In this special episode, Brett flips the mic and joins John Browning on the Building Your Life Podcast . They dive deep into what it really means to escape corporate life and build something better—on your terms. Brett shares: • His journey from 25 years in corporate to solo consulting and fractional work • Why GenX is waking up to the reality that corporate won’t take care of them • How he found his first customers (and how you can too) • The rise of solo businesses—and why GenX is perfectly po...
Jul 09, 2025•49 min
She’s back for part two! Shelley McIntyre returns to break down the exact framework she uses to help burned-out GenX professionals escape corporate life— without hitting rock bottom first . If part one was about why we escape, this one is about how to do it—mentally, emotionally, and tactically. We cover: • Why grief is a part of every transition (yes, even the good ones) • How to rediscover your identity after decades in corporate • The key mindset shift GenXers must make to take action before ...
Jun 09, 2025•38 min
Joe McKay left a government job in Australia to raise his family in rural France—and stumbled into the solopreneur life along the way. In this episode, Joe shares how one consulting gig turned into a thriving ghostwriting business and agency, all built on the back of his personal brand on LinkedIn. We talk about: • The “fork in the road” moment that launched his corporate escape • Why solopreneurship gave him a taste of freedom he couldn’t un-taste • The mindset shift from resume-building to bra...
Jun 02, 2025•51 min
This isn’t a future-of-work episode. It’s a how-to-work-differently episode. Paul Shirley returns for his third appearance on the show—and this time, we go deep. We’re talking focus, structure, guilt, failure, personal infrastructure, and why GenX escapees need systems more than strategies. If you’ve ever felt like: • You “should be able to do more” but can’t quite get there… • You’ve got time now, but not the energy or structure to use it… • You miss having a rhythm but hate the idea of being b...
May 29, 2025•54 min
Feeling stuck between your 6-figure corporate salary and the dream of going solo? You’re not alone—and the fear is real. But the risk? It’s not as big as you think. In this Cliff Notes solo episode, Brett breaks down “The Salary Gap Illusion” —why so many GenXers stay stuck in jobs they’ve outgrown, and how to start building your bridge to freedom today. 🎯 In this episode: • Why the fear of replacing your salary keeps you stuck • The real risk of staying in corporate • The 3 post-corporate path...
May 20, 2025•17 min
In this inspiring episode, Brett chats with PR powerhouse Tonya McKenzie, a true OG in the escapee world, having built her own agency nearly a decade ago. Tonya shares the story of how her husband (a fellow escapee) gave her the push she needed to leap from corporate—and how she turned that leap into a thriving PR and media business. From launching a local real estate magazine to running full-service communications and now building a new Substack community, Tonya unpacks what it really takes to ...
May 07, 2025•39 min
Shelley McIntyre didn’t just leave corporate—she walked away from a long career in tech and consulting and into something completely unexpected: grief coaching. But as Shelley quickly discovered, grief isn’t just about death—it’s also what we experience when leaving jobs, identities, and entire versions of ourselves behind. In this candid conversation, Shelley shares her journey of transformation, from leading corporate strategy to coaching GenXers who feel stuck, burned out, and unsure of what’...
Apr 17, 2025•42 min
Supersized Episode Alert! This episode goes deep—and for good reason. Eric Collett didn’t just escape burnout and corporate stress. He rebuilt his life around brain health, longevity, and optimal performance—and now helps thousands do the same. This two-part-in-one episode blends Eric’s escapee origin story (and the moment he realized he couldn’t go back) with a practical brain health masterclass for GenX escapees looking to stay sharp, focused, and fired up. Eric’s mission? Save the next millio...
Apr 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min
In corporate, most of us weren’t really making decisions—we were following them. But out here? As an escapee, every choice is yours. And decision-making becomes one of the biggest levers for building the life and business you actually want. In this episode, I’m joined by organizational psychologist Dr. Magda du Preez to talk about the hidden skill that separates stuck escapees from the ones who are truly living. We dig into why decisions get harder after corporate, how emotions throw us off trac...
Mar 26, 2025•35 min
Welcome to the very first Cliff Notes edition of The Corporate Escapee Podcast —a short, sharp, and actionable solo episode designed to help you take your next step toward freedom. In this quick-hit episode, Brett breaks down the 4-step process every GenXer needs to understand to start making money right now using just their corporate experience—no reinvention, no certification, no fluff. If you’ve ever thought, “I want out… but how do I actually replace my income?”—this is your roadmap. You’ll ...
Mar 21, 2025•15 min
In this special crossover episode, I sit down with Kyle Knowles on Maker-Manager Money to share my journey from 30 years in corporate to building The Escapee Collective and The Collective Academy . We dive deep into why I walked away from corporate life, how I overcame the uncertainty of going solo, and the powerful mindset shifts that made all the difference. We discuss: ✅ The moment I knew I was done with corporate for good ✅ Why finding your first client is easier than landing your next job ✅...
Mar 10, 2025•53 min
In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast , Brett sits down with Matt Hobson-Rohrer, an early escapee who has been navigating the solo business world for over 13 years. Matt shares how a moment in a Shanghai hotel room made him realize he was missing too much of his daughter’s life—only to have corporate make the decision for him a year later with a layoff (and a farewell gift of pots and pans). Matt walks us through his transition from a long corporate career in software partnerships to ...
Feb 27, 2025•43 min
The corporate world is changing, and businesses are no longer defaulting to full-time employees. Instead, they’re building lean, high-performing teams using fractional talent. But what does that actually look like in practice? In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast , Brett sits down with Ran Harpaz , a former corporate executive turned startup founder, who shares why he built his entire company with independent professionals—and why more businesses are following this model. Ran, whose ...
Feb 21, 2025•43 min
In this conversation, Brett Trainor and John Arms discuss the evolving landscape of fractional leadership, exploring its growth, the macro and micro reasons behind this shift, and how individuals can position themselves effectively in this space. They delve into the changing dynamics of corporate work, the demand for fractional talent, and the importance of empathy and networking in securing opportunities. The discussion emphasizes the need for a mindset shift from traditional employment models ...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast , Brett welcomes Denise Murtha Bachmann , a former corporate sales professional who reinvented herself as a consultant, coach, and fractional sales leader. Denise shares her journey of leaving a 30-year corporate career—one she once considered “family”—after an unexpected layoff. She opens up about the challenges of identity loss, mental health struggles, and the self-discovery that ultimately led her to build a business that aligns with her exper...
Feb 13, 2025•41 min
In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast, host Brett Trainor sits down with Tom Clement, a GenXer who shares his unconventional journey from a blue-collar upbringing to running a motorcycle dealership, transitioning into academics, and ultimately finding fulfillment teaching incarcerated individuals in Arizona. Tom opens up about: • The challenges of starting and selling a seasonal business • The importance of networking and financial planning for freedom • Lessons from teaching entrepre...
Jan 24, 2025•47 min
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Corporate Escapee podcast! Today’s episode is a special one. I recently had the pleasure of joining Sabrina Romanov on her podcast, where we had an incredible conversation about escaping corporate life, finding freedom, and leveraging tools like AI to build a solo business. Sabrina was kind enough to let me share this conversation with you, and I’m excited for you to hear it Sabrina's Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jf1aa6-w6g https://www.youtube.com/pla...
Jan 16, 2025•34 min
Welcome back to The Corporate Escapee podcast . I’m thrilled to bring you something a little different today. Recently, I had the privilege of being a guest on the What’s Next GenX podcast with Nicole and Anne Marie. These two are all about helping Gen Xers like us figure out what’s next in our careers and lives. In this episode, we dove deep into the journey of leaving corporate life and building a career on your own terms. We talked about the tipping point that led me to escape corporate, how ...
Jan 03, 2025•45 min
In this episode of the Corporate Escape-y Podcast, Thom shares his unique journey from being a pastor for 19 years to becoming a successful entrepreneur and StoryBrand coach. He discusses the challenges he faced during his transition, including imposter syndrome and the importance of building a network based on trust. In this conversation, Thom and Brett discuss the importance of growth strategies for small businesses, emphasizing the role of networking and the concept of source networking. Thom...
Dec 31, 2024•44 min
Welcome back to The Corporate Escapee Podcast ! In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to chat with Heather McLean, a recent escapee who left behind a high-powered corporate role leading a 400-person software development team to co-found her own tech-focused business alongside her husband. Heather shares her journey from back-to-back corporate meetings and burnout to building a company that’s already making waves in AI and emerging technologies. We’ll talk about the leap of faith she took, how leverag...
Dec 26, 2024•33 min
In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast, Brett Trainor speaks with Nic Jones, a former corporate executive turned bus driver who shares his journey of redefining success and happiness. Nic reflects on his 40-year career in media and music, during which he held leadership roles at major companies like Yahoo, Murdoch’s digital businesses, and Vevo. After a failed entrepreneurial venture and personal loss, Nic reevaluated his priorities, choosing to pursue a fulfilling yet unconventional p...
Dec 19, 2024•52 min
Welcome to The Corporate Escapee Podcast, where we explore the journeys of GenXers breaking free from corporate life to build something on their own terms. I’m your host, Brett Trainor, and today we dive into a conversation that’s critical for every corporate escapee: mastering LinkedIn. Joining me is LinkedIn strategist and fellow escapee, Deanna Russo. Deanna’s expertise has helped thousands rethink their approach to LinkedIn—not as a sales tool or online resume, but as a powerful platform for...
Dec 18, 2024•45 min
Can experience and wisdom give us a unique edge in the age of AI? In this episode of The Corporate Escapee Podcast , I’m joined by Michael Himmelfarb, a seasoned consultant and one of the original escapees. Together, we explore how AI is reshaping solo businesses, why experience trumps prompts, and how escapees can use AI not just as a tool but as a competitive advantage. From intelligent interrogation to teaching AI to think like you, we uncover how combining AI with decades of expertise can cr...
Dec 14, 2024•31 min
In this episode of the Corporate Escapee Podcast, Joe Manganelli shares his journey from a corporate finance role to becoming an entrepreneur and the founder of Calculate, a financial services company. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a business, the importance of embracing discomfort, and the lessons learned along the way. Joe emphasizes the value of testing assumptions, the significance of enthusiasm in business, and the need for accountability in entrepreneurship. He also ...
Nov 16, 2024•39 min
In this episode of the Corporate Escapee Podcast, Gabrielle shares her journey from a full-time marketing career to going solo, discussing the importance of understanding taxes and business structures like LLCs and S-Corps. She emphasizes the advantages of S-Corps in reducing self-employment taxes and the necessity of managing payroll effectively. The conversation also highlights the role of technology in simplifying financial management for escapees and the future of solo businesses in a rapidl...
Nov 11, 2024•47 min
Ray McKenzie, founder and managing director of Red Beach Advisors, shares his journey from corporate to entrepreneurship. He started his consulting firm in 2015, focusing on go-to-market strategy and operational efficiency for Fortune 1000 companies in cybersecurity and cloud computing. Later, he founded Starting Point, a workflow management and automation platform for professional services companies. Ray emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships, leveraging your corpor...
Oct 31, 2024•42 min
In this episode of the Corporate Escapee Podcast, Nina Sossamon-Pogue shares her multifaceted journey from being a U.S. gymnast to a successful journalist, and then transitioning into the tech industry. She discusses the challenges she faced, including injuries and career setbacks, and emphasizes the importance of resilience, storytelling, and mindset in navigating life's transitions. Nina provides valuable insights on identifying personal skills, the significance of positive language, and the n...
Oct 22, 2024•51 min
Hear from a recent corporate escapee and her journey so far. Adrienne Farrell is a corporate wellness consultant and the founder of the InnovateHerLab, a community for women exploring their career paths. She focuses on women's health and well-being in the workplace, recognizing the need to elevate this issue. Adrienne's journey to becoming an escapee started when she experienced layoffs and a toxic work environment. She decided to take a leap of faith and prioritize her own voice and values. She...
Sep 30, 2024•40 min
In this episode, Laine Belcastro shares her journey from corporate marketing to becoming a solopreneur and email marketing consultant. Laine discusses the importance of networking, finding your niche, and the challenges of pricing strategies. Laine emphasizes the significance of email marketing for business growth and introduces her new venture, Accountability Arcade, aimed at helping entrepreneurs set and achieve short-term goals. The conversation highlights the balance of multiple revenue stre...
Sep 23, 2024•39 min
Jaidin McCann, owner of Jasper Consultancy, shares her journey of starting her own executive search firm and offering fractional work. She emphasizes the importance of personal branding and networking in the fractional space. McCann advises individuals to specialize in a specific area and build a strong referral network. She also highlights the need for market research and understanding the buyer's market. McCann encourages individuals to take the leap into fractional work and enjoy the journey....
Sep 17, 2024•39 min
