The Substack Lives of a Showgirl

Taylor Swift’s new album already has people talking. Here’s when to tune in.

As the world braces for the release of Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl this Friday, Substackers are sharpening their takes. Is she a digital mastermind? How does her wardrobe double as narrative arc? And how, exactly, does a billionaire still manage to seem relatable?

Your all-access itinerary is below. Subscribe to each publisher to get notified when the curtain goes up later this week.

Thursday, October 2

Taylor Swift’s Internet Takeover: Digital Marketing Genius or Generational Divide?

• Featuring Natalie Jarvey of Ankler Media’s Like & Subscribe from Natalie Jarvey and Ochuko Akpovbovbo of as seen on

• Thursday, 10/2, at 12pm ET

Get Ready to Showgirl with me

• Featuring Madeline Rubicam of The Lizard Review

• Thursday, 10/2, at 8pm ET

Friday, October 3

Taylor Swift on Screen: Power, Hype, and Elusive Oscar Glory

• Featuring Katey Rich and Christopher Rosen of The Ankler. and Hunter Harris of Hung Up

• Friday, 10/3, at 10am ET

Literary Techniques, Symbolism, and Motifs of TS12

• Featuring Jenn Holcomb, Maansi Dommeti, and Jodi Innerfield of AP Taylor Swift

• Friday, 10/3, at 11:30am ET

The Style of a Showgirl: How Taylor Swift Uses Fashion as an Era Narrative

• Featuring Sarah Chapelle of Liner Notes by Taylor Swift Style and Elizabeth Holmes of So Many Thoughts

• Friday, 10/3, at 1pm ET

Constant Swiftie

• Featuring Jack Edwards of Jack Edwards: Constant Reader

• Friday, 10/3, at 2pm ET

Deconstructing Taylor: Billionaire Relatability, Fashion History, and Masscult Analysis

• Featuring Emily Kirkpatrick of I <3 Mess and Jessica DeFino of FLESH WORLD by Jessica DeFino

• Friday, 10/3, at 3pm ET

Masters, Music, and More: A Taylor Swift Discussion

• Featuring Katie Phang of The Contrarian and Leah Litman of Displease The Court

• Friday, 10/3, at 3pm ET

What If Democracy Worked Like the Taylor Swift Fandom?

• Featuring Priya Parker of Group Life by Priya Parker and Liz Plank of Airplane Mode with Liz Plank

• Friday, 10/3, at 4pm ET

Drinks with Gossip(s): The Life of a Showgirl

• Featuring LaineyGossip of The Squawk and Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan of Drinks With Broads

• Friday, 10/3, at 6pm ET

First Reactions to The Life of a Showgirl Film

• Featuring Madeline Hill of Impersonal Foul and Charlotte Wilder of The Wilder Things

• Friday, 10/3, at 7:30pm ET

Find all these conversations and more, exclusively on Substack.

Thanks to Sarah Chapelle for suggesting the title of this post