CO-HOST | Make Money by Thinking for Yourself About Money

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Travis Makes Money

Episode: CO-HOST | Make Money by Thinking for Yourself About Money

Host: Travis Chappell | Guest/Co-Host: Eric (Producer)

Date: February 18, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric break down well-known quotes from entrepreneurs and thought leaders, offering raw, thoughtful, and often humorous reactions. Instead of rehashing typical personal finance advice, Travis and Eric share candid opinions on popular money maxims, discussing risk, work-life balance, investing, and mindset shifts necessary for making—and enjoying—more money. The conversational tone and unscripted feel create an engaging, accessible experience focused on empowering listeners to think for themselves about money.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Deconstructing Money Wisdom—Blind Quote Challenge

• Format: Eric reads quotes from entrepreneurs and thought leaders without revealing the author, so Travis can respond without bias.
• Purpose: To encourage independent thinking about financial advice and challenge conventional wisdom.

---

2. Quote-by-Quote Reactions and Financial Mindset Discussion

A. Addictions: Heroin, Carbohydrates, and a Monthly Salary

• Quote: "The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary." – Nassim Nicholas Taleb
  • [01:10]
• Travis’s Take:
  • "That's just not true... There are objectively way worse addictions than that..."
  • Acknowledges the quote is meant to be provocative or tongue-in-cheek, but disagrees with equating a monthly salary to the dangers of hard drugs.

---

B. “Borrow Big, But Be Smart About It”

• [02:27]
• Travis’s Take:
  • Sees borrowing as risky, especially for those inexperienced with debt.
  • Shares his experience of starting businesses on 0% credit cards, but cautions:
    • "That's dangerous overall for a good portion of people."
  • Emphasizes: Risk tolerance varies; be cautious if you haven’t been “smacked by a decision like that.”

---

C. “Ignore the 9 to 5, Work 100 Hours a Week”

• [03:36]
• Travis’s Take:
  • "I disagree ... I don't want to be Jeff Bezos, though."
  • Highlights the importance of defining your own version of success.

---

D. “If You Need Inspiration, Don’t Do It” (Elon Musk)

• [03:58], [04:52], [08:52]
• Travis’s Take:
  • Disagrees initially, valuing some external inspiration.
  • Eric contextualizes with Musk’s intended meaning—about requiring daily encouragement to keep going.
  • Travis agrees with the nuance that if you need a “pat on the back” every day, it may not be for you.
• Revealing Quote (Elon Musk):
  • [09:17] “I don’t ever give up. I mean, I’d have to be dead or completely incapacitated.”

---

E. “Forget Work-Life Balance” (Amancio Ortega)

• [10:09]
• Travis’s Take:
  • Agrees: "There is no balance.”
  • Implies a blend or integration of work and life, rather than striving for a perfect split.

---

F. “Never Save Money, Always Invest” (Mukesh Ambani)

• [10:49]
• Travis’s Take:
  • Agrees with an asterisk: “Never is sort of a weird word because you should have at least a little bit of emergency savings, but beyond that, you should be investing it.”

---

G. “If You’re Jealous of Those With More Money, Don’t Just Sit There and Complain. Do Something to Make More Money Yourself.” (Gina Rinehart)

• [12:59]
• Travis’s Take:
  • Strongly agrees: “That’s a hard agree for me.”

---

H. “As Long As I’m Not the Richest Man in the World, I Won’t Really Be Happy.” (Bernard Arnault)

• [13:20]
• Travis’s Take:
  • Strongly disagrees: "That sucks. I disagree with that completely... That’s terrible.”

---

I. Naval Ravikant Wisdom

• [14:43]
  • "The more easily you get offended, the less intelligent you actually are."
  • "People think they can't change themselves, but they can. People think they can change others, but they can't."
• Travis’s Take:
  • Agrees with both, appreciating Ravikant's focus on self-mastery and resilience.

---

3. Audience Interaction and Tone

• Casual, Humorous Dialogue:
  • The duo riff on Australian accents [11:19], joke about meeting listeners, and keep the tone fun and informal.
• Live Audience Engagement:
  • Travis shares they are now recording episodes live on Instagram, inviting audience participation [14:04].

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That’s just not true… There are objectively way worse addictions than that…” – Travis [01:23], on the Taleb quote.
• “I disagree ... I don't want to be Jeff Bezos, though.” – Travis [03:40]
• “That’s dangerous overall for a good portion of people.” – Travis [03:24], on borrowing big.
• “If you need inspiring words, don’t do it.” – Elon Musk [09:17]
• “There is no balance.” – Travis [10:19]
• “Never is sort of a weird word because you should have at least a little bit of emergency savings, but beyond that, you should be investing it.” – Travis [10:59]
• “That’s a hard agree for me.” – Travis [13:07]
• “I disagree with that completely… That’s terrible.” – Travis [13:20]
• “The more easily you get offended, the less intelligent you actually are.” – Naval Ravikant [14:43]
• Funny exchange about Australian accents and meeting listeners [11:19–13:00]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | Money quote challenge begins | Intro, quote structure | 00:43 | | Addiction quote discussion | Heroin, carbs, salary | 01:10 | | Borrowing big | Risk-taking | 02:27 | | Work 100 hours/week | Work-life choices | 03:36 | | Inspiration vs. discipline | Musk quote, resilience | 03:58, 08:52, 09:17 | | Work-life balance | Ortega quote | 10:09 | | Saving vs. investing | Ambani quote | 10:49 | | Jealousy and action | Rinehart quote | 12:59 | | Happiness and wealth | Arnault quote | 13:20 | | Ravikant wisdom | Self-change, resilience | 14:43 | | Live podcast recording info | Audience engagement | 14:04 |

---

Episode Takeaways

• Challenge Conventional Money Advice: Don’t accept financial wisdom at face value; think critically and contextually.
• Risk is Personal: There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to borrowing, hustling, or investing.
• Inspiration vs. Grit: True drive comes from within, and long-term motivation can’t be outsourced—though inspiration still has a role.
• Work-Life Balance is Fluid: Success often means sacrificing “balance” for seasons of purposeful, joyful work.
• Prioritize Action and Self-Responsibility: Instead of envy or complaint, act to change your circumstances.
• Joy Isn’t Tied to Being the Richest: Avoid unhealthy comparisons; wealth should be a tool, not the end goal.
• Growth Requires Self-Awareness: Lasting change comes from changing yourself, not others.

---

Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates the core Travis Makes Money philosophy: Empower yourself through action, self-examination, and an open—but critical—mind. Through their riffing and real talk, Travis and Eric remind listeners that financial success isn’t about dogma or deprivation, but about forging your own path—starting with how you think.

---

Transcript

[A]

You're listening to the Travis Makes Money podcast presented by GoHighLevel.com for a free 30 day trial of the best all in one digital marketing software tool on the planet. Just go to gohighlevel.com travis. What's going on, everybody? Welcome back to the Travis Makes Money podcast, where it's our mission to help you make more money. Today on the show, my producer Eric is in studio. What's up, man?

[B]

Hey, how you doing, man?

[A]

I'm chilling.

[B]

All right, well, I'm going to do something. I did this a while back and I liked it. And then I thought, well, I can't just do this every time. I have to wait, space it out, you know, have these little tasty segments. Yeah.

[A]

So you're going to name all the states.

[B]

I thought maybe there would become something it didn't. Are you ready?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm going to read you some quotes by some entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I want you to tell me.

[A]

And you're not going to tell me who said it.

[B]

Yeah, you have to.

[A]

After.

[B]

Sure, I guess. I mean, I was mainly just so.

[A]

I'm not biased and, like, I agree with that. Like, I like, I like when you, when you said the quotes before, because it was like, oh, I don't. I don't know if I should agree with this based on who said it. I'm just actually giving my objective thoughts on it.

[B]

Okay, here's the first quote. You ready?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.

[A]

Ooh.

[B]

You know when they said that, they're like, that's going in Forbes. They're quoting that.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, that's just not true.

[B]

Meth didn't even make the list.

[A]

I was going to say there's objectively way worse addictions than that video.

[B]

The guy saying he takes meth for his. For looks maxing purposes.

[A]

For what?

[B]

Looks maxing.

[D]

Looks maxing.

[A]

I don't even know what that means.

[D]

Is that.

[A]

Is that millennial of me to know what that. Not know what that means or does that pertain particularly?

[B]

This is actually really. This is actually really embarrassing. You don't know that.

[A]

Damn it.

[B]

I'm not going to get into this right now. But anyway, not.

[D]

Damn it.

[B]

Do you agree with the quote or you do you do?

[D]

I disagree with the quote.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I mean, like, it's a funny quote.

[B]

And, like, it's obviously being a little just.

[A]

Of course. Yeah. But like, the actual.

[B]

The guy's like, no. Really? Carbs.

[A]

Carbs. Are way worse than monthly salary.

[B]

That's Nassim. Nicholas. Talib.

[D]

Talib. That's good. Never mind.

[A]

I agree. No, definitely. I mean, I obviously disagree with that, but I, I think he would also disagree with that.

[B]

Borrow big, but be smart about it.

[A]

Dangerous, I would say. Not necessarily wrong, but dangerous because.

[D]

It'S.

[A]

Unless you've been smacked before by a decision like that, you can, you can take that way too far too quickly and then be in a position that's almost impossible to recover from. So, yeah, I would say be very, very careful with, but that's coming from somebody who's like, started every business I ever started on 0% credit cards and paid them all off before I ever had to pay the balance. But, like, I know that's a, that's a big risk and it's like, objectively kind of dumb to do, but I don't know, I, I sort of operate better sometimes my back against the wall. So it would be very different for each personality type and each, like, risk profile that's. Listening to this. I would say that that's a, that's dangerous overall for a good portion of people.

[B]

That's from Li Ka Shing. I don't either, but they said borrow big, but be smart about it. Ignore the 9 to 5, work 100 hours a week.

[A]

I disagree.

[B]

Okay, well, that's why you're not Jeff Bezos.

[A]

Well, yeah, that is why I'm not Jeff Bezos. I don't want to be Jeff Bezos, though. You know what I mean?

[B]

If you need inspiration, don't do it.

[A]

If you need inspiration, don't do it. I would disagree.

[B]

Interesting how.

[A]

Disagree. Like, discipline is important and consistency is important. But, like, I like, I like listening to inspirational stuff or watching inspirational stuff. Like, it has that effect. Inspiring effect. Like, I don't, I don't, I don't see anything, like, negative about that. I'd be curious. A lot of these quotes do. It's like, it's, it's hard to give, like, just out of, completely out of context opinion on them. So I'd be curious as to what the context of that broader idea is. But who said that?

[B]

Elon Musk, I think I agree more and more with that every day.

[A]

I've never heard it from the inspiration standpoint, from motivation. I, I get that, but I, I don't. That's why I say, like, I, I would want to, I would want to pry into that a little bit more. What is, what exactly does that mean?

[B]

No.

[A]

Okay, no, here.

[B]

Why do you agree I, I look at the way I look at Tim Grover. The Tim Grover.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Who's. Who's was on my Mount Rushmore of like, influences.

[A]

Thought leaders. Yeah.

[B]

For like. Because the first. I used to really disagree with this and I think it's because from a creative perspective, I was always like, that's sort of what I find. I need to get in my zone and get, you know, y. Like, I, I realized I would waste so much time in my day, like trying to get in the perfect feng shui of like, let's do it. I see what you're saying and I think, I think like a Tim Grover or like even a Gary Vee. It's like, just do it. Like, start doing the thing. Like you don't need an external motivation. But like, I would just say it's somewhere in the middle for me where it's like, I think the overall thing you're working on, there should be some like, thing that inspires you by doing it.

[A]

That's my, that's my caution with it is sort of like. But if you're not like, that's sort of how I choose things to do is like, by how much.

[D]

This episode of the show is brought to you by Factor. Got big goals but no time to cook? Factor makes healthy eating easy with fully prepared meals designed by dietitians and crafted by chefs. So eat well without the planning or the cooking. Inside, you will get quality functional ingredients, including lean proteins, colorful veggies, whole food ingredients and healthy fats. No refined sugars, no artificial sweeteners, no refined seed oils.

[A]

Get that stuff out of here.

[D]

Meals that actually fit your goals and your schedule. Healthier eating, calorie management, more protein, etc. Etc. With over 100 rotating weekly meals to keep things fresh and delicious through the winter. Your options include high protein calorie, smart Mediterranean diet, GOP1 support and ready to eat salads, plus the new Muscle Pro collection. Support, strength and recovery. And it's always fresh, it's never frozen and it's ready in about two minutes. No prep, no stress, just delicious, nutritious food. So head over to factor meals.com TMM50OFF and use code TMM50OFF to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor New subscribers only. Varies by plan. One free breakfast item per box for one year while subscription is active. This episode of the show is brought to you by Shopify. Starting something new isn't just hard, it's terrifying. So much work goes into this thing.

[A]

That you're not entirely sure it'll work.

[D]

Out, and it can be hard to make that leap of faith. Trust me, I know this. When I started my podcast, I wasn't even sure what I was doing, to be honest with you. What if nobody listens? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I'm embarrassed? You know, what if nobody buys stuff that I put out there? Now I know that I was right in believing myself in launching this podcast and the subsequent businesses that come along with it, despite all the fears and hesitations.

[A]

It also helps when you have a.

[D]

Partner like Shopify on your side to help. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Magic Spoon to brands just getting started. You can get started with your own design studio. With hundreds of ready to use templates, Shopify helps you build a beautiful online store that matches your brand's style, accelerate your efficiency. Whether you're uploading new products or trying to improve existing products, Shopify is packed with helpful AI tools that write product descriptions, page headlines, and even enhance your product photography. There's really no excuses anymore, people, because.

[A]

Shopify literally does all of this stuff for you.

[D]

And did I mention that the iconic Purple Shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's from Shopify. It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. It also helps boost conversions, meaning less carts going abandoned and more sales for you. It's time to turn those what ifs into With Shopify today. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com TMM go to shopify.com TMM that's shopify.com TM M M.

[A]

It lights me up to think about doing it more. You know what I mean?

[B]

Here's. Here's some context from from Musk. If it helps shade this quote at.

[C]

All for you, it's it's very difficult to start companies and quite painful. I think that's important to bear in mind. I don't know if that's. That's probably not encouraging. Let me put this way, if you need inspiring words, don't do it. You had that third failure in a row.

[A]

Did you think I need to pack this in?

[C]

Never.

[A]

Why not?

[C]

I don't ever give up. I mean, I'd have to be dead or completely incapacitated.

[B]

Okay, well, that's not very helpful.

[A]

And. Well, that. That was helpful to hear him say. If you need inspiring words like, if you need a.

[B]

If you need a pat on the back to be like, yeah, keep going.

[A]

Every day, that makes a lot more.

[B]

That's how I viewed it was like. Is like, if you need every day to have this thing where it's like.

[A]

I get an encouragement that this is.

[B]

Working versus, like, if you generally care about the thing you're doing right, the stuff should come now.

[A]

That's how I took it. But, yeah, if you need inspiring words versus if you need inspiration, I think are a little. A little different.

[B]

That's why I text you every day and say, you're my sunshine. You can do this.

[A]

And I appreciate it. Although I will say I miss when you stop doing it at night, too. So if you could.

[B]

You did great today. You did great today, buddy. Okay, here's another one. You ready?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Forget work life balance.

[D]

That's it.

[A]

That's the whole quote. Forget work life balance. Yeah, I agree.

[B]

Okay. Amancio Ortega said that.

[A]

Yeah, that's. I agree with that. There is no balance.

[B]

There is no balance. You like that one?

[A]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[B]

Okay. Never save money.

[A]

Jackal and Chapel just joined our live right now.

[B]

If you'll notice, Jackie Travis is holding his phone.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. You see how I'm holding his hand?

[B]

His arm is. His arm is cramped.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And he's. He's in pain.

[A]

That's because I don't have a tripod for my phone. Yeah, because it's at the store, apparently.

[B]

Never save money, always invest. That's the next quote I want you to react to. Never save money. Always invest.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I agree with that.

[B]

Okay, great.

[A]

I mean, never is sort of a weird word because you should have at least a little bit of emergency savings, but beyond that, you should be investing it.

[B]

That's Mukesh Ambani.

[A]

Oh, classic Mukesh.

[B]

Okay, Mr. Naval Ravicom. All right, I'm gonna give you. I'm gonna give you another one.

[A]

Cammy Whammy joined. What's up, Cammy?

[D]

Cammy, Australia treating you.

[A]

Oi.

[B]

You're down under.

[A]

Good. That's really good.

[B]

Hey, how you doing, mate?

[A]

On the Australian accent that you want to share?

[B]

Hey, come to. Come to hillsong with me, mate. Watch out for kangaroos on the way there.

[A]

Yeah, really, really good stuff.

[B]

That's pretty good.

[A]

Solid.

[B]

Oh, yeah, From Australia, mate. Howdy there.

[A]

If you have to tell me where you're from while you're doing the accent.

[B]

Hey, I'm from Australia. Oh, a koala's coming over here. He's looking at me. A little janky. Give him the old rigamarole. That's how it goes.

[A]

Yeah. Really good stuff, man.

[B]

You know how it goes. Hey, she dropped. She left. Good day.

[A]

Good day from.

[B]

Good day from down under. Legends.

[A]

Legend is a word they use a lot.

[B]

We're looking down at you from above.

[A]

This is my cousin, by the way.

[B]

No, I'm not.

[A]

Oh, God damn it. I know that Eric.

[B]

I am not his cousin. I don't know why he's telling. I know what you're gonna. I met your cousin in person.

[A]

Cammie.

[B]

Yeah, Cammie.

[D]

Did you.

[A]

No, you didn't.

[B]

Yes, I did.

[A]

Cammie, have you met Eric?

[B]

I can wait. Can I. Can I say where she used to work to prove it, or is that doxxing? I don't know what the.

[A]

Where'd she used to work at?

[B]

Skywalker. Okay.

[A]

But you met her in person.

[B]

Yes. Do you remember that?

[A]

I'm not remember. I'm not remembering this at all.

[B]

Okay, here's another quote. Do you agree or disagree with this? All right, if you're jealous of those with more money, don't. She said, yes, he did. Meet me. If you're jealous of those with.

[A]

I'm wrong. I want to apologize to everybody.

[B]

I don't remember how and why, but I did.

[A]

I am blanking on that completely.

[B]

If you're jealous of those with more money, don't just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself. I know you disagree with that.

[A]

Yeah, that's a hard agree for me.

[B]

Gina Reinhart said that. Here's another quote for you. You ready? As long as I'm not the richest man in the world, I won't really be happy.

[A]

As long as I'm not the richest man in the world, I won't really be happy. I mean, that sucks. I disagree with that completely.

[B]

You don't want.

[A]

It's terrible.

[B]

She said.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

When I stayed at your house.

[B]

Buddy, you never stayed at my house. I just act confused about who's talking to the whole episode. That was Bernard Arnault, and as far as I know, I've never heard of the dude, and he's nowhere close.

[A]

Yeah, he's. He's not a happy fellow.

[B]

So, anyway. All right, I'm going to give you. I'm going to give you one more quote, right? Ready?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You sure?

[A]

Ready?

[B]

You really ready?

[A]

Oh, Jesus. Just.

[B]

I'm gonna give you one more.

[A]

I'm waiting.

[B]

No, it's. Because every time I do that, I get to the last one, I go, I gotta end On a really good one.

[A]

All right, quick reminder for anybody tuning in right now, if you are listening to this on the podcast in a couple of weeks, we are now going live while we film five, six episodes in a row during our batch recording days. So you can join us live on my Instagram, Travis Chappell or Travis Makes Friends. We might start doing it over. And then if you're watching live, all of these are recorded podcast episodes that you can listen to later. So that's why we're not really super engaging with everybody that's live right now. It's more just recording the podcast and you guys are here. Anyway, did you find the quote you're looking for?

[B]

There's two good ones. Can I do both?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

The more easily you get offended, the less intelligent you actually are.

[A]

I agree. I agree with that.

[B]

You loser. Who said that you just offended me? I'm not gonna tell you yet.

[A]

That's the same person.

[B]

Yeah. People think they can't change themselves, but they can. People think they can change others, but they can't.

[A]

Definitely agree with that. Who said that?

[B]

Who do you think?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Naval Ravikant.

[A]

What was it actually?

[B]

Yeah. Oh, anyway, thought what you'd. I thought you.

[D]

Weird. I agreed with.

[B]

Thought you'd want to end with him.

[A]

I agree with both of them.

[B]

What time is it in Australia right now? It is.

[A]

Wait, let me guess. It is.

[B]

Oh, that sounds bad. As I thought.

[A]

It is like 11am tomorrow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is that right?

[B]

Right on, mate. That's a cracker Jack. Yes.

[A]

11:37.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What a great guess that was.

[B]

Okay, you're like. It's more impressive you can say 37 because, like, duh.

[A]

Yeah. Anyway, she said 1137.

[B]

Yeah, we already know. We have the Internet exists. It exists here in. In the States too, there, love.

[A]

That was.

[B]

That's British.

[A]

Yeah, hardcore.

[B]

All right, then. That's a wrap on that episode. Then go ahead and close this out. I need to get some bangers and mash and. And.

[A]

And what else?

[B]

And. All right, governor.

[A]

That's it. Okay.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Well, for everybody listening, remember, money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got money in the bank. So let's start there, here on the Travis Makes Money podcast. Thanks for tuning in. Catch you guys next time. And if you want to join us live and you're listening to this right now, then be sure to follow me on Instagram. We're going to go live every time we do these recording sessions. From now on. And so if you have a question, you have a comment, you have a concern, you have a note, you have.

[B]

If you've met me in person and you'd like to tune in and correct the record, I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

All are welcome. So go follow me on Instagram at Travis Chapel or Travis Makes Friends, and we'll keep the conversation going over there. In the meantime, appreciate all of you for tuning in. We'll catch you in the next episode. Peace.