To stay, tolerate it, or go? Today’s assignment was to bring in a Taylor Swift song that represents toxic relationships. Toxic relationships exist in real life, and therefore show up frequently in art and literature – and Taylor’s music is no exception. Jenn walks us through “Stay Stay Stay” and discusses how these lyrics can carry a very different meaning depending on the age and context of the speaker; Maansi brings in “tolerate it” which sparks some conversations on feminism; and Jodi takes us home with “it’s time to go,” and shines a light on different kinds of toxic relationships. It’s a loaded episode, but you won’t want to miss a second of it. So grab your favorite blanket and maybe a pint of ice cream, and come along with us as we discuss how Taylor Swift’s music brings toxic relationships to life.

Mentioned in this episode: 

“Stay Stay Stay,” RED (Taylor’s Version) 

“tolerate it,” evermore  

“it’s time to go,” evermore 

“All you had to do was stay,” 1989 

Psychology today’s definition of toxic relationship

Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

Mad Men Season 1, Episode 1

The Edible Woman, Margaret Atwood

Mrs. Dalloway, Virgnia Woolf

To the Lighthouse, Virginia Woolf

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

The Awakening, Kate Chopin

Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert

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Episode Highlights: 

[00:48] Introducing today’s theme, toxic relationships - what is a toxic relationship?

[03:20] “Stay stay stay” - Romantic in the moment, but maybe not so much in retrospect

[13:50] “tolerate it” - A caricature of a disbalanced marriage, especially from times past

[30:53] “it’s time to go” - Different kinds of toxic relationships, not just the romantic ones

[38:32] When we start to realize how all these songs are connected

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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.