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Challenging Expectations: A Lesson in Intentional Decision-Making Today, I’m going to share a little story with you about expectations, norms, and about what it means to challenge them. It’s about a day, a line, and a lesson that’s stayed with me longer than I ever thought it would. I’m Rishma Walji, and you’re listening to […]

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Family

The Accidental Heirloom

A Story of Love, Loss and Legacy “Beauty lies not just in objects, but in the stories they carry and the connections they deepen.” Welcome to the XO Conversations podcast, where we delve deep into the essence of living intentionally. I’m Dr. Rishma Walji, and today, I bring you a story that belongs to generations […]

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Mindset

Break the Self-Sabotage Cycle

Do you ever make things harder for yourself? You do something that feels good in the moment, but you know it will make you feel worse later? And somehow you just can’t help yourself? People call this self-sabotage, but let’s explore it differently. We don’t self-sabotage on purpose. It’s not like we want to make […]

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Blog

How to Talk To Your Kids About Gender and Sexuality

Here are some themes that came up in this podcast episode. Listen or watch to get all the details. How to Start Conversations About Sex and Gender with Kids? How to Stay Open and Avoid Imposing Biases on Kids? Balancing Safety and Independence: How to Teach Kids Consent and Boundaries? Why Include the Pleasure Aspect […]

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Mindset

Pushing Limits: Taking Goal Setting to the Extreme

Brace yourself for a story filled with determination, family love, and personal growth. In this episode, we follow Jason’s extraordinary goal to conquer the mighty waters of Lake Ontario. Meet Jason, a loving husband and doting father to a delightful five-year-old daughter. Amidst his bustling life, he reveals his new challenge — one that will […]

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Stress

Are you living with ambient stress?

Understanding and Overcoming Stress Stress is the bane of my existence.  On a personal level I’m always trying to manage it, because I like to do lots of things. One thing finishes and I’m already onto the next. I have big dreams, big ideas and like to learn and grow, which means that life definitely […]

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Mental Health

Beyond the Label of Mental Health with Dr. Christina Bjorndal

In this episode, Dr. Chris Bjorndal shares her journey with mental health and how she is now helping others regain their mental health. She talks about her book “Beyond the Label,” where she discusses how labels for mental health diagnoses can be stigmatizing and contribute to suffering. Dr. Bjorndal has struggled with anxiety, depression, bipolar […]

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Relationships

Behind Closed Doors: A Journey Through Intimacy Struggles

Intimacy: The Missing Piece in a Picture-Perfect Marriage Misha and her husband had a marriage that seemed perfect from the outside. They were close friends and partners who had been together for years. However, there was one issue that they had been struggling with for a long time – intimacy. Every time they tried to […]

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Finding Joy

Finding Your Creative Flow: How To Get In the Zone

In this quick tip episode, I thought I’d look at the science, go through some practical examples, and give you some ideas on how to bring more creative flow into your life. And if you’re not looking to be more creative, let me preface this by saying that creative flow isn’t just for artists, it’s […]

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Blog

Strategies To Manage Difficult Emotions

Background Behind The Scenes Moment Today I’m talking with Dr. Joan Rosenberg, I actually had a major fan girl moment. So I have to share this story first, if you’ve taken my free workshop on emotional regulation, in it, I referenced this particular technique for managing unpleasant feelings. And the idea was to ride the […]

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Travel adventurer, joy seeker, book lover

Hi, I'm Rishma.
Your BFF + New
Life Strategist.

I ran a thriving healthcare practice as a Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist for over 20 years. I also earned my PhD and spent time in academic research and teaching positions. Now, I read scientific studies because I'm passionate about personal growth. I use the insights to help me, and our community, live our own XO life.

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