Let’s Not Roast.
This week on Roast the Post, the tables turn as Jen interviews co-host Paul Austin-Menear, offering listeners an intimate look at the man behind the mic. Unlike their usual episodes dissecting job ads, this conversation peels back the layers of Paul’s unconventional career journey… from his rural Ontario roots to his early aspirations in the national security apparatus, his pivot to entrepreneurship, and his eventual focus on management consulting. His path is a testament to adaptability, critical thinking, and the value of soft skills in a rapidly changing professional landscape.
Paul’s career hasn’t been without its twists. He recounts the highs of building and selling a business, the lows of toxic work environments, and the lessons learned from failure… particularly the pitfalls of perfectionism. His insights into organizational design and systems thinking reveal a deep-seated belief: companies often overlook the institutional knowledge of their workforce, treating people as interchangeable parts rather than the dynamic, malleable assets they are. This perspective fuels his passion for Roast the Post, where he and Jen challenge the norms of hiring practices and advocate for transparency, humanity, and critical thinking in the workplace.
The episode also explores Paul’s vision for the future, both for himself and for Roast the Post. If given the chance to start over, he’d dive into alternative energy, driven by a fascination with sustainability and decarbonization. But for now, he’s content to use the podcast as a platform to push for better hiring practices, better leadership, and a workplace culture that values people as more than just cogs in a machine. His hope? That Roast the Post will inspire listeners to preserve the humanity in their work and resist processes that stifle individuality.
For Paul, hosting the show has been eye-opening. It’s confirmed that the dysfunctions he’s encountered in his career aren’t isolated incidents, they’re systemic. But rather than despair, he finds comfort in knowing he’s not alone. And for listeners, this episode is a reminder that career paths don’t have to be linear, that failure can be a teacher, and that the best work often comes from challenging the status quo.
Tune in for a conversation that’s as much about the people behind the podcast as it is about the problems they’re trying to solve. It’s a discussion that might just change how you think about your own career… and the next job ad you write or apply to.
Also make sure to check out Kwame Twumasi-Ankrah’s Substack, Pattern of Play… it’s a personal favourite in Jen’s subscription list.
Support the Show
Roast the Post is a passion project of Jennifer Houle and Paul Austin-Menear. The show helps job-seekers and employers get dud job ads out of their lives. There are several ways that you can help us on our mission to unf*ck the hiring process…
1 —> Share this episode with someone who’d like it.
2 —> Pick up a copy of our new e-Book, the Job Description Decoder and leave a review. The price is pay-what-you-can (even free), and all proceeds will be donated equally to Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, and the Toronto Humane Society.
3 —> Send us a one-time or recurring tip on Buy Me a Coffee. This helps pay for our production costs.
