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Cut The Tie Podcast with Karl Maier
What 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 fractional CFO who helps companies raise capital, manage cash, and scale without crashing.
After years in corporate finance, Karl faced a pivotal choice: stay tied to a steady paycheck under someone else’s rules, or bet on his own expertise and freedom. He chose the latter—and built a business that now helps others grow smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
This is a grounded, candid conversation about growth, money, and the mindset shift executives need when stepping into entrepreneurship or fractional work.
About Karl Maier
Karl Maier is a fractional CFO and founder of Abunden Advisors, based in Houston, Texas. With decades of experience in corporate finance, mergers, and capital management, Karl specializes in helping small to mid-sized companies manage rapid growth, raise capital, and navigate turnarounds. He has led multi-country operations across the U.S., U.K., and Dubai, advised CEOs through complex acquisitions, and guided firms through both explosive growth and painful contractions. Today, he helps founders and executives align financial strategy with long-term freedom and stability.
In this episode, Thomas and Karl discuss:
Key Takeaways
Connect with Karl Maier
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlkmaier/
Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 https://www.instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Steven Schneider
How 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-founder and CEO of Trio SEO, to talk about the discipline, patience, and strategy behind true digital growth.
Steven’s story began in college, when a simple class project led him into the wild early days of affiliate marketing and SEO. Since then, he’s built and scaled multiple online businesses, learning firsthand that success comes from persistence—not hacks. Now, as an SEO leader and entrepreneur, he helps B2B founders and CMOs adapt to the new world of AI-driven search while keeping what really matters at the core: human connection and consistency.
About Steven Schneider
Steven Schneider is the co-founder and CEO of Trio SEO, a results-driven digital agency helping B2B companies dominate search and conversion in both Google and AI-based platforms. With over a decade of experience building seven- and eight-figure online businesses, Steven has mastered the intersection of technical SEO, growth strategy, and storytelling. A passionate entrepreneur and LinkedIn creator, he’s committed to helping brands grow with clarity, purpose, and patience—one piece of great content at a time.
In this episode, Thomas and Steven discuss:
Key Takeaways
Connect with Steven Schneider
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schneis/
🌐 Website: https://www.trioseo.com
Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 https://www.instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Evan Mestman
What 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 ProAttitudes and a health transformation and leadership coach for high-performing executives.
After 20 years in corporate America—including a career that survived 9/11—Evan walked away from burnout to rebuild not just his body, but his purpose. Today, he helps business leaders who’ve “climbed the ladder but left their health on the bottom rung” reclaim their energy, reframe their mindset, and reawaken their leadership.
This conversation dives into the mental, emotional, and physical ties that hold many executives back—and how taming your inner critic might just save your life.
About Evan Mestman
Evan Mestman is the founder of ProAttitudes, a health transformation and leadership coaching company that helps executives lead with clarity, energy, and confidence. A certified nutritionist and diabetes educator, Evan’s career spans startups, leadership roles in medical device sales, and 20 years in corporate America. Today, he combines neuroscience, mindfulness, and behavioral science to help clients rewire their habits, strengthen their “attitude muscle,” and shift from burnout to balance.
In this episode, Thomas and Evan discuss:
Key Takeaways
Connect with Evan Mestman
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-mestman/
🌐 Website: https://www.proattitudes.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 https://www.instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Michael J. Frank
What 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 investor Michael J. Frank, who went from the floor of the American Stock Exchange to mentoring startups and investing in brain-health innovation.
Michael opens up about the high-intensity world of trading, the cost of ego, the danger of losing purpose after success, and why “retirement” is the worst word in the English language. For executives who’ve made it but feel restless, his story is a wake-up call: you don’t need to stop—you just need to build something that matters.
About Michael J. Frank
Michael J. Frank is a former floor trader and specialist who sold his firm to a public company before turning his attention to mentoring founders and investing in neuro-innovation. As a principal at Innovation Ventures, he focuses on brain-health startups tackling Alzheimer’s, ADHD, autism, and other neurological challenges. Michael also co-founded Gildre, a community connecting entrepreneurs with mentors, tools, and events to help them scale. Based in Millburn, New Jersey, he sits on five advisory boards and still works six or seven days a week—because, as he says, “the glass is always half full.”
In this episode, Thomas and Michael discuss:
Key Takeaways
Connect with Michael J. Frank
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejfrank/
📧 Email: [email protected]
Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 https://www.instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Erica Tuggle
What 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 former Coca-Cola executive turned founder and CEO of Livin.
Erica shares her journey of cutting ties with a prestigious corporate identity to launch a mission-driven company that helps busy families and professionals eat healthier, live better, and reclaim their time. From redefining success on her own terms to balancing entrepreneurship with family life, Erica’s story is one of courage, conviction, and building a business that creates impact on both sides—customers and chefs.
About Erica Tuggle
Erica Tuggle is the founder and CEO of Livin, a food-tech company that empowers local chefs to provide in-home meal prep services for busy professionals and families. Prior to entrepreneurship, Erica built a distinguished career in consumer packaged goods, starting at General Mills and later leading innovation and strategy roles at Coca-Cola, including initiatives on Honest Tea and Coke’s global food strategy. A Harvard Business School graduate, Erica now leverages her corporate experience to create healthier homes, support culinary entrepreneurs, and build a scalable business model with purpose at its core.
In this episode, Thomas and Erica discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Erica Tuggle:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-tuggle-mba/
🌐 Website: https://www.chooselivin.com
📱 Call/Text: 404-917-0203
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 https://www.instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with George Knauf
What 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 franchise fanatic with over 30 years of experience helping people find their perfect business fit. George isn’t just matching candidates to opportunities—he’s showing them how to create empires, build multi-generational wealth, and take control of their future.
With a deep Rolodex of industry leaders, decades of tracking franchise performance, and a proven ability to guide entrepreneurs beyond fear, George lays out why franchising isn’t just about buying a job—it’s about building lasting assets.
About George Knauf
George Knauf is a veteran franchise consultant and industry leader with more than three decades of experience. As the founder of My Perfect Franchise, he has helped countless individuals transition from corporate careers into business ownership, guiding them to create multi-brand, multi-territory portfolios that can be scaled or sold for life-changing exits. Known for his unmatched industry knowledge and deep relationships with franchise executives, George’s mission is simple: help people build empires that last for generations.
In this episode, Thomas and George discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with George Knauf:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/responsible-franchising/
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 https://www.instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Wilson Zehr
What 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, professor, entrepreneur, and CEO of Zairmail, a company that has been reinventing direct mail for more than 20 years. From navigating massive shifts in the printing industry to building software that gives an old medium new life, Wilson shares how balance, innovation, and persistence fuel his entrepreneurial journey.
About Wilson Zehr
Wilson Zehr is the CEO of Zairmail (a division of Cendix), a B2B SaaS company that automates direct mail programs for organizations across the world. With decades of experience as a technology executive, entrepreneur, and professor, Wilson has built, acquired, and sold companies, while also teaching marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, and business strategy at the university level. A lifelong innovator, he helped pioneer “hybrid mail”—digital files transformed into physical mail delivered to homes and businesses. Passionate about entrepreneurship and balance, Wilson combines his technical expertise with a love of problem-solving, mentoring, and building lasting businesses.
In this episode, Thomas and Wilson discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Wilson Zehr:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonzehr/
🌐 Website: http://www.zairmail.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
📣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
🌐 Website: http://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 http://instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Anika Jackson
What 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 Amplified®, professor at USC Annenberg, single mom, podcaster, and executive director at the ICL Foundation. From PR to AI, curriculum development to podcast consulting, Anika has cut ties with traditional definitions of success and leaned fully into her multi-passionate path. The result? A thriving business, a top 1.5% global podcast, and a mission to merge technology with humanity.
About Anika Jackson
Anika Jackson is the founder of Your Brand Amplified®, a branding, marketing, PR, AI for business, and podcast consulting agency that helps entrepreneurs and organizations find their authentic voice. Her podcast of the same name ranks in the top 1.5% globally. In addition, Anika teaches graduate courses at USC Annenberg in digital media management and social media, where she has pioneered AI-first curriculum. She also serves as Executive Director of the ICL Foundation and ICL Academy, developing innovative curriculum and weaving AI into education and business practices. As a single mom and MBA candidate at Villanova specializing in AI/ML, Anika lives at the intersection of technology, education, and philanthropy—unapologetically multi-passionate.
In this episode, Thomas and Anika discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Anika Jackson:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikajackson/
🌐 Website: https://yourbrandamplified.com/
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
📣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
🌐 Website: http://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 http://instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Masi Willis
What 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 leadership coach and consultant Masi Willis, who walked away from a draining career to build a practice focused on unlocking potential, unleashing performance, and transforming cultures from surviving to thriving. From live events to ministry to producing movies, Masi’s path was anything but traditional—but it all came together when he decided to finally cut the tie and fully commit to his true work.
About Masi Willis
Masi Willis is a leadership coach and consultant based in Alpharetta, Georgia, where she lives on a horse farm “in a barn.” With decades of experience across industries—from insurance to ministry to live events—Masi brings a unique, non-linear perspective to leadership. Her business is focused on lasting transformation: restoring culture, unlocking potential, and ensuring ROI through measurable team performance and growth. She is passionate about helping mid- to senior-level leaders redefine what leadership really means and build organizations where people are healthy, engaged, and thriving.
In this episode, Thomas and Masi discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Masi Willis:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masiwillis/
🌐 Website: http://www.masiwillis.com
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masiwillis
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
📣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
🌐 Website: http://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 http://instantlyrelevant.com
Support the show
https://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie
Send us Fan Mail
Cut The Tie Podcast with Moe Choice
What 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 walked away from businesses, investors, and even his old identity to start over from scratch. From leaving everything behind in Dubai with nothing but a passport and a one-way ticket, to building a six-figure solopreneurship that teaches others how to live on their own terms, Moe’s story is one of destruction, rebirth, and radical ownership.
About Moe Choice
Moe Choice is an ICF-accredited coach, solopreneur, and mentor who helps first-time solopreneurs create a life and business that works without the usual noise—no expensive funnels, no paid ads, no endless content grind. After burning out and walking away from twelve failed business ideas and an entire life in Dubai, Moe reinvented himself by embracing the philosophy of “teaching what you want to learn.” Today, he empowers entrepreneurs worldwide with a lifetime mentorship model, showing them how to earn independently, scale smartly, and live life on their own terms.
In this episode, Thomas and Moe discuss:
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Moe Choice:
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moechoice/
🌐 Website: http://www.moechoice.com/podcast
Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
📣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfrich/
🌐 Website: http://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 http://instantlyrelevant.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