Corporate Is Changing — 3 Trends Creating New Opportunities for Escapees in 2026
About this episode
Brett Trainor discusses three trends shaping the Escapee economy in 2026 and their implications for those still in corporate jobs and those who have already escaped.
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 bet You want practical ways to monetize your experience outside a job You’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…
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