Swiftory

It's one thing to talk Taylor with friends, but what if your friends are some of the finest poets in the world? That's where professor, poet, and editor Kristie Frederick Daugherty found herself when Taylor announced The Tortured Poets Department, and she did what anyone in her position would do: She put out a call for poems, which became the exceptional new book Invisible Strings: 113 Poets respo...

Alicia is leading a Swiftory takeover of her podcast channels! To celebrate the launch, she's taking you into one of its origin stories - the life of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, through a five-song arc of Taylor Swift songs, as told to Melissa. This one will sate the palate of both Trashy Divorces and Trashy Royals listeners - and of course, Swiftorians! Subscribe to Swiftor...

This week, Alicia and Melissa pull on their galoshes and venture out into the weather event that is Sparks Fly. What teen heartthrobs does the song evoke for them, and what does this song have to do with a Jimmy Buffet favorite of Alicia's? Get your rain gear on Swiftorians - the precipitation is already coming down! As always, we want your Midnights! Share your Swiftory stories at swiftorypodcast...

We are so Enchanted To Meet You, Swiftorians! We asked for your stories, and you answered the call. In this episode, we share some of our favorite listener letters from the week that hit us in all the feels. Also included - a request for your questions for Kristie Frederick Daugherty, Editor Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift. We are enchanted by this volume of conte...

This week, Alicia and Melissa turn their attention to "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department. It turns out that there's a long history of women being diminished, defanged, and scapegoated by a male dominated power structure, and our Swiftorians have big feelings about it - and a long list of names of women who've been done dirty by the world. As always,...

In our very first Swiftory episode, Alicia and Melissa explore the lyrics, themes, and meanings of Taylor Swift's "New Year's Day." Is this a traditional love song to a romantic partner, or a deeply felt ode to the power and endurance of female friendships? As always, we want your Midnights! Share your Swiftory stories at swiftorypodcast@gmail.com, or leave us a voicemail at 404-594-3658. We may u...

Taylor Swift’s music has given a voice to millions of people who’ve found the narrative arcs of their own lives in Swift’s endlessly engaging songs. With Swiftory, two Gen X besties – Alicia, from Trashy Divorces, and Melissa, from Love Letters To… – have a whole new take on Taylor’s work, exploring the music as it is, but also as the duo sees it best: as a lens into history. If Taylor’s greatest...