Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

August 30INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building a Personal Brand and Leading with Trust with Keith Wyche
Keith Wyche is a veteran Fortune 500 executive with four decades of senior leadership experience at companies including AT&T, IBM, Pitney Bowes, and Walmart. He currently serves as an independent director on the boards of Brinks and Internet Sciences and is the bestselling author of Uncommon Leadership, a blueprint for restoring integrity, trust, and people-centered leadership. In this episode, Keith shares lessons from his corporate career, explains what it really takes to climb the corporate ladder, and breaks down why performance alone isn't enough to succeed.
On this episode we talk about:
The sales and mentorship lessons Keith learned early in his career

Why performance is only 50% of the equation for career advancement—and why exposure and perception matter

How to intentionally build a personal brand and become known for adding value

The importance of networking, relationships, and having people who can advocate for you

Keith's leadership philosophy of competency, character, and consistency
Top 3 Takeaways
Your performance isn't the whole career equation. Keith explains that performance accounts for roughly 50% of professional success, while exposure and perception make up the other half. You need people to know who you are, what you bring to the table, and what you are known for.

You already have a personal brand—build it intentionally. Whether you realize it or not, people have associations with you. Decide what you want to be known for and consistently reinforce that reputation through your actions and relationships.

Trust is built through competency, character, and consistency. Keith's formula for earning trust requires all three. Being charismatic isn't enough; effective leaders create followership by consistently demonstrating competence and character.
Notable Quotes
"We all have a brand whether we realize it or not."

"The equation to develop and earn trust from people is three things: competency times character times consistency."

"Nobody, Travis, breaks through that glass ceiling on their own. Somebody who's already on the other side has to see you, recognize your value, and pull you through."
Connect with Keith Wyche:
LinkedIn: Keith Wyche

Instagram: @therealkeithwyche

Substack: Keith R. Wyche

Other: KeithWyche.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
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23 min
August 30SOLO | Make Money by Understanding Context, part 2
In this solo episode, Travis breaks down the hidden cognitive costs of living in a short-form, scroll-heavy world. Building on the idea of context, he explores how constant “context switching” from rapid-fire clips is quietly eroding memory, focus, and decision-making. Backed by emerging research and real-life examples, Travis explains why this isn’t just about distraction—it’s about protecting your brain, your judgment, and ultimately your ability to make money.
On this episode we talk about:
How rapid “context switching” from short-form content damages your brain

The link between scrolling habits and declining memory, focus, and productivity

Why out-of-context content is one of the most powerful forms of misinformation

How false ideas stick in your brain—and why corrections often fail to fix them

The real-world consequences of poor context on money, relationships, and decision-making
Top 3 Takeaways
Constant scrolling and context switching weaken your memory, focus, and ability to follow through on intentions.

Out-of-context clips aren’t harmless—they’re one of the most effective ways misinformation spreads and sticks.

Your ability to focus and think deeply is becoming a rare (and highly valuable) advantage in today’s economy.
Notable Quotes
"Your brain isn’t built to jump between 15-second stories all day—it comes at a cost."

"The lie gets a head start, and the truth shows up late and out of context."

"Focus is the superpower of this decade—and distraction is the enemy of success."
Connect with Travis:
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/travischappell⁠

Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com

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17 min
August 29CO-HOST | Make Money by Building a Business You’re Proud Of
On this special co-host episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis and Eric are joined by Jackie, Travis's wife. Jackie is the owner-operator of an Everbowl franchise and a first-time business owner navigating the realities of running a brick-and-mortar food business. With a strong background in operations and systems, she shares what entrepreneurship has taught her about hiring, staffing, financial management, margins, and building something that feels truly her own.
On this episode we talk about:
What changes when you go from working for someone else to owning a business

The unexpected anxiety of being responsible for an open store every day

Why hiring and employee turnover are among the toughest parts of operating a small business

How one- to two-minute video submissions help screen job applicants and encourage self-selection

The steep learning curve of P&Ls, payroll-related reporting, taxes, insurance, and state-specific compliance

Why embracing turnover and overhiring can make staffing more manageable

The importance of protecting margins—and why drinks can be more profitable than prepared food

What Jackie would look for in her next business, including higher-margin service-based opportunities
Top 3 Takeaways
Owning a business offers freedom, but it also means the responsibility never completely turns off. Build systems and staffing plans that keep the business from depending on you for every shift.

Require a simple video submission early in the hiring process. It filters out low-intent applicants and gives you a faster sense of a candidate’s communication skills and energy.

Great employees may eventually outgrow entry-level roles. Rather than trying to hold them back, create flexible schedules for strong team members and plan for consistent turnover.
Notable Quotes
“It’s been the first thing that has been mine that I feel like I’m proud of—that I’ve taken ownership of.”

“The hiring process is just the most draining part.”

“If you’re doing life right, you’re not working for me long term.”

“When you said… embrace the turnover, that’s the biggest thing I’ve tried to do.”
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: Everbowl
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

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30 min
August 29INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Every Career Pivot Into a Skill Stack with Kourtney Moore
Kourtney Moore is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, mother of four, advocate, and community builder working at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and human connection. She is the co-founder and CEO of the Missing Piece App, a resource directory and EHR platform helping families with children on the autism spectrum find diagnosis, treatment, and community resources. Kourtney is also a doctoral engineering student specializing in AI and machine learning and hosts the Warrior Her podcast. Her entrepreneurial journey has taken her from working multiple jobs and learning sales in an unexpected environment to building businesses, working in tech sales, and ultimately creating a mission-driven technology company.
On this episode we talk about:
How Kourtney's first experience with sales and entrepreneurship came from working as a shot girl and learning how to sell, market, and understand profit

Why experimenting with different jobs and career paths can help you discover your strengths and build a unique skill stack

What Kourtney learned from her failed $30,000 CrossFit gym and how those mistakes shaped her approach to business and partnerships

How her experiences in healthcare, ABA, sales, and technology eventually led to the creation of the Missing Peace App

Why building a mission-driven business makes it easier to navigate challenges, rejection, and the uncertainty of entrepreneurship
Top 3 Takeaways
You don't have to have your entire career figured out. Trying different jobs, industries, and experiences can help you identify the skills and interests you want to carry forward.

Build a skill stack from your experiences. Kourtney's background in sales, marketing, staffing, leadership, healthcare, and technology all eventually became valuable pieces of her entrepreneurial journey.

Find something you genuinely care about. Kourtney learned that making money isn't enough to keep her committed to a business. When the mission is personal, she's much more willing to push through the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship.
Notable Quotes
"I really never thought of it because I wasn't really exposed to anybody that was an entrepreneur."

"I fully immerse myself and then when I realize this is not for me, it's like let's pivot to the next thing."

"It doesn't matter how much money is possibly gonna be made if I don't actually care about it."
Connect with Kourtney Moore:
LinkedIn: Kourtney Moore

Other: The Missing Piece App
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
33 min
August 29SOLO | Make Money by Understanding Context, part 1
In this solo episode, Travis dives deep into a topic he’s been reflecting on for years: the importance of context in a world dominated by short-form, out-of-context content. Drawing from personal notes, observations, and research, he breaks down how “clip culture” is shaping the way we think, judge, and remember—and why developing a discipline around context might be one of the most valuable skills you can build today.
On this episode we talk about:
What “context” really means and why it’s essential for understanding information

How short-form content and “clip culture” distort meaning and fuel misinformation

The way your brain fills in missing context—and why that can lead to false conclusions

How context influences memory, perception, and decision-making

Practical ways to build “context discipline” in a fast-paced digital world
Top 3 Takeaways
Your brain is wired to crave context—when it’s missing, it automatically fills in the gaps, often with bias.

Short-form, out-of-context content can distort reality, leading to misinterpretation, poor judgment, and false memories.

Developing a habit of seeking full context before forming opinions gives you a major edge in a world driven by quick reactions.
Notable Quotes
"If you don't control context, somebody else is going to control the conclusions that you come to."

"Your brain doesn’t just accept missing context—it fills it in, and that’s where the trouble starts."

"We live in a world that runs on 10-second clips, but your brain was built for full stories."
Connect with Travis:
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/travischappell⁠

Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16 min
August 28CO-HOST | Make Money by Mastering the Fundamentals Before Breaking the Rules
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into a lesson that applies to entrepreneurship, content creation, and virtually any other craft: master the fundamentals before trying to reinvent the game. Inspired by a discussion about writer David Sedaris, they explore why success often comes from consistency, learning from others, consuming great work, and staying in the game long enough for momentum to compound. They also discuss examples from podcasting and content creation, including Zach Justice and John Lee Dumas, and emphasize the importance of understanding the rules before you try to break them.
On this episode we talk about:
Why you should master the fundamentals of your craft before trying to do things differently

How studying and consuming great work can make you better at creating your own

Why you don't need to be a trailblazer to become an outlier

How consistency and longevity can create the "hockey stick" effect in business and content creation

Why learning the rules first gives you more freedom to eventually break them
Top 3 Takeaways
Master the fundamentals before trying to innovate. If you're just starting out, spend most of your time learning the language, rules, and skills of your chosen field before attempting to reinvent it.

Consistency can be more powerful than novelty. Many successful people don't constantly chase the next big idea—they stay in the game, continue doing the work, and eventually benefit from years of accumulated momentum.

Consume what you want to create. Reading, watching, and studying excellent work helps you understand what works and identify opportunities to create something you wish already existed.
Notable Quotes
"You don't know how to do it the way they do it."

"You gotta learn the fundamentals and master the basics before you can start playing with it."

"Once that boulder starts rolling, it's a lot harder to stop it than it is to get it going."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Website: travischappell.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell
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
23 min
August 28INTERVIEW | Make Money Selling on Amazon, Whatnot, and Simple Physical Products with Stephen Somers
Stephen Somers is the founder of Marketplace Superheroes, an online education company that has helped more than 10,000 people build side incomes by selling on Amazon and Whatnot. After starting his career as a data processor in Dublin, Ireland, Stephen built a multi-seven-figure Amazon business alongside his sister and CEO, Lisa Summers. Today, he has sold more than $40 million worth of products, coaching, software, and services and has recently helped his team generate nearly $500,000 in trading card sales on Whatnot. In this episode, Stephen shares how he escaped the traditional 9-to-5 path, built a successful online business, and found new opportunities in live-commerce marketplaces.
On this episode we talk about:
Why Stephen chose entrepreneurship after realizing the traditional career path wasn't for him

How he got his start selling physical products on eBay and Amazon with almost no startup capital

Why you don't need to invent a groundbreaking idea to build a successful business

How entrepreneurs can find opportunities by getting better at one specific part of an established business model

How Whatnot's live-shopping and auction model works and how Stephen's team is making money selling Pokémon trading cards
Top 3 Takeaways
You don't need a revolutionary idea to make money. Some of the best businesses are built around simple, established products or services with one part of the process executed exceptionally well.

Marketplaces can eliminate some of the hardest parts of starting a business. Selling through platforms like Amazon and Whatnot gives entrepreneurs access to customers who are already looking to buy, allowing them to focus on sourcing products and selling effectively.

Entrepreneurship is ultimately about buying yourself more choice. Stephen views financial success less as accumulating money and more as creating the freedom to decide how he spends his time, works, and lives.
Notable Quotes
"The best businesses are actually like just really obvious crap that you just do it a bit better."

"We're trying to buy choice as well. And we're trying to trade so we can get choices."

"You don't have to go out and reinvent the wheel. You just have to, you know, put a different spoke on it."
Connect with Stephen Somers:
Website: MarketplaceSuperHeroes.com

YouTube: Marketplace Superheroes

Instagram: @StephenJSomers
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
28 min
August 27CO-HOST | Make Money: Why Starting a Podcast Can Open Doors You Never Expected
Travis Chappell and producer Eric go behind the scenes of Eric’s increasingly unexpected podcasting journey, from initially hoping to attract just 1,000 listeners and three guests to landing documentary and television opportunities, a book deal, and interviews with people he never expected to meet. The two break down why podcasting can be valuable even when it doesn’t generate direct revenue—and why consistency, relationships, credibility, and simply staying in the game can create opportunities that view counts alone can't measure.
On this episode we talk about:
How Eric's podcast led to documentary series appearances, a television opportunity, and a book deal

Why the biggest benefits of podcasting often come from opportunities and relationships rather than direct revenue

How consistently creating content can lead to unexpected connections, dream guests, and career opportunities

Why creators shouldn't judge their podcast solely by downloads, views, or immediate financial returns

The importance of surviving long enough to outlast the competition and capitalize on opportunities
Top 3 Takeaways
Think beyond direct revenue. A podcast can generate money indirectly through relationships, clients, credibility, media opportunities, partnerships, and exposure to entirely new audiences.

Consistency creates opportunities. You don't know which episode, guest, connection, or piece of content will eventually lead to something significant. The key is continuing long enough for those opportunities to find you.

Don't quit because the numbers aren't impressive yet. Many successful creators spent years producing content before their major breakthrough. Viewership is only one measure of success, and sometimes the most valuable returns aren't visible in analytics.
Notable Quotes
"The doors it can open are insane."

"You don't have to be a big podcast to get a dream guest."

"I'm a huge fan of stuff where you just have to all you have to do is just survive."
Connect with Travis:
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
27 min
August 27INTERVIEW | Make Money: Build a Five-Tool Team to Make Better Decisions with Dr. Ricardo Valerdi
Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is an engineer, social entrepreneur, sports scientist, and engineering professor at the University of Arizona who specializes in helping teams think clearly and make better decisions. His work has helped organizations including SpaceX, the U.S. Army, Major League Baseball, and the NCAA, while his nonprofit, Science of Sport, has used sports to teach STEM concepts to more than 700,000 students. He’s also the author of The Five Tool Team, a practical framework for building teams that make smarter, more confident decisions.
On this episode we talk about:
How sports and data-driven decision-making can work together to create better outcomes

Using baseball to teach kids math, science, and the importance of understanding data

How confirmation bias and personal preferences can lead to poor financial and business decisions

Why you should focus on controlling your decisions rather than the outcomes you can't control

The “Five Tool Team” framework and why the best decision-making teams combine people with different strengths
Top 3 Takeaways
Don't let desire create blind spots. Whether you're choosing a baseball player or making a business decision, personal preferences can cause you to focus only on information that supports what you already want. Look at the full set of data before making the decision.

Control the controllables. You can't control every outcome, but you can control the quality of your decisions and the actions you take. Focus on what you can influence and accept that luck and circumstances will always play a role.

Build teams that complement your weaknesses. You don't have to possess every skill required to make great decisions. Ricardo's Five Tool Team framework—focus, look, analyze, scrutinize, and humanize—emphasizes bringing together people whose strengths fill the gaps in your own abilities.
Notable Quotes
"Desire creates blind spots."

"Ultimately what changes your life is the decisions that you make with the card that you are dealt."

"If you do that one thing the best than anybody else can do it, you can hit a grand slam."
Connect with Dr. Ricardo Valerdi:
Website: RicardoValerdi.com

Book: The Five Tool Team

Other: Science of Sport
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
25 min
August 26CO-HOST | Make Money in the Creator Economy as YouTube and Netflix Battle for Top Talent
Travis Chappell and producer Eric break down YouTube’s reported push to offer millions of dollars to top creators in exchange for exclusive content, as the platform responds to Netflix and other companies increasingly competing for creator talent. They discuss what this escalating competition means for creators, whether platforms should invest more money in emerging channels instead of only the biggest names, and how changing monetization models could shape the future of the creator economy.
On this episode we talk about:
Why YouTube is reportedly offering millions of dollars to top creators for exclusive content

How competition between YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms benefits creators

Whether social platforms should invest more money in smaller and emerging creators instead of concentrating it among the biggest names

The challenges of content moderation and the lack of nuance in AI-driven platform policies

How the line between Hollywood productions and independent creators continues to disappear
Top 3 Takeaways
Competition can create more opportunities for creators. As YouTube, Netflix, and other platforms compete for audiences and top talent, creators have more leverage and potentially more ways to monetize their work.

Investing downstream could create the next generation of top creators. Instead of putting millions exclusively into established stars, platforms could use milestone-based bonuses, higher RPMs, or creator funds to incentivize the thousands of creators working to build their audiences.

The creator economy is increasingly competing with Hollywood. As creators produce increasingly sophisticated content and audiences consume it alongside traditional entertainment, the distinction between a YouTube production and a Hollywood production is becoming less meaningful.
Notable Quotes
“The good part about capitalism and competition is that people get rewarded for their hard work more because there's competitors in the space that are coming in to try to scoop up other people.”

“You have to go where the audience is ultimately and if there's more audience on YouTube then people are gonna continue to upload there.”

“The line between Hollywood productions and creators using their iPhone is just getting more blurred and blurred and blurred.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Podcast: Travis Makes Money

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
23 min

About Travis Makes Money

From the publisher's feed

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…