Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

August 12INTERVIEW | Make Money Without Making Money the Goal with Bill Hoogterp
Bill Hoogterp is the founder and CEO of LifeHikes, a global experiential learning and human performance company that helps people and organizations unlock greater confidence, communication, and leadership. He has trained more than one million people across 1,200 organizations in 47 countries and has coached executives, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders from companies including Meta, Google, LinkedIn, and OpenAI. Bill also co-founded Do Something and what became Raptive, making his journey from living on virtually no income to building successful businesses especially unique.
On this episode we talk about:
Bill’s unusual journey from intentionally making zero dollars to becoming a successful entrepreneur

The transition from nonprofit work to building for-profit businesses and why scaling behavior is similar in both worlds

The relationship between money, happiness, impact, and personal fulfillment

How to determine your own financial “number” instead of chasing wealth because of societal expectations

Why continuous learning and personal growth should continue long after you leave school

The power of asking better questions and learning to approach problems from different perspectives

Why trying to accomplish everything alone can hold you back
Top 3 Takeaways
Define what “enough” means for you. Instead of endlessly chasing more money, determine the amount you actually need to support the lifestyle you want, celebrate reaching it, and then decide what you want to pursue next.

Keep reinventing yourself. Your goals and priorities should evolve as you move through different stages of life. Don't assume that graduating, retiring, or reaching a certain age means you've stopped learning and growing.

Stop trying to do everything alone. Success often comes from combining individual initiative with the support, knowledge, and resources of other people. Find others who are working toward similar goals and build together.
Notable Quotes
“Happiness doesn't link to more money, but the challenge of building things is what gives you happiness.”

“Don't connect the complete money to your identity. That's where people get in trouble.”

“Almost all of our failures are because we think we should [do it alone].”
Connect with Bill Hoogterp:
LinkedIn: Bill Hoogterp on LinkedIn

Website: LifeHikes

Other: LifeHikes leadership training and executive coaching
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27 min
August 12SOLO | Make Money by Mastering Reaction Management with the BASS Method
Even though this is a solo episode, Travis steps in as your guide through one of the most underrated money-making skills: managing your reactions in a world engineered to keep you emotionally hijacked. Drawing from personal stories, psychology, and stoic philosophy, he walks through his BASS Method—Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share—to help you turn everyday frustrations into opportunities for growth, better relationships, and ultimately better decision-making in life and business.
On this episode we talk about:
How media and marketing are designed to make you feel lonely and “not enough”

Why negativity bias makes certain ads and headlines so effective

The Victoria’s Secret body positivity example and what it reveals about identity and marketing

The BASS Method: Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share (Travis’s reaction management framework)

How to reframe “bad days” and emotional triggers into opportunities for connection and growth
Top 3 Takeaways
Your environment is saturated with negative messaging, but you can reclaim control by intentionally managing your reactions instead of letting emotions run your day.

The BASS Method—take three deep breaths, ask better questions about your feelings, solve from a calm, third-party perspective, and share the win with someone close—helps you build a stronger identity as someone who handles problems with composure.

Most events are neutral; your perception creates the story. Learning to interrogate your feelings in the middle of an emotional spike gives you more power, better relationships, and less unnecessary suffering.
Notable Quotes
“We have to become proficient at distracting ourselves from the distractions.”

“Most events are just events. We have the ability to control whether or not we perceive it to be a good or bad event.”

“Ultimately, nobody else has power over my emotional state except for me.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠https://twitter.com/traviscchappell⁠

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

Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com⁠

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22 min
August 11CO-HOST | Make Money Without Waiting on Politicians to Fix the Economy
Eric, producer of Travis Makes Money, joins Travis for a candid conversation about tariffs, consumer costs, and why small businesses often feel policy changes more sharply than giant corporations. Together, they explore the case for entrepreneurship, innovation, and robotics as longer-term drivers of U.S. manufacturing and economic opportunity.
On this episode we talk about:
How tariffs affect importers, businesses, and ultimately consumer prices

Why tariff refunds may benefit major corporations more than everyday consumers

The disproportionate impact of sudden cost increases on small businesses

Whether U.S. manufacturing can realistically grow without making products unaffordable

How AI, robotics, and entrepreneurship could reshape domestic manufacturing

Why political incentives and business incentives can lead to very different decisions
Top 3 Takeaways
Tariffs may be charged to importers, but businesses often pass those additional costs along to consumers through higher prices.

Large companies can better absorb policy-driven cost shocks, while small businesses may face existential risks when expenses suddenly spike.

Long-term manufacturing growth is more likely to come from efficient innovation—such as robotics and AI—than from policy alone.
Notable Quotes
“Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got some money in the bank.”

“You’re penalizing the people who are taking the risks.”

“The biggest difference between entrepreneur and politician: one has to deliver on the promises.”
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: @travischappell

Website: https://travischappell.com
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23 min
August 11INTERVIEW | Make Money by Redefining Success and Betting on Yourself with Chantell Preston
Chantell Preston has spent more than 25 years building, scaling, and transforming businesses in healthcare. After leaving the corporate world and building her own successful career, she became passionate about empowering women to redefine success on their own terms. She is the author of The Success Lie: Reframing Your Reality to Thrive Personally and Professionally and recently invested in women’s professional sports by purchasing a women’s professional volleyball team in San Francisco. In this episode, Chantell shares how betting on herself, building the right network, and becoming intentional with her time helped her create a career—and life—that actually feels fulfilling.
On this episode we talk about:
Why who you know can be more valuable than what you know—and how to build meaningful relationships

Chantell’s decision to leave the corporate world and build her own healthcare business

The pressure women face to be “perfect” and how to redefine success on your own terms

How saying yes to everything can actually prevent you from reaching your goals

Balancing entrepreneurship, purpose, and family without sacrificing the things that matter most

Why failure and setbacks can become some of your greatest opportunities
Top 3 Takeaways
Bet on yourself and figure things out along the way. You don't have to know everything before taking an opportunity. Sometimes you simply need to put yourself in the right room and trust that you can learn what you need to know.

Define success for yourself. Money and titles can be great goals, but achieving them doesn't necessarily mean you'll feel fulfilled. Get intentional about what success actually means to you and where you want to spend your time.

Focus on quality over quantity with your time. Whether it's your career, relationships, or family, being intentional and emotionally present can matter far more than simply being physically present.
Notable Quotes
“I would bet on myself every day and twice on Saturday so I could figure things out.”

“A yes is a no to something else.”

“If we're not failing, we're not trying hard enough.”
Connect with Chantell Preston:
Instagram: @chantell_preston

Website: ChantellPreston.com

Podcast: Get Real Get Results

Book: The Success Lie: Reframing Your Reality to Thrive Personally and Professionally
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25 min
August 10INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building Relationships That Create Long-Term Value with David Homan
David Homan is the founder and CEO of Orchestrated Connecting, a global community of connectors, as well as Orchestrated Opportunities and SOAR Connect, a startup focused on building authentic relationships at scale. A former nonprofit CEO who was responsible for 85% of his organization’s fundraising, David has built a global network around one core philosophy: create value for others without expecting an immediate return. He shares how generosity, curiosity, vulnerability, and trust can transform networking from a transactional activity into a powerful long-term business strategy.
On this episode we talk about:
How David discovered the long-term financial value of making introductions with no expectation of return

Why the best networking relationships are built over years rather than through quick transactions

The difference between authentic connectors and “collectors” who simply try to accumulate contacts

Why introverts can actually be some of the best networkers

How curiosity, vulnerability, and generosity create deeper relationships and better business opportunities
Top 3 Takeaways
Play the long game with relationships. The most valuable connections often don't produce an immediate return. David emphasizes that meaningful relationship value can take two or more years to materialize.

Give before you ask. Instead of approaching successful or influential people wondering what you can get from them, look for ways to genuinely help them without expecting anything in return.

Prioritize authenticity over posturing. Great networking isn't about working the room, collecting business cards, or knowing the most people. It's about listening, being curious, showing vulnerability, and making people feel heard and trusted.
Notable Quotes
“You have to be more curious to others than they are to you, and you have to be willing to be vulnerable.”

“If you offer help, ask somebody to respond back to you with a written note for what they need. And ninety percent of people are unwilling to do that work.”

“A natural giver is uncomfortable being given to.”
Connect with David Homan:
LinkedIn: David Homan

Instagram: @the_connection_orchestrator on Instagram

Website: DavidHoman.com ; https://orchestratedconnecting.com/

Book: Orchestrating Connection: How to Build Purposeful Community in a Tribal World
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26 min
August 09CO-HOST | Make Money Without Getting Spiritually Hustled
Eric joins Travis in the studio for a candid conversation at the intersection of church culture, tithing, and money. Eric hosts a podcast focused on mental, physical, and sexual abuse in religious environments, bringing a unique mix of survivor advocacy, theological curiosity, and lived experience inside fundamentalist spaces. His ability to dissect heavy topics with humor, clarity, and compassion makes this episode both challenging and incredibly engaging for anyone who’s wrestled with faith, finances, or both.
On this episode we talk about:
The tension between Travis’s “squeaky clean” money brand and Eric’s work in the “shady underworld” of abusive religious environments

Ministries to the homeless and why teaching homeless people to tithe 10% is F-tier financial advice

How some pastors weaponize Old Testament tithing while ignoring other parts of the law

The difference between genuine community generosity and multi-level marketing–style church economics

Manipulative giving sermons, “windows of heaven,” and why telling single moms not to pay their light bill is predatory

Prosperity gospel vs. independent Baptist messaging and how both can end up looking the same in practice

Expository vs. topical preaching, cherry-picking verses, and using the Bible like page nine of Google to prove your point
Top 3 Takeaways
Tithing can be a meaningful personal decision, but when verses are used primarily to benefit the ministry instead of protecting vulnerable people, it’s a red flag—especially for those already financially at risk.

Many church “blessing” stories are actually examples of human community stepping up, not magical financial reciprocity; confusing the two can justify bad financial decisions and spiritual pressure around money.

Any system where paying the pastor comes before paying bills—or where God’s “protection” is framed as conditional on your giving—is less about faith and more about control, and that’s dangerous for both your wallet and your wellbeing.
Notable Quotes
“You’re telling me that a relational loving God is going to withhold protection from his children if they don’t pay him money in order to have that protection?”

“It’s the church operating as a multi-level marketing company—take money from you, then give you business through their network and call it God’s blessing.”

“To suggest that the windows of heaven are closed to you because you paid a bill that you were contractually obligated to pay… that blows my mind.”
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
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33 min
August 09INTERVIEW | Make Money Writing Books, Building a Bootstrapped Business, and Scaling to $80M+ with Chandler Bolt
Chandler Bolt is the founder of selfpublishing.com, a company that has helped thousands of people write and publish books. After dropping out of college to pursue entrepreneurship, Chandler built a successful lawn care and painting business before turning his own experience writing books into a business that has generated more than $80 million in sales. Today, he leads a 55-person company on track to generate $10–11 million in revenue while continuing to expand through media, content, strategic acquisitions, and multiple customer acquisition channels.
On this episode we talk about:
How selling snacks as a kid sparked Chandler’s entrepreneurial journey

Why the best business idea is the one you actually build

How Chandler turned his own experience writing books into selfpublishing.com

Why entrepreneurs should focus on profit, cash flow, and labor efficiency—not just revenue

How Chandler scaled his business to eight figures while staying bootstrapped and profitable

The importance of having multiple customer acquisition channels

How to evaluate coaches, mentors, and online business programs before investing

Why writing a book can create massive leverage for entrepreneurs and business owners

Chandler’s 30-day rough draft strategy for getting a book written

The changing landscape of podcast appearances and paid podcast opportunities
Top 3 Takeaways
The best business is the one you actually build. Chandler learned early that having the “sexiest” business idea means nothing if you never take action. Execution matters more than how exciting the idea looks on paper.

Profit and durability matter more than vanity metrics. Chandler believes revenue can be misleading and emphasizes profitability, cash flow, and labor efficiency. Building a profitable, bootstrapped company can provide far more control and flexibility than chasing growth at all costs.

A book can become a powerful business asset. Writing a book allows entrepreneurs to create something once that can reach thousands or millions of people, establish authority, generate leads, and drive revenue for years. Chandler’s most recent book generated approximately $7 million in sales over 12 months through its strategic connection to his business.
Notable Quotes
“The best business is the one that you actually build.”

“The most dangerous questions that an entrepreneur can ask is ‘What’s new?’ and ‘What’s next?’”

“Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, cash is king.”
Connect with Chandler Bolt:
Website: https://selfpublishing.com/

Book Resources: https://selfpublishing.com/travis

YouTube: Chandler Bolt / selfpublishing.com

Instagram: Chandler Bolt
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1 hr 3 min
August 08 CO-HOST | Make Money By Surviving Bubbles
On this episode, Travis is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a candid, funny, and surprisingly deep breakdown of market bubbles, AI hype, and what regular investors can learn from legends like Ray Dalio and Jeremy Grantham. Eric brings his sharp, comedic perspective while Travis translates hedge fund wisdom into practical rules of thumb for anyone trying to build wealth without getting wrecked by the next “can’t-miss” trend.
**On this episode we talk about:**
* The idea of an AI bubble and why big-name investors think it may trigger an economic downturn
* What makes a “bubble” in markets and how past bubbles like 1929 and the dotcom era actually played out
* The difference between wealth and money, and why being “rich on paper” is not the same as being liquid
* Emotional investing, social proof, and how herd mentality drives people to buy high and sell low
* Why discipline, simple rules, and long-term thinking beat speculation, alt coins, and meme stocks
**Top 3 Takeaways**
1. Bubbles are driven by emotion and hype, not fundamentals, and the same mechanics—easy money, borrowed capital, and rising prices—repeat over and over until they break.
2. Wealth is not the same as money; assets, equity, and access to capital matter, but you can’t spend paper gains without selling, and that comes with real constraints and risks.
3. The investors who win long-term are the ones who stay disciplined, avoid speculation with their core nest egg, and keep betting on assets they believe will be worth more a decade from now, even through painful cycles.
**Notable Quotes**
* “Wealth is not the same as money.”
* “You still can’t take the emotion out of the human.”
* “Only buy the things that you believe are going to be worth more in a decade from now, and understand that cycles will be a part of that.”
**Connect with Travis:
* Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell
* Other: https://travischappell.com
**A Word from Our Sponsors:**
- 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

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27 min
August 08INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Your Corporate Experience Into Your Second Act with Bonnie Schutz
Bonnie Schutz spent nearly three decades as a corporate executive assistant before deciding to bet on herself at 48 and build a business of her own. She is now the founder and CEO of Tandem Resource Solutions, a remote administrative support and recruiting firm, host of Delegate to Elevate, and founder of Preferred Service Pros, a vetted B2B service provider directory. In this episode, Bonnie shares how networking helped her land her first clients, how she overcame imposter syndrome, and why the skills you already have may be more valuable than you realize when starting a business.
On this episode we talk about:
How Bonnie left a 30-year corporate career at 48 to become an entrepreneur

Why networking and never burning bridges helped her land her first clients and grow her business

How she overcame imposter syndrome and stopped defining herself by her former corporate role

Turning transferable skills from an executive assistant career into a successful virtual assistance and recruiting agency

Why investing in communities and surrounding yourself with people who are further ahead can dramatically accelerate your growth

How Bonnie's podcast led to the creation of Preferred Service Pros and helped build her personal brand
Top 3 Takeaways
Your past experience can become the foundation for your next business. Skills you've developed in a traditional career can often be transformed into consulting, recruiting, training, speaking, or service-based opportunities.

Relationships can create opportunities years after you build them. Bonnie's decision to maintain relationships and never burn bridges gave her a network of successful people who were willing to refer clients, offer advice, and help her navigate entrepreneurship.

Don't let imposter syndrome decide what's possible for you. Bonnie didn't have to become a completely different person to succeed. She built confidence by taking chances, finding her people, and gradually realizing that her experience gave her more capability than she had initially recognized.
Notable Quotes
"I never burned bridges."

"Sometimes it's a bit of delayed gratification. But if you just stick to it and have a little perseverance and stay continuously talking and building the relationships, that's what's always worked for me."

"My tip would be think about the corporate skills that you have or had and how they can become consulting, they can be services, recruiting, training, speaking, all the things. And just do it."
Connect with Bonnie Schutz:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnieschutzea/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonavitch6886/

Other: Preferred Service Pros — preferredservicepros.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
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24 min
August 07CO-HOST | Make Money by Finding Opportunities in a Broken Healthcare System
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric dive into one of the most frustrating financial realities for American families: the cost and complexity of healthcare. They discuss the tradeoffs of health insurance, enormous hospital bills, high deductibles, navigating medical providers, and why even people with insurance can struggle to access the care they need. The conversation also explores how entrepreneurs could create more transparent, consumer-friendly healthcare businesses by eliminating unnecessary middlemen and bringing more competition and simplicity to the industry.
On this episode we talk about:
The rising cost of health insurance and whether traditional insurance provides enough value for healthy people

Why medical bills can vary dramatically and how hospitals approach uninsured patients versus insurance companies

The complicated process of navigating healthcare providers, insurance networks, diagnoses, and treatment

How entrepreneurs are creating more transparent alternatives to traditional healthcare models

Why healthcare's inefficiencies could represent a major opportunity for entrepreneurs willing to build better systems
Top 3 Takeaways
Insurance is ultimately about protecting against catastrophic events. While paying premiums can feel wasteful when you're healthy, unexpected illnesses or major medical events can create financial consequences that are impossible to predict.

Look for inefficiencies where people are already frustrated. Healthcare is filled with complicated processes, intermediaries, and confusing pricing, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs who can make the experience simpler and more transparent.

The best businesses can solve problems while creating value for consumers. Travis and Eric discuss how entrepreneurs entering healthcare could use transparency, competition, and fewer middlemen to build better alternatives to the existing system.
Notable Quotes
"It's only the disasters that make the insurance worth having."

"This whole thing needs a complete reinvention."

"I hope for more benevolent entrepreneurs that go in the space."
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:
- 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

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28 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…