Brett Trainor Unplugged

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 20+ years helping professionals grow their books of business and has distilled his research into a simple, proven framework that removes the guesswork from networking.

In this episode, David shares how to replace random outreach with a focused, confidence-building system that actually drives results.

What You’ll Learn:

About David Ackert

David is the President of Ackert Inc., creator of the PipelinePlus Tracker app, and author of The Short List. He has dedicated his career to helping professionals simplify business development through intentional, value-driven relationships.

👉 Connect with David:

• Website: pipelineplus.com

• LinkedIn: David Ackert

👉 Resources:

• Get your copy of The Short List wherever books are sold

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), how to price and structure your work, and why networking—not job boards—drives real opportunities.

We cover:

• The difference between fractional vs. consulting vs. interim

• Karina’s 3-2-1 ops model for structuring engagements

• How to avoid the hourly trap and sell on outcomes

• Red flags, best practices, and when agencies might make sense

• Why SMBs are the sweet spot (and when it’s too early/too big for fractional)

📌 Links & Resources

• Connect with Karina: linkedin.com/in/karinamikhli

• Join the community: FractionalsUnited.com

• Fractional definitions: fractionaldefine.com

• Free Escapee Starter Kit: Download here 

🎙️ Subscribe to The Corporate Escapee Podcast for more GenX stories, tools, and strategies to help you find your path to freedom.

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 solopreneurs and small business owners design simple, effective growth strategies centered around relationships.

We dive into:

• Why most escapees waste time on “shiny” strategies that don’t move the needle

• The Three-Headed God of Growth—marketing, business development, and sales—and how solos should prioritize them

• Tom’s SAM framework (Solution, Audience, Message) and how it fuels growth

• The 4 Cs of messaging: Clear, Concise, Compelling, and Consistent

• How to handle the six questions you’ll face on every discovery call

• Pricing strategies that balance affordability for clients with sustainability for you

• Why clarity and consistency in your message is the #1 growth driver

Tom doesn’t just share theory—he lays out practical steps you can apply immediately to land clients faster, refine your message, and build a business you actually want to run.

And yes, we already teed up Part 2—where Tom will come back to break down how to consistently get in front of the right people.

Connect with Tom Freedman:

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Tom Freedman

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 goods, Greg walked away to follow his lifelong passion for health and fitness. Today, he runs a growing training facility in Tennessee, helping athletes and adults build strength, resilience, and confidence.

In this conversation, Greg shares the lessons he learned from leaving corporate early, the challenges of opening a gym from scratch, and how fitness principles apply to GenX escapees looking for longevity and freedom.

We discuss:

• Why Greg knew corporate wasn’t his long-term path

• How he turned a side passion into a business—starting with training kids in a park

• The role of experimentation and iteration when launching something new

• Marketing strategies that are working for small gyms today (Instagram, Facebook, email)

• The importance of play, movement, and mental resilience for kids (and adults)

• Fitness and longevity tips for GenXers:

• Why walking is the most underrated exercise

• How to structure a simple 3-day strength training plan

• The 80/20 approach to cardio and nutrition

• Why building a plan—whether in business or fitness—is the key to freedom

Connect with Greg:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg_bogdanski_iii/

• https://www.instagram.com/peak_performancetraining_tn/ 

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 runs a portfolio career that blends teaching, coaching, facilitation, and consulting. She’s proof that your decades of experience are not only valuable but highly transferable into meaningful and fulfilling work.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your corporate identity can be the hardest thing to leave behind

• How to intentionally build an external network after decades in one company

• The path from executive leadership to adjunct professor (and why more escapees should consider it)

• The real value of coaching—for both yourself and your clients

• Practical advice for preparing mentally and emotionally for a corporate exit

• Why focusing on values and fulfillment is more powerful than chasing a “perfect” plan

If you’re curious about life after corporate, in the middle of transition, or already building your next chapter, Thea’s story shows that fulfillment and freedom are possible—if you’re willing to step into the unknown.

Resources & Links:

• Website: theawatkinsconsulting.com

• LinkedIn: Thea Watkins

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:

Whether you’re years away from leaving corporate or already in your next chapter, Joy’s insights will help you think bigger, plan smarter, and make the most of the decades ahead.

Connect with Joy Levin:

• LinkedIn: Joy Levin

• Website: Gen X Exec Encore

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-figure corporate income in just 14 months.

We break down exactly what UGC is, why brands want creators over traditional actors, and how YOU can get started—no big following required. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make money creating content from home (without becoming an influencer), this conversation will open your eyes to what’s possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What UGC is (and isn’t) — and why brands are spending big on it

• How Megan replaced her six-figure corporate income with UGC in 14 months

• Why Gen Xers and Boomers are in high demand in this space

• How to build a simple portfolio (even with zero experience)

• Where to find your first UGC clients

• The right way to pitch brands so you stand out

• Pricing tips, contracts, and the AI “likeness” clause you must watch for

Whether you want a creative outlet, extra cash, or a full-time business, UGC could be your next big opportunity.

Connect with Megan:

• TikTok & Instagram: @megan_ugc

• Ultimate UGC Course: Learn More Here

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 positioned to thrive

• A powerful mindset shift: It’s not a tightrope 75 feet off the ground… it’s just 16 inches

• The BAM Framework: Belief. Action. Momentum.

• And why chasing time and experiences is the new chasing titles

Whether you’re still in corporate, recently laid off, or already solo, this episode will get you fired up to take action—and find your path to freedom.

Connect with John Browning:

🔗 Website: https://www.guardianrockwealth.com

🎙️ Podcast: Building Your Life Podcast

📧 Email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

• Take the GBL Happiness Scorecard: Get Busy Living Quiz

• Join Escapee Plus for $20/month: Join Here

• Follow Brett: Linktree

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 it’s too late

• A practical coaching framework for reclaiming your life

• The power of “micro experiments” and how to take action before you’re ready

• Why curiosity isn’t a personality trait—it’s a muscle you can rebuild

• How to perform your way into a more fulfilling future

Shelley’s unique approach combines compassion with clarity—and if you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, this episode is your permission slip to move.

🎁 BONUS: Shelley is offering 10 FREE discovery calls to podcast listeners. DM her on LinkedIn to claim one: Shelley’s LinkedIn

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🔗 Links & Resources:

• Shelley’s Website: shelleymcintyre.com

• Shelley on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shelley-mcintyre

• Download the Escapee Starter Kit: bit.ly/escapee-starterkit

• Join the Escapee Collective Plus: escapee-collective.circle.so

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 brand-building

• How to optimize your LinkedIn profile for connection—not just credibility

• His “Lurker Strategy” that turns profile views into potential clients

• Why FOPO (Fear of Other People’s Opinions) is real—and how to beat it

• Why the 1:1:1 model (1 Problem, 1 Person, 1 Offer) works best when you’re starting

If you’re on the fence about escaping corporate—or building something on the side—this episode is packed with real talk and proven tactics.

Links Mentioned:

• Joe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemckay/

• Solo Success School Playbook: joemckay.info

• Join the Escapee Collective: https://escapee-collective.circle.so