Books and Beyond With ThatGuyJae

Thatguyjae
  • 5.0 (15)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join ThatGuyJae as he explores the world of books and beyond. From author interviews and BookTok conversations to watches, cars, and life's journey of self-discovery, this podcast celebrates both the stories we read and the ones we live.

  1. 5D AGO

    You Don't Own Your E-Books: The Kindle Problem

    Amazon just announced they're killing support for older Kindle models through a firmware update that will essentially force users to upgrade or lose functionality. As someone who uses a Kindle and cares about reading accessibility, this news is incredibly disappointing and it highlights a much bigger problem with digital media ownership. In this week's solo episode, I break down what Amazon is doing, why it's anti-consumer, and why this matters beyond just inconveniencing Kindle users. When you buy an ebook, you don't actually own it , you're just purchasing the right to access it. And the company that sold it to you can revoke that access at any time, for any reason. I discuss the dangers of relying entirely on digital media, why physical books and physical media in general matter more than ever, and how these kinds of corporate decisions set dangerous precedents. Today it's forced upgrades. Tomorrow it could be removed access to books Amazon decides are "problematic." When companies control our libraries, they control what we can read, and that's a slippery slope toward censorship that should concern everyone. Whether you use a Kindle, collect physical books, or just care about consumer rights and media preservation, this episode explores why digital ownership is a lie and what we risk by accepting it as the new normal. https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-pulls-support-for-perfectly-fine-older-kindles/

    15 min

  2. APR 6

    Top 5 reads of Q1 2026

    In this week's solo episode, I'm breaking down my top 5 reads from Q1 2026 and there's a surprising twist. 2026 has been an incredible reading year so far, but when I looked at my favorites, I noticed something interesting: only ONE of my top 5 comes from my usual preferred genres of sci-fi and fantasy. Even more surprising? Two of them are non-fiction, which is ironic considering I completely failed to meet my non-fiction reading goals last year. I walk through each of these standout books, what made them exceptional, and why stepping outside my comfort zone has led to some of my best reads in years. I also share my new monthly reading challenge: choosing at least one book from five different genres and selecting those genres at the start of each month. This intentional approach to diversifying my reading has already paid off in Q1, and I'm excited to see where it takes me for the rest of the year. Finally, I address something you've probably noticed.... the lack of guest episodes recently. Guests will always be a vital part of Books & Beyond, but I've had some scheduling challenges early this year. More importantly, I have a backlog of indie authors I want to feature on the show, but I'm committed to reading their books first out of respect for their work and our conversation. I'm making solid progress through that list, so expect guest episodes to ramp back up in the coming weeks and months. Whether you're looking for reading recommendations, curious about intentional genre-hopping, or wondering what's next for the podcast, this episode covers it all!

    19 min

  3. MAR 30

    Don't Go Chasing Algorithms

    In this week's solo episode, I'm talking about something that's been weighing on me: the algorithm trap. I titled this one "Don't Go Chasing Algorithms" (yes, a nod to TLC's "Waterfalls") because I realized I'd fallen into the exhausting cycle of obsessing over analytics and only posting what I thought would perform well. And honestly? It led straight to burnout. I take you back to the beginning of my content creation journey, when everything was new, fun, and I posted whatever felt right without overthinking it. But as I gained experience and learned more about metrics, watch time, and all the data available to us, I started stressing over every decision. What would the algorithm like? What format performs best? Which platform rewards what content? I lost sight of why I started creating in the first place. In this episode, I share my plan moving forward: getting back to posting what I genuinely love, even if it's silly, even if it might not perform well according to the numbers. I talk about why the community we build - the real connections, the conversations, the people who actually engage with our content matters more than vanity metrics ever will. If you've ever felt burned out chasing algorithmic approval, if you've lost the joy in creating because you're too focused on analytics, or if you're trying to remember why you started making content in the first place, this episode is for you. Sometimes the best strategy is just being authentic and trusting that your people will find you.

    29 min

  4. MAR 16

    Ditching Digital

    Books and Beyond Episode 56 In this week's solo episode, I'm talking about my intentional shift away from digital dependency and back toward analog living, with some interesting tech exceptions. I dive into the changes I'm making in my daily life: switching from digital notes to a physical journal, trading Google Calendar for a paper planner, and finally organizing my content ideas in a dedicated notebook instead of endless lost notes in my phone. I discuss why physical media matters (books, music, movies) in an era where digital ownership can disappear overnight, and explore analog hobbies I want to get into like board games and other hands-on activities. But I also get into some fascinating tech that exists in the space between digital and analog - offline technologies like Cyberdecks and Meshtastic devices that prioritize independence and direct communication over corporate platforms and always-online dependency. This episode is about reclaiming focus, reducing screen time, finding more intentional and tangible ways to engage with creativity and daily life, and exploring technology that serves us rather than controls us. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by digital overload, curious about incorporating more analog practices into your routine, or interested in alternative tech that prioritizes autonomy, this conversation explores what it means to live more intentionally in an increasingly digital world.

    19 min

  5. MAR 2

    Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself: Why This Podcast Exists

    Books and Beyond Ep 55 If you've found this podcast recently through my Shorts, social media, or just stumbled across it - welcome! With so many new viewers joining over the past few months, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself and share the story behind Books & Beyond. In this solo episode, I open up about my injury history, how CRPS changed my life in 2017, and the years of isolation that followed as I lost connection to my passions and social life. I explain how content creation became not just a hobby, but a lifeline, and how this podcast was born from a simple goal: talk to passionate people about what they love, and maybe reignite some passion within myself along the way. I reflect on how it's been going, what I've personally gained from these conversations, and what I'm looking forward to as the podcast continues growing. Whether you've been here since episode one or just discovered the show, this episode gives you the full context of who I am, why I do this, and what Books & Beyond is really about. Thank you for being part of this journey.

    17 min

  6. FEB 23

    From BookTok to Content Coach: Nicki Kupps on Growing Your Platform

    Books and Beyond Ep 54 This week I'm joined by fellow BookToker Nicki Kupps, who has built an engaged following of 70k+ in just two years. We dive into Nicki's reading journey, what inspired her to start creating content back in 2024, and how she's grown her BookTok presence. But we also explore her newest venture, content coaching services for creators looking to level up their platforms. Nicki shares insights about the BookTok algorithm, what's working in 2026, common mistakes creators make, and practical advice for anyone trying to grow their bookish content. Whether you're a struggling creator looking for guidance, curious about content coaching, or just want to hear from someone who's successfully built a BookTok following, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the creator journey. If you're interested in Nicki's coaching services or want to connect with her, check out her links in the description! https://beacons.ai/nickikupps https://www.tiktok.com/@nickikuppsreads https://www.instagram.com/nickikuppsreads/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571381674046

    1h 23m

  7. FEB 16

    5 Books by Black Authors for Black History Month

    5 Books by Black Authors for Black History Month - Ep 53 In this episode of Books and Beyond, host ThatGuyJae celebrates Black History Month by recommending five books across different genres by Black authors. He shares insights on each book, discussing themes, personal reflections, and the importance of diverse reading. The conversation emphasizes the significance of supporting BIPOC authors and exploring various narratives to foster understanding and connection.

    16 min
  8. From Watch Collections to Book Recommendations with AndysWatches - Ep 52

    FEB 9

    From Watch Collections to Book Recommendations with AndysWatches - Ep 52

    This week I'm joined by my friend Andy, an active WatchTok creator and fellow book lover, for a conversation that truly lives up to the "Beyond" in Books & Beyond. We kick things off talking watches, sharing our watches of the day, discussing the positive evolution of the online watch community, and geeking out over grail pieces we'd love to add to our collections. The conversation naturally flows into books, where we compare our favorite 2025 reads and dive into which books we'd love to see adapted to film or TV. This episode perfectly captures what this podcast is all about - exploring different passions, finding community online, and discovering how interests like watches and books can coexist and enrich each other. Whether you're into watches, books, both, or just enjoy hearing people talk passionately about their interests, this wide-ranging conversation has something for you. Andy's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@the.watch.chronic https://www.instagram.com/andys_watches/

    1h 17m
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Join ThatGuyJae as he explores the world of books and beyond. From author interviews and BookTok conversations to watches, cars, and life's journey of self-discovery, this podcast celebrates both the stories we read and the ones we live.

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