Big Brave Business: Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter

I'm kicking off 2026 with something I haven't done in a while... business predictions. This is a callback to early Big Brave Business days when Amanda and I would predict what's coming for the year ahead. My friend Kaili sparked this conversation in her community on Threads, and the responses got me thinking about what I actually believe is coming for online business in 2026 (and what I'm not buying into). What I'm NOT predicting: Subscription fatigue means the end of memberships and MRR A mass return to in-person events (virtual isn't going anywhere) The AI bubble bursting in 2026 What I AM predicting: The great online business exodus... people returning to traditional employment after years of hustling More direct commerce integration on social media platforms A very competitive job market as entrepreneurs pivot back to W-2 work The ethics of AI will continue to be contentious, but the tech isn't going anywhere On subscription models: Your revenue goals are not your customer's responsibility. When we create offers based on what WE need rather than what our customers actually want... that's when subscription fatigue becomes real. There's still room for quality memberships and MRR models, but only if they genuinely serve your ideal client. On the exodus from online business: A lot of people entered online entrepreneurship in 2020 out of necessity or because they were sold the dream. Years later, without profits or sustainability, many will choose the stability of traditional employment. And honestly? Jobs still suck. So this is going to be complicated. Related Episodes: Episode 102: The Ethics of Community-Building and Networking (with Gabby Borrero) Episode 63: Revolutionary Leadership, Business Ethics, and More (with Amanda Nelson) What are YOUR predictions for 2026? Come find me on social media and let's talk about it. Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 120+ countries. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation. Launch Your Own Podcast: Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We all remember the rise of emphasis on DEIB following George Floyd's murder and the increased attention on the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. But shortly after, in 2023, those DEIB programs and priorities started declining. Now, there is almost a point of pride among companies retiring their DEIB programs and ERGs. My guest today, Michelle Beauchamp, came to me wanting to talk about why this is happening and what are the repercussions. And, in full transparency, we recorded this just 7 days after the 2024 Presidential Election (how appropriate that, with our emotions and anger running high, this episode originally aired the day after Inauguration). Meet Michelle: Michelle, a Consultant, Trainer, Coach, and Author, is a shining example of dedication and commitment. Her unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in her personal and professional growth journey. Her motto, "Unleash Your Inner Champ," reflects her passion for helping others grow. She is a certified John Maxwell trainer who has developed numerous leadership development courses, providing comprehensive content and practical activities to boost participants' confidence and competence for real-world application. Connect with Michelle: ⁠https://thechampgroup.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/MichelleBeauchamp/⁠ Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 120+ countries. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation. Launch Your Own Podcast: Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alright besties, I'll level with you. I used to have an online course, and I HATED IT. I share why in this episode, but also, I definitely think online courses are in my future business model because I want to make podcasting as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. But I have learned the hard way that online courses are not a get-rich-quick scheme and it's not easy to make them effective. My guest today is an expert on developing curriculum and online coursework and supporting students, and she's diving in with me all about the problems with the online course creation industry. About Dr. Catrina Mitchum Dr. Catrina Mitchum, founder of Catrina Mitchum Learning Design, has 16 years experience designing and delivering online courses and training inside higher ed. She creates change through learning design support for overwhelmed founders that give a shit about the success of their employees and clients. She provides that combination of a swift kick and a helping hand to simplify the process, eliminate the overwhelm, and focus on learner success through accessibility and transparency. Connect with Catrina ⁠https://www.cmlearningdesign.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrina-mitchum-learning-design/ Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 120+ countries. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation. Launch Your Own Podcast: Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you've been listening to this podcast for awhile, you know I'm skeptical of business coaching, even though it's part of what I do. I've been one of the lucky ones on the receiving end of a massive investment into business coaching that didn't match my expectations or financial obligation, and I generally feel burned by the industry, like so many other online business owners. But coaching is a real field and business coaching is something a lot of people really could massively benefit from, if it is done right. My dear friend Amber Dancy joins me on the podcast this week to talk about all the ways business coaching SHOULD look, and tons of other REALLY fun topics that I know you're going to love. I have been looking forward to sharing this one with you. Meet Amber: Amber Dancy is a Business Leadership Coach and Consultant with over 15 years of operations experience. She believes that, sometimes, rebelling is the most practical thing a business owner can do—for both their business and their life. Amber works with leaders who are ready to transform one-size-fits-all business practices into human-first approaches, creating safer team relationships and allowing people to show up as their whole, unique selves within the business. She helps clients cut through the BS, using the science of energy and the wisdom of Human Design, to clear their vision and make decisions aligned with their unique energetic blueprint. Once their energetic leadership style is understood and work is defined in a way that truly works for them, she helps identify bottlenecks and energy leaks to optimize business systems and strategies for flow. By creating a work life that serves them first, both the leader and the business thrive. As she says at Practical Rebel, “You get to do this however the fuck you want.” Connect with Amber: ⁠https://practicalrebel.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberdancy/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ambertherebel/⁠ Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 120+ countries. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation. Launch Your Own Podcast: Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I walk through the four main areas I'm focused on for growth in 2026 (plus a bonus fifth way that's accelerating everything). I also share why learning from other industries has been more valuable than staying siloed in podcast production advice, my complicated relationship with business coaching, and how Podcast Launch Prep Week came from observing a completely different field. What we cover: Why the traditional scaling playbook (courses, memberships, teaching others) didn't align with what I actually wanted to build The real difference between business coaching that serves you versus coaching that serves the coach's revenue model Four strategic focus areas for scaling Podfox: expanding my sales team, corporate contracts, white labeling with marketing agencies, and proprietary tech How learning to code with pencil and paper in the 90s prepared me for building tech with AI today What Podcast Launch Prep Week revealed about accelerating five-year goals into two-year reality Why I'm betting on account managers instead of an agency model—and what that structure actually looks like The tension of being an anti-capitalist entrepreneur building a business meant to be sold Key Takeaway: Scaling doesn't have to follow someone else's prescription. When you learn from other industries and question the default path, you can build a business that actually fits your vision—even if that means rejecting the advice that "worked for everyone else." Resources: Join Podcast Launch Prep Week (December 8-12, 2025): podfoxmedia.com Sarah K. Heeter is the dynamic CEO of Podfox Media, the force behind 5,000+ episodes reaching millions across 120+ countries. Host of the award-nominated Big Brave Business podcast, Sarah electrifies audiences speaking on podcasting strategy, ethical leadership, and inclusive entrepreneurship. She serves as the NAWBO Phoenix Director of Public Policy and teaches public policy at Arizona State University while championing integrity-driven business transformation. Launch Your Own Podcast: Podfox offers a 100% free, private strategy session for anyone thinking of starting a podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://launchmyshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠