Podcast
Travis Makes Money
Hosted by Travis Chappell · EN
You can't save your way to your dream life anymore. The truth is, you’re gonna need to learn to make more money. The Travis Makes Money Podcast is not your typical personal finance show. Rather than shaming you for buying a Starbucks coffee or pressuring you to become a billionaire, we focus on empowering you to make more money so you can enjoy life today while preparing for your future. You don’t have to cut back so much that you miss out on the present, and you don’t need to become the next Jeff Bezos either. Hosted by veteran podcaster Travis Chappell, each daily episode features interviews with regular people just like you – yes, you – who have learned how to make more money in unique and unconventional ways. From turning side hustles into an extra six figures to building massive business empires, these conversations dive into the mindset shifts, hard-earned lessons, and simple strategies that helped these individuals succeed. With over 1,000 podcast episodes under his belt, Travis has developed a unique ability to pull out inspiring stories and practical advice you can apply to your own financial journey that you just won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for strategies on side hustles, skill building, investing, building generational wealth, or just motivation to take your next steps, this podcast is your resource. Tune in daily for insights, actionable tips, and inspiration from some of the most successful and interesting money-makers on the planet.
585episodes
Episodes
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CO-HOST | Make Money by Spending Less on Stuff and More on Experiences
Yesterday00:21:33Summary readyEric, producer of the Travis Makes Money podcast, joins Travis for a candid conversation about the purchases that actually improve life. From massages after long international flights to buying a family-friendly Lexus, Eric shares why intentional spending—especially on meaningful experiences—has delivered more lasting value than constantly upgrading possessions. On this episode we talk about: Why Eric associates massages with international travel and recovery after long flights The awkwardness of tipping and making payments after a supposedly relaxing massage The myth that one more purchase will solve all your problems Why a new Lexus SUV turned out to be a worthwhile, guilt-free purchase for Eric’s family Choosing family trips and shared memories over frequent tech, TV, and gift upgrades Top 3 Takeaways Spend on purchases that solve a real, recurring problem—not just on things that create a short-lived rush. Experiences, travel, and time with the people you love can create more lasting happiness than accumulating more possessions. Delaying an upgrade is often smart, but when a purchase genuinely improves your everyday life, it can be worth making without guilt. Notable Quotes “The vast majority of all other purchases that have ever brought me happiness have been directly related to, like, going somewhere new, trying something new.” “We could go buy a new TV, new sound system and stuff like that… but it’s like, that’s a week with my family somewhere.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems with some money in the bank.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryINTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning a Snowboarding Career into Passive Income with Dan Brisse
Yesterday00:24:46Summary readyDan Brisse is the co-founder and managing partner of Granite Towers Equity Group, where he oversees operations, acquisitions, investor relations, and asset management. Before becoming a real estate investor, Dan spent more than 13 years as a professional snowboarder, winning multiple X Games gold medals and becoming one of the top urban snowboarders in the world. After seeing fellow athletes struggle financially when their careers ended, Dan began investing his earnings into real estate and building passive income. Today, Granite Towers manages thousands of multifamily units and hundreds of millions in investor equity. On this episode we talk about: How Dan went from a professional snowboarding career to building passive income through real estate The financial lessons he learned from watching professional athletes struggle after their careers ended Why increasing passive income became more important to Dan than simply increasing earned income How real estate cycles, interest rates, and variable-rate debt are creating opportunities in today's multifamily market The importance of maintaining a modest lifestyle when your income increases How Dan approaches investing, diversification, taxes, and building long-term wealth Top 3 Takeaways Don't confuse a high income with wealth. When your income increases, maintain financial discipline and put the extra capital into assets that can continue producing income long after the paycheck stops. Understand the cycle you're investing in. Real estate markets move in cycles, and periods of fear can create opportunities for investors who understand the fundamentals and have the capital to act. Learn how to keep the money you make. Earning more is only part of the equation. Dan emphasizes the importance of taxes, investing, controlling your capital, and building assets that can create wealth for decades. Notable Quotes “You're not rich yet. You just made good money this year.” “How do you keep it for more than 15 seconds?” “If you put your capital into an asset to work for you, now you have the capital and you're getting streams of income that I control.” Connect with Dan Brisse: Website: Granite Towers Equity Group Podcast: Keeping It Real Estate Book: Four Steps to Successful Passive Investing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danbrisse/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySOLO | Make Money with the Credibility Code
Yesterday00:16:53Summary readyTravis delivers a solo masterclass on the "Credibility Code," sharing the top five proven ways he's used to build massive trust in his personal brand and business, even when he wasn't the "best" at what he did. Drawing from his own journey, he explains why the most successful people often win through perception and proof rather than just skill alone. On this episode we talk about: The "celebrity effect" and why credibility often trumps raw talent in getting business. Why PR and publications are still the lowest-hanging fruit for instant third-party validation. Building a massive library of testimonials and case studies tailored to different customer avatars. Creating high-volume content and guest appearances to overwhelm skeptics with evidence. Associating with "undeniable" influencers (like Shaq) to borrow their trust and skyrocket your brand. Top 3 Takeaways Stack social proof relentlessly. Don't just add one or two testimonials—build a library matching every possible customer scenario so prospects see themselves in your results. Volume creates conviction. Flood Google with your name through guest spots, podcasts, and backlinks until anyone researching you finds overwhelming evidence you're legit. Associate to accelerate. Share the stage with "Shaq-level" names in your niche; their endorsement transfers instant trust, often more powerfully than PR logos alone. Notable Quotes "The people who got the most business were not necessarily always the best at what they did. They were just the ones who were well known for doing it." "If anybody researched who I am... you're going to find so much volume... it's going to be overwhelming... that you can't avoid the idea that I'm credible." "Nike spends tens of billions a year in endorsements. They're basically just buying trust with their ideal audience. That's all it is." Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryCO-HOST | Make Money by Protecting Your Kids From Social Media
2d ago00:20:06Summary readyTravis and producer Eric take a candid look at the growing impact of social media on kids and teens. From platform accountability and algorithm-driven insecurity to online radicalization and the pressure to build a life for the feed, they unpack why parents need firmer boundaries—and why offline life, critical thinking, and room to change your mind matter more than ever. On this episode we talk about: Meta’s legal accountability for alleged harms to young people and the safety features discussed in the ruling How platforms can turn signals of insecurity into advertising opportunities Why endless exposure to extreme content can shift what feels normal or acceptable The risks of algorithmic rabbit holes, from body-image content to misogynistic and radicalizing material Creating healthy boundaries around kids, social media, and digital footprints Top 3 Takeaways Treat children’s access to social media as a serious parenting and safety decision—not a default rite of passage. Algorithms do not merely reflect attention; they can reinforce insecurity, normalize extreme ideas, and shape a young person’s sense of reality. Protect intellectual flexibility: being able to argue a position does not make it correct, and public identity can intensify confirmation bias. Notable Quotes “You’re just looking at the highlight reels of everybody else’s life.” “Just because you can win a debate does not mean that you are correct.” “You have to consciously choose to have your life and then have social—not be like, ‘What’s going to play well on social?’” Connect with Travis and Eric: LinkedIn: Follow Travis and the Travis Makes Money podcast on LinkedIn Instagram: Follow Travis Makes Money on Instagram Other: Listen to the Travis Makes Money podcast on your preferred podcast platform A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryINTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Failure into Your Greatest Advantage with Perry Lunsford
2d ago00:24:35Summary readyPerry Lunsford is the founder and CEO of Healthy Insurance Dude, one of the nation's fastest-growing independent health insurance brokerages. A U.S. Air Force veteran and lifelong entrepreneur, Perry has built multiple businesses—from irrigation companies and fitness centers to marketing agencies and insurance—while learning firsthand that failure often lays the foundation for extraordinary success. In this episode, Perry shares how years of setbacks, smart marketing, and relentless resilience helped him build a thriving business by simply taking exceptional care of people. On this episode we talk about: How years of entrepreneurial failures prepared Perry for massive success in the insurance industry Why marketing—not sales—became his biggest competitive advantage Building the Healthy Insurance Dude brand through social media before personal branding became mainstream The difference between entrepreneurs and employees, and why entrepreneurship isn't for everyone Lessons learned from rebuilding his business after leaving the traditional MLM insurance model Perry's approach to investing in businesses, classic cars, and assets he understands best Top 3 Takeaways Your biggest failures often become your greatest competitive advantage. Every business Perry struggled through gave him skills that eventually made succeeding in insurance feel almost effortless. Great marketing makes selling easy. By building trust and visibility before speaking with prospects, Perry created a business where customers were already ready to buy before the sales conversation even began. Invest in what you know. Whether it's your own business or a niche market like classic cars, understanding your investments gives you a significant edge over chasing trends you don't fully understand. Notable Quotes “God put me on the planet to fail at a lot of stuff to end up here.” “I'm not a very good salesperson. I'm a fantastic marketer.” “The thing about making money is you just gotta help enough people.” Connect with Perry Lunsford: Website: https://www.thehealthyinsurancedude.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyinsurancedude Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthyinsurancedude A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySOLO | Make Money with the Right Side Hustle (Without Burning the Boats)
2d ago00:22:33Summary readyOn this solo episode, Travis breaks down his personal framework for deciding which side hustles are actually worth your time, energy, and attention. Using real-world examples and mindset shifts, he shows you how to stop numbing out with Netflix and impulse buys and start using your “5-to-9” to escape a job you hate and build something you actually enjoy. On this episode we talk about: Why “burn the boats” advice is dangerous for most people with families, mortgages, and real responsibilities The mindset trap of tolerating a job you dislike and using money and free time to self-soothe instead of change your situation How to reallocate your free time and extra cash toward skills, side businesses, and opportunities that create leverage The four key qualifications of a good side hustle: fun, worth your time, scalable, and low cost to start Examples of side hustles that cap your income (like rideshare) versus ones that can grow into full-time businesses Top 3 Takeaways If you’re stuck in a job you don’t like, your free time and extra money must stop being used for escape and start being used for skills, leverage, and new opportunities. A great side hustle is enjoyable enough to stick with, pays you a meaningful hourly rate (or builds valuable skills/connections), and has the potential to scale beyond trading time for dollars. Start with low-cost experiments instead of high-risk plays; prove the model, learn the game, then scale into bigger bets once you know you actually like the work. Notable Quotes “You can’t have everything you want without having sacrificed to get it. At some point, a sacrifice will be required.” “Money’s like a relationship, man. You’ve got to treat it well, treat it with respect…you want money to love spending time with you.” “Just because you can make some money doing something doesn’t mean it’s worth the time it takes to make that money.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryCO-HOST | Make Money With a Podcast: What the Highest-Paid Shows Teach Us
3d ago00:25:25Summary readyTravis is joined in the studio by his producer, Eric, for a candid breakdown of the highest-paid podcasters of 2026. Together, they look beyond celebrity and download counts to unpack why niche audiences, high-value listeners, strong sponsorships, and strategic ownership can make a podcast extraordinarily valuable—even when the show is relatively small. On this episode we talk about: The highest-paid podcasts and creators of 2026, from Joe Rogan and Crime Junkie to The Diary of a CEO and SmartLess Why a small, highly influential audience can be more valuable than a massive general audience TBPN’s reported acquisition by OpenAI and what it suggests about podcast ownership, audience capture, and media influence The difference between celebrity-driven shows and podcasts built around niche expertise Why podcasting is rarely the fastest route to revenue—and how it can still open doors to bigger opportunities Top 3 Takeaways Build for audience quality, not just download volume. A focused show that reaches decision-makers can command premium sponsorships and create outsized strategic value. Treat podcast revenue as one part of a larger business. Sponsorships, live events, distribution deals, brand partnerships, and the opportunities created by the show can matter as much as ads. Start a podcast because it supports a long-term mission or business, not because it seems like quick money. Most podcasts do not generate meaningful profit, but a consistent show can build relationships, authority, and access over time. Notable Quotes "Because it was such a niche space with such a high-value audience, they were closing these seven-figure sponsorship deals." "A podcast in and of itself is not the easiest path... if you want to make more money." "I’m much more curious about what it can do for you in terms of opening doors that allows you to make more money." Connect with Travis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryINTERVIEW | Make Money Without Making Money the Goal with Bill Hoogterp
3d ago00:26:50Summary readyBill Hoogterp is the founder and CEO of LifeHikes, a global experiential learning and human performance company that helps people and organizations unlock greater confidence, communication, and leadership. He has trained more than one million people across 1,200 organizations in 47 countries and has coached executives, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders from companies including Meta, Google, LinkedIn, and OpenAI. Bill also co-founded Do Something and what became Raptive, making his journey from living on virtually no income to building successful businesses especially unique. On this episode we talk about: Bill’s unusual journey from intentionally making zero dollars to becoming a successful entrepreneur The transition from nonprofit work to building for-profit businesses and why scaling behavior is similar in both worlds The relationship between money, happiness, impact, and personal fulfillment How to determine your own financial “number” instead of chasing wealth because of societal expectations Why continuous learning and personal growth should continue long after you leave school The power of asking better questions and learning to approach problems from different perspectives Why trying to accomplish everything alone can hold you back Top 3 Takeaways Define what “enough” means for you. Instead of endlessly chasing more money, determine the amount you actually need to support the lifestyle you want, celebrate reaching it, and then decide what you want to pursue next. Keep reinventing yourself. Your goals and priorities should evolve as you move through different stages of life. Don't assume that graduating, retiring, or reaching a certain age means you've stopped learning and growing. Stop trying to do everything alone. Success often comes from combining individual initiative with the support, knowledge, and resources of other people. Find others who are working toward similar goals and build together. Notable Quotes “Happiness doesn't link to more money, but the challenge of building things is what gives you happiness.” “Don't connect the complete money to your identity. That's where people get in trouble.” “Almost all of our failures are because we think we should [do it alone].” Connect with Bill Hoogterp: LinkedIn: Bill Hoogterp on LinkedIn Website: LifeHikes Other: LifeHikes leadership training and executive coaching A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySOLO | Make Money by Mastering Reaction Management with the BASS Method
3d ago00:21:42Summary readyEven though this is a solo episode, Travis steps in as your guide through one of the most underrated money-making skills: managing your reactions in a world engineered to keep you emotionally hijacked. Drawing from personal stories, psychology, and stoic philosophy, he walks through his BASS Method—Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share—to help you turn everyday frustrations into opportunities for growth, better relationships, and ultimately better decision-making in life and business. On this episode we talk about: How media and marketing are designed to make you feel lonely and “not enough” Why negativity bias makes certain ads and headlines so effective The Victoria’s Secret body positivity example and what it reveals about identity and marketing The BASS Method: Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share (Travis’s reaction management framework) How to reframe “bad days” and emotional triggers into opportunities for connection and growth Top 3 Takeaways Your environment is saturated with negative messaging, but you can reclaim control by intentionally managing your reactions instead of letting emotions run your day. The BASS Method—take three deep breaths, ask better questions about your feelings, solve from a calm, third-party perspective, and share the win with someone close—helps you build a stronger identity as someone who handles problems with composure. Most events are neutral; your perception creates the story. Learning to interrogate your feelings in the middle of an emotional spike gives you more power, better relationships, and less unnecessary suffering. Notable Quotes “We have to become proficient at distracting ourselves from the distractions.” “Most events are just events. We have the ability to control whether or not we perceive it to be a good or bad event.” “Ultimately, nobody else has power over my emotional state except for me.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryCO-HOST | Make Money Without Waiting on Politicians to Fix the Economy
4d ago00:22:14Summary readyEric, producer of Travis Makes Money, joins Travis for a candid conversation about tariffs, consumer costs, and why small businesses often feel policy changes more sharply than giant corporations. Together, they explore the case for entrepreneurship, innovation, and robotics as longer-term drivers of U.S. manufacturing and economic opportunity. On this episode we talk about: How tariffs affect importers, businesses, and ultimately consumer prices Why tariff refunds may benefit major corporations more than everyday consumers The disproportionate impact of sudden cost increases on small businesses Whether U.S. manufacturing can realistically grow without making products unaffordable How AI, robotics, and entrepreneurship could reshape domestic manufacturing Why political incentives and business incentives can lead to very different decisions Top 3 Takeaways Tariffs may be charged to importers, but businesses often pass those additional costs along to consumers through higher prices. Large companies can better absorb policy-driven cost shocks, while small businesses may face existential risks when expenses suddenly spike. Long-term manufacturing growth is more likely to come from efficient innovation—such as robotics and AI—than from policy alone. Notable Quotes “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got some money in the bank.” “You’re penalizing the people who are taking the risks.” “The biggest difference between entrepreneur and politician: one has to deliver on the promises.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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