Decoding Taylor Swift

The meaning of Swift’s Life of a Showgirl, how it connects to Britney Spears & Marjorie plus Toni’s hilarious musical impressions

The Life of a Showgirl is the key to unlocking the whole album’s meaning. It’s also her most meta and circular song, deeply connected to her grandmother Marjorie's story. Plus Toni finally shows off her singing with hilarious impressions of Britney Spears, Bob Dylan, and Sabrina Carpenter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Honey is Taylor’s most ingenious love letter to words and reveals her top storytelling secrets

This is a must-see episode for anyone who loves words and decoding Taylor’s songs. Starting with one of the cleverest opening lines Swift has ever written, Honey is a masterclass in storytelling. If you love words as much as Joe and Toni, please follow and rate the podcast. And if you know another logophile, please share this episode with them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taylor is NOT attacking Blake Lively in CANCELLED! She’s backing her friend.

CANCELLED! is a much better song than the critics think. In this episode, Joe and Toni decode the song’s real meaning by diving into the storytelling strategies Swift uses in her songs, which are secrets you can use in your writing. In the process, they realize they enjoy and appreciate the song a lot more than when they first heard it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Taylor Swift, The Beatles & Springsteen have in common? Why Wood alludes to Norwegian Wood & Dancing in the Dark

Many critics think Wood, with all its sexual puns and double entendres, is somehow beneath Taylor. But they should lighten up. It’s a funny song. Also, Joe and Toni reveal how Taylor anticipated that critique, which is why the song alludes to The Beatles' Norwegian Wood and Bruce Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark', both of which have sexual double meanings. Indeed, lots of double meanings are a key reason Taylor is a modern-day Shakespeare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The REAL meaning of Swift’s Wish List, what the critics get wrong, & our amazing Spotify Wrapped

Wish List is the most misunderstood song on The Life of a Showgirl because too many people take too much of Taylor Swift’s fantasy literally. But Joe and Toni decode the deeper meaning and reveal one of Taylor’s most powerful storytelling strategies that you can use to become a better writer and speaker. Also, a huge shout out to our fans for our Spotify Wrapped naming us a “2025 Instant Hit Show” (more popular than 98% of other new shows), a “2025 Marathon Show” (our fans listened longer than 97% of other shows), and a “2025 Most Shared Show” (which received more shares than 97% of other shows).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices