Travis Makes Money

Epizodai

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  CO-HOST | Make Money by Doing the Work, Not Chasing the Shortcut 03.10.2026 25min

  Travis and producer Eric break down a powerful message from filmmaker Ava DuVernay about desperation, mentorship, networking, and the importance of focusing on your own work. They discuss why constantly asking people for coffee, mentorship, introductions, or favors can become a distraction from actually building something—and how consistent action and progress can naturally attract the right people into your life. Travis shares his own approach to pitching podcast guests and explains why continuing to move forward, regardless of who says yes or no, can create momentum and make people want to be part of what you're building. On this episode we talk about: Why constantly asking people to “pick their brain” or mentor you can come across as desperate The difference between networking with purpose and expecting other people to do the work for you How actually creating, building, and improving your work can attract mentors and opportunities Why persistence matters when pitching podcast guests, clients, investors, or collaborators How progress creates momentum and makes people want to become part of what you're building Top 3 Takeaways Do the work before asking others to help you do it. Whether you're writing a screenplay, building a business, launching a podcast, or developing a side hustle, taking action creates something tangible that others can respond to. Don't let rejection stop your momentum. A “no” or “not right now” doesn't mean you should abandon the idea. Keep building, and when you come back later with meaningful progress, the conversation can look completely different. Passion attracts people more effectively than desperation. Mentorship and relationships still matter, but they become more natural when you're already pursuing your goals and creating something worth being part of. Notable Quotes “You have to be doing something. Desperation, all that stuff is not active, it's not doing anything, it's not moving you forward.” “The person that's just like, ‘Okay, great. Well, I'm gonna keep working in the meantime’... is going to attract the same type of productive energy that those people are putting out into the world.” “It is good to have mentorship and it's good to learn from others. And it's good to seek outside counsel, but not at the expense of the work that you need to do and never with an attitude or a stink of desperation.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money by Avoiding Speculation with Mark Matson 03.10.2026 25min

  Mark Matson is the bestselling author of Experiencing the American Dream: How to Invest Your Time, Energy, and Money to Create an Extraordinary Life, and founder of Matson Money, a firm managing over $12 billion in assets. Known for making Nobel Prize–winning investment science accessible to everyday families, Mark has spent decades teaching people how to invest prudently, avoid speculation, and build wealth that serves a greater purpose. On this episode we talk about: Why most financial advice is based on false promises of predicting the market The dangers of stock picking, market timing, and chasing performance How modern portfolio theory and academic research can guide smart investing Practical asset allocation and the discipline of rebalancing Why having a purpose for your money matters more than money itself Top 3 Takeaways The market can’t be reliably predicted—success comes from disciplined asset allocation and rebalancing, not gambling. Emotional decisions in down markets often lock in losses; sticking to your plan yields far greater long-term returns. Money alone won’t make you happy—invest with purpose, aligning your finances to your values and life goals. Notable Quotes “All the knowable information about the future is already in the stock price today.” “Leave your money in the market and rebalance—don’t pull it out during downturns.” “Money for money’s sake never works; it has to serve a purpose greater than itself.” Connect with Mark Matson: Website: MatsonMoney.com Instagram: @MarkMatson1 A Word from Our Sponsors:- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money or Look Max? Inside the $5,000 Self-Improvement Trend 02.10.2026 24min

  In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric jump from true crime and bizarre prison stories to the increasingly popular world of “looksmaxxing.” They break down a $5,000, seven-day “Camp LooksMax” program offering mentorship, grooming advice, social and dating coaching, and confidence-building exercises. Along the way, they debate whether appearance can really transform a person's dating life, question the value of paying thousands of dollars for this kind of program, and argue that confidence, social skills, and personality matter far more than obsessing over facial features and bone structure. On this episode we talk about: The $5,000 “Camp Looks Max” program and what participants actually receive The growing online trend of “looksmaxxing” and its focus on appearance, grooming, and facial features Whether spending thousands of dollars on self-improvement programs can actually create meaningful transformation Why confidence, social skills, personality, and status can matter more than physical appearance The dangers of becoming overly obsessed with appearance and trying to optimize every aspect of how you look Top 3 Takeaways Confidence and social skills can matter more than appearance. Travis and Eric question the idea that endlessly optimizing facial features is the key to better relationships or dating outcomes. Be skeptical of expensive self-improvement programs. Before spending thousands of dollars, understand exactly what you're buying, what outcomes are realistic, and whether the program is actually addressing the problem you want to solve. Don't let self-improvement become self-obsession. Improving your grooming, style, health, and confidence can be useful, but constantly analyzing your bone structure and physical flaws can become counterproductive. Notable Quotes "If you're a dude, it just doesn't matter. Girls will like you for your confidence and so many other things." "Seem like a self obsessed weirdo is not the answer." "You don't need to looking at men's bone structure and going, like, you could be better, bro." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money with Toxic Grit, feat. Amanda Goetz 02.10.2026 28min

  Amanda Goetz is a two-time founder, four-time CMO, and single mom of three who’s helping ambitious people redefine what “having it all” actually looks like. She inspires over 150,000 readers each week through her Life’s a Game newsletter and her new book, Toxic Grit: How to Have It All and Actually Love What You Have. In this conversation, Amanda shares a grounded, intentional approach to ambition—one that makes space for work, relationships, and personal growth without burning out. On this episode we talk about: Why Amanda believes ambition isn’t toxic—it’s lack of intention that is How to embrace “and” thinking instead of living life as an “either/or” equation The hidden cost of letting one identity (career, parent, partner) take over your life How to transition between roles, build hierarchy, and avoid constant guilt The five pillars of Amanda’s “portfolio career” and how to start building one yourself Top 3 Takeaways The solution to overwork or burnout isn’t quitting ambition—it’s learning to balance all your “characters” with awareness and structure. A thriving career doesn’t have to compete with family, purpose, or rest—it can coexist when you embrace the and. Genuine success comes from self-awareness and human connection—two things that automation and hustle culture can’t replace. Notable Quotes “Life isn’t an or statement—it’s an and. You can chase goals and still build a life you love.” “Toxic grit happens when one character takes over the whole storyline of your life.” “You can’t automate your way out of human connection.” A Word from Our Sponsors:- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money Without Losing It: The Hidden Risks of Online Gambling 01.10.2026 23min

  In this episode, Travis and producer Eric take a deep dive into the growing world of online gambling and the controversy surrounding how gambling platforms use customer data. They discuss reporting on DraftKings' promotional practices, the use of machine learning to identify customers likely to spend more, the challenges of regulating addictive products, and where personal responsibility and corporate responsibility intersect. Travis also shares practical advice for anyone who chooses to gamble, including setting strict limits and treating gambling as entertainment—not an investment strategy. On this episode we talk about: How online gambling companies use customer data and machine learning to maximize customer spending The controversy surrounding DraftKings' promotional practices and targeting of high-value customers The challenges of identifying and protecting people who may be developing gambling problems Where personal responsibility, corporate responsibility, and government regulation intersect Practical ways to gamble responsibly, including setting a fixed budget and disconnecting gambling accounts from your bank account Top 3 Takeaways Treat gambling as an entertainment expense, not a way to make money. If you choose to gamble, view the money as part of your leisure budget—similar to spending money on a concert, movie, or vacation. Set hard financial boundaries before you start. Travis recommends establishing a fixed amount, avoiding credit cards, and disconnecting gambling accounts from your primary bank account so you can't continually reload. Don't chase losses. The moment you start believing you can win back what you've lost or that you can "beat the casino," you're moving beyond entertainment and potentially making increasingly damaging financial decisions. Notable Quotes "If you're gonna gamble, fine, but put fund the account with 50 bucks and then disconnect it from your damn bank account." "Once you start dipping back in and then thinking that you can win and beat the casino type thing is like you are diluting yourself into losing all of the money that you have in your bank account." "If you're gonna gamble, you just gotta you have to be smart about it. You have to set limits, you have to treat it like any other thing that you would spend money on." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money with Pet Products, feat. Elina Panteleyeva 01.10.2026 26min

  In this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis Chappell sits down with Elina Panteleyeva, the founder of Dood Woof, a thriving seven-figure brand for doodle dog breeds. Elina shares her inspiring journey from being laid off to building a successful business in just 15 months, all without a team or prior e-commerce experience. Tune in to discover how Elina's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach have helped her create products that doodle owners love. Connect with Elina: - Website: https://doodwoof.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elina-panteleyeva/ A Word from Our Sponsors:- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money by Ignoring the Outrage Machine 30.09.2026 22min

  In the second part of this discussion, Travis and Eric unpack the strange intersection of celebrity brands, influencer marketing, social-media outrage, and sports betting. They discuss why some celebrity campaigns succeed while others create backlash, how outrage has become a business model for creators, and why consumers have more power than they realize simply by choosing what they engage with. They also explore the rapid growth of sports betting advertising and the potential consequences of normalizing gambling through celebrity and influencer partnerships. On this episode we talk about: Why some celebrity and influencer brand partnerships succeed while others create brand misalignment How social-media outrage has become a monetization strategy for creators Why consumers shouldn't give more attention to marketing campaigns they don't like The risks and growing prevalence of sports betting and gambling advertising How personal responsibility and choosing what to engage with can help break the cycle of outrage-driven content Top 3 Takeaways Not every failed idea means you've lost your ability to build something great. Sometimes you simply took the wrong approach. Learn from the miss, make the adjustment, and take another swing. Attention is currency. Outrage-driven content often succeeds because people keep engaging with it—even when they claim to dislike it. Choosing not to engage can be more powerful than adding another angry reaction. Be intentional about what deserves your attention. Social media makes it easy to spend hours reacting to things that have little impact on your actual life. Focus that energy on the things that matter to you, your relationships, your work, and your financial goals. Notable Quotes "You take the swing and then you correct." "If you don't like it, like, also don't give it more attention. Then it dies." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank." Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money by Selling Leather Bags with Dave Munson 30.09.2026 21min

  Dave Munson is the founder of Saddleback Leather Company, a brand known for building rugged, overbuilt leather bags designed to last 100 years. What started in a small Mexican leather shop grew into a globally recognized business with collaborations alongside Toyota and Martin Guitar. Beyond business, Dave and his wife Suzette also lead Love 41, a nonprofit supporting communities in Rwanda, Mexico, and Texas. His adventurous life has included escaping an assassin, surviving danger in Mexico, and building a family-owned business that became a worldwide success. On this episode we talk about: How Dave turned a need for a durable book bag into Saddleback Leather His first scrappy sales tactics involving homemade signs on his Land Cruiser Moving to Mexico, surviving an assassin encounter, and navigating unexpected dangers How eBay became the platform that validated his business idea The importance of striving to be the best and building products that sell themselves Top 3 Takeaways Sometimes a successful business starts with solving your own problem—in Dave’s case, creating a bag he couldn’t find anywhere else. Exceptional products don’t just sell; they create demand from day one by being designed to last and built with integrity. To stand out as an entrepreneur, choose to be the best at something—even in crowded markets—through expertise, quality, and relentless improvement. Notable Quotes "I told the leatherworker, I want my grandchildren to fight over this when I’m dead." "My first marketing sign was just a sheet of paper taped to my Land Cruiser—‘Cool leather bags for sale.’" "If you’re going to do something, don’t blend in. Try to be the best at it." Connect with Dave Munson: SaddlebackLeather.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money by Marketing to the Right Audience 29.09.2026 19min

  Travis and producer Eric are back in the studio for a conversation about celebrity brands, marketing strategy, and what happens when a product’s positioning doesn’t match the audience it’s trying to reach. Using Sydney Sweeney’s lingerie brand, Siren, as a case study, they discuss the importance of understanding your customer, creating marketing that speaks directly to the people who will actually buy, and why one failed product doesn’t necessarily mean a brand has lost its ability to succeed. On this episode we talk about: Why marketing needs to align with the audience you’re actually trying to reach Sydney Sweeney’s Siren lingerie brand and the criticism surrounding its marketing The difference between selling a celebrity’s image and selling a product How brands like SKIMS have successfully positioned products for their target customers Why a failed product or campaign doesn’t necessarily mean someone has lost their ability to build successful brands What businesses can learn from brands that miss the mark with their target demographic Top 3 Takeaways Know exactly who you’re marketing to. A product can have an incredibly recognizable founder or spokesperson, but that doesn’t automatically mean their existing audience is the right customer for the product. Market the product, not just the person behind it. Celebrity recognition can generate attention, but effective marketing still needs to communicate why the customer should actually want or use the product. One failed product doesn’t define a brand. Businesses take swings, and some ideas don’t work. As Travis points out, even highly successful entrepreneurs and brands have launched products that failed. The important thing is to learn from the miss and keep moving. Notable Quotes “Sometimes you have an idea, you execute it, and it doesn’t go the way you want it to go, and that doesn’t mean that your power to build brands is gone.” “You step up to the plate and you swing and you strike out.” “You get back up.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money by Making Better Decisions with Dr. Ricardo Valerdi 29.09.2026 25min

  Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is an engineer, social entrepreneur, sports scientist, and engineering professor at the University of Arizona who specializes in helping teams think clearly and make confident decisions. His work has helped organizations including SpaceX, the U.S. Army, Major League Baseball, and the NCAA, while his nonprofit Science of Sport has used sports to make STEM education more engaging for more than 700,000 students. Ricardo joins Travis to explore the intersection of data, intuition, sports, and decision-making—and how the lessons learned on the field can translate to business and life. On this episode we talk about: The tension between data-driven analysis and gut instinct when making decisions How baseball provides a unique way to teach math, science, and data literacy to young people Why confirmation bias can cause people to prioritize what they want to be true over what the data actually says The importance of focusing on what you can control while accepting that outcomes involve uncertainty and luck Why sometimes doing less can produce a better outcome than doing more Ricardo’s “Five Tool Team” framework for building teams with complementary strengths Top 3 Takeaways Use data without ignoring context. The best decisions don't always come from choosing data or intuition exclusively. Understanding when to trust each—and recognizing when they conflict—is part of effective decision-making. Control the controllables. You can control the quality of your decisions and your preparation, but you can't always control the outcome. Focusing on what you can influence helps you keep moving forward when circumstances don't go your way. Build teams that fill your gaps. You don't need to personally possess every skill required for a great decision. Ricardo's Five Tool Team approach emphasizes bringing together people with complementary strengths so the team can collectively make better decisions. Notable Quotes “How do you make the best decision you can? Do you favor your gut or do you favor the data?” “Desire creates blind spots.” “Ultimately what changes your life is the decisions that you make with the card that you are dealt.” Connect with Dr. Ricardo Valerdi: Website: RicardoValerdi.com Book: The Five Tool Team Other: Science of Sport A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money Without Becoming a Guru: Finding Belief, Focus, and Your Own Path, part 2 of 2 28.09.2026 21min

  In part two of this conversation, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski unpack the tension between ambition and skepticism. They explore how to pursue meaningful work, build a comfortable business, and learn from successful people without blindly buying into anyone’s “secret formula.” The conversation moves from creative comparison and coaching to the value of timeless principles, healthy discernment, and keeping enough belief to take action. On this episode we talk about: Why becoming more self-aware can sometimes make it harder to act with bold conviction How to learn from successful people without treating them like infallible gurus The difference between timeless principles and step-by-step formulas that promise identical results Why comparison can make creators and entrepreneurs question whether their work is worth pursuing How coaching, masterminds, and the right rooms can create unexpected breakthroughs Whether a comfortable, diversified business can be a better goal than building a massive “unicorn” company Finding the balance between realistic skepticism and the optimism required to take meaningful action Top 3 Takeaways You do not need to fully endorse someone to learn from them. Take the useful insight, leave what does not fit, and apply ideas within your own context. Be wary of anyone who promises that copying their exact routine, strategy, or formula will produce their exact results. Outcomes are shaped by timing, circumstance, opportunity, execution, and countless variables beyond a checklist. Ambition does not have to mean betting everything on one huge outcome. Building several profitable, aligned ventures that support a great life can be a meaningful version of success. Notable Quotes “Just because I like something that somebody said does not mean that I have to endorse everything that they say.” “The people who I think have helped me do the things that have really blown up in big ways… [are] the people who are always going, ‘Just do things, find the things that are working and do more of those things.’” “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: Travis Makes Money Podcast | Travis Chappell Website A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money By Saving on Taxes With a Trust, feat. Sally Gimon 28.09.2026 25min

  Sally Gimon is a tax-saving expert who discovered the power of beneficial spendthrift trusts after facing a hefty tax bill on her real estate investments. She now helps business owners and investors understand how they can legally minimize their taxes and build generational wealth using strategies often employed by the ultra-rich. On this episode we talk about: - How Sally Gimon transitioned from real estate wholesaling to specializing in tax-saving strategies. - The history and legality of beneficial spendthrift trusts and business trusts. – How these trusts can help business owners and investors save significantly on federal and state taxes. – The privacy and asset protection benefits of using trusts. – Real-life examples of how these trusts have helped clients achieve their financial goals. Top 3 Takeaways 1. Beneficial spendthrift trusts and business trusts can be powerful tools for legally minimizing taxes for business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors. 2. These trusts offer not only tax savings but also privacy and protection from lawsuits. 3. Setting up a trust can enable you to keep more of your earnings. Connect with Sally Gimon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-gimon-46142928a **A Word from Our Sponsors:- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money by Asking for What You Want, part 1 of 2 27.09.2026 22min

  Travis and producer Eric break down one of Jim Rohn’s classic lessons: the importance of asking. After joking about Rohn’s dramatic delivery, they explore why asking is such a powerful skill, from being clear about what you want to approaching goals with both intelligence and faith. The conversation also dives into the tension between adult skepticism and childlike optimism, and why some of the most successful people Travis has interviewed share an unusual willingness to believe they can accomplish something before they have much evidence that they can. On this episode we talk about: Jim Rohn’s philosophy on asking and why asking is the beginning of receiving Why being clear and specific about what you want can help direct your actions The difference between asking intelligently and simply hoping for something How skepticism and experience can diminish the optimism we have as children Why childlike belief can be valuable when pursuing ambitious goals The common mindset Travis has noticed among people who have achieved extraordinary success Balancing realistic planning with the belief that something is possible Why you don’t always need to understand exactly how something will work before taking action Top 3 Takeaways Ask clearly for what you want. Vague goals make it difficult to know what actions to take. Get specific about what you're pursuing and what success looks like. Pair adult planning with childlike belief. Experience can make you more skeptical, but maintaining some of that willingness to believe something is possible can help you pursue goals that initially seem unrealistic. You don't need every answer before you begin. Understanding the mechanics behind something can be useful, but overcomplicating the process can become an excuse for inaction. Sometimes it's enough to know what works and start doing it. Notable Quotes “Asking is the beginning of receiving.” “Make plans like an adult and believe in them like a child.” “You don't know what you don't know.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money by Finding Opportunities to Lead with Trevor Crowley 27.09.2026 39min

  Trevor Cowley is a 38-year-old serial entrepreneur, investor, writer, and podcaster. He’s a co-owner in 5 businesses that collectively produce over eight figures. He co-hosts a top 100 business podcast on iTunes called Real Business Owners. Trevor is committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed. A Word From Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money by Thinking Beyond the Headline 26.09.2026 22min

  Travis and producer Eric dive into the controversy surrounding Robert Kiyosaki’s reported $1.2 billion in debt and why a single headline rarely tells the full story. They break down leverage, real estate debt, cash flow, asset values, and the difference between personal debt and debt tied to businesses or investment entities. The conversation also explores the psychology of carrying massive amounts of debt, the concept of being “too big to fail,” and why assumptions about someone’s financial situation can be misleading without the underlying numbers. On this episode we talk about: Why $1.2 billion in debt doesn't tell you whether Robert Kiyosaki's financial strategy is working The importance of looking at asset values, cash flow, and debt structure before judging an investment How business entities, partnerships, LLCs, and other structures can change the way debt is held The concept of being “too big to fail” and how bailouts can affect large companies differently than small businesses Why Kiyosaki's success with Rich Dad Poor Dad and related business ventures matters when considering his overall financial picture The tendency to dismiss successful people as incompetent or assume criticism comes from jealousy Why having someone else's lifestyle isn't necessarily the same as wanting specific aspects of their success Travis's thoughts on fame, financial success, and what a fulfilling life actually looks like Top 3 Takeaways Look beyond the headline. A large debt number by itself doesn't tell you whether a financial strategy is good or bad. You need to understand the assets, cash flow, interest costs, ownership structure, and who is actually responsible for the debt. Don't confuse criticism with jealousy. Disagreeing with or criticizing someone's actions doesn't automatically mean you want what they have. It's possible to recognize someone's success while deciding that their lifestyle isn't something you'd want for yourself. Success isn't one-size-fits-all. A massive exit, wealth, or fame might be appealing in certain ways without making you want the entire life that comes with it. It's worth separating the specific outcomes you admire from the lifestyle required to achieve them. Notable Quotes “There’s a lot of variables in $1.2 billion dollars in debt that could say whether or not it’s a good idea or a bad idea.” “I cannot imagine just being comfortable with that much debt.” “To assume that it just means that he doesn’t know what he’s doing is silly.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money by Investing in Your Health with Angelo Poli 26.09.2026 32min

  Angelo Poli is the founder of MetPro, a concierge nutrition and fitness coaching company that uses metabolic science and personalized coaching to help clients transform their health and bodies. With more than 20 years of experience, Angelo has coached Olympic athletes, NFL MVPs, business leaders, and thousands of other clients. A TEDx speaker featured in major media outlets, Angelo built MetPro around the idea that sustainable health comes from individualized strategies, measurable data, accountability, and focusing on what actually moves the needle. On this episode we talk about: Why investing in your health can have a direct impact on your productivity, longevity, and ability to enjoy the fruits of your work The importance of accountability, measurable goals, and having someone help you focus on what matters most Why your health and fitness goals need to become non-negotiables rather than things you do only when you have time How simplifying your nutrition and fitness strategy can make long-term progress more sustainable MetPro's approach to metabolic profiling, baseline testing, and personalizing nutrition based on individual data Adaptive thermogenesis and how the body adapts to changes in energy intake Why one-size-fits-all diets and generic nutrition advice don't work equally well for everyone How conditioning your metabolism can help you increase your food intake while still working toward specific body-composition goals Top 3 Takeaways Make health a non-negotiable. If exercise and nutrition only happen when you have extra time, they are unlikely to remain consistent. Treat your health like other commitments you make regardless of how busy you are. Simplify the goal and focus on what matters. Instead of trying to overhaul everything at once, identify the most important behaviors and cut the plan down to something realistic enough to consistently execute. Use data and accountability to personalize your approach. Rather than blindly following generic fitness advice, track meaningful metrics, understand how your body responds, and adjust your strategy based on actual results. Notable Quotes “The question is when do I get to see you? Before, after.” “It has to make its way into the non-negotiables. And I’m not the first expert... but it’s a truthful pattern.” “I want you to give me your fitness and nutrition, and I want to fall into that non-negotiable category, and then they tell me what they’re gonna do, and I say, Great, now cut it in half.” “Your metabolic rate is not fixed. You can condition it.” “What to do, what not to do. And then once I got there, I needed someone that would hold me accountable.” Connect with Angelo Poli: Website: metpro.co/travis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-poli/ Other: MetPro offers a free consultation through the link above A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money by Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone 25.09.2026 24min

  Travis and producer Eric explore why leaving your hometown and familiar environment can be such a powerful catalyst for growth. Using a discussion about Logan Paul’s experience leaving Ohio as a jumping-off point, they unpack the difference between being genuinely content with where you are and staying somewhere simply because change feels uncomfortable. They also share stories from their own travels and discuss how experiencing new places, cultures, languages, and challenges can expand your perspective, build resilience, and create greater empathy for people whose lives look different from your own. On this episode we talk about: Why leaving your hometown can expose you to opportunities and experiences you may never encounter otherwise The difference between being genuinely happy where you are and using comfort or fear as a reason not to change How traveling can force you to become more adaptable and comfortable solving unexpected problems Travis’s experiences moving from Lancaster to Fresno and eventually Las Vegas Traveling on a budget, including staying in hostels and finding inexpensive ways to see the world How experiencing different cultures and environments can broaden your perspective and increase empathy Why you can benefit from traveling even if you ultimately decide to return home Top 3 Takeaways Challenge the reasons you stay comfortable. There can be legitimate reasons to stay in a familiar place, but it’s worth asking whether you genuinely want to stay or whether fear of the unknown is making the decision for you. Get outside your familiar environment. Traveling and experiencing new places forces you to adapt, solve problems, and interact with people who see the world differently. Those experiences can accelerate personal growth in ways that are difficult to replicate from home. You don't have to move permanently to expand your world. If relocating isn’t right for you, start by taking trips and exploring new places. Seeing how other people live can give you perspective and help you make more informed decisions about the life you want. Notable Quotes “I think that everybody should aspire to leave their hometown, even if it's your goal to come back to that place later.” “If you're just afraid of what life looks like outside of that, that's a really, really bad excuse.” “The minute you step outside the confines of what you know and go somewhere, it feels like it just skyrockets your growth in a lot of ways.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money in the AI Wave by Investing in the Infrastructure Behind It with Evan Schlossman 25.09.2026 24min

  Evan Schlossman is a principal at Neostellar, where he focuses on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, particularly the infrastructure powering AI systems, including compute platforms, data infrastructure, and enabling technologies. Before joining Neostellar, Evan worked in business intelligence at the Lifetime Value Company and as a consultant at Deloitte. With an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a background in economics from Cornell, Evan brings a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, finance, startups, and investing. On this episode we talk about: How Evan discovered his interest in technology, business, and investing from an early age Why young people should experiment with different careers, internships, and side projects before deciding what they want to do Evan’s transition from pre-med to consulting, startups, and eventually venture capital The rise of “boring” Main Street businesses like laundromats, car washes, roofing, and HVAC companies as potential entrepreneurial opportunities How AI can modernize the back-office operations of traditional businesses and increase their leverage Why Neostellar focuses on the infrastructure powering AI rather than simply betting on the next consumer-facing AI application The investment thesis behind AI infrastructure, including compute, data, memory, and storage Evan’s perspective on evaluating businesses based on cash flow, opportunity cost, career stage, and personal goals Top 3 Takeaways Experiment before committing to a career path. You don't need to know at 18 what you want to do for the rest of your life. Internships, side projects, freelance work, and conversations with people in different industries can help you discover what actually interests you. Look beyond the obvious AI companies. Rather than trying to predict which consumer-facing AI application will win, consider the foundational infrastructure that all of these technologies need, such as compute, data, memory, and storage. Don't overlook the value of your own time. When evaluating a business opportunity, especially a small service-based business, consider the opportunity cost of your time and what it would cost to hire someone else to operate the business. Your real economic return isn't simply the business's cash flow. Notable Quotes "It's a matter of talking to people, keeping your options open, right? Trying to identify what's out there, what do you like doing, what sort of fits that intersection of interests and what you're good at." "Don't, you know, undervalue your time, right? Because if you are running this business and that's your day-to-day job, there's an opportunity cost for your time." "No matter what products end up winning in two, three years... what are the foundational components that they are going to need to be a part of?" Connect with Evan Schlossman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanschlossman/ Other: Neostellar — portfolio, team, white papers, quarterly earnings calls, and company information A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  CO-HOST | Make Money Without Over-Optimizing Your Life 24.09.2026 22min

  Travis and producer Eric take a humorous look at the growing culture of optimization and the pressure to turn every part of life into a carefully engineered routine. They discuss the difference between habits that genuinely improve your life and routines that become so complicated they get in the way of actually living it. From morning routines and journaling to fitness, sleep, family, and the occasional margarita, this episode explores why sustainable progress often comes from doing a few simple things consistently rather than trying to optimize everything. On this episode we talk about: The downside of “optimization culture” and why taking healthy habits too far can become counterproductive Building resilience by accepting that life will inevitably disrupt your routines Why having kids changed Travis’s perspective on rigid morning and nighttime routines Keeping habits simple, including Ryan Holiday’s approach to journaling Travis’s core daily non-negotiables: working out, coffee, and journaling Using gratitude and simple planning to create clarity and stay focused on what actually matters Top 3 Takeaways Don’t confuse optimization with progress. A routine is only useful if it helps you accomplish the things that matter; adding more habits and rituals can eventually become another form of procrastination. Build routines that can survive real life. Kids, work, poor sleep, unexpected problems, and other disruptions are inevitable. A sustainable routine leaves room for those realities instead of making you feel like the entire day is ruined when you miss one step. Start with small, meaningful habits. Whether it’s writing one sentence in a journal, getting a workout in, drinking your coffee, or identifying your top priority for the day, simple practices can provide real benefits without taking over your life. Notable Quotes “I think over optimization is definitely a problem.” “What's the little tiny thing you can do that makes your day a little bit better or puts you in a better frame of mind?” “If nothing else gets accomplished today, if I do this one thing, it'll still be a productive day.” A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building Relationships That AI Can’t Replace with Zvi Band 24.09.2026 28min

  Zvi Band is a founder, software developer, author, and longtime advocate for the power of relationships. He founded Contactually, a personal CRM that he sold in 2019, and is now working on Relatable, an AI-powered relationship management tool designed to help people build and maintain meaningful connections. Zvi and Travis have been connected since the early days of Travis’s podcast, making this conversation a reunion focused on relationships, AI, technology, and what it means to stay human in an increasingly automated world. On this episode we talk about: Why human relationships may become even more valuable as AI and algorithms take over more of our daily lives How AI can help you become more present in conversations by automatically capturing and organizing important details Why people should move beyond simply asking AI to complete tasks and instead ask it to identify what it can do for them Zvi’s vision of a future where AI agents handle execution while humans focus on ideas, decisions, and relationships How parents can introduce children to AI while encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and technological literacy The potential impact of emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and fusion energy Top 3 Takeaways Relationships are a long-term competitive advantage. As more content and interactions become algorithm-driven, genuine relationships and personal trust can become increasingly valuable. Use AI to eliminate busywork, not human connection. AI can capture meeting notes, remember personal details, and handle execution so you can be more present and focused on the person in front of you. Ask AI what it can do for you. Instead of only giving AI specific instructions, give it insight into how you spend your time and ask it to identify tasks, processes, or opportunities where it can help. Notable Quotes "It still does the same thing that you and I care about, which is, you know, be the second brain that helps us build and maintain relationships." "I think moving that stack is really fascinating." "All we have to do is be the people with the idea and making the decisions. And then, yeah, all the execution work is just gonna be done by other things." Connect with Zvi Band: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zviband/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bemorerelatable/ Other: Relatable | Substack: Your Network Starts With You A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices