The Money Mondays Podcast

Episode 150: The Real Way to Monetize a Podcast (Without Millions of Views) w/ Travis Chappell

Host: Dan Fleyshman
Guest: Travis Chappell
Release Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Fleyshman sits down with veteran podcaster and entrepreneur Travis Chappell to unpack the real strategies for monetizing a podcast without needing millions of views. They dive deep into the mechanics of making money in the podcast industry, discuss audience building, business integration, guest booking hacks, and why consistency (and batching!) wins out. Along the way, Travis shares honest stories from his own journey, including volume hacks, the truth behind "celebrity" guest booking, and how podcasting can be leveraged to grow any business—even for hosts starting from scratch. The importance of giving back as entrepreneurs and weaving charity into your business rounds out the conversation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travis Chappell’s Background & Entry into Podcasting

Early Career: Grew up expecting to be a pastor, graduated with an unaccredited Bible degree, pivoted to door-to-door sales to pay bills, and eventually discovered podcasting as a "Trojan horse" for relationships and learning.
Podcast Genesis:
- “I had no business being in business. Didn’t know anybody who was doing business at the time...If I want to figure out this entrepreneurship path, I should probably, like, meet somebody who’s done it.” (Travis, 03:53)
Experience: Through over 1,500 episodes, Travis has been involved in all aspects of podcasting: consulting, courses, running events, founding a software company, and agency work.

2. Why Podcasting Is Worth the Time

Relationships over Revenue:
- “The relationships is what’s kept me going over the years, for sure.” (Travis, 05:35)
Podcasting as a networking accelerator—offering direct access to leaders and new industries.
The "Trojan horse" effect: Hosting a podcast provides a socially acceptable reason to connect with high-level people.

3. Core Ways to Monetize a Podcast (Without a Massive Audience)

Sponsorships & Audience Monetization

Traditional ad/sponsor revenue requires large numbers (5k–10k downloads/ep minimum).
Recent tech (dynamic ad insertion) helps monetize an entire back catalog, but numbers help.
Immediate revenue is elusive for most relying only on ad/sponsor dollars.

Using Podcasting as a Business Engine

"Product-first" vs. "Audience-first" Models:
- Build an audience, listen to their needs, then create products/services for that audience.
Podcasting supplements sales: The audience trusts you, making high-ticket sales (courses, consulting) easier and faster than cold sales.
- “If you want to build a business from your podcast, the low-hanging fruit is products and services you create for your audience.” (Travis, ~07:55)

Patreon & Paid Subscriptions

Valid but tough unless audience is very large (e.g., only 5–10% conversion at $5–$9/month).
Outlier examples exist (six figures monthly), but those shows have >1M subscribers.
- “It’s less within your control…you have to rely on the organic engine.” (Travis, 09:03)

Affiliate Offers

Usually low-ticket, require either large downloads or targeting high-ticket product niches (e.g., vertical farming or luxury audio).
- “[A friend] made $80,000 for a season with less than 500 downloads an episode, because it’s a niche, high-ticket space.” (Travis, 11:18)
Think niche: It’s more about who listens, not how many.

4. Volume, Consistency, and Batching

The Volume Game
- Double your release schedule to double impressions: “Fastest way to double your downloads? Double your release schedule.” (Travis, 15:15)
- Travis moved from 3 episodes/week to daily, then to two per day (interview + solo).
Social Clips: Clipping and posting 200+ pieces of content per month generated 40 million views in six months.
Podcast Batching
- “Live and die on batching, bro. Yeah, there’s no way. That’s like my number one piece of advice...” (Travis, 17:55)
- Can have 70 episodes “in the can.” Batching supports consistency, prevents quality dips.
- Quality batching possible by outsourcing research and production: “The linchpin for us has been my producer.”

Why 90% of Podcasts Fail (Podfade)

“They can’t keep up with the consistency…and there’s no commitment. It’s simple, but it’s not easy.” (Travis, 20:28)
If you batch, you win. Release only what you can handle without sacrificing context, quality, and consistency.

5. Booking Big Name Guests

“You don’t have to start with Shaquille O’Neal...If you think that’s who you have to start with, you’ll never start.” (Travis, 22:19)
A-listers require large guarantees/fees—100k, 200k, 300k.
- “We can [book them], but...do you want to pay $200,000 to sit down with this person for 25 minutes on a Zoom call?” (Dan, 22:20-22:39)
Credibility via Social Proof:
- “You want to punch in the face with credibility...the fastest way is by leveraging a name they already know, like, and trust.” (Travis, 23:56)
- Even early guests that are “small but recognizable” can help.
Focus on Making Great Content:
- “People will never remember what you say, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.” (Travis, 26:02)

6. The Truth about $100M Podcast Deals and Outliers

Joe Rogan’s Spotify deal set the bar—$200M+. Other shows (Caller Daddy, The Kelsey Brothers) have parlayed platform, timing, and a bit of luck into massive deals.
- “Sometimes you get lucky…there’s a little bit of a mixture of kind of timing, luck that just makes some of these shows…go parabolic.” (Travis, 27:17)
Most of these deals are about access and attention—not just audience size, but who their audience is.

7. Podcast Setup: Budgets & Business Strategy

Start small: “My first ever studio setup…was basically an upside down laundry basket in my closet with my laptop on top and a $50 USB microphone. That was it.” (Travis, 29:37)
Or go big: Entrepreneurs with resources should build a legit in-office studio (~$10k–$250k+).
- Brings high-level guests through the office and develops business—Trojan horse for relationship building and deal-flow.
Don't overcomplicate: You can start for $60—mic and hosting only. Scale up as you grow.

8. Philanthropy & Charity in Business

Direct Action is Best:
- “Business owners and entrepreneurs have more ability to impact the world around them than the government or even most nonprofits…” (Travis, 33:15)
- Prefer “hands-on” charity where 100% goes to the cause; avoid wasteful overhead.
Giving Back Should Be a Core Value:
- “If we’re going to make the world a better place, entrepreneurs and business owners are the people who have the most leverage to do that.” (Travis, 34:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Building a Network from Scratch:
- “My podcast, like 100%, hands down. I would not know any of the people that I know if it weren't for the fact that I had…a reason to sit down with people who I admired or respected.” (Travis, 05:00)
On Monetizing Small Audiences:
- "I had a buddy who...made $80,000 on sponsorship revenue for a podcast with less than 500 downloads an episode for a season." (Travis, 11:18)
On the Volume Game:
- “Difficult to lose when you’re doing that much volume, you know.” (Travis, 17:48)
On Consistency & Quality:
- “Consistent, quality content with context…if you do that over and over and over and over again, you will build an audience.” (Travis, 21:12)
On Big Name Guests:
- “The fastest way to get them to say yes is by leveraging a name they already know, like and trust.” (Travis, 24:16)
On Massive Podcast Deals:
- “With some of these, like, Bobby Althoff, Caller Daddy—they just got massive distribution really really quickly...sometimes you get lucky.” (Travis, 27:17)
On Entrepreneurial Philanthropy:
- “Entrepreneurs and business owners are the people who have the most leverage to actually go out and do that thing [give back], because they have cash flow, they have sources of income, and ultimately every cause needs money.” (Travis, 33:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:28] – Travis’s story: From theology student to door-to-door sales to podcasting
[03:53] – Discovering the power of podcasting as a networking tool
[05:39] – Why relationships, not money, keep Travis in the podcasting game
[05:50] – How to monetize a podcast when you don’t have a massive audience
[09:03] – The Patreon model: Subscriptions & its limitations
[10:07] – Affiliate monetization and niche podcast success stories
[13:21] – The “volume game”: Doubling down on publishing frequency and content batching
[17:55] – Podcast batching: The key to consistency and staying ahead
[20:15] – Why most podcasts never make it past 10 episodes
[21:51] – Booking celebrities & leveraging credibility
[26:54] – $100M podcast deals: Outliers and what those deals actually mean
[29:37] – Podcasting on any budget: From $60 setups to six-figure studios
[33:05] – Why entrepreneurs should embed philanthropy in their businesses

Where to Find Travis

Instagram: @travischappell
Website: travischappell.com

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen (or read!) for aspiring and established podcasters who want actionable, real-world advice about growing and monetizing a show—without chasing celebrity-level downloads. The wisdom on value-first podcasting, volume strategies, guest outreach, and philanthropy will resonate with anyone building in the creator economy.

Dan’s closing: “Money is not the root of all evil. It’s part of our daily lives...” – and talking openly about it is how we all get better.

End of summary.

The Money Mondays Podcast

Episode 150: The Real Way to Monetize a Podcast (Without Millions of Views) w/ Travis Chappell

Host: Dan Fleyshman
Guest: Travis Chappell
Release Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travis Chappell’s Background & Entry into Podcasting

Early Career: Grew up expecting to be a pastor, graduated with an unaccredited Bible degree, pivoted to door-to-door sales to pay bills, and eventually discovered podcasting as a "Trojan horse" for relationships and learning.
Podcast Genesis:
- “I had no business being in business. Didn’t know anybody who was doing business at the time...If I want to figure out this entrepreneurship path, I should probably, like, meet somebody who’s done it.” (Travis, 03:53)
Experience: Through over 1,500 episodes, Travis has been involved in all aspects of podcasting: consulting, courses, running events, founding a software company, and agency work.

2. Why Podcasting Is Worth the Time

Relationships over Revenue:
- “The relationships is what’s kept me going over the years, for sure.” (Travis, 05:35)
Podcasting as a networking accelerator—offering direct access to leaders and new industries.
The "Trojan horse" effect: Hosting a podcast provides a socially acceptable reason to connect with high-level people.

3. Core Ways to Monetize a Podcast (Without a Massive Audience)

Sponsorships & Audience Monetization

Traditional ad/sponsor revenue requires large numbers (5k–10k downloads/ep minimum).
Recent tech (dynamic ad insertion) helps monetize an entire back catalog, but numbers help.
Immediate revenue is elusive for most relying only on ad/sponsor dollars.

Using Podcasting as a Business Engine

"Product-first" vs. "Audience-first" Models:
- Build an audience, listen to their needs, then create products/services for that audience.
Podcasting supplements sales: The audience trusts you, making high-ticket sales (courses, consulting) easier and faster than cold sales.
- “If you want to build a business from your podcast, the low-hanging fruit is products and services you create for your audience.” (Travis, ~07:55)

Patreon & Paid Subscriptions

Valid but tough unless audience is very large (e.g., only 5–10% conversion at $5–$9/month).
Outlier examples exist (six figures monthly), but those shows have >1M subscribers.
- “It’s less within your control…you have to rely on the organic engine.” (Travis, 09:03)

Affiliate Offers

Usually low-ticket, require either large downloads or targeting high-ticket product niches (e.g., vertical farming or luxury audio).
- “[A friend] made $80,000 for a season with less than 500 downloads an episode, because it’s a niche, high-ticket space.” (Travis, 11:18)
Think niche: It’s more about who listens, not how many.

4. Volume, Consistency, and Batching

The Volume Game
- Double your release schedule to double impressions: “Fastest way to double your downloads? Double your release schedule.” (Travis, 15:15)
- Travis moved from 3 episodes/week to daily, then to two per day (interview + solo).
Social Clips: Clipping and posting 200+ pieces of content per month generated 40 million views in six months.
Podcast Batching
- “Live and die on batching, bro. Yeah, there’s no way. That’s like my number one piece of advice...” (Travis, 17:55)
- Can have 70 episodes “in the can.” Batching supports consistency, prevents quality dips.
- Quality batching possible by outsourcing research and production: “The linchpin for us has been my producer.”

Why 90% of Podcasts Fail (Podfade)

“They can’t keep up with the consistency…and there’s no commitment. It’s simple, but it’s not easy.” (Travis, 20:28)
If you batch, you win. Release only what you can handle without sacrificing context, quality, and consistency.

5. Booking Big Name Guests

“You don’t have to start with Shaquille O’Neal...If you think that’s who you have to start with, you’ll never start.” (Travis, 22:19)
A-listers require large guarantees/fees—100k, 200k, 300k.
- “We can [book them], but...do you want to pay $200,000 to sit down with this person for 25 minutes on a Zoom call?” (Dan, 22:20-22:39)
Credibility via Social Proof:
- “You want to punch in the face with credibility...the fastest way is by leveraging a name they already know, like, and trust.” (Travis, 23:56)
- Even early guests that are “small but recognizable” can help.
Focus on Making Great Content:
- “People will never remember what you say, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.” (Travis, 26:02)

6. The Truth about $100M Podcast Deals and Outliers

Joe Rogan’s Spotify deal set the bar—$200M+. Other shows (Caller Daddy, The Kelsey Brothers) have parlayed platform, timing, and a bit of luck into massive deals.
- “Sometimes you get lucky…there’s a little bit of a mixture of kind of timing, luck that just makes some of these shows…go parabolic.” (Travis, 27:17)
Most of these deals are about access and attention—not just audience size, but who their audience is.

7. Podcast Setup: Budgets & Business Strategy

Start small: “My first ever studio setup…was basically an upside down laundry basket in my closet with my laptop on top and a $50 USB microphone. That was it.” (Travis, 29:37)
Or go big: Entrepreneurs with resources should build a legit in-office studio (~$10k–$250k+).
- Brings high-level guests through the office and develops business—Trojan horse for relationship building and deal-flow.
Don't overcomplicate: You can start for $60—mic and hosting only. Scale up as you grow.

8. Philanthropy & Charity in Business

Direct Action is Best:
- “Business owners and entrepreneurs have more ability to impact the world around them than the government or even most nonprofits…” (Travis, 33:15)
- Prefer “hands-on” charity where 100% goes to the cause; avoid wasteful overhead.
Giving Back Should Be a Core Value:
- “If we’re going to make the world a better place, entrepreneurs and business owners are the people who have the most leverage to do that.” (Travis, 34:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Building a Network from Scratch:
- “My podcast, like 100%, hands down. I would not know any of the people that I know if it weren't for the fact that I had…a reason to sit down with people who I admired or respected.” (Travis, 05:00)
On Monetizing Small Audiences:
- "I had a buddy who...made $80,000 on sponsorship revenue for a podcast with less than 500 downloads an episode for a season." (Travis, 11:18)
On the Volume Game:
- “Difficult to lose when you’re doing that much volume, you know.” (Travis, 17:48)
On Consistency & Quality:
- “Consistent, quality content with context…if you do that over and over and over and over again, you will build an audience.” (Travis, 21:12)
On Big Name Guests:
- “The fastest way to get them to say yes is by leveraging a name they already know, like and trust.” (Travis, 24:16)
On Massive Podcast Deals:
- “With some of these, like, Bobby Althoff, Caller Daddy—they just got massive distribution really really quickly...sometimes you get lucky.” (Travis, 27:17)
On Entrepreneurial Philanthropy:
- “Entrepreneurs and business owners are the people who have the most leverage to actually go out and do that thing [give back], because they have cash flow, they have sources of income, and ultimately every cause needs money.” (Travis, 33:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:28] – Travis’s story: From theology student to door-to-door sales to podcasting
[03:53] – Discovering the power of podcasting as a networking tool
[05:39] – Why relationships, not money, keep Travis in the podcasting game
[05:50] – How to monetize a podcast when you don’t have a massive audience
[09:03] – The Patreon model: Subscriptions & its limitations
[10:07] – Affiliate monetization and niche podcast success stories
[13:21] – The “volume game”: Doubling down on publishing frequency and content batching
[17:55] – Podcast batching: The key to consistency and staying ahead
[20:15] – Why most podcasts never make it past 10 episodes
[21:51] – Booking celebrities & leveraging credibility
[26:54] – $100M podcast deals: Outliers and what those deals actually mean
[29:37] – Podcasting on any budget: From $60 setups to six-figure studios
[33:05] – Why entrepreneurs should embed philanthropy in their businesses

Where to Find Travis

Instagram: @travischappell
Website: travischappell.com

Closing Thoughts

Dan’s closing: “Money is not the root of all evil. It’s part of our daily lives...” – and talking openly about it is how we all get better.

End of summary.

The Real Way to Monetize a Podcast (Without Millions of Views) w/ Travis Chappell 🎙️ EP150

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Summary

The Money Mondays Podcast

Episode 150: The Real Way to Monetize a Podcast (Without Millions of Views) w/ Travis Chappell

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travis Chappell’s Background & Entry into Podcasting

2. Why Podcasting Is Worth the Time

3. Core Ways to Monetize a Podcast (Without a Massive Audience)

Sponsorships & Audience Monetization

Using Podcasting as a Business Engine

Patreon & Paid Subscriptions

Affiliate Offers

4. Volume, Consistency, and Batching

Why 90% of Podcasts Fail (Podfade)

5. Booking Big Name Guests

6. The Truth about $100M Podcast Deals and Outliers

7. Podcast Setup: Budgets & Business Strategy

8. Philanthropy & Charity in Business

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Where to Find Travis

Closing Thoughts

Summary

The Money Mondays Podcast

Episode 150: The Real Way to Monetize a Podcast (Without Millions of Views) w/ Travis Chappell

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travis Chappell’s Background & Entry into Podcasting

2. Why Podcasting Is Worth the Time

3. Core Ways to Monetize a Podcast (Without a Massive Audience)

Sponsorships & Audience Monetization

Using Podcasting as a Business Engine

Patreon & Paid Subscriptions

Affiliate Offers

4. Volume, Consistency, and Batching

Why 90% of Podcasts Fail (Podfade)

5. Booking Big Name Guests

6. The Truth about $100M Podcast Deals and Outliers

7. Podcast Setup: Budgets & Business Strategy

8. Philanthropy & Charity in Business

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Where to Find Travis

Closing Thoughts