150: Subscription Fatigue, AI Ethics, and the Mass Exodus Nobody’s Talking About (And yet everyone is talking about it)

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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠