Invisible String Podcast

This week we’re going all the way back to the Fearless days as we discuss our next track 5, White Horse. Ashley leads the conversation as we look at the image of Jesus on the white horse in the book of Revelation and talk about its implications. Come to hear the fan theory regarding the cover art of Fearless (Taylor’s Version), stay to hear why the Church needs Jesus as both Husband and King. This...

We’re starting our Track 5 series with Lover’s The Archer! Rebekah leads our discussion this week as we reflect on what it means to trust others and whether or not we can trust ourselves. Come to hear why Taylor may have intentionally made this song sound unsettling, stay to hear the good news that, in Jesus, our fears of losing love are quieted. Scripture Referenced: Romans 7:15-24, Romans 8:1 Ch...

This week we wrap up our death trio with Taylor’s tribute song for her grandmother, Marjorie. Ashley leads the discussion as we talk about how we honor the dead and why communication with the dead is out of bounds for the Christian. Come to hear how Sarah and Ashley ended up in a cadaver lab together, stay to hear how the hope of resurrection gives us the ultimate picture of “what died didn’t stay...

The death trio continues as we talk about Midnights’ 3 AM track, Bigger Than the Whole Sky. Sarah leads our discussion as we try to  unpack what happens between death and resurrection and God’s sovereignty over death. Come to hear what that rascal Pawley has been up to this week, stay to hear how the death of our Savior ironically secures our eternal life. Scripture Referenced: Acts 7:60, Matthew...

Buckle up and grab your tissues. This week we’re diving into arguably the most emotional Taylor song, Ronan. Rebekah leads our discussion as we reflect on the curse of death and the promise of heaven. Come to hear why Rebekah was so drawn to this song for a season, stay to hear the good news that offers hope in the face of such tragedy. The story behind Ronan What Age Will I Appear In Heaven? Arti...

This week we’re joined by pastor, author, and Ashley’s favorite former Bible teacher, Jim Thompson. As a lifelong music lover, Jim walks us through the importance of singing in the Christian life from an emotional, neurological, and theological perspective. Come to hear why Jim thinks about Bad Blood on a weekly basis, stay to hear how singing brings prayer and Scripture together in a practical wa...

What does Ashley do when she can’t pick a favorite Taylor song? She picks three! This week we’re exploring the Folklore love triangle and how it’s interestingly similar to (and in some ways, even more interestingly different from) the parable of The Prodigal Son. Come to hear why James is the WORST, stay to hear about a Father who initiates relationships with both sons. Do you need your own purple...

Is it objectively the best Taylor Swift song of all time? Sarah thinks so! This week we’re discussing All Too Well and the role of reminders in relationships. Come to hear us debate 5 minute version vs. 10 minute version, stay to hear why God gives us signs of His covenant. Scripture Referenced: Psalm 119:11, Revelation 21:3-5, Isaiah 65:16-17, Luke 23:42-43, Genesis 9:12-17, Isaiah 49:15, 1 Corin...

We’re starting to unpack our all-time favorite Taylor songs! We begin this week with Rebekah’s favorite, Daylight, discussing how love acts as a clarifying and purifying force in our lives. Come to hear Rebekah’s creative thought exercise, stay to hear how light and love have always been connected. Scripture Referenced: 1 John 2:9-11, Psalm 119:105,  Revelation 21:23-25, John 8:12, Isaiah 9:6 Chec...

This week we’re discussing the shortest track on TTPD, I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can). Ashley facilitates the conversation as we contrast the purifying work of the Spirit with Taylor’s claim that she can tame the wild stallion. Come to hear what we think about when we don’t think, stay to hear how Christ Himself is our sanctification.  Can Taylor fix this man ?  I Can See You music video 5 Things...

Come one! Come all! We’re talking How Did It End? this week. Sarah leads our conversation as we talk about the biblical definition of empathy and how it might differ from the way our culture uses it. Come to hear why we think this is truly a track 5, stay to hear how Jesus’ perfect compassion meets us right where we’re at. Terry and Kaniyia’s reaction to How Did It End? Moonlight Sonata  Brené Bro...

We’re back to analyzing TTPD songs, and we’re starting with some real truth bombs this week with Cassandra. Rebekah facilitates our conversation as we discuss the definition of truth and the risks of telling vs. not telling the truth. Come for the brief mythology lesson, stay for the example of the lying and cowardly Peter that points us to the Truth Incarnate. Hidden Brain podcast on the Cassandr...

Our conversation with Haden continues this week as we dive into why poetic language has theological significance. Come to hear which Taylor song holds a special place in Haden’s heart, stay to hear which Psalm is particularly meaningful to her.

We’re kicking off Season 2 with a guest that we’ve officially deemed an honorary fourth member of the pod, Haden Bell. Haden is a PhD student at Cambridge University who works to bring her love of theology and poetry together. And did we mention she’s a huge Swiftie? Come to have the way that you listen to The Black Dog forever changed, stay to hear how Aristotle’s definition of poetry has massive...

In this very special Season 1 Finale, we’re joined by J.P. Stephens, philosopher, musician, and educator of two of the three of us. And he’s bringing some spicy Taylor opinions! Come to hear whether or not we’ve converted this Swiftie skeptic, stay to hear his thoughts on enjoying things we love with fellow believers. Taylor Swift Starter Pack by Rebekah The Princess and the Goblin

Another controversial song? Of course! We’re discussing I Hate It Here this week. Sarah leads the conversation as we talk around theological threads of longing and contentment. Come to hear which past decade we’d choose to live in, stay to hear how we learn contentment by God’s grace. The Dead Poets Society Clip Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Alien Slugs and Bugs Song The Rare Jewel of Christian...

This week we’re breaking down another song that’s filled to the brim with spiritual references, The Prophecy. Ashley leads the conversation as we pull out themes of curses and prayer. Come to help us interpret Sarah’s eye blinking Morse code, stay to hear how curses and prayer come together in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Architect by Kacey Musgraves  Covenant curses podcast from The Bible Projec...

We’re jumping back into TTPD tracks with the iconic (and maybe terrifying) Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me? Rebekah leads our discussion this week as we unpack the theological threads of blame and self-preservation. Come for our attempts at pronouncing this acronym, stay for the great reversal of the blameless One taking the blame. Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley  Taylor’s speech ab...

This week we’re joined by our first guest! We’re thrilled. We’re humbled. Quite frankly, we’re shocked. Dr. Jonathan Pennington is an author, a pastor, and a New Testament scholar who also happens to be a Swiftie. Come to hear why Dr. Pennington recently dressed as Post Malone from the Fortnight music video, stay to hear how he searches for beauty in all areas of life. Episode Links: Dr. Penningto...

This week we’re breaking down the final track of The Anthology, The Manuscript. Rebekah leads our discussion and highlights how we should reflect on our past as believers. Come for all the All Too Well connections, stay for the paradox of suffering ultimately leading to life. Episode Links All Too Well Short Film Sinclair Ferfuson’s sermon on Joseph  Trusting God by Jerry Bridges  The Songs of Jes...

We’re tackling another TTPD track that’s caused quite a stir, But Daddy I Love Him. Ashley leads the discussion as we contrast right judgment with hypocritical judgment. Come to hear our thoughts on all the changes made to the Eras Tour, stay to hear the remedy for the planks in our eyes. The travesty of the new Lover bodysuit In case your 90s/00s country knowledge isn’t up to Ashley’s standards:...

We’re diving right into TTPD tracks with perhaps the most controversial of them all, Guilty as Sin? Sarah leads our conversation as we discuss whether or not what happens in our minds truly makes us guilty. Come to hear why we think the Christian community might be approaching this song all wrong, stay to hear the hope that Jesus offers to guilty sinners. Episode Notes and Links Plugged In’s revie...

The Tortured Poets Department is here and we have THOUGHTS! Join us as we discuss the themes, the sound, and all the theological threads that we can’t wait to pull out. Episode Notes Alex Clark’s review of TTPD

It’s another topical Tuesday! Has Taylor had a change of heart on marriage? Come to hear our one word first impressions of The Tortured Poets Department, stay to hear how idolizing marriage can take multiple forms. Episode Notes and Links The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller Scripture Referenced: Genesis 2:18, 1 Corinthians 7:6-8, Ephesians 5:31-32 Check out our playlists on Spotify and Apple Mus...

Ashley leads the conversation this week as we break down our first Reputation track, I Did Something Bad, pulling out threads of the fleeting pleasures of sin and guilt. Come for the Salem Witch Trials discussion, stay for our thoughts on how to stir our affections for Jesus. Show Notes and Links John Piper on Christian Hedonism An overview of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections  Allie Beth Stu...