AP Taylor Swift

Latest Episodes:

E105: I guess I'll never, ever know… “Now That We Don’t Talk” Deep Dive Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

“You part the crowd like the Red Sea, don't even get me started.” This week, we're deep diving "Now That We Don't Talk" from 1989 (Taylor's Version). This vault track is lyrically dense, structurally complex, and emotionally devastating in its exploration of uncertainty, insecurity, and the relationships that leave us wanting more. We analyze biblical references, rhetorical questions, enjambment, and why this song was ultimately too insecure to make the original 1989 album. Join us as we unpack how Taylor uses poetic devices to create a haiku-like meditation on the aftermath of an intimate relationship—whether romantic, platonic, or something 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!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Wicked, the book, movie, and musical

E102: Wicked

E3: Alice in Wonderland

E98: Unreliable Narrators

E55: Rhetorical Questions

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:53] “Now That We Don’t Talk”

[05:06] “You went to a party/I heard from everybody”

[10:25] “And from the outside/ It looks like you're tryin' lives on”

[15:38] “I call my mom, she said that it was for the best”

[25:47] “Truth is I can't pretend it's platonic, it's just ended”

[37:00] “I don't have to pretend I like acid rock”

[42:48] “And the only way back to my dignity”

[49:02] The purpose of “Now That We Don’t Talk”

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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.

E104: Just a Girl on a Mission: Connecting Wicked to Taylor Swift’s “A Place In This World,” “Treacherous,” and “Now That We Don’t Talk” Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

This week on AP Taylor Swift, we're doing something special, a Wicked-themed show and tell! With Wicked: For Good coming out soon, we're embracing our inner theater kids and connecting Taylor Swift's music to this beloved story. From the 1995 Gregory Maguire book to the 2003 Broadway musical to the upcoming film adaptation, we explore how “A Place in This World,” “Treacherous,” and “Now That We Don’t Talk” all perfectly capture the complex relationships and emotional journeys in the Land of Oz.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995 book by Gregory Maguire)

Wicked movie adaptation (2024-2025 film)

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (the original book that inspired Wicked)

Bridgerton

Alice in Wonderland

***

Episode Highlights:

00:00:35

Intro to the topic of Wicked

00:07:05

“A Place In This World”

00:15:20

“Treacherous”

00:28:34

“Now That We Don’t Talk”

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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.

E103: Invisible String Deep Dive - How Taylor Swift Turned Fate into Folklore Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

"Isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?" This week, we're deep diving "invisible string" (folklore 2020). We go line by line through this deceptively whimsical love song, exploring everything from Greek mythology to Jane Eyre references, the evolution of time from "curious" to "mystical" to "wondrous," and why Taylor chooses to believe in fate. Join us as we unpack the colors, the contrasts, and the surprising darkness hidden beneath this seemingly romantic fairy tale about finding your person against all odds.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë

Greek Mythology - The Fates

Ancient Chinese proverb - Red thread of fate

Hercules (1997 Disney film)

***

Episode Highlights:

[01:27] The title: Invisible strings, fates, and marionettes

[3:33] Green and teal: Same but different colors

[11:13] “Bad was the blood of the song in the cab”

[18:16] "Time, mystical time"

[24:30] “Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire”

[36:22] "Time, wondrous time" - Blues to purple pink skies

[39:13] The purpose of the song

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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 Life of a Showgirl" Album Release Reactions Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

"But you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe." Join us for our immediate reactions to Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album! We break down our first impressions track by track, exploring the sophisticated lyricism hidden beneath high-energy pop production, the album's theatrical motifs, and how Taylor uses the showgirl concept as both performance and vulnerability. From the literary references in "Fate of Ophelia" to the musical callbacks throughout, we discuss how this album ties together themes from across Taylor's discography while introducing bold new perspectives on fame, relationships, and growing up in the spotlight.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hamlet
Macbeth
Dante’s Inferno
Rapunzel fairy tale
Elizabeth Taylor
Jackson 5
George Michael
The Godfather
Scandal (TV show)

Episode Highlights:

[00:30] Our initial reactions to “The Life of a Showgirl”

[07:39] Fate of Ophelia - Shakespeare references and literary vibes

[12:28] Elizabeth Taylor - Loneliness of fame and purple eyes

[14:34] Opalite - ABBA vibes and haunted houses

[17:42] Father Figure - Industry power dynamics and masculinity

[21:42] Eldest Daughter - Track 5 emotions and millennial core

[27:06] Ruin the Friendship - High school storytelling and Abigail callback

[30:55] Actually Romantic - Diss track energy but supportive message

[34:39] Wi$h Li$t - Evolving desires and life phases

[40:02] Wood - Adult themes with childhood superstitions

[45:03] Canceled! - Something wicked this way comes

[47:54] Honey - Terms of endearment and passive aggression

[52:00] The Life of a Showgirl - Behind the scenes vs performance

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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.

E102: Taylor Swift Parallels: Connecting the Dots Between Unexpected Song Pairings Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

"What if I told you none of it was accidental?" This week, you’re getting six show-and-tell songs instead of three! In this episode, we explore the concept of parallel songs in Taylor Swift's discography, focusing on thematic and lyrical connections between pairs of songs. We discuss the similarities between the carefree hangout vibes of “22” and the more mature perspective of letting loose in “Bejeweled”; the contrasting views of fate in “Invisible String” and agency in “Mastermind”. And, we take a technical lens to the songs “Labyrinth” and “You're Losing Me”, highlighting how they embody experiences of love and loss.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Eras Tour Surprise Song Mashup TikToks

Love Story Deep Dive

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:22] Introduction to Parallel Songs

[04:00] Exploring “22” (Red) and “Bejeweled” (Midnights)

[12:09] Contrasting “Invisible String”(folklore) and “Mastermind” (Midnights)

[19:57] Analyzing “Labyrinth” (Midnights) and “You're Losing Me” (Midnights (from the vault))

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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.

E101: Magic, Madness, Heaven, Sin: A Line-by-Line Analysis of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

"Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you incredible things..." In this deep dive episode, we dissect one of Taylor Swift's most iconic satirical masterpieces. From the enchanted references that bookend her career to the Shakespeare allusions hidden in plain sight, we explore how "Blank Space" operates as both brilliant satire and surprisingly authentic commentary on complex womanhood. Join us as we unpack the magic, madness, heaven, and sin of a song that dared to ask: what if we owned the narrative instead of fighting it?

Subscribe for episode updates and 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:

Episode Highlights:

[02:29] Diving into “Blank Space”

[08:15] “New money, suit and tie” - character analysis

[15:27] Analyzing the chorus

[22:31] Shakespearean references

[28:50] “Cherry lips, crystal skies” vs. “stolen kisses, pretty lies”

[35:25] "I get drunk on jealousy"

[38:44] Bridge analysis: "Boys only want love if it's torture"

[44:59] Getting into the purpose of “Blank Space”

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

E100: Taylor Swift Songs That Transcend Time - Blank Space, New Romantics, The Man Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

From medieval England to modern pop music, some things never change - women fighting for agency, authority, and the right to write their own stories. In this milestone 100th episode, we go full literary nerd and explore the surprising connections between Geoffrey Chaucer's iconic Wife of Bath from The Canterbury Tales and Taylor Swift's empowering anthems. By looking at Blank Space, New Romantics, and The Man, we examine how both the 14th-century literary character and the 21st-century pop star challenge societal expectations, manipulate narratives to their advantage, and advocate for women's autonomy in love and life.

Subscribe for episode updates and After School premium content at 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:

Episode Highlights:

[1:10] Introduction to paid subscriber content announcement

[2:55] Connecting Taylor Swift to The Canterbury Tales

[6:42] "Blank Space"

[15:50] "New Romantics"

[25:00] "The Man"

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

Medieval Reality TV aka "The Canterbury Tales" for Taylor Swift Fans (After School Paid Preview) Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

In this preview of our paid subscriber bonus episode, we’re diving deeper into The Canterbury Tales. Imagine Love Island but it's 1390, everyone's going on a religious road trip, and instead of coupling up, they're having a storytelling competition. That's The Canterbury Tales. Join us as we go a little deeper into Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, exploring how this 14th-century masterpiece was the original "common people's literature" and why these 600-year-old stories feel surprisingly modern. Spoiler alert: there's a lot more butt-kissing and fart jokes than you'd expect from "classic literature” or Taylor Swift songs.

If you enjoyed this sneak peek and want to hear the full episode plus additional monthly episodes of AP Taylor Swift After School, subscribe at aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer
The Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling
Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma, Claire Dederer
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros
Beowulf
Netflix's The Decameron (2024)
1972 Italian film adaptation of The Canterbury Tales
The Waiting Game, Nicola Clark
J. K. Rowling, Chaucer’s Pardoner, and the Ethics of Reading

Subscribe to get new episode updates: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

E99: “But Daddy I Love Him”: Sarahs, Hannahs, Taylor's Tale of Rebellious Love Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

"All the wine moms are still holding out…" This week, we're deep diving into "But Daddy I Love Him" from The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Join us as we unpack the unreliable narrator, explore the Southern Gothic imagery, and analyze how Taylor uses biblical references and small-town dynamics to tell a story about agency, choice, and breaking free from societal expectations. From the Sarahs and Hannahs clutching their pearls to the elders convening at city hall, this song creates a vivid world where love becomes an act of rebellion.

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

Mentioned in this episode:

***

Episode Highlights:

[00:54] How we do a deep dive

[01:38] “I forget how the west was won”

[07:21] “Sarah’s and Hannahs’ in their Sunday best”

[11:30] “Too high a horse for a simple girl to rise above it”

[15:25] “Now I’m running with my dress unbuttoned”

[21:40] “Dutiful daughter, all my plans were laid”

[27:44] “The elders had convened down at the city hall”

[33:22] “I’ll tell you something right now, I’d rather burn my whole life down”

[44:40] “Scandal does funny things to pride”

[51:19] Purpose of the song

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

E98: Taylor Swift's Unreliable Narrators: When You Can't Trust the Story - You Belong With Me, Mr. Perfectly Fine, But Daddy I Love Him Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

"You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset..." Welcome to Season 3 of AP Taylor Swift! What happens when we can't trust the person telling the story? In this week's Show & Tell episode, we explore the concept of unreliable narrators through three Taylor Swift songs that demonstrate how perspective shapes truth. From teenage crush confessions to post-breakup rants to defiant love declarations, we examine how Taylor uses narrative techniques that make us question what's really happening beneath the surface of these seemingly straightforward stories.

Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com

Mentioned in this episode:

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon

Atonement, Ian McEwan

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

After Party (Apple TV+ series)

The Residence (Netflix)

How I Met Your Mother (TV series)

E32: Love Story Deep Dive

Episode Highlights:

[01:22] Introduction to Unreliable Narrators
[08:47] "You Belong With Me" (Fearless, 2008)
[19:55] "Mr. Perfectly Fine" (Fearless Taylor's Version, 2021)
[26:15] "But Daddy I Love Him" (The Tortured Poets Department, 2024)

Follow AP Taylor Swift podcast on social!

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.

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