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

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

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In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle dig into the career advice graveyard to unearth all the outdated, overused, and just plain cringey job tips that need to be retired—like, yesterday.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.

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.

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

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.