Bad On Paper Podcast: 2025 Mid-Year Goals Check-In Summary

Released on June 11, 2025

In this engaging mid-year check-in episode of Bad On Paper, hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into their 2025 goals, assessing progress, sharing insights, and reflecting on personal and professional journeys. The conversation is rich with candid updates, inspiring anecdotes, and thoughtful reflections, making it a valuable listen for anyone tracking their own aspirations.

1. Personal Goals Update

Olivia's Personal Achievements

Olivia begins by sharing the positive events that have uplifted her amidst recent anxieties. A significant highlight was attending the Jenna's Book Club Festival in Nashville with her mother, which provided both distraction and joy.

• Festival Experience: Olivia describes the festival as "absolutely worth every single penny" despite its cost, highlighting the excellent panels, delicious food, and meaningful discussions. A standout moment was meeting comedian Tiffany Haddish, whose heartfelt stories about her upbringing in foster care and love for public libraries moved Olivia deeply. (Timestamp: 02:39)

• Meeting Authors: Olivia recounts meeting multiple beloved authors, including Coco Mellor and Ellison Espach, whose presence inspired her creatively and emotionally. She expresses a desire to someday be on a stage alongside these literary figures, capturing her aspirations and dreams. (Timestamp: 07:22)

• Health Milestone: A major personal relief for Olivia was learning that she does not have skin cancer, a news that brought immense joy and relief. (Timestamp: 00:46)

• New Book Cover: Olivia excitedly announces a new paperback cover for her book, "Such a Bad Influence," set to release in December. She praises the design, particularly the "camera in the middle of the eyeball," reflecting her enthusiasm for the project. (Timestamp: 08:21)

Becca's Personal Achievements

Becca shares her own strides toward personal goals, notably an unexpectedly fun night out with friends and the initiation of the Hillstone Club, a quarterly outing aimed at exploring different menu items at the Hillstone restaurant.

• Hillstone Club Launch: The club plans to visit Hillstone once a quarter to try every menu item, starting with their famous spinach and artichoke dip, which Becca dubs “non-negotiable.” This initiative reflects her commitment to creating enjoyable, recurring social experiences. (Timestamp: 09:26)

• Book Writing Progress: Becca discusses her progress on her current book draft, expressing mixed emotions known as "draft blues." Despite recognizing the book's improvement and addressing editorial feedback, she grapples with the anticipation of nearing completion without feeling perfect. (Timestamp: 15:03)

• Sleep Schedule: After a late night out, Becca reflects on her sleep patterns, noting variability based on her activity levels the night before, showcasing her balance between social life and rest. (Timestamp: 11:28)

2. Professional Goals Update

Olivia's Professional Progress

Olivia provides a comprehensive overview of her professional goals, highlighting significant accomplishments and ongoing projects.

• Book Promotion and Planning: Olivia has completed writing and planning the promotion for her second book, "Little One." She emphasizes her growth in understanding the publishing process, particularly in seeking blurbs and strategizing promotions. (Timestamp: 49:02)

• Teaching and Workshops: She successfully conducted a creative writing workshop with a high school and is planning to engage with the University of Florida’s journalism school. Additionally, Olivia is organizing a Reading, Writing, Coz Retreat scheduled for the first weekend of November, aiming to connect with fellow book enthusiasts in an intimate setting. (Timestamp: 57:05)

• Substack and Newsletter Growth: Olivia has maintained a consistent publishing schedule on her Substack, striving to double her paid subscribers. Her strategic approach includes end-of-month wrap-ups and diverse content, such as tutorials on organizing notes. (Timestamp: 61:32)

• Website Redesign: She has initiated contact for a website and Substack redesign, aiming to refresh her online presence by fall. This effort is part of her broader strategy to enhance professional visibility and engagement. (Timestamp: 58:30)

Becca's Professional Progress

Becca updates on her goals related to her newsletter and podcast, showcasing significant achievements and ongoing efforts.

• Newsletter Paywall Strategy: Becca has implemented a structured approach to her paid newsletter, featuring monthly wrap-ups and interactive content like her "dump notes." This strategy has been well-received, indicating successful engagement with her audience. (Timestamp: 59:50)

• Subscriber Growth: She has surpassed her halfway mark in doubling her Substack subscribers, attributing success to authentic content and strategic diversification of income sources. Becca emphasizes the importance of reducing financial stress to foster creativity and productivity. (Timestamp: 62:16)

• Podcast Enhancement: Becca is committed to keeping the podcast "fun" by maintaining high energy and introducing fresh content ideas, such as the potential inclusion of high-profile guests like Dua Lipa. This reflects her dedication to enriching the podcast’s appeal and listener engagement. (Timestamp: 53:30)

3. Challenges and Reflections

Both hosts openly discuss the challenges they face, providing a balanced perspective on their journeys toward meeting their goals.

• Draft Blues and Emotional Turmoil: Becca's experience with "draft blues" underscores the emotional complexities of writing, highlighting the tension between recognizing improvement and fearing imperfection. Olivia relates by sharing her own experiences of late-stage manuscript revisions, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and celebration of progress. (Becca: 15:03 | Olivia: 15:52)

• Balancing Immediate and Long-Term Goals: Both Olivia and Becca navigate the balance between immediate tasks and long-term aspirations, such as Olivia’s planning for book three alongside organizing retreats, and Becca’s effort to maintain her newsletter amidst intensive writing projects. (Olivia: 53:06 | Becca: 33:46)

4. Personal Interests and Obsessions

Beyond goal tracking, the hosts share personal interests that contribute to their creativity and well-being.

• Olivia's Obsessions: Olivia reveals her passion for long walks, enhanced by her Bose QuietComfort headphones, which are indispensable for her concentration and mental health. She also explores new headphone models that allow ambient sound awareness, balancing immersive listening with safety. (Timestamp: 70:25)

• Becca's Obsessions: Becca discusses her evolving music playlist dedicated to her second book, featuring emotionally resonant songs like "Stick Season" by Deeps. Additionally, she shares her enthusiasm for new reading material, including titles like "Hazel Says No" by Jessica Berger Gross and "The Night and the Moth" by Rachel Gillig, reflecting her diverse literary interests. (Timestamp: 74:08 | 76:02)

5. Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, Becca and Olivia share insightful and relatable quotes that encapsulate their experiences and outlooks:

• Olivia on the Festival: "It was almost hesitant to hype it up too much because I feel like next year it will sell out pretty much instantly if they do it again." (Timestamp: 01:30)

• Becca on Overcoming Draft Blues: "I have to accept that you did the best job you could with what you had and your current skills." (Olivia speaking about Becca: 15:52)

• Olivia on Personal Growth: "I have developed a deep and passionate love for my corner of books now, which I put various photos and art, and I just love it." (Timestamp: 28:20)

• Becca on Financial Wellness: "I really wanted to diversify my income away from book stuff where ultimately, like, my... It doesn't create financial pressure." (Timestamp: 63:13)

6. Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, both hosts express gratitude for their progress and the supportive community around their endeavors. Olivia and Becca highlight the importance of celebrating small victories and remaining adaptable in the face of challenges. Their candid conversation serves as both inspiration and a roadmap for listeners striving to achieve their own mid-year goals.

Join the Conversation:

For listeners looking to engage further, both hosts encourage participation through their Facebook group and Geneva group under the Bad On Paper Podcast. Becca invites subscriptions to her Substack newsletter at BeccaFreeman.substack.com, aiming to continue growing her subscriber base with valuable content.

Upcoming Highlights:

• Reading Preview Episode: Planned for the latter half of the year, promising new book selections and insightful discussions.
• Potential Guest Appearances: Olivia hints at exciting future guests, including high-profile personalities like Dua Lipa.

Stay tuned to Bad On Paper for more updates, inspiration, and lively banter as Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter continue their literary and personal journeys.