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Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Episode 263
At just nine years old, Ishara is already making waves as a podcast host, reader, speaker, and future astronaut-neurosurgeon-author. In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Thomas sits down with the youngest guest ever on Cut The Tie to explore how books—and big imagination—can unlock confidence, creativity, and purpose. With a wisdom well beyond her years, Ishara reminds us that no dream is too big and no age is too small to start chasing it.
About Ishara
Ishara is the creator and host of V Reading Podcast, a show dedicated to helping kids and adults rediscover the magic of books and imagination. Her mission? To give voice to the kids who’ve been told “no” too many times—and show them that the right book can unlock their “yes.” With hundreds of books read, authors interviewed, and an upcoming public speech, Ishara is a rising voice for youth empowerment, curiosity, and creativity.
In This Episode:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Ishara
📺 YouTube: Isha’s Journey: Science, Skating, and Podcasting
🎙️Podcast: Ishara’s Reading Podcast – Available on all major streaming platforms
🌍 Ideal listeners: Kids who need access to imagination, and adults ready to rediscover it.
🔗 Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast
Mike "C-Rock" Ciorrocco shares how he broke free from a high-paying but unfulfilling career in the mortgage industry and created a media empire by embracing intention, faith, and the power of podcasting. In this energizing episode, Mike dives into how cutting the tie to chase mode led to a life of creation, clarity, and impact. From his viral energy to his commitment to helping others shine, C-Rock delivers real talk for entrepreneurs ready to stop playing small.
About Mike “C-Rock” Ciorrocco
Mike Ciorrocco is the founder of That One Agency, the #1 podcast booking firm in North America. A dynamic entrepreneur, podcast host, and brand strategist, C-Rock has appeared on over 1,100 shows and is known for helping mission-driven leaders build authority and attract opportunity through strategic guest appearances. His mission is to help people realize their power and step into the life they were meant to lead.
In This Episode:
Key Takeaways:
🔗 Connect with Mike Ciorrocco
🌐 That One Agency
📷 Instagram: @mikecroc
💼 LinkedIn: Mike “C-Roc” Ciorrocco
🔗 Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich | @nevbeenpromoted
📘 Facebook: Never Been Promoted
📸 Instagram: @neverbeenpromoted
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: neverbeenpromoted.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Episode 261
In this high-energy episode of Cut the Tie, Thomas sits down with Chris Wolstenholme, an Aussie entrepreneur based in Atlanta who went from managing restaurants to founding the world’s first vodka protein water brand: Mate!. Chris shares the real story behind launching a beverage startup without outside funding, the gross moment that finally pushed him to quit his job, and how cutting the tie to comfort opened the door to purpose, grit, and global ambition.
About Chris Wolstenholme:
Chris is the founder of Mate Beverage, a unique alcohol startup combining vodka with protein. After 20+ years in the restaurant and hospitality industry across multiple countries, Chris made the leap into entrepreneurship with no investors—just a vision, a supportive spouse, and a mop in hand. His brand “Mate” is a bold attempt to redefine “drinking smart,” and he’s doing it one pitch, one bar, and one bottle at a time.
In this episode, Thomas and Chris discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Chris Wolstenholme:
🔗 Mate Beverage on Instagram
🔗 Chris on Instagram
🔍 Website
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter
📘 Facebook
💼 LinkedIn
🌐 Website
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Alan Versteeg, founder of Growth Matters International, shares how agency, conviction, and sales leadership transformed his life and business. In this empowering episode, Alan opens up about going from rock bottom to global contracts, how mindset outpaces skillset, and why professional selling is non-negotiable for any entrepreneur.
About Alan Versteeg:
Alan is the founder of Growth Matters International, a company that develops sales managers into world-class leaders. With a background in engineering and a journey that began with personal struggle, Alan has grown his firm from humble beginnings in South Africa to global partnerships with Adobe, Amazon Web Services, and more. His mission: drive impact through sales.
In this episode, Thomas and Alan discuss:
Alan reveals how stepping into agency—giving himself permission to lead—unlocked the breakthrough that launched his business globally.
He explains why investing in sales managers is the only way to create scalable, sustainable impact in sales organizations.
Inspired by the book 10x Is Easier Than 2x, Alan shares how eliminating distractions and focusing deeply changed the trajectory of his business.
Alan outlines a formula: Clarity → Conviction → Confidence → Agency—and how it helps entrepreneurs show up powerfully and professionally.
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Alan Versteeg:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanversteeg
Website: https://www.growthmattersintl.com/
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
Email: [email protected]
InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
JC Misko, founder of Misko Mountain Flavor Company, shares how recovery, faith, and brisket tacos came together to form a life-changing mission. In this heartfelt episode, JC opens up about overcoming addiction, building a food business from nothing, and using his story to help others do the same.
About JC Misko:
JC is the founder of Misko Mountain Flavor Company, a brisket taco business built with a mission to support early recovery. Through his work and future foundation, Grant for Hope, JC is creating a new recovery system—one that offers real pathways to stability and ownership through food and entrepreneurship.
In this episode, Thomas and JC discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"I want to create a recovery model where doing better helps everyone, not just the system."— JC Misko
CONNECT WITH JC MISKO:
Website: https://mmflavor.com
Location: Fridays at Emilita Street & Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
Email: [email protected]
InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Juno Lux, founder of The Haus of H, joins Thomas for a vibrant, honest conversation about spirituality, entrepreneurship, and the power of self-ownership. From working in social work and hospitality to founding a nonprofit for queer spiritual healing, Juno shares the experiences that led them to cut the tie with outdated systems and build something empowering from the ground up.
About Juno Lux:
Juno Lux is the founder of The Haus of H—a nonprofit that creates holistic, judgment-free spiritual spaces for queer individuals. With a background spanning social work, IT, and hospitality, Juno brings both soul and structure to their work, hosting immersive retreats and advocating for deeper access to queer-centered healing.
In this episode, Thomas and Juno discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"You don’t need to be the hero. You’re the guide—that’s where your magic is." — Juno Lux
CONNECT WITH JUNO LUX:
Website: https://thehausofh.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juno-epifanio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hausofh/
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
Email: [email protected]
InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginClear, joins Thomas to unpack the broken water system, decentralization, and what it means to cut the tie to pleasing others. From rejecting broken industry norms to walking away from Wall Street pressure, Riggs shares a refreshingly honest look at entrepreneurship, leadership, and finding your own path—even if it takes decades.
About Riggs Eckelberry:
Riggs is the founder and CEO of OriginClear, a public company leading the decentralized water movement. A former corporate exec and nonprofit leader, Riggs now advocates for do-it-yourself water treatment systems for industrial users—bringing innovation and accountability to one of the world’s most neglected infrastructure sectors.
In this episode, Thomas and Riggs discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"Your judgment is better than you think it is—stop handing the keys to someone else."
— Riggs Eckelberry
CONNECT WITH RIGGS ECKELBERRY:
Website: https://originclear.com
Sign up: Legends of Water Monthly Broadcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riggs
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
Email: [email protected]
InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
In this special solo episode, Thomas Helfrich lays out the wild reality of leaving corporate life and jumping headfirst into entrepreneurship—through the lens of a chaotic, hilarious, and brutally honest "Squid Game" analogy. If you’ve ever thought about quitting your job or building your own thing, this episode pulls no punches on what the journey really looks like.
In this episode, Thomas shares:
Key Takeaways:
"In entrepreneurship, there's no safety net, no cheat code, and no epidural. Just grit, growth, and a Google Doc full of chaos." — Thomas Helfrich
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/thelfrich | https://twitter.com/nevbeenpromoted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovienko | https://www.facebook.com/neverbeenpromoted
Website: https://www.neverbeenpromoted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbeenpromoted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neverbeenpromoted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
Email: [email protected]
InstantlyRelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Sales engineer and podcast host KJ Fenton joins Thomas for a fun, honest conversation about balancing a thriving W-2 career with building a passion project, and how cutting ties with "safe" thinking can open bigger doors than you ever expected. From coding macros at EY to launching KJ's Corner, KJ shares how small risks turn into massive growth.
About KJ Fenton:
KJ Fenton is a principal solutions engineer at Salesforce specializing in Intelligent Automation. He's also the host of KJ's Corner, a podcast where he interviews professionals across sales, marketing, and tech to unpack the real inflection points behind their success stories. KJ brings a rare blend of technical skills, sales acumen, and authenticity to everything he does.
In this episode, Thomas and KJ discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"The biggest thing you can build is confidence in your own story—even if you’re still writing it."
— KJ Fenton
CONNECT WITH KJ FENTON:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylejohnfenton
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/CutTheTieX
Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/CutTheTie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutthetiecommunity/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutthetie
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
CutTheTie.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Leadership expert and researcher Mark Murphy joins Thomas for a sharp, data-driven conversation about leadership development, why most hiring practices fail, and how to cut ties with assumptions that hold organizations—and individuals—back. Mark shares his journey from following conventional wisdom to questioning it, uncovering insights that help leaders grow faster and smarter.
About Mark Murphy:
Mark is the founder of Leadership IQ, a research and training company focused on leadership science. He’s the bestselling author of Hiring for Attitude, Managing Narcissists, Blamers, Dramatics and More, and Hard Goals. Mark’s work combines practical strategies with data-backed insights to help leaders and organizations perform at higher levels.
In this episode, Thomas and Mark discuss:
Key Takeaways:
"The minute you think you've got it all figured out is the minute you're done growing."
— Mark Murphy
CONNECT WITH MARK MURPHY:
Website: https://www.leadershipiq.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markamurphy/
CONNECT WITH THOMAS:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/CutTheTieX
Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/CutTheTie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutthetiecommunity/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cutthetie
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
CutTheTie.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
From the publisher's feed
Cut The Tie and 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…
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
Own your success.
Cut the tie.
Thomas Helfrich
Host & Founder