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Episode 257

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Published on:

24th Jul 2025

Designing a Life You Love: Jane Newman on Mental Freedom®, Educational Leadership & Bold Choices

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Life Equals Choices, Choices Equal Life, Kim Olver welcomes back Australian educator, consultant, and speaker Jane Newman for the powerful second part of their conversation about transformation in education and life. With over 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership, Jane has seen firsthand the toll modern education can take on the professionals within it—and she's made it her mission to help people realign with their purpose, values, and emotional well-being.

Jane shares how she uses the principles of Choice Theory® to help educators reconnect with what truly matters—not just in the classroom, but in their lives. She talks about the importance of living in congruence with your inner beliefs, how self-awareness influences teaching effectiveness, and what happens when educators are no longer energized by the work they once loved. With compassion and clarity, Jane explains why leaving a profession doesn’t mean failure—it can be the first step toward reclaiming joy and designing a more fulfilling life.

You'll hear:

  • Why educator burnout is often a sign of misalignment, not inadequacy
  • The difference between teaching from obligation vs. inspiration
  • How Mental Freedom® empowers individuals to choose the life they want
  • Jane’s own courageous story of stepping away from her role as principal
  • The ripple effect of aligned, joyful professionals on the next generation
  • How core values serve as a compass for personal and professional decisions
  • The power of intentional living and giving yourself permission to evolve

Whether you’re an educator questioning your path, a leader wanting to reignite your purpose, or simply someone curious about the psychology of meaningful life change, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

 Learn more about Jane and her work, go to http://www.newcoreconsulting.com. You’ll also find her link tree at https://linktr.ee/newcore?utm_source=qr_code.

 Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs it today.

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About the Podcast

Life = Choices; Choices = Life
Practical Conversations About Leadership, Relationships, and Personal Responsibility Through Mental Freedom
Hosted by author, speaker, and coach Kim Olver, Life = Choices; Choices = Life explores how personal responsibility, emotional awareness, and intentional decision-making shape our relationships, leadership, and everyday lives.

Drawing on the principles of Choice Theory® and the framework of Mental Freedom®, Kim has thoughtful conversations with experts, educators, coaches, and leaders about how people can respond to life with greater clarity, connection, and purpose.

Kim Olver is the author of several books on relationships and personal growth, including Mental Freedom®: You Hold the Key, Choosing Me Now, and Secrets of Happy Couples.

Each episode offers practical insights on topics such as:

• Relationships and couples
• Parenting and family dynamics
• Leadership and workplace culture
• coaching and personal development
• Education and human behavior
• Emotional resilience and mental health
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Through interviews and occasional solo reflections, Kim helps listeners understand how our thinking shapes our actions—and how choosing responsibility over blame can lead to healthier relationships, stronger leadership, and a greater sense of freedom.

If you're interested in personal growth, meaningful conversations, and learning how to respond to life with intention rather than reaction, this podcast offers ideas, tools, and perspectives you can apply right away.

Because ultimately,

Life equals choices… and choices equal life.

About your host

Profile picture for Kim Olver

Kim Olver

Kim Olver's mission is to help people make better choices for a better life. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor and a board certified coach. She is a world renowned expert in Choice Theory™ , a highly sought after international speaker and an award-winning author. Her books include: Leveraging Diversity at Work with Sylvester Baugh (2006), Secrets of Happy Couples (2010), Choosing Me Now (2019) and A Choice Theory Guide to Relationships (2019). Kim is currently working on the forthcoming books, The Definitive Guide to Coaching and Radical Responsibility and Appreciation. Kim is the author of The Relationship Center blog; creator of Empowerment Parenting, a 25-hour parenting curriculum for court-mandated parents; and owner of Academy of Choice, a BCC (Board Certified Coach) Coaching Program. Kim worked five years as a counselor for schizophrenics in a community-based residential program, 17 years holding various positions with a specialized foster care agency, was Executive Director of Glasser Institute for Choice Theory for nine years and the Executive Director for William Glasser International for eight; and began her own company, Coaching for Excellence, in 2005. She is a model of what she teaches about taking responsibility for the things she can influence and control and finding appreciation for those things she can't. Kim believes radical responsibility and appreciation are the keys to a happy, peaceful, satisfying life.