One year after making his Prologues debut during My United States Exit Interview, Matthew is back to follow up on how the first year in the UK went for both of us. Did reality meet our expectations?

I've officially lived in Scotland for one entire year, which feels extraordinary, fake, joyful, and sudden all at once.

Women aren't really taught to feel sexy - to sexualize ourselves, sure, but to feel sexy for our own empowerment? Not really. Due to my upbringing in high-control religion, my relationship with my sexuality and confidence has always been layered. I feel I've swung to both extremes of the spectrum at times, before finally landing where I am now.

We're so back!!! Back with another Dialogues episode, the part of Prologues where you talk and I talk back x

Meet Sarah -

How many people you know have gone from the trading floor at Goldman Sachs to being published in Vogue in less than five years? Now you know at least one - Sarah Wood González is a freelance journalist, agency owner, joy soldier, and creative spirit I met shortly after moving to Scotland. She knows all about how to take a risk on yourself - her entire career has been built off of betting on her own ability to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to. Her story has inspired me since I met her, and I hope it inspires you as well.

FIND SARAH:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahwoodgonzalez/?hl=en

Substack: https://limminal.substack.com/

Her writing: https://www.sarahwoodgonzalez.com/

This episode is sponsored by LMNT.

DrinkLMNT.com/MarySkinner

Elon Musk recently went on the Joe Rogan Experience and said, "The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy." And I thought, f*ck that.

In a world increasingly plagued by irresponsible AI usage, unbridled exposure to dangers online, and mind-numbing brain rot content, I think empathy will actually be our savior - empathy is what connects us to the shared human experience, empathy is what drives us to consider other people, and empathy is what keeps our souls intact.

Or something. This is a freewrite, after all.

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The single girl mindset is all about prioritizing yourself, maintaining your independence, and being unafraid and unashamed to pursue your interests. I'm a firm believer that valuing your independence helps you show up as your best self in that relationship, and that the most important relationship you can ever have is with yourself.

If you're enjoying Prologues, please consider giving the podcast a 5 star review wherever you get your podcasts <3

Find me:

Instagram: @mary.cj.skinner & @theprologuespodcast

Tiktok: @mary_skinner

Email: [email protected]

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I will turn 27 in four months, and I don’t want to turn one more year older without doing some of the things I’ve always assumed I’ll just get around to eventually. So I’m focusing hard and committing to making some serious lifestyle changes between now and 27, and I’m bringing you along for every step of the way.

EDIT: there appears to be a a gap of about 10 seconds of silence towards the end of the episode - not sure how that got there, but it doesn't appear to have affected the rest of the ep <3

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The spring equinox marks the pivot from the dark to the light half of the year. March means Daylight Saving’s Time, cherry blossoms, more plans with friends, new inspiration at work, and an increase in energy as our bodies naturally align with the rhythm of the seasons. If nature waits until the spring equinox to start waking up and taking action, I think we should too. That’s why I planned my 2025 goals to kick in only after a cozy, slow start to the year. It simply feels more natural to increase productivity only after the natural world does.

This episode is sponsored by LMNT.

DrinkLMNT.com/MarySkinner

I don't think I've ever been this excited for spring. It's just me and my antihistamines against the world right now.

Anti-algorithmic fashion, flip flops, pistachio green, and CBK - welcome to a round-up of all the predicted trends for S/S 25, as told by the hours of fashion articles, videos, and pinterest scrolls that I consumed so you don't have to. Are you interested in any of the trends or are you skipping out this season?