Evolution of a Snake: The Taylor Swift Fan Podcast

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices