The Freedom Pivot: Business Intuition & Breaking Cycles to Starting Your Business

Hannele Korhonen
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Freedom Pivot is the podcast for purpose-driven professionals ready to break free from golden-handcuff careers, break cycles they were taught by society and masculine business culture, and start the right business - one that sets them free.  Hosted by Hannele Korhonen, an intuitive business strategist, ex–corporate lawyer, design thinking expert, and someone who knows what it’s like to break free from cycles and golden handcuffs, this is your space to dismantle hustle culture, heal the patterns that keep you stuck, and design a soulful, sustainable business on your own terms. Each week, you’ll find a mix of practical business strategy, mindset shifts, and cycle-breaking conversations that go beyond the surface. No formulas. No hustle hype. Just grounded tools and soul-level truth that honor both your head and your heart. If you’re ready to stop overthinking, start building, and finally create work that feels like home, you’re in the right place.

  1. Why You May Feel Like an Outsider as a Woman in Entrepreneurship And the One Thing That Changes It [Ep. 30]

    3D AGO

    Why You May Feel Like an Outsider as a Woman in Entrepreneurship And the One Thing That Changes It [Ep. 30]

    In this episode, I’m not calm. I’m not neutral. I’m pissed. Because a brilliant, capable woman in her early 30s messaged me after joining an entrepreneurship course she had been excited about only to discover that every example, every success story, every case study featured the same profile: middle-aged white men. And she walked away wondering: Is this even for me? This episode is about representation in entrepreneurship — not as a theoretical concept, but as something deeply personal. Something that quietly shapes our confidence, our ambition, and whether we dare to take the next step. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider as a woman in entrepreneurship, this conversation is for you. In This Episode, We Explore: Why the rooms look the way they do, and what it cost me personally to figure that out The investor moment that changed how I understood everything The difference between being technically included and being truly seen The emotional weight of navigating the messy middle without a mirror Why representation isn't just nice to have; it may be the one thing between a woman taking the leap or walking away Why representation changes everything Work With Hannele Ready to find your room?  Book a discovery call → Book here Connect on Instagram → @curious_hannele 💛 Loved This Episode?  Send it to a woman who has ever felt like entrepreneurship wasn't quite designed for her. And if you have a moment, a 5-star review helps more women find The Freedom Pivot.

    18 min
  2. ADHD, Entrepreneurship and Radical Acceptance: How to Build a Business Around Neurodivergent Family Life with Caroline Thor [Ep. 29]

    12/17/2025

    ADHD, Entrepreneurship and Radical Acceptance: How to Build a Business Around Neurodivergent Family Life with Caroline Thor [Ep. 29]

    What if the calm you’re searching for isn’t something you need to create—but something that emerges when you stop fighting reality? In this episode of The Freedom Pivot Podcast, I’m joined by Caroline Thor, a professional organizer and KonMari consultant who supports families—especially those navigating ADHD and neurodivergent family life—in moving from constant overwhelm to grounded clarity. Caroline’s story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be built on control, hustle, or rigid planning. Instead, it can be designed around radical acceptance: accepting what is, honoring nervous system needs, and building systems that support real life rather than idealized expectations. This conversation explores what ADHD and entrepreneurship look like when you stop trying to “fix yourself” and start designing your business around who you actually are and the life you’re living. In This Episode, We Explore What radical acceptance really means and why it’s foundational for sustainable entrepreneurship ADHD and entrepreneurship: why traditional productivity advice often fails neurodivergent founders How to build a business around neurodivergent family life and unpredictable days Why calm systems matter more than motivation or willpower The connection between home environments, mental health, and entrepreneurial clarity How Caroline’s own freedom pivot led her to build a business that fits her life, not the other way around Letting go of shame and designing systems that work with your brain, not against it About Caroline Thor Caroline Thor is a Professional Organizer, KonMari Consultant, wife, and mother of three (neurodivergent) kids. Drawing from her personal experience and professional expertise, Caroline specializes in helping families create organization systems, habits, and routines that truly work for their families. She believes a tidy, functional home can transform mental health and well-being, especially for families navigating ADHD and autism. As a KonMari Consultant, she follows Marie Kondo’s principles, focusing on sparking joy and creating spaces that support an ideal lifestyle. Caroline also hosts the popular podcast Living Clutter Free Forever, where she shares practical decluttering advice, organizing tips, and strategies. She also runs the growing online membership Clutter Free Collective, supporting families in getting their homes decluttered and organized. Connect with Caroline Podcast: Living Clutter Free Forever Instagram: @caro.thor Membership: Clutter Free Collective Work With Me If this episode resonated and you’re navigating entrepreneurship alongside complexity, uncertainty, or family life that doesn’t fit neat systems: Book a 1:1 → Business Intuition Session Connect → Instagram @curious_hannele Enjoyed This Episode? If this conversation supported you, I’d be so grateful if you left a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more entrepreneurs navigating ADHD, overwhelm, and freedom pivots find this podcast.

    54 min
  3. From Life Crisis to Financial Freedom: How to Turn Pain Into Purpose After Toxic Relationship with Heli Katajamäki [Ep. 28]

    12/03/2025

    From Life Crisis to Financial Freedom: How to Turn Pain Into Purpose After Toxic Relationship with Heli Katajamäki [Ep. 28]

    What happens when life collapses under you — when the relationship you trusted turns toxic, and the future you imagined disappears overnight? In today’s episode, Heli Katajamäki shares her powerful story of navigating a life crisis, rebuilding from the ground up, and creating financial freedom through entrepreneurship. Heli is the founder of Avec Heli Events, a boutique agency producing high-hospitality executive events across Finland, the Nordics, Europe, and the Middle East. But before she built a thriving international business, she faced the painful reality of leaving a toxic relationship, raising a small child alone, and starting over with nearly nothing. This conversation is about what it really looks like to turn pain into purpose — one honest decision, one client, one act of courage at a time. Heli opens up about: the moment she realized her life was built on lies how entrepreneurship became her lifeline out of crisis rebuilding self-worth after emotional manipulation choosing financial independence as a path to safety and freedom the long, nonlinear healing journey after toxic dynamics finding purpose through service, connection, and meaningful work If you’re navigating your own crisis, questioning your worth, or trying to imagine a life beyond survival, this episode is a hopeful reminder that the story isn’t over. Freedom is possible — and you don’t need perfect circumstances to begin. About Heli Katajamäki: Heli Katajamäki is the founder of Avec Heli Events, a boutique event agency specialising in high-hospitality executive events across Finland, the Nordics, Europe and the Middle East. After rebuilding her business and financial independence following a toxic relationship, Heli has grown her business to serve companies seeking thoughtful, intimate and commercially impactful customer and leadership events. Heli has produced events for major Nordic and global companies across multiple industries. Her signature approach blends warm hospitality, strong project management and a deep understanding of how human connection shapes business decisions. Learn more about Heli: Avec Heli Events website LinkedIn Heli on Instagram Work with me If you’re ready for your own freedom pivot  to build a business that aligns with who you are, not who you’ve been told to be — I’d love to support you. Business Intuition Workshop: A 2-hour deep dive to access your next-level clarity and direction. → More info here Connect on Instagram: @curious_hannele Leave a 5-Star Review If today’s episode resonated with you, it would mean the world if you left a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps more listeners find these conversations and feel less alone in their own pivots.

    46 min
  4. Behind the Scenes: How I’m Letting Go of Control and Inviting More Not Knowing in Business [Ep. 27]

    11/19/2025

    Behind the Scenes: How I’m Letting Go of Control and Inviting More Not Knowing in Business [Ep. 27]

    What if not knowing isn’t a problem to solve… but a portal? In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m taking you inside my real, unpolished process of letting go of control and learning to surrender to uncertainty in my business. This isn’t a strategy breakdown or a step-by-step framework. It’s a field note from the middle of the unknown — the place I usually only talk about after clarity arrives. Right now, I’m in a season where the next steps aren’t clear, timelines are shifting, and the path ahead doesn’t have the tidy edges my mind would prefer. And instead of forcing clarity, I’m practicing something far more uncomfortable… and far more powerful: Not knowing. Letting go of control. And trusting what I can’t yet see. In this episode, I’ll take you behind the curtain and share what this actually looks like — the thoughts, the fears, the quiet miracles, the resistance, and the deeper intelligence that shows up only when we stop trying to outrun uncertainty. If you’re in a moment where your logic wants a plan but your intuition whispers “slow down,” this one is for you. In This Episode, You’ll Hear What not knowing actually feels like inside my body and business Why your mind fears uncertainty and reaches for control How I’m practicing letting go while still running a business The difference between “waiting” and “surrendering” Why slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum The hidden intelligence inside uncertainty How the unknown becomes a portal for intuition, alignment, and direction This is not a polished story with a beginning and an end. This is a living moment, a behind-the-scenes share from a season of dismantling old structures, following intuitive breadcrumbs, and relearning what it means to trust the deeper rhythms of my work. Work With Hannele Ready to build a business where intuition and strategy support each other? Book a 1:1 → Business Intuition Workshop Connect on Instagram → @curious_hannele 💛 Enjoyed This Episode? If this resonated with you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more freedom-seekers and intuitive entrepreneurs discover The Freedom Pivot — and they mean the world to me.

    23 min
  5. From Burned Out Corporate Strategist to Life Enthusiast Solopreneur: How Emotional Safety Enables Lasting Change with Suvi Siira [Ep. 26]

    10/15/2025

    From Burned Out Corporate Strategist to Life Enthusiast Solopreneur: How Emotional Safety Enables Lasting Change with Suvi Siira [Ep. 26]

    “90% of the time, my body was in full-blown panic.” That realization changed everything for Suvi Siira, a corporate strategist and change-management professional who was doing all the “right” things and seemed to have it all together — the degrees, the titles, the achievements. But beneath the polished surface, her nervous system was constantly in overdrive. After 15 years in business development and organizational strategy, she reached a breaking point. She didn’t want to be the grumpy old lady when she retired. And she definitely didn’t want her kids to grow up watching her panic at work every single day. So she did something radical. She stopped, and created space. She asked herself a question she’d been avoiding for years: What do I actually need? Today, Suvi is a life-enthusiast solopreneur and integrative health coach who helps people create lasting, sustainable change — not through willpower or strategy alone, but through something most change management never addresses: emotional safety. In this conversation, we talk about why change always feels like a threat to your nervous system, how self-worth became the missing piece in Suvi’s corporate success, and what it really means to have the courage to leap when you don’t know what’s behind the curtain. We also talk about containers — not the business kind, but the kind that hold your hard feelings when everything feels like it’s spilling over. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle you know isn’t working, or if you’re standing at the edge of a big change and your body is screaming “no” even though your heart is whispering “yes” — this episode is for you. In This Episode You’ll Learn Why emotional safety is the missing key to lasting change How to recognize the signs of nervous system overload The link between self-worth and burnout Why your body’s panic response is not failure—it’s protection How to strengthen your emotional container for resilience The truth about courage and fear in personal transformation Practical ways to create safety, compassion, and balance in everyday life About Suvi Siira Suvi Siira is a life-enthusiast solopreneur, change coach, and mom of two who spent 15 years in corporate strategy, business development, and change management before burning out — twice. She’s passionate about exploring the human mind, consciousness, and astrology. After her second burnout and an ADHD diagnosis, she realized that all the therapy and corporate success in the world couldn't fix the deeper issue: she didn't know who she was beneath the layers of people-pleasing and achievement. Today, Suvi helps people create lasting, sustainable change by combining research-based coaching methods with subconscious reprogramming and nervous system regulation. She believes change doesn't come from top-down frameworks or willpower alone; it comes from bottom-up self-discovery, compassion, and teaching your nervous system that you're safe enough to transform. Learn more → www.suvisiira.fi Follow Suvi on Instagram → @suvisiira Work with Hannele Ready to design a business where intuition and strategy work hand in hand? Explore → The Freedom Incubator Book a 1:1 → Business Clarity Session Connect on Instagram → @curious_hannele 💛 Enjoyed This Episode? If this conversation inspired you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more freedom-seekers and heart-led entrepreneurs discover The Freedom Pivot—and they mean the world to me.

    54 min
  6. From Filmmaker to Soul Reader: How to Trust Intuitive Decision Making Over Logic in Business with Yvonne Arnold [Ep. 25]

    10/08/2025

    From Filmmaker to Soul Reader: How to Trust Intuitive Decision Making Over Logic in Business with Yvonne Arnold [Ep. 25]

    What if the fear you feel isn't a warning to stop but a signpost pointing you toward your next brave move? To the unknown, to the parallel world of fun and easy? In this episode of The Freedom Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Yvonne Arnold, a trained historian, filmmaker, and intuitive business strategist who has built a thriving practice serving tender souls across the world. Yvonne's journey from the German countryside to New York City, through multiple career pivots and life-threatening moments, reveals a powerful truth: intuitive decision making isn't about ignoring logic, it's about trusting the inner wisdom you already know. If you’ve ever second-guessed your gut or felt torn between logic and feeling, this conversation will invite you to slow down, listen, and remember: your intuition already knows the way. In This Episode You’ll Learn How to practice intuitive decision making in business The real difference between fear and intuition (and how to tell them apart) Why sensitivity and empathy are leadership superpowers, not weaknesses How to dismantle mental filters and limiting beliefs that block clarity The link between play, trust, and synchronicity in entrepreneurship Yvonne’s pivot from filmmaker to international intuitive coach Practical ways to bring intuition into daily choices and creative work 🌸 About Yvonne Arnold Yvonne Arnold is a filmmaker, author, and intuitive coach guiding entrepreneurs—especially women—to trust their deepest intuition and make clear, courageous decisions in life and business. She is the founder of Soul Reader®, a registered method that combines morphic field reading, neuroplasticity, and energetic awareness to help clients untangle emotional knots and reconnect with joy and purpose. With a master’s degree in history, art history, film, and literature, and a film degree from the New York Film Academy, Yvonne has worked internationally for clients such as BBC, ARD, Mercedes, and Amazon. Her own journey from fear and trauma to freedom and creativity inspires her mission to help others live from intuition, not fear. Learn more: https://en.yoursoulreader.com/  Work with Hannele Ready to design a business where intuition and strategy work hand in hand? Explore → The Freedom Incubator Book a 1:1 → Business Clarity Session Connect on Instagram → @curious_hannele Enjoyed This Episode? If this conversation inspired you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more freedom-seekers and intuitive entrepreneurs discover The Freedom Pivot—and they mean the world to me.

    54 min
  7. From NPR Journalist to Book Coach: Career Pivot and How to Write a Book for Beginners with Melanie Herschorn [Ep. 24]

    10/01/2025

    From NPR Journalist to Book Coach: Career Pivot and How to Write a Book for Beginners with Melanie Herschorn [Ep. 24]

    What happens when your career path no longer fits, and you feel called to something new? In this episode of The Freedom Pivot, I’m joined by Melanie Herschorn, a journalist-turned-entrepreneur who made a bold career pivot from reporting the news to empowering professionals to write and publish their own books. Melanie is now a book coach, publisher, and strategist who helps attorneys and experts turn their knowledge into bestselling books that build authority and impact. With her background as a celebrity publicist, award-winning journalist, clothing designer, and entrepreneur, she knows first-hand what it takes to reinvent yourself and claim your unique story. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but doubts keep you stuck, this conversation will inspire you to ask the question Melanie always poses: Why not you? Here’s what we cover in this episode: Melanie’s career pivot from journalism and PR to entrepreneurship and book coaching. The real fears that stop people from writing, and how to overcome them. Why your story matters, even if “it’s been said before.” Practical tips on how to write a book for beginners, from finding your audience to outlining your message. Why your book can be the key to visibility, trust, and freedom in your business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, professional, or someone with a story to tell, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to start writing. 🌸 About Melanie Herschorn Melanie Herschorn helps attorneys and professionals become bestselling authors and step into their spotlight as thought leaders. As a publisher and book marketing strategist, she’s on a mission to empower new authors to make an impact and grow their income with their signature book. With over 20 years of experience as a celebrity publicist, award-winning journalist, clothing designer, and entrepreneur, Melanie brings a unique perspective to helping authors claim their voice and share it with the world. Connect with Melanie: Website: yourbigimpactbook.com Books:  Make a Big Impact with Your Book: Author Marketing Strategies for Long-Term Success Lasting Legal Impact: Write a Book That Builds Your Brand, Grows Your Practice, and Positions You as the Trusted Expert Work With Me If you’re ready to find your own freedom pivot and design a business that feels like home: Learn more about my signature coaching program: The Freedom Incubator Book a 1:1 Business Clarity Session Connect with me on Instagram: @curious_hannele 💛 Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation inspired you, I’d be so grateful if you left a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more freedom-seekers discover the show, and they mean the world to me.

    42 min
  8. From Corporate Marketing to Astrology: How to Find Your Calling, Entrepreneur Freedom, and Aligned Business with Aino-Sofia Kojonen [Ep. 23]

    09/24/2025

    From Corporate Marketing to Astrology: How to Find Your Calling, Entrepreneur Freedom, and Aligned Business with Aino-Sofia Kojonen [Ep. 23]

    What happens when the career you’ve worked for just doesn’t feel right and your heart keeps nudging you in a different direction? In this episode of The Freedom Pivot, I sit down with my astrology teacher, Aino-Sofia Kojonen, who made the bold leap from a corporate marketing career to building her life and business around astrology. Today, she’s a professional astrologer, yoga teacher, and entrepreneur who helps people uncover their unique essence and remember why they are here. Her message is simple but powerful: there is only one of you, and your soul is not meant to be hidden. Aino-Sofia’s journey shows what it really means to find your calling, embrace entrepreneur freedom, and build an aligned business, even if it means leaving behind the security of the corporate path. She reminds us that building an aligned business often means leaving old skins behind and daring to trust your gut feeling even when the path isn’t clear. Here’s what we explore in this conversation: How to trust your gut feeling when your career path no longer fits. Why it’s okay to be multipassionate and resist the pressure to “just do one thing.” The role of astrology insights in reconnecting to your life purpose. What entrepreneur freedom really means — and why it must be balanced with responsibility and care for others. The healing role of challenges, and why your “weak spots” can be your most powerful gifts. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job that doesn’t align with who you are, this conversation will inspire you to trust your uniqueness and take steps toward your true calling. 🌸 About Aino-Sofia Kojonen Aino-Sofia Kojonen is a professional astrologer whose passion is supporting people to find their beautiful and unique essence so they can love fully and live bravely. Through astrology, she helps clients remember why they are here, what really matters to them, and what they deeply dream about. Her work carries the reminder that there is only one of you — and your soul is not meant to be hidden. It deserves to be seen and heard in the way that feels most true to you. Find Aino-Sofia on Instagram: @ainosofiakojonen Work With Me If you’re ready to find your own freedom pivot and build a business that feels like home: Learn more about my signature coaching program: The Freedom Incubator Book a single 1:1 Business Clarity Session for focused support Connect with me on Instagram: @curious_hannele 💛 Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation resonated with you, I’d be so grateful if you left a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more freedom-seekers discover the show — and it means the world to me.

    50 min
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About

The Freedom Pivot is the podcast for purpose-driven professionals ready to break free from golden-handcuff careers, break cycles they were taught by society and masculine business culture, and start the right business - one that sets them free.  Hosted by Hannele Korhonen, an intuitive business strategist, ex–corporate lawyer, design thinking expert, and someone who knows what it’s like to break free from cycles and golden handcuffs, this is your space to dismantle hustle culture, heal the patterns that keep you stuck, and design a soulful, sustainable business on your own terms. Each week, you’ll find a mix of practical business strategy, mindset shifts, and cycle-breaking conversations that go beyond the surface. No formulas. No hustle hype. Just grounded tools and soul-level truth that honor both your head and your heart. If you’re ready to stop overthinking, start building, and finally create work that feels like home, you’re in the right place.

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