Blank Plate: A Podcast for Swifties with an Appetite

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 [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

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
Pink Champagne Cake 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 [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

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
Bee’s Knees Cocktail 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 [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

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
Candied Cheez-its Recipe
Pistachio and Ricotta Swirl Cake Recipe (Reddit recipe)
A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Feud In Court, Online & In The Media
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 [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza

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"
Guava Margarita 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 [email protected]
leave a voicemail at (717) 382-831
Patreon (get bonus episodes and first dibs on episode ideas)
YouTube
Instagram
TikTok
You can also follow Sara and Laura individually:
• Laura: Instagram and Tiktok
• Sara: Instagram
Listen to our previous podcast: Passports & Pizza