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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

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: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

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: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

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: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠