Cut The Tie | Own Your Success
Cut The Tie | Own Your Success reveals how high performers think, decide, and overcome obstacles—so you can apply one actionable idea each week.
Each short episode (<10 minutes) features one guest, the tie they cut, and a concrete step you can use now. For the full story, every episode links to the complete YouTube interview.
Insights focus on four areas where people “cut ties”: Finances, Relationships, Health, and Faith.
Guests span operators and outliers—CEOs, entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, creators, scientists, and community leaders—people who’ve cut real ties and can show you how.
Do this next
- Follow the podcast (or visit podcast.cutthetie.com)
- Play your first episode
- Leave a 5-star review
- Share with a friend who’s ready to cut a tie
Own your success.
Cut the tie.
Thomas Helfrich
Host & Founder
Episodes
346 episodes
“I Want to Spend Time Where I Want, With Who I Want”—Pablo Gonzalez on Redefining His Path After the Military
Cut The Tie Podcast with Pablo GonzalezFor many veterans and corporate professionals, the transition into a new chapter of life comes with a difficult realization: the “safe path” isn’t always the one that leads to real freedom....
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34:14
“People Are Searching for You, They Just Don’t Know Your Name” Nate Woodbury on YouTube That Generates Referral-Quality Leads
Cut The Tie Podcast with Nate WoodburyWhat happens when you stop chasing vanity metrics and start answering the exact questions your future clients type into Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas H...
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38:34
“AI Isn’t Taking Our Jobs, It’s Creating New Ones”—Nathan Strum on Building a Human-First Future
Cut The Tie Podcast with Nathan StrumWhat if artificial intelligence didn’t replace people—but helped them grow? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Nathan Strum, CEO of Abby Connect, to talk about how...
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21:15
“If It’s Not a Hell Yes, It’s a No”—Krystal Popov on Raising the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
What if kids could launch their first business before high school? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Krystal Popov, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of FuturePreneur, a company that helps kid...
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39:42
“Your Brand is the Customer-Facing Side of Your Business Strategy”—Jason Vana on What Branding Really Means
Cut The Tie Podcast with Jason VanaMost business owners think branding is about colors, fonts, and logos—but that’s only the surface. In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Jason Vana, founder...
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51:06
“The Steady Paycheck Is an Illusion”—Karl Maier on Freedom, Risk, and the Reality of Fractional Leadership
Cut The Tie Podcast with Karl MaierWhat happens when you realize your “stable” career is actually the biggest risk of all? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Karl Maier, a Houston-based fr...
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25:36
“Patience Is the Hardest Skill to Learn”—Steven Schneider on Building Real Success in the Age of AI
Cut The Tie Podcast with Steven SchneiderHow do you build something real in a world obsessed with quick wins and overnight success? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Steven Schneider, co-...
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25:24
“You Can’t Lead Others Until You Lead Yourself”—Evan Mestman on Fueling Leadership Through Health
Cut The Tie Podcast with Evan MestmanWhat if the very drive that made you successful is the same thing destroying your health? In this powerful episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Evan Mestman, founder of...
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24:47
“Retirement Is a Death Sentence”—Michael J. Frank on Staying Sharp, Giving Back, and Building Again
Cut The Tie Podcast with Michael J. FrankWhat happens after the big exit—when the money’s in the bank but the meaning’s gone? In this candid episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with veteran trader and i...
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27:55
“Every Day I Wondered, Am I Really Doing This?”—Erica Tuggle on Facing the Fear of Entrepreneurship
Cut The Tie Podcast with Erica TuggleWhat happens when you walk away from the corporate track to build something that truly matters? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Erica Tuggle, Harvard MBA and...
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39:43
“The Goal Isn’t One Franchise—It’s an Empire”—George Knauf on Multi-Generational Wealth Through Franchising
Cut The Tie Podcast with George KnaufWhat if your path to financial freedom and legacy isn’t in a corporate office—but in franchising? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with George Knauf, a f...
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22:03
“Freedom Isn’t 50/50—It’s What You Design It To Be”—Wilson Zehr on Balance, Entrepreneurship, and Reinventing Direct Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Wilson ZehrWhat does real balance look like for an entrepreneur—and how do you design a business that supports it? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Wilson Zehr, professo...
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25:33
“I’m Unapologetically Multi-Passionate”—Anika Jackson on Owning Who You Are in Business
Cut The Tie Podcast with Anika JacksonWhat happens when you realize you don’t fit into a box—and you’re not supposed to? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Anika Jackson, founder of Your Brand Amp...
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23:34
“It Took Cutting the 80% That Was Draining Me”—Masi Willis on Leadership, Transformation, and Thriving Cultures
Cut The Tie Podcast with Masi WillisWhat happens when your career is non-linear, your calling won’t leave you alone, and the pandemic forces you to face the truth? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich talks with l...
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25:10
“If It’s Killing You, Kill It First”—Moe Choice on Shedding Old Identities
Cut The Tie Podcast with Moe ChoiceWhat does it take to completely reinvent yourself—and actually mean it? In this raw and unfiltered episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Moe Choice, a solopreneur and mentor who wal...
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25:54
“Dream First, Then Execute”—Jason VanDevere on Choosing Purpose over the Family Business
Cut The Tie Podcast with Jason VanDevereWhat happens when the family business is your “golden ticket”—but not your dream? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Jason VanDevere, entrepreneur, creator of the...
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30:18
“Soft Skills Win Every Time”—How Laurie Jane Roth Helps Invisible Candidates Get Hired
Cut The Tie Podcast with Laurie Jane RothWhat happens when talented professionals keep getting passed over despite great résumés? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich talks with Laurie Jane Roth, founder of The Inside G...
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22:14
“Start Where You Are”—Faris Alami on Resilience, Refuge, and Building Entrepreneurs
Cut The Tie Podcast with Faris AlamiWhat does it take to rebuild your life—then turn that grit into a mission that helps others do the same? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Faris Alami, founder of In...
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21:27
“Aim for premium.” — How Christian Ray Flores Builds Personal Brands That Win
Cut The Tie Podcast with Christian Ray FloresWhat happens when you stop aiming for the crowded middle and build a brand that’s truly you? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich talks with Christian Ray Flores—entrepreneur...
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30:21
“Just Get in the Water”—Brandy Lawson on Starting Before You’re Ready
Cut The Tie Podcast with Brandy LawsonWhat happens when a thriving craft business gets stuck on outdated tools and habits? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich talks with Brandy Lawson, founder of FieryFX, about helping...
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24:58
“Coaching Isn’t a Cost, It’s an Investment”—Why Kevin Weir Says Owners Get $4 for Every $1
Cut The Tie Podcast with Kevin WeirWhat happens when fear of sales, fear of risk, and fear of decisions hold you back from your calling? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Kevin Weir, business coach wit...
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27:25
“You Have to Reinvent Yourself or You Get Stuck”—Devon Gummersall on Taking Control of His Career
Cut The Tie Podcast with Devon GummersallWhat happens when early success makes you think the road will always be easy—until it isn’t? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Devon Gummersall, former teen sta...
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37:35
“Your Point of View Still Beats the Prompt”—Why Erich Archer Believes AI Expands Creativity
Cut The Tie Podcast with Erich ArcherWhat happens when a longtime TV producer discovers generative AI and feels the same spark he once had as a college soccer player? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich talks with...
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27:29
“Eight is the Sweet Spot”—Why Brian Keltner & Francesca Kenney Elevate Entrepreneurs Together
Cut The Tie Podcast with Brian Keltner & Francesca KenneyWhat happens when two co-founders build multiple ventures without ever meeting in person? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Brian Keltn...
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24:38
“Don’t Die on the Sofa Scrolling”—Why Steven Puri Helps People Unlock Their Greatness
Cut The Tie Podcast with Steven PuriWhat if the biggest tragedy in life isn’t failure, but never trying? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Steven Puri, founder of The Sukha Company, to talk about ...
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25:40
