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. If you've ever felt stuck or unsure of where to begin again, this one’s for you.

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:

• Cutting the Tie to Distractions
  JC shares how staying sober gave him clarity to rebuild his business from the ground up—this time with purpose and boundaries.
• How Brisket Tacos Became a Vehicle for Recovery
  He explains how BBQ and business are a foundation for community, healing, and proving what's possible in early sobriety.
• Building a Recovery System that Actually Works
  JC breaks down the flaws in the current rehab cycle and outlines his vision for a program that helps people earn, save, and thrive.
• Trusting God, Trusting the Process
  From living in his car to dreaming of brick-and-mortar locations, JC reflects on how faith and service kept him moving forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Start Small, Grow Intentionally
  JC opens only on Fridays and focuses on selling out—not burning out.
• Business Should Uplift, Not Exploit
  His model rewards progress, not relapse, flipping the script on the traditional recovery industry.
• Teach What You Know
  From cooking to budgeting, JC uses his past to build new futures for others.
• Success is Measured in Impact
  His dream isn’t just multiple locations—it’s helping hundreds of people restart their lives.

"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: t@instantlyrelevant.com
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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:

• Cutting the Tie to the Employee Mindset
  Juno shares the moment they realized they weren’t made to follow rigid systems and rules—they were meant to build their own.
• Spirituality Without Shame
  They discuss how many retreats over-emphasize sexuality, and how The House of H shifts the focus to healing, exploration, and genuine connection.
• Branding, Storytelling & Self-Discovery
  Juno unpacks the struggle of separating personal identity from brand identity—and how clarity came through books like StoryBrand and Save the Cat.
• The Power of ChatGPT & Neurodivergent Creativity
  They explain how AI tools help organize thoughts and build confidence in communication, especially for those with processing challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t Wait for Permission
  Start now. You’ll never feel fully ready—and planning too much can kill momentum.
• You Are the Engine
  Entrepreneurship becomes real the moment you realize: if you disappear, the business stops. That’s power—and responsibility.
• Let Your Experience Lead You
  Your story, even the rough parts, makes you uniquely qualified to lead, teach, and heal.
• You’re the Guide, Not the Hero
  In branding and in life, don’t center yourself—lead others through their transformation.

"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: t@instantlyrelevant.com
InstantlyRelevant.com

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

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:

• Cutting the Tie to Pleasing Everyone
  Riggs talks about the trap of building for investors, advisors, and outsiders—and the moment he stopped doing it and finally owned his leadership.
• The Myth of Centralized Infrastructure
  He explains why massive water systems don’t work anymore, and how modular, onsite water treatment is the real future.
• Focusing on the Core
  Riggs shares how he finally doubled down on OriginClear’s most scalable units instead of chasing every “bright idea.”
• Relearning Leadership in Real Time
  After years of trial and error, Riggs explains how he rebuilt confidence, trusted his gut, and stopped chasing solutions that didn’t fit.

Key Takeaways:

• You Don’t Need Permission
  Sometimes the tie to cut is waiting for someone else to say yes—leadership starts when you decide.
• Old Systems Can’t Solve New Problems
  From water to entrepreneurship, big outdated systems break down under pressure—innovation comes from the edges.
• Stick With It Until It Clicks
  It might take years, but when your business finally hits momentum, you’ll be glad you didn’t bail early.
• Don’t Underestimate What You’ve Already Built
  The thing you’ve quietly been building might be the future—it just needs your full belief and focus.

"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: t@instantlyrelevant.com
InstantlyRelevant.com

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

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:

• Round One: The "I Quit" Moment
  When the realization hits that corporate life feels more like Squid Game—where "mandatory fun" is torture and OKRs are slow death—the dangerous words "I quit" change everything.
• Round Two: Entrepreneur Mode Activated
  The thrill (and terror) of updating your LinkedIn title to "Founder" while everyone around you quietly panics on your behalf.
• Round Three: Red Light, Green Light
  Freedom comes at the cost of no paycheck, no PTO, and a new coworker (your cat) judging your every move.
• Round Four: The Glass Bridge of Growth
  Each sale feels like a miracle, each rejection feels like a gut punch, but you keep taking step after terrifying step forward.
• Final Round: The Realization
  Entrepreneurship isn’t a highlight reel—it’s a chaotic, gritty, beautiful mess. You’re building something real—and it’s yours.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship is Panic in Private, Not Glory in Public
  It’s late nights, heavy doubts, and random Googling—and it’s worth it.
• Your Only Safety Net is Grit
  There’s no cheat code, no easy button. Just resilience, messy action, and a whole lot of coffee.
• Messy Beats Perfect
  Your "Google Doc full of chaos" is more valuable than the perfect plan you never execute.
• Freedom Costs More but Feels Better
  Leaving comfort for chaos is terrifying—but the trade is authenticity, growth, and a life you actually own.

"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: t@instantlyrelevant.com
InstantlyRelevant.com

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System

Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich

From Finance to Founder: Rebuilding with Purpose | Patrick Coggins

Patrick Coggins, founder of CFO's Domain and co-founder of Gen9 Leaders, joins Thomas for an insightful conversation about legacy, leadership, and the hard decision to leave a successful career to build something better. Patrick shares how cutting ties with comfort and tradition allowed him to create a firm driven by purpose, experience, and impact.

About Patrick Coggins:

Patrick is the founder of CFO's Domain, a finance executive search and consulting firm. He’s also the co-founder of Gen9 Leaders, a leadership advisory practice that helps companies reshape culture and performance. With a background in public accounting and over 20 years in corporate finance, Patrick now builds values-driven teams and sustainable business systems.

In this episode, Thomas and Patrick discuss:

• Cutting the Tie to a Comfortable Career
  Patrick shares what it took to walk away from a thriving W-2 job and the emotional moment he knew he had to create something of his own.
• Why the Right People Change Everything
  He talks about how his firm prioritizes deeply experienced talent over volume hiring—and how that changes outcomes for clients.
• Lessons from Both Ends of Culture
  After working at one company that over-indexed on mission and another that had none, Patrick built a firm centered on practical, purpose-driven values.
• Building While Raising a Family
  Patrick opens up about launching a company while raising three kids—including the chaotic early days of balancing fatherhood and entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways:

• Excitement Beats Passion
  Find the work that excites you consistently—it’s more reliable than chasing fleeting passion.
• Don’t Underprice Your Value
  Just because you can charge less doesn’t mean you should—know what your expertise is worth.
• Your Tools Are Relationships
  Start with mentors, hire better people, and never undervalue the human element.
• Safety and Honesty Build High-Performance Teams
  Psychological safety and a clear framework for tough conversations drive better culture and outcomes.

"You don't need to memorize a mission statement to build a great company—you just need to live one."— Patrick Coggins

CONNECT WITH PATRICK COGGINS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickcoggins
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/patrickgen9

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

Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System