Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

May 22INTERVIEW | Make Money by Leading Through Crisis with Buddy Clay
Buddy Clay is the founder and CEO of New Hope Healthcare Institute, a behavioral health and addiction recovery facility based in Knoxville, Tennessee. After being diagnosed with stage three melanoma at 32 and then facing a stage four recurrence just a few years later, Buddy chose a holistic healing journey while continuing to lead and grow his company. He shares the lessons he learned about leadership, purpose, community, and resilience in his book Built in the Fire: Two Battles at Once. In this episode, Buddy opens up about building a business during uncertainty, battling cancer, and creating meaningful impact through addiction recovery and mental health services.
On this episode we talk about:
Buddy’s journey from aspiring professional basketball player to entrepreneur

How a cancer diagnosis changed his perspective on business and life

Building New Hope Healthcare Institute from the ground up

Why community is essential for addiction recovery and mental health

The leadership lessons Buddy learned from being forced to step away from his business during treatment
Top 3 Takeaways
A major health crisis can force clarity around what truly matters in life, business, and relationships.

Strong leadership means building systems and teams that can thrive even when you need to step away.

Community and connection are critical for recovery, mental health, and long-term fulfillment.
Notable Quotes
“There’s nothing like a cancer diagnosis to completely shift your priorities.”

“The opposite of addiction is community.”

“I was forced to trust my team — and they exceeded everything I hoped they could become.”
Connect with Buddy Clay:
Website: BuddyClay.com

Company: New Hope Healthcare Institute

Book: Built in the Fire: Two Battles at Once
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investor Community

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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24 min
May 22SOLO | Make Money with Lessons from 1,000+ Podcast Guests
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:
Why “extremity expands capacity” and how pushing limits builds confidence

The life lessons Travis learned while running 38 miles with almost no preparation

Why habits matter more than goals when creating long-term success

How improving your relationship with yourself impacts every other relationship

Why personal growth naturally changes the people and relationships around you
Top 3 Takeaways
Pushing yourself through extreme challenges can permanently expand what you believe you’re capable of achieving.

Long-term success comes from building consistent habits, not obsessing over massive goals.

Personal transformation changes your relationships naturally — growth often starts with improving yourself first.
Notable Quotes
“Extremity expands capacity.”

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your habits.”

“The confidence of figuring something out is more important than the confidence of actually doing the thing.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Website: TravisChappell.com

Instagram: @travischappell
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investments

Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – 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 today. gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min
May 21CO-HOST | Make Money with This or That: Real Estate, Business Partners, Personal Brands & More
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.
On this episode we talk about:
Buying real estate vs. renting and how to evaluate a good deal

Whether entrepreneurs should stay solo or bring on business partners

Why high-ticket offers are often the fastest path to sustainable income

The pros and cons of building a personal brand vs. a faceless company

How to balance business success, fulfillment, family, and long-term impact
Top 3 Takeaways
High-ticket offers generally make scaling easier because they require fewer customers, better cash flow, and lower customer acquisition pressure.

A strong business partner can dramatically accelerate growth, but the wrong partnership can create massive problems—choose carefully.

Personal branding can create long-term leverage and future-proof opportunities, but it’s not required for success and shouldn’t come at the expense of your health or family.
Notable Quotes
“It’s always good to buy if it’s a good deal.”

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

“Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got money in the bank.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

LinkedIn: Travis Chappell

Website: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investments

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
25 min
May 21INTERVIEW | Make Money by Protecting Your Paycheck with Attorney Ryan
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:
Why understanding labor laws is critical for building long-term wealth

Common workplace violations employees don’t realize are illegal

How toxic work environments and bad bosses can derail your career

Ryan’s transition from firefighter to workers’ rights attorney

How social media helped Ryan grow his law practice and educate millions online
Top 3 Takeaways
Your paycheck is your biggest wealth-building tool, so learning how to protect it is just as important as learning how to invest.

Many employees — and employers — don’t fully understand labor laws, which leads to unpaid overtime, wage theft, and unhealthy work expectations.

Reinvention requires humility. Ryan’s success came from being willing to start over, stay curious, and continuously learn new skills.
Notable Quotes
“No one teaches you the rules to the most important game you’ll ever play — your career.”

“Hard work has no intrinsic value if it’s not actually getting you where you want to go.”

“Ego is your enemy. The moment you stop seeing yourself as a student, you stagnate.”
Connect with Attorney Ryan:
Instagram: @AttorneyRyan on Instagram

TikTok: @AttorneyRyan on TikTok

YouTube: Ryan Styger on YouTube

Book: Get It in Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Your Rights at Work
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investor Community

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
30 min
May 21SOLO | Make Money with Podcast Guesting
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.
On this episode we talk about:
Why podcast guesting has become more competitive over the last few years

The difference between “needle-moving” podcasts and niche audience podcasts

How podcast appearances improve search visibility and AI discoverability

Building relationships and networking through podcast interviews

Using podcast guest appearances as a scalable content creation strategy
Top 3 Takeaways
Podcast guesting is still valuable, but not always for direct lead generation — authority, search presence, and relationships may be even more important.

Smaller niche podcasts can often outperform large shows when it comes to conversions and highly targeted audiences.

Podcast interviews can become a powerful content engine, allowing entrepreneurs to create clips, blogs, newsletters, and social posts without constantly creating content from scratch.
Notable Quotes
“The demand for podcast guests has only decreased while the supply has increased dramatically.”

“It’s way more about audience crossover than it is about audience size.”

“Podcasting creates more room for engineering serendipity in your life.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Website: TravisChappell.com

Instagram: @travischappell
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investments

Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – 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 today. gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
20 min
May 20CO-HOST | Make Money with Nothing Bundt Cakes
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:
The $2 billion acquisition of Nothing Bundt Cakes and why the valuation shocked Travis and Eric

How private equity firms evaluate food and franchise businesses

Why simple restaurant concepts often scale better than complicated menus

The economics behind franchise royalties, marketing fees, and expansion

Whether acquisitions actually ruin product quality — or if consumers just assume they do

The psychology of dieting, cravings, and moderation when it comes to junk food

Why businesses like Chipotle, Raising Cane's, and Dave's Hot Chicken scale so efficiently

How attention, branding, and operational simplicity create massive enterprise value

The surprising size and reach of the Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise network

Travis and Eric’s favorite cakes, desserts, and Vegas food spots
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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min
May 20 TMF PREVIEW | Make Friends with Chris Voss
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.
Learn from Chris Voss and The Black Swan Group:
Negotiation training and resources: https://www.blackswanltd.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=travismakesmoney
In-person and live training: https://www.blackswanltd.com/live-events?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=travismakesmoney
Online negotiation training: https://www.blackswanltd.com/online-negotiation-classes?utm_source=youtube&utm=social&utm_campaign=travismakesmoney

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min
May 20SOLO | Make Money by Having the Conversations You've Been Avoiding, part 4
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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
20 min
May 19CO-HOST | Make Money with Media IP, Streaming Rights & The Walking Dead
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:
Why AMC is exploring new licensing deals for The Walking Dead

The economics of intellectual property and streaming rights

Why some TV shows become timeless rewatchable hits while others fade away

The differences between bingeable sitcoms and serialized dramas

What creators and entrepreneurs can learn from the unpredictable nature of hit media
Top 3 Takeaways
Intellectual property becomes exponentially more valuable when it gains cultural relevance and long-term audience loyalty.

Even massive production budgets and star actors cannot guarantee success — timing, audience connection, and luck still play major roles.

Companies grow faster when they focus on their core strengths instead of trying to control every piece of distribution themselves.
Notable Quotes
“The currency is attention.”

“You can’t just decide that something’s going to end up like Seinfeld.”

“Having a plan does not mean it’s going to be successful.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

Website: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investor Community

Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – 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 today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
May 19INTERVIEW | Make Money with the Queen of Pitch, Forbes Riley
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:
How Forbes Riley accidentally became one of the most successful TV sales personalities of all time

The story behind building and scaling the SpinGym brand

Why pitching is the most important business skill anyone can develop

How Forbes and her daughter built a million-dollar business through webinars and online education

Why live social shopping and TikTok Shop represent the future of selling online
Top 3 Takeaways
Selling is really about communication and storytelling — the best pitches connect emotionally before they persuade logically.

If you want to become a better entrepreneur, start by selling someone else’s product first to build real sales skills without emotional attachment.

Live commerce and social shopping platforms like TikTok Shop are creating massive opportunities for creators and entrepreneurs who know how to pitch effectively on camera.
Notable Quotes
“A pen like this can touch somebody’s heart.”

“Life happens for you, not to you.”

“If you don’t focus, you don’t scale.”
Connect with Forbes Riley:
Instagram: @ForbesRiley

LinkedIn: Forbes Riley

Website: https://forbesriley.com/

Training: Pitch Secrets Training
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investor Community

Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – 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 today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
45 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…