“I Walked Away from a Job I Loved Because It Was Killing Me”—Melissa Brandt’s Path to Comedy

Cut The Tie | Success on Your Terms

Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Episode 278

When burnout hit, Melissa Brandt didn’t just change jobs—she changed her entire life. In this laugh-out-loud yet deeply honest episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with Melissa, a former corporate sales rep turned clean stand-up comedian, to talk about walking away from "what you're supposed to do" in favor of finding what truly lights you up.

Melissa opens up about how leaving the corporate hamster wheel—and taking a so-called “micro retirement”—led her to rediscover creativity, embrace imperfection, and build a new path rooted in authenticity. From haunted attics to honest punchlines, this episode is equal parts comedy and clarity.

About Melissa Brandt:

Melissa Brandt is a Grand Rapids-based stand-up comedian who brings laughter to audiences with a twist—she keeps it clean. After 15 years in the sales world, Melissa left behind burnout and unrealistic expectations to pursue her creative calling. With a background in performance and a passion for storytelling, she now uses comedy to connect, inspire, and remind us all that it’s okay to start over.

In this episode, Thomas and Melissa discuss:

• Micro-retirement and rediscovery
  Melissa shares how stepping away from corporate life opened the door to creativity, family healing, and stand-up comedy.
• Letting go of expectations
  She talks about how cutting ties with what others expected helped her finally get honest about what she wanted.
• What “clean comedy” actually solves
  With few family-friendly comics in the market, Melissa fills a much-needed niche—and proves funny doesn’t have to be filthy.
• The stand-up grind (and joy)
  From her unforgettable first show to navigating the business of comedy, Melissa gives a candid look into the world behind the mic.
  

Key Takeaways:

• Stop caring so much about other people’s expectations
  Your life is yours—live it honestly.
• Burnout is a clue, not a failure
  Feeling stuck might mean it’s time to make space for what you really want.
• Your “aha” moment might come after one bad day too many
  Trust it—and follow it.
• You don’t have to sell your soul to be successful
  Clean comedy proves that authenticity is the edge.
• Creativity doesn’t need permission—it just needs space
  Give yourself room to try, to fail, and to laugh through it.
  

Connect with Melissa Brandt:

🎤 Website: melissabrandtcomedy.com
📸 Instagram: @melissabrandtcomedy
📘 Facebook: Melissa Brandt Comedy

📺 YouTube: Melissa Brandt Comedy

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:

🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut The Tie Group
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 instantlyrelevant.com

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Chapters

1. Welcome to Cut the Tide Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Clean Comedy (00:02:44)

3. From Corporate Burnout to Comedy (00:06:47)

4. Breaking Free from Others' Expectations (00:10:33)

5. Business Advice and Comedy Tips (00:14:07)

6. Book Recommendations and Final Questions (00:16:29)