The Startup Ideas Podcast

The 2026 Anti-Trend That Will Make Millions


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Join me as I chat with Jonathan Courtney about how businesses can thrive by going against current digital trends, particularly by offering premium in-person experiences while others focus on AI and virtual offerings. He shares how his company has successfully transitioned from digital-only to in-person events, charging higher prices for physical experiences that consistently sell out. The conversation explores how physical products and experiences create perceived value, authenticity, and scarcity that digital alternatives cannot replicate.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:33 - The Anti-Trend to AI

05:53 - Why IRL Events

09:09 - Frameworks for Creating IRL Events

17:20 - JC’s Process for throwing IRL Events

30:27 - The power of physical products vs. digital offerings

36:22 - Final Thoughts and Conclusions

Key Points:

• Jonathan Courtney explains how to profit from the "anti-trend" to AI and digital automation by focusing on in-person experiences

• In-person events are becoming increasingly valuable as people seek relief from digital overload and AI-generated content

• Physical products and in-person events create scarcity and authenticity that digital offerings cannot match

• Building small, dedicated audiences (even just "100 true fans") can be sufficient to run successful high-ticket in-person events

The #1 tool to find startup ideas/trends - https://www.ideabrowser.com

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

Boringmarketing - Vibe Marketing for Companies: boringmarketing.com

The Vibe Marketer - Join the Community and Learn: thevibemarketer.com

Startup Empire - get your free builders toolkit to build cashflowing business - https://startup-ideas-pod.link/startup-empire-toolkit

Become a member - https://startup-ideas-pod.link/startup-empire

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL

Unscheduled CEO Podcast: https://www.unscheduledceo.com

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jicecream

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/

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The Startup Ideas PodcastBy Greg Isenberg

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