the matcha diaries

cara and leo
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Nov 19, 2025 • 42min

a mother’s advice on finding love & confidence in yourself

in this week’s episode, we sit down with leo’s mom (aka our favourite person EVER) and we answer YOUR advice questions. we talk love, confidence, burnout, navigating relationships and so much more. thank you for submitting so many wonderful questions and we will defo be recording a part 2!!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
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Nov 6, 2025 • 36min

burnout season & feeling like yourself again

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
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Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 9min

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: how we've changed, highlights/lowlights & reacting to our 1st episode

first and foremost we apologise for the audio quality in this! We had no idea when recording that leo's audio would be so much louder than cara's and we know this is very much not ideal... HOWEVER this was the most meaningful and reflective episode we have recorded as it is our 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! in this episode we reflect on how we've changed, what we've learnt... the highlights and lowlights & we react to our 1st ever episode (very cringe....)as always thank you so much for all the love! we really couldn't do this without you 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
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Oct 20, 2025 • 47min

autumn diaries #4: what we’re watching, reading, and recommending

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
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Oct 13, 2025 • 55min

the autumn I got engaged

eeeeep i actually can’t believe I’m typing this description at the moment but in this episode i (cara) get to share my engagement story!!! 💍💍 FULL DEBRIEF IN THIS EPISODE ! how did ed do it?, where where we? what i was thinking and feeling in the moment? did i know beforehand???did ed speak to my parents before??? listen and you’ll find out heheeh!in all seriousness i feel very lucky to get to share this news with you lot and thank you so much for all the love ❤️❤️❤️ 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
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Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 11min

finding freedom & the sacred in the everyday ft. adam lind

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
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Sep 17, 2025 • 58min

autumn diaries #3: our ultimate autumn tbr

welcome to another (video!!) instalment of the autumn diaries. in this episode we chat MORE books in the form of our ultimate tbr lists. this covers the genres fantasy, dark academia, gothic, mystery & above all lots of magic and witches... books mentioned: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping — Sangu MandannaBlood Over Bright Haven — M.L.WangThe Bewitching — Silvia Moreno-GarciaFangs — Sarah Andersen (graphic novel)The Academy — Elin HilderbrandAssistant to the Villain — Hannah Nicole MaehrerOne Dark Window — Rachel GilligThe Exorcism of Faeries — J.L. VampaImmortal Consequences — I.V. MarieArcana Academy — Elise KovaA Natural History of Dragons — Marie BrennanA Dark and Secret Magic — Wallis KinneyIf It Makes You Happy — Julie OliviaIn the Company of Witches — Auralee WallaceKatabasis — R.F. KuangCackle — Rachel HarrisonRewitched — Lucy Jane WoodAngelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match — Sally ThorneThe Girl in White — Lindsey CurrieDracula — Bram StokerMy Roommate is a Vampire — Jenna LevineNot Quite Dead Yet — Holly JacksonIf We Were Villains — M.L. RioPractical Magic — Alice HoffmanThe Once and Future Witches — Alix E. HarrowFrankenstein — Mary ShelleyThe Unmaking of June Farrow — Adrienne YoungChecking Out Crime — Laurie CassA River Enchanted — Rebecca Ross
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Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 11min

autumn diaries #2: autumnal books we'd sell our souls to read again

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
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Sep 4, 2025 • 58min

autumn diaries #1: romanticising your academic year & fighting seasonal depression

THIS IS NOT A DRILL, IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN AKA OUR FAVOURITE TIME AKA AUTUMN! AKA AUTUMN DIARIES TIME!! (sorry not sorry for the dramatic capitalisation but it simply had to be done to transmit our excitement). in this first episode we do a cosy catch up of our lives, share some of our recent (bookish) recommendations, as well as answer some of your questions on how to romanticise your life and actually enjoy autumn even though you're a stressed out uni student or are scared of the days (& your mood) getting darker... grab a hot drink, get cosy & enjoyyy this first instalment auf our autumnal podcast series. 🍂link to autumn playlist mentioned ⁠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.com⁠⁠
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Aug 30, 2025 • 26min

the resurgence of girlhood

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

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