XO Conversations

Rishma Walji
  • 4.8 (42)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for growth-minded people who want to get more out of life. Hosted by XO Living founder, Dr. Rishma Walji, expect interviews with experts, conversations with real people and Rishma’s unique take on the strategies and action items you can begin incorporating into your life to help you be your most vibrant self.

  1. Why We Struggle to Say No (and How to Find Your Voice)

    5D AGO

    Why We Struggle to Say No (and How to Find Your Voice)

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sunita Sah — physician and organizational psychologist — to unpack something most of us were never taught: how to speak up when it matters. Together, we explore: • Why we struggle to say no (even when we know we should) • How people-pleasing gets reinforced from childhood • The hidden cost of staying silent • The psychology of defiance — and why it isn’t what you think • The five stages of speaking up • How to find your voice without becoming someone you’re not This conversation isn’t about becoming louder or more confrontational. It’s about integrity and values and standing up for what you feel is right.  I learned a lot from this conversation.  If you’ve ever felt stuck between being kind and being honest… If you’ve ever swallowed your truth to keep others comfortable… This episode is for you.   Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    41 min
  2. How To Stop The Comparison Spiral

    FEB 27

    How To Stop The Comparison Spiral

    Have you ever noticed how quickly comparison can take over? One minute you’re feeling grounded… The next, you see someone else’s post, promotion, relationship, or life update — and suddenly you’re wondering if you’re behind, off track, or not doing enough. In this episode, we’re talking about the comparison spiral — why it happens, why it feels so personal, and what’s actually going on beneath the surface when someone else’s success makes you doubt your own life.  You’ll learn why comparison isn’t really about them — it’s about the desire, insecurity, or longing that gets activated inside of you.  And more importantly, I’ll walk you through five practical tools you can use in the moment to stop spiraling. In this conversation, we explore: - Why comparison can collapse your confidence in seconds - The “happiness gap” comparison creates — and how to shrink it - How curiosity can interrupt self-judgment instantly - A few simple "resets" that restore perspective This episode is for you if: You feel triggered by other people’s success — even when you’re happy for them You’ve ever thought “I should be further ahead by now” You’re navigating midlife transitions, identity shifts, or changing capacity You want to stop comparing without pretending it doesn’t hurt You want to know how to get off the comparison spiral and back to yourself and your dreams. Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    17 min
  3. When You Feel Guilty For Resting

    2025-12-15

    When You Feel Guilty For Resting

    When was the last time you truly rested? What happens when you literally can’t do it all anymore? For Jess, it took a broken foot, six weeks off her feet, and a complete pause in her routines to realize how deeply she’d tied her worth to her productivity. In this episode, we explore the emotional reality of “rest guilt” — the belief that you’re only valuable when you’re doing, helping, performing, achieving, or holding everything together. Jess opens up about the meltdown that made her ask, “Who am I if I’m not doing all the things?” and how she's redefining worth, presence, and capacity. We talk about: • Feeling useless or unworthy when you can’t be productive • How to accept help (even when it feels uncomfortable) • Why women often tie value to caretaking, tasks, and saying yes • How Jess learned to rest without shame • The surprising way slowing down made her more productive • Redefining movement, connection, and capacity If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or secretly afraid of slowing down, this episode will help you rethink your relationship with rest — and give yourself permission to be human. 🎧 Listen if you’re craving: Permission to rest Freedom from productivity pressure Emotional resilience and self-compassion   YouTube video:   Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    15 min
  4. Why You’re Still Tired After Resting

    2025-12-08

    Why You’re Still Tired After Resting

    Have you ever done all the right things — gone to bed early, canceled plans, rested, even slept well — and still woken up feeling exhausted? This episode is for the kind of tired that sleep doesn’t fix. We’re talking about emotional exhaustion — how it’s different from physical fatigue, why it’s so common right now, and why so many of us keep trying to solve emotional depletion with physical solutions. In this conversation, I walk you through how emotional energy gets quietly drained over time — through “shoulds” you don’t agree with, constant responsibility, being needed by everyone, and pretending you’re okay when you’re not. And more importantly, what it actually takes to move from rest to restoration. You’ll learn: - How to tell if you’re physically tired or emotionally drained - Why emotional exhaustion can look like burnout, numbness, or constant tension - How “shoulds” quietly leak your emotional energy - The difference between rest and true emotional restoration - How boundaries, connection, and purpose help you recharge at a deeper level This episode is especially for you if: You feel tired even after a full night’s sleep You’re capable of doing everything — but don’t want to anymore You feel tense when someone needs something from you You’re a parent, caregiver, professional, entrepreneur, or helper You’re tired of powering through and want to feel restored again If rest hasn’t been working for you, it may not be your body that needs the break. It may be your heart. Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    12 min
  5. How to Redesign Your Life Around the Lifestyle You Want

    2025-12-01

    How to Redesign Your Life Around the Lifestyle You Want

    When life gives you lemons, what do you do? In this episode of XO Conversations, Dr. Rishma Walji sits down with Rachel Kelly, founder of Make Lemonade, to talk about how she rebuilt her life — and her identity — after closing her dream business during the pandemic. From launching a women’s coworking space to discovering her passion for floristry, Rachel’s journey is a masterclass in creative reinvention and self-trust. Together, they explore: 🍋 How to pivot when life doesn’t go as planned 💬 Why “failure” is often just redirection 🌸 What it means to live a truly creative life 🪞 How to separate your identity from your business ✨ Why courage often sounds like intuition If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or ready for a change, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to make something beautiful out of the unexpected.   Watch on YouTube Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    36 min
  6. Building Confidence When You Don’t Feel Ready

    2025-11-24

    Building Confidence When You Don’t Feel Ready

    You don’t have to be fearless to be brave. In this episode of XO Conversations, Dr. Rishma Walji sits down with Michelle “Mace” Curran, former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird fighter pilot and author of The Flip Side, to explore how courage really works — in the air and in life. From blacking out mid-flight at nine times the force of gravity to performing in front of millions as one of the few women fighter pilots in the world, Michelle’s story is about more than speed and precision. It’s about what happens after the fear hits — and how to move anyway. Together, they dive into: ✈️ What fighter jets taught her about failure and control 💭 How to separate self-worth from performance 🪞 Why courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s the pause before reaction 🌱 How to build confidence through recovery, not perfection 💡 The real meaning of starting before you’re ready Whether you’re standing at the edge of a big decision or simply craving more confidence in everyday life, this conversation will remind you that bravery starts with one small, honest step. 🎧 Listen if you’re ready to: Overcome self-doubt and imposter feelings Reframe failure as feedback Build courage in uncertainty Learn from one of the few women fighter pilots in the world  Watch on YouTube:  Learn more: macecurran.com More Resources: livingxo.com/resources Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    54 min
  7. What Happens When Success Isn’t Enough

    2025-11-17

    What Happens When Success Isn’t Enough

    We spend years chasing success — the titles, the numbers, the validation — only to realize that achievement isn’t the same as fulfillment. In this episode of XO Conversations, Dr. Rishma Walji sits down with Meghan Telpner, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and founder of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition, to talk about what happens when you outgrow the version of success you once worked so hard to build. After leading a multimillion-dollar business with students all over the world, Meghan made a radical choice — to walk away. What came next wasn’t burnout, but a complete redefinition of what it means to live well. Together, we explore: ✨ How to know when “enough” is truly enough 💬 The emotional toll of achievement and identity 🌱 Why rest and creativity are the new measures of success 💡 How to reconnect with joy and self-worth after success 🪞 What it means to live in alignment instead of autopilot This isn’t a story about quitting. It’s a story about redefining your goals, and a new kind of success that’s rooted in peace, values, creativity, and purpose.   Episode LinksWatch on YouTube Learn more about Meghan Explore tools for intentional living: livingxo.com/resources Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    49 min
  8. Changing How You Think About Money (And Yourself)

    2025-11-10

    Changing How You Think About Money (And Yourself)

    So many of us grow up hearing: “Save every penny,” or “Don’t waste money.” But what happens when those kinds of money stories start holding us back? In this heartfelt episode of XO Conversations, Dr. Rishma Walji sits down with Cammie Doder and Sandi Bragar, co-hosts of the Money Tales Podcast, to explore the emotional and practical sides of money.  ✨ How childhood money stories shape adult decisions 💬 Why our values and beliefs about money often get tangled 💡 How to talk about finances with your partner — without tension 🌱 How to redefine “enough” in a world that tells us to keep striving 🧭 The intersection of identity, purpose, and financial wellbeing This isn’t a technical finance episode — it’s a deeper look at how our money mindset mirrors our emotional life. Whether you’re redefining success, feeling financially stuck, or simply craving more alignment in how you earn, spend, and give, this conversation will help you reconnect money with meaning. Engage & Connect: Want more insights, tips, and personal stories? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and updates on upcoming episodes.Gifts for Listeners: Take your first step towards an extraordinary life with our FREE resources. Check out our free quiz at livingxo.com/quiz and plot your current decision-making process. Discover actionable steps to move closer to your goals.Grab my FREE gratitude challenge: livingxo.com/gratitudeDownload my FREE handout 5 Must-Ask Questions before making a decision livingxo.com/questionsFREE workbook to help you figure out what you really want (not what you think you should want): livingxo.com/mygoals  p.s. If you found value in this episode, please share and leave a 5 star rating and review on your preferred podcast platform!

    33 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

A podcast for growth-minded people who want to get more out of life. Hosted by XO Living founder, Dr. Rishma Walji, expect interviews with experts, conversations with real people and Rishma’s unique take on the strategies and action items you can begin incorporating into your life to help you be your most vibrant self.

Information

  • Creator
    Rishma Walji
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    XO Conversations