In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle dig into the career advice graveyard to unearth all the outdated, overused, and just plain cringey job tips that need to be retired—like, yesterday.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

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.

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.

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