Paperbacks and Paychecks: A millennial podcast about books, soft life careers, and corporate chaos

Sara Hutchison & Noelle Johnson
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for those who read, lead, and need a minute. Paperbacks and Paychecks blends career talk with book talk in a way that’s smart, funny, and surprisingly therapeutic. Expect hot takes on toxic workplaces, deep dives into your favorite reads, and the occasional rant about email etiquette. Whether you're navigating office politics or just trying to finish a chapter before bedtime, this is your weekly reminder that you’re not alone—and you don’t have to pick between productivity and pleasure

  1. 12/26/2025

    Your Dad’s Career Advice Is Not HR-Approved

    In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle dig into the career advice graveyard to unearth all the outdated, overused, and just plain cringey job tips that need to be retired—like, yesterday. From the myth of the one-page resume to the awkwardness of cold-calling hiring managers (please don’t), they break down what still works in today’s job market and what belongs in the recycling bin. They also dish on modern moves that do help—like sending authentic LinkedIn messages, using AI sparingly (and smartly), and asking the right questions at the end of an interview. Oh, and if you’ve ever agonized over whether to include a cover letter or show up to a Zoom interview in a full suit…this one’s for you. Plus: Why resume paper still lives rent-free in Sara’s head Noelle’s take on AI profile pics and that one job interview involving the whole family A spicy little BookTok detour about “An Academic Affair” and partner hiring in academia Because the job market has changed—and so should the advice.

    45 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    Apple App of the Day and the Future of Reading: Inside Margins with Founder Paul Warren

    In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle sit down with Paul Warren, founder of Margins, on the same day the app was named Apple’s App of the Day. Margins is a book tracking and discovery app designed around how people actually read, and this conversation digs into why that philosophy is resonating so deeply with readers. Paul shares what it is like to see a passion project land on Apple’s front page, how Margins is rethinking book tracking, discovery, and reading goals, and why features like Search by Vibes, half-star ratings, and DNF support matter more than rigid metrics. The trio also talk BookTok culture, why most readers are women, how spicy romance became Paul’s unexpected research lane, and why quitting a book can be the healthiest reading habit of all. From reading streak guilt to the future of social reading apps, this episode is a cozy but insightful look at where book culture is heading next and how thoughtful design can actually help us read more.

    29 min

  3. 11/15/2025

    Bonus Chapter: Heather Colley on Dark Academia, Cool Girls, and The Gilded Butterfly Effect

    In this bonus episode, Sara and Noelle sit down with debut author Heather Colley to talk about her dark, emotionally rich campus novel The Gilded Butterfly Effect. They dive into the Shakespeare-inspired title, the messy realities behind the “cool girl” trope, and why Stella and Penny function as two sides of the same messy, brilliant coin. Heather breaks down real dark academia vs the TikTok aesthetic version, how Greek life shapes the power dynamics in the book, and why she chose to write some chapters like a play. She also shares what it’s really like to publish a first novel in 2025 while juggling a PhD at Oxford — the patience required, the surprises, and the soft-life moments that make the process worth it. If you love a BookTok podcast that blends dark academia vibes with career advice for millennials, this conversation is going to be your new favorite. #paperbackspod

    33 min

  4. 11/01/2025

    Shame Is Expensive

    Season 2 kicks off with real talk on fresh starts at work and on the page. Sara lands a new role with AI-assisted resume magic while Noelle opens up about layoffs, networking, and rebuilding. From smart interview prep to comforting reads like The Wedding People and The Gunkle, this episode is your compassionate, bookish pep talk for new beginnings. #paperbackspod Join us: Comment with your own “new beginnings” and tag #paperbackspod so we can shout you out next episode. booktok podcast, career advice for millennials, spicy fantasy books, feminine book podcast, soft life corner.

    38 min

  5. 07/15/2025

    Epilogue: The First Annual Paycheck or Pay Cut Awards

    It’s the Paperbacks and Paychecks Season One finale, and Sara and Noelle are getting sentimental—but not too serious. In this wrap-up episode, your favorite bookish besties reflect on what surprised them most about launching a podcast (hint: it involves editing fatigue and friendship joy), what they’ve learned about creative partnership, and what’s next for Season Two. From AI anxiety to spicy book boyfriends, this season had it all—and the hosts aren’t holding back in this inaugural Paycheck or Pay Cut Awards segment. Expect swoon-worthy himbos, cozy witch novels, and one too many rom-coms that forgot the spice. They also get real about what it’s like to job hunt during a volatile market, how books became their soft life safe space, and why this podcast has meant more than either of them expected. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the career catharsis, or the TikTok chaos—they’re just getting started. ✨ Mentioned: Lessons in Chemistry, Big Magic, Broken Country, Born a Crime, and a shoutout to you—yes, you, the listener. 🎧 Subscribe now and stay tuned for merch drops, guest announcements, and more career meets book talk next season.

    39 min

  6. 07/12/2025

    Chapter 9: This Book Sucks and So Does My Job

    📚 Episode Summary:
In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle ask the age-old question: Is it okay to just quit? Whether it’s ditching a trauma-drenched novel or finally breaking up with a job that’s lost the plot, the duo dives into what it means to walk away—without guilt. They spill their personal DNF (Did Not Finish) book habits, rant about overdone tropes (looking at you, bratty teen daughters), and get real about when a job deserves your two weeks—and when it deserves your silence. From PIPs that are really just pre-firing warnings to managers who ask about your “nether regions,” it’s a candid convo on boundaries, burnout, and the radical act of quitting. Oh, and if you’ve ever hate-read a book just to leave a scorched-earth Goodreads review... yeah, same.

    52 min

  7. 07/02/2025

    Chapter 8: Hot Villains, Cold Bosses

    Some villains are misunderstood. Some are morally gray. And some? They’re your coworker who changed your font to Wingdings on a client report. This week on Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle are diving deep into the villains we hate, the ones we low-key root for, and the ones we might actually be. From enemies-to-lovers tropes and fantasy moms with god complexes to workplace micromanagers, devil’s advocates, and HR horror stories nothing is off limits. We’re talking:
– Fictional red flags we can't forgive
– Our own toxic traits (hello, stonewalling and stubbornness 👀)
– When leadership is the villain
– And yes, a Reddit story involving breast milk and a coffee request you won’t believe Whether you're here for career catharsis, bookish chaos, or just want to feel better about your office politics, this one’s for you.

    46 min

  8. 06/17/2025

    Chapter 7: Literary Heroes & Comment Section Villains

    This week on Paperbacks and Paychecks, we’re talking heroes—on the page, in real life, and in the workplace. From classic literary legends like Elizabeth Bennet and the Count of Monte Cristo to real-world trailblazers like Viola Davis and Lindsay Pollack, we’re celebrating the people who shaped us and stood up when it counted. We also unpack the recent BookTok drama surrounding Ali Hazelwood, explore why women authors get dragged for harmless opinions, and why parasocial rage is getting out of hand. (Spoiler: it's a book character. Relax.) Plus, we shout out the workplace MVPs who see us, support us, and say the hard stuff—even when it’s not popular. ✨ In this episode:
– The Hunger Games take that broke BookTok
– Who gets to be a hero (and who gets canceled)
– Literary faves from Anne Shirley to Judy Blume
– Real talk about mentorship, service industry trauma, and male allies at work
– Why calling someone "an aggressive complimenter" might be a compliment Got a hero? Tell us in the comments. Prefer a villain with a redemption arc? Same. Just don’t @ us about Peeta.

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A podcast for those who read, lead, and need a minute. Paperbacks and Paychecks blends career talk with book talk in a way that’s smart, funny, and surprisingly therapeutic. Expect hot takes on toxic workplaces, deep dives into your favorite reads, and the occasional rant about email etiquette. Whether you're navigating office politics or just trying to finish a chapter before bedtime, this is your weekly reminder that you’re not alone—and you don’t have to pick between productivity and pleasure

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