Podcast
Blank Plate: A Podcast for Swifties with an Appetite
Join Sara and Laura as they do deep dives into the Tay-lore of individual Taylor Swift songs, react to new releases, discuss Taylor in the news, and overall just chat about all things regarding our Pop Queen Lord and Savior, Taylor Alison Swift. Each episode also touches on food in some way - It could be a recipe pairing for a song, deciding what kind of pizza each album would be, or trying to figure out why Taylor gets that Milk Bar cake for her birthday each year, so be sure to bring your appetite!
- Music Commentary chart
- #104
- Episodes
- 69
- Releases
- Every two weeks
- Typical length
- 1 hr 25 min
- On air since
- 2024
- Latest episode
- 1 week ago
Episodes
69 episodes, newest first
-
1 hr 17 min
Cleveland!
Season 5, Episode 6
Show notes
Taylor Swift took us to Cleveland and we like what we like! Today we’re covering what must be one of Taylor’s most divisive songs to date, but what we can say … we think it’s a bop! We have a good dash of sass for the haters in this episode because even though “Cleveland!” is not necessarily our favorite song in her discography, we still have a lot of love for it. The comparisons to “Me!” are important, Travis taking her to Cleveland is more significant than it initially sounds, and overall she’s just being fun and silly with this one. In personal updates, Laura is experiencing a crazy chapter of life at the moment so we get into that, and Sara shares about being interviewed for the Swiftie Over 50 podcast.
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(2:36) what’s on our plates
(13:26) Taylor updates
(19:05) introducing the song
(21:26) personal associations
(24:24) folk’lore’ of the song
(36:01) verse 1: classic criticisms of Taylor
(44:32) pre-chorus 1: not the best dancer
(45:49) chorus 1: he took her to Cleveland
(51:04) verse 2: so it’s gonna be forever …
(55:13) pre-chorus 2: “but your lovers stay my age”
(58:20) post-chorus 2: Me! vs. Cleveland!
(1:00:30) bridge: she’s being silly
(1:04:53) chorus 3: she’s wearing white
(1:05:52) music theory analysis
(1:11:28) favorite lyrics and ratings
(1:13:37) this song as a recipe
(1:15:59) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Sara’s episode on Swiftie Over 50 (YouTube)
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Hold Hands Following Dinner Date Night in N.Y.C.
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 33 min
Patient Zero
Season 5, Episode 5
Show notes
We’ve had to put the rest of TTPD on hold yet again because of Showgirl … so today we’re diving into the first track of the Encore: Patient Zero. We discuss all the little ways Taylor has callbacks to previous songs and relationships (since she has quite a bit of experience with narcissists), Laura explains her personal connection to this song, and we break down the music video. At the beginning of the episode we also get into some of the negative discourse surrounding these new tracks.
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(0:58) what’s on our plates
(6:55) thoughts on the Encore criticism
(11:48) Taylor updates
(15:22) introducing the song
(18:51) personal associations
(22:37) folk’lore’ of the song
(25:58) chorus 1: devils and poison
(30:01) verse 1: give me a call
(32:16) pre-chorus and chorus 2: it’s so wholesome
(34:23) verse 2: love bombing
(38:42) pre-chorus 2: the fallout of love bombing
(40:27) chorus 3: she was patient
(41:40) bridge: just two gals yappin’
(53:51) outro: reeling, healing, curses, prayers, fevers, dreaming and pathetic ghosts
(1:04:20) music theory analysis
(1:07:07) music video analysis
(1:27:42) favorite lyrics and ratings
(1:30:11) this song as a recipe
(1:32:17) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Hannah’s tweet about the outro lyrics
Brigid Kaelin’s TikTok about the music theory of Patient Zero
The Kitchn ranks 6 icebox cake recipes
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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58 min
Reacting to the "Encore" Tracks from The Life of a Showgirl
Season 5, Episode 4
Show notes
Join us as we live react to the four brand new tracks for The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. If you want the full experience and to see our facial expressions, you’ll want to check out this episode on YouTube. But since it is roughly 75% discussion, we decided to also release it on our podcast feed as an audio-only reaction. Time will tell where these tracks land for us in the greater landscape of the Taylor Swift discography, but we certainly had a blast listening to them for the first time. Enjoy!
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(1:37) Patient Zero (theories)
(4:42) Patient Zero (listening)
(8:15) Patient Zero (discussion)
(14:41) Cleveland! (theories)
(15:58) Cleveland! (listening)
(18:58) Cleveland! (discussion)
(25:06) Pink Clouding (theories)
(27:20) Pink Clouding (listening)
(30:28) Pink Clouding (discussion)
(35:44) speculation about more tracks
(39:54) Babylon (theories)
(42:02) Babylon (listening)
(45:43) Babylon (discussion)
(54:22) sister songs
(55:39) personal rankings and final thoughts
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 16 min
My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys
Season 5, Episode 3
Show notes
**Correction about the SNL theory: there IS a musical guest already scheduled for Dakota Johnson’s appearance on SNL on Oct 3, so …. take that theory we mentioned with a huge grain of salt.
Today we’re covering My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys, one of the only true bangers from TTPD. Did Taylor have Toy Story on the brain while she was writing this one? Maybe … In personal updates we recap our annual Feast of St. Pizza and discuss some new music we’ve been listening to, and then in Taylor Updates we chat about her Emmys sketch and all of the Easter eggs she left for us. Then at the end we get a bonus recommendation from Sara for boxed mac and cheese. Enjoy!
Note for those viewing on YouTube: Sara’s video cuts out a few times due to technical difficulties, but there is no effect on the audio.
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(0:44) what’s on our plates
(15:19) Taylor updates
(26:46) introducing the song
(29:01) personal associations
(30:43) folk’lore’ of the song
(35:36) verse 1: rain + rivulets
(44:46) chorus 1: queen of sand castles
(51:36) verse 2: pull my string
(55:55) chorus 2: smashing up forever
(58:30) bridge and outro: once I fix me, he’s gonna miss me
(1:07:11) music theory analysis
(1:08:53) favorite lyrics and ratings
(1:10:27) this song as a recipe
(1:14:24) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Sara Bareilles performs “Forever” Live at SiriusXM
Emmys Producers Dish On Taylor Swift ‘SVU’ Sketch
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 27 min
Fortnight
Season 5, Episode 2
Show notes
We’re back in TTPD Land! While this is admittedly not one of our favorite tracks from the album, we still had a great time breaking down the fever dream that is this song, as well as the world Taylor has created for it. During the “Taylor Updates” section we get into the recent Grammys Museum interview and performance she did, and in our “What’s On Our Plates” section we go on a tangent about hormones and walkability. We hope you enjoy!
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(1:34) what’s on our plates
(17:55) Taylor updates
(29:54) introducing the song
(33:09) personal associations
(38:37) folk’lore’ of the song
(44:46) verse 1: they forgot to come and get me and what is “quite treason?”
(52:40) chorus 1: turned into good neighbors
(59:26) verse 2: the miracle move-on drug
(1:05:48) chorus 2: “come and tug my sweater”
(1:11:57) bridge + outro: take me to Flo-ri-da
(1:19:43) musical theory analysis
(1:21:52) favorite lyrics and ratings
(1:24:07) this song as a recipe
(1:26:15) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Sylvia Plath Connections to “Fortnight”
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 33 min
I Knew It, I Knew You (and catching up!)
Season 5, Episode 1
Show notes
Content warning: This episode touches on pregnancy, postpartum, infertility and pregnancy loss, mainly during the personal updates section between timestamps (0:55) and (38:15). If that is not something you’re in a place to hear about right now, please take care of yourself and skip this episode. We’ll see you in the next one (and send you virtual hugs).
WELCOME BACK, LAURA!! Laura’s back from maternity leave!! We have a lot of catching up to do so this episode is heavy on the personal updates, and the personal updates are also heavy. We also chat a little bit about recent new music and our go-to summer meals. Once all that is out of the way we get to dive into this joyful little number that Taylor wrote for Toy Story 5. We had a lot of fun dissecting this song and remarking on how well Taylor writes about the innocence of childhood. As usual, expect plenty of tears mixed with some laughter and an overall great time. It feels good to be back. Enjoy!
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(0:55) personal updates
(38:15) thoughts on new music lately
(47:14) our go-to summer meals
(48:52) quick Taylor updates
(50:55) introducing the song
(53:16) personal associations
(1:00:31) folk’lore’ of the song
(1:06:36) verse 1: the innocence of childhood
(1:15:07) chorus 1: a cozy kind of coming home
(1:18:44) verse 2: familiarity and bringing things back to life
(1:21:43) bridge: rivulets!
(1:23:29) chorus 3 and outro
(1:24:22) musical theory notes
(1:28:24) favorite lyrics and ratings
(1:30:10) this song as a recipe
(1:32:09) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Instagram post with Taylor’s video about writing the song
TikTok video by Brigid Kaelin about the chord progression
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 6 min
Swiftie Sessions with our friend Brittany
Season 4, Episode 7
Show notes
For this final installment of the Swiftie Sessions before Laura returns to the pod, Sara talks to her friend Brittany. They get into all of the good Swiftie stuff, including some chit chat about Taylor’s wedding! There’s also talk of Taylor’s collabs and features, her fashion sense, and one of Brittany’s favorite lyrics from “New Romantics.” We hope you enjoy!
Chapters
(00:00) intro
(4:13) Brittany’s Swiftie origin story
(6:50) wedding chit chat
(12:10) sun, moon and rising albums
(14:46) favorite album
(16:10) least favorite album
(17:23) top 5 songs
(20:35) songs Brittany hates
(23:30) Taylor songs that feel personal
(26:25) Showgirl thoughts
(32:09) Swiftie “hot takes”
(40:58) adding to the Eras Tour set list
(45:28) 10 minute versions
(47:47) zooming in on “New Romantics”
(53:24) hopes for TS13
(55:57) artist recommendation
(1:04:33) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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55 min
Swiftie Sessions with The Taylor Seminars
Season 4, Episode 6
Show notes
In this edition of “Swiftie Sessions,” Sara chats with fellow podcasters Hannah and Exquisite from “The Taylor Seminars.” They discuss their personal journeys to becoming Swifties, how they started their own podcast, favorite albums and songs, thoughts on Showgirl as an album, missing songs from the Eras Tour set list, hopes for TS13 and more. We hope you enjoy, and make sure to check out The Taylor Seminars podcast! (All of their info is linked below.)
Chapters
(00:00) intro / getting to know Hannah and Exquisite
(4:05) Swiftie origin stories
(11:52) favorite album
(14:13) least favorite album
(19:27) top 5 songs
(24:57) songs we hate
(28:06) Taylor songs that feel uniquely personal
(30:13) honest thoughts on Showgirl
(33:29) underrated songs
(39:34) adding to the Eras Tour setlist
(42:35) 10-min versions
(44:57) hopes for TS13
(48:36) other artist recommendations
(52:31) where to find The Taylor Seminars online
(54:06) outro and signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
The Taylor Seminars on Twitter (X)
The Taylor Seminars on Instagram
The Taylor Seminars on YouTube
The Taylor Seminars on Spotify
The Taylor Seminars on Apple Podcasts
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 25 min
Swiftie Sessions with our friend Katie
Season 4, Episode 5
Show notes
For another installment of “Swiftie Sessions,” we have Sara’s friend Katie joining us today. We discuss how Katie met Taylor (!!!) during the 1989 era, how basically everyone has a Matty Healy, and her honest thoughts on Showgirl. We also go down a rabbit hole about the song “ivy,” speculate on what Taylor actually meant by the “paternity test” comment during her NYT interview, go on some tangents about Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, and we even touch a bit on the craziness of the Karlie Kloss conspiracy. Enjoy!
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(1:28) Katie’s Swiftie origin story / meeting Taylor Swift
(19:37) sun, moon and rising albums
(21:57) favorite / least favorite albums
(22:28) top 5 songs
(23:57) hated songs
(25:27) a Taylor song that feels uniquely personal to you
(27:51) honest thoughts on Showgirl
(35:41) Swiftie “hot takes”
(46:24) defending “Jump Then Fall”
(49:29) adding “ivy” to the Eras Tour set list
(55:36) What song do you want a 10-minute version of?
(56:24) hopes for TS13
(58:17) the “paternity test” comment from the NYT interview
(1:05:02) the Karlie Kloss conspiracy
(1:13:57) chit-chatting about Noah Kahan, Heated Rivalry and Off Campus
(1:21:34) signing off / thank you Katie!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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2 hr 17 min
Unpacking "The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs" (with Stef)
Season 4, Episode 4
Show notes
Calling all Swifties who are also Noah Kahan fans, or who are Noah-curious! Today Sara is joined by her friend Stef (again) to dive into Noah’s newest album, “The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs” while Laura is still on maternity leave. They reacted to the whole album for YouTube (linked below), and loved it so much they knew they had to come on here and break it down. Laura even shares her two cents in a few places via some voice memos, which is really fun. They begin by talking about how Noah’s songwriting is similar to Taylor’s before diving more deeply into the album with specific tracks, and then ending with favorite songs, lyrics and ratings, etc.
A couple notes: we goofed and didn’t realize that evermore was INDEED nominated for Album of the Year in 2022. Our bad! Also, we forgot to play Laura’s voice memo about her top 3 songs from the album, so her 3 favorites are: End of August, Orbiter and Willing and Able.
We hope you enjoy this one, and please let us know if you’d like us to do more of this kind of episode in the future.
Chapters
(00:00) Intro
(1:35) Taylor Updates
(11:37) Our backgrounds with Noah
(18:18) Noah’s similarities to Taylor
(34:22) Introducing “The Great Divide” - overall thoughts and themes
(50:46) End of August
(56:51) Doors
(1:03:56) American Cars
(1:09:21) Downfall
(1:14:23) Paid Time Off
(1:17:43) Staying Still
(1:20:23) Haircut
(1:22:56) Willing and Able
(1:27:14) Dashboard
(1:28:30) 23
(1:32:01) All Them Horses + A Few Of Your Own
(1:33:58) Orbiter
(1:39:21) Dan
(1:45:20) Top 3 Favorite Songs
(1:46:54) Skips
(1:51:07) Best Bridge
(1:59:58) Song for Taylor to be featured on
(2:07:18) Favorite Lyrics
(2:10:33) Rating the album
(2:16:05) Signing off / outro
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
NYT - 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
Chats and Reacts girls react to “Stick Season”
Sara and Stef react to “The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs”
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 10 min
Swiftie Sessions with our friend Kelley
Season 4, Episode 3
Show notes
Welcome to the second installment of our Swiftie Sessions series, with our friend Kelley! We chat about her sun, moon and rising albums, her love for the Lover album, her beef with the song “Timeless,” plus a lot of chatter about Showgirl and the Eras Tour. Of course we get into her Swiftie origin story as well, and she even recommends a Taylor Swift playlist for getting your child to sleep. Enjoy!
Chapters
(0:00) intro
(4:40) Kelley’s Swiftie origin story
(8:24) sun, moon and rising albums
(17:04) honest thoughts on Showgirl
(22:03) favorite album
(35:27) favorite songs
(40:50) Kelley’s beef with “Timeless”
(46:31) songs that hit a personal note
(51:14) Swiftie hot takes
(52:32) underrated songs
(55:12) adding to the Eras Tour set list
(59:10) 10-minute versions
(1:00:43) hopes for TS13
(1:03:36) other artists to enjoy
(1:09:11) goodbye + signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
“The Taylor Swift Method” sleep playlist
“taylor swift instrumental for studying” playlist
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 11 min
Swiftie Sessions with our friend Stef
Season 4, Episode 2
Show notes
Welcome to the first installment of our new series titled “Swiftie Sessions,” where we chat with other Swifties to hear about what brought them to the fandom and what Swift-related things resonate with them most. First up is Sara’s friend Stef, who is a newer Swiftie. They chat about Stef’s Swiftie origin story, her favorite songs and albums, the importance of YOYOK, honest thoughts on The Life of a Showgirl, misconceptions about Taylor, some of Stef’s favorite lyrics from “peace,” hopes for TS13 and some other fun stuff. We hope you enjoy these conversations as we fill in some time while Laura’s on maternity leave from the podcast.
Chapters
(0:00) Intro and welcome
(6:11) Stef’s Swiftie origin story
(23:36) Stef’s favorite album and songs, etc.
(27:55) The song uniquely personal to Stef
(31:04) Honest thoughts about Showgirl
(36:12) Misconceptions about Taylor
(45:03) An underrated Taylor song to defend
(48:47) Adding to the Eras Tour setlist
(49:38) Stef’s “10-minute version” request
(50:38) Zooming in on “peace”
(59:56) Hopes for TS13
(1:05:14) An artist recommendation
(1:09:39) Signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
“Wildest Dreams” at the Grammy Museum
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 22 min
champagne problems (From The Patreon Vault)
Season 4, Episode 1
Show notes
For the first episode of Laura’s maternity leave we are “unlocking” the “champagne problems” episode from our Patreon Vault. If you’d like more content like this from Taylor’s back catalogue, we’d love to have you join us over on Patreon for a monthly bonus episode. If you’d like to give Laura some love, you can leave her a sweet comment on her Instagram post announcing the birth of her son, Theo. We hope you enjoy!
Summary
We have an evermore track for you today, and it’s a doozy: champagne problems!! A fan favorite. We get deep into the lore of this song, chatting about Taylor singing this with Aaron Dessner while wearing a wedding dress, and go on a tangent about Gilmore Girls since some fans believe this song is inspired by Rory and Logan’s story. There are tie-ins to I Look in People’s Windows, Sara learns what “splashed out” means, we plan out what the music video should look and feel like, and just generally appreciate the incredible emotional storytelling and world-building of this song. Enjoy!
Chapters
(0:00) intro by Sara
(2:58) beginning of Patreon episode
(4:58) introducing song
(8:49) personal associations
(15:07) folk’lore’ of the song
(31:59) verse 1: the night train, ILIPW tie-ins
(36:11) chorus 1: dancing metaphors, crestfallen on the landing and familial ties
(45:03) verse 2: “splashing out” on the bottle
(49:45) chorus 2: hometown skeptics and forgotten speeches
(54:47) bridge: poetry, the group of friends, which word?! and she’s f*cked in the head
(1:10:25) chorus 3 and outro: all the champagne problems
(1:13:32) music theory analysis
(1:16:06) favorite lyrics and ratings
(1:17:32) this song as a recipe
(1:20:14) signing off
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Taylor's video of her singing champagne problems in a wedding dress
Death in the Afternoon cocktail
Elderflower 75 cocktail
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 35 min
The Life Of A Showgirl
Season 3, Episode 30
Show notes
Update since recording: Laura had her son on March 20, 2026. She and the baby are both doing well! More details to come when Laura returns to the podcast after her maternity leave.
Can you believe that Sara and Laura have reached the final track of the album?! It seems like just yesterday Taylor released The Life Of A Showgirl, and today the ladies are analyzing its final title track. Sabrina and Taylor take us on a fictional ride through the glamorous and brutal world of show business, and we are here for the musical theater vibes. Be sure to tune in to hear about their plans for the pod while Laura is on maternity leave!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:22) Maternity Leave and Podcast Plans
(01:41) What's On Our Plates
(15:00) Taylor Updates
(21:58) Introducing "The Life Of A Showgirl"
(25:34) Personal Associations with the Song
(29:42) The Folk"lore" Of The Song
(40:15) Verse 1: Introducing Our Main Character, Classic Female Star, Nods To Fame's Cycle Of Tearing Women Down
(46:43) Pre-Chorus 1: Theater Connections, Warnings
(53:18) Chorus 1: The Price Of Fame & Industry Realities, Imagining Young Taylor
(59:11) Verse 2 & Pre-Chorus 2: Sabrina's Story, Escapism
(01:05:10) Bridge: Musical Theater Ties/ Greatest Showman Vibes, More Poetry Ties, The Bruises and Lessons Learned From Stardom
(01:13:09) Chorus 3: Cheeky Attitudes, Glitz and Glamour, Additions From The Eras Tour
(01:20:13) Music Theory Analysis: Musical Theater Associations
(01:21:38) Favorite Lyrics & Ratings
(01:23:18) This Song As A Recipe
(01:24:42) Album Ranking Comparisons
(01:30:56) Signing Off!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
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leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
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1 hr 7 min
Honey
Season 3, Episode 29
Show notes
Sara and Laura are obsessed with today’s sweetie pie song, “Honey,” from The Life Of A Showgirl. After sharing some maternity leave updates for the podcast (and Sara’s new obsession with Wuthering Heights!), the gals get into a short, sweet, and straightforward analysis of the song. Could this be the most Lover-coded song in Taylor’s recent discography? This uncomplicated, confident track has the girls giggling and kicking their feet… especially knowing that Taylor’s renewed sense of understanding love is so clear!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(04:02) What's On Our Plates
(15:24) Taylor Updates
(18:57) Analysis of 'Honey' from Life of a Showgirl
(22:18) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(23:42) Folk"lore" of the Song
(29:15) Intro: Right To The Point, Interesting Structure Of the Song
(31:09) Chorus 1: Using Kind Words For Unkind Reasons, Snarls, Bathroom Trauma
(36:19) Post-Chorus 1: "Blues" Given New Meaning
(39:50) Verse 1: Seasonal Dreaminess, Early Stages of A Relationship, A Question...? Reference
(46:13) Verse 2: Naughty References, Wanting To See Him Everywhere, Public Relationship
(49:34) Bridge: A Callback To Past Exes, "Lovely" As Passive Aggressive
(53:45) Chorus 3: Fun Backing Vocals
(54:47) Music Theory Analysis: Odd Structure Of The Song Symbolizes Confidence, Fun Instrumentation
(57:58) Favorite Lyrics & Ratings
(01:03:11) This Song As A Recipe
(01:05:37) Signing Off!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 51 min
CANCELLED!
Season 3, Episode 28
Show notes
Buckle in, Swifties! Today, we’re going deep into the lore surrounding Taylor’s most Reputation-esque track on The Life Of A Showgirl… CANCELLED! That means Laura and Sara have prepped a whole segment unpacking the drama surrounding Blake Lively, and how Taylor keeps her female friendships close, even through public scrutiny and dogpiling. This one is a BIG one… enjoy!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:44) What's On Our Plates
(12:45) Taylor Updates: A Rundown of Blake & Taylor's Text Messages and Legal Complications With "It Ends With Us"
(45:05) Introducing "CANCELLED!"
(49:27) Personal Associations With The Song
(53:02) Folk"lore" of The Song
(01:03:06) Verse 1: Descending Into Taylor's "Underworld," Cancel Culture Waiting To Take A Woman Down
(01:06:49) Pre-Chorus 1: Sarcastic Commentary On Reasons Cancellations Happen & MacBeth References
(01:10:23) Chorus 1: Tongue and Cheek Love For Friendship Embroiled In Scandal, Thorny Flowers Lore, Scar References In Past Music
(01:18:21) Verse 2: Real Friends Stick Around, Mob Mentality
(01:20:42) Pre-Chorus 2: Musical Theater-Esque Vibes, Tiny Violin Reference From Texts
(01:29:50) Bridge: Horror Movie Instrumentation, Friendship Goes Beyond Public Perception
(01:36:02) Chorus 3 & Outro: Infamy Loves Company, Max Martin Adlibs
(01:40:51) Music Theory Analysis: Creepy Builds, Broadway and Rock Elements, Musical Mode
(01:43:00) Favorite Lyrics & Rating
(01:44:27) This Song As A Recipe
(01:46:24) Signing Off!
(01:48:49) Patreon Preview
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Pistachio and Ricotta Swirl Cake Recipe (Reddit recipe)
I Read Taylor Swift’s Texts with Blake Lively — And You Can Too
Taylor Swift Wants to 'Stay Away from the Drama' After Her Texts with Blake Lively Are Unsealed
Jenny Slate's "Damning" Comments About Justin Baldoni Have Been Revealed
Sagittarius Whisky Sour Recipe
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
-
1 hr 7 min
Wood
Season 3, Episode 27
Show notes
Taylor says that this song started from an “innocent place” - but BOY it certainly didn’t end there! In today’s episode, Sara and Laura are unpacking Taylor’s raunchiest song (ever?)… “Wood!” With lots of ties to Taylor's past concerns of ill-fated romance, this song puts a positive, DIY-spin on luck, and how the right person can change your destiny. Plus! The ladies delve into the “Opalite” music video and its many Easter Eggs. Enjoy this one!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(02:47) What's On Our Plates
(08:01) Taylor Updates: Songwriters Hall Of Fame, Opalite Music Video
(26:53) Unpacking "Wood"
(29:28) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(30:47) Folk"lore" Of The Song
(34:03) Humor and Innocence in Taylor's Songwriting
(36:11) Verse 1: Superstitious Metaphors, Callbacks to Previous Relationships
(43:11) Pre-Chorus 1: Previous Paranoia Disappears With The Right Person, Other Forms of Superstitions Taylor Tried To Overcome
(46:29) Chorus 1: Making Your Own Luck, Love & Security, Opalite Similarities
(50:53) Verse 2: Marriage Is On The Table, Confidence
(52:25) Pre-Chorus 2: Taylor's Previous Belief In Being Cursed, New Heights Shoutout
(56:08) Chorus 2 & 3
(57:15) Music Theory Analysis
(01:00:23) Favorite Lyrics & Ratings
(01:02:24) This Song As A Recipe
(01:04:52) Signing Off!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Taylor Swift Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame at Age 36 — Is That a Record?
Taylor Swift makes history as Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee
People Think Taylor Swift Referenced an Ariana Grande Fan Tweet in Her Raunchy "Wood" Lyrics
Taylor Swift Says Her Travis Kelce Ode "Wood" Lyrics Started from an "Innocent Place"
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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1 hr 40 min
Wi$h Li$t
Season 3, Episode 26
Show notes
It’s time to analyze one of Taylor’s sweetest and most direct songs from The Life Of A Showgirl… “Wi$h Li$t!” Before getting into the song's folklore, Sara and Laura share personal updates, as well as some Taylor news (note: this episode was recorded before texts between Blake Lively & Taylor were unsealed), plus the gals unpack the vile and coordinated “trad wife allegations” that stem from this song. Taylor’s lyrics about desire for love, normalcy, and motherhood have the ladies kicking their feet! Never has Taylor been so upfront about how she feels, what she desires, where she sees her life going next… and that refreshing stance is what makes Sara and Laura really love this song. Enjoy!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Personal Updates
(00:29) What's on Our Plates
(34:30) New Year's Resolutions and Personal Goals
(37:58) Taylor Updates: RECORDED BEFORE NEWS OF IT ENDS WITH US TEXTS
(41:35) Introducing Wi$h Li$t
(47:50) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(51:16) Folk"lore" Of The Song
(01:03:12) Verse 1: Other People's Desires, Accolades, Fame, Agelessness
(01:06:54) Chorus 1: Well Wishes, Taylor's Own Desires, Suburban Normalcy
(01:15:44) Verse 2: Brands of People & Their Wishes, Internet Embarassment
(01:19:33) Bridge: Desperate Wishes, Allusions To Taylor's Past Two Exes, Our One Sided TikTok Beef
(01:29:50) Chorus 3 & Outro: Reputation Style Ad Libs
(01:30:52) Music Theory Analysis: R&B Influences, Pop Hooks, Verse 2's Chord Progression
(01:33:44) Favorite Lyrics and Ratings
(01:35:45) This Song As A Recipe
(01:38:24) Signing Off!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Sara’s One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
Taylor Swift Treats Haim Sisters, Sombr to Homemade Sourdough Bread With Punny Labels
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
-
1 hr 19 min
Actually Romantic
Season 3, Episode 25
Show notes
It’s honestly lovelyyyy… that you’re tuning in for another episode of Blank Plate! In today’s episode, Laura and Sara kick off the new year with life updates, holiday chaos and a truly iconic New Year’s Eve wedding story before diving deep into one of Taylor Swift’s messiest and most fascinating tracks, “Actually Romantic” from Life of a Showgirl. The ladies unpack the song’s fountain-pen pettiness, rumored muse lore (yes, we’re talking about Charli XCX), and how admiration, insecurity, and obsession blur into something unexpectedly romantic.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:47) What's On Our Plates
(08:14) Taylor Updates: Este Haim's Wedding, Eras Tour Documentary Reflections, Unanswered Questions
(31:13) Unpacking "Actually Romantic"
(33:05) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(35:22) Folk"lore" Of The Song
(49:08) Verse 1: "Boring" As A Trigger, Eras Tour vs. Brat Tour Aesthetics, Exes Ghosting
(55:31) Chorus 1: Effort And One Side Obsession As Romantic, Implications Of A Platonic, Female Muse
(57:24) Verse 2: "I Forgot That You Existed" Parallels, Valentines Clues, Close "Circles" In The Music Industry
(01:05:18) The Bridge: Naughty Taylor!
(01:07:36) Chorus 3 & Outro: "Lovely" As Passive Aggressive
(01:10:10) Music Theory Analysis: Interpolations of Weezer, Wheatus, The Pixies
(01:13:00) Ratings and Favorite Lyrics
(01:13:59) This Song As A Recipe
(01:15:10) Signing Off!
(01:16:40) Patreon Preview: champagne problems
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
Rolling Stone: Was “Actually Romantic” Really Necessary?
Vogue: Kim Kardashian Just Sent a Valentine's Day Gift to Taylor Swift
Salt and Vinegar Potatoes Recipe
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
-
1 hr 55 min
Ruin The Friendship & The End Of An Era Documentary Recap
Season 3, Episode 24
Show notes
Taylor knows exactly how to devastate her fans with her lyrical storytelling, and “Ruin The Friendship” is the perfect example of that! After about an hour of Sara and Laura recapping their favorite moments and takeaways from The End Of An Era Documentary (Episodes 1-4), the ladies dig into the lore of the song. Taylor’s high school experiences and the early 2000’s high school moments bring Sara and Laura right back to their own teenage-dom. Were you equally as wrecked when you reached the last chorus of the song?! It’s hard to imagine that the ladies are halfway through The Life Of A Showgirl’s track list!
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(02:38) What's On Our Plates
(16:19) End Of An Era Documentary Recap (Episodes 1-4)
(48:26) Other Taylor Updates
(53:06) Song Analysis: Ruin the Friendship
(58:54) Our Personal Associations With The Song
(01:03:56) Folk"lore" of the Song
(01:12:29) Verse 1: Specific Landmarks, Beginning Of The School Year, Flashback To Fearless/Debut Taylor
(01:19:49) Chorus 1: Boundaries, Chemistry
(01:22:34) Verse 2: Prom, Noticed Interest
(01:29:56) Chorus 2: 50 Cent's 2000's Bangers, Regret In Inaction
(01:34:07) Bridge: Playing Safe, Question...? Tie Ins
(01:39:00) Verse 3: The Moment All Of Our Hearts Dropped
(01:42:03) Chorus 3: Inconvenience Gets A New Meaning, Sound Advice, Lessons Learned
(01:47:22) Music Theory Analysis
(01:49:27) Favorite Lyrics & Rating
(01:51:00) This Song As A Recipe
(01:53:57) Signing Off!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON! Show us some love and get monthly bonus episodes and first dibs on upcoming episode ideas. We’d be enchanted to have you join our Swiftie community!
Links Referenced
UrbanDazeApparel Taylor Swift Favorite Song Sweatshirt
50 Cent Interview With Extra TV
Salted Dark Chocolate Brownies
Please make sure to subscribe and leave a review. If you’d like to reach out to send in a question or comment, please do so via any of these platforms:
email blankplatepod@gmail.com
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
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