Explore every episode of the podcast the matcha diaries

it is finally time for the autumn diaries and we couldn't be MOREE excited eep!! If you’re looking to build the ultimate autumn tbr, we’ve got you covered. from cozy, low-stakes fantasy and small-town witchy romances to moody dark academia and gothic classics, we are breaking down our absolute must reads for the season.

we’re sharing our personal favourites, our latest additions, and the stories we can’t stop thinking about.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Witchy Vibes & Everyday Magic

• The Ex Hex (Series) by Erin Sterling

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

• A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

• Weyward by Emilia Hart

• Heartless Hunter & Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

Cozy & Enchanting Fantasy

• The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

• Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett

• The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

• Silver Elite (Series)

• Twilight & ACOTAR (Our cozy re-reads!)

Dark Academia & Secret Societies

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt

• Babel by R.F. Kuang

• If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

• Bunny by Mona Awad

• Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

• The Academy by Erin Hildebrand

• The Exorcism of Faeries by J.L. Vampa

Gothic Classics

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Mysteries, Thrillers & Sleuths

• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

• Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

• The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Romance & Heartwarming

• The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

• If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

• You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

• My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Graphic Novels

• Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

p.s we know that cara's video and audio are slightly out of sync at times and will try to work on a solution for the future on this as we are not 100 percent sure whyy this kept happening! Sorry if this gets a bit annoying to watch!!

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 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 'rebecca' by daphne du maurier).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

guys what can we say, this episode is objectively, kinda, really, a little bit *weird*... please see this as one big mind map being actively created ft. audio cut outs, real time realisations & autumnal themed tangents... aka WELCOME TO OUR BRAINS!!!

some resources to create your own (much better planned) personal curriculum:

• Online courses: Coursera, edX, Udemy, MIT OpenCourseWare, Khan Academy, Class Central, LinkedinLearning, Skillshare, great courses
• YouTube: CrashCourse, TedED, Great Art Explained, The Life Guide, OverSimplified, freeCodeCamp, Kurzgesagt
• Books and articles: Google eBookstore, Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Internet Archive, Libby, Medium, Substack
• Communities: Subreddits, Discord, Facebook, Amino, Skool

you can find the personal curriculum notion template we mention here <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 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 'rebecca' by daphne du maurier).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

dare we say.. grab a pumpkin spice latte, light a candle & get cosy with us for this week’s big yap ☕️🍂

in today’s episode, cara shares the huge life update of finally going wedding dress shopping (and unexpectedly finding the one!!), while leo debriefs her week of unplugging from media, silent walks, and romanticising everyday routines. then, we dive deep into the psychology of nostalgia: why rewatching our favourite comfort shows (hello, gilmore girls season) feels so safe, the science of remembering things through rose-tinted glasses, and finding peace in who we used to be. 

(p.s. if you want to skip our weekly yap about cara unexpectedly buying her wedding dress and leo’s week of silent walks, skip straight to 33:40 for the nostalgia chat! 🤍)

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

are you also constantly playing music, podcasts, youtube videos and even series in the background?? have we lost the ability to be in silence with our thoughts? and maybe most importantly, what impact is that having on our brains?

these questions (& more) are the ones that prompted us to go on a good old fashioned research DEEP DIVE this episode. we cover:

• what impact does silence have on our brain (creativity & emotional processing)?
• is constant stimulation actually making our overthinking tendencies worse?
• can music ever have a positive impact on productivity?
• what impact does being an extrovert or introvert have on your tolerance for environmental stimulation?
• social silence and how we can apply this to ourselves

as always, grab yourself a hot drink & enjoy this episode! <3 FYI: the main topic starts 14:53 mins in

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 or ⁠here⁠ (leo's booktube) ! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠here⁠.

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

YT video mentioned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quroaZV0YBc

References:

https://medium.com/@thewhimsicalshots/why-your-brain-needs-silence-more-than-music-5d46f442bfe8

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12109699/#B45-brainsci-15-00482

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jun/19/usa.guantanamo 

https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/why-your-brain-needs-silence/

https://quietquality.nl/en/blog/what-silence-does-your-brain/ 

https://neurosity.co/guides/silence-vs-music-deep-work 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12109699/#B45-brainsci-15-00482 

join us this week for the long awaited guest episode where ed & i (cara) are joined by our lovely neighbours... who are also called cara and ed! (confusing I KNOWW) 

we asked you guys to send in your relationship/COUPLE questions, and we had a big chat answering them from both of our couples' perspectives. we got into so many juicy themes, including:

1. maintaining independence & social life: answering questions on how to balance quality time as a couple while still making time for your own friends, and how to make sure you grow together without hindering your individual progress or hobbies.
2. co-living logistics: tackling the day-to-day realities of living together, including tips for just moving in together, keeping your sanity when living with in-laws, and navigating a "bedtime gap" when one person is an early bird and the other is a night owl.
3. managing finances: discussing the tricky topic of splitting expenses, whether to use joint bank accounts, and how to handle it when couples want to approach saving and spending differently.
4. conflict resolution & the 7-year itch: sharing advice on how to actually reconnect after a fight, learning each other's fighting styles, and having super honest conversations about navigating doubts or the "seven-year itch" in a long-term relationship.
5. keeping the spark alive: answering how to maintain attraction and romance post-honeymoon phase, from understanding each other's love languages (and actually using them!) to planning intentional, thoughtful dates.

whether you're single, moving in with your partner, or years into a relationship, grab a matcha and join us as we share our honest thoughts & advice.

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

in this week's episode, we have a big yap and end up unpacking a few big conversations around self-image, getting older, and modern influencer culture

we talk about:

• growing up, aging, & acceptance: shifting from fearing the milestone of turning 30 to finding quiet gratitude in aging naturally (and spotting our first forehead lines in the mirror).

• beauty standards & self-perception: how we see ourselves versus how the world sees us, ranging from the drama of "hair dysmorphia" after a haircut to the normalization of procedures like botox and "looksmaxing" for younger generations.

• influencer culture vs. authenticity: unpacking the viral nantucket craft shop that posted a "no influencers allowed" sign, and debating whether anti influencer backlash stems from subtle misogyny, spatial disrespect, or general performative fatigue.

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

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode discusses eating disorders, disordered eating, body image, weight loss, body comparison, celebrity bodies and potentially triggering content around food and appearance. Please take care of yourself while listening.

if you’d prefer to skip our highs and lows, our main conversation starts at 19:30.

in this episode we address the recent conversation surrounding Ariana Grande and, more broadly public body criticism, celebrity culture and the way we talk about people’s appearances online.

we get into why we feel so uncomfortable commenting on someone else’s body, even when those comments come from a place of genuine concern. we talk about the difference between expressing concern and contributing to harmful body discourse, whether celebrities have any responsibility for the images they put into the world, and whether the public has any right to expect an explanation about someone’s health.

we also talk about our own experiences with body image and why seeing certain content online can affect us differently depending on where we are in our own journeys.

we also chat about the potential impact of seeing this kind of content when you’re younger, whether trigger warnings actually help, and what we can do when we notice the internet starting to negatively affect our own relationship with our bodies.

It’s a messy, nuanced conversation, and we’re very aware that there isn’t one “right” way to talk about something this complicated. we’re sharing our own thoughts and experiences rather than pretending to have the answers, and, as always, we’d love to hear yours.

USEFUL RESOURCES 🤍

If anything discussed in this episode brings something up for you, please take care of yourself. You don’t have to be struggling with a diagnosed eating disorder to reach out for support.

🇬🇧 UK

• ​Beat Eating Disorders information, support and resources for anyone affected by an eating disorder. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to contact them.https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
• ​Beat Helpline confidential support via phone, email and webchat.https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/
• ​NHS Eating Disorders information about eating disorders and accessing support through the NHS.https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/

🇺🇸 US

• ​National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) information, a free confidential screening tool, treatment-finding resources, support groups and resources for loved ones.https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
• ​NEDA Get Help a useful starting point if you’re worried about yourself or someone else and aren’t sure what to do next.https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help/

🇩🇪 Germany

• ​ANAD Essstörungen support and information for people affected by eating disorders and their loved ones, including free and anonymous initial consultations and telephone/online support.https://www.anad.de/beratung/
• ​ANAD Telephone Support confidential and free support for people affected by eating disorders, family members and professionals.https://www.anad.de/beratung/betroffene/telefonberatung/

PODCASTS WE MENTION

• ​Shameless we mention their discussion around Ariana Grande and the ethics of talking publicly about another person’s body and health.
• ​Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! leo’s current Greek mythology obsession, which she recommends after watching The Odyssey.

as always, we’re not experts or professionals. Please take what feels helpful, leave what doesn’t, and be kind to yourself 🤍

this episode we're looking back at the goals & intentions we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year and reflect on how they're going so far & how we're (honestly) feeling.

prompts we answer (for you to follow along):

• what is one overarching intention you would like to set for this coming year?
• what are three ways you will push yourself out of your comfort zone in 2026?
• what do you want to do more/less of in 2026?
• what are 5 things you want to accomplish in 2026 (can be small/big)?

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 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 'the someday garden' by ashley poston).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

grab a cup of coffee or matcha and join us in our pajamas for a cozy sunday morning recs & life catch-up

this week, we’re sharing all our current favourites. from nostalgic TV and playlists, to our favourite recent reads and board games. We also have an honest chat about navigating busy seasons and learning to feel multiple emotions at the same time.

here is everything we cover & recommend in this episode:

what we’re watching and listening to:

• restarting one tree hill for peak nostalgia!!
• hart of dixie
• dallas cowboys cheerleaders (season 3) + playing the playlist for ultimate main-character airport struts (link here)

what we’re reading:

• phoebe berman is gonna lose it by brooke avrick (the ultimate funny, but heartfelt rom com)
• the reappearance of rachel price by holly jackson (for a fast paced lighthearted mystery)
• the collected regrets of clover (taking it slow & finding comfort in the story)

games&apps we’re obsessed with 

• crossplay (online scrabble with friends!)
• board game night classics: catan, taboo, and black stories

Current thoughts: 

• navigating dual emotions: feeling confidence & anxiety, or grief & joy at the exact same time
• busy adult routines, hard choices, and postponing trips home
• leo’s wedding trip to tuscany & our wholesome reunited mornings in london 

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

in this cosy catch up, we're chatting about whether we're introverts or extroverts, the environments that bring out different sides of us, leo's jam-packed month ahead, and cara shares an honest update on navigating grief and the guilt that can come with moving forward.

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

leo spent the week back home in germany celebrating her little brother’s high school graduation, which sparked a conversation about one of life’s biggest turning points. this week, we’re reminiscing on fresh starts, gap years, finding independence, and sharing everything we wish we’d known before starting university. We end the episode sharing the advice we’d give our 18-year-old selves if we could do it all again <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

this episode is dedicated to LISTS !!

a) a list of all the little things that have made my (yes "my" because today's ep is a solo one with just leo) life better

b) a list of my favourite summer book recs that i simply HAD to share with everyone!!

• silver elite, dani francis
• emily wilde's encyclopedia of faeries, heather fawcett
• the spellshop & the faraway inn by sarah beth durst
• dolly all the time & it's a love story by annabel monaghan
• every summer after by carley fortune
• emily henry (need i say more)
• 28 summers & the five star weekend by elin hilderbrand
• my brilliant friend by elena ferrante
• i feel bad about my neck by nora ephron

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 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 'yesteryear' by caro claire burke).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

in this episode cara shares her recent mindset coming back from holiday: embracing summer slowness, reflecting on what “living” actually looks means to us and a promise to make efforts to avoid burnout! We then share our recent critiques on every year after & yesteryear (we keep it quite topline so not to many spoilers - but if you don’t want ANY inkling into what the book is about then don’t listen/skipp)

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

WE'RE REUNITED and what better way to do that with than a BIG JUICY CATCH UP!! we yappadoodle about the big & small life events that happened in these last 2 weeks ... aka cara's sister got married, leo got her driving license, cara booked a spontaneous (aka 24 hrs before!!) france trip & lots more!!

we also chat about our recent (least) favourite reads that you should (n't) put on your summer tbr. <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 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 'yesteryear' by caro claire burke).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

do you ever wonder what it would be to be a confident, not-overthinking (italian) man? ...well you're in luck because in today's episode our special guest (aka my boyfriend) marco let's you into his brain for one hour.

we answer some of your questions on:

• how to tell if a guy is interested in you
• vulnerability in male friendships
• navigating long distance with contrasting personalities
• taking risks & moving to a new country
• confidence !!

p.s. take everything he says with a pinch of salt

p.p.s pls excuse the annoying noises my glass straw is making throughout this episode

p.p.p.s. i hope you giggle at least once whilst listening to this episode because best believe i definitely did whilst editing

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 'yesteryear' by caro claire burke).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

in true tmd fashion this episode is part catch up part oversharing and emotional realisations ... we chat about:

• recent body image thoughts
• the importance of being vulnerable and sharing especially when it might feel difficult
• the healing power of female friendships

... and as per usual lots more!! so grab a beverage of your choice, get cosy & CHAT WITH US!!

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 or ⁠here⁠ (leo's booktube) ! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠here⁠.

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 diving into a big sis advice episode all about careers, purpose, overthinking & figuring life out in your 20s 💌 PS WE WERE TOGETHER IN REAL LIFE WHILE RECORDING THISS EEEP!

we answer your advice questions on how to know what your purpose is, having a better work life balance, moving to a new city, learning how to stop overthinking everything, and navigating the pressure of not knowing what you want to do after graduating. a cosy, honest chat for anyone feeling a little lost, stuck, or overwhelmed 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! ☕ Thinking of joining our BOOK CLUB? We’d love to have you! Our current book of the month is ‘Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir). 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

spoiler alert: tears were shed in the making of this episode

hii everyone!! grab a coffee or beverage of your choice and get comfy because we cover a LOT in this episode... we start off with a life update & a semi-juicy storytime (let's just say an ex is involved...)

then we get into something a little more vulnerable... cara opens up about a recent friendship confrontation and the unexpected feelings it surfaced. we talk about the fear of opening up, the exhausting pressure to always be 'perfect' , and what it feels like when conflict makes you question everything about yourself....

there were tears, there were giggles, there were realisations... and as always, we hope it makes you feel a little less alone in whatever you're going through right now 💌

skip to 27:00 if you are only interested in the friendship confrontation topic!

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 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 'project hail mary' by andy weir).

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’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

another week... another cosy catch up ❤️

we chat about a slightly unhinged recording day (including no sleep, work stress, and last-minute schedule changes), before slipping into a long, rambling bookish conversation. leo shares her experience reading Project Hail Mary, her first ever sci-fi (apparently lolsie) and why it completely surprised her, while cara gives a reading update on I Who Have Never Known Men and her thoughts so far.

we also dive into the kinds of books we’re drawn to (high-stakes vs cosy, emotional vs dark), discuss A Little Life (trigger warning) and its impact, and swap a bunch of recommendations.. from Madonna in a Fur Coat and Of Mice and Men to newer releases like Into the Blue.

plus, we chat about upcoming reading plans, TBR struggles, and leo’s ambitious goal to read during a very intense work trip. 💌

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 - (join whilst before we pick our April read!! ).

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

skip to 24:30 for the main topic of this episode!

hii everyone! <3 in this episode we give an update on how we've been, the emotional rollercoaster that is being a woman and answer a BIG question from one of you listeners which is:

'did we experience our goals/plans for life become more stable in your twenties?'

this did in fact send us on a big spirally ramble all about the 'ideal' societal timeline and how we're approaching life plans as we're getting older... would LOVE to know your thoughts on this topic, because this conversation has so many more layers that we didn't even begin to unpack!!

links:

the bathrobe we chat about

the ig account we mention

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 chatting about how to fill your own cup when life feels overwhelming (and a little stressful). work stress, uni deadlines, late-night emails.. it can all feel like too much.

we chat about setting better work/life boundaries, taking time for the little joys that actually recharge you, and answer one of your questions on managing uni stress. from focusing on what your lecturers actually care about to romanticising your routine, we share our thoughts, experiences, and tips for making it all a bit more manageable 💛.

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

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

WELCOMEEE to the first episode of our 'spring diaries’ series!!! In this cosy lil Q&A episode we chat about:

• Our spring reset plans  
• What our relationships with exercise look like at the moment 
• The drink of the season aka our matcha recs!! 🍵
• Focussing on the little joys 
• Planning solo dates 
• & lots more! ⭐️

Jump to 13:29 to skip the intro/“wuthering heights” review and dive straight into the Q&A 💘

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 episode is quite literally what the title says hihi, we catch up on our highs & lows of the week, cara has some WEDDING updates & leo debriefs everyone on her ... interesting... valentines dinner. ☕️

PLEASE let us know in the comments:

a) how are you doing - what were your high & lows of the week!

b) what would you like us to talk about in future eps <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 '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

HAPPY YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE!!!

PSA: we recorded this episode at the beginning of jan so that's why we're chatting about nye, bday reflections etc!! if you're interested in just the resolutions & journal prompts, then listen from 14:53!

journal prompts so you can also write down your thoughts:

• 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 2026?
• What do you want to do more of in 2026?
• What do you want to do less of in 2026?
• What are 3 things you want to accomplish in 2026 (can be small/big)

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 or ⁠here⁠ (leo's booktube) ! ☕ also, if you want to join our BOOK CLUB... you can join us ⁠here⁠ !

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

✨ skip to 01:24 to hear all of your amazing voice notes! ✨

better late than never eyy?? the time has finally come for us to share our long awaited 2025 reflections episode where we answer our yearly journal prompts and, most importantly, feature your reflections on what you’ve learned in 2025.

thank you (as always) from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who’s listened, supported, and contributed voice notes. you always make this so special.

want to reflect along with us? Here are the prompts we answered:

🌟 If the energy of your past year could be summed up in one word, what would it be?🌟 What were your big wins this year?🌟 What were your small wins this year?🌟 What were your challenges this year, and what did you learn from them?🌟 What are 3 things you learned this year?🌟 What do you want to leave behind as you step into 2026?

🌟 What were your energy givers and takers?

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

WE'RE SO BACK BABYYYYY!!!! thank you so much for being patient with us this month, we're promise we shall not disappear from the earth again!! this episode is filled with lots of story times and updates - from leo's india travel & subsequent food poisoning stories to how cara's wedding planning is going & how we're generally feeling.

we hope you enjoy listening!!! <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 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 'on earth we're briefly gorgeous' by ocean vuong).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), 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 uncertainty
• pre-pandemic innocence, digital exhaustion, and algorithm fatigue
• how age, generation, and life stage shape the version of 2016 we miss
• why our memories are rosier than reality & and why that’s okay

I hope you enjoy this episode hehe and we can’t wait to be back together on the mic for our usual wednesday uploads! xx

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

in episode 4 of our festive diaries series, we share our 2025 christmas bucket list: from baking cookies to movie marathons, ice skating and christmas markets. little moments, big intentions, and all the cosy things we want to make time for this season 🎄✨ please let us know what fun things you are planning to tick off over the next week?

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

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

we’re very excited to be sharing our festive book recommendations (aka the festive books we’ve genuinely loved that are cosy, Christmassy comfort reads). If you want real, tried and tested winter book recommendations, this episode is for you ❄️

Festive reads (past favourites)

• Kiss Her Once for Me Alison Cochrun
• The Wedding Witch Erin Sterling
• His Dark Materials / The Book of Dust Philip Pullman
• I Feel Bad About My Neck Nora Ephron
• In a Holidaze — Christina Lauren
• The Christmas Book Hunt Jenny Colgan
• My December Darling Lauren Asher

P.S - we kept saying Bah Humbug without actually knowing what it means so please ignore us being silly xoxo 

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 Quinn

• Good Spirits B.K. Borison (new release)

• Always, in December Emily Stone 

• Let It Snow John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle 

• Royal Holiday  Jasmine Guillory

• Bringing Down the Duke Evie Dunmore

• A Winter in New York Josie Silver

• The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Ally Carter

• The Christmas Wager  Holly Cassidy

• The Plight Before Christmas  Kate Stewart

• 12 Dates of Christmas Jenny Bayliss

• The Holiday Swap  Maggie Knox

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

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

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.com⁠

November Burnout Recovery Plan

Week 1: The Slow Reset

Clear 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 scrolling

Week 2: The Sensory Reset

Reconnect 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 night

Week 3: The Mental Reset

Protect 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 mins

Week 4: The Grounding Reset

Reflect, 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

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 xx

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

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

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

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 thoughts
• navigating grief
• daring to live a life less ordinary
• existensialism
• finding freedom within discipline
• making the mundane sacred

• the power of human kindness & connection

where you can find adam:

• adam's ig
• find the book at waterstones
• find the book at bloomsbury
• find the book on amazon

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 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

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 Mandanna

• Blood Over Bright Haven — M.L.Wang

• The Bewitching — Silvia Moreno-Garcia

• Fangs — Sarah Andersen (graphic novel)

• The Academy — Elin Hilderbrand

• Assistant to the Villain — Hannah Nicole Maehrer

• One Dark Window — Rachel Gillig

• The Exorcism of Faeries — J.L. Vampa

• Immortal Consequences — I.V. Marie

• Arcana Academy — Elise Kova

• A Natural History of Dragons — Marie Brennan

• A Dark and Secret Magic — Wallis Kinney

• If It Makes You Happy — Julie Olivia

• In the Company of Witches — Auralee Wallace

• Katabasis — R.F. Kuang

• Cackle — Rachel Harrison

• Rewitched — Lucy Jane Wood

• Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match — Sally Thorne

• The Girl in White — Lindsey Currie

• Dracula — Bram Stoker

• My Roommate is a Vampire — Jenna Levine

• Not Quite Dead Yet — Holly Jackson

• If We Were Villains — M.L. Rio

• Practical Magic — Alice Hoffman

• The Once and Future Witches — Alix E. Harrow

• Frankenstein — Mary Shelley

• The Unmaking of June Farrow — Adrienne Young

• Checking Out Crime — Laurie Cass

• A River Enchanted — Rebecca Ross

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 Fantasy

• The Spellshop — Sarah Beth Durst
• Legends & Lattes — Travis Baldree
• Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies — Heather Fawcett

Fantasy

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue — V.E. Schwab
• Heartless Hunter & Rebel Witch — Kristen Ciccarelli
• Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows — Rebecca Ross

Witchy Vibes

• The Ex Hex (series) — Erin Sterling
• Witches of Brooklyn — Sophie Escabasse
• Weyward — Emilia Hart
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches — Sangu Mandanna

Dark Academia

• The Secret History — Donna Tartt
• Babel — R.F. Kuang
• If We Were Villains — M.L. Rio
• Bunny — Mona Awad
• Ninth House — Leigh Bardugo
• An Academy for Liars — Alexis Henderson

Mystery

• Wild Dark Shore — Charlotte McConaghy
• Murder at the Bookstore — Sue Minix
• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder — Holly Jackson
• The Inheritance Games — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Romance

• The Dead Romantics — Ashley Poston
• You Again — Kate Goldbeck
• The Seven Year Slip — Ashley Poston

Classics/Gothic

• Frankenstein — Mary Shelley
• Jane Eyre — Charlotte Brontë
• The Picture of Dorian Gray — Oscar Wilde

Other

• Before the Coffee Gets Cold — Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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 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

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 does what it says in the tin (aka the title) because we both had MANY realisations this week - from realising our negative bias, wanting to be less self-centered, finding our purpose, setting unrealistic expectations to perfectionism - we chat about it all.

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 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 'wild dark shore' by charlotte mcconaghy).

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), 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

in this episode (inspired by the amazing goes without saying episode) we break down our self criticism & self sabotage tendencies & HOW WE'RE GONNA TURN THAT SHIZZLE AROUND!!!

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.

if you don't have any social media and want to chat (or for advertising opportunities), please email us at: ⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠

welcome to the digital detox diary entry #3... 1 month without social media to test my brain & see what happens ... JOIN ME!

in this ep we do a lil check-in on how i've been feeling now that we're THREE weeks into this challenge - the highs AND the lows (coz trust me there've been some...). we're talking overthinking, what happens when you actually have time to sit with your feelings, new missions and some recs!

also... my first yt video is up eeeek. you can find it here.

daily journal prompts:

1. how did i feel today?
2. how did i spend my time?
3. what inspired me today?
4. what am i grateful for?

recs:

the crimson moth/heartless hunter duology by kristen ciccarelli

the book of azrael by amber v. nicole

@faithsreadingthings (cosy booktube channel)

50 states in 50 days series

if you want to join the challenge or just want to chat, please email us at: ⁠⁠⁠thematchadiariespod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

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.

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.com⁠⁠

logo credit: @french75studio

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).