Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

April 10CO-HOST | Make Money Without Tearing Others Down
In this candid and unfiltered episode, Travis is joined by his producer Eric for a deeper conversation sparked by a viral clip from Gary Vaynerchuk. What starts as a humorous, off-the-rails discussion quickly turns into a thoughtful breakdown of criticism culture, “call-out” content, and the fine line between holding people accountable and building a brand off negativity. Travis shares his perspective on when criticism is valid, when it becomes harmful, and why focusing on your own work is ultimately the most profitable—and fulfilling—path.
On this episode we talk about:
The difference between constructive criticism and toxic “call-out” culture

When it makes sense to publicly critique someone—and when it doesn’t

The dangers of building a brand around negativity and controversy

Why fact-checking and integrity matter when discussing others

How focusing on your own growth leads to better long-term success
Top 3 Takeaways
There’s a big difference between disagreeing with someone and building a brand around tearing others down.

If you choose to criticize publicly, you have a responsibility to be accurate, fair, and fact-based.

The most sustainable path to success is focusing on creating value—not chasing attention through negativity.
Notable Quotes
"Some things are worth calling out—but most things don’t deserve the attention you’re giving them."

"If your entire brand is built on exposing people, eventually you’ll go looking for problems that don’t exist."

"Focus on your own work instead of trying to tear down people who are doing something."
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

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24 min
April 10INTERVIEW | Make Money with Direct Marketing and a Millionaire Mindset with Kevin Trudeau
Kevin Trudeau is a multi-billion-dollar entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and widely recognized marketing expert. With over 100 million books sold worldwide, Kevin has built a reputation as a master of direct response marketing and personal development. From humble blue-collar beginnings to building massive business success, Kevin’s journey is rooted in mindset, mentorship, and taking relentless action.
On this episode we talk about:
How Kevin made his first money through simple entrepreneurship

The importance of mentorship and learning from successful people

The mindset shifts required to achieve financial freedom

Why “disgust” can be a powerful motivator for success

How direct marketing became Kevin’s first million-dollar vehicle
Top 3 Takeaways
Financial freedom starts with working for yourself and learning directly from people who have already achieved success.

Success requires both mindset and action—dreaming without execution leads nowhere.

The easiest time in history to make money is now, thanks to the internet lowering barriers to entry.
Notable Quotes
"Find a need and fill it."

"Do more than you're paid, and soon you'll be paid more for what you do."

"You have to feel now as if you would feel if you already had it."
Connect with Kevin Trudeau:
Website: https://kevintrudeau.com

Book: https://yourwish.kevintrudeau.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

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27 min
April 09SOLO | Make Money by Building Unshakable Trust
In this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell breaks down the three core types of trust that drive sales and long-term customer relationships. Drawing from his years of door-to-door sales and online business, he explains how to intentionally engineer trust so that more of your conversations turn into transactions.
On this episode we talk about:
The biggest obstacle in cold outreach and why you actually start at “negative trust” with prospects.

How referrals and warm introductions let you “borrow trust” and massively increase your close rate.

What competence trust is and how to build it with credibility, PR, and podcast guesting.

Why caring trust (showing you genuinely have the client’s best interest at heart) keeps people coming back.

How community trust, stages, and other people’s audiences can instantly lower the barrier to doing business with you.
Top 3 Takeaways
Your sales problem is often a trust problem, especially in cold environments where people didn’t ask to hear from you and start out skeptical of your intentions.

You can deliberately build competence, caring, and community trust through authority-building moves like guest podcast appearances, consistent content, and deepening relationships.

When trust is high, the only real remaining barrier is whether someone actually needs what you sell—trust converts attention into transactions.
Notable Quotes
“It’s not even like you’re starting from zero trust—when you’re cold calling or knocking doors, you’re starting from negative trust.”

“Maybe they trust that you’re a good person, but do they trust that you’re actually good at what you do?”

“Trust will always lead to transactions—people have to trust you at least a little bit before they pull out their credit card.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/travischappell

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 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
15 min
April 09CO-HOST | Make Money Starting a Podcast Without Getting Overwhelmed
In this co-hosted episode, Travis is joined by his producer Eric to answer a listener’s question about starting a podcast from scratch. Drawing from years of experience building Travis Makes Money, Travis breaks down the practical realities of launching a show today—covering everything from video vs. audio to editing, batching content, and avoiding the most common mistakes new podcasters make. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast but feel overwhelmed by all the moving pieces, this episode gives you a clear, actionable path forward.
On this episode we talk about:
Whether you should start with video, audio, or both

How to avoid overwhelm when launching your podcast

The importance of batching content before publishing

Leveraging AI tools for editing, show notes, and production

Why short-form content is key for growth and exposure
Top 3 Takeaways
Start simple and remove friction—don’t let complexity stop you from launching.

Batch at least 1–2 months of content before publishing to ensure consistency.

Capture video whenever possible—it creates long-term content and growth opportunities through clips.
Notable Quotes
"Start with whatever you have available—just don’t let obstacles stop you from getting started."

"If you can’t record two months of content before publishing, you probably won’t stay consistent after."

"There’s no reason not to capture video now—it’s where all the exposure lives."
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
22 min
April 09INTERVIEW | Make Money by Saving Taxes with Smart Strategy with Mark Kohler
Mark Kohler is a nationally recognized CPA, tax and legal strategist, senior partner at KKOS Lawyers, and co-founder of Directed IRA—an Inc. 5000 company. With over 25 years of experience and more than 10,000 client consultations, Mark has built a reputation for helping entrepreneurs legally reduce taxes, protect assets, and build long-term wealth. Known for simplifying complex financial strategies, Mark brings practical, actionable advice that business owners can implement immediately.
On this episode we talk about:
Why tax strategy matters more than tax filing—and when to actually plan

Common tax mistakes entrepreneurs make (and how to avoid them)

The truth about LLCs, S-Corps, and what actually saves you money

How to build a coordinated business structure for tax efficiency and asset protection

Why skill stacking, communication, and trade-based careers are key in the age of AI
Top 3 Takeaways
Tax planning happens before the year ends—waiting until April is already too late for most strategies.

An LLC alone doesn’t save taxes—true savings come from proper structuring (like S-Corp elections) and proactive strategy.

The biggest earning advantage comes from stacking unique skills and simplifying complex ideas so others understand your value.
Notable Quotes
"It’s easier to save money than make money."

"LLCs don’t save taxes—strategy does."

"Who cares how smart you are if people don’t understand you?"
Connect with Mark Kohler:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjkohler/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/markjkohler

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

Other: https://markjkohler.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
30 min
April 08CO-HOST | Make Money Writing a Book That Actually Sells
In this episode, Travis sits down with his in-studio producer for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about writing books, publishing paths, and what it really takes to stand out in an increasingly saturated market. From traditional vs. self-publishing to the surprising statistics around book sales, this episode breaks down the realities most aspiring authors don’t consider—and why focusing on quality over speed is the ultimate competitive advantage.
On this episode we talk about:
Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing and how to choose the right path

Eye-opening statistics about book sales and why most books fail to sell

The impact of AI and the explosion of low-quality self-published content

Why credibility, distribution, and timing matter for first-time authors

The philosophy of “there’s always room for the best” in any saturated market
Top 3 Takeaways
The publishing path you choose should align with your current goals—traditional publishing can offer credibility, while self-publishing offers control and flexibility.

Most books sell very few copies, so success comes less from publishing and more from creating a genuinely high-quality product.

Saturation isn’t the problem—lack of excellence is. If your work is truly great, you can still stand out in any market.
Notable Quotes
"I don’t want to write a book just to say I wrote a book—I want it to actually be good."

"There’s always room for the best."

"If you’re going to write a book, just make it good—that’s what actually matters long term."
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 08INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Adversity into Advantage, feat. Jason Redman
Jason Redman is a retired Navy SEAL, New York Times bestselling author, and transformational speaker who embodies resilience at the highest level. After being critically wounded in combat—shot multiple times, including in the face—Jason fought his way back through years of recovery and now uses his story to inspire millions. In this episode, he shares how the “overcome mindset” applies not just to survival, but to building a successful life and business through discipline, adaptability, and intentional growth.
On this episode we talk about:
Jason’s journey into the Navy SEALs and the mindset required to succeed

The realities of SEAL training and why mental toughness matters most

Surviving a life-threatening combat ambush and the lessons it taught him

Translating military resilience into entrepreneurship and business success

Building multiple income streams and applying the “DEI” framework to wealth
Top 3 Takeaways
Mental resilience—not physical ability—is what ultimately determines success in high-pressure situations.

Everyone faces “ambushes” in life, and growth comes from choosing to move forward through adversity.

Financial success requires a shift from saving mindset to growth mindset—diversifying income, building equity, and increasing earnings.
Notable Quotes
"Everyone gets ambushed in life—it’s your choice whether you overcome it."

"If you never ask, the answer is always no."

"You don’t want to get to the end of your life and ask, ‘What if?’"
Connect with Jason Redman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-redman-b8324210/

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

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

Speaking: https://jasonredman.com

Other: https://www.turbovets.com/

Drink: https://www.patriotseltzer.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
34 min
April 08SOLO | Make Money Choosing the Right Hard Path
There’s no guest on this episode—just Travis sharing an honest solo riff about why every path in life and business comes with its own “shit sandwich,” and how to choose the one that’s actually worth eating. He breaks down career pivots, the grind behind creative success, and why chasing the “easy” road usually just trades one set of problems for another.
On this episode we talk about:
Why every career or business path has parts that will suck.

Lessons from a working stand-up comedian grinding for nearly a decade.

Letting go of glorified “grass is greener” fantasies about other careers.

Choosing the problems you’re willing to live with in work, health, and life.

How accepting obstacles frees you up to commit and keep moving forward.
Top 3 Takeaways
You can’t avoid hardship—you can only choose which set of problems you’re willing to face in pursuit of a meaningful path.

The people who eventually “blow up” are usually the ones quietly stacking years of reps, projects, and readiness behind the scenes.

Trying to dodge discomfort now (in career or health) just creates bigger, less controllable problems for your future self.
Notable Quotes
"No matter what path you take, something about it is going to suck."

"What is the shit sandwich you're willing to eat?"

"The grass is greener where you water it."
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/

Website: https://travischappell.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/travischappell

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
15 min
April 07CO-HOST | Make Money by Knowing What You’re Willing to Sacrifice
Travis Chappell and Eric unpack a viral MrBeast clip and use it as a broader conversation about success, sacrifice, and self-awareness. The episode explores why some people are built for extreme achievement, why most people are not, and how to decide what tradeoffs are actually worth it.
On this episode we talk about:
Why the “most people stop where success gets hard” mindset resonates with high performers.

The difference between admiring extreme achievers and trying to live exactly like them.

How self-awareness shapes the tradeoffs you’re willing to make in pursuit of success.

Why people like MrBeast, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, and Alex Hormozi are outliers, not templates for everyone.

How to define success in a way that matches your real values instead of someone else’s ambitions.
Top 3 Takeaways
Pushing through discomfort can create growth, but that does not mean everyone should copy an extreme work ethic.

Success is not one-size-fits-all; the right path depends on what you want and what you’re willing to trade for it.

The most important question is not whether a strategy works, but whether it fits the life you actually want.
Notable Quotes
"This clip reminds me of something where most people stop."

"That's why there's only one Mr. Beast."

"It just comes down to a level of self-awareness to know what you want out of life and what you're willing to trade for what you want out of life."
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 and marketing platform built for agencies, by an agency. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
April 07INTERVIEW | Make Money Building a Personal Brand That Pays, feat. Erik Qualman
Erik Qualman is a five-time bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and digital leadership expert who has reached over 60 million people across 60+ countries. Known for his groundbreaking book Socialnomics, Erik has built a thriving personal brand that spans speaking, publishing, media, and even product creation. In this episode, he shares how he turned early entrepreneurial instincts into a multi-stream income business—and how anyone can do the same by following opportunity and delivering value.
On this episode we talk about:
How Erik made his first money as a kid and his early entrepreneurial mindset

The value of working for others before becoming an entrepreneur

How Socialnomics launched his career as a speaker and author

Building multiple income streams from a personal brand

Traditional vs. self vs. “artisanal” publishing and how to choose
Top 3 Takeaways
Your early career is about learning—working for others can help you build valuable skills on someone else’s dime.

Opportunities often come disguised as repeated requests—pay attention to what people keep asking you for.

Writing a book is only half the battle; promoting and selling it is where most of the real work happens.
Notable Quotes
"If you never ask, the answer is always no."

"Writers sell books. Publishers print books."

"Once you’re done writing your book, you’re only 50% there."
Connect with Erik Qualman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/

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

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

Other: https://equalman.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
30 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…