Episode 262

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Published on:

18th Sep 2025

Entrepreneurship with Mental Freedom - part 1

In this inspiring episode of Life Equals Choices, Choices Equal Life, Kim Olver sits down with Joan Karstrom, a globally minded tech creative and founder of her own digital studio, to explore how Mental Freedom® helped her step confidently into entrepreneurship.

From overcoming imposter syndrome in male-dominated tech spaces to redefining success on her own terms, Joan shares how the principles of Mental Freedom—like Responsibility vs. Response-ability, the Unconditional Trust Challenge, and Rewriting the Stories in Your Head—gave her the clarity and confidence to launch her business.

Listeners will hear how Joan shifted from self-doubt to self-trust, created a values-driven business, and now mentors others to do the same. If you’ve ever wondered how to build meaningful work while aligning with your true needs, this episode offers practical tools and an empowering perspective.

Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2 of this conversation on "Entrepreneurship with Mental Freedom." 

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About the Podcast

Life = Choices; Choices = Life
Making better choices for a better life
Life = Choices; Choices = Life is about learning to replace external control psychology with radical responsibility and appreciation so you can make better choices to create the life you want to have. Kim Olver is a leading expert in Choice Theory™ psychology and will share what she has gleaned from the legendary work of Dr. William Glasser, as well as sharing her unique perspective based on over 30 years of study and research.

About your host

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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.