Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

April 13CO-HOST | Make Money Beyond the Spotlight: Turning Brand and IP Into Assets
In this episode, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into the surprising world of the highest-paid dead celebrities, using a recent Forbes report as a springboard to unpack how estates, brands, and IP keep generating cash long after someone is gone. They break down what Michael Jackson, Dr. Seuss, Pink Floyd, Biggie, Jimmy Buffett, Kobe Bryant, Arnold Palmer, Shaq, and others did with their intellectual property—and what that means for creators, entrepreneurs, and personal brands today. Along the way, they dig into AI, likeness rights, and why owning your own image and work matters more than ever.
On this episode we talk about:
How Michael Jackson turned catalog ownership into hundreds of millions in posthumous earnings

Why Dr. Seuss continues to sell millions of books and land major licensing deals decades after his death

How Pink Floyd, Biggie, Jimmy Buffett, Kobe Bryant, and Arnold Palmer structured exits, brands, and licensing to keep cash flowing

Why IP (intellectual property), catalogs, and name/image/likeness rights are the real long-term assets behind these fortunes

How AI, likeness rights, and “owning yourself” will reshape the future of creative work and personal brands
Top 3 Takeaways
Own your IP and likeness. The biggest long-term winners are the ones who own their catalogs, brands, and name/image/likeness rights, because those assets can be licensed, sold, and repackaged for years.

Build assets, not just income. Touring, projects, and launches are great, but the real wealth comes from building a body of work and brand that can be bundled, sold, or licensed as a catalog over time.

Differentiate yourself in the age of AI. As AI-generated content explodes, the most valuable creators will be the ones doing interesting things in the real world, protecting their rights, and building distinctive voices and experiences that can’t be easily replicated.
Notable Quotes
"Not only was he creating a lot of content, he was owning a ton of content, which is like where the real money is actually made."

"The takeaway is the value of IP—IP seems to be almost publicly undervalued when it is the catalyst for so many of these fortunes."

"If you can still do your own thing and stand out from the crowd, you're going to win long term, whether you're fighting with AI or copycats or whatever that is."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

Other: https://travischappell.com
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
26 min
April 13INTERVIEW | Make Money Turning Your Mess Into a Mission with Wendy Valentine
Wendy Valentine is the author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play, a #1 Amazon new release, creator of the Freedom at Midlife program, and host of the Midlife Makeover Show. After hitting rock bottom—facing divorce, debt, health challenges, and personal loss—Wendy rebuilt her life from scratch, ultimately creating a thriving brand centered around purpose, personal growth, and midlife reinvention. Her story is a powerful example of how turning adversity into action can lead to both fulfillment and financial success.
On this episode we talk about:
How Wendy rebuilt her life after hitting rock bottom and found a new path forward

Why becoming the “person” you want to be matters more than achieving specific goals

The step-by-step journey from corporate job to author, speaker, and entrepreneur

How to land a book deal (and why she turned one down first)

Monetizing a personal brand through podcasting, books, and speaking
Top 3 Takeaways
Focus on who you need to become—not just what you want to achieve—to create lasting change.

You don’t need to start with your dream job; strategic stepping stones can fund and fuel your bigger vision.

Building an audience first (through podcasting or content) is key to successfully launching and monetizing a book or brand.
Notable Quotes
"If I’m going to have to work hard anyway, I might as well choose the road that leads to a better life."

"We focus so much on the what, when, where, and how—but we forget about the who."

"When you give yourself permission to shine, everything starts to fall into place."
Connect with Wendy Valentine:
Substack: https://wendyvalentine.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellowendyvalentine/

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

Other: https://wendyvalentine.com

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
27 min
April 13SOLO | Make Money With a Simple, Effective Morning Routine
On this solo episode, Travis breaks down how to design a realistic, sustainable morning routine that actually supports your energy, focus, and productivity instead of becoming a four-hour checklist you feel guilty about skipping. Drawing from years of experimenting with different habits, he shares what truly moves the needle—especially if you’re a self-described night person who wakes up feeling behind.
On this episode we talk about:
Why over-engineered, four-hour morning routines can hurt your day more than help it.

The core pillars of an effective routine: hydration, sunlight, and movement.

Practical ways to move your body in the morning without being a “gym rat.”

How journaling, meditation, and even cold showers or sauna can support your mental state.

The importance of starting with just one habit and sometimes skipping everything to do your most important work first.
Top 3 Takeaways
An effective morning routine should change your state, not become a rigid box-checking exercise that makes you feel behind or guilty when life happens.

Simple habits like electrolytes and water, getting 15–20 minutes of sunlight, moving your body, and staying off your phone can dramatically improve focus, mood, and sleep.

Start with one habit that makes other habits easier—like waking up at a consistent time—and build from there while remembering that sometimes the best move is to wake up and do your most important work first.
Notable Quotes
"You do not want to have a crazy four-hour long morning routine. It can actually be more detrimental to your day than not having a morning routine at all."

"The entire goal here is not to check boxes. The entire goal is to set yourself up to be in a state that allows you to have a productive and positive day."

"Start with one thing, and make that one thing the thing that makes other things easier once you've accomplished the first thing on the list."
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
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
17 min
April 12CO-HOST | Make Money by Treating Your Budget Like Your Diet
This co-hosted episode features Travis Chappell and producer Eric breaking down a powerful fitness clip from wellness coach and content creator Michael Smoak, then translating it into practical money lessons. Michael, a transformation coach who simplifies health and wellness for busy professionals, shares how raising awareness of “hidden calories” changed his body—and Travis uses the same framework to reveal the “hidden expenses” quietly sabotaging your bank account.
On this episode we talk about:
Why brutal honesty and tracking for 30 days can transform both your diet and your finances.

How “liquid calories” like chai tea lattes mirror financial leaks like fast food, Amazon impulse buys, and constant eating out.

The four stages of competence (from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence) and how they apply to weight loss and money management.

Simple rules like checking labels, checking your bank account, and adding a “cooling-off period” before you eat or spend.

Why accountability, community, and having a more experienced friend or coach dramatically increase your odds of lasting change.
Top 3 Takeaways
Awareness comes first: whether it is calories or cash, tracking everything for a month exposes the real reasons you are gaining weight or staying broke.

Small, “insignificant” choices—daily chai lattes, delivery orders, random Amazon carts—add up to massive results over three to six months, in both your body and your bank account.

Mastery is a progression: if you stick with it, you move from not knowing what you do wrong to being able to “eyeball” food and money decisions automatically, which makes staying fit and financially stable feel much easier.
Notable Quotes
“You’re not just magically getting fatter and your money’s not just magically vanishing—both are the result of daily choices you’re not tracking.”

“If you always have more month at the end of your money, you owe it to yourself to figure out where it’s going.”

“Getting fit isn’t about suffering; it’s about raising your awareness—and the same exact thing is true with your finances.”
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell
Website: https://travischappell.com
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
April 12INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building a Scalable Healthcare Business with Dr. Betsy Dovec
Dr. Betsy Dovec is a world-renowned bariatric surgeon, entrepreneur, and founder of Body by Bariatrics and the Surgical Institute of Central Florida. With over 6,500 weight loss surgeries performed, she’s not only transforming lives through medicine but also redefining how healthcare businesses are built and scaled. Passionate about ending obesity stigma and treating it as a chronic disease, Betsy combines clinical excellence with bold entrepreneurial thinking—making her journey a powerful blueprint for anyone looking to grow wealth through expertise and ownership.
On this episode we talk about:
What bariatric surgery is and how it transforms patients’ lives

Transitioning from hospital-employed surgeon to business owner

The steep learning curve of running a healthcare business (especially billing and revenue cycles)

Building a vertically integrated ecosystem in healthcare

Taking on risk, including a $12M loan to build a surgery center
Top 3 Takeaways
Being great at your craft doesn’t mean you’re ready for business—learning operations, finance, and systems is critical to success.

Owning the full ecosystem (real estate, services, operations) creates scalability, defensibility, and long-term wealth.

Risk is unavoidable—so you might as well take calculated risks that align with your long-term vision and goals.
Notable Quotes
"You either tolerate being an employee—or you make the uncomfortable decision to build something of your own."

"I had to learn fast or I wasn’t going to survive in business."

"There’s no limit now—and that’s what makes it exciting."
Connect with Dr. Betsy Dovec:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdovec

Other: https://bodybybariatrics.com

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
26 min
April 12SOLO | Make Money by Installing Daily Habits That Grow Your Bank Account
This solo episode features Travis Chappell, a veteran podcaster and founder who has helped thousands of people learn the mindset and habits required to earn more. Drawing from his own journey of lifestyle creep, debt awareness, and building multiple income streams, Travis breaks down simple, practical habits anyone can adopt—no degree, big savings, or special skills required—to start moving their bank account in the right direction over the next 3–6 months.
On this episode we talk about:
Why checking your bank account balance daily changes your money awareness and urgency.

How to delay purchases for at least an hour to avoid impulse spending and emotional decisions.

Eating at home to reverse lifestyle creep and stop letting restaurant and delivery bills quietly drain your income.

Going to monthly in‑person events so “the more hands you shake, the more money you make.”

Changing your inputs (podcasts, YouTube, conversations) so your environment pushes you toward earning more.
Top 3 Takeaways
Daily money awareness—like checking your bank balance or using tools such as Rocket Money—keeps your real financial situation in front of you and creates the urgency to go earn more.

Small habits like delaying purchases for an hour and eating at home can quietly free up thousands of dollars a month that you can redirect toward debt payoff and savings.

Your environment and relationships matter: attending monthly events, consuming business content, and talking openly about money with your spouse or close friends increases opportunities and motivation to build the life you want.
Notable Quotes
“What you focus on, you get more of—so put your bank balance in front of your eyes every single day.”

“It’s never been easier to make money, but it’s also never been easier to get distracted and to spend it.”

“The more hands you shake, the more money you make.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

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

Other: Website – https://travischappell.com
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
17 min
April 11CO-HOST | Make Money by Building, Not Bashing (Lessons from Codie Sanchez & Online Critics)
In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric break down a viral clip featuring Codie Sanchez and a critic questioning her business model. What starts as a lighthearted conversation quickly turns into a deeper discussion about attention, credibility, and the growing trend of creators tearing others down online. Travis shares his perspective on why buying “boring businesses” is a powerful path to wealth, and why attacking others—especially when you’re doing the same thing—can ultimately hurt your brand more than help it.
On this episode we talk about:
Why buying small “boring” businesses can be more lucrative than traditional careers

The real reason critics attack successful creators online

How attention (positive or negative) fuels growth and opportunity

The dangers of discrediting others while promoting similar ideas

When criticism crosses the line into unnecessary negativity
Top 3 Takeaways
Attention is the foundation of business—once you have it, you can monetize it.

Tearing others down—especially when you’re in the same space—weakens your own credibility.

You don’t need to praise everyone, but you also don’t need to publicly attack them to succeed.
Notable Quotes
"You don’t have to tear others down in order to build yourself up."

"If nobody knows who you are, you’ll never be able to do business with anybody."

"It’s strange behavior to attack someone who’s doing the exact same thing you’re doing."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

Other: https://travischappell.com

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
26 min
April 11INTERVIEW | Make Money by Leveraging Relationships, Asset Protection, and Entrepreneurial Storytelling with Garrett Sutton
Garrett Sutton is a bestselling author, attorney, and Rich Dad Advisor known for his expertise in asset protection, business structuring, and real estate investing. With decades of experience helping entrepreneurs safeguard and grow their wealth, Garrett has authored multiple influential books and recently co-created a documentary and audiobook on the origin story of ESPN. His unique blend of legal insight, storytelling, and entrepreneurial perspective makes this episode both practical and inspiring for anyone looking to build and protect their financial future.
On this episode we talk about:
The origin story of ESPN and key entrepreneurial lessons from its founding

Why relationships and emotional intelligence (EQ) are critical for success

The importance of asset protection and setting up corporations/LLCs

How storytelling enhances communication in business and law

Lessons learned from real estate investing and avoiding common mistakes
Top 3 Takeaways
Who you know—and how you connect with people—can be more impactful than what you know when it comes to long-term success.

Structuring your business properly and protecting your assets is essential as you grow wealth.

Storytelling is a powerful tool for communicating complex ideas and standing out in business.
Notable Quotes
"Who you are will allow you to meet who you need to know."

"You're not going to meet anybody if you're just staring in your phone."

"The PowerPoint should be secondary—the connection with the audience is what matters."
Connect with Garrett Sutton:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettsutton/

Law: https://sutlaw.com/

Books: on Amazon

Website: https://corporatedirect.com

Documentary: https://tenero.tv

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
April 11SOLO | Make Money by Mastering Real Social Media Growth
In this solo episode, host Travis Chappell breaks down the social media strategies he is actively testing in his own business to grow real, engaged audiences instead of inflated, fake numbers. Drawing from his personal wins and mistakes, as well as lessons from creator friends and mentors like Gary Vaynerchuk and Alex Hormozi, Travis lays out a practical playbook any entrepreneur can use to show up consistently online without feeling fake, overproduced, or trapped on the content treadmill.
On this episode we talk about:
Why buying followers, views, likes, and comments destroys your data, credibility, and long‑term growth.

How to use paid boosts the right way by amplifying content that is already performing well organically.

Simple content formats that actually work: “document, don’t create,” direct‑to‑camera videos, podcast clips, and more.

How collaborations and podcast clips can pull you out of “engagement jail” and expose you to new audiences.

Why volume plus continuous improvement beats complex hook formulas and copycat “Hormozi‑style” content.
Top 3 Takeaways
Never buy fake growth. Purchasing followers, views, or engagement forces you to keep paying just to maintain appearances, ruins your ability to read what is truly working, and makes it obvious to anyone experienced that your audience isn’t real.

Play to your natural strengths and formats. Whether it is quick direct‑to‑camera riffs, documenting your day, or repurposing podcast clips, pick the style that feels authentic so you can stay consistent over years, not weeks.

Pair consistency with improvement and volume. Treat every post like a lottery ticket, increase the number of “shots on goal,” and keep iterating based on honest data so your content quality rises alongside your output.
Notable Quotes
“Do not escape the learning part of failure with your social media content and just make up for it by boosting the video.”

“Real recognizes real—you’re not fooling anybody who’s been around the game for any length of time.”

“It has to be a combination of consistency plus improvement; otherwise you just post a thousand times and still get 300 views a video.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

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

Other: https://travischappell.com
Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the all‑in‑one sales and marketing platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform, and get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
April 10SOLO | Make Money "Networking"
In this solo episode with Travis, he dives deep into why traditional “networking” feels slimy and what to do instead. He shares lessons from years of running a top networking podcast, rebranding his show, and shifting from transactional tactics to genuine, long-term relationship building.
On this episode we talk about:
Why the term “networking” feels gross and outdated.

The “Networking Ned” caricature and everything he does wrong at events.

The difference between transactional networking and long-term relationship building.

How to show up at events like you would at a bar with friends.

Why collecting contacts is useless if no one will text you back.
Top 3 Takeaways
Stop chasing transactions and start making friends. Treat people at professional events the same way you’d treat new friends at a bar—curious, relaxed, and focused on connection, not closing.

Quality beats quantity in your network. A smaller list of people who will actually text you back, hop on FaceTime, and reciprocate value is far more powerful than thousands of cold contacts.

Play the long game. Real relationships compound over years, often starting in a professional context and evolving into personal friendships that enrich your life far beyond a single deal.
Notable Quotes
“Networking’s not dead, but you should stop looking at it as networking and start looking at it as making friends in business.”

“You can have a hundred thousand contacts in your phone, but what really matters is who will actually text you back.”

“Numbers aren’t people and people aren’t numbers—focus on the relationship, not the spreadsheet.”
Connect with Travis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/

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

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

Other: https://travischappell.com
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
17 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…