the matcha diaries

this week’s episode is exactly what it sounds like... a proper catch up. leo fills you in on her two-week work trip (the highs, the lows) & also shares her recent reads and recommendations, while cara shares a slightly chaotic life update… including a recent fainting experience lol. we also chat about recent weekends , from hiking in the lake district to a wholesome (shrek themed) hen do in the yorkshire dales. lots of little stories, random tangents, and just us talking about life lately.to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on ⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ - current book of the month is 'the knight and the moth' by rachel gillig).if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

this week, we’re catching you up on everything.. from a rushed morning recording and health updates to a very unexpected driving lesson debate leo didn’t see coming. cara chats through her weekend away in Scotland , a slightly stressful journey home, and the small acts of kindness from strangers that reminded us to look for the good.we also share a little reading update, including what we’ve been loving recently and a cosy spring recommendations 🤍to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on ⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ - current book of the month is 'the knight and the moth' by rachel gillig).if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

in our second episode of our spring diaries series, we are doing discussing one of our favourite topics aka answering your relationship advice questions!! 💘from whether you owe complete honesty of your past in a new relationship, to how to finally let go of someone who manipulates you even when you still have a soft spot for them - we share our honest thoughts and experiences. (skip to 30 minutes if you want to go straight to the q&a 🫂)link to the wonderful senem’s socials (looove her vlogs!!): yt & ig !!to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Our current book of the month is ‘the ‘knight and the moth’ by rachel gillig).Check it out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

happy 2026 eeepp & happy first episode of 2026! First and foremost we are very very very sorry for disappearing (we share some context into this in the episode hehe)this week’s episode is (unfortunately) a little different.. leo is currently in India, having the best time of her life AS SHE SHOULD (don’t worry, she still makes a cameo 💌), so I will be on the mic solo and today I wanted to talk about the viral question at the moment.. “is 2026 the new 2016”. at first, it feels like harmless internet nostalgia… but is that really what’s going on?in this episode, I dive into:what 2016 actually represented culturally (and personally)the psychology of nostalgia and why our brains cling to the past during uncertaintypre-pandemic innocence, digital exhaustion, and algorithm fatiguehow age, generation, and life stage shape the version of 2016 we misswhy our memories are rosier than reality & and why that’s okayI hope you enjoy this episode hehe and we can’t wait to be back together on the mic for our usual wednesday uploads! xxto stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

in this episode, we’re chatting about the festive season and why it can feel like a lot more than we expect it to (aka can be very overwhelming) we talk through the pressures of gift giving, drinking culture, losing routines, end of year work stress, and the idea that this is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. we share what’s been helping us feel more grounded lately.. from small rituals and romanticising everyday moments to saying no, drinking less, and logging off social media. this episode is all about finding pockets of calm where you can and letting go of the pressure to do the season “right.” 🤍p.s we know this episode is coming a little late in the season, but honestly, this is often when the overwhelm, comparison, and emotional exhaustion really hit.. so we hope you still find this relevant <3 to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠

welcome to the first episode of our festive diaries series hehe! 🎄and what better way to kick things off than with our festive tbr! this week, we share our most anticipated holiday romances and wintery reads to get you in the christmas spirit... expect enemies to lovers, snowed in mysteries, and small town festive games! here is the list:How My Neighbor Stole Christmas Meghan QuinnGood Spirits B.K. Borison (new release)Always, in December Emily Stone Let It Snow John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle Royal Holiday Jasmine GuilloryBringing Down the Duke Evie DunmoreA Winter in New York Josie SilverThe Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Ally CarterThe Christmas Wager Holly CassidyThe Plight Before Christmas Kate Stewart12 Dates of Christmas Jenny BaylissThe Holiday Swap Maggie Knoxto stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠

in this week’s episode, we dive into burnout: how to spot the signs, and how to recharge!! think of this as your reminder to slow down, breathe, and come back to yourself.substack article linked here.to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠November Burnout Recovery PlanWeek 1: The Slow ResetClear space, clear mind. Start simple — create the environment for recovery.Checklist:☐ Declutter one small area (a desk, nightstand, or shelf)☐ Wash your bedding and add a cozy blanket or flannel sheets☐ Create one calming corner (a reading nook, candle, or fairy lights)☐ Write down 3 things you’re letting go of this month☐ Go for one solo walk without headphones☐ End each night with a warm drink (tea, hot chocolate, matcha)☐ Read or journal before bed instead of scrollingWeek 2: The Sensory ResetReconnect with your senses to quiet your nervous system.Checklist:☐ Light a candle each morning or evening — something seasonal like amber or vanilla☐ Try a cozy homemade meal (soup, pasta, or roasted veg night)☐ Listen to a “soft life” playlist while cooking or getting ready☐ Go on a short morning or evening walk — just for fresh air☐ Do one gentle yoga, stretching, or Pilates session☐ Write one journal entry answering: “What actually feels good right now?”☐ Have one social moment — call a friend, host a wine + cheese night, or cozy movie nightWeek 3: The Mental ResetProtect your energy and quiet your mind.Checklist:☐ Turn off notifications for at least one app that drains you☐ Schedule one “no plans evening” — guilt-free rest night☐ Try a low-stimulation morning (no phone until breakfast)☐ Read something comforting (The Comfort Book, Wintering, or a cozy romance)☐ Write down 3 things that made you smile this week☐ Do one thing just for fun — bake, draw, rearrange your flat☐ Go outside for sunlight every day, even if just 5–10 minsWeek 4: The Grounding ResetReflect, restore, and prepare gently for the end of the year.Checklist:☐ Write a short reflection: “What have I learned from slowing down this month?”☐ Have a self-care evening — bath, music, skincare, book☐ Do a mini digital detox for a day (no scrolling, just living)☐ Walk somewhere beautiful — a park, along the Thames, or through autumn leaves☐ Tidy your space while listening to an uplifting podcast☐ Choose one small goal for December (something that feels good, not ambitious)☐ Spend one day completely off-duty — no chores, no work, no guilt

catch up with us as we share our recent highs and lows, our current recs (lots of book favourites, movie recs, and tv shows) & some reflections before our cabin weekend together! 🧸stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠

welcome to a VERY special episode that is an interview with the incredible adam lind (@adam.floatinghome) - author, human connection advocate, content creator & all around incredibly inspiring person! we talk about his new book 'Floating Home: Lessons From A Life Less Ordinary' and some of the themes he touches upon within it, including (but not limited to):overcoming intrusive thoughtsnavigating grief daring to live a life less ordinary existensialismfinding freedom within disciplinemaking the mundane sacred the power of human kindness & connectionwhere you can find adam:adam's ig find the book at waterstones find the book at bloomsbury find the book on amazonto stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do follow us on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or ⁠here⁠ (leo's booktube) ! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠here⁠ - current book of the month is 'katabasis' by r.f.kuang).if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

the time has come for our autumn book recommendations… aka BOOKS YOU MUST READ THIS SEASON 🍂📚 we are honestly so jealous of anyone picking these up for the first time because the vibes are perfecttt! think cosy fantasies that feel like a warm hug, witchy reads perfect for spooky nights, dark academia staples, plus some romance, & gothic classics!basically, if you’ve been wondering what to add to your tbr this season, we’ve done the work for you. light a candle, grab a hot drink, and prepare your goodreads because the list is loooong!! here’s everything we recommended in the episode: Cosy FantasyThe Spellshop — Sarah Beth DurstLegends & Lattes — Travis BaldreeEmily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies — Heather FawcettFantasyThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue — V.E. SchwabHeartless Hunter & Rebel Witch — Kristen CiccarelliDivine Rivals & Ruthless Vows — Rebecca RossWitchy VibesThe Ex Hex (series) — Erin SterlingWitches of Brooklyn — Sophie EscabasseWeyward — Emilia HartThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches — Sangu MandannaDark AcademiaThe Secret History — Donna TarttBabel — R.F. KuangIf We Were Villains — M.L. RioBunny — Mona AwadNinth House — Leigh BardugoAn Academy for Liars — Alexis HendersonMysteryWild Dark Shore — Charlotte McConaghyMurder at the Bookstore — Sue MinixA Good Girl’s Guide to Murder — Holly JacksonThe Inheritance Games — Jennifer Lynn BarnesRomanceThe Dead Romantics — Ashley PostonYou Again — Kate GoldbeckThe Seven Year Slip — Ashley PostonClassics/GothicFrankenstein — Mary ShelleyJane Eyre — Charlotte BrontëThe Picture of Dorian Gray — Oscar WildeOtherBefore the Coffee Gets Cold — Toshikazu Kawaguchito stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠! Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠here⁠.! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

this week’s episode feels like a love letter to girlhood! we chat about the collective bonding over The Summer I Turned Pretty, the nostalgic pull of The Vampire Diaries, Taylor Swift’s new podcast interview, and the way these moments make us lean into nostalgia and community!to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

this episode is genuinely a girly catch up call where we yap about how we are feeling, how we want to try make the most out of the rest of summer (but also find ways to live slowly - which is something we CAN'T WAIT to have in autumn). we also talk about our recent reads, morning habits & our recent thoughts on alcohol/being sober.we also end this by giving advice to one of you lovely listeners <3 to stay up to date on our lives, contribute to future episodes and share any of your thoughts - pls do Follow us on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠tiktok⁠⁠ or subscribe to us on youtube ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Check it out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com