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

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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