Taylearning: A Taylor Swift Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

To answer the question the title of this episode poses: yes, you CAN make a career out of being a Swiftie! To elaborate on this further, we brought in backup. 2x Emmy winner and acclaimed journalist Bryan West, the dedicated Taylor Swift reporter for USA Today, joins Olivia & Dani in today's conversation. Together, they talk through the life of a Taylor-centric reporter, general Taylor news, and Bryan's tangible passion for the Swiftie community itself. Over 1,000 people applied for the position Bryan holds...tune in to see how and why he became "the lucky one"!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

Crazy to think that in her rookie season, Taylor Swift went to the Super Bowl and snagged a victory!

Ha, we are kidding of course. While it is fun to think that Taylor had something to do with the Kansas City Chiefs being this year's Super Bowl victors, maybe it is just luck! Or teamwork from the Chiefs. Or maybe, it's ~TayVoodoo~. In this episode, your hosts go through each game Taylor attended, and they chat about Taylor's undeniable impact on Travis, the Chiefs, and the NFL as a whole.

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

In honor of this very happy Valentine's Day, your hosts have opted to take a special fan request and draft Lover! Lover, which came out in 2019, has always had a divisive nature amongst Swifties, with many people loathing it and many people loving it. Today, Olivia & Dani work through their own feelings about the album as they pick and choose their teams! Will Olivia sweep easy since it is her favorite album? Will Dani steal Olivia's faves to keep her from winning yet again? Be sure to vote on Instagram or on our Spotify poll!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

This episode has a crazy title to match the crazy couple of weeks we have experienced in the Swiftie world! Taylor Swift's leading man, Travis Kelce, helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to their fourth Super Bowl game in five years...and our favorite couple engaged in some saccharine PDA to celebrate! The following weekend, Taylor not only made Grammy's history by being the only four-time Album of the Year winner, but she also announced her next project- 'The Tortured Poets Department.' Join us in today's State of Swift as we talk through the highs and lows of the last couple of wild weeks!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

For every single Taylor Swift song, there is someone out there that would defend it to their grave. But, as we know, some songs receive more flowers than others when it comes to love from fans. In today's opinion-based episode, Dani & Olivia chat through their "Big 3" from each album, as well as tackling the favorites from around ~8,000 polled Swifties. Get ready to join in the conversation about what makes a fan favorite track!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

Okay Taylisteners, are you ready to go back to college with us? In today's fun episode, your hosts tackle the newest collegiate trend: Taylor Swift-themed classes! Of course, you can't really get an education solely in Taylor Swift (unless you listen to us every week), but you can use Taylor as a vessel to learn about a variety of topics, from psychology to economics to engineering. Tune in to hear how universities around the world are using the hype of Taylor to further education, and stick around to the very end for a special surprise reserved for our top Taylistener students.

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

Taylor's NYU Commencement Speech, 2022: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

"Would it be enough if she could never give him peace?" That's what Taylor laments throughout 'Peace,' a gutting track from 2020's Folklore. There is much to be anxious about in a relationship, especially for Taylor Swift. Is what she can give to someone worth the things she cannot? Is a lack of peace a deal breaker? What can we learn from this song about Taylor's thoughts on the media in her relationship, and what can we learn about ourselves? Tune in to find out!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

There's no doubt about it: 2023 was the biggest year in Taylor's career so far! With more awards than ever before, more public appearances than we've had in the previous six years combined, even more records broken...Taylor was at the top of her game last year. To honor that, today's episode is a 'Taylor Wrapped' of sorts; a highlight reel from the Year of Swift! As a bonus, stick around to the end to hear Olivia & Dani make their 2024 Taylor Swift-related predictions.

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Drugs

Happy New Year! As we enter the new year, we noticed it's been a couple of months without The Eras Tour, and your hosts are in withdrawal. To hold us over until Taylor hits the stage again, we revisited the Speak Now World Tour, which took place from 2011-2012. Go back in time with us as we talk through the set list, reception, and impact of this nostalgia-packed show!

Watch the Speak Now show on Youtube: Click here!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

Taylor Swift once called her Track 5s "legendary" amongst Swifties, and she was correct- they are legendary! Traditionally, Track 5 on any Taylor album is the moment where the shell of the album cracks, and out pours Taylor's most vulnerable song. These ten songs are all quite different, but they all share one thing: Taylor thinks of them as the emotional breaking point, so fans pay extra attention to these tracks. Hear your hosts rate them, rank them, and replace them in the final Taylearning episode of 2023!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

1 2 3, LGB! In today's episode, we revisit the Mental Cages series to deep dive into one of Taylor's biggest singles from the Reputation Era: Delicate. This catchy synth ballad is vulnerable and repetitive, the latter of which indicates how anxious she was at the beginning of her most major relationship to date. How can you be so confident and so anxious at the same time? We break that contradictory feeling down in this quick episode!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Alcohol

This is an exciting day! Not only is it Taylor's birthday, but it is also the start of our newest mini series: Dear Taylistener. This series, inspired directly by one of our listeners, is a unique take on an advice column where we give advice in applicable Taylor Swift songs. Today's question is about handling the fallout of a friendship after catching your "friend" in an affair with your husband. This series leaves us wondering, WWTD (what would Taylor do)? All that's left to do is have your hosts try to answer that, using her music to guide us!

Spotify Playlist: ⁠Click here!⁠

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

Welcome, Swifties & Harries alike, to the finale of this massive 3-part series! In today's thick episode, Olivia & Dani talk through every single Harry/One Direction song that has any decent speculation on being inspired by Taylor Swift. People like to give Taylor a hard time for being so confessional in her songs, but what if Harry is even more so? Join us as we conclude this journey and decide which songs have no chance, some chance, or a near 100% chance of being inspired by Taylor...and brought into the world by Harry's voice (or pen).

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

Talk about a hefty title! And a hefty episode to match. Last week, your hosts talked you through the intricate details of the 'Haylor' timeline to give you factual context of what went down between the two pop stars. Today, your hosts build on the more speculative nature of their relationship as they go through every song that so much as *might* have been written about Harry from Taylor's perspective. Some songs have damning evidence, some have almost no chance of being Harry-inspired, and many are somewhere in the middle. Get your mugs ready- we have some tea to spill.

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

The first ever episode of The Muses mini series came out in the summer of 2022, and it was all about Harry Styles. However, your hosts kind of just...stopped the timeline prematurely! The original episode covers the public romance through their breakup in early 2013, but this episode does what the first one fails to do, and that's cover everything we left behind from 2013-now. With that, enjoy this fun episode revisiting the Haylor timeline.

This episode is dedicated to Ana Benevides.

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

The point of this podcast is to educate Swifties - new and old - about the lore surrounding Taylor Swift. But what do we do when new lore is forming right before our eyes? Enter 'State of Swift'! In this new mini series, your hosts tackle current topics surrounding our girl. This past weekend, Taylor went ~very public~ with her relationship with Travis Kelce. There was so much to unpack this weekend that we had to do it on hot mics! Our girl is "falling in love again" (or so she hinted at while performing "Labyrinth" in Argentina). So let's talk about it!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

Arguably one of her best pop songs ever, 'Out of the Woods' is a song that describes anxiety surrounding a relationship that may or may not make it to tomorrow. In this continuation of the Mental Cages series, your hosts analyze the repetitive track to understand why this particular relationship riddled her with so much anxiety and confusion. Is she ever truly out of the woods?

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Mental Health, Sexual Content

It's got more synth, it's got more sex, it's got more secrets. 1989 TV is the most popular rerecording yet, but does it deserve the hype? In this episode, your hosts talk all things '89, from the songs that improved, those that didn't, and those that REALLY didn't. Also, tune in for vault track conversations and rankings!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content, Eating Disorders

The countdown is on. In less than two days, we will hear 1989 (Taylor's Version) in full for the first time! In this hype episode, hear your hosts chat about which songs we are most excited/anxious to hear, what we think the vault tracks will sound like, and also some thoughts on #TayvisSwelce. Let's have some fun, Taylisteners!

Spotify Playlist: ⁠Click here!⁠

Explicit: Language

You know what time it is! In keeping up with our past traditions of drafting an album around its release time, join us today as we draft our way through the original 16 songs that make up the Pop Bible, '1989'. Dani is 0-2 in fan votes when it comes to drafts, so how did she do when it comes to drafting her heart album? Did Olivia take it easy on her, or did she come to fight? Be sure to head over to Instagram to vote, and/or vote in the interactive polls embedded in the episode on Spotify!

Spotify Playlist: Click here!

*Explicit: Language

You know the greatest films of all time are...on their way, since Taylor has fully entered the film scene! In our official Season 3 opener, hear your hosts talk all things Taylor + films. To celebrate the Eras Tour concert film releasing this week, Olivia & Dani get back into their groove discussing the timeline of films Taylor has been a part of, as well as her experiences in directing. Movies have been woven into Taylor's music and life for so long, but this fact does not get much attention...until now. Also, come join us on our brand new website...taylearningpodcast.com! For our full Taylearning Homework Playlist on this episode, head over to Spotify.

*Explicit: Language

Hey Taylisteners- SURPRISE! A bonus episode to start off our newest season! In this episode, we give you our first thoughts on the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce tea, which is especially piping since Dani is from Kansas City (and that is where your cohosts met)!

*Explicit: Language

Taylearning: A Taylor Swift Podcast premieres on October 11th, wherever you listen to podcasts! New episodes every Wednesday.

We are back! Well, briefly, with some bonus content for you. Beloved Taylisteners, grab your favorite favorite vice- it's time for more of the Tipsy Swifties! In this bonus between-seasons episode, join Dani, Olivia, and their guest Rebecca as they work through a bracket pitting each and every USA Eras Tour show against each other. Every Eras show is a winner, but which show is the winner of all winners? Grab your bracket (click here), grab your cheat sheet (click here), grab your drink, and play along! Final bracket, Taylearning's Version, is linked here- but don't spoil the episode for yourself!

As always, we don't condone binge drinking. Imbibe at your own risk and judgement.

*Explicit: Language, Sexual References, Alcohol Use, Drug References

We know we JUST wrapped Season 2, buuuuut we told you we would come back if something crazy happened. And the announcement of 1989 (Taylor's Version) at the LA6 show last night certainly qualifies! 1989 is Dani's "heart album"- a term we use for the album that feels the closest to our hearts. Hop into this bonus episode to hear your hosts' immediate, messy, 3 AM thoughts on the chaotic announcement!

We have reached the end of Season 2! Over the past seven months, Olivia & Dani have delivered over thirty episodes, including Extra Credits and two-part episodes! In today's season finale, your hosts go through the music video for "I Can See You" - frame by frame - and hunt for Easter Eggs. Come and see what they find! And don't fret- your hosts will be back this October for Season 3! In the meantime, keep your eyes on this space and on our social media...just in case.

*Explicit: Language

She's been the archer, and she's been the prey...and what does she mean by that? 'The Archer' from Lover is essentially the song version of an anxiety attack, and it's time we talk about it. In this continuation of the Mental Cages series, Olivia & Dani chat about this divisive track five and the nuances that make it the poster child for Taylor's anxiety-driven songs.

*Explicit: Language, Mental Health

When we began The Muses series, we did not really think about what we would do in the instance there was a development in the story. But merely a month after we released the initial John Mayer episode, "Would've Could've Should've" was released. Then, only ten months later, Speak Now TV was released. So what are we to do? This episode was the answer. In this continuation of The Muses series, Olivia & Dani unravel the knot that was tied when Taylor gave more insight into her volatile relationship with John Mayer.

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Assault, Sexual Content

Every time a new 'Taylor's Version' comes out, we wait with bated breath for two main things: a) what the vault tracks sound like, and b) how different the songs sound. Speak Now TV was no exception! With a controversial lyric change, a lack of a shaky breath, and six vault tracks to unpack, this album brought a lot to the table for your hosts to chat about this week. Listen to Olivia & Dani go through the freshest rerecord - track by track - to break down changes, similarities, and general commentary.

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

We didn't expect to expand this particular series, but then the Kansas City Eras shows happened! If you listened to last week's episode, you know your girls had a stacked week planned to celebrate the arrival of Dr. Taylor Swift to KC. So how did it all pan out? Listen in to hear about it, and also receive firsthand tales of what really went down in the Paris of the Plains last weekend.

*Explicit: Language

Anti-Hero: noun: a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes. Taylor Swift thinks of herself as an indefensible anti-hero, and she tells us all about it in this smash hit from 2022. But how can a person who receives so much love live with so much self-hatred? In this new series, Mental Cages, your hosts dig deep behind the songs that are inspired by Taylor's own struggles with depression, anxiety, and self-loathing.

*Explicit: Language, Self Harm, Mental Health

Every show on the Eras Tour, at approximately the same time (2.5 hours into Taylor's set, known as Surprise Song O'Clock), Taylor performs two acoustic songs she has no intention of performing again on this tour. So what has been taken off of the eligibility list so far? What are we most upset about? What do we want to hear at our upcoming show? Hear us chat about it in today's episode!

*Explicit: Language

Who was Taylor Swift truly in a relationship with: Conor Kennedy? Or the Kennedy legacy itself? As we return to The Muses series, hear your hosts chat about Taylor's love for the Kennedys - specifically Conor - and how the relationship rose, fell, and the art the relationship produced.

*Explicit: Language, Self Harm

The wait is *finally* over! Today's long-awaited episode is about Folklore's eighth track, 'August'. Augustine was just a girl who wanted to be loved, but James ended the affair with the end of summer to return to Betty. But...what about her feelings? What about their time together? Hear us break it all down in this [final] installment of the Folklore Love Triangle series!

*Explicit: Language, Sexual Content

Happy One Year Anniversary! On June 1, 2022, Taylearning was introduced to the world. To celebrate, we gathered answers from you about your favorite episodes, moments, and memories you have made along the way with us! In this episode, join Olivia & Dani as they share your responses, talk about listener statistics, share their creative process, and drop details on a special giveaway.

Aaaaand we are back with another draft! In this week's episode, celebrate the announcement of Speak Now (Taylor's Version)! Hear your hosts battle it out to draft the best "team" from Speak Now. Who chose better? Head to Instagram to vote- @TaylearningPodcast!

*Explicit: Swearing

We didn't expect The Eras Tour weekend in Nashville to be so notorious...and yet, here we are. The Nashville shows boasted the Speak Now announcement, a great run of surprise songs, and The Rain Show. Today, your hosts break down their personal experience in the city and with the tour! Get a firsthand account of how things *really* went down in this fun episode.

*Eras Tour Spoilers

*Explicit: Swearing, Mild Sexual References

Some people are comparing The Eras Tour to the Rocky Horror Picture Show in terms of audience engagement. But for many Swifties, this can be daunting. What do you shout and when? What does Taylor expect from the crowd? How do you avoid looking like an unseasoned Swiftie? Whether you are a new fan, attending with your friends and don't want to be left out, or you just have forgotten the chants of the past, listen to this quick episode for a 'How To' on being an interactive Eras audience!

**Eras Tour Spoilers**

*Explicit: Swearing.

**This episode contains Eras Tour spoilers** Your hosts are going to another Eras show in Nashville this weekend! To celebrate, they share their ticket-buying story in this episode. They also talk about what they plan to do differently, what they plan to do the same, and more tips and tricks for those attending the tour.

**Explicit: Swearing

The wait is over! In this episode, your hosts go through every album closer, including standard editions and bonus tracks, and rate them/rank them/criticize them. They also share what they would pick as their closers, if they were given the chance to choose. Join in, and share your picks with us!

Meet James! James is only seventeen and doesn't know anything, but he knows he misses Betty. In this installment of the Folklore Love Triangle series, we cover James's side of the story. This song acts as a desperate plea from James to get Betty to forgive his infidelity. Don't forget to listen to the Cardigan episode before jumping into this lyrical and critical analysis!

Today's episode was a shock to us all and mostly speaks for itself.

Meet Betty! Betty is one of the three main characters in the canonical love triangle from the Folklore album, which consists of three songs. Cardigan, from Betty's perspective, tells the tale of a heartbroken girl expressing her pain to James, the boy who hurt her. In this episode, your hosts chat about Cardigan's impact, critical reception, and break down the lyrics to begin the story of the love triangle.

It's time! On March 18th, Olivia & Dani attended The Eras Tour in Glendale [Swift City], Arizona [ERAzona]. Attending with them was Rebecca, Dani's fabled roommate, who joins your hosts in today's episode! Today is all about breaking down what to expect at the show, from general commentary to going through the setlist. This episode is split into two parts: spoiler-free (ends at the 15:45 mark) and heavy spoilers (begins at the 15:50 mark). Come along as we relive that magical night!

Welcome to our newest mini-series, Extra Credit! These episodes are bonus episodes that range from 10-20 minutes and are put out on weeks where our full length episodes might come a little later than expected. This week, Olivia is under the weather, but Dani refused to review The Eras Tour in Glendale without her partner in crime. Instead, this episode has Dani shelling out tips and tricks for fans going to the tour!

The last time we saw Taylor on tour was in 2018 for the Reputation Stadium Tour. This tour was record-breaking, award winning, and a theatrics-filled spectacle. Now, we look back fondly on it. Come along as your hosts walk you through the show, song by song, and relive it one last time before The Eras Tour begins!

Taylor Swift has nine openers on The Eras Tour. How well do you know their music? Join Dani & Olivia as they go through each artist's discographies to figure out what songs are most likely to be played, their personal favorites, and what to expect! Complete with song clips to help give you a taste of what each opener's sound is like. Featured in this episode: Muna, Haim, Paramore.

Taylor Swift has nine openers on The Eras Tour. How well do you know their music? Join Dani & Olivia as they go through each artist's discographies to figure out what songs are most likely to be played, their personal favorites, and what to expect! Complete with song clips to help give you a taste of what each opener's sound is like. Featured in this episode: Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams, Gayle, Owenn, Girl in Red, and Beabadoobee.

One word: Hiddleswift. That's the catchy ship name for this short-lived pairing. When the world was falling apart around Taylor, she "clung to the nearest lips" when she dated Tom Hiddleston. The duo experienced a whirlwind summer together in 2016 between her relationships with Calvin Harris and Joe Alwyn. So...what happened? If she wanted Joe, why was she with Tom? Why did they split? Did they even like one another that much? Let's break it all down as we continue the highly popular 'Muses' series.

Taylor Swift has over 200 released songs; how in the world is she going to pick which ones to sing on The Eras Tour? With twelve albums (including Taylor's Versions), everyone has a different favorite and a different "perfect" set list. In this episode, listen to Dani break down her dream set list, then hear Olivia keep Dani's expectations in check with a more realistic set list for the upcoming tour!

For a beautiful, brief moment in time in 2009, the world was given its teenage darling couple: Taylor Squared. Taylor Swift met, dated, and broke up with Taylor Lautner all in a five month span. This gorgeous couple and wholesome relationship inspired at least one of Taylor Swift's songs, as well as memes, stories, and public moments that have permeated their way into pop culture forever. Let's talk about it!

The Swiftie community is an amazing place to make friends, and we want to introduce you all to two of ours! Meet 'The Girls at Home'! TGAH is made up of Sarah & Cara, two passionate fans who run their own YouTube channel talking about all things Taylor. Today, Podcasters meet YouTubers in the middle as we compare and contrast our album rankings. Join us, judge us, rank with us- this is a fun one!

In 2008, Taylor released 'Fearless'...and then she did it again in 2021! In today's episode, hear your hosts chat about all things Fearless, including the differences between the original and recorded albums, critical reception, the songs, and the cultural impacts. We don't know how it gets better than this!

Welcome back for Season 2 of Taylearning! Today, your hosts are chatting about Taylor's longest romantic relationship prior to Joe Alwyn- Calvin Harris. The pair "officially" dated from March of 2015 - June of 2016, so why aren't there more songs about him? Where was Taylor on April 29th? Why did they split? We answer all of these questions and more in this hefty season premiere episode.

Happy Holidays, Taylisteners! In this bonus episode, hear your hosts chat about Taylor's Christmas-themed jam, 'Christmas Tree Farm.' Taylor wrote, recorded, and released this song during the holiday season of 2019 (firmly in the Lover era), so it's no surprise this song is full of nostalgia, romance, and stunning imagery. This fun episode also acts as the Season One Finale- we will see you again in January of 2023!

Taylor herself said that this music video was so chock full of Easter Eggs that they had a whole PDF to track them. Obviously, this meant that Dani & Olivia needed to break down the video scene by scene to find them all! Follow along as your hosts dissect this quirky music video in this penultimate episode of Taylearning Season 1.

Who are you picking first in your Midnights Fantasy Football draft? Join your hosts in this week's fun episode as they draft their "teams" using all 21 songs from Midnights. Listen and draft along, judge the selections, and vote for your favorite team on Instagram!

Happy Evermore season! In this week's episode, Olivia & Dani revisit the Song Analysis series to chat about one of the most beloved songs on Evermore- 'Champagne Problems'. This song, which is about a rejected marriage proposal, immediately struck a chord with fans and critics alike. Additionally, it is full of double (sometimes triple) meanings, metaphors, and heartbreaking, top tier lyricism. Kick off your December by hearing the Taylearning team break it all down!

Hey Jake- just between us, did the love affair maim you too? Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift dated for 3-ish months at the end of 2010, and the breakup led to the creation of what Rolling Stone thinks is Taylor's best album of all time: Red. In this installment of 'The Muses' series, Olivia & Dani unpack the wild and short lived relationship that led to some of Taylor's most emotional songs to date, as well as the aftermath of the relationship that changed the world's opinion of Jake Gyllenhaal forevermore.

Place your bets: is Speak Now or 1989 going to be the next album to join the Taylor's Version squad? Taylor loves to lead us on in multiple directions to keep what's coming next a surprise, but after a year of teasing, we still don't know which of these two iconic albums is up on the roster. In this debate-style episode, hear Olivia argue for 1989 and Dani argue for Speak Now, duking it out and laying the many Easter Eggs on the table. 

Today we are joined by a very special guest- Autumn from the viral TSTourTips! In this episode, we ask Autumn - a longtime Swiftie with exponential knowledge about Taylor's tours - questions everyone has on their mind leading up to 'The Eras Tour' ticket sale. How much will this cost? What are the best sections? How do you increase your chances of meeting Taylor? All of these questions (and many more!) are answered in this jam packed collaboration episode.

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An extremely warm thank you to Autumn! You've helped hundreds of Swifties enhance their concert experience, and you are currently helping thousands more people prepare for this upcoming tour. Taylisteners, be sure to follow Autumn on IG, TikTok, and Twitter- @TSTourTips!

It's been almost two weeks since 'Midnights' was released, which means there has been a bit of time to marinate with the album and give it a proper review. Naturally, this means that it is time for Olivia & Dani to share their [current] song rankings! A lot has changed from their first listen to now, so join in as they chat about each song's ranking placement, most notable lyrics, and which of the other albums each song would end up on in an alternate reality.

Everyone has opinions on 'Midnights', and we at Taylearning are no exception. While Olivia & Dani both agree that they need time to marinate with the album more before officially ranking the songs and scoring the album, they are here today to bring you their initial feelings and analyses on TS10...and there are a lot of them!

Grab your favorite drink- it's time for the debut of the Tipsy Swifties! In this [drunk] episode, Olivia & Dani play a drinking game using previous Taylor lyrics, and they discuss what they think each song on 'Midnights' will sound like. Hear your hosts get increasingly inebriated and passionate as they chat theories, past Taylor songs, and their hopes for TS10.

-Taylearning: A Taylor Swift Podcast does not condone binge drinking and encourages all listeners to always imbibe responsibly-

There are three types of Swifties: those who theorize, those who watch the theories, and those who ignore them. Which one are you? In this opinionated episode, Olivia & Dani chat about the lengthy history and impact of Taylor's famous Easter Egg marketing/fan communication strategy. She constantly has us clowning, and some Easter eggs are much more substantial than others. Join the conversation, including criticisms and praises of the constant theories and Easter eggs!

For a three month relationship when Taylor Swift was 19, there sure is a lot to unpack in this episode! John Mayer, the inspiration behind 'Dear John' (among other 'Speak Now' tracks), has a troubled past. In this episode, Olivia & Dani tear apart how that troubled past directly influenced a young Taylor.

Content warning: In reporting statements Mayer has made, this episode contains graphic sexual content, as well as strong racial content. Listener discretion is advised.

This is it: Taylor Swift's 'Cruel Summer' took place in 2016 when the world turned against her. #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty is the number one trend in the world. Her public allies are few and far between. So what does she do? She channels it all into writing and performing her most vengeful (and most romantic) album yet: Reputation. In this 'part two' episode, hear Olivia & Dani talk about the Taylor vs. Kimye drama and the art it created, covering years 2016-2022.

Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs is perhaps the biggest pop culture moment of the late aughts. This moment kickstarted the wild and volatile relationship between the two, and the repercussions have been good, bad, and ugly! This episode - part one of two - covers the crazy interactions between the two from 2009 to 2015, preparing you for the fallout that would ensue it 2016.

No surprise here: the 'All Too Well Short Film' won the highly coveted Video of the Year award at this year's VMAs! As we near the official end of the Red Taylor's Version Era to move into the Midnights Era, it seems like a good time to break down the short film. In this jam-packed episode, Olivia & Dani talk the music video scenes, dialogue, Easter eggs, behind the scenes, critical responses, and more.

What else could we possibly be talking about this week? On Sunday, August 28th, Taylor Swift announced TS10 - 'Midnights'! In our most packed episode yet, hear Olivia & Dani talk theories, conspiracies, concepts, and all things 'Midnights' as we eagerly await its release on October 21st.

Where were you when you heard about the infamous 27 second breakup phone call between Taylor Swift & Joe Jonas? This ill-fated teenage romance rocked the world of pop culture during its rise and fall in 2008, and it inspired songs across three (3!) Taylor albums! In this fun episode, Olivia & Dani break down all of the details, from the break up songs to the 'Jonas Brother's Ex-Girlfriend Club' to where they are now.

Perhaps one of the most underrated songs on 1989, 'This Love' is a pop-synth-indie ballad about an on again/off again relationship. Often criticized for its simple lyrics, this song is one of 1989's most emotional deep cuts, and one of the few songs from 1989 (Taylor's Version) to be released into the world! Join us as we talk it through, lyric by lyric, finding song parallels and hidden themes.

What do 2012 and 2021 have in common? They both saw the release of the 'Red' album! But in 2012, Taylor was a heartbroken 22-year-old fresh off a devastating relationship. In 2021, Taylor was a confident 31-year-old; so confident, in fact, that she released a 30 song rerecorded album! Listen as we chat through the differences in the albums, their themes, our opinions, and the songs (and hey, one of them is even ten minutes long).

From friends to enemies to friends again, the saga of Taylor Swift vs. Katy Perry raged on for years. But would you believe this 'Bad Blood' all started with...backup dancers? Listen as we unpack one of the most well known music feuds of the 2010s, and trust us, there is a lot to unpack here!

In the final installment of the 'Remaining Relevant' series (for now!), Olivia & Dani go line by line through 'Mirrorball' from the 2020 Grammy Album of the Year, 'Folklore.' Why does Taylor keep calling herself a mirrorball, and what exactly does that even mean? The answers, as always, are in the lyrics- and in the spaces between them.

How can a person know everything at 18 but nothing at 22? This question is raised throughout the song 'Nothing New,' a folk pop song written by Taylor in 2012 and released in 2021. In this beautiful collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, we hear confessions of a girl afraid that the world will move on from her since she is no longer a fresh face in the music scene. Olivia & Dani unbox the song line by line in this third installment of the 'Remaining Relevant' series. 

Taylor Swift has shown us she is anxious about staying relevant, and the proof is in the music. In 2010, Taylor Swift closed her 'Speak Now' album with an anthem in 'Long Live.' On the surface, it is a fun song to dance to. But if you listen to the lyrics, you hear a confession from a 20-year-old who thinks her career has already peaked. In this episode, Olivia & Dani break down the first of several songs where Taylor shares her concerns about continuing to stay at the forefront of the world of music and culture.