Muriel D’Sa wears many titles—radio presenter, entrepreneur, storyteller—but before all of that, she’s a mother. In this deeply personal and refreshingly candid conversation, the voice behind Lifetalk with Muriel D’Sa on Talk 100.3 opens up about her 5 AM mornings with her son Zidaan, her journey from Mumbai to the UAE airwaves, and the legacy she’s building through The Opulent Treasures.

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?
Before I’m anything else—a radio host, a businesswoman—I’m a mom. A mom to a bright, spirited six-year-old boy named Zidaan. And that means my day begins at 5 AM, not with the calm of sunrise, but with sleepy negotiations, tangled blankets, and the daily tug-of-war over why school really is important. Some days it’s gentle coaxing, other days it’s full-blown debates in bed. But eventually, with breakfast eaten, teeth brushed, and uniform (somewhat) straightened, I walk him to the bus and watch him wave goodbye as he disappears into his little world.

Then, it’s my turn to step into mine. I rush home, quickly get myself together, and head off to the radio station. On the drive there, I plan and map out my show. It’s called Lifetalk with Muriel D’sa on Talk 100.3—live from 11 AM to 3 PM. It’s not just a show, it’s my space to connect. We talk about real life—messy, beautiful, chaotic life. I’ve always called myself a girl with no filter. I don’t pretend to have it all figured out. I just show up, heart open, ready to talk and to listen.

Because I believe radio, in its purest form, is about connection. Sometimes, just a voice—honest and kind—can calm, uplift, and even heal. When the mics go off, another version of me kicks in. I also run an online jewelry brand called The Opulent Treasures. It’s my tribute to affordable luxury—both lab-grown and natural diamonds—born from a simple question: why should beauty come with a price tag so high?

With a family legacy in the jewellery industry, I decided to reimagine tradition and carve my own niche. Every piece we offer holds meaning—because it’s not just jewelry, it’s a story of elegance, heritage, and accessibility. And then there are the other projects. The ideas I breathe life into when the world is quiet. There’s something new coming soon—something close to my heart. Because storytelling, in all its forms, is the thread that runs through everything I do.

By the end of the day, I’m back home, tucking Zidaan in—those final 30 minutes with him are sacred. Then come the chores, the last few tasks, the quiet reflection. And finally, bed. Not to rest, but to recharge—for another full, beautiful, demanding day. Yes, my days are long. They’re layered, sometimes chaotic, always meaningful. But they’re mine. And I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Did you always know that working in the industry you represent was what you wanted to do? How did you decide on it?
I’ve always carried this quiet knowing in my heart — that I was meant to do something for the community. To connect with people, to use my voice with purpose, to make someone feel a little less alone. But the real heroes in this journey? My parents. They saw it in me before I ever did — the spark, the empathy, the restless curiosity. They never tried to dim it; instead, they nurtured it. My father, especially, had a dream — not for himself, but for me.

I remember visiting him in the UAE during school breaks from Mumbai. The radio was always on. It played in the background like a heartbeat in our home, and he would listen with this quiet reverence. One day, he looked at me and said, “One day, I want to hear you on that radio.” I didn’t know it then, but that moment planted a seed that would shape the rest of my life. When the time came to choose a path, he gently guided me toward Media and Communications.

Not out of pressure, but from a deep belief in who I could become. I always say — I didn’t choose radio. Radio chose me. This medium found me, and in it, I found my voice. And just like that, in between doubts and small wins, between moments of fear and bursts of courage, 15 years have gone by. This industry has challenged me, shaped me, broken me down and built me up again. It’s pulled out parts of me I didn’t know existed. It’s taught me that stories can heal, that connection is powerful, and that sometimes, our parents’ dreams for us are rooted in a truth we’re yet to see.

But most importantly my husband Nishit has been uber supporting including my in laws ( by definition of which every girl is worried thinking otherwise) I have been fortunate to find a family that has been my backbone especially my partner who knows what I need before I say it. Every time I switch on the mic, I carry their voice with me. In a way, they still listen — and I’m still becoming the voice they always believed the world needed to hear.

What first got you interested in the industry you work in?
My love for storytelling began with the magic of radio — a medium that doesn’t just speak, it connects. I’ve always said radio has a way of reaching the soul, of striking a chord deep within, and building invisible threads of emotion that can shift everything in just a few seconds. That’s the power that drew me in… and it still holds me.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?
Obstacles? There were many — but the hardest ones weren’t outside, they were within me. I battled self-doubt in silence, questioning if I was enough, if I would be replaced, if my voice even mattered. Nothing came easy, and I realized the real fight wasn’t with the world, but with the fog in my own mind. I had to learn to stop giving weight to what others thought and start listening to what I truly felt.

Choosing honesty with myself, and fiercely protecting my self-respect, became the turning points. Sometimes, the most powerful growth begins when you decide you’re no longer going to be at war with your own worth.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the industry you represent? What do you wish you had known?
If there’s one heartfelt piece of advice I could give to every woman dreaming of stepping into the world of radio, it’s this: never silence your voice — not for trends, not for approval, and definitely not for the illusion of glamour. Radio is more than just a mic and a playlist. It’s a powerful space to inspire, to comfort, to create change. The world needs voices that heal, that bring clarity in the chaos, and that remind us we’re not alone. And before you speak to the world, speak gently to yourself. Know your worth, honour your journey, and give yourself the love you so freely give others. When you begin from that place, everything else will find its rhythm — just like a beautiful story waiting to be told.

What do you do to unwind after work?
After a long day of wearing many hats, nothing compares to the moment I walk through the door and hear that one line — “Mummy, I missed you and I love you!” — followed by the tightest little hug from my son, Zidaan. That’s the moment my heart exhales. It’s in his embrace that the chaos of the day melts away.

My true way to unwind isn’t a quiet room or a cup of tea — it’s our living room turned dance floor, where Zidaan and I spin, laugh, and lose ourselves in our own little world. We dance like no one’s watching, giggle till our cheeks hurt, and make silly moves that only we understand. That’s our ritual — pure, imperfect, and full of joy. It’s in those moments I’m reminded of what matters most. That no achievement compares to being his person, and no therapy is as healing as the sound of his laughter.