She rose to stardom as a teenager and has stayed at the top for almost twenty years. In this episode, I dive into the career trajectory of Taylor Swift and explore what her journey has to say about growing up as so many of us have watched her do so in the public eye. I also discuss why she appeals so much to teenage girls, and what's the potential dark side to such popularity.

You can sign up for my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling

Some things I read:
https://www.theswiftmuseum.com/life-and-career

https://www.theteenmagazine.com/the-invalidation-of-the-interests-of-teenage-girls-and-young-women

An incredibly special episode! I talk to the talented, intelligent and passionate Tom Christophersen about one of our seminal childhood films, the 1986 Jim Henson classic 'Labyrinth.' We really get INTO IT in this episode. We talk about the incredible technical achievements in this movie, the magic of puppetry and practical events, and the underrated genius that is Jim Henson. Beyond that, we talk about this film as a queer allegory, an extraordinary coming of age story, and an exploration of smashing the patriarchy. Topics of discussion also include the morbidity of kids movies from the 80s, David Bowie's clearly visible penis, and the alternative universe where this movie stars Sting and Jane Krakowski.

You can find Tom's work at their website here, and also find them on social media at @_tompoly.

You can watch The Making of the Labyrinth on YouTube here.

My Patreon bonus episode this month is further discussion with Tom, where we get into our shared childhood memories, the importance of creative arts expression for children, and what their big influences were as a young person on who they are now.

You can sign up for my Patreon here.

In which I dig into the newest element of the Santa Claus story, and how a picture book and toy written by a mother/daughter team has become a global phenomenon. I discuss the history and origins of Elf on the Shelf, and explore some of the critcisms of it. Spoiler alert: this thing makes people MAD.

If you want to support the podcast and get monthly bonus episodes, you can subscribe to my Patreon here:
https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling

References and further reading:
Medium: Where Did This “Elf on the Shelf” Come From?

HuffPost: The Strange And Sweet History Of The Elf On The Shelf

TODAY: What's the Elf on the Shelf story?

The Telegraph: The real story behind Elf on the Shelf

Woman's Day: What Is The Elf on the Shelf and How Does It Work?

The Atlantic: You're a Creepy One, Elf on the Shelf

Vox: The Elf on the Shelf is the greatest fraud ever pulled on children

The Washington Post: The Elf on the Shelf: It must be stopped!

The New York Times: Beware the Elf on the Shelf, Privacy Watchdogs Warn

The Guardian: Elf on the Shelf is a fun and festive way to teach your child to submit to the surveillance state

HerFamily: Elf on the Shelf is actually pretty bad for your kids, according to an expert

PsychologyToday: Will the Elf on the Shelf Improve Your Child's Behavior?

The Sydney Morning Herald: Why the Elf on the Shelf is banned from my home

In 1999, one of the most authentic portrayals of adolescence to ever be depicted on television went to air. It was praised by critics for its realism and unique blend of comedy and drama. Its creators and stars would go on to become some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yet at the time, no one watched it, and it was cancelled without all of its episodes going to air.
Join me for a deep dive into the world of Freaks and Geeks, created by Paul Feig, produced by Judd Apatow, and starring Jason Segel, Seth Rogen and Linda Cardellini.

Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling

Further Reading:
The Washington Post: How ‘Freaks and Geeks’ went from misfit dramedy to cult classic
Vanity Fair: An Oral History of Freaks and Geeks
The A.V. Club: Paul Feig walks us through Freaks And Geeks

And we're back! At the moment just with a little mini episode, but full-length deep dives into all things growing up return next month! In the meantime, enjoy this little chat about the origins of Halloween in honour of this spooky season.

You can also support me on Patreon if you like: https://patreon.com/WildeandDarling

Podcasts:
You're Wrong About: Urban Legends
American Hysteria: Poisoned Halloween Candy

Things I Read:
Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton
World History Encyclopaedia: The History of Halloween
The Library of Congress: The Origins of Halloween Traditions
History.com: Halloween 2023

The story of Peter Pan has been around for over a hundred years, and is well known as one of the most beloved children's tales of our culture. But how did author James Barrie's greatest tragedies inspire him to write it? What does it really have to say about getting older? And why is Peter not the character we should be focusing on? The answers to these questions and more are all discussed in this episode about the boy who would not grow up...and the girl who would.

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLbpFRpa9TVPCFFoHTOW9XA

References:
Debunking the Myths about Boys and Emotions: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/debunking_myths_boys_emotions

How the fantasy of Peter Pan turned sinister:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/7/27/16021572/peter-pan-became-evil-jm-barrie-llewelyn-davies

Why J.M. Barrie Created Peter Pan: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/11/22/lost-boys

In this episode, I interview Sylvia Morris, a freelance children's illustrator from Adelaide, currently working in Melbourne. You can find her work in the NSW Dept of Education School Magazine, and on the covers of the middle grade books The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor, and The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg - both published by Melbourne publisher Affirm Press.

Sylvia's portfolio: https://sylviamorris.com.au/
Instagram: @sylvia_morris
Tumblr: https://sylvia-morris.tumblr.com/
Harry Potter project: https://sylviamorris-illustrates-hp3.tumblr.com/
The School Magazine: https://theschoolmagazine.com.au/
The Grandest Bookshop in the World: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/the-grandest-bookshop-in-the-world/
The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/the-detectives-guide-to-ocean-travel/

How did a Greek bishop from the third century become the jolly North Pole dwelling Christmas icon? Did Coca Cola really design his modern appearance? And is it okay to lie to kids about him? In this episode I tell the history of Saint Nicholas and how collective cultural traditions came together to give us the contemporary Santa Claus. I also discuss whether telling the Santa story to children can be considered a lie, and if so, is it doing harm?
(Sorry that the audio is a little janky in places.)
Music featured is Seikilos Epitaph with the Lyre of Apollo by Lina Palera

Sources:
Nicholas: The Epic Journey From Saint to Santa Claus by Jeremy Seal
Christian Encounters: Saint Nicholas by Joe L. Wheeler
National Geographic: From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus: the surprising origins of Kris Kringle
Coca Cola: The Definitive History of Santa Claus
St Nicholas Centre: Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus
Snopes: Did Coca-Cola Invent the Modern Image of Santa Claus?
Livius: Nicholas of Myra
National Geographic: Could the Remains of Santa Claus Be in This Turkish Church?
The Conversation: This Christmas tell your children the real Santa Claus story
Knickerbocker's History of New York by Washington Irving
Smithsonian Magazine: A Civil War Cartoonist Created the Modern Image of Santa Claus as Union Propaganda
Time Magazine: Should You Be Lying To Your Kids About Santa?
Happy Family: 7 Reasons To Tell Your Kids The Truth About Santa (And Still Keep The Magic In Christmas)
The Atlantic: Santa Is Nothing but Stress for Families Who Don’t Believe in Him
Psychology Today: Should You Lie to Kids About Santa?
The Washington Post: What psychologists really think about you lying to your kids about Santa
npr: Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy?
BBC/The Conversation: What should I tell my kids about Santa?
USA Today: Why parents, not Santa, should give the expensive gifts
The Guardian: 'Santa, can I have money for the bills?'