The Corporate Escapee

Brett Trainor
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Conversations to help you take back control of your money, time, health and future. Hosted by Brett Trainor — corporate escapee, solopreneur, and GenX life optimist — this show brings you real talk from entrepreneurs, escapees, and independent thinkers who stopped waiting for permission to live differently. Whether you're still in corporate counting the days, fresh out and figuring it out, or already living life on your terms — there's something here for you. Because escaping corporate is just the beginning. The real game is building a life you actually want. New episodes every week. Subscribe and start taking back control.

  1. 17H AGO

    4 Real Paths to Replace Your Corporate Income (And Why Franchising Deserves a Second Look)

    The 4 Real Paths to Replace Your Corporate Income Most corporate escapees think they only have two options: find another job or figure out how to start a business from scratch. But there are actually four legitimate paths to replacing your corporate income — and one of them is seriously underrated. In this solo episode, Brett breaks down all four paths and then goes deep on the one he doesn't talk about nearly enough: franchising. If you've been thinking about leaving corporate but the blank page feels too risky, this episode is for you. The 4 Paths: 🔹 Path 1 — Go Solo: Consulting, fractional, advisory, coaching, content. Monetize what you already know. Lowest barrier to entry, no investment required, and you can start while still in corporate. Brett's lane — and the focus of most of this podcast. 🔹 Path 2 — Start a Business: Build something from scratch. A passion, an idea, an agency. Full ownership but requires capital, time, and infrastructure. Often the natural evolution of going solo. 🔹 Path 3 — Buy a Business: Acquire an existing operation with revenue already in place. Faster path to cash flow but requires serious due diligence, capital, and comfort with complexity. 🔹 Path 4 — Buy a Franchise: Get into a proven system with a built-in playbook, training, support, and brand. A business in a box — and the focus of today's episode. Why Franchising Makes Sense for Corporate Escapees: Most people picture Subway or McDonald's. That's not the conversation. There are thousands of franchise concepts across senior care, home services, B2B services, fitness, wellness, and more — and many of them map directly to the skills you built in corporate. What you're actually buying is a proven playbook: operating systems, customer acquisition, marketing support, training, and a network of franchisees who've already solved the problems you'll face. Brett covers: Why franchising is a business model, not an industryThe real pros: faster path to revenue, built-in support, proven model, equity building, franchisee communityThe real cons: upfront investment, royalty fees, operating within someone else's systemWhy your corporate skills — P&L, leadership, process thinking, client relationships — transfer directlyThe ownership reframe: a job pays you, it doesn't build an assetHow platforms like Franzy and coaches like Entrepreneurial Source can help you research and find the right fitKey questions to ask yourself before going down this path Connect with Brett & The Corporate Escapee: 🌐 TheEscapeeCollective.com If this episode opened your eyes to a path you hadn't seriously considered — share it with someone still sitting in a corporate job wondering what their options are. That's exactly who this is for. And if you've made it this far — please subscribe. It helps more escapees find the show. Live Life First. 🐬✌️

    15 min

  2. MAR 6

    Laid Off 4 Times: What the Job Hunt Won't Teach You About Getting Back Up" (ft. Steve Jaffe)

    750 layoffs a day. No, that's not a typo — and it's not slowing down. Brett sits down with Steve Jaffe, marketing veteran and author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery, to talk about what most career books completely skip: the emotional and psychological toll of losing a job — and why processing that first is the key to what comes next. Steve was laid off four times over a 30-year career. His first layoff took him years to recover from. His last one in 2023? Water off a duck's back. The difference? He finally understood what he was actually experiencing: grief. This one is for anyone who's been laid off, is worried about being laid off, or is watching colleagues get cut and wondering when it's their turn. In this episode: Why January 2026 had the highest single-month layoffs since 2009 — and why the job market isn't bouncing backHow layoffs became a business strategy instead of a last resort (and what that means for your career security)The stages of grief that apply to job loss — and why skipping them is costing people months of their job searchWhy the "myth of meritocracy" is one of the most dangerous things to believe in corporateThe identity crisis that hits when your job title is your identity — and how to separate the twoWhat Gen Z is getting right about corporate that older generations sacrificedSteve's pivot from laid-off marketing exec to published author — without a Plan B in place firstWhy having a side hustle isn't just a trend — it's now a survival strategy About Steve Jaffe Steve spent 30 years in marketing and advertising — from West Coast ad agencies to in-house brand roles, including work on the iconic What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas campaign. After being laid off four times, he channeled those 10,000 hours of experience into his book, The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery — a practical, grief-informed guide to navigating job loss without losing yourself in the process. Resources mentioned: 📖 The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery — available on Amazon and wherever books are sold🌐 Website & free chapter download: https://thestevejaffe.com/💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Steve Jaffe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaffesteve/ Connect with Brett & The Corporate Escapee: 🌐 TheEscapeeCollective.com If this episode resonated, share it with someone who's currently in the middle of a layoff — or someone who should probably start building their Plan B now.

    32 min

  3. FEB 25

    I'm My Own Worst Enemy (And You Probably Are Too)

    There's a Lit song that's been stuck in my head for weeks: "My Own Worst Enemy." And it's the perfect metaphor for my entire solo journey. I've blocked myself at every stage—consulting, fractional leadership, and now with The Escapee Collective. Not intentionally, but by doing what corporate trained me to do: overanalyze, overstructure, and wait for perfection before taking action. In this episode, I walk you through the three times I made the same mistake—and what I'm doing differently now. If you're overthinking, over-structuring, or waiting for the "perfect" website, pitch deck, or system before you start—this one's for you. In This Episode: The consulting mistake: Building the perfect website, pitch deck, and pricing before having a single conversation with a client (and why it led to zero wins)The fractional repeat: Doing the EXACT same thing again—new methodology, new deck, same lack of resultsThe Escapee Collective lesson: How TikTok took off with zero plan, then how I complicated it again with masterminds, classes, and modules—and why I had to simplifyWhy corporate trains us backwards: Plan first, act second works in corporate—but solo requires the oppositeWhat actually works: Conversations, experimentation, messy wins FIRST—then structureThe 79% reality: Why most burned-out corporate workers won't take action (and how to be in the 35% who do)How to catch yourself: Recognizing when you're building systems before you have proof Key Takeaway: Action beats planning. Momentum beats perfection. Get early wins first—THEN build the structure around what's working.

    21 min

  4. FEB 18

    The Truth About Fractional: Rates, Retainers, and Getting Your First Client (John Arms)

    Fractional work is exploding — and it’s still confusing for a lot of corporate escapees. In this Featured Speaker session inside the Escapee Collective, John Arms breaks down Fractional 101 in plain English: what fractional really is, who it’s for, how to get clients (spoiler: it’s not campaigns), and what you can realistically charge. If you’re still in corporate, recently laid off, or already freelancing and want more stability, this is the clearest “how it works” primer you’ll hear. What you’ll learn • The “W2 → 1099 bridge” and why more people are getting pushed across it • Why fractional is mostly a referral-based business (and what to do with that) • The mindset shift: conversations, not campaigns • John’s simple relationship model: the “10-person circle” (fractionals, independents, super-connectors) • What companies actually care about (hint: pain, not the definition of fractional) • Typical pricing and why fractional often lands in the $8K–$10K/month retainer range • Why fractional is proactive leadership, not “wait to be told what to do” • The “project first” entry strategy — and why it usually turns into ongoing leadership • How to reconnect with old contacts without being weird or salesy • The core principle: get involved with other people’s success Notable moments / lines you’ll remember • “You’ll work for the people you get referred to.” • “Referrals come from conversations, not campaigns.” • “Fractional is leadership — solve it and keep it solved.” • “Most barriers are fear and assumptions… it’s hard work, but it’s not complicated.” Resources mentioned • The Go-Giver (Bob Burg) • The NCG Factor (Larry Kaufman — Network, Connect, Give)

    46 min

  5. FEB 17

    Breaking Corporate Dependency: Why Going Solo Alone Keeps You Stuck w/Brett Trainor

    Jon the Escapee Collective! What keeps 79% of corporate professionals stuck isn't lack of skills or opportunity—it's something deeper. In this solo episode, Brett shares the story of landing his first client, making good money, and then doing something that still makes him cringe: convincing that company to hire him full-time. Nobody forced him back. He walked himself in. This mistake cost him 18 months and taught him the hard truth: leaving corporate is tactical, but breaking your dependency on it is psychological. Brett breaks down what corporate dependency actually is (hint: it's not just the paycheck), why going solo alone reinforces that dependency, and the two critical milestones that finally sever the tie. If you're still in corporate and thinking about making a move—or you've already left but still feel the pull—this episode will help you understand what you're really up against and how to break free for good. What You'll Learn: Why corporate dependency is psychological, not financialThe three things you're actually dependent on (and it's not what you think)Why isolation amplifies doubt and keeps you stuckThe two milestones that break corporate relianceHow to avoid the mistake that sent Brett back 18 monthsWhy community matters more than tactics when going solo Key Quotes: "I hadn't really thought about why I did it, but it was really my dependence and my reliance on corporate.""What I really broke it down into three areas: I wanted control of my future, control of my money, and control of my time.""When you go alone, you have nothing else except yourself to talk you in or out of what you're doing.""Once you get to the point where you're confident that you can bring in that next deal, you know you're never going back.""I wasn't escaping corporate per se. I didn't have to stay there. I had options." Resources Mentioned: The Escapee Collective: Join Brett's community Subscribe & Connect: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to The Corporate Escapee Podcast on your favorite platform. New episodes drop multiple times per week featuring guest interviews and solo deep-dives like this one. Looking to break your corporate dependency? Visit TheEscapeeCollective.com to connect with others on the same journey.

    17 min

  6. FEB 11

    Corporate Is Changing — 3 Trends Creating New Opportunities for Escapees in 2026

    Corporate isn’t stabilizing—and that matters if your income still depends on it. In this solo episode, Brett breaks down three trends shaping the Escapee economy in 2026: a corporate metric that’s quietly driving layoffs,the rapid expansion of revenue streams outside corporate,and why small businesses are moving away from full-time hires in favor of fractional and specialist talent. If you’re still in corporate, this episode helps you see what’s coming. If you’ve already escaped, it explains why demand for your experience is only growing. This episode is for you if: You’re questioning whether corporate is still a safe long-term betYou want practical ways to monetize your experience outside a jobYou’re curious how small businesses are really hiring and growing now The 3 trends covered in this episode Trend #1: The metric driving modern layoffs — Revenue Per Employee (RPE) Why boards and executives are fixated on RPE, how it incentivizes headcount reduction, and why even “healthy” companies continue cutting roles. Trend #2: The explosion of revenue streams for escapees Fractional leadership, consulting, advisory, UGC, content creation, mentoring, and more—why monetizing what you already know is the fastest, lowest-friction path to income. Trend #3: The small business go-to-market model is changing Why businesses are ditching traditional silos, hiring specialists instead of full-time staff, and how this shift creates long-term opportunity for experienced operators. Key takeaways • Corporate risk is structural, not cyclical • Escapees have more income options than they think • Small businesses want outcomes, not headcount • Your experience is often more valuable outside corporate than inside it If this episode helped you rethink corporate risk or life after it, connect with Brett on LinkedIn or email him at bt@bretttrainor.com. And if there’s a topic you want covered in a future solo episode, let him know.

    20 min

  7. FEB 6

    Ashley Returns: Two Years Into the Escape — What Worked, What Didn’t, What’s Next

    Ashley Evenson returns for her third appearance on The Corporate Escapee Podcast — and this time it’s a real update from the field. Two years into her escape, she breaks down what actually helped her land fractional work, what surprised her, and the biggest mistake most new escapees make once they get busy. This is a practical conversation about network-first business development, creating momentum without feeling “salesy,” and why the long game matters more than the perfect plan. What you’ll learn • How Ashley landed her first fractional roles through her existing network • Why “pick your brain” beats cold outreach for most escapees • The content → connection flywheel: using LinkedIn engagement to reopen relationships • What fractional work can feel like behind the scenes (and why it can get lonely) • How Ashley uses frameworks + a single grounding slide to lead discovery conversations • Why you must keep “breadcrumbing” even when client work gets busy • The reality of income volatility — and how to reduce the “oh crap” moments • Portfolio career thinking: experimenting with speaking, books, and new revenue streams • A fun (and honest) AI/TikTok viral experiment — and what it taught her about unit economics • The mindset truth: escaping requires hustle — but it’s a better “hard” than corporate Key quotes • “You’re in here for the long game.” • “People are sick of being sold to on LinkedIn.” • “Always be top of mind… keep breadcrumbing.” • “Both paths are hard. Choose which hard you want.” Resources & mentions • Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyevenson/ • Ashley’s site: AE Marketing Collective: aemarketingcollective.com • AI slide tool mentioned: Gamma (export to Google Slides / PowerPoint) If this episode hit home… If you’re still in corporate and thinking about an exit strategy: • Start with one conversation this week. • Don’t pitch. Ask for perspective. • Keep one weekly “breadcrumb” habit so you don’t disappear when you get busy. About the guest Ashley is a fractional marketing leader with experience across agency, brand, and consul

    37 min

  8. FEB 4

    Your Job Title Isn’t Your Identity: How to Tell a Bigger Story w/ Catherine Jelinek

    Corporate gives you an easy identity: your title, your company, your lane. But once you start building something outside corporate—consulting, fractional, content, a book, a business—that identity disappears fast. And that’s where most people get stuck. In this episode, Brett sits down with Catherine Jelinek, founder of The Skinny Platform, to talk about the shift from being “defined by your role” to being known for your thinking, your story, and the outcomes you create. Catherine shares why so many high-performing corporate pros struggle in the “formless” world outside corporate, how to create structure without recreating corporate, and why the fastest way to clarify your thought leadership is often talking it out—not trying to write it alone. They also get into “skinny books” (short, high-impact nonfiction) and how to use AI and conversation-based drafts to accelerate publishing and content creation. What You’ll Learn • Why corporate identity feels safe—even when corporate is miserable • How to replace “job title identity” with outcome-based positioning • Catherine’s framework for navigating change: Forming → Storming → Norming → Performing • How Brett created structure outside corporate (without turning life into a calendar prison) • Why most people can’t “see” their own differentiators—and how a mirror helps • Why conversation + transcripts can be the fastest path to content (and even a book) • The “skinny book” approach: short, readable, practical nonfiction that people actually finish • How to use AI to generate multiple story arcs and content angles—without losing your voice Key Takeaways • You don’t need to reinvent yourself. You need to reframe yourself. • Progress outside corporate isn’t linear—so you need your own way to measure wins. • If you want thought leadership, stop trying to “perfect-write” it. Talk it out first. • Your story isn’t just for a book. It can power your LinkedIn, website, offers, and messaging. About Catherine Jelinek Catherine is the founder of The Skinny Platform, an alternative to ghostwriting for entrepreneurs and thought leaders. The Skinny Platform helps people clarify their story, shape it into a compelling narrative, and turn it into a short, high-impact book—faster than the traditional publishing process. Connect with Catherine • https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjelinek/ • Email: catherine@theskinnyplatform.com • Websites: theskinnyplatform.com

    29 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Conversations to help you take back control of your money, time, health and future. Hosted by Brett Trainor — corporate escapee, solopreneur, and GenX life optimist — this show brings you real talk from entrepreneurs, escapees, and independent thinkers who stopped waiting for permission to live differently. Whether you're still in corporate counting the days, fresh out and figuring it out, or already living life on your terms — there's something here for you. Because escaping corporate is just the beginning. The real game is building a life you actually want. New episodes every week. Subscribe and start taking back control.

Information

  • Creator
    Brett Trainor
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    332
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2019 B.T. LLC
  • Show Website
    The Corporate Escapee

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