showgirl" might be Taylor's greatest bridge of all time.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   aptaylorswift.com   Mentioned in This Episode: The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell The Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins The Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien Star Wars (original trilogy) The Last Great American Dynasty (Folklore, 2020) — Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner Down Bad (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024) — Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff The Life of a Showgirl (The Life of a Showgirl, 2025) — Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback & Mathias Bielandt   Episode Highlights 00:36 Welcome and intro — what is the Hero's Journey (the Monomyth)? 17:43 The Last Great American Dynasty: Multiple hero's journeys in one song 31:57 Down Bad: The Hero's Journey when you're sent home against your will 43:56 The Life of a Showgirl: A textbook Hero's Journey   Follow AP Taylor Swift Podcast on Social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Email us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes Krowned Krystals — krownedkrystals.com — use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm — Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

First came the School District of Philadelphia's recommendations, then waves of feedback from community stakeholders and public figures. Now, the time has come for Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. to formally submit his facilities master plan to the Board of Education. On the eve of the high-stakes Feb. 26th meeting, Watlington Sr. shares his final thoughts on the proposal to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo. 00:00 Would Watlington, with the benefit of hindsight, have done anything differently in preparing his facilities plan? 00:56 Are the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' building safety concerns valid? 02:43 Reaction to Gov. Josh Shapiro signing legislation mandating cursive instruction in Pennsylvania public and private schools Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Your faithless love's the only hoax I believe in." This week, we're deep diving "hoax" from folklore (2020), written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner. As a continuation of last week's Wuthering Heights episode, we go line by line through one of Taylor's most quietly devastating songs. We unpack the definition of "hoax" itself—humorous or malicious?—and find that the answer might be both. Along the way, we debate who's holding the twisted knife, trace religious undertones from the Lord's Prayer through "faithless love," connect Robert Burns and Of Mice and Men to Taylor's "best laid plan," and sit with the devastating wordplay of "my broken drum, you have beaten my heart." This is a song about betrayal by someone who knew exactly where it would hurt most—and the confusing, adult reality of choosing to stay anyway. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  Mentioned in this episode: Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck "To a Mouse," Robert Burns (1785) The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien The Lord's Prayer Episode Highlights: [00:25] Introduction to "hoax" and the definition of a hoax [02:11] "My only one, my smoking gun, my eclipsed sun" [08:48] "Stood on the cliffside screaming, give me a reason" [13:36] "Don't want no other shade of blue but you" [18:14] "My barren land, I am ash from your fire" [22:32] "You knew the hero died, so what's the movie for?" [29:23] "My kingdom come undone" [34:24] Purpose: vulnerability weaponized, betrayal by someone who knew you best [39:10] The Wuthering Heights of it all Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.  

Members of Philadelphia City Council have been among the most prominent voices to weigh in on the school district's proposed facilities master plan, and earlier this week, they had a chance to share their criticism and questions with superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. during a high-stakes hearing at City Hall. While Council controls several funding mechanisms for the district, Watlington Sr. sounded confident in telling  KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo that the merits of the district's proposal outweigh perceived drawbacks.  00:00 Any definitive updates to schools on the proposed closure list? 00:53 Facing City Council 03:26 Getting feedback from school district parent and PA Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Trust me, I can handle me a dangerous man" Can obsessive love survive across social classes, death, and generations? This week, we're diving into Emily Brontë's 1847 Gothic masterpiece, “Wuthering Heights,” to explore themes of revenge, class struggle, and the illusion of choice in a society that offered women precious few options. We connect three Taylor Swift songs to this brutal, beautiful tale of Catherine and Heathcliff's destructive passion and its ripple effects on the next generation. From unrequited longing to toxic attempts at redemption to the devastating reality of betrayal, we unpack why this novel feels both deeply romantic and disturbingly amoral. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Mentioned in this episode:  Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Brontë Great Expectations, Charles Dickens Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen E23: Mad Women   Episode Highlights [01:14] “Wuthering Heights” Intro [10:52] “Foolish One,” Fearless (Taylor's Version) [21:36] “Hoax,” Evermore [29:14] “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can),” The Tortured Poet's Department Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  Affiliate Codes:  Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!  Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

Sean had some special fighting knives he wanted to talk about in light of our recent deep dive into Part I of Fighting Knives, so he got together with Mark and Michael to have a look together.  Some great pieces in here and with some interesting history to boot.  Late in the episode, Burch takes us on another quick trip through the BudK reviews of some fighters.  As always, check our Facebook group for a visual companion to our picks for this fun episode.  Find us at our Patreon and follow us on Instagram @markofthemaker or join our discussion group on Facebook for more conversation.

In the month since its release, the School District of Philadelphia's proposed Facilities Master Plan has generated mixed reaction, from empathic support to impassioned objection. Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. has been keeping tabs on community input and listening to feedback. Ahead of a February 26th meeting where he will formally submit his administration's recommendations to the Board of Education, Watlington talks to KYW Newsradio Education Reporter Mike DeNardo about whether his mind is fully made up when it comes to the fate of the 20 buildings earmarked for closure or repurposing.  0:00 Could some schools come off the proposed closure list? 4:47 Watlington explains why he hasn't attended community meetings 09:07 How the district is keeping staff from potentially impacted schools in the loop Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Only bought this dress so you could take it off." This week, we're deep diving "Dress" (reputation, 2017). We go line by line through this intimate friends-to-lovers anthem, exploring the transition from public persona to private moments, the dress as both armor and vulnerability, and why this song perfectly captures the spark that ignites a shift from friendship to something more. Join us as we unpack intentionality, agency, emotional nakedness, and discover why this song is the perfect soundtrack for choosing your person. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Mentioned in this episode: Hamlet, William Shakespeare Summer I Turned Pretty (TV series) Bridgerton (Episode 65 reference)   Episode Highlights: [02:52] The title: What does the dress symbolize and represent? [21:49] Taylor embracing more sensual lyrics  [46:44] Friends to lovers: The journey condensed in one song [52:37] The dress as transition: From friends to lovers, the spark that initiates change   Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z

"You had to make your own sunshine, but now the sky is opalite." In honor of the “Opalite” music video, we're giving our After School Paid Subscribers early access to our “Opalite” deep dive! We explore why Taylor chose “opalite” over “opal,” what it means to create your own luck instead of waiting for it, and the song's shift from being stuck in a cycle to finding resilience. Along the way, we debate who's really speaking—is Mama Swift talking the whole time?—trace the song's self-referential connections to “Daylight,” “Fearless,” “right where you left me,” and more, and unpack how this bubblegum pop track is actually a deeply philosophical song about agency, community, and paying it forward. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com    Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. can still picture his high school's two-story library. He knows how influential these spaces can be, as well as the librarians who staff them. The School District of Philadelphia, however, continues to contend with a decades-long dearth of library facilities. Watlington and KYW Newsradio education reporter Mike DeNardo discuss how the district is dealing with this issue, and where literacy falls on Watlington's list of priorities.  00:00 Listener question: how is the district addressing the need for school libraries? 03:24 The importance of teaching students where and how to find trustworthy sources of information Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I don't want you like a best friend." What happens when we view Taylor Swift's music through the lens of Regency era romance? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore Taylor Swift's songs through Shonda Rhimes's Netflix adaptation of Julia Quinn's “Bridgerton” novels to uncover how Taylor's songs capture the tension, longing, and swoony moments that define the series. From secret romances in crowded rooms to enemies-to-lovers slow burns, we connect three iconic Bridgerton couples to Taylor Swift songs that perfectly capture their love stories. Whether you're Team Daphne and Simon, obsessed with Kate and Anthony, or rooting for Colin and Penelope, this episode has something for every Bridgerton fan. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com  Mentioned in this episode: Bridgerton Series, Julia Quinn The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1), Julia Quinn The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2), Julia Quinn Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton #4), Julia Quinn Bridgerton Netflix Series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Marie Antoinette (2006), Sofia Coppola Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann Moulin Rouge (2001), Baz Luhrmann Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen E31: Shakespeare    Episode Highlights:  [00:26] Bridgerton Overview [13:05] “I Wish You Would,” 1989 [24:08] “Wildest Dreams,” 1989 [34:18] “Dress,” Reputation  Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!  TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree →linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm →  tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com  Affiliate Codes:  Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!  Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.  

Dr. Tony Watlington Sr. was ready for backlash. The superintendent anticipated the School District of Philadelphia's facilities planning recommendations would strike a deep nerve within affected communities, and he was right. But while Watlington and his administration stand by their findings, he also said his team is keeping an open mind about the future of certain buildings based on public feedback. Watlington talks with KYW Newsradio education reporter Mike DeNardo about the fallout from the release of last week's report.  00:00 Any surprising feedback from the facilities planning report? 03:27 Could district employees lose jobs due to building closures? 03:48 The importance of preserving the names and identities of schools that could ultimately close Have a question for Dr. Watlington? Email us at afterschool@kywnewsradio.com and listen for a response on future episodes of "After School!” Catch the show on the air every Wednesday at 3:45 PM ET on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I'd say I love you even at your darkest, and please don't go." This week, we continue our winter songs conversation with a deep dive into "Forever Winter" from Red (Taylor's Version). Content warning: This episode discusses mental health struggles, suicide, and grief. We explore the song line by line, examining themes of helplessness, survivor's guilt, the weight of supporting someone through mental illness, and how Taylor captures the raw emotions of loving someone at their darkest. Join us as we unpack what it means to promise "I won't go away" and why this vault track remains one of Taylor's most emotionally devastating songs. Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics! Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com Episode Highlights: [00:01] Introduction and content warning - mental health and grief discussion [02:53] Why Taylor has never performed this song live - the pattern of deeply personal songs [16:44] Red era context: Mental health conversations in 2010 vs. today [32:52] "I'll be summer sun for you forever" - The impossibility of being someone's savior [34:06] Bridge analysis: "If I was standing there in your apartment" [45:04] "Believe in one thing, I won't go away" - Poetry of immortalization [59:32] The toll of supporting someone: When care requires its own support system Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals - krownedkrystals.com use code APTS at checkout for 10% off! Libro.fm - Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here tinyurl.com/aptslibro This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z

Ever wonder why Gen Z is so obsessed with Millennial culture? Casey Lewis can tell you. She’s a trend researcher and author of “After School,” a Substack newsletter about youth and internet culture. Casey joins Karah to discuss why Gen Z is doubling down on nostalgia and buying up analog products. She runs through the latest trends you may have seen, but didn’t understand… And she unpacks why Gen Alpha might not feel the need to get away from their screens. Additional Reading: Nostalgia Economy and Analog Awakening | After School See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Gen Z expert and After School writer Casey Lewis to talk about how Gen Z TikTok users are switching up on Millennials. After years of mocking the generation for being “cringe” online, now people are longing to return to the 2010s and the culture that came with it. But were Millennials really as “optimistic” as the fancams make it seem? And what does Gen Z have, if anything, to be nostalgic about?  This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices