Travis Makes Money

Travis Chappell
  • 4.3 (389)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Daily

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.

  1. 22h ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money by Building a Business You Don’t Need to Escape

    In part three of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and Eric Skwarczynski expand on a key creator-economy principle: follower count is not financial security. Through examples ranging from a pizza-maker creator who embraces his day job to Surreal’s clever low-budget celebrity marketing, they explore why meaningful work, owned audiences, repeatable customer acquisition, and resourceful creativity matter more than hype. On this episode we talk about: Why no honest work should be dismissed as “not a real job” The value of maintaining work you enjoy while building toward larger goals How creators can use a day job as stability rather than seeing it as a limitation Why follower count alone does not make a creator business sustainable The importance of moving an audience from social platforms to assets you control, such as an email list, text list, or community How platform algorithm shifts and monetization changes can abruptly disrupt creator income Why traditional businesses also need a proven, repeatable customer-acquisition channel before going full time Surreal’s marketing campaign featuring ordinary people with celebrity names, including Ronaldo, Dwayne Johnson, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan How a clever idea can earn attention without an expensive celebrity endorsement The tradeoff between healthier high-protein alternatives and food people genuinely enjoy Top 3 Takeaways Respect work that creates value and moves you toward your goals. A job title, social status, or perceived prestige does not determine whether someone’s work is meaningful; consistent effort and how people treat others matter more. Build a business around controllable distribution and repeatable demand. Creators should develop owned channels—such as email, SMS, or a community—while businesses need a reliable acquisition method that is not limited to friends, referrals, or a single algorithm. Creativity can outperform budget. Surreal’s “official cereal of Ronaldo” concept demonstrates how a strong insight, precise wording, and a well-executed joke can generate attention that expensive celebrity marketing might otherwise buy. Notable Quotes “You should never feel embarrassed about working hard for something. A title and a description doesn’t make you who you are.” “If you’re making money and working towards your goals, that’s all that matters.” “Follower count just does not matter at all.” “If it’s not up to you, you should be trying to move the audience over to something that you control.” “The brand didn’t buy attention, it earned it. A clever idea beat a celebrity-sized budget.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Website: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  2. 23h ago

    INTERVIEW | Make Money by Finding Opportunity in Bonds, Building a Newsletter, and Thinking for Yourself with Jared Dillian

    Jared Dillian is a former Lehman Brothers trader, author of seven books, and the founder of Jared Dillian Money. He spent seven years at Lehman, where he was head of ETF trading, before building a successful market commentary and newsletter business. In this episode, Jared shares lessons from launching a newsletter during the 2008 financial crisis, explains why he believes bonds may offer one of the biggest investment opportunities today, and discusses the importance of having a strong voice and maintaining intellectual honesty when building an audience. On this episode we talk about: Why Jared believes bonds may be a better opportunity than stocks in today's market How bonds work and why interest rates can create significant opportunities for investors Jared's experience trading at Lehman Brothers and starting a newsletter during the 2008 financial crisis What makes a successful newsletter, including the importance of having a compelling voice The dangers of confirmation bias and why creators should remain intellectually honest Why Jared avoids consuming other financial newsletters so he can maintain his own independent thinking The challenges and benefits of building an infinitely scalable newsletter business Jared's concerns about lofty valuations and expectations surrounding major IPOs like SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI His new book, The Awesome Portfolio, and his approach to creating a lower-volatility investment portfolio Top 3 Takeaways Your voice can matter more than your accuracy. Jared believes that having a compelling perspective and making convincing arguments can be more important for a content business than simply being right all the time. Think independently and be willing to change your mind. Jared emphasizes intellectual honesty and warns against becoming so attached to a particular viewpoint that you ignore evidence that contradicts it. Look beyond what everyone else is doing. Jared's contrarian approach has led him to see bonds as a potentially attractive opportunity while much of the market focuses on stocks, inflation, and government deficits. Notable Quotes "You have to have something to say. You have to have a voice." "You have to be intellectually honest." "I don't want to bet against him. I want to bet on him. It's just the wrong price." Connect with Jared Dillian: Website: https://www.jareddillian.com/ Newsletters: The Daily Dirtnap and more Other: The Awesome Portfolio is available wherever books are sold A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  3. 1d ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money Without Quitting Your Job Too Soon

    In part two of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski dig deeper into the creator economy, using Markiplier’s GoPro investment and Jordan “The Stallion” Howlett’s path from a pizza job to full-time creator as jumping-off points. Their core message: starting a creative business does not require reckless leaps—build momentum early, protect your downside, and leave your job only when the opportunity has enough stability to support you. On this episode we talk about: Why Markiplier’s GoPro stake sparked speculation around creator influence, stock-price movement, and long-term product conviction The difference between investing in a company because you use its product and investing because you expect a quick return How smartphones have made high-quality photo and video production dramatically more accessible Why carrying extra camera gear can be difficult to justify when modern phones are already capable production tools Jordan “The Stallion” Howlett’s decision to keep working at a pizza shop despite having millions of TikTok followers Why a reliable paycheck can feel safer than volatile creator income—even when a creator’s audience is rapidly growing The risk of abandoning a job too early for platform-dependent income How creator funds, platform monetization programs, and distribution algorithms can change without warning The difference between waiting too long to start creating and waiting too long to quit a stable job How viral content can trap creators into making outrage-driven, negative, or misaligned content Top 3 Takeaways Start before you feel fully ready, but do not confuse starting with quitting. You can publish consistently, build an audience, develop skills, and validate demand while keeping a stable income source. Treat creator income as volatile until it is diversified and repeatable. Brand deals, creator-fund payouts, and algorithm-driven reach can shift quickly, so build runway and avoid making one platform your only financial foundation. Protect your creative freedom. When financial pressure becomes too high, creators can feel forced to chase viral formats, controversy, or negativity rather than making the work they actually want to create. Notable Quotes “There’s a difference between waiting too long to leave and waiting too long to start.” “If you are in a platform-dependent business and you have no control, or limited control, over the volume of impressions that you can serve to advertisers or brands, then that’s something that you need to hedge against.” “You also don’t want to be in a position where the new thing now becomes the stressful way that you’re trying to make money.” “You get pulled down these rabbit holes that are unproductive and… just sort of lazy.” “It’s gonna look different for everybody.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Website: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  4. 1d ago

    INTERVIEW | Make Money by Winning AI Search Without Venture Capital with Jon Mest

    Jon Mest is a data scientist turned entrepreneur, CEO of both ChatRank and Just Reach Out, and a builder focused on helping companies get discovered in an AI-first world. After early roles in Wall Street and data analytics, Jon learned how enterprises buy, how to turn customer problems into products, and why bootstrapping can create more ownership and long-term flexibility. Today, he helps brands improve their visibility across AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI while earning the third-party credibility that drives both rankings and revenue. On this episode we talk about: How Jon went from umpiring youth baseball games to Wall Street, enterprise data, sales, and entrepreneurship The sales lessons hidden inside customer data—and why the best product does not always win the deal Why Jon prefers bootstrapping businesses instead of relying on venture capital How ChatRank helps businesses understand and improve their visibility in AI-driven search results Why AI referrals can convert at a higher rate than traditional website traffic The growing connection between digital PR, external brand mentions, trust, and AI search visibility How businesses can become clearer and more authentic rather than trying to “hack” AI platforms Top 3 Takeaways Solve the customer’s real problem—not the problem you assume they have. Even a product that can save a company millions will not sell if it creates political risk, conflicts with company culture, or fails to make the buyer look good internally. Bootstrapping creates pressure to build a sustainable business from day one. When revenue, customer retention, and product quality directly determine whether the company survives, founders often develop sharper sales discipline and retain more ownership at exit. AI search rewards clarity, proof, and brand credibility. Rather than hunting for temporary loopholes, businesses should clearly communicate what they do best, publish useful supporting content, and earn credible third-party mentions that validate their positioning. Notable Quotes “Are you solving a real pain of theirs? Are you giving them something they don’t have that they actually need?” “When you’re selling something, you have to be realistic and thoughtful about what is the other person on the other side of the room thinking in that moment and how are you going to make their life better.” “You can’t cheat the system here… What you can do is be really intentional about your brand.” Connect with Jon Mest: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanmest ChatRank: chatrank.ai Just Reach Out: justreachout.io A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  5. 2d ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money by Turning Creative Obsessions Into Smart Investments

    Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski kick off the first episode of this five-part series with a funny, unfiltered conversation about sales, creator-led businesses, and the strange psychology of billionaires. From a brilliantly simple door-to-door pitch to Markiplier’s reported GoPro investment, Travis and Eric explore how creativity, attention, and conviction can turn unusual ideas into real business opportunities. On this episode we talk about: Why a “no soliciting sign” can be one of the smartest—and funniest—door-to-door sales products The sales lesson behind matching a product to an immediate customer pain point The difference between being genuinely resilient and manufacturing hardship for status A new potential segment: “Billionaire: Badass or Batshit” Why creators are increasingly becoming investors, operators, and business owners Markiplier’s reported GoPro stake and what it could signal about creator-led investing How action cameras, smartphones, and creator tools have changed the video-production landscape Potential recurring show segments, including “Great Knockers,” “Billionaire: Badass or Batshit,” and “Creator Economy” Top 3 Takeaways Great sales often start with an obvious, immediate problem. The no-soliciting-sign pitch works because it gives homeowners a simple solution to something actively bothering them: unexpected people knocking on their door. Don’t confuse unnecessary suffering with real resilience. Pushing through pain may make for a dramatic story, but meaningful adversity usually has real stakes, consequences, and a purpose beyond proving toughness. Creators can build wealth beyond content revenue by investing in the products, platforms, and companies that support their work. Understanding the tools you use can create opportunities to become more than just a customer. Notable Quotes “If you have a double opening front door… they have money, and they have stacks of cash they just reach in and phew.” “I got something for everybody.” “He has to manufacture fear and pain in his own life because he’s insulated himself from reality.” “Creators [are] making some money moves.” “Markiplier isn’t just using the tools. He’s betting on the company making them.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Website: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  6. 2d ago

    INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks with Tim Storey

    Tim Storey is an acclaimed author, speaker, executive coach, and the host of the Miracle Mentality podcast. Known as the “Original Comeback Coach,” Tim has spent more than four decades helping entrepreneurs, athletes, executives, celebrities, and people facing difficult circumstances turn adversity into forward momentum. His work centers on building the mindset, relationships, preparation, and practical support systems that allow people to move from being stuck to creating a meaningful comeback. On this episode we talk about: How Tim developed his “setback to comeback” message and why it remains relevant for personal growth, career challenges, and finances The difference between being temporarily knocked down and becoming mentally “locked back” by a setback How Tim went from serving inner-city youth to working with NFL players, executives, and Hollywood talent Why every coach, consultant, and leader still needs wise mentors and coaches of their own Tim’s relationship with Robert Downey Jr. and the role preparation, accountability, and a strong support system play in a comeback Why purpose-led work can create financial opportunity without becoming purely money-driven How Tim began building wealth through real estate, private-company ownership, and strategic partnerships His upcoming “Walking Miracle” footwear collaboration with Syntilay Top 3 Takeaways A setback does not have to become your identity. Tim defines a setback as becoming “locked back” in an old mindset, financial problem, family challenge, or limiting belief; the first step toward a comeback is refusing to settle there. Get help from people who have wisdom beyond your current experience. Tim credits longtime mentors and financial advisors with helping him strengthen his coaching framework, make better money decisions, and grow into new opportunities. Lead with service and build competence before chasing income. Tim’s career grew because he focused first on helping people, studying consistently, and producing real results; over time, speaking fees, equity opportunities, real estate, and business investments followed. Notable Quotes “When most people have a setback, they usually sit in it or settle in it.” “Everybody needs a coach. I think it’s true.” “I always was wise enough to put people around me who knew things that I did not know.” “When I started off in this thing, I used to do so many things for free. I still do a lot of things for free.” Connect with Tim Storey: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timstoreyofficial Instagram: @timstoreyofficial Website: timstorey.com Podcast: Miracle Mentality with Tim Storey A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  7. 3d ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money by Breaking Down the Walls of Traditional Media

    Travis Chappell and producer Eric discuss how creators are changing the entertainment industry by bypassing traditional gatekeepers and building audiences directly online. Using the faith-based comedy series The Promised Land as an example, they explore how a show that started on YouTube grew to millions of views and ultimately landed a global distribution deal with Lionsgate. The conversation highlights the opportunities available to creators today, the importance of making content good enough to stand out, and why the barriers to entry have never been lower. On this episode we talk about: How YouTube is becoming increasingly comparable to traditional television and film distribution The story behind The Promised Land and its success on YouTube How a niche audience can become a powerful business opportunity Why the barriers to entry for creators are lower than ever How creators can build audiences independently and attract major industry opportunities Top 3 Takeaways You don't need traditional gatekeepers to get started. Platforms like YouTube give creators the ability to develop, publish, and distribute their ideas without waiting for a studio or network to give them permission. Being great can help you break through a crowded market. In an environment filled with content, creating something genuinely good and distinctive can help you stand out—even within a highly specific niche. Build the audience first, and opportunities can follow. The Promised Land demonstrates how creating an audience independently can eventually lead to larger distribution and traditional industry opportunities. Notable Quotes "The barrier to entry is lower than it's ever been." "You need to be so good they can't ignore you." "The idea that you can just execute against an idea that you have and it can actually turn into something real now." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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

  8. 3d ago

    INTERVIEW | Make Money by Becoming a More Powerful Communicator with Gina London

    Gina London is an Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent, executive communication advisor, and CEO of Language of Leadership. Having coached leaders and high-performing teams across nearly 60 countries, Gina helps professionals communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and influence. In her book, Amplify You: How to Connect More Powerfully in an AI World, she shares a practical framework for strengthening your voice, presence, and human connection—skills that become even more valuable as AI transforms the workplace. On this episode we talk about: Why human-to-human communication remains a competitive advantage in an AI-driven world Gina’s “Say It, Look It, Be It” framework for improving communication, executive presence, and connection How to make stronger first impressions in interviews, pitches, fundraising meetings, and high-stakes presentations Using the Audience–Intent–Message framework to tailor your communication to the person in front of you Why small talk matters, how curiosity creates connection, and how introverts can become exceptional networkers The communication habits people overrate, including overly scripted and artificial AI-generated conversation advice Top 3 Takeaways AI can help with writing, research, marketing, and preparation, but it cannot replace authentic human presence. The people who can create trust, warmth, and real connection will stand out professionally. Strong communication starts with preparation. Before an important interaction, identify your audience, decide the action you want them to take, and shape your message around their needs, concerns, and communication style. Stop trying so hard to be interesting and become more interested instead. Ask thoughtful follow-up questions, notice meaningful details, and keep the conversational “tennis ball” in the other person’s court. Notable Quotes “It is even more important because it might be replacing some of those technical skills that are gonna help you with your business… but it isn’t gonna replace you.” “Don’t let your initial, ‘I don’t like small talk,’ be a stop sign to your growth or your connections.” “It is important to be more interested than it is to try to be interesting.” Connect with Gina London: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginalondon/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGinaLondon Website: https://www.ginalondon.com/ Language of Leadership: https://languageofleadership.ginalondon.com/ Book: Amplify You: How to Connect More Powerfully in an AI World A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 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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4.3
out of 5
389 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Travis Chappell
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 Travis Chappell
  • Show Website
    Travis Makes Money