Travis Makes Money

Travis Chappell

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. 17h ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money by Marketing Better, Not Begging for Attention

    In this fun and insightful roundtable episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer, host of Brands on Brands. The trio dives into a growing trend they call “pity marketing”—using sympathy, disappointment, or public failure to drive attention and sales. From empty book signings to viral “nobody bought my product” posts, they unpack whether this strategy actually works, what it says about your brand, and why creating demand is ultimately a better long-term play. On this episode we talk about: What “pity marketing” is and why it has become a common tactic online The difference between sharing lessons learned and simply asking for sympathy Why marketing—not just creating—is the key to selling books, products, and events How speakers, authors, and creators can stand out in crowded markets Why leading with stories, drama, and audience value works better than begging for attention Top 3 Takeaways Creating something isn’t enough—you have to market it. Building a product, writing a book, or launching an event is only step one; consistent promotion is what brings people through the door. Share lessons, not pity. Audiences connect with stories of growth, experimentation, and improvement far more than they do with public pleas for sympathy. Differentiate yourself by creating value. Whether you're a speaker, creator, or entrepreneur, your audience, expertise, and unique perspective matter more than credentials or manufactured drama. Notable Quotes "If you build it and market the shit out of it, then people will come." "Nobody cares how hard you worked—they care about the value you provide." "If you're sharing the story from the perspective of, 'Here's what I learned,' it feels completely different." Connect with Brandon Birkmeyer: Instagram:  Other:  A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - 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  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 18h ago

    TMF PREVIEW | Make Friends with Ismail Vali

    What if the biggest threat to online gambling isn’t addiction or bad odds—but an invisible criminal economy operating alongside the legal one? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with Ismail Vali, founder of Yield Sec and a global expert on online gambling markets, to reveal how the industry has evolved from a money-laundering target into a massive data business. Drawing on more than two decades of experience working with sportsbooks, poker platforms, regulators, and governments, Ismail explains why the online gambling market is far larger—and far more complicated—than most people realize. The conversation begins with an unforgettable story: Ismail arrives for a job interview in Malta only to watch the company’s offices get raided by police before the interview even begins. That close call opens the door to a broader discussion about how organized crime has infiltrated online gambling, not just to move money, but to collect valuable consumer data that can fuel long-term criminal enterprises. Ismail also debunks one of the internet’s biggest misconceptions: that a VPN is a foolproof way to access gambling sites anonymously. In reality, he explains, modern online betting depends on speed and real-time connectivity, making VPNs far less useful than many people believe. Instead, illegal operators increasingly rely on being discovered in plain sight—through search engines, social media, influencers, and online advertising—right alongside legitimate brands. Travis and Ismail explore why illegal gambling continues to thrive even as more countries and U.S. states regulate the industry. According to Ismail, consumers often don’t distinguish between legal and illegal platforms because they appear in the same digital marketplace. While licensed operators follow strict rules around fairness, consumer protection, and responsible gambling, unregulated sites can ignore those safeguards entirely while still attracting millions of users. The discussion also highlights the surprising economic impact of properly regulated gambling. Ismail argues that when governments successfully police illegal operators, legal markets generate tax revenue that can fund schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and consumer protections—particularly in developing nations where every new source of revenue matters. The challenge isn’t eliminating gambling altogether, he says, but ensuring that the money stays within regulated markets instead of flowing to criminal organizations. You’ll also hear how Ismail’s team uses large-scale behavioral data to estimate global wagering, why he believes the online gambling market exceeds $5.9 trillion annually, and how his predictions for events like the Super Bowl have come remarkably close to the official numbers. If you’ve ever assumed online gambling is simply a choice between different betting apps, this preview offers a fascinating look at the hidden marketplace operating beneath the surface—and why understanding the difference between legal and illegal platforms matters more than ever. Hit play to hear why the future of online gambling may depend less on technology and more on transparency, enforcement, and consumer awareness. Connect with Ismail Vali: - Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ismailvali_/    - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ismailvali_ - Websites: www.yieldsec.com ; ⁠www.gamingcompliance.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - 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  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. 19h ago

    REPOST SOLO | Make Money by Mastering Delayed Gratification

    In this solo episode, Travis dives deep into one of the most powerful success principles he’s observed in hundreds of high-achieving entrepreneurs — delayed gratification. Drawing on lessons from personal experience, top performers like Grant Cardone and Kevin Hart, and timeless studies like the Marshmallow Experiment, Travis breaks down why learning to wait for bigger rewards later can completely change your financial, physical, and personal life. On this episode we talk about: How delayed gratification sets the foundation for lasting success The Marshmallow Test and what it teaches about life outcomes Avoiding the “Jones Effect” and unnecessary spending Why choosing short-term comfort leads to long-term struggle Finding balance between enjoying the present and building for the future Top 3 Takeaways Success often comes down to your ability to delay gratification — trading short-term pleasure for long-term gain. Living below your means today gives you the freedom to live on your terms tomorrow. Balance is key: allow yourself small rewards now while you continue building for future success. Notable Quotes “You can have everything you want — just not now.” “Choosing struggle now gives you control over how your life turns out later.” “If you’re constantly optimizing for pleasure today, you’re sacrificing your peace of mind tomorrow.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: twitter.com/travischappell Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell Website: travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. 1d ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money by Raising Kids with Character, Not Just Class

    Does wealth determine who your kids should be friends with? In this lively roundtable episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer to react to a viral parenting video claiming children shouldn't associate with kids from "broke families." The conversation quickly expands into a thoughtful discussion about parenting, limiting beliefs, character, friendship, and why financial status is a poor measure of someone's values. On this episode we talk about: Reacting to the viral claim that kids shouldn't be friends with children from lower-income families Why character, integrity, and values matter far more than financial status The difference between teaching an abundance mindset and judging people by their wealth How parents can thoughtfully guide their children's friendships without controlling them The importance of exposing kids to empathy, resilience, and diverse life experiences Top 3 Takeaways Character outweighs wealth. Financial success doesn't determine whether someone is a positive influence—values, kindness, and integrity do. Teach confidence, not elitism. Parents should instill healthy beliefs about money without encouraging children to look down on others. Guide instead of controlling. Rather than choosing friends based on income, parents should help kids recognize healthy relationships and positive influences. Notable Quotes "There's some s****y rich kids, some s****y poor kids, and some s****y middle-class kids." "If you're raising your kids with strong values, they're not going to be so easily shifted by one friend's opinions." "I'd be much more worried about my kids becoming rich douchebags than having a friend who doesn't have as much money." Connect with Brandon Birkmeyer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbirkmeyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonbirkmeyer/ Other: https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through July 26, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 1d ago

    INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building a Personal Brand That Creates Opportunities with Dana Flanagan

    Dana Flanagan is a real estate executive, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and branding strategist who helps professionals transform their expertise into influence and scalable business opportunities. After building a successful 25-year career in real estate, Dana expanded into media, business development, and personal brand consulting, showing entrepreneurs how consistent visibility and authentic messaging can attract clients, partnerships, and long-term success. On this episode we talk about: How Dana built her first business as a teenage babysitter and launched a lifelong entrepreneurial journey What it really takes to succeed in real estate—and why most new agents struggle The power of personal branding, visibility, and consistent social media content Why entrepreneurs should focus on one platform before trying to master every social network How authenticity, clear messaging, and niche positioning help businesses stand out in crowded markets Top 3 Takeaways Consistency creates opportunity. Showing up consistently online builds trust, authority, and long-term business growth far more effectively than chasing every new trend. A clear niche attracts better clients. The more specific you are about who you help and the problem you solve, the easier it is for people to recognize you as the obvious choice. Start simple and stay focused. Rather than trying to dominate every platform, pick the channel where your ideal audience spends the most time and commit to mastering it. Notable Quotes "Make today your day one with whatever it is you're doing." "People don't care how great your business is—they want to know what problem you solve for them." "You don't have to overcomplicate business. People overcomplicate business all the time." Connect with Dana Flanagan: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dana-flanagan-a54b618/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaflanaganofficial/ Other: https://danaflanagan.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1 Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through July 26, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. 1d ago

    SOLO | Make Money by Treating Failure as Data, Not Defeat

    Failure isn't the opposite of success—it's often the path to it. In this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis Chappell reflects on the lessons he's learned from interviewing world-class athletes, entrepreneurs, authors, and leaders who have all developed a healthier relationship with failure. Drawing on conversations with guests like Paul Pierce, Bernard Hopkins, Trey Gowdy, Donald Miller, and others, Travis shares why reframing failure as feedback can unlock resilience, better decision-making, and long-term success in business and life. On this episode we talk about: Why successful people view failure as valuable data rather than a final verdict How fear of embarrassment keeps people from pursuing meaningful opportunities Lessons from elite performers including Paul Pierce, Bernard Hopkins, and Trey Gowdy Why entrepreneurs with previous failures often outperform first-time founders Practical ways to make better decisions, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward Top 3 Takeaways Failure is feedback, not identity. The most successful people separate failing at something from being a failure, allowing them to learn, adapt, and improve. Fear of embarrassment is often more limiting than fear of failure. Worrying about what others think can prevent you from taking the very actions that lead to growth and fulfillment. Experience compounds through setbacks. Every failure provides lessons that improve judgment, resilience, and decision-making, making future success more likely. Notable Quotes "Failure is just information. It's feedback. It's data." "You either win or you learn—there is no losing." "Don't allow the fear of failure or the fear of embarrassment to dictate your life." Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through July 26, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. 2d ago

    CO-HOST | Make Money by Avoiding Financial Guilt and Thinking Critically About Giving

    In this roundtable episode, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer of Brands on Brands for a thoughtful—and often hilarious—discussion about money, generosity, and financial advice. Using viral clips of pastors discussing tithing as a jumping-off point, they explore the ethics of financial messaging, the dangers of guilt-based persuasion, and why context matters when giving financial advice. On this episode we talk about: The difference between healthy generosity and guilt-driven financial messaging Why financial advice should account for individual circumstances instead of one-size-fits-all rules The similarities between church fundraising, business marketing, and high-ticket sales tactics How emotional persuasion can influence financial decisions for better or worse Why balanced, nuanced advice almost always beats extreme viewpoints Top 3 Takeaways Financial advice should always consider a person's unique circumstances—what works for one individual may be harmful for another. Giving should come from generosity and shared purpose, not fear, shame, or pressure. Whether you're a business, nonprofit, or church, honest communication builds more trust than manipulative marketing tactics. Notable Quotes "There's always a balanced approach. Typically, the people preaching one end or the other of the polarity are usually the ones who are incorrect." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank." "I'm not telling everybody here to go take out a bunch of credit cards... I'm saying that's what worked for me." Connect with Brandon Birkmeyer: LinkedIn: https://www.facebook.com/bbirkmeyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonbirkmeyer/ Other: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandsonBrands A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through July 26, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 2d ago

    INTERVIEW | Make Money with Infinite Banking and Passive Income, feat. Anthony Faso and Cameron Christensen

    Anthony Faso and Cameron Christensen are the founders of Infinite Wealth Consultants and hosts of the Infinite Wealth Podcast. Anthony, a U.S. Army veteran, former CFO, and recovering CPA, and Cameron, a longtime entrepreneur, have spent nearly two decades helping investors and business owners build wealth outside of traditional Wall Street strategies. In this episode, they break down the Infinite Banking Concept, explain how entrepreneurs can use leverage more effectively, and share the lessons they learned from betting on themselves to build their own business. On this episode we talk about: How Anthony and Cameron transitioned from traditional finance to building their own firm Why passive income changed Anthony's perspective on wealth creation The risks and rewards of leaving a secure job to become an entrepreneur How the Infinite Banking Concept works using specially designed whole life insurance policies When leveraging your own capital can accelerate investing and passive income generation Top 3 Takeaways Passive income creates freedom because your money can continue working even when you're not trading time for dollars. Entrepreneurship often requires taking calculated risks, but betting on your own skills can provide greater long-term security than relying on an employer. Infinite banking isn't about buying life insurance for the death benefit—it's about strategically using policy cash value as leverage while allowing your capital to continue compounding. Notable Quotes "The first time I got passive income... my money was making its own money." "If you want to go fast, go by yourself. If you want to go far, take somebody with you." "The biggest form of security is your own ability to go generate something from nothing." Connect with Anthony Faso & Cameron Christensen: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/InfiniteWealthConsultants Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinitewealthconsultants/ Other (Free Resource): https://infinitewealthconsultants.com/travismakesmoney Podcast: https://infinitewealthpodcast.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplies last.  - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through July 26, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4.3
out of 5
388 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.

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