Cut The Tie | Own Your Success

Thomas Helfrich
  • 4.9 (49)
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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 episodeLeave a 5-star reviewShare with a friend who’s ready to cut a tieOwn your success. Cut the tie. Thomas Helfrich Host & Founder

  1. “A full time CTO is an overkill.” – Balki Kodarapu on fractional leadership that actually scales

    JAN 23

    “A full time CTO is an overkill.” – Balki Kodarapu on fractional leadership that actually scales

    Send us a text Cut The Tie Podcast with Balki Kodarapu What happens when a company knows it needs technical leadership but does not need a four hundred thousand dollar CTO sitting in a chair full time? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Balki Kodarapu, a fractional CTO who helps founders and CEOs scale engineering teams without overhiring or overbuilding. Balki breaks down why most companies do not fail because of bad code, but because of poor technical leadership decisions made too early or too late. After spending two decades in engineering and startups, Balki shares how cutting the tie to corporate roles and founder pressure led him to a model that gives companies exactly the leadership they need, when they need it. This is a conversation about clarity, leverage, and building technology that supports the business instead of slowing it down. About Balki Kodarapu: Balki Kodarapu is a fractional CTO based in Portland, Oregon with over twenty years of experience in software engineering and startups. He works with early and growth stage companies to professionalize engineering teams, design scalable architecture, and bridge the gap between technical execution and business strategy. Balki specializes in helping founders avoid costly technical mistakes while preparing their companies to scale. In this episode, Thomas and Balki discuss: “A full time CTO is an overkill” Why most companies do not need an expensive executive hire to get strong technical leadership.Fractional CTOs versus full time executives How part time leadership can outperform traditional roles when used strategically.The two moments companies actually need a CTO Early stage chaos and post product market fit scaling pressure.Why engineering teams break down during growth The hidden risks in architecture, trust, and communication.AI, speed, and modern engineering expectations Why engineers must now understand business context to survive.From founder empathy to leadership leverage How building a startup changed Balki’s approach to guiding teams.Trust before transformation Why engineers must trust leadership before being asked to do hard things.Key Takeaways: Leadership is not about hours, it is about impact Companies need guidance, not bodies in seats.Technical debt is often a leadership problem Bad decisions usually come from missing context, not bad engineers.Business context is no longer optional for engineers Speed without understanding breaks companies.Fractional leadership reduces risk You can professionalize without betting the company.Scaling requires timing, not ego Knowing when to build and when to wait is the real skill.Connect with Balki Kodarapu: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balki/ 🌐 Company Website: https://www.yourctoin.us/ Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    28 min
  2. “The executives never had visibility.” – Elizabeth Wu on Fixing the IT and Leadership Disconnect

    JAN 22

    “The executives never had visibility.” – Elizabeth Wu on Fixing the IT and Leadership Disconnect

    Send us a text Cut The Tie Podcast with Elizabeth Wu What happens when the people ultimately responsible for a company’s survival are the least informed about its biggest risk? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Elizabeth Wu, a lifelong entrepreneur, IT auditor, and inventor who has spent four decades building businesses without ever working for someone else. Elizabeth breaks down why data breaches keep happening, why executives are being fired for failures they never had visibility into, and how the disconnect between IT and leadership has quietly become one of the most dangerous problems in modern organizations. Elizabeth shares how a forced pivot during COVID led her to invent a new category of cybersecurity visibility designed specifically for executives. What started as solving her own problem has now turned into global conversations with governments, regulators, and enterprises looking to prevent breaches before they happen. This is a conversation about cutting the tie to blind trust, technical intimidation, and boxed-in thinking. About Elizabeth Wu: Elizabeth Wu is a serial entrepreneur with over forty years of experience building and scaling businesses. She is the founder of EDD-i, a cybersecurity platform designed to give executives real visibility into the security status of their organizations. With a background in IT auditing and infrastructure, Elizabeth focuses on preventing data breaches by addressing vulnerabilities from the inside out. Her work spans private enterprise, government policy, and international cybersecurity initiatives. In this episode, Thomas and Elizabeth discuss: “The executives never had visibility” Why CEOs are being held accountable for IT failures they were never equipped to understand.The real reason data breaches keep rising How companies focus on perimeter security while leaving internal vulnerabilities exposed.Why compliance does not equal security The dangerous assumption that certifications automatically mean protection.The IT power imbalance inside organizations How technical opacity creates fear, dependency, and poor decision making at the executive level.Safe Harbor and executive liability Why legislation is shifting responsibility and how leaders can protect themselves.Key Takeaways: Visibility is not optional Leaders cannot manage or protect what they cannot see.Executives are paying the price for ignorance One in three CEOs are fired after a breach, even when the root cause sits elsewhere.Security must be practical, not theoretical Checklists do not stop breaches. Understanding does.True innovation solves communication problems The biggest gap is not technology, it is language.Connect with Elizabeth Wu: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-wu11/ 🌐 Company Website: https://www.edd-i.com/ Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantly Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    36 min
  3. “You can’t investigate yourself.” – Michelle Griffin on the HR Mistake That Can Kill a Company

    JAN 21

    “You can’t investigate yourself.” – Michelle Griffin on the HR Mistake That Can Kill a Company

    Send us a text Cut The Tie Podcast with Michelle Griffin What happens when founders try to save money by handling HR themselves and end up risking everything they built? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Michelle Griffin, founder of Griffin Resources, to unpack one of the most dangerous blind spots in small and midsize businesses. HR mistakes rarely show up as problems at first. They show up later as lawsuits, failed exits, lost talent, and leadership chaos. Michelle shares how she built a seven figure fractional HR and back office services company by solving the exact problems founders ignore until it is too late. From payroll and compliance to recruiting and SOPs, this conversation is about cutting the tie to doing everything yourself and building a business that can scale, travel, and eventually sell without blowing up. About Michelle Griffin: Michelle Griffin is the founder of Griffin Resources, a fractional HR, payroll, and business operations firm serving small to midsize companies across the United States. With a background in industrial organizational psychology and executive HR leadership, Michelle helps founders protect enterprise value, reduce risk, and build scalable people operations. She has built multiple businesses with her husband, all without outside investment, while working remotely and traveling internationally. In this episode, Thomas and Michelle discuss: “You can’t investigate yourself” Why founders handling their own HR issues creates legal exposure and credibility problems.The hidden cost of DIY HR How small mistakes around payroll, classification, and documentation quietly compound.The 10 to 15 employee breaking point Why trust based hiring stops working once you grow past friends and referrals.HR as an investment, not a cost How strong people operations protect valuation and make exits cleaner.Fractional leadership done right Why most companies do not need full time HR but do need real expertise.Building a business that runs without you Cutting the tie to being the bottleneck so the company can scale.Why exits fail during diligence How missing handbooks, I-9s, and SOPs can derail acquisitions.Key Takeaways: HR touches everything and the law touches HR Ignorance does not protect founders from consequences.Doing it yourself is not the same as doing it right Especially when emotions and power dynamics are involved.The earlier you build structure, the cheaper it is Fixing HR after problems surface costs far more.Scalable companies are transferable companies Clean processes increase value and reduce risk.You do not need more control, you need better systems Let experts handle what founders should not.Connect with Michelle Griffin: 🌐 Website: https://griffin-resources.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-griffin-phd/ Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.co Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    36 min
  4. “Success Is Loving God and Loving People” – Dan Rosenblatt on Purpose Over Performance

    JAN 20

    “Success Is Loving God and Loving People” – Dan Rosenblatt on Purpose Over Performance

    Send us a text Cut The Tie Podcast with Dan Rosenblatt What happens when performance stops working and success still feels hollow? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Dan Rosenblatt, founder of Seventy Two Ministries, commercial insurance business owner, and coach to business leaders who feel deeply out of alignment. Dan’s story cuts straight to the heart of what many high performing men experience but rarely say out loud. You can win in business and still lose peace, family, and purpose. Dan shares how faith became the foundation that reordered every other area of his life. Not as an escape from responsibility, but as the framework that allowed him to lead with clarity, conviction, and rest. This is a conversation about cutting the tie to performance driven identity and redefining success through alignment, legacy, and eternity. About Dan Rosenblatt: Dan Rosenblatt is the founder of Seventy Two Ministries, a faith based coaching and discipleship platform focused on leadership, alignment, and purpose. He is also the owner of a commercial insurance franchise and has over eighteen years of experience in sales, business ownership, and leadership development. Dan has coached hundreds of sales professionals and business owners and serves leaders who want to build thriving businesses without sacrificing faith, family, or integrity. In this episode, Thomas and Dan discuss: Why faith is usually the last tie people cut Dan explains how most leaders only turn to faith after finances, health, or relationships collapse.Redefining success beyond performance Why success rooted only in output eventually leads to burnout and emptiness.What alignment actually means How misalignment shows up in marriage, leadership, and business long before people admit it.Building business without abandoning faith Why faith does not replace responsibility, discipline, or hard work.Leading from rest instead of exhaustion How leaders can stop running on empty and start leading with clarity.Purpose measured in eternity Dan challenges the idea that success should only be measured in revenue or status.Why most high performers feel stuck The hidden cost of being successful in one area while neglecting others.Key Takeaways: Performance is a poor foundation It delivers results but not peace.Alignment precedes scale Growth without alignment magnifies problems.Faith brings clarity, not passivity It strengthens leadership rather than softening it.Legacy outlives metrics What you build matters less than who you become.You do not need to fix everything at once Progress starts by cutting one tie at a time.Connect with Dan Rosenblatt: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-rosenblatt1/ 🌐 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SeventyTwoMinistries Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantlyrelevant.com Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    34 min
  5. “Now I Finally Know Who I Am” - John Brink on Discovering ADHD at 62

    JAN 19

    “Now I Finally Know Who I Am” - John Brink on Discovering ADHD at 62

    Send us a text Cut The Tie Podcast with John Brink What does success really look like when you are eighty five years old, still building companies, competing in bodybuilding, writing books, and hosting hundreds of podcasts? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with John Brink, an entrepreneur, author, and podcaster whose life story spans war time Europe, immigration to Canada with almost nothing, decades of business building, and a late in life discovery that finally explained everything. At sixty two, John learned he had ADHD and dyslexia. Instead of seeing it as a limitation, he reframed it as the key that unlocked his true identity. This conversation is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to understand yourself, redefine success, and cut ties to the labels that never fit you in the first place. About John Brink: John Brink is an entrepreneur, author, competitive bodybuilder, and prolific podcaster based in British Columbia, Canada. Born during World War II in the Netherlands, John immigrated to Canada with a suitcase, three books, two sets of clothes, and $25.47 to his name. He went on to build multiple successful companies, author five books with a sixth in progress, and host hundreds of podcast episodes. John openly shares his journey with ADHD and dyslexia, advocating for mindset, discipline, health, and lifelong growth. In this episode, Thomas and John discuss: Discovering ADHD at sixty two John shares how finding the book Driven to Distraction finally answered the question he had been asking himself for fifty years.Growing up labeled as not too bright How failing grades and early school rejection shaped his determination to prove himself.Starting with nothing by design Why John chose to immigrate to Canada alone and build his life from the ground up.Attitude, passion, and work ethic The three principles John believes always precede success.Why ADHD is not a liability How John reframed ADHD as an asset and a competitive advantage.Staying physically strong into your eighties John explains his disciplined approach to diet, training, sleep, and longevity.Building a life without regret Why John would not change his path even with all the challenges he faced.Giving back as the real definition of success Success as contribution, mentorship, and service rather than titles or money.Key Takeaways: ADHD is different, not broken Understanding yourself changes everything.Success will try to find you Your job is to be ready when it does.Health is non negotiable Longevity and quality of life are built through discipline.Labels lose power when you define yourself The story you accept shapes the life you live.It is never too late to grow Self discovery can happen at any age.Connect with John Brink: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnabrink/ Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    28 min
  6. “I Had to Turn Anger Into Action” - Rob Rene on Cutting the Tie to Rage and Helplessness

    JAN 16

    “I Had to Turn Anger Into Action” - Rob Rene on Cutting the Tie to Rage and Helplessness

    Send us a text Cut The Tie Podcast with Rob Rene What happens when the life you planned disappears in an instant, and the system you trusted starts to look broken? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Rob Rene to talk about faith, health, and purpose, and how anger can either consume you or become fuel for meaningful action. Rob shares a deeply personal journey that includes surviving a near fatal accident, walking away from decades in corporate America, confronting hard truths about health and modern systems, and ultimately choosing to serve others through faith based health solutions. This episode speaks directly to men who feel frustrated, disillusioned, or stuck, and are ready to channel that energy into something that actually matters. About Rob Rene: Rob Rene is an entrepreneur, health advocate, and self described faith and health warrior. He is the founder of Exodus Strong, a faith centered health solutions company focused on supporting the mind, body, and spirit. Rob’s work is rooted in biblical principles, holistic health research, and a mission to help people reclaim their health so they can live with purpose and impact. In this episode, Thomas and Rob discuss: Losing everything in a moment Rob shares how a near death accident ended his dream of becoming a professional runner and forced him to rethink his entire future.The second collision that changed everything How the pandemic became the wake up call that pushed Rob to question systems he once trusted.Turning anger into action Why staying angry leads nowhere and how Rob redirected frustration into building something that helps others.Health as the foundation for purpose Rob explains why physical health determines what you are capable of doing in every other area of life.Faith as a daily practice, not a label Moving from believing in name only to living with intention, discipline, and alignment.The mind body spirit connection Why true health requires addressing all three, not just symptoms.Small daily actions that create massive change Simple, practical habits that anyone can start using to improve their health without expensive tools.Key Takeaways: Anger is a signal, not a solution When redirected, it can become fuel for meaningful work.You can only control yourself Focus energy where it creates impact, not resentment.Health unlocks everything else Without it, ambition and purpose stall.Faith grows through action Consistency matters more than intention alone.Purpose often comes from pain The experiences you would never choose often shape the mission you are meant to live.Connect with Rob Rene: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robrene/ 🌐 Free Resource: https://exodus.com/free Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantlyrelevant.com Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    30 min
  7. “If You Can Fire Your Banker and Sit on the Right Side of the Banker’s Desk” - Mark Willis on Taking Control of Cash Flow

    JAN 15

    “If You Can Fire Your Banker and Sit on the Right Side of the Banker’s Desk” - Mark Willis on Taking Control of Cash Flow

    Send us a text What if the biggest thing holding you back financially is not your income, your discipline, or your business, but the system you were handed without ever questioning it? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Mark Willis, a Certified Financial Planner who challenges the default American money playbook. Mark explains why banks quietly control most people’s financial lives, how debt and cash both keep you trapped, and what it actually means to fire your banker and become your own source of financing. This conversation is especially relevant for entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners who are making good money but feel like they are still swimming upstream financially. About Mark Willis: Mark Willis is a Certified Financial Planner and the founder of Lake Growth Financial. He specializes in helping individuals and business owners grow wealth in ways that are safe, predictable, and efficient. Mark is known for teaching clients how to take control of cash flow, reduce reliance on banks, and implement strategies traditionally used by ultra high net worth individuals. He is the co host of Not Your Average Financial Podcast and co author of The Business Fortress. In this episode, Thomas and Mark discuss: Why banks quietly hold people back Mark explains how debt, cash, and traditional financial products keep most people stuck on the wrong side of the banker’s desk.What it really means to fire your banker How becoming your own source of financing gives you control, certainty, and flexibility.The hidden cost of paying cash Why paying cash can be just as damaging as paying interest and how both steal from your future self.Thinking like a billionaire without being one Mark breaks down how the wealthy use asset based strategies like buy, borrow, die to legally minimize taxes and maximize control.Cash value life insurance explained clearly The role of properly designed whole life insurance in creating contractual wealth and predictable growth.Why some financial products quietly fail Mark explains why many indexed universal life policies lapse and why design and structure matter more than marketing.Key Takeaways: There are two types of people Those who pay interest and those who get paid interest.Control matters more than returns Certainty and access to capital often beat chasing higher performance.Cash is not risk free Every dollar spent today has an opportunity cost tomorrow.Design beats products How something is engineered matters more than what it is called.Financial freedom starts with awareness You cannot win a game you do not know you are playing.Connect with Mark Willis: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklakegrowth/ 🌐 Website: https://newbankingsolution.com Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantlyrelevant.com Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    26 min
  8. “Shortcuts and Soundbites Don’t Work” - Dr Rosie Ward on Future Proofing Leadership in a Disruptive World

    JAN 14

    “Shortcuts and Soundbites Don’t Work” - Dr Rosie Ward on Future Proofing Leadership in a Disruptive World

    Send us a text What happens when leadership advice sounds good on paper but fails the moment real pressure shows up? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Dr Rosie Ward to unpack why quick fixes, check-the-box training, and surface-level leadership development continue to fail modern organizations. Rosie explains why disruption is not slowing down, why human behavior is the real bottleneck in scaling leadership and culture, and what executives must confront if they want organizations that actually work. This conversation is especially relevant for leaders who feel stuck managing people problems that no strategy deck seems to solve. About Dr Rosie Ward: Dr Rosie Ward is the CEO of Salveo Partners, a leadership and culture consulting firm based in Minneapolis. She specializes in future proofing organizations by strengthening culture, leveling up leaders, and helping teams navigate change without getting hijacked by their own human instincts. Rosie holds a PhD in organization and management and has spent her career studying the intersection of leadership, culture, and human behavior. She is the author of Rehumanizing the Workplace and an upcoming book, Future Proofing Leadership. In this episode, Thomas and Rosie discuss: Why shortcuts and soundbites fail leaders Rosie explains why leadership development fails when organizations skip the inner work and jump straight to tools, tips, and training modules.The “stuckness zone” that derails change How disruption triggers self-protective behavior, resistance, blame, and division inside teams and why this gap keeps widening.Toxic workplaces and the cost of bad leadership Rosie shares her own experiences in unhealthy environments and why culture directly erodes or strengthens human performance.The inner operating system behind leadership behavior Why most leaders are unknowingly operating from outdated internal programs that quietly sabotage decision making.Self limiting mindsets that block growth Rosie breaks down common faulty programs like the overachiever, martyr, perfectionist, and counterfeit and how they show up at work.Key Takeaways: Leadership problems are rarely skill problems Until the inner operating system is addressed, tools and training will not stick.Human behavior drives culture, not policy If leaders do not understand how people react under pressure, culture will always break down.Growth requires ongoing internal upgrades This is not a one-time fix. Leadership development is an ongoing practice.Letting go is necessary to scale Leaders must release control to grow beyond themselves.Future proofing starts with courage The ability to face uncertainty and lead with authenticity separates effective leaders from struggling ones.Connect with Dr Rosie Ward: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rward/ 🌐 Website: https://salveopartners.com Connect with Thomas Helfrich: 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelfrich/ 🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com 📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com 🚀 Instantly Relevant: Support the show Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

    26 min
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About

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 episodeLeave a 5-star reviewShare with a friend who’s ready to cut a tieOwn your success. Cut the tie. Thomas Helfrich Host & Founder

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