The Corporate Escapee
You followed the rules. You climbed the ladder. But now you’re wondering… what if there’s more? Welcome to The Corporate Escapee Podcast—a show for GenX professionals who are done living a life around work and ready to start living life on their terms. Whether you’ve just started questioning your 9-5, got caught in a layoff, or are already out and building your own thing—this podcast is your roadmap to freedom. Hosted by Brett Trainor, a former corporate exec who escaped and never looked back, each episode features real conversations with real escapees, subject matter experts, and authors. You’ll hear the highs, the lows, and the practical strategies that help GenXers leave corporate—and stay out. 🎯 Inside each episode: • How to turn your corporate experience into income • Ways to land your first customer (without a website) • What’s working with consulting, fractional roles, and coaching • Mindset shifts to break free from fear and perfectionism • How to optimize for freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or just ready for something more—you’re not alone. Join thousands of others who are building the next chapter their way. ✨ It’s not just about leaving corporate. It’s about taking back control of your time, your money, and your future. It’s time to Get Busy Living.
Show episodes
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: •
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 bui
Jumping Out of the Corporate Plane—with a Parachute (and a Plan) with Tonya McKenzie
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
If It’s Not a Hell Yes, It’s a No: Why Clarity Comes After Action w/Shelley McIntyre
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 be
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 mo
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 t
