SEASON ONE: EPISODE THIRTEEN
IS TAYLOR SWIFT A GOOD ROLE MODEL? Would you chose a Man or Bear? And a lot of other pop culture ridiculousness that makes us all say WAIT. HOLD UP … WHAT?
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Recently, Newsweek published an opinion piece by writer Jim Mac Ghlionn titled "Taylor Swift Is Not a Good Role Model". On any other day, we might have scrolled past it, but the title alone was enough to spark a media firestorm—pun intended. Curiosity piqued, we dove into the article, and let's just say, we had thoughts.
In the piece, Mac Ghlionn argues that Taylor Swift, as a 30-something single woman with no children and a fortune in the millions, sets a bad example for women. According to him, her lifestyle—centered around fame, fortune, and personal freedom—doesn’t align with traditional values or what he believes is a responsible or relatable path for others to follow.
Now, let’s pause for a moment. The idea of someone like Taylor Swift, who has built an empire on her own terms, being critiqued for being "too successful," "too independent," or "too single" seems not only outdated but baffling. In a world where women are constantly told to navigate society’s expectations of marriage, motherhood, and success, Taylor’s life seems like a refreshing break from the status quo. So, we couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly are we measuring role models by?
To unpack this, we brought in Amy McDonald, Director of Real Estate and Content Director based in Brooklyn, NY. Full disclosure: the conversation went all over the place (blame it on the frenzy of clickbait articles and the coffee we were drinking). But the core of our discussion? Taylor Swift’s unapologetic approach to her career, relationships, and identity might be the very definition of a modern role model.
Rather than telling young women to conform to outdated norms, Taylor’s journey says something far more powerful: You can define success on your own terms. You don’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold to be worthy or influential.
While we may not all be pop stars, Amy points out that Taylor’s brand of independence is a form of empowerment. In a world where women are often pigeonholed into societal expectations, Swift’s path offers a blueprint for carving out your own space, whether that’s through entrepreneurship, creativity, or simply embracing your authentic self.
So, is Taylor Swift a bad role model? We’ll let you be the judge. But if her example is anything to go by, it seems like she’s setting the stage for a new kind of role model—one that encourages women to take risks, break molds, and live life on their own terms. And we think that's worth celebrating.
Tune in to our latest episode where Amy and I break it all down, share some laughs, and maybe even question the whole concept of "role models" altogether. Trust us, it’s a fun ride.
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Guest: Amy McDonald | IG: @amymaccc
Host: Dawne Hanks | IG: @dawnehanks & @eliminate_girl_hate & @wait.holdup.what
Sound Editing & Mixing: Epiphany Recording Studio | IG: @epiphany_recording_studio