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.
331episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
CO-HOST | Make Money with Media IP, Streaming Rights & The Walking Dead
Yesterday00:22:51Summary readyIn this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into the business behind entertainment franchises, streaming rights, and why intellectual property can become one of the most valuable assets in media. Using The Walking Dead as the centerpiece of the conversation, they break down how legacy TV shows continue generating hundreds of millions of dollars long after their original run, the economics behind licensing content to streaming platforms like Netflix, and why some media companies struggle even with iconic brands. The conversation also explores storytelling, bingeability, and what creators can learn from both hit and failed entertainment properties. On this episode we talk about: Why AMC is exploring new licensing deals for The Walking Dead The economics of intellectual property and streaming rights Why some TV shows become timeless rewatchable hits while others fade away The differences between bingeable sitcoms and serialized dramas What creators and entrepreneurs can learn from the unpredictable nature of hit media Top 3 Takeaways Intellectual property becomes exponentially more valuable when it gains cultural relevance and long-term audience loyalty. Even massive production budgets and star actors cannot guarantee success — timing, audience connection, and luck still play major roles. Companies grow faster when they focus on their core strengths instead of trying to control every piece of distribution themselves. Notable Quotes “The currency is attention.” “You can’t just decide that something’s going to end up like Seinfeld.” “Having a plan does not mean it’s going to be successful.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career! To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investor Community Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryINTERVIEW | Make Money with the Queen of Pitch, Forbes Riley
Yesterday00:44:07Summary readyForbes Riley is a globally recognized communication expert, entrepreneur, and bestselling author known as the “Queen of Pitch.” With more than $2.5 billion in product sales across live television, home shopping, and infomercials, Forbes has built an extraordinary career helping people sharpen their message, boost confidence, and sell more effectively. In this episode, she shares the incredible journey from struggling actress to world-class pitch expert, the lessons she learned from building the iconic SpinGym brand, and how her daughter helped turn her pitching expertise into a multimillion-dollar education company. On this episode we talk about: How Forbes Riley accidentally became one of the most successful TV sales personalities of all time The story behind building and scaling the SpinGym brand Why pitching is the most important business skill anyone can develop How Forbes and her daughter built a million-dollar business through webinars and online education Why live social shopping and TikTok Shop represent the future of selling online Top 3 Takeaways Selling is really about communication and storytelling — the best pitches connect emotionally before they persuade logically. If you want to become a better entrepreneur, start by selling someone else’s product first to build real sales skills without emotional attachment. Live commerce and social shopping platforms like TikTok Shop are creating massive opportunities for creators and entrepreneurs who know how to pitch effectively on camera. Notable Quotes “A pen like this can touch somebody’s heart.” “Life happens for you, not to you.” “If you don’t focus, you don’t scale.” Connect with Forbes Riley: Instagram: @ForbesRiley LinkedIn: Forbes Riley Website: https://forbesriley.com/ Training: Pitch Secrets Training A Word from Our Sponsors: Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career! To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investor Community Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySOLO | Make Money by Having the Conversations You've Been Avoiding, part 3
Yesterday00:17:43Summary readyTravis is a podcast host, interviewer, and creator who’s running a 30-day interview challenge and sharing practical outreach, scheduling, and interview-prep tactics from his experience booking guests and growing a show. On this episode we talk about: How to structure DM outreach to get podcast interview yeses Why short video messages beat long written pitches in DMs Scheduling and reducing friction (Calendly tips and what not to ask) Ten to fifteen high-leverage interview questions to use repeatedly How to use informational interviews to build confidence and get warm intros Top 3 Takeaways Use short personalized video DMs and a one-sentence link to your about page to prove legitimacy and avoid wasting the recipient’s time Don’t over-prepare or wait for a perfect script — send lots of messages, iterate quickly, and systematize what works for you Make scheduling frictionless (Calendly + minimal form fields), avoid asking guests to do your prep work, and always ask for introductions to scale bookings Notable Quotes "The only real question you have to answer in these reach-outs is are you going to waste my time?" "You can't think your way into becoming the kind of person who reaches out to people who are seemingly out of your league. You reach out your way into becoming that person." "Don't wait — start doing it. By day seven when you've sent 30 of these things, you will feel wildly more confident." Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit [www.fanvue.com] today and launch your career! To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney] Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at [gohighlevel.com/travis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryCO-HOST | Make Money with a Tier List: Ranking Financial Influencers
2d ago00:28:43Summary readyIn this special episode, host Travis sits down with producer Eric to rank some of the biggest names in financial advice. From real estate moguls to personal finance gurus, they debate who deserves S-tier status and who falls short. The conversation reveals what makes financial advice trustworthy, the importance of balanced perspectives, and why conflicts of interest matter when following money influencers. On this episode we talk about: The tier system for ranking financial influencers (S-tier to D-tier) Graham Stephan's balanced approach to real estate and stock market investing The Ramsey personalities and their debt-free philosophy Robert Kiyosaki and Grant Cardone's polarizing investment strategies How to evaluate financial advice when influencers have products to sell Top 3 Takeaways Follow financial advisors who have tested multiple wealth-building vehicles (real estate, stocks, business) rather than those who only promote one investment type, as they provide more balanced and objective advice. Be skeptical when financial influencers sell products or services directly related to their advice—their recommendations may serve their financial interests more than yours, so interrogate the advice more carefully. Personal finance advice isn't one-size-fits-all; strategies like avoiding all debt and credit cards may work for some people but aren't necessarily optimal for everyone with financial discipline. Notable Quotes "Just because somebody is gaining something financially from their advice does not mean that their advice is incorrect. It does mean that you should interrogate the advice a little bit more and ask a couple more questions." "Do not treat men like gods. Do not look at anybody as they are the ultimate source of truth or you'll find yourself hurting for that decision." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems if you got money in the bank." Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryINTERVIEW | Make Money by Building Positive Habits That Compound Over Time with Jon Gordon
2d ago00:25:53Summary readyJon Gordon is a bestselling author, speaker, and leadership expert known for his work with Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and organizations around the world. With over 30 books—including The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership—Jon has helped millions improve their mindset, leadership, and performance. His latest book, The Power of Positive Habits, is a collection of proven strategies designed to help people elevate their lives through simple, consistent actions. On this episode we talk about: Why small, consistent habits have the biggest long-term impact on success The concept of the “habit before the habit” to reduce friction and build consistency How gratitude practices like the “thank you walk” can rewire your mindset The difference between building habits vs. building a better life Why focusing on just 1–3 habits is more effective than trying to change everything at once Top 3 Takeaways You don’t need dozens of habits—just one or two consistently applied habits can change your life. Reducing friction (the “habit before the habit”) makes it much easier to follow through. Your daily habits ultimately determine your success—good habits create a good life, great habits create a great life. Notable Quotes "One habit can literally change the course of your life." "Don’t listen to yourself—talk to yourself." "Bad habits create a bad life, good habits create a good life, great habits create a great life." Connect with Jon Gordon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongordonenergy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jongordon11/ Other: https://powerofpositivehabitsbook.com A Word from Our Sponsor: Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySOLO | Make Money By Having the Conversations You've Been Avoiding, part 2
2d ago00:19:00Summary readyOn this solo episode, host Travis shares a personal, behind-the-scenes look at how strategically reaching out to people you admire can transform your career and expand your sense of what is possible. Drawing from his own experiences in podcasting and entrepreneurship, he walks through how he went from dreaming about conversations with icons like Shaquille O’Neal and Joe Gatto to building real relationships with them over time. On this episode we talk about: How a “dream guest” list turned into real conversations with Shaquille O’Neal and Joe Gatto Why proximity, rejection therapy, and exposure change your sense of what’s possible A 30-day outreach challenge to build relationships through cold DMs How to structure short interviews and reuse the same core questions for different guests What to say in a DM (and what to absolutely avoid, including AI-written outreach) Top 3 Takeaways Your sense of what’s possible expands as you consistently put yourself in proximity to people you once thought were unreachable, even if it starts with a simple DM. Focus on inputs you can control—like sending five personalized cold DMs per day for 30 days—instead of obsessing over outputs you can’t guarantee, such as who says yes. Lead with genuine value and specificity in your outreach: personalize your message, keep it short, make a clear ask, and reduce friction so busy people can easily say yes. Notable Quotes “Every real conversation removes a little bit of the intimidation tax that you’ve been paying your whole life leading up to this point.” “The point is not that every successful person becomes your mentor; the point is that your sense of what’s possible continues to expand.” “For the love of God, please do not have AI write your DMs for you—if you don’t know how to write a 50-word outreach, that’s exactly what you should be working on.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryCO-HOST | Make Money by Building Your Mount Rushmore of Mentors
3d ago00:21:54Summary readyTravis and his producer Eric break down the idea of a personal “Mount Rushmore” of high‑value influences and why picking the right people to follow can make you more successful and less susceptible to the spammy, scammy side of self‑help and business content. They use a viral clip about “the most attractive man in America” as a humorous jumping‑off point to talk about substance over style in the online influencer world. On this episode we talk about: Why the phrase “high value man” has become a cringe trigger and what people really mean when they say it. Using a funny viral clip to pivot into a serious conversation about who actually influences your thinking and behavior. Travis’s Mount Rushmore of mentors: Naval Ravikant, Adam Grant, Mark Manson, and Gary Vaynerchuk, and why each one made the cut. How Adam Grant’s “Give and Take” reshaped Travis’s philosophy on relationships, giving, and long‑term success. Naval’s concept of unique value and building a skill stack that creates a “market of one,” plus how that ties wealth creation to genuine happiness. Top 3 Takeaways Curate your influences with intention: the people you follow most closely should be data‑driven, non‑reactionary, and focused on truth over polarization or cheap virality. The most successful people tend to be strategic givers, not takers or strict matchers, and adopting a give‑first mindset can fundamentally change your relationships and opportunities. Long‑term leverage comes from stacking skills into a unique value proposition so you become a “market of one,” doing work that feels like play to you but looks like work to everyone else. Notable Quotes “You’re basically just calling him hot, but you want to say it in a masculine way, so you’re like, ‘he’s just so high value.’ You wanted to say sexy.” “Give and Take fundamentally shifted the way that I view relationships and the value that’s given in relationships because of the givers, takers, matchers thing.” “It’s not just about creating one skill set that’s marketable… it’s about the ultimate skill stack you create over a long enough period of time so you can create a market of one.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryINTERVIEW | Make Money by Disrupting Yourself and Embracing Career Reinvention with Whitney Johnson
3d ago00:22:47Summary readyWhitney Johnson is one of the world’s leading management thinkers, recognized by Thinkers50 and Inc. Magazine. She began her career as a secretary on Wall Street before reinventing herself into an award-winning equity analyst and later co-founding an investment fund with Clayton Christensen, the father of disruptive innovation. A Wall Street Journal bestselling author and host of the Disrupt Yourself podcast, Whitney now helps individuals and organizations navigate change, growth, and high performance. On this episode we talk about: How Whitney went from secretary to Wall Street analyst through self-education and persistence Why career “disruptions” often lead to the biggest breakthroughs and opportunities The importance of treating everyone with dignity—regardless of status or title How to navigate uncertainty using the S-curve framework for personal and professional growth Why focus and boundaries are critical in a world full of distraction and opportunity Top 3 Takeaways Career growth often comes from unexpected opportunities—what feels like a setback can become your biggest advantage. Treating people with respect at every level builds trust, reputation, and long-term success. Focus and small, consistent improvements (like 5% better) are key to sustainable growth. Notable Quotes "Sometimes you get disrupted—and that can be the best thing that happens to you." "How people treat you at the bottom is a measure of who they really are." "Focus on one thing, do it well, and then move to the next." Connect with Whitney Johnson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyjohnson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsonwhitney/ Other: https://thedisruptionadvisors.com A Word from Our Sponsor: Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummarySOLO | Make Money by Having the Conversations You’re Avoiding
3d ago00:17:13Summary readyOn this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis breaks down why your life is limited by the conversations you refuse to have and issues a challenge that can literally change your trajectory. Drawing from both his own experience and recent research on networking self‑efficacy, he shows how intentionally interviewing high‑level people can build confidence, expand your opportunities, and collapse years of trial and error into a handful of powerful conversations. On this episode we talk about: Why your life is constrained by the conversations you’re avoiding and how one conversation can lead to a new idea, partner, or opportunity. A 30‑interview challenge over 30–45 days designed to improve confidence, purpose, and decision‑making. How to use social media as a social tool to meet the top 1–10% in your field instead of just consuming content. The invisible mental hierarchies and “they’d never talk to me” stories that keep people from reaching out. Research showing that informational interviews increase networking self‑efficacy and why confidence is usually an evidence problem, not a mindset problem. Top 3 Takeaways Your world gets bigger with every high‑quality conversation you initiate; silence doesn’t just protect you from rejection, it blocks opportunity. Confidence comes from evidence: repeated outreach, informational interviews, and real‑world reps teach your nervous system that rejection is survivable and that you can network with high‑level people. A structured challenge—30 interviews in 30–45 days—gives you exposure therapy to rejection, direct information from people who’ve “been there, done that,” and proximity that makes success feel tangible instead of mythical. Notable Quotes “Your life is limited by the conversations that you are avoiding.” “Not sending the message does not protect you from rejection. It protects you from opportunity.” “Confidence is not a mindset problem; most of the time it’s an evidence problem.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryCO-HOST | Make Money Learning from Kevin Hart’s Heartbeat Media Play
4d ago00:21:39Summary readyIn this episode, Travis and his producer Eric break down Kevin Hart’s media company, Heartbeat, and what entrepreneurs can learn from its rise, expansion, and struggles. Eric walks through how Hart bundled his ventures, built a multi-platform comedy brand, and chased a massive valuation, while Travis provides perspective on what happens when a business stretches too far beyond its founder’s personal brand. On this episode we talk about: How Kevin Hart built Heartbeat into a multi-platform comedy media company bundling Laugh Out Loud and Heartbeat Productions The $650M valuation and sale of 15% of Heartbeat, and what that says about leveraging a personal brand Why Heartbeat’s non-Kevin Hart projects struggled to sell and move forward without his direct involvement The risks of expanding into too many verticals at once (film, TV, short-form, podcasts, brand deals) in a shifting Hollywood and streaming landscape Lessons on churn, team turnover, and how trying to build something “bigger than the personal brand” can backfire if the market only wants the star Top 3 Takeaways A powerful personal brand can create huge opportunities—like a $650M valuation for Heartbeat—but if the market only cares when the star is involved, non-core projects will struggle. Expanding into too many verticals at once (film, TV, shorts, podcasts, brand deals, big offices) without a clear focus can stretch a media company thin, especially when studios and streamers are cutting spend. If you want to build a company that outlives your personal brand, you need vehicles, IP, and formats that can stand on their own, not just spin-offs that depend on your face and name to sell. Notable Quotes “Everything I see about Kevin Hart is against my will because I don’t watch his rock movies on Netflix.” “The whole goal when Kevin Hart started this was to make something that would be bigger than just his personal brand… but the biggest issue is that non-Hart projects are the ones that are sitting there and not selling.” “They started having a bunch of churn, which is bad unless you’re in the butter industry. Having high churn within your company is not a good thing.” Connect with Travis:• Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell• Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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