

the matcha diaries
cara and leo
Welcome to the matcha diaries - our spoken diary on how to survive your twenties (semi) sane.
Each week we'll be discussing different topics that are close to our hearts. From finding self-love, navigating relationships, to all things mental health.
So pour yourself a matcha and hang out with us as we get deep and motivate each other to be the best versions of ourselves. ☕
Each week we'll be discussing different topics that are close to our hearts. From finding self-love, navigating relationships, to all things mental health.
So pour yourself a matcha and hang out with us as we get deep and motivate each other to be the best versions of ourselves. ☕
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 25, 2025 • 55min
team conrad or team jeremiah?
SPOILER ALERT FOR THE FIRST 2X EPS OF TSIP SEASON 3!! PROCEED WITH CAUTION AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! in this cosy catch up, ur basically on facetime with us as we break down the latest pop culture gossip, our thoughts & potentially controversial opinions... let us know your thoughts on everything we discussed!! 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 'atmosphere' by taylor jenkins reid).if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: thematchadiariespod@gmail.comlogo credit: @french75studio

Jul 20, 2025 • 27min
are we missing friction in our lives? (also... let's read my old journals together)
digital detox ep 2! in this episode we catch up on how the first days of this 'experiment' have gone & ponder whether us as human beings are missing friction in our lives? aka have our lives become TOO convenient and streamlined, and is that actually ruining things for us? alsoo we talk a walk down memory lane & read my (leo's) old journal entries from 2020 (!) and 2023 and discuss what i actually want to learn from these past versions of me... if you're joining me so we can hold each other accountable, LET ME KNOW HOW IT'S GOING!! reply in the comments OR our email is: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com ☕also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here. our current book of the month is 'atmosphere' by taylor jenkins reid).

Jul 17, 2025 • 30min
we are what we consume (& do we really want to be our tiktok algorithms??)
we are BACK with the digital detox diaries - where i (leo) try to forcefully regain my grip on reality by logging out of the doomscrolling pits of hell that are instagram and tiktok ... this ep is an honest (albeit chaotic & naturally filled with the dramatics you already know me for) update on how i'm feeling, why i wanted to do this social media 'detox' in the first place, the concept of 'we are what we consume', creating > consuming, mindful media consumption & more. if you want to join me so we can hold each other accountable, LET ME KNOW!!! likewise let us know if you have any episode topic ideas you'd like us to deep dive on. reply in the comments OR our email is: thematchadiariespod@gmail.com ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us here - current book of the month is 'atmosphere' by taylor jenkins reid).sources:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/screen-time/202502/doomscrolling-why-cant-we-stophttps://medium.com/@kerberj/do-television-characters-influence-our-identity-358c30f7b768https://www.psychetal.com/post/the-influence-movies-have-on-ushttp://zoelee98.substack.com/p/your-labubu-is-ruining-your-self?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fwe%2520are%2520what%2520we%2520consume&utm_medium=reader2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tY7Z53QJo8https://theneuroinsider.substack.com/p/desire-by-design?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fwe%2520are%2520what%2520we%2520consume&utm_medium=reader2

Jul 11, 2025 • 24min
the summer I turned pretty
the long awaited soft girl summer episode is finally here.. self love, comparison, and growing into yourself without apology. press play for a gentle reminder that you're enough ❤️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

Jul 3, 2025 • 32min
how to stop seeking external validation
this week (in the final part of our external validation series), we continue to deep dive into a topic that’s come up again and again across our episodes : seeking external validation. check out part 1 first, where we reflect on our own relationships with validation, how it’s shaped our childhoods, friendships, and identities. we also explore the psychology behind validation seeking.in part 2, we get into the emotional cost of it all and actually share some tips into how to stop seeking it! 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

Jun 25, 2025 • 55min
the validation trap: why we crave being liked & why its a lie
Dive into the complex world of seeking validation from others. The hosts reflect on how this desire infiltrates childhood, friendships, and identity, revealing the psychological toll it takes. They discuss the influence of social media, where curated lives can amplify the need for approval. Personal anecdotes shed light on how career choices and upbringing shape our quest for worthiness. Expect a candid exploration of emotional costs and the journey toward self-acceptance, setting the stage for deeper insights in part two.

Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 3min
what actually goes down on billionaire yachts (and yes, jeff bezos was there)
this week’s episode is a whirlwind. leo takes us behind the scenes of her surreal work trip to the monaco grand prix — think superyachts, free drinks from restaurant owners, awkward encounters with billionaires, unexpected dance battles with martin garrix, and even spotting jeff bezos on her boat. yes, really.but in true matcha diaries fashion, we balance this with reflection — from the absurdity of wealth culture to craving a quiet moment with a book on a bench. we also chat about high school reunions, summer nostalgia, the picture of dorian gray, and cara’s wholesome time back home in Jordan. it’s a chaotic, juicy, and very real episode!link to tuscany airbnb's website is here & to their instagram here! (gooo & check them out, you won't regret it hihi) 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

Jun 11, 2025 • 51min
what we're reading this summer (2025 edition)
welcome back to your favourite cozy corner of the internet where we chat about life, books, love, and everything in between. in this week’s episode, we’re finally sharing our 2025 summer tbr with you!we’re talking about all the books we’re manifesting into our summer reading piles, plus some of our absolute faves from last summer that deserve a spot on your list too. from escapist romances and hot literary fiction to reflective reads - this is your official guide to the books we’ll be reading by the pool, on the plane, or curled up with an iced matcha on the sofa.we also share some honest opinions (as always), including the books that didn’t quite hit and the ones that had us actuallyscreaming. expect bookish chaos, summer vibes, and some questionable language counts (looking at you, colleen hoover).as always, we’d love to know: what’s on your summer tbr? let us know in the comments or drop us a message on instagram 💌Books We Want to Read This Summer:The Summer Will Be Different – Carley FortuneMeet Me at the Lake – Carley FortuneMy Brilliant Friend – Elena FerranteThey're Going to Love You – Meg HowreyThe Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar WildeSuch a Fun Age – Kiley ReidAdelaide – Genevieve WheelerFunny Story – Emily HenryGreat Big Beautiful Life – Emily HenryAtmosphere: A Love Story – Taylor Jenkins ReidSounds Like Love – Ashley PostonThe Safe Keep – Jael van der WoudenThe Nightingale – Kristin HannahProblematic Summer Romance – Ali HazelwoodBetween Us – Mhairi McFarlaneDschamilja – Chingiz AitmatovHard Land – Benedict Wells Books We Loved Last Summer (2024 & 2023):One Golden Summer – Carley FortuneEvery Summer After – Carley FortuneSeven Year Slip – Ashley Poston ★ TMD approvedFunny Story – Emily HenryThe Summer Job – Lizzy Dent ★ Highly recommended summer vibesCarpe Diem – Autumn Cornwell ★ For the travel girliesSave Me series – Mona KastenBeach Read – Emily HenryA Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Holly Jackson ★ If you want mystery with YA vibesEllen Hildebrand novels (any of them—perfect for the beach)My Brilliant Friend – Elena Ferranteto 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

Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
how to live with intention (even when life feels messy)
this week on the podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest — my twin sister Yara 🤍from afternoon chats over tea to honest reflections on heartbreak, burnout, and building a life that feels like yours — this episode is all about what it means to live with intention.we talk about:creating a home that reflects who you are (and why Yara ditched the TV for a projector + books)why moving on after a breakup has no timeline — and how to come back home to yourselfwhat work-life balance actually looks like in your 20s letting go of timelines and learning to embrace the messy, nonlinear path of real lifethe joy, chaos, and closeness of growing up with a twin — and how we’ve both grown into wildly different, fully ourselves peoplethis episode is soft, silly, vulnerable, and grounding — a little reminder that you’re allowed to take your time, change your mind, and choose yourself every step of the way. 💌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

May 21, 2025 • 1h 9min
how to stop chasing validation & teenage insecurities
this week’s episode is a very special one — i’m (leo) joined by my high school bestie Alexa for a nostalgic and pretty vulnerable conversation about who we used to be, who we’ve become & what we’d tell our younger selves. from crying over boys to learning how to stop craving male validation, from incessantly comparing ourselves to finding self-worth in our twenties — this one’s for the girls who like us are still healing (from) their teenage selves. so grab a drink, get cosy & join us for a little trip down memory lane. 💌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