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Evolution of a Snake: The Taylor Swift Podcast Profile

Evolution of a Snake: The Taylor Swift Podcast

English, Music, 2 seasons, 66 episodes, 3 days, 21 hours, 53 minutes
About
A podcast detailing the life and times of the world's most famous reptile: Taylor Swift. Hosted by two longtime fans that are unafraid to mock and critique, The Evolution of a Snake takes an analytical lens to the twists and turns of the most eventful pop legacy in recent memory. Diving into the minutiae of each era, the podcast unveils and pays homage to the evolution of a musically proficient cobra. @tswiftpodcast on twitter for new episodes, @tsfolklore and @hoaxlakes for the hosts.
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2019: Part 1

The year is 2019. 'Digital fur technology' is a term that has entered our lexicon. There is a suspicious amount of butterfly easter egging. Taylor Swift is cooking up her first record away from Big Machine, and she's drawing out the surprise. Like, a lot. Suddenly, there's a pair of wings in a Nashville parking lot. Then, the world goes dark. Welcome to what is probably the most 'negative' EOAS recap: Taylor Swift's disastrous first six months of her flop era. Reputation's baddie, idgaf, scorched earth queen has disappeared. Instead we have a 30 year old woman who attended cat school for 4 months and wrote SPELLING IS FUN! Enjoy GET MORE EOAS ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist SHOP MERCH: https://www.evolutionofasnake.com
10/21/20241 hour, 56 minutes, 35 seconds
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☎️ Phone a Snake: Reacting to YOUR Unpopular TTPD Opinions

In today's episode of your favorite hotline segment, Phone a Snake, The Snakes contend with your unpopular opinions about Taylor Swift's 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. Though your confessions are not as shocking as they once were in the past, there is plenty of delusion here that was smacked into oblivion. Guilty as Sin? Greatest song ever made, not taking further questions at this time. Enjoy! GET US WEEKLY ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
10/15/202459 minutes, 21 seconds
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Taylor Swift's Pre-Fame Vault Songs: A Guided Tour

This is an episode that is years in the making when you really think about it....in today's episode, The Snakes take you on a guided tour through a museum of their adolescence. That's right, digging into the best and worst of Taylor Swift's MASSIVE unreleased catalogue, all the way from 2003 right up until the release of Debut in 2006. I'd Lie....heard of it? Greatest song ever made. Didn't They....heard of it? You'll wish you hadn't. Enjoy! GET US TWICE A WEEK ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
10/7/202457 minutes, 45 seconds
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Live From New York, It's Saturday Night! 🗽 TayRewind

Welcome to TayRewind, a moment where The Snakes can zoom in on a canonical event, moment, or disaster from the Taylor Swift archives in excruciating detail. Sometimes, in the yearly episodes, there isn't enough space to Go Deep on absolutely everything. Here's your first taste of that: flashbacks to a simpler time, 2009. Picture this: Taylor Swift is hot off the heels of her first Pop Culture Moment, and she's here to have another one...by hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live. In this episode, her monologue is reviewed (to acclaim) and the skits that you forgot about are drudged up in all their horror. Enjoy! GET US WEEKLY ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
9/30/20241 hour, 2 minutes, 30 seconds
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☎️ Phone a Snake: Reacting to YOUR Unpopular Taylor Swift Opinions

GET EOAS WEEKLY ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist Welcome back to Phone a Snake, the monthly listener call in segment. In today’s episode there’s a new approach on the table: reacting to your most unhinged (and shocking) unpopular Taylor Swift opinions. Some of these calls are truly shocking. Swiftie cards will be checked at the door prior to entry!  
9/23/20241 hour, 9 minutes, 14 seconds
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Sister Songs: Dancing in the Afterglow of The Archer’s Peace

Get EOAS weekly on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist Welcome back to Sister Songs, an Evolution of a Snake series that tackles the invisible strings woven through Taylor Swift's lengthy and convoluted discography. In today's episode, The Snakes trace a particular feeling of anxiety through one of her much-written-about relationships. By first deconstructing Peace from 2020's folklore, several tangents are discovered in Dancing With Our Hands Tied, Afterglow, and even The Archer. Enjoy!
9/16/202452 minutes, 52 seconds
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TayVMAs? Less Likely Than You Think

Welcome back to Evolution of a Snake. In today's episode, The Snakes recount the many events that happened during MTV's lifeless carcass: the VMAs. It was, for once, a semi-exciting year with many gag-worthy performances. Taylor Swift's fashion choices are of course, dissected and cheered over, as are her interesting Tayvis Pilled speeches. Elsewhere: this year is declared as the SabMA's, thanks to Sabrina Carpenter's deeply referential and iconic medley. Chappell Roan gets her Joan of Arc flowers without an untimely fiery end, and Katy Perry is booed for being herself. Join the Patreon for Zack's full VMA Reaction and weekly bonus episodes! https://www.patreon/com/swiftologist
9/12/20241 hour, 11 minutes, 4 seconds
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Ranking The Unhinged European Eras Tour Surprise Song Mashups

GET WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES OF EOAS HERE: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist Welcome back to The Taylor Swift Podcast. In today's episode, we gaze at the mammoth, seismic, alluring, shocking, intimidating European leg of Eras. It's no secret that the HBIC has developed a fondness for gagging her audience, and gag us she did, with these high-level, occasionally terrible but frequently excellent pairings of various songs throughout her discography. We rank the best and worst nights and create our very best list of mashups we would've gagged for. There were wins. And there were losses. Enjoy!
9/2/20241 hour, 2 minutes, 32 seconds
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☎️ Phone a Snake: Short n' Sweet, Taylor's Cultural Impact, and Sour vs Fearless

In today's episode, the Snakes take calls from the audience and cover some hot topics in the Taylorverse. We start with a direct example of Taylor's impact: Sabrina Carpenter's triumphant latest release, Short n' Sweet. The Shawnmila of it all is a telling and juicy preface to this 'Taydaughter's' debutante ball. Then it's onto another Taydaughter...Olivia Rodrigo, and whether Sour can be compared to Fearless and/or Debut. Finally, we muse on the evolution of Taylor Nation as a marketing tool. Get one more hour of this on Patreon each and every week! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
8/26/20241 hour, 8 minutes, 26 seconds
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Scientifically Ranking Taylor Swift's Ex-Boyfriends

In this episode of Evolution of a Snake, THE Taylor Swift Podcast, we do our best to rank the muses in Taylor Swift's catalog objectively. Though there is a subjective 'hotness' category, we strive to view these purses for their contributions to the discography and lore, and also by their impact on Taylor's relationship to love (as written through her songs) going forward. If you're craving more EOAS, you can find us weekly on https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
8/19/20241 hour, 23 minutes
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☎️ Phone a Snake: Brat Summer is Over but Eras is Forever

Today's episode: Charli Xcx & Taylor Swift's reactions to Sympathy is a Knife, creating our dream Eras Tour setlists working with the confines of the existing show, and whether the Taylor's Version project will continue or not. All of this and much more in our monthly call-in segment 1800-Phone-A-Snake, where we turn to the congregation for questions. If you'd like to participate in the future and hear ONE MORE HOUR of this conversation, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
7/29/20241 hour, 3 minutes, 13 seconds
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Taylor Swift's Sister Songs: The Lucky One & Clara Bow

Welcome back to Evolution of a Snake. In this episode, we're introducing a new format: Sister Songs. This is a series where we draw parallels and themes between two (or more!) songs from different points in Taylor Swift's discography. On the menu today is an evergreen connective tissue: Taylor's musings on fame, being replaced, and ageing. Initially, we were inspired by the mashup she performed for Stevie Nicks in Dublin. But as we got into our in-depth lyrical analysis, it quickly became clear there are more than just two songs to pay attention to. We delve into Nothing New and Mirrorball to flesh out our analysis and better understand how Taylor's relationship to the public eye has evolved but also stayed the same over the years. As always, you can find more EOAS on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
7/15/20241 hour, 10 minutes, 50 seconds
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The One Where We Did A Live Show

Though we do not love a London Boy, the Snakes have had quite the time gallivanting around the big smoke. In today’s extra special Taylor Talk, we are together live and in-person (full video on Patreon) to discuss the highlight of our podcasting lives so far: Evolution of a Snake LIVE! in London (also available only on the Patreon.) We regale you with tales of pregnant ladies getting robbed, bed bugs in a ship container hotel, and the hostility we encountered from a children’s theatre director. Last, we give you our detailed review of the NEW Eras Tour set, including our first experience of Tortured Poets live and the greatest surprise song combos we could’ve dreamed of. This was recorded BEFORE we attended Sunday’s Eras show with Travis and Gracie Abrams, so that is not discussed here. Enjoy! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
6/26/20241 hour, 13 minutes, 31 seconds
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2018

Welcome back to the yearly format. 2018 was an awkward, in-between kind of phase for Taylor Swift and her fandom. It was uncharacteristically quiet for a year of an album cycle: there were some months where she wasn’t pictured at all, and her actual public appearances beyond the Reputation Stadium Tour were few and far between. Nevertheless, we found a lot to say about it. But of course, The Snakes cover the record-breaking tour, the setlist, guest appearances, and outfits. There are a few moments of hilarity: Katy Perry’s literal olive branch, the announcement of Taylor’s starring role as Bombalurina in Cats, and her first foray into activism. It was the year of TaydemoCAT. We end this transitional period with a stormy horizon: a new record deal with Republic and Universal. Enjoy! Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly episodes: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
6/3/20242 hours, 8 minutes, 36 seconds
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Unpacking Taylor Swift's Creative Process

Welcome back to Phone a Snake! In this episode, where we take your urgent calls, we explore the significance of track five songs on Taylor's albums and how they evoke strong emotions. Also on the menu: the criticism Taylor receives and her thoughtful responses, touching on the bloat in her recent albums and the need for more concise editing. We also examine the vulnerability in Taylor's songs and the delicate balance between being open and oversharing. Enjoy! Subscribe to our Patreon for the monthly bonus episode of Phone a Snake and sooo many more goodies. https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
5/20/202443 minutes, 43 seconds
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Erastourology (Tortured Poets Version)

Welcome back to TAYLOR TALK, our monthly segment discussing the latest and greatest news in la nacion de taylor. On the docket today: but of course, the revamp of The Eras Tour. Including all of the glaring omissions (RIP Long Live) and an appreciation of the gorgina TTPD set which has truly gagged us into another dimension. Elsewhere: Taylor Swift's insane first-week chart numbers, the disappearance and sudden reappearance of her catalogue on TikTok, how critics need to understand swifties in order to appraise Tortured Poets correctly, and the surprising restraint of merch this time around. Enjoy! Join the patreon for weekly episodes: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
5/13/20241 hour, 11 minutes, 24 seconds
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Torturedpoetology (Part 2)

A week later, here we are with our meditations and reflections on The Anthology, the second album or companion piece to the jaw-dropping Tortured Poets Department. In this episode, we dig into Taylor's prolific output: is it necessary to release this much? How much of these releases are 'valuable' output? And we dig into a few motifs and intriguing nuggets of insight that were suspiciously kept off the standard edition of the album. Enjoy! CHECK OUT OUR PATREON FOR WEEKLY EPISODES/UNEDITED REACTION VIDEOS: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
4/27/20241 hour, 29 minutes, 2 seconds
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Torturedpoetology (Part 1)

We're back with a very important and length episode: unpacking the juicy morsels of The Tortured Poets Department. Taylor Swift's 11th studio album is the culmination of years spent honing her craft. And, it's a significant departure from her previous Grammy award winning record, Midnights. Today, The Snakes unpack first thoughts from this mammoth of a record: interrogating the muses, the futility of trying to 'assign' a muse, and the evolution of Taylor's perspective on love through the years. Check out our Patreon for weekly episodes and unedited reaction videos! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
4/21/20242 hours, 13 minutes, 24 seconds
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The Tortured Playlist Delusions

Here’s an emergency episode available to all: Taylor Swift has categorized her prior works into the five stages of grief for an @applemusic playlist exclusive. But of course, The Snakes have a lot to say about it. With some of our own delusions confirmed and many others brought to the forefront, we take a long, hard look (yet again) at the Joever of it all in advance of TTPD in a mere fortnight. WEEKLY CONTENT: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist GET TICKETS TO EVOLUTION OF A SNAKE LIVE IN LONDON: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evolution-of-a-snake-the-taylor-swift-podcast-live-tickets-847113588547?aff=oddtdtcreator --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
4/6/20241 hour, 25 minutes, 16 seconds
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☎️ Phone a Snake: Tortured Poets Visuals, Lover as Daylight, & Taylor’s Rest Habits

GET TICKETS TO EVOLUTION OF A SNAKE LIVE IN LONDON JUNE 20: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evolution-of-a-snake-the-taylor-swift-podcast-live-tickets-847113588547⁠ Hello Snakes! We're back with our new FREE monthly episode of Phone a Snake. This is where we answer your burning questions and share our hot takes. In today's episode, we discuss Taylor Swift's secret Pinterest boards while speculating on the Tortured Poets visuals, what she does in her rest time between shows, and if we would like Lover better if it was called Daylight. Spoiler: no!  Join the Patreon for an extra hour of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
3/25/202451 minutes, 43 seconds
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Tayloverload at The Eras Tour

The Snakes are back with Taylor Talk and we're here to share with you the ins and outs of Zack's six night residency at The Eras Tour: from the surprise song mashups to a kerfuffle with security. Then, we discuss the recent Disney+ acquisition of The Eras Tour (Taylor's Version), Scott Swift vs the paparazzi, the international Tayvis society, the mini geopolitical crisis caused by Singapore's exclusivity deal brokered by Austin Swift, and what we're expecting in this break between tour and The Tortured Poets Department. Enjoy! GET TICKETS TO OUR LIVE SHOW: https://evolutionofasnake.com/ PATRON PRE-SALE MARCH 15 10 AM GMT GENERAL SALE MARCH 18 10 AM GMT GET WEEKLY EPISODES: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
3/11/20241 hour, 12 minutes, 4 seconds
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☎️ Phone a Snake: Tortured Poets Visuals, Lover as Daylight, & Taylor’s Rest Habits

GET TICKETS TO EVOLUTION OF A SNAKE LIVE IN LONDON JUNE 20: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evolution-of-a-snake-the-taylor-swift-podcast-live-tickets-847113588547 Hello Snakes! We're back with our new FREE monthly episode of Phone a Snake. This is where we answer your burning questions and share our hot takes. In today's episode we discuss Taylor Swift's secret Pinterest boards while speculating on the Tortured Poets visuals, what she does in her rest time between shows, and if we would like Lover better if it was called Daylight. Spoiler: no! Listen to part 2 of this episode and hear from us weekly: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
3/4/202451 minutes, 43 seconds
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The Tortured Grammy's Department

GET WEEKLY EPISODES: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist Well divas, it's time for another emergency episode. We were planning on simply talking about the Grammy's but God had other a different plan....today's docket is full of lols and questions from the chaotic surprise announcement of Taylor Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department. We dissect the track list, discuss how this will impact the eras tour, and make other speculative statements. NEW MERCH: https://www.evolutionofasnake.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
2/7/20241 hour, 25 minutes, 53 seconds
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2017: Part 2

PATREON FOR WEEKLY EPISODES: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist Taylor Swift's reputation era is much lauded as one of her most concise, aesthetically thematic, and sonically jarring eras. To no one's surprise, we concur with this estimation. However, much gets lost in hindsight. Though her career recovered fairly quickly, there were numerous hiccups in the roll-out to reputation that were actually....kind of a big deal. Alt-right sympathizer allegations?! Is the ACLU getting involved? It's a lot. We cover it all, from the conclusion of her trial to the iconic Instagram wipe, Look What You Made Me Do music video, and her brand new approach to being a pop star. There will be no further explanation. There will just be reputation! MERCH: https://www.evolutionofasnake.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
2/2/20242 hours, 24 minutes, 58 seconds
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Fact-checking The Taylor Swift Origin Story

Welcome back to another episode of boots-on-the-ground journalism. The bone collector returns to serve a delicious meal: what, exactly, is the Taylor Swift origin story? We know the official narrative: plucky girl meets guitar, moves to Nashville, gets discovered at the Blue Bird Cafe and the rest is history. Was there more to it than that? If the recently resurfaced emails from Scott Swift's 2005 legal dispute with Taylor's former manager are to be taken seriously, then yes. We take an analytical lens to the essential role Taylor's hapless and bumbling, aw-shucks parents played in her rise to stardom & reevaluate her creative partnership with Scott Borchetta along the way too. Don't forget to join our Patreon for an exclusive discussion on the rise and fall of Gaylor! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
1/12/20241 hour, 40 minutes, 10 seconds
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A Thorough Analysis of Taylor Swift: TIME Person Of The Year

Well, here we are again snakes...back at it again to break down all of the most juicy insights & learnings from Taylor Swift's groundbreaking feature in TIME Magazine. Covering the whole scope of her career, Sam Lansky talks with the head reptile in charge about every little thing: from The Eras Tour to Travis Kelce, Taylor's Version, and her ongoing redemption narrative. We take an exacting lens to exactly what was said (and more interestingly, what wasn't) in the broadest 'access' we've had to her psyche in years. For more deep dives like these and weekly episodes, subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
12/8/20231 hour, 23 minutes, 57 seconds
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Taylor Talk: Brazil, Billionairedom & The Box Office

Welcome back to the Evolution of a Snake. Today's episode is the final Taylor Talk of 2023 and boy it's a doozy. We give some space to discuss the final leg of this year's Eras Tour, including the grave tragedy that took place in Rio de Janeiro. Elsewhere, we discuss the success of the Eras Tour Film, the flop of the Black Friday Merch, and whether or not Taylor Swift is the Person of the Year. Don't forget to sign up for the Patreon to hear from us three more times before the end of the year! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-evolution-of-a-snake/message
12/1/20231 hour, 21 minutes, 10 seconds
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1989 (Taylor's Intergalactic Version)

In this episode, The Snakes attend to the most pressing matter in the Taylor Nation: the re-release of the HBIC, the pop girlie who took no prisoners and changed the game. On the agenda today is an analysis of the minute (and sometimes overt) differences between the Stolen Versions & Taylor's Versions, an impending billionaire status that leaves a sour taste, and for the very first time an in-depth lyric analysis of each vault track. Harry Styles, as a muse, you were everything. Thank you! Make sure to subscribe to our Patreon for the video accompaniment to this episode. https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
10/30/20232 hours, 2 minutes, 45 seconds
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Caroline Calloway Is In Her Midnights Era

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist The crossover that no one asked for but we're giving it to you anyway. Caroline Calloway is so many things: writer, snake oil saleswoman, alleged scammer, Floridian, New Yorker, and apparently....a Swiftie? She talks Taylor with The Snakes on a variety of subjects ranging from The Eras Tour, to Gaylor bisexuality, and Matty Healy. And of course, her ongoing beef with Natalie Beach. Make sure to buy her memoir 'SCAMMER,' and pre-order the remaining two books in her trilogy at: https://carolinecalloway.com/
10/11/202354 minutes, 36 seconds
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Taylor Talk: From The VMAs to Arrowhead Stadium, There's A Monster On The Hill

Welcome back to Taylor Talk, a monthly segment in which The Snakes dissect the current affairs in the Taylor Nation. On the docket today: Taylor's monster on the hill appearance at the VMAs, her various fashion wins from this colder portion of the year, Swiftie hysteria over the new purse in town, 1989 vault and a debate on the appropriate conduct for a swiftie in a movie theatre when watching a certain concert film. Enjoy! FOR MORE EOAS: https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
10/2/20231 hour, 35 minutes, 30 seconds
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2017: Part 1

MADELINE'S NEW SUBSTACK, THE LIZARD REVIEW: https://thelizardreview.substack.com/ OUR PATREON (DISCORD ACCESS): https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist The old Taylor can't come to the phone right now, she's (almost) dead. In the lead-up to 2017's legendary 'reputation', Ms. Swift is struggling with the fallout from the most apocalyptic year of her career. Marred in scandal and reassessing the fundamental elements of her life as a public figure and a private person, what seems like a year of hibernation was, in hindsight, actually quite active. The Snakes delve into the weeds of this year: from Katy Perry's overdue response to Bad Blood to the emergence of Joe Alwyn, and the pivotal sexual assault trial initiated by former DJ David Mueller.
9/15/20231 hour, 18 minutes
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Taylor Talk: 1989 (Eras Tour Withdrawal Version)

Welcome to the first public monthly episode of Taylor Talk; in which The Snakes report back on the latest and greatest news from the Taylor Nation. In today's dispatch, Zack and Madeline discuss the announcement of 1989 (Taylor's Version) and speculate on the production credits and the content of the fabled 'amazing' vault tracks. Karlie Kloss, a noted crook who was caught, pops up on this hallowed occasion, and a girlie called Chelsea recreates the ENTIRE Eras Tour in her living room with the help of her long-suffering family. There's much more where this came from on the Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/swiftologist
8/14/20231 hour, 11 minutes, 42 seconds
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1800-Phone-A-Snake ☎️ (Patreon Preview)

In this episode, we present the Snake Nation with a full-length preview of what lives behind the paywall. In our monthly voice mail segment, we answer your most pressing questions about happenings in the Taylor Nation and the world of pop culture. We record this segment once a month & our patrons enjoy this, our more focused 'Taylor Talk,' and listener requested deep-dives that we call 'Besties Episodes' on patreon.com/swiftologist every single month. With video accompaniments too if that's your thing. PLUS! Access to our very lively, highly active discord full of reasonable, snarky snakes. Come join us!
7/31/20231 hour, 14 minutes, 9 seconds
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Speak Now (Taylor's Misunderstood Version)

In this episode, The Snakes delve into the dark and stormy waters of Speak Now (Taylor's Version). Each re-recording is dutifully compared against the stolen counterpart and assessed on a scale from I Knew You Were Trouble to Tell Me Why. There's an elephant in the room of course, which prompts some debate: the lyric change in Better Than Revenge. Was it blasphemous, or no big deal? Opinions may vary, and in this episode, they certainly do. The episode is concluded with an analysis of the Vault Tracks & a scathing critique of the baseless, bland, and boring 'reviews' of this project and a commentary on the media's response to the re-recordings at large. Don't forget to visit patreon.com/swiftologist for a full video episode.
7/14/20231 hour, 28 minutes, 29 seconds
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A Brutally Honest Review Of The Eras Tour

In this episode, The Snakes revisit the first night of The Eras Tour in Chicago. It was happy, free, confused, lonely, miserable, and magical. All at the same damn time. There's an in depth dissection of the extremely lengthy and involved setlist, a frank analysis of our fellow swifties around us, and an overall vibe check on what it's like to sit on the floor for the biggest tour of all time. This episode is not sponsored by our house down boots, which tore up our feet in ways you can't even begin to imagine. Come join us on the Discord for more content from our in-person reunion after 7 years!
6/14/20231 hour, 12 minutes, 25 seconds
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2016: Part 2

The shot heard around the world. A highly demanded recap of the final half of Taylor Swift's most disastrous year. We begin our story in the Getaway Car, and quickly head off to the UK where the Cobra engages in some truly deranged behavior, before a whirlwind summer of romance, drama, and truly great outfits. Hiddleswift is at its peak when the walls come crashing down: Kim Kardashian's illegal, doctored recording of Taylor Swift's conversation with Kanye West, leads to the #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty and #SnakeGate. The aftershock of a public flogging reverberate throughout the year, as the Cobra wavers in her commitment to remaining unbothered. Throughout, The Snakes take a critical view of the cancelation, while painting the picture of what it was like to live through it as a fan in real-time.
5/12/20231 hour, 53 minutes, 28 seconds
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An Emotional Timeline of Taylor Swift & Joe Alwyn's Relationship

Well snakes, here we are. Another emergency episode. To discuss the shot heard around the world: the demise of Toe. In this episode, The Snakes detangle the various clues & cryptic easter eggs that have been dropped over the years about the nature of Taylor Swift & Joe Alwyn's 6 year relationship. Following a playlist created to chart Taylor's inner journey, your favourite armchair analysts speculate and hypothesise about what triggered the fallout, how the relationship started, and where each of them are headed next. Make sure to check out the Patreon for more unfiltered discussion on this subject! PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0hfL9l41XYaFV91RwzTMGo?si=f8c838438de242ea
4/16/20231 hour, 25 minutes, 15 seconds
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Erastoursology

In this episode of Evolution of a Snake, Taylor Swift's Stadium Show, The Eras Tour Tour is thoroughly dissected, appreciated, and critiqued. Zack & Madeline try their best to decipher the mental machinations of the HSIC (Head Snake In Charge) to discover why she chose certain songs and not others. It's a tremendous tour de force that really turns the idea of a 'touring artist' on its head: just how big can a show be? How much stamina, prowess, and power can one pop star have? The Snakes delve into all this and more.
3/20/20231 hour, 37 minutes, 42 seconds
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We Need To Talk About Ashley (Noon Roast, The Re-Up)

Buckle in, snakes. Madeline and Zack are doing a free-dive into one of the most unhinged places on the internet: Ashley Leechin's TikTok. You may know her for allegedly resembling Taylor Swift. Or, perhaps you know her for getting disinvited to the Grammys. Madeline is the bone collector, and she has unearthed the most incredible bones on this subject. It goes so much further, deeper, and weirder than you think. On this special episode of the Evolution of a Snake, we reprise Madeline's citizen journalism skills (made famous in noon roast on a Sunday) for yet another unhinged recap of internet mess. Girl, we are living. Head to 'Swiftologist' on YouTube for a FULL video episode. 
2/7/20232 hours, 4 minutes, 26 seconds
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Lavender Hazed & Slayed

We did it, Joe. We finally made our Patreon. In today's episode, Zack & Madeline approach a breadth of topics: the Lavender Haze music video, Taylor's filmmaking ambitions, the impending eras tour, and the launch of our paywalled content which brings the Evolution of a Snake into your earbuds twice a month on top of the regularly scheduled programming. Whether you want cutting room floor content, an episode made just for you, or a video companion to everything you hear from here on out – we've got it for you on patreon.com/swiftologist. 
2/1/202350 minutes, 42 seconds
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Midnights in Hindsight: Is It A Classic?

The Snakes are back with hotter takes than ever. In this episode, Madeline and Zack revisit Taylor Swift's 10th Studio Album. There's a state-of-the-union vibe check on the fandom & an honest, frank, but loving discussion on the positives and negatives of the songwriting, promotion, and release of Midnights. On the agenda: Jack Antonoff's undeniable footprint, future singles, a chat about the visuals, and speculation about where she's headed next sonically & professionally. 
12/22/20221 hour, 46 minutes, 35 seconds
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2016: Part 1

It's finally here. The most dreaded and requested episode in four years. It's time for chaos, karma, vengeance, and the #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty. This first episode takes us from the beginning of the year to Bleachella and the Met Gala. The breakdown of Tayvin is unearthed with some shocking new revelations (and a heavy dose of informed speculation...) alongside an excavation of some very, extremely iconic candids. The release of Famous causes a stir and officially reignites the dormant feud between Kanye and Taylor. The 1989 era is on its way out, but not before some ridiculousness at the 2016 Grammy Awards where Taylor wins Album of the Year and spends her speech settling scores. From there, it's complete and utter chaos. Buckle in! 
11/20/20222 hours, 14 minutes, 54 seconds
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Midnightsology

Here we are again, Swifties. With another deep-dive, first impressions & review of the fabled TS10: Midnights. In this episode, the album is batted around like a brand-new tennis ball. Some topics on the agenda: Taylor's shifting POV as a protagonist and a narrator, the breadth and depth of sonic experimentation on this record, Lana Del Rey's criminal excision, Jack Antonoff's heavy touch, the general concept of Tayvoodoo and the imperative fact that Karma is Taylor Swift's boyfriend. All that on more on this mammoth episode. 
10/26/20222 hours, 16 minutes, 46 seconds
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Midnights (Taylor's Mysterious Version)

Welcome back, swifties. Zack and Madeline interrupt the regularly scheduled programming to go over a few key current affairs. TS10, heard of it? By now you certainly have. Midnights is on the horizon and we are, frankly, in a state of panic. It's a global emergency. In this episode, The Snakes dive into the 2022 VMA's. The fashions, tea, and symbolicalness of it all. Predictions are made. Revelations are shared. They answer your questions. 
9/2/20221 hour, 30 minutes, 13 seconds
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2015: Part 3

In the final part of 2015, there’s plenty to discuss. Hot off the VMAs, Taylor releases the Wildest Dreams music video and receives some backlash while turning out looks. Turns out the back half of this year was kind of cursed. The 1989 Ryan Adams version comes out to absolutely no one’s enjoyment. Todrick Hall (noted villain) enters the canon. Then, there is a lengthy discussion of what is potentially Taylor’s most revealing magazine profile: her GQ interview and cover shoot. We dive deep into the Katy Perry nonsense & take a moment to analyze how this moment altered the trajectory of her career forever. The year concludes with the bittersweet end of the 1989 tour, Out of the Woods music video, and a particularly heinous article by public intellectual Camille Paglia.
7/5/20221 hour, 10 minutes, 41 seconds
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2015: Part 2

By some miracle, 2015: Part 2 has emerged. In this episode, Zack and Madeline delve into the second half of Taylor’s most chaotic year. In hindsight, it’s full of powerful foreshadowing, embarrassing blunders, and the beginning of a shift that drastically changed Taylor Swift’s relationship with fame. We begin this episode with the Apple Music letter, and go on to discuss some 1989 tour gossip, the absolutely unhinged Nicki Minaj/Katy Perry feud, and the fateful 2015 #SQUAD VMAs. Throughout, interviews are analyzed with a critical gaze, and so is the rise of a new genre of think piece: the Taylor Swift Takedown. There was so much going on we had to make 2015: Part 3...stay tuned! 
6/13/20221 hour, 33 minutes
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Olivia Rodrigo's Taylor Swift Cosplay

In a series first for The Evolution of a Snake, Madeline and Zack dive deep into another artist's discography. Well, if you can call it that. In the wake of another round of comparison, Olivia's potential as the heir-apparent to the diaristic songwriting throne is discussed judiciously but with skepticism. With three smash hits and a headlining tour underway...is Olivia ready, willing, or able to take over? Not if The Snakes have anything to say about it. After all, heavy is the head that wears the crown. 
4/17/20221 hour, 23 minutes, 29 seconds
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2015: Part 1

Well, back by popular demand, here is the year-by-year update. We've finally reached the most chaotic (and potentially...dislikable?) time in Taylor Swift's career. She is quite literally, girl bossing too close to the sun. We begin the year with a PR spin from Tree Paine and a few red carpet events. Surprisingly, this half of the year is FULL of great gowns, beautiful gowns. Later on, Taylor gets her first VOGUE cover but unfortunately has to share it with the crook who was caught. She's Instagramming all day long. She's refreshing her dashboard on Tumblr. And that's where we get into some ancient history on the origins of the swifties eating each other alive. Regrettably this is the year where we must start talking about Calvin Harris, AKA flop DJ and/or The Evil Man. There are award shows, announcements, music videos, and a whole new tour to digest and dissect. Join us for this first part and thank you for your patience! Keep up with us on IG @evolutionofasnake. 
1/26/20222 hours, 13 minutes, 6 seconds
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'Tis The Damn Season

Welcome back to another episode of The Evolution of a Snake. Due to production constraints (Zack being tired) we were unable to squeeze in 2015: Part 1 before the end of the year. But fear not, we're back with a special holiday treat. In this episode we revisit Sounds of the Season and rank our top 10 Taylor Swift songs with a fun little twist. Thanks for listening this year and we can't wait to keep it going for our fourth year (!!) in 2022. 
12/10/202155 minutes, 22 seconds
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Red (Taylor's Chaotic Version)

In this episode, Madeline and Zack dive into the re-release of Taylor's most confounding record: the bright, burning, Red. On the agenda today is a plethora of topics; there are some throwbacks to Easter eggs from the past, a review of Taylor's recent (and excellent) promotional appearances, and some reminiscing about the original release week with the context of what we know now about her emotional state in 2012. Things heat up when they discuss the copycat recordings (which, like Red, are completely all over the place) and excessive praise is lavished over the truly compelling and wonderfully intricate vault tracks. Madeline gives a blow by blow account of experience with her "white boy of the millennium" being cast in a Taylor Swift production. To top it off, they dissect the All Too Well: Short Film and psychoanalyse Jake x Taylor.  Catch up with us on Twitter @tswiftpodcast, and on Instagram @evolutionofasnake.  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesnakes donate here if you'd like to support this ad-free, long form podcast. 
11/16/20211 hour, 44 minutes, 48 seconds
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2014: Part 2

It's the most wonderful time of the year: album release season. Join us on an incredibly convoluted journey through many a revealing interview (Rolling Stone, WSJ, British Vogue) and Taylor Swift The Girlboss rises to the apex of her power. We begin at the 2014 VMA's, where Taylor begins an embarrassing trend of being completely unable to hit the Shake it Off high note. We move on to the ignition of a monumental beef with Miss Katy Perry, and discuss what the true motivations behind this smear campaign were. Taylor's general neuroses about privacy and safety are discussed at length. The Secret Sessions make their first appearance and shake the music industry for years to come. We go through the motions of building hype for 1989, reviewing her choice of pre-release tracks and eventually getting into the entire album. Spoiler alert: back to back bangers, it slaps, probably a bulletproof album in hindsight. We receive a groundbreaking music video and discuss the power of her pen in Blank Space. Of course, there is some Haylor tea. The year ends with the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and a fall down the stairs on NYE. If you're interested in supporting this podcast, visit  http://www.buymeacoffee.com/thesnakes                
7/14/20212 hours, 8 minutes, 36 seconds
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2014: Part 1

Well, we've finally made it to the legendary 1989 era. It's perhaps the juiciest, and most significant landmark in the life and times of Taylor Swift. In this episode, we discuss some major shifts in the Snake's personal life: moving to New York, cutting her hair short, and becoming friends with Karlie Kloss and Lena Dunham. Throughout the year, we see many sartorial shifts which renegotiate her public image. The famed crop tops, remember them? A new cat is purchased, there's a bug in her hair in the last leg of The Red Tour, and after months of clues and build-up the 1989 livestream on Yahoo finally takes place. Tune in to hear Madeline and Zack's analysis on what this all means, and how it potentially sets the Snake up for disaster in later years. 
5/26/20211 hour, 21 minutes, 50 seconds
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Fearless (Taylor's Unhinged Version)

Fearless (Taylor's Version) was a stroll down memory lane, so we're taking one with you in this episode. We revisit the highs and lows of the iconic, faux country extravaganza, and express our dismay towards the vault songs and *certain* re-recordings which were perhaps recorded in a toaster. As always, we extend our congratulations to The Snake on the maintenance of her status as The World's Most Insane Person. There is some chatter about the new merch (and Austin Swift's secret side gig) as well as some speculation on where we go from here. @tsfolklore and @hoaxlakes on twitter. 
4/16/202155 minutes, 37 seconds
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2013

After our surprise evermoreology drop, we've been inspired to keep chatting nonsense about our favorite reptilian. Take a journey with us through the tumultuous year of 2013, with its plethora of highs, lows, dramas, and bad looks serves. We begin the year with the iconic shot of Taylor sitting alone on a boat, post the mysterious (and evidently explosive) fall out from the Haylor Drama, which continues to plague us at the Grammy's and the VMA's. Some seeds are planted this year, or Easter Eggs if you will, that lead to the absolute carnage of 2014. We've got good and bad performances, a full run-down of the red tour including random fans on stage and rule discourse, and many perplexing outfits to dissect.  podcast twitter: @tswiftpodcast host twitters: @hoaxlakes & @tsfolklore
1/26/20211 hour, 58 minutes, 33 seconds
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evermoreology

Well, here's another unplanned episode spurred on by Taylor Swift's lockdown insanity. Zack and Madeline dive into evermore, drawing comparisons between its predecessor and the rest of the discography. Certain tracks are hotly debated, fawned over, or despised. The new transition to fictional narratives is one that proves fruitful for discussion, as clues are given to potential real life inspirations. Two recent swiftie dramas are discussed, and the fandom elders are displeased with recent events. Who is the ultimate grand supreme, folklore or evermore? Tune in to find out! 
1/1/20211 hour, 42 minutes, 48 seconds