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Episode 263

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Published on:

25th Sep 2025

Entrepreneurship with Mental Freedom - part 2

In this inspiring continuation, Kim Olver sits down with Joan Karstrom, tech entrepreneur and founder of J Code Studio, to explore how Mental Freedom® shapes both her business journey and personal growth. Joan shares how the principles of Mental Freedom helped her move from self-doubt and people-pleasing into clarity, resilience, and authentic confidence.

Together, Kim and Joan unpack what freedom truly means as a business owner, how to stay grounded when comparison creeps in, and why celebrating small wins—like business cards or your first LLC—can fuel long-term success. Joan also highlights the importance of mentoring women in tech, embracing failure as a pathway to knowledge, and appreciating the “GLOW” (Gifts, Lessons, Opportunities, and Wisdom) in everyday challenges.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or someone seeking more alignment in your life, Joan’s candid insights will leave you motivated to redefine success on your own terms.

 Connect with Joan Karstrom

 Catch up on Part 1 of this conversation to hear the beginning of Joan’s Mental Freedom journey.

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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.