the matcha diaries

in this episode we asked the wonderful author Rachel Greenlaw.. all the question we selfishly wanted to know about what it is like being an author (especially a fantasy & romantasy author) !!  Rachel Greenlaw, the author of “One Christmas Morning” and the upcoming book “Compass and Blade” (which comes out on the 29th of February), dives into her journey as an author. She shares her writing process and inspirations, specifically when it comes to world building & the romantic arcs of her characters. Rachel also very honestly discusses what it is like getting feedback, criticism and also touches on the online spaces of ‘booktokers’. we absolutely loved talking to her and hope you enjoy getting an insight into her mind as much as we did <3 Check Rachel out on instagram ⁠here⁠ and her lovely website ⁠here⁠!! p.s we were very lucky enough to receive early copies of compass and blade and we both read the book in a day. It was the perfect cosy read and the fact that it is the first of an epic romantacy series. Definitely one to add to your 2024 reading list!! another p.s - Leo loses her audio for around 30 minutes in this episode so please forgive us for this and if the audio sounds a little funky xxx we're sorry 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 where we are just finishing up ‘eat pray love’ and are expecting some juicy controversial reviews hehe. for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

we just want to say SORRY IN ADVANCE for this whole episode bc we're not lying when we say this might be our most chaotic and unhinged episode yet. (and ngl we couldn't even muster up the courage to listen to it again all the way through, so best of luck to you listeners bc who knows what we say in this episode) we do answer some fun advice q's in this ep, from how to deal with feeling low on your period, how to let go of someone you still have love for & many moreeee!! 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 'eat, pray, love' by elizabeth gilbert). for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠ logo credit: @french75studio

In this episode, cara dives into the topic of struggling to make genuine connections: self-discovery: she unpacks the challenges faced when leaving familiar surroundings and entering new social circles. the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of cultural differences and societal expectations. instant connections vs. effortful relationships: the gut feeling of instant connections and the pondering of why some relationships require more effort. cara emphasises the value of getting to know people beyond first impressions. quality over quantity: cara discusses the misconception of needing to connect with everyone and the significance of cherishing authentic connections. exploring the idea that different friendships serve different purposes. friendship realities vs. social media fantasies: she addresses the influence of social media in shaping unrealistic expectations of friendships. recognising that true connections involve effort (highs&lows). 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  you can join us ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ we are reading eat, pray, love for our January read <3 <3  for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this podcast, the hosts reflect on the reality of growing up in their mid-late twenties, exploring topics like internalized misogyny, beauty standards, existentialism, and evolving perspectives on aging. They discuss the representation of 'older' women in media, reflect on aging and future milestones, and navigate the challenges of the corporate world. They also touch on the pressure to look younger, the importance of embracing life and accepting imperfections, and share book and TV show recommendations.

EEPPP how is it already time for our first episode of 2024 and in our opinion its ICONIC.  2024… we feel excited, nervous, scared, and grateful for everything that is to come. join us as we continue with our tradition and take this time to set our intentions for the upcoming year…new habits we want to introduce, patterns we want to break and goals we want to achieve. We also discuss the ways in which we want to push ourselves out of our comfort zone this year!  If you would like to join us in this tradition here are the questions that we answer (it honestly is such a fun journaling exercise to do and one to look back on at the end of the year)  What is one overarching intention you would like to set for this coming year? (Potentially choose one word that reflects this - our ‘word of the year’) What are three ways you will push yourself out of your comfort zone in 2024? What do you want to do more of in 2024? What do you want to do less of in 2024? What are three things you want to accomplish in 2024 (can be small/big) Thanks again for all of you that have listened to us in 2023 and we are truly excited to continue to make content (that is hopefully better for all of you) 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 where we are currently in the process of picking our January read <3 <3  for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

In this special reflection episode, the hosts answer journal prompts about their past year. They discuss their wins, challenges, and lessons learned. They reflect on personal growth and the importance of navigating difficult experiences. They also talk about expanding their reading preferences, reflecting on happiness and contentment, and navigating stress and the need for control. The speakers discuss personal growth, the challenges of communication, and explore the humor in feeling nervous.

we can't believe this is our final podmas episode EEP!!! In this q&a styled episode we answer some of your questions around: living in the moment and living intentionally how our friendship has changed now that we are long distance girlies our all time favourite book our advice on how to keep spirits up when feeling down during the christmas season we honestly loved doing this podmas series and we hope you enjoyed it just as much <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! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ current book of the month is 'iron flame' by rebecca yarros). Don’t forget to email us a voice note of you telling us one thing that you have learnt in 2023 - we will put this in our 2023 reflections episode <3  for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

In this solo episode I share all the things I am going to try do to find balance and stillness in the winter/festive season. From setting boundaries and saying ‘NO’, digital detoxes, setting intentions & removing guilt.  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 'iron flame' by rebecca yarros). Don’t forget to email us a voice note of you telling us one thing that you have learnt in 2023 - we will put this in our 2023 reflections episode <3  for advertising opportunities, or you don't have any social media and want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

Isabella Mayer, a friend of the host, discusses being single in your twenties during the holiday season and beyond. They talk about not feeling behind in dating, appreciating being single, stopping the need for male validation, learning about love from platonic relationships, and solo date ideas.

grab yourself a hot drink & get COSY because we're reading you a christmas story in today's episode! we read 'the gift of the magi' by o'henry (a story that growing up i've always been told about by my grandma, aka you already know it's a good one). we hope you enjoy this slightly different style of episode & it makes u feel the festive spirit (as it definitely did for us!). and as promised, if you're interested in reading more stories linking them all below. the gift of the magi - o. henry https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf https://webhome.auburn.edu/~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html a christmas dream - louisa may alcott https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/40682/pg40682-images.html#a-christmas-dream “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1661/pg1661-images.html#chap07 a child’s christmas in wales - dylan thomas https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0701261h.html some short christmas stories - charles dickens https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1467/pg1467-images.html even more available here: ⁠https://teaandinksociety.com/classic-christmas-short-stories-read-online/*⁠ 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