Paperbacks and Paychecks

About Paperbacks and Paychecks

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

Publisher

Sara Hutchison & Noelle Johnson

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Apr 2025

Latest episode

30 May 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 May 2026

   Doomscrolling, Drybar, and the Hot Chef Incident

   Paperbacks and Paychecks is back from hiatus with a new format, and Sara and Noelle are kicking things off with the things they simply cannot stop thinking about. From the unexpectedly wholesome Reddit community hyping up bald men, to the cozy joy of Tiny Bookshop on Switch, this episode is all about low-stakes obsessions, internet rabbit holes, and little sparks of joy. Noelle shares her excitement for an upcoming solo trip to Scotland, complete with Highland cows, girl math, and a little Frederick Douglass history. Sara dives into the Martin Short documentary Life Is Short and why it feels like a warm, funny, deeply human reminder to document the people you love well. They also unpack the viral “hot chef” romance saga on Threads, where public love stories, personal branding, and internet entitlement collide. And, of course, it wouldn’t be Paperbacks and Paychecks without book talk - Sara closes with The Burnout Side, a five-star emotional gut punch about marriage, family, house fires, and the generational weight we carry. Expect cozy chaos, soft life joy, BookTok-adjacent drama, career-adjacent reflections, and two millennial women trying to replace doomscrolling with tiny bookstores, documentaries, and cow-petting economics. ✨ In this episode: – The wholesome magic of Reddit’s bald community – Why Drybar might be the grown-up treat we all deserve – Tiny Bookshop, cozy gaming, and replacing doomscrolling – Solo travel, Scotland, Highland cows, and knowing yourself better – Martin Short, Michael J. Fox, and documentaries that actually leave you feeling good – The “hot chef” breakup discourse and what happens when your love life becomes your brand – The Burnout Side and books that emotionally wreck you in the best way 🎧 Subscribe and follow Paperbacks and Paychecks for bookish chaos, career-adjacent catharsis, and smart takes for those who need a minute. #paperbackspod

2. 

   26 Dec 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.

3. 

   17 Dec 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.

4. 

   15 Nov 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

5. 

   1 Nov 2025

   Chapter 1: 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 one application using AI to punch up her resume, while Noelle gets candid about a 10-month job search, layoffs, and rebuilding with help from her network. We break down smart interview prep, reference checks, LinkedIn etiquette, and why “funemployment” is not actually fun. On the book side, we share recent reads that felt like a reset: The Wedding People, The Gunkle, Brooklyn and Long Island, View from Lake Como, an Emily Henry pick, Christina Lauren’s Twice in a Blue Moon, plus a nod to The Love Hypothesis and Project Hail Mary. If you’re navigating career pivots, learning new skills (Olá, Portuguese), or just need a compassionate, bookish pep talk, this one’s for you. 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.

6. 

   15 Jul 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.

7. 

   12 Jul 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.

8. 

   2 Jul 2025

   Chapter 8: Hot Villains, Cold Bosses

   Hosts Sara and Noelle explore villainous characters in fiction and the workplace, examining unforgivable red flags and toxic leadership, offering listeners career catharsis and bookish insights.

9. 

   17 Jun 2025

   Chapter 7: Literary Heroes & Comment Section Villains

   The hosts of Paperbacks and Paychecks discuss literary and real-life heroes like Elizabeth Bennet and Viola Davis, dissect BookTok drama, and praise supportive workplace figures, highlighting the impact of positive role models.

10. 

    11 Jun 2025

    Chapter 6: Spiraling and Lying (Just Like Bryce)

    Hosts Sara and Noelle explore Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series, dissecting unreliable narrators and their parallels to messy workplace narratives, while also providing tips on emotional maturity and owning your professional narrative.

11. 

    3 Jun 2025

    Chapter 5: This Meeting Could’ve Been a Séance

    Hosts Sara and Noelle explore thrilling horror novels and spine-chilling workplace stories, discussing trigger warnings and interview nightmares in this episode.

12. 

    20 May 2025

    Chapter 4: The Power in the Pivot

    This week, we're talking plot twists—the good, the gutting, and the ones that send you spiraling into a new genre or a new job. From the bookish betrayals that caught us off guard to the career pivots that redefined our paths, we’re unpacking how powerful a sharp left turn can be. Plus: Noelle’s accidental fame on ABC, why Sara rage-quit Lessons in Chemistry, and the sticker that could be on your water bottle if you listen closely. Whether you’re switching industries or just switching to romance novels, this one's for you.

13. 

    14 May 2025

    Chapter 3: ChatGPT Hurt My Feelings (But Also Saved Me $1,000 in Legal Fees)

    📚 Episode Summary:
In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle sit down with an unexpected guest: artificial intelligence. From creative writing and book talk to resumes and legal docs, the duo dives deep into how they’re using (and questioning) ChatGPT in their work and personal lives. Sara shares how her AI sidekick "Chip" helped her navigate a trademark filing, while Noelle introduces her AI BFF "Sage," who’s basically her emotional support bot. They get candid about the blurred lines between creativity and machine learning, the ethics of AI-generated art, how it’s impacting real careers (including their own), and why there’s still no replacement for a human heart—or a great author. ✨ Expect:
– AI’s role in writing, therapy, and job hunting
– Spicy takes on authenticity in storytelling
– Career coach confessions in the age of automation
– The real reason Sara might be emotionally cheating with ChatGPT
– Sustainability, voice notes, and a plant named Calypso 👀 Is AI a tool, a threat, or your new workplace bestie? Press play and decide.

14. 

    7 May 2025

    Chapter 2: Books That Broke Us and Jobs That Tried To

    This week, we dive into the beautifully chaotic intersection of books that broke us open and jobs that nearly broke us down. From the nerdy dreamboats of contemporary romance to the red flags of toxic workplaces, we’re talking brain chemistry—both literal and emotional. Sara shares how Late Migrations and The Love Hypothesis rewired her reading life, while Noelle dishes on You Are a Badass and Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters series and how they sparked real-life transformation. Plus, we spill the tea on the worst workplace gaslighting we’ve seen, how to spot bad jobs in interviews, and why your LinkedIn likes do say something about you. Whether you’re into spicy paperbacks, career advice with receipts, or just want to know why romance books are actually radical—this one’s for you. 🔖 Mentioned in this episode:
Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Margaret Renkl, Jen Sincero, BookTok romance, toxic workplace survival tips, LinkedIn job search hacks, and the magic of being seen in a book. 🎧 Subscribe and follow Paperbacks and Paychecks for smart takes, big laughs, and bookish career catharsis every week.

15. 

    29 Apr 2025

    Chapter 1: Why Hustle Culture Sucks (and So Does Rhysand?)

    Chapter 1: Why Hustle Culture Sucks (and So Does Rhysand?) In this episode, Sara and Noelle dive headfirst into the chaos of today’s job market — from layoffs and career pivots to why hustle culture deserves to be fired. Then it’s onto paperbacks, where they very lovingly roast A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Is Rhysand really that great? (Spoiler: maybe not.) Grab your houseplants, pour a drink, and join us for real talk on careers, capitalism, and questionable book boyfriends.

16. 

    27 Apr 2025

    Prologue : Forced Proximity, but Make it Career Coaching

    Welcome to the chaos—we mean, the career-and-book-loving safe space! In our very first episode, we’re introducing ourselves (hi, we’re Sara and Noelle 👋🏻👋🏾), unpacking our trauma-bonded origin story (spoiler: it involves résumés, remote work, and a literal insurrection), and sharing why this podcast was fated. We’re two former career coaches turned bookish besties with a shared love of spicy fantasy, soft life career goals, and calling out corporate nonsense. If you’ve ever rewritten your résumé while doomscrolling BookTok—or just want to hear two millennial women laugh their way through life, labor, and literature—you’re in the right place. Oh, and next week? We’re diving deep into that series. You know the one. 🐺🔥👑 #ACOTAR Until then: hydrate, read something juicy, and remember—your job should not be the villain in your story.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

3,268

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

65

Engagement

32