Roast the Post Podcast

Jennifer Houle & Paul Austin-Menear

Roast the Post helps job seekers dodge bad roles and employers stop posting them, one brutally honest episode at time. roastthepost.show

  1. Happiness Engineer: CTRL + ALT + DELIGHT

    17h ago

    Happiness Engineer: CTRL + ALT + DELIGHT

    Ever seen a job title so whimsical it makes you do a double-take? This week on Roast the Post, Jen and Paul tackle the "Happiness Engineer" role... a position that sounds like it belongs in a corporate parody but packs a punch with its focus on customer experience, technical problem-solving, and even AI fluency. Is this the future of customer support, or just a clever rebrand of a classic role? We dig into the good, the bad, and the what-the-#@*% of a job posting that might just redefine how you think about CX roles. Plus: self-scheduled hours, global salary ranges, and a company that actually wants you to know your rights. Who knew happiness could be so complex? Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.show/p/happiness-engineer-ctrlaltdelight — Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    59 min
  2. Senior Security Manager: Red Card Riot, Football Edition

    Jun 19

    Senior Security Manager: Red Card Riot, Football Edition

    Ever dreamed of being the security mastermind behind a global football tournament? This week, Jen and Paul roast a baffling job ad for a Senior Security Manager role that’s as temporary as a red card. The catch? You’re expected to oversee non-competition venues (think: team hotels, training sites) for a three-week gig... with all the responsibility and none of the clarity. The ad demands a decade of leadership experience, a degree in security or public safety, and the ability to thrive in chaos… but forgets to mention basics like number of locations, team size, staff structure, or even what “non-competition venues” actually entails. Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.show/p/red-card-riot-football-edition -- Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    43 min
  3. Roast the Post: Happy Hour... Redux

    Jun 12

    Roast the Post: Happy Hour... Redux

    Jen is based in Victoria, Canada. Paul is based in Toronto, Canada. That’s about 3,500km in distance, as the crow flies. Needless to say, they’re almost never in the same place at the same time. Something really cool happened on April 29th though—the stars aligned, and they were in the same city. So? Well, they got together at a pub and held their first ever livestream event—Roast the Post: Happy Hour. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions ahead of time… there were so many, they didn’t even get through them. In this episode, Jen and Paul circle back to some of the questions that didn’t get answered during the live event. -- Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    53 min
  4. Communications Associate: (Musket) Smoke on the Water with Katelyn McArdle

    Jun 5

    Communications Associate: (Musket) Smoke on the Water with Katelyn McArdle

    Ever seen a job ad that feels like it was written by a time traveler? This week on Roast the Post, we dissect a Communications Associate role for a nonprofit preserving Revolutionary War battlefields in the United States... where the biggest twist isn’t the history, but the ban on social media. That’s right: no tweets, no posts, just… print ads and event logistics? Jen, Paul, and guest roaster Katelyn McArdle from Functional Authority unpack the bizarre contradictions, from the "entrepreneurial" spirit clashing with the "follow-the-rules" vibe to the salary range that’s almost fair (if the role weren’t so confusingly scoped). Is this a hidden gem for history buffs, or a dumpster fire waiting for an unsuspecting comms pro? Tune in to find out. Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.show/p/communications-associate-musket-smoke-on-water -- Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    1h 2m
  5. Lead VIP Host: The Whale Who Loved Me

    May 29

    Lead VIP Host: The Whale Who Loved Me

    Ever wondered what it’s like to be the person keeping high rollers happy in the world of monetized gaming? This week, Jen and Paul dive into a Lead VIP Host job ad that’s as bold as it is vague. From the allure of autonomy to the fine print of “unlimited vacation,” they roast the post and ask: Is this the dream gig for a charismatic hustler, or a recipe for burnout? Tune in to find out if this job ad hits the jackpot or folds under pressure. Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.substack.com/p/lead-vip-host-the-whale-who-loved-me -- Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    47 min
  6. Golf Companion: Singapore Sling, Toronto Swing.

    May 22

    Golf Companion: Singapore Sling, Toronto Swing.

    What does it take to be a full-time golf companion for a jet-setting family? This week, Jen and Paul tee off on a job ad so niche, it makes their previous roasts look like entry-level gigs. Between the 75% travel, the cultural tutoring, and the mystery of who’s footing the bill for rent in Singapore, this role is equal parts dream job and logistical nightmare. Is it a legitimate opportunity or a scam wrapped in a country club membership? Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.substack.com/p/golf-companion-singapore-sling-toronto-swing -- Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    43 min
  7. Product Designer: Worshipping at the Altar of Figma

    May 15

    Product Designer: Worshipping at the Altar of Figma

    Mission-driven or mission impossible? Jen and Paul dissect a product designer job posting that promises to ‘redefine healthcare’... but leaves out critical details like benefits, reporting structure, and actual responsibilities. The ad hooks you with bold language and a compelling mission, but the fine print reveals a chaotic, high-pressure role with a tiny salary range and a bizarre application process (including a mandatory video pitch). Is this a dream job for a passionate designer, or a hustle culture trap? Listen as we roast the red flags, question the company’s priorities, and ask: If healthcare is so broken, why isn’t this company fixing its own job ads? Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.substack.com/p/product-designer-worshipping-figma-altar — Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    51 min
  8. Director of Pedagogy: Peda... goo-goo? With Chief Absurdist Officer

    May 8

    Director of Pedagogy: Peda... goo-goo? With Chief Absurdist Officer

    This week, Jen and Paul are joined by Chief Absurdist Officer (Kathi Eric Dalguntas) to roast a "Director of Pedagogy, Learning & Instructional Design" job ad that’s equal parts baffling and infuriating. The role demands a unicorn: someone who can develop curriculum, manage projects, support sales, and navigate international cultural sensitivities... all while being paid a salary that’s more laughable than livable. The ad is a Frankenstein of responsibilities, with no clarity on reporting structure, no cultural hooks, and a salary range that’s a slap in the face. Kathi, Jen, and Paul dissect why this role is doomed to fail, why the company’s mission is buried under a mountain of red flags, and what job seekers should really ask if they dare apply. Full job ad and notes for job-seekers and hiring managers here: https://roastthepost.substack.com/p/director-pedagogy-pedagoogoo-chief-absurdist-officer — Jen and Paul roast weekly at https://roastthepost.show. Subscribe to catch new roasts as they drop. — You can check out Kathi's work Hello, Human and NOT RISING here: https://chiefabsurdistofficer.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit roastthepost.show

    53 min
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About

Roast the Post helps job seekers dodge bad roles and employers stop posting them, one brutally honest episode at time. roastthepost.show

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Houle & Paul Austin-Menear
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paul Austin-Menear and Jennifer Houle
  • Show Website
    Roast the Post Podcast