Cut The Tie Podcast with Mitch Francis
Episode 289

What if one entrepreneur could solve the world’s biggest problems—with a business mindset? In this thought-provoking episode of Cut the Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Mitch Francis, a serial founder, commercial real estate investor, and now, the author of Badass Solutions. After a personal tragedy sparked a wake-up call, Mitch applied his decades of entrepreneurial problem-solving to societal-scale challenges—like climate change, gun violence, and the U.S. national debt.

Mitch shares how he went from closing billion-dollar deals to writing actionable, humorous, and radically simple solutions to some of the world’s most complex issues—and why now is the time for business minds to get involved beyond their bottom line.

About Mitch Francis:
Mitch Francis is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 40 years of business experience as the founder and CEO of multiple public and private companies. His ventures span AI, commercial real estate, and tourism, having generated over $1 billion in sales. Now, as the author of Badass Solutions, Mitch is channeling his energy into tackling 20 global-scale problems with the same strategic clarity he brought to business—one pragmatic, scalable solution at a time.

In this episode, Thomas and Mitch discuss:

• Turning tragedy into transformation
  After losing a family member in a mass shooting, Mitch channeled his grief into research, reflection, and a radical new mission: fixing the broken systems most leaders ignore.
• From boardrooms to the big picture
  Mitch explains how his business background equipped him to tackle global issues—from climate change to gun reform—using problem-solving methods familiar to any good CEO.
• Ideas are easy, execution is everything
  The real challenge wasn’t coming up with solutions—it was digging into research, testing viability, and thinking through real-world application, just like a startup.
• Why entrepreneurs need to give back
  Mitch urges listeners to dedicate just a few hours a week to problems bigger than their business—and explains how real change happens when the people lead and the leaders follow.

Key Takeaways:

• Problems don’t wait for politicians
  Sometimes the best solutions come from people outside the system—especially those trained to get results.
• Stop waiting for someone else to fix it
  If you see a problem and have an idea, act. Leadership starts with ownership.
• Tragedy can spark transformation
  Personal pain can fuel a powerful mission—if you’re willing to do the work.
• Don’t stay at the party too long
  In business or life, the key is knowing when it’s time to exit—and move on to the next opportunity.
• When the people lead, the leaders will follow
  Change doesn’t start at the top. It starts with us.

Connect with Mitch Francis:
💼 LinkedIn: Mitch Francis
🌐 Website: bad-asssolutions.com

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut the Tie Group
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com
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Cut The Tie Podcast with Michael Parks
Episode 288

What does it look like to cut ties with comfort and start over—again and again? In this inspiring episode of Cut the Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Michael Parks, Air Force veteran, retired federal air marshal, and founder of Daystar Photography. From national security to creative entrepreneurship, Michael's story is one of mission-driven pivots, meaningful reinvention, and serving fellow veterans with passion and purpose.

Michael opens up about his transition from military to photography, how patience became his business superpower, and why letting go of low-paying gigs was the key to scaling. It’s a masterclass in value, alignment, and never losing sight of your why.

About Michael Parks:
Michael Parks is the founder of Daystar Photography and a U.S. Air Force veteran who spent over two decades as a federal air marshal. Today, he specializes in veteran-centered photography—capturing events, personal brands, and milestones for veterans and their families. His work has taken him nationwide, earning recognition across the military entrepreneurship ecosystem for his integrity, creativity, and commitment to community storytelling.

In this episode, Thomas and Michael discuss:

• How photography became a second mission
  Michael shares how a Sam’s Club Nikon gifted by his mom sparked a creative journey—and how he balanced it with 22 years of service as a federal air marshal.
• Why he built a business around veterans
  Tired of the lack of representation at expos and conferences, Michael made it his mission to uplift veteran entrepreneurs through storytelling and visibility.
• The tie he had to cut to grow
  Michael realized that chasing dozens of low-paying local gigs wasn’t scalable—and made the bold decision to focus on high-value clients and national contracts.
• Lessons in patience from military to entrepreneurship
  From "pivot fast and execute" to "wait, ride the wave, and stay the course," Michael explains how patience became his new strategy for sustainable success.

Key Takeaways:

• Delay is not denial
  Entrepreneurship demands patience. You’re not failing—you’re learning how to endure and adapt.
• You can’t scale on burnout
  If the business model only works by sacrificing your energy and peace, it doesn’t work. Period.
• Price reflects value—and mindset
  Once Michael learned what top companies actually pay, he stopped lowballing himself and started building a premium brand.
• Legacy starts with representation
  Veterans deserve to be seen. Michael’s mission is to help them show up boldly, proudly, and professionally.

Connect with Michael Parks:
🌐 Website: daystarphoto.com
📞 Phone: (404) 207-0810

💼 LinkedIn: Michael Parks

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut the Tie Group
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: t@instantlyrelevant.com
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Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Episode 286

What happens when you stop grinding and start walking—literally? In this episode of Cut the Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Susan Anderson, founder of Idlewild Woods and Triumph Communications, to talk about cutting ties with hustle culture and reconnecting with creativity, clarity, and the outdoors.

After nearly two decades running a successful copywriting business, Susan realized she was stuck in a mindset that equated busyness with success. What followed was a bold move: selling it all to build an off-grid entrepreneurial retreat in the Tennessee mountains. Now, Susan helps others unplug from noise, pressure, and burnout—so they can finally think again.

About Susan Anderson:
Susan is the founder of Idlewild Woods Retreat Center in Northeast Tennessee and Triumph Communications, a copywriting firm she’s run for over 20 years. A passionate advocate for creativity, nature, and slow business, Susan blends decades of entrepreneurial experience with a growing mission: helping people rediscover themselves beyond screens, status, and the hustle grind. When she’s not writing or coaching, she’s building domes, hosting retreats, or just soaking her feet in the creek with a notebook in hand.

In this episode, Thomas and Susan discuss:

• Cutting ties with hustle culture
  Susan shares how the “always-on” mentality robbed her of peace, joy, and creativity—and how stepping back opened everything up.
• The spark behind the retreat vision
  A road trip, a book, and a moment of clarity led Susan to leave it all behind and start building a mountain retreat for entrepreneurs.
• Why walking beats working (sometimes)
  Forward motion, no screen, no noise. Susan breaks down the neurological and emotional magic of simply taking a hike.
• Building something new from scratch
  From angel investors to raw land to geodesic domes—Susan shares what it really takes to bring a bold vision to life.
• Redefining what success looks like
  Today, Susan measures success not in money or metrics, but in creekside ideas, hammocks, and quality conversations.

Key Takeaways:

• Nature is your greatest productivity tool
  Go outside. Unplug. Let your brain breathe. That’s where the good ideas live.
• Success isn’t always scalable
  Not every business has to 10x. Sometimes, building something meaningful is enough.
• Say no to more things
  Boundaries are powerful. Slowing down makes room for clarity.
• Don’t wait until you’re burned out
  Rest is not a reward. Make space for it before you need it.
• Your business doesn’t define you
  You get to change direction, start over, or walk away—and still be enough.
  
  

Connect with Susan Anderson:
🌐 Website: www.idyllwildwoodsretreatcenter.com
💼 LinkedIn: Susan Anderson
🖋 Triumph Communications: www.triumphcom.com

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut The Tie Community
💼 LinkedIn:Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: www.cutthetie.com
📧 E

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