In this solo episode, Travis Chappell reflects on some of the most impactful lessons he’s learned after interviewing more than 1,000 guests over nearly a decade of podcasting. Drawing insights from conversations with thought leaders like Ed Mylett, James Clear, Mark Manson, and Nicole LePera, Travis shares the mindset shifts and personal breakthroughs that have shaped his own life and career. From endurance challenges and habit formation to self-awareness and relationships, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and powerful personal stories.

On this episode we talk about:

Top 3 Takeaways

Notable Quotes

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In this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis Chappell and producer Eric play a fast-paced game of “This or That,” diving into some of the biggest debates in entrepreneurship, investing, and wealth-building. From buying vs. renting and high-ticket offers to personal branding and business partnerships, Travis shares nuanced takes shaped by interviewing over 1,000 successful entrepreneurs. Along the way, the conversation mixes practical business wisdom with hilarious tangents about HOAs, basketball hoops, Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes, and the realities of building a meaningful life and career.

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Attorney Ryan is a workers’ rights lawyer, former firefighter, and author of Get It in Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Your Rights at Work. Known online for his practical legal advice and relatable approach, Ryan has built a massive following by helping everyday workers understand labor laws, negotiate better outcomes, and avoid getting taken advantage of at work. In this episode, he shares hard-earned lessons from both the fire service and the courtroom, breaks down common workplace misconceptions, and explains why protecting your paycheck is one of the smartest financial moves you can make.

On this episode we talk about:

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In this solo episode, Travis Chappell breaks down the current state of podcast guesting and whether it’s still worth your time as a marketing strategy in 2026. Drawing from his experience hosting more than 1,700 podcast episodes, appearing on 500+ shows himself, and building a multi-million dollar podcast booking agency and software company, Travis shares the real pros and cons of podcast guesting today. He explains why the strategy has evolved, how entrepreneurs can use podcast appearances to build authority and relationships, and why even smaller niche shows can create massive business opportunities.

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On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis and producer Eric dive into the surprising $2 billion sale of Nothing Bundt Cakes and unpack what it says about franchising, private equity, branding, and scaling a simple business model into a nationwide empire. Along the way, they debate whether private equity ruins beloved brands, swap stories about junk food cravings, cake shakes, and Vegas dessert spots, and explore why some businesses become cultural staples while others disappear overnight. It’s a fun conversation filled with business lessons hiding inside frosting and franchise fees.

On this episode we talk about:

Connect with Travis:

Instagram: @TravisChappell

Other: travischappell.com

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Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

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What if the fastest way to get a “yes”… is to stop asking for it?

In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with legendary FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss to challenge one of the most ingrained habits in communication: chasing agreement. Instead, Chris introduces a counterintuitive approach—go for “no”—and explains why it actually builds trust faster, lowers resistance, and leads to better outcomes in both business and everyday life.

Chris breaks down how “yes” has been overused—and even weaponized—leaving people guarded and skeptical. On the flip side, saying “no” makes people feel safe and in control. That subtle psychological shift can completely change the tone of a conversation. You’ll hear practical examples of how to reframe common questions, like swapping “Do you have a minute?” for “Is now a bad time?”—a small tweak that can instantly make people more open and engaged.

The conversation also dives into the power of lowering expectations before making an ask. By “labeling” a request as inconvenient or even ridiculous upfront, you trigger a sense of relief when the actual ask turns out to be reasonable. Chris explains how this taps into natural human wiring—and why, when used ethically, it can strengthen collaboration rather than manipulate it.

Travis and Chris explore how these techniques apply far beyond high-stakes negotiations—from customer service interactions to romantic relationships to everyday moments like ordering dinner or asking for help in a grocery store. At its core, this approach isn’t about winning at someone else’s expense—it’s about creating outcomes where both sides feel understood, respected, and satisfied.

You’ll also hear why preparation matters more than talent in negotiation, how focusing too narrowly on a specific outcome can cause you to miss better opportunities, and why the best negotiators stay flexible across multiple “levers” of value—not just price.

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with traditional sales tactics, struggled to ask for what you want, or wondered how to communicate more effectively without coming across as pushy, this preview will give you a completely new lens on influence and connection.

Hit play to learn why the word “no” might be the most powerful tool you’re not using—and how a simple shift in language can transform the way you negotiate, connect, and build relationships.
**Join the Black Swan Community with Chris Today!**

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Host Travis walks through how to follow up like a pro, respect your guest’s time, and turn a 30‑day DM challenge into real relationships and opportunities. Drawing on over a thousand interviews, he breaks down the mindset, cadence, and etiquette that separate annoying outreach from respected professional persistence.

On this episode we talk about:

Setting a smart follow‑up cadence instead of DMing people every day

The difference between professional persistence and pushy persistence

Respecting time: sticking to the agreed‑upon interview length

Why you should never pitch, sell, or auto‑subscribe guests without permission

How to track outreach, spot patterns, and leverage niche credibility over 30 days

Top 3 Takeaways

Professional persistence wins long term: follow up on a widening cadence so you stay on people’s radar without becoming the annoying person in their inbox.

Honor what you asked for — the time, the purpose, and the boundaries of the conversation — or you’ll lose trust, referrals, and future access to their network.

Focus on inputs you control: five DMs a day for 30 days builds confidence, communication skills, and a real network, even if many people say no or never respond.

Notable Quotes

"Professional persistence wins over time. Pushy persistence wins a little bit, but will piss people off more than it wins."

"You're already asking in your favor. It doesn’t do them much benefit to say yes to you — it does you a lot of benefit."

"You can't control how many people say yes at first, but you can control how many people you reach out to."

Connect with Travis:

Instagram: @TravisChappell

Other: travischappell.com

A Word from Our Sponsors:

Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

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In this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into the business behind entertainment franchises, streaming rights, and why intellectual property can become one of the most valuable assets in media. Using The Walking Dead as the centerpiece of the conversation, they break down how legacy TV shows continue generating hundreds of millions of dollars long after their original run, the economics behind licensing content to streaming platforms like Netflix, and why some media companies struggle even with iconic brands. The conversation also explores storytelling, bingeability, and what creators can learn from both hit and failed entertainment properties.

On this episode we talk about:

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Forbes Riley is a globally recognized communication expert, entrepreneur, and bestselling author known as the “Queen of Pitch.” With more than $2.5 billion in product sales across live television, home shopping, and infomercials, Forbes has built an extraordinary career helping people sharpen their message, boost confidence, and sell more effectively. In this episode, she shares the incredible journey from struggling actress to world-class pitch expert, the lessons she learned from building the iconic SpinGym brand, and how her daughter helped turn her pitching expertise into a multimillion-dollar education company.

On this episode we talk about:

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Travis is a podcast host, interviewer, and creator who’s running a 30-day interview challenge and sharing practical outreach, scheduling, and interview-prep tactics from his experience booking guests and growing a show.

On this episode we talk about:

How to structure DM outreach to get podcast interview yeses

Why short video messages beat long written pitches in DMs

Scheduling and reducing friction (Calendly tips and what not to ask)

Ten to fifteen high-leverage interview questions to use repeatedly

How to use informational interviews to build confidence and get warm intros

Top 3 Takeaways

Use short personalized video DMs and a one-sentence link to your about page to prove legitimacy and avoid wasting the recipient’s time

Don’t over-prepare or wait for a perfect script — send lots of messages, iterate quickly, and systematize what works for you

Make scheduling frictionless (Calendly + minimal form fields), avoid asking guests to do your prep work, and always ask for introductions to scale bookings

Notable Quotes

"The only real question you have to answer in these reach-outs is are you going to waste my time?"

"You can't think your way into becoming the kind of person who reaches out to people who are seemingly out of your league. You reach out your way into becoming that person."

"Don't wait — start doing it. By day seven when you've sent 30 of these things, you will feel wildly more confident."

Connect with Travis:

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

A Word from Our Sponsors:

Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit [www.fanvue.com] today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney]

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at [gohighlevel.com/travis]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices