It's Arika's 27th birthday, and after eight weeks apart, she and Marissa are reuniting for an honest, unfiltered catch-up. From engagement photo shoots and wedding stress to Marissa’s Ireland trip, they cover it all - but this episode goes deeper than just life updates.

Arika opens up about her recent endometriosis diagnosis and what the treatment journey has actually been like, including the side effects and mental health impacts nobody really talks about. She also shares the chaos of tech school delays, government shutdowns, and the very real possibility of missing her own wedding - all while trying to stay grounded when nothing feels certain.

But it's not all heavy. Arika dives into the things keeping her sane: her new Cricut obsession, America's Sweethearts on Netflix, and quality time with family and church community. Then, inspired by a Kacey Musgraves song, the conversation shifts to Saturn return - the astrological phenomenon that hits between ages 27-30 when everything in your life starts to change. It's described as an initiation into adulthood, forcing you to decide if the path you're on is what you want or what you're supposed to do. For Arika, turning 27 in the middle of all this suddenly feels like more than coincidence.

Whether you're navigating health struggles, life transitions, wedding planning chaos, or just trying to figure out who you are in your twenties, this episode is a reminder you're not alone.

RESOURCES •
Netflix "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" - https://www.netflix.com/title/81685878
Cricut - https://amzn.to/4nqrcpf

MORE ABOUT WROC •
Grab a cup of coffee and get cozy with us every week for a new episode of We Run on Coffee. Arika & Marissa talk about relationships, post-grad jobs, travel, and all things about life in your 20s.

LINKS •
Visit Our Website: https://werunoncoffee.myportfolio.com
Follow We Run on Coffee: https://linktr.ee/werunoncoffee
Contact Us: werunoncoffeepodcast@gmail.com

In this week’s episode, Arika and Marissa are joined by a special guest, Arika’s fiancé, Angelo, for a conversation that’s all about military life, service, and big transitions. As a member of the Air Force National Guard, Angelo shares what inspired him to enlist right after high school, what basic training was really like, and how he’s navigated the unique balance between military and civilian life.

From working as a KC-135 aircraft maintainer to now preparing for a new role in cyber operations, Angelo reflects on how his experiences have shaped him, the challenges and rewards of serving in the Guard, and what most people don’t realize about military service. He also opens up about the process of switching career paths within the Air Force and what this next chapter means for his future.

As Veterans Day approaches, this episode offers an inside look at life in the National Guard; the discipline, the sacrifice, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’ve served, know someone who has, or just want to better understand military life, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

MORE ABOUT WROC •
Grab a cup of coffee and get cozy with us every week for a new episode of We Run on Coffee. Arika & Marissa talk about relationships, post-grad jobs, travel, and all things about life in your 20s.

LINKS •
Visit Our Website: https://werunoncoffee.myportfolio.com
Follow We Run on Coffee: https://linktr.ee/werunoncoffee
Contact Us: werunoncoffeepodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Arika and Marissa kick off the season with a creative twist inspired by a recent online trend of building their own “personal syllabi” for fall and winter. Instead of textbooks and exams, their syllabi are filled with everything from personal goals and creative projects to new hobbies and wellness experiments they want to explore before the year wraps up.

Arika shares her lineup of “courses,” including wedding planning projects, creative outlets like designing Christmas cards, and a few science-inspired wellness challenges. Meanwhile, Marissa’s syllabus leans into all things cozy and mystical; think learning the history of witchcraft, diving deeper into tarot, and finding balance through mental health and fitness routines.

It’s an introspective yet lighthearted episode full of inspiration for anyone looking to reset, refocus, and romanticize their routines this season. Grab your metaphorical notebooks, class is officially in session at We Run on Coffee!

RESOURCES •

The Prologues Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprologuespodcast/

Prologues Podcast Ep from 8/25/25 - https://open.spotify.com/show/22jvDomDAuTsgFGMqh6KGc

MORE ABOUT WROC •

Grab a cup of coffee and get cozy with us every week for a new episode of We Run on Coffee. Arika & Marissa talk about relationships, post-grad jobs, travel, and all things about life in your 20s.

LINKS •

Visit Our Website: https://werunoncoffee.myportfolio.com
Follow We Run on Coffee: https://linktr.ee/werunoncoffee
Contact Us: werunoncoffeepodcast@gmail.com