Best Brett Trainor Podcasts (2025)

1
The Chief Energy Officer: What GenXers Can Learn from GenZ Purpose w/Conrad Hawley 33:12

Play Pause

2d ago33:12

33:12

What GenXers stuck in corporate can learn from a 22-year-old former D1 athlete who walked away from the easy path, found his purpose, and chose to serve others—even when it was uncomfortable. I like to connect the dots and showcase what's possible if we break out of our comfort zones 🔑 In This Episode: Why Conrad left a full football scholarship (a…

1
Writing from the Heart in a Digital World with Elizabeth H. Cottrell | RR329 43:48

23h ago43:48

43:48

A handwritten note can do what an email never will, it can change a life. I loved every minute of this warm-hearted conversation with Elizabeth H. Cottrell, author of Heartspoken: How to Write Notes That Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire. Elizabeth is a champion for authentic connection, and we explored how meaningful, handwritten notes crea…

1
Your AI Advantage: Why GenX Escapees Are Built to Cash In (with Naveen Aggarwal) 43:34

4d ago43:34

43:34

Brett and Naveen break down how GenX escapees can use AI to work faster, earn more, and de-risk the leap from corporate. You’ll learn where AI actually helps (and where it doesn’t), how to turn your experience into simple, repeatable, AI-enabled services, and why singles (small wins) beat swinging for enterprise home runs when you’re solo. Think: m…

1
Your First Revenue Stream Outside Corporate (with Lee Ann Pepper) 32:26

7d ago32:26

32:26

We’re launching a new recurring segment with Lee Ann Pepper focused on real-world revenue ideas for corporate escapees. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How would I actually make money if I left corporate?” this episode is for you. Lee Ann and I break down practical, low-risk ways GenXers can start monetizing today—without swinging for six-figure fe…

1
How AI Makes Work More Human with Gunnar Hood | RR328 38:58

8d ago38:58

38:58

AI isn't stealing your humanity. It’s giving it back. Gunnar Hood joins me to talk about how artificial intelligence can make our work more human. He explains how AI helps you reclaim time, communicate more meaningfully, and show up with intention in business and in life. We also look at how AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming smarter, faster, and m…

1
Networking Made Simple: David Ackert’s Proven Short List Framework for Escapees 46:23

12d ago46:23

46:23

For most corporate escapees, networking and sales feel like the biggest hurdles to building a solo business. With hundreds of LinkedIn connections and decades of contacts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—or worse, to avoid networking altogether. Enter David Ackert—author of The Short List and winner of the 2025 Non-Fiction Book Award. David has spent…

1
Why Presence Might Be the Skill You’re Missing with Brad Farris | RR327 36:15

15d ago36:15

36:15

Presence can quietly transform how people experience your leadership. Brad Farris joined me for a powerful conversation about leadership that doesn’t rely on hustle. As a coach to agency owners and C-suite leaders, Brad helps people grow into the version of themselves their team wants to follow. He believes slowing down is the key to better results…

1
All Things Fractional: Your Complete Guide with Karina Mikhli 38:04

19d ago38:04

38:04

Fractional, Defined: How to Lead (Not Freelance) with Karina Mikhli What does “fractional” really mean—and is it the right next step after corporate? In this episode, I sit down with Karina Mikhli, founder of Fractionals United, Fractional COO, and COO for the Fractional Leadership Alliance. She breaks down what fractional leadership is (and isn’t)…

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Coaching Gen Z to Lead with EQ and AI with Jeremy Williams | RR326 38:41

22d ago38:41

38:41

The future of leadership is being shaped by teenagers who are building real businesses today. This is fascinating! I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeremy Williams, Head of Coaching at Founders Path, who is helping teens grow into emotionally intelligent entrepreneurs. Through this innovative program, students aged 13 to 17 are learning AI, bloc…

1
Nail Your Messaging and Master the 6 Questions Every Client Will Ask w/ Tom Freedman 50:22

1M ago50:22

50:22

One of the biggest challenges GenX escapees face after leaving corporate isn’t expertise—it’s business development. How do you find customers, create clarity in your message, and grow without getting stuck in trial-and-error mode? In this episode, I sit down with Tom Freedman, a lifelong entrepreneur who has built six businesses and now helps solop…

1
Why B2B Relationships Start Before the First Pitch with Michael Haynes | RR325 44:48

29d ago44:48

44:48

Are your client relationships strong enough to earn their trust before the first pitch? Michael Haynes, a B2B market specialist, author and speaker, joins me from Sydney. He guides us on how to unpack what it truly takes to win and keep business clients today. It’s not just about being client-focused anymore—it’s about becoming buyer-centric. We ta…

1
From Corporate Stress to Strength Training: A Dual Playbook for GenXers 29:34

1M ago29:34

29:34

Dual Takeaway: This episode is a two-for-one: inspiration for escaping corporate and practical fitness guidance for living longer, stronger, and on your own terms. What happens when you realize corporate life just isn’t for you—before it consumes decades of your career? Greg Bogdanski found out early. After stints in investment banking and consumer…

1
Laid Off After 27 Years—And Finding Fulfillment Beyond Corporate w/ Thea Watkins 36:26

1M ago36:26

36:26

After 27 years in corporate—including an executive role—Thea Watkins never imagined she’d end up running her own business. A layoff forced her to pause, reflect, and rethink what she really wanted. Instead of jumping back into another corporate job, Thea leaned into her passions: leadership, people development, and inclusive workplaces. Today, Thea…

1
What Happens When You Quit Corporate Without a Plan with Brett Trainor | RR324 39:37

1M ago39:37

39:37

You don’t need a plan if you’ve got the right people in your corner. I loved this chat with Brett Trainor, who walked away from corporate life and found something even better—freedom, purpose, and a community of support. Brett shares how his journey unfolded not through strategy, but through relationships. From his first freelance gig to building t…

1
Portfolio Life: Building Purpose and Freedom After Corporate with Joy Levin 40:40

1M ago40:40

40:40

What does “retirement” really look like for Gen Xers—and why do so many struggle with it? In this episode, I sit down with Joy Levin, market research consultant turned retirement coach, who helps Gen X professionals design their encore years with purpose, connection, and freedom. We dive into: Why retirement is no longer a five-year chapter but a 3…

1
The Secret to Building Real Trust in Business with Carl Walsh | RR323 41:03

2M ago41:03

41:03

Great leadership starts with backstage conversations, not just center-stage charisma. I had the best time talking with Carl Walsh—award-winning actor turned business coach—about how the principles of theater can shift the way we build teams, lead people, and run companies. Carl’s path from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to working at Disney and…

1
UGC for Gen X: How to Make Money Creating Content (No Followers Needed) W/Megan Collier 40:38

2M ago40:38

40:38

Episode Summary: Think UGC (User Generated Content) is only for 20-somethings? Think again. In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Collier—UGC creator, coach, and champion for Gen Xers and Boomers who want to turn their creativity into a revenue stream. Megan shares how she went from scrolling TikTok with just 200 followers to replacing her six-figur…

1
Trevor Turnbull’s Wake-Up Call: Why Hustling Wasn’t Working | RR322 43:56

2M ago43:56

43:56

Burnout can be the wake-up call that shifts everything. I loved reconnecting with Trevor Turnbull, a long-time entrepreneur who’s done it all—from building a seven-figure agency to living off the grid in Costa Rica. We talked about what happens when business success no longer feels fulfilling and how that realization sparked a full reset. Trevor sh…

1
The Secret to Getting Clients from Your Content | RR321 49:32

2M ago49:32

49:32

What if your content could build real trust instead of just chasing likes? If you’ve been putting in the effort but not seeing results, Josh Spector wants to change that. He’s a content strategist, creator of For the Interested, and an expert in turning content into client relationships. Josh shares how to stop spinning your wheels with low-impact …

1
Kelly Sinclair’s Authentic Approach to AI-Powered Marketing | RR320 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

You don’t need to be tech-savvy to build authentic visibility with AI. Kelly Sinclair, brand visibility coach and host of the Entrepreneur School podcast, returns to share how she’s helping entrepreneurs use AI tools without losing their human voice. We talk about time-saving strategies, keeping messaging true to your values, and how something as s…

1
Turning Small Talk into Business Gold | RR319 39:24

2M ago39:24

39:24

You don’t need hours to build trust. You just need 15 seconds and the right words. I recently sat down with Jen Mueller, an Emmy-winning sports broadcaster and founder of Talk Sporty to Me, who’s built a career turning lightning-fast locker room chats into meaningful connections. Jen shares how her experience interviewing athletes in 15-second wind…

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From Burnout to Purpose: Escaping Corporate and Building a Life That Works 48:45

3M ago48:45

48:45

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 …

1
How to Turn Small Stories into Big Results | RR318 35:38

3M ago35:38

35:38

Your story isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation of trust, connection, and business growth. Renee Lynn Frojo, brand storyteller and founder of A Good Reputation, shares this and more with me in this episode. Renee helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs discover the power in their personal stories and how to use them as a business strategy. We explored how t…

1
Self-Awareness and Style that Moves Business Forward | RR317 36:56

3M ago36:56

36:56

The parts of you you’ve been hiding might be the key to your boldest moves yet. I had the pleasure of talking with Danielle Mohr and Shelby Eloria, the women behind Black Sheep Co, about something we don’t talk about enough—the relationship we have with ourselves. We dug into what it means to reclaim your voice, rediscover your identity, and stop s…

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Breaking the Cycle: Letting Go of Money Beliefs That No Longer Serve You with Sloan Wilkins | RR 316 36:39

3M ago36:39

36:39

What if talking about money felt more like connection than conflict? My guest today, Sloan Wilkins, brings a calm, thoughtful approach to something that often feels heavy—money. Drawing from his own experience with childhood financial loss and a long career in banking, Sloan shares how mindfulness and intention can reshape the way we manage, talk a…

1
The Storytelling Shift That Will Make Your Clients Say Yes | RR315 35:52

3M ago35:52

35:52

Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest impact—and that’s exactly what Kris Jones shows us in this episode. She breaks down the power of storytelling in a way that instantly makes you rethink your website, your LinkedIn profile, and how you're connecting with clients. It's not about you; it’s about the story you're inviting your clients int…

1
Redefining Success on Your Own Terms with Kym Insana | RR314 33:38

4M ago33:38

33:38

Let’s be real. Scaling a business while parenting isn’t easy, but, believe it or not, it is possible when you create it on your own terms. Kym Insana didn’t start out trying to build an agency, she just wanted a life that worked for her and her family. What happened next was a business that grew from word-of-mouth relationships, smart strategy, and…

1
Escape Without Breaking: Shelley McIntyre’s 3-Phase Framework for Leaving Corporate 38:25

4M ago38:25

38:25

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 (ye…

1
Breakthroughs for the Overwhelmed Brain with Barb Hubbard | RR313 36:41

4M ago36:41

36:41

Just because you feel scattered doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. You might just need a new way to make things work for you. Barb Hubbard, ADHD coach, educator, and author of Quit Chasing Squirrels and Start Chasing Your Dreams, brings a fresh, compassionate approach to helping high-achieving professionals and solopreneurs stop spinning and …

1
The LinkedIn Escape Plan: How Joe McKay Left Government and Built a Life in France 51:27

4M ago51:27

51:27

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 tha…

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The Anti-Hustle Guide to Doing Better Work with Paul Shirley 53:48

4M ago53:48

53:48

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…

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Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time to Pivot with Beverley Glazer | RR312 30:40

4M ago30:40

30:40

The rules you followed to get here don’t have to be the ones you follow next and that’s where the magic begins. Beverley Glazer, transformational coach and founder of Reinvent Impossible, joined me for a powerful conversation about what it really means to thrive in midlife and beyond. With decades of experience as both a therapist and coach, she he…

1
The Salary Gap Illusion: Why Going Solo Isn’t as Risky as You Think 16:31

4M ago16:31

16:31

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 t…

1
Chris Bogue Shares the Secret to Authentic Content That Converts | RR311 43:29

4M ago43:29

43:29

Video isn’t just about showing up—it’s about showing who you really are. I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris Bogue, improv performer, video coach, and creator of The Pattern Breaker. Chris brings a fresh, comedic edge to business videos on LinkedIn, helping people ditch stiff scripts and start making real, human connections through short, …

1
Sell Less, Connect More, and Raise Your Rates with Confidence with John Ray | RR310 41:58

5M ago41:58

41:58

Most people undercharge not because they’re greedy, but because they underestimate their true value. I had such an eye-opening conversation with John Ray—business advisor, pricing strategist, and author of The Generosity Mindset. We talked about why pricing is way more emotional than most people admit, and how confidence, perceived value, and inten…

Brett Trainor Podcasts

1
The Corporate Escapee

Brett Trainor

1
Relationships Rule

Janice Porter

1
The Chief Energy Officer: What GenXers Can Learn from GenZ Purpose w/Conrad Hawley 33:12

1
Writing from the Heart in a Digital World with Elizabeth H. Cottrell | RR329 43:48

1
Your AI Advantage: Why GenX Escapees Are Built to Cash In (with Naveen Aggarwal) 43:34

1
Your First Revenue Stream Outside Corporate (with Lee Ann Pepper) 32:26

1
How AI Makes Work More Human with Gunnar Hood | RR328 38:58

1
Networking Made Simple: David Ackert’s Proven Short List Framework for Escapees 46:23

1
Why Presence Might Be the Skill You’re Missing with Brad Farris | RR327 36:15

1
All Things Fractional: Your Complete Guide with Karina Mikhli 38:04

1
Coaching Gen Z to Lead with EQ and AI with Jeremy Williams | RR326 38:41

1
Nail Your Messaging and Master the 6 Questions Every Client Will Ask w/ Tom Freedman 50:22

1
Why B2B Relationships Start Before the First Pitch with Michael Haynes | RR325 44:48

1
From Corporate Stress to Strength Training: A Dual Playbook for GenXers 29:34

1
Laid Off After 27 Years—And Finding Fulfillment Beyond Corporate w/ Thea Watkins 36:26

1
What Happens When You Quit Corporate Without a Plan with Brett Trainor | RR324 39:37

1
Portfolio Life: Building Purpose and Freedom After Corporate with Joy Levin 40:40

1
The Secret to Building Real Trust in Business with Carl Walsh | RR323 41:03

1
UGC for Gen X: How to Make Money Creating Content (No Followers Needed) W/Megan Collier 40:38

1
Trevor Turnbull’s Wake-Up Call: Why Hustling Wasn’t Working | RR322 43:56

1
The Secret to Getting Clients from Your Content | RR321 49:32

1
Kelly Sinclair’s Authentic Approach to AI-Powered Marketing | RR320 35:23

1
Turning Small Talk into Business Gold | RR319 39:24

1
From Burnout to Purpose: Escaping Corporate and Building a Life That Works 48:45

1
How to Turn Small Stories into Big Results | RR318 35:38

1
Self-Awareness and Style that Moves Business Forward | RR317 36:56

1
Breaking the Cycle: Letting Go of Money Beliefs That No Longer Serve You with Sloan Wilkins | RR 316 36:39

1
The Storytelling Shift That Will Make Your Clients Say Yes | RR315 35:52

1
Redefining Success on Your Own Terms with Kym Insana | RR314 33:38

1
Escape Without Breaking: Shelley McIntyre’s 3-Phase Framework for Leaving Corporate 38:25

1
Breakthroughs for the Overwhelmed Brain with Barb Hubbard | RR313 36:41

1
The LinkedIn Escape Plan: How Joe McKay Left Government and Built a Life in France 51:27

1
The Anti-Hustle Guide to Doing Better Work with Paul Shirley 53:48

1
Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time to Pivot with Beverley Glazer | RR312 30:40

1
The Salary Gap Illusion: Why Going Solo Isn’t as Risky as You Think 16:31

1
Chris Bogue Shares the Secret to Authentic Content That Converts | RR311 43:29

1
Sell Less, Connect More, and Raise Your Rates with Confidence with John Ray | RR310 41:58