After another brief hiatus due to illness, ThatGuyJae returns to 'Books and Beyond' with a fascinating guest who brings a completely different perspective to the show. This week, I'm joined by Kasey, a TikTok creator in the animal and reptile niche who balances her demanding role as an ER veterinary technician at an overnight animal hospital with her passion for reptile keeping. Kasey shares insights into her dual worlds - from the high-stakes environment of emergency veterinary care to the rewarding hobby of maintaining multiple reptile species at home. We explore her journey into reptile keeping, her occasional rescue work, and how she's built an engaged TikTok following by sharing her knowledge and love for these often misunderstood creatures. Whether you're curious about veterinary work, interested in reptile care, or fascinated by niche content creation, this episode offers a unique glimpse into a life dedicated to animal welfare and education.

Kasey's Socials

https://www.tiktok.com/@sweetavezoo

https://www.instagram.com/sweetavezoo/

This week on 'Books and Beyond with ThatGuyJae,' I'm joined by the insightful CJ of CJtalksbooks, whose thoughtful reviews and recommendations have captured audiences across Instagram and TikTok. CJ shares his current reading obsessions and the upcoming adaptations he's most anticipating. We dive into his fascinating content creation evolution, from his beginnings as a movie reviewer to becoming a trusted voice in the book community. Join us for this engaging conversation about literary passions, the art of meaningful book reviewing, and how CJ's cinematic background influences his approach to literature. Whether you're looking for your next great read or curious about the journey of a successful BookTok and Bookstagram creator, this episode delivers recommendations and inspiration in equal measure.

CJ's Socials

https://www.tiktok.com/@cjtalksbooks?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/cjtalksbooks/

This week on 'Books and Beyond with ThatGuyJae' I welcome my cousin Jacob, an exceptional wildlife photographer based in Alaska. Jacob takes us behind his breathtaking Instagram feed, sharing stories of capturing bald eagles, grizzly bears, and other majestic Alaskan wildlife. We explore his photography journey, dive into his camera gear, and discuss his post-processing techniques that bring his stunning images to life. Jacob also shares thrilling tales from his photography expeditions across Alaska and beyond. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, nature lover, or simply appreciate the beauty of wildlife, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the patience, skill, and passion required to document nature's most impressive moments.

Jacob's Socialshttps:

//www.printsbyjb.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jbucketslist/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jbucketslist?lang=en

This week on 'Books and Beyond with ThatGuyJae,' I sit down with author Maurice Africh to explore the sky pirate-filled world of his sci-fi novel 'Cellos Gate.' Maurice shares his unique writing process, how he crafts believable sci-fi elements within his world-building, and his deep connection to nerdy culture and literature. We dive into the challenges and rewards of self-publishing, plus Maurice's exciting journey of recording his own audiobook version. Whether you're a sci-fi enthusiast, an aspiring writer, or curious about the self-publishing landscape, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating compelling fictional universes and bringing them to life across different formats.

Maurice's Socials

https://mauriceafrich.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mauriceafrich/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mauriceafrich

https://mybook.to/cellosgate (Amazon)

https://linktr.ee/mauriceafrich (Link Tree)

I'm Back! COVID, Birthdays, and Rekindling Old Passions

After a two-week absence due to COVID, ThatGuyJae returns with updates on his recovery, birthday celebrations, and exciting new developments. In this heartfelt solo episode, Jae shares how his BookTok community came together to help fund his return to photography, his plans for greater social media consistency, and his upcoming journey into videography. Join Jae as he reflects on the power of community support and the joy of rediscovering old passions while continuing to explore new ones.

In this episode of Books and Beyond with ThatGuyJae, I sit down with Shaylin Gandhi, who formerly practiced medicine before becoming a published romance and romantasy author. We explore her fascinating journey from medicine to creative writing and uncover the inspirations behind her captivating love stories. Shaylin shares insights into the traditional publishing process, revealing both the challenges and rewards of bringing her work to readers. Join us for this conversation about finding new creative paths, the craft of romance writing, and how diverse life experiences shape the stories we tell.

Shaylin's Socials

https://www.instagram.com/authorshaylingandhi/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@shaylingandhi?lang=en

https://www.shaylingandhi.com/

In this episode of Books and Beyond, I welcome author Jeff Pantanella, whose journey spans from formal art school training to creating video game backgrounds and now crafting expansive fantasy worlds. We explore how his deep-rooted artistic background shapes his approach to world building and storytelling. Jeff shares how years spent in non-creative professions ultimately rekindled his creative spirit, driving him to find expression through writing fantasy fiction. We discuss his unique creative process, personal reading preferences, and the various passions that continue to inspire his work. Join us for this conversation about the persistent call of creativity and how different artistic disciplines inform the craft of building immersive fictional worlds.

Jeff's Socials:

https://www.everheroproductions.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffpantanella.author

In this episode of Books and Beyond, I sit down with author Marshall J. Moore to explore the mind behind two captivating trilogies. We dive into his writing process, the worlds he's created, and how he maintains his creative schedule. But Marshall's talents extend beyond the page - we also discuss his role as a Muay Thai instructor and his newfound passion for painting Warhammer 40K miniatures. Join us for this conversation about creativity in its many forms, from worldbuilding on paper to bringing tiny warriors to life with a brush.

Marshall's Socials:

https://www.tiktok.com/@marshalljmooreauthor

https://marshalljmoore.com/

Join me for a casual hangout with fellow TikToker Andy as we explore our shared passion for timepieces. We discuss our journeys into watch collecting, the merits of homage watches, and reveal some of our favorite time pieces. The conversation naturally flows into our reading habits, BookTok recommendations, and even watch spotting in films. Whether you're a watch enthusiast, book lover, or film buff, this laid back conversation offers something for everyone as we connect the dots between these interconnected passions.

Andy's TikTok's

https://www.tiktok.com/@the.watch.chronic?lang=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@andys.library?lang=en

A Year of BookTok: Overcoming Anxiety and Finding Community

It’s been one year since I posted my first BookTok video showing my face, and a lot has changed since then. In this episode, I reflect on why I started creating content during a difficult time, how BookTok became an unexpected source of community, and the ways content creation has helped (and challenged) my confidence. I also open up about my struggles with social anxiety, my journey to improve as a creator, and my hopes for the future—including pushing past my fears to bring on more guests.

Thanks for being part of this journey with me—I appreciate you all more than you know!