Often (unfairly) overlooked and frequently (unjustly) criticized, ‘Midnights’ closer “Dear Reader” is a diaristic, confessional, and somber track that reminds its listener that, despite being full of advice, the author herself is not to be trusted. In this installment of the Mental Cages series, which doubles as Taylearning’s landmark 100th episode (!!!), Dani & Olivia break down this divisive track, chewing on every lyric to make some sense of it all. Taylor has spent the better part of two decades giving advice to millions through her lyrics, but in this song, she has herself (and the audience) wondering- is she really qualified to be a beacon of truth?

Taylor made history (again) last week when she won the Video Music Award (VMA) for Video of the Year with TTPD’s “Fortnight”- but many people believe she was undeserving of the iconic award. This video, which was directed by and starring Taylor herself, beat out several other strong contenders! The award is fan-voted, but there are also so many layers and interpretations to this metaphor-heavy video, so today we answer the trending question- do we think it earned the VOTY title? Tune in as we break it down, scene by scene!

Inarguably, the friendships we make (and lose) throughout our lives impact us greatly. The same is likely true for Taylor Swift! In our NEW mini-series, The Squad, Olivia & Dani take you through Taylor’s friendships and the impact they’ve made on her life, image, and in some cases, her music. Today, we start with up-and-coming main pop girl, Sabrina Carpenter, in honor of her #1 album ‘Short n’ Sweet’. Sabrina, who has been a Taylor fan since long before her fame, now classifies Taylor as one of her best friends. In this episode, your hosts walk you through Sabrina’s journey from OG Swiftie to Disney star to major pop star- and where Taylor fits into it all.

The prologue to ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ is one of the most intimate looks into Taylor’s mind we’ve ever been given. It’s the perfect appetizer to this massive album, and it has not received the attention it deserves…until now! In today’s episode, join Olivia & Dani as they go through the prologue line by line to better understand the stories Taylor tells throughout the album. With all of the context Taylor is giving us here, it’s a wonder more people aren’t talking about it- so crack open your TTPD vinyls/CD booklets, and let’s Taylearn together!

Taylearning is back for Season 4, and we are better than ever! Today’s Season Premiere is a continuation of The Muses miniseries, and it also brings us further into the lore of Matty Healy. As we discuss what songs The 1975’s controversial frontman may have inspired in Taylor’s discography, we also continue to unravel the story of ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ Taylor Swift gives us so much insight into her life and mind through her lyrics, so today, we are going to give you an in-depth analysis of how they fit into the story of her life…especially in regards to Matty. Listen to Part 1 if you have not yet- you’ll want to take that prerequisite before diving into this one!

SURPRISE!

We are back today with a super special in-between-seasons episode! Today, we are so excited to feature one of our favorite SwiftTokers, Jake Deyton, to chat about the recent "controversy" surrounding Taylor's fight to stay #1 on the charts. With the release of Billie Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft" and the rise of Charli XCX's "brat" summer, we are reminded that Taylor's mere existence lives in the minds of stans of all artists. Jake, who has been closely following Taylor's chart positions since 2012, brings us incredible insight on what it means to "block" artists...and if it's even truly possible.

It’s finally here. In today’s electric season finale, which serves as the longest informative episode of Taylearning released to date, your hosts cover a comprehensive timeline of the torrid & sordid relationship between Taylor Swift and Matty Healy. After scouring the internet, cross-referencing multiple timelines, and reaching out to personal contacts, Dani & Olivia have compiled ~150 noteworthy moments in time…and they are ready to share their findings. It may have been surprising to most when ‘The Tortured Poets Department’s’ muse apparent was the frontman of pop rock band The 1975, but once you’re presented with the decade of details compiled in this episode, you’ll understand how a relationship that only formally lasted a month could inspire over two hours of songs…at least.

Who’s afraid of little old Taylor? Well, she tells us that we should be. In today’s penultimate episode of Season 3, Olivia & Dani revisit the Mental Cages series to dissect Track 10 from ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ This song, which is performed immaculately on The Eras Tour 2.0, is a personal and confessional look into how growing up famous/constantly scrutinized can turn a “good girl” into the monster people think she is. However, Taylor is aware that she technically put herself in this “asylum”- but does that mean she has no right to complain about it? And what of the good things she has done for artists who have followed in her footsteps…such as Billie Eilish (wanna talk about the drama, anyone)? Pop in as we talk through it all!

Have you ever felt scared to take a massive leap of faith? Because that’s what we talk about in today’s ‘Dear Taylistener’ episode! This miniseries is our version of an advice column, where we intake stories from you - the Taylisteners - and give advice through Taylor Swift songs. Today’s submission is all about the fear, loneliness, excitement, and confusion surrounding moving away from everything you know. Most of us have done it or will do it, and your hosts are both moving away right now, so what better way to wade through these complex emotions than together through Taylor lyrics?

Taylisteners, welcome to our first Harvard class! In today’s episode, prolific and iconic legal scholar/Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein joins your hosts to talk about his new book, “How to Become Famous: Lost Einsteins, Forgotten Superstars, and How the Beatles Came to Be.” This book, released this week, covers the magic and madness of how people become famous- and how they don’t. Taylor Swift is a perfect case study of the mixture of luck and talent needed to be the biggest name in the world, so let’s talk about it with one of the best minds in higher education!

Taylisteners, welcome to our first Harvard class! In today’s episode, prolific and iconic legal scholar/Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein joins your hosts to talk about his new book, “How to Become Famous: Lost Einsteins, Forgotten Superstars, and How the Beatles Came to Be.” This book, released this week, covers the magic and madness of how people become famous- and how they don’t. Taylor Swift is a perfect case study of the mixture of luck and talent needed to be the biggest name in the world, so let’s talk about it with one of the best minds in higher education!

What if we told you she’s back…with a whole new version of The Eras Tour?! Well, kinda. Over this past weekend in Paris, Taylor debuted a revised version of the tour we’ve come to know over the past 14 months. Between cutting tracks, adding a Tortured Poets Department set, 23 new outfits, and a Tayvis PDA showcase in the City of Love(r), we had to bring you another installment of ‘State of Swift’ to bring you up to speed.

Attention rap fans: do you now understand why Swifties are obsessed with analyzing Taylor's songs for tea? In today's extra credit episode, Dani walks you through the ongoing 'KenDrake' rap battle. Why, you ask? Because Taylor and her Swifties are somehow a part of the narrative, so it's probably important to understand what's going on. Hop in for the tea party!

Almost two weeks has passed since TTPD entered the Taylorverse. Is that enough time to pass judgement on the album and rank the tracks? Confidently, no, it is not...but we are going to try! In today's episode, Dani & Olivia talk criticisms, praises, and reactions to the album. Additionally, they rank each track in order of least to most favorite.

All’s fair in love and poetry. But you know what’s NOT fair? Trying to quickly process a 31 song album, half of which was a surprise in the first place. In today’s episode, your hosts give their first impressions on each of the tracks and on the album as a whole. Together, they work through the good, bad, and ugly of TTPD to tell you what initially went through their minds during this crazy start to our newest era.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!