Travis Makes Money

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell takes a deep dive into one of the most overlooked crises affecting modern life: loneliness. Drawing on research from the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on social connection, Travis explores the surprising ways loneliness and social isolation impact everything from mental and physical health to workplace performance and the global economy. While this episode doesn’t feature a guest, Travis breaks down complex research in an accessible way and explains why building meaningful relationships may be one of the most powerful investments you can make for both your life and your financial future.

On this episode we talk about:

The critical difference between loneliness and social isolation—and why that distinction matters

Research showing how loneliness dramatically increases risks of depression, anxiety, and suicide

The hidden economic cost of loneliness, including billions lost in healthcare and workplace productivity

The shocking physical health risks linked to social disconnection, including heart disease, stroke, and premature death

Why social connection may be one of the most important predictors of long-term health and longevity

Top 3 Takeaways

Loneliness and social isolation are not the same thing. You can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if your emotional needs for connection and belonging aren’t being met.

Social connection directly impacts health and longevity. Research across 148 studies shows that strong social connections can increase survival odds by up to 50%.

Loneliness has massive societal costs. From $154 billion in workplace absenteeism to billions in healthcare spending, the impact extends far beyond individual well-being.

Notable Quotes

"You can feel lonely in a crowd of people—that’s the insidious nature of loneliness."

"Social connection increases the odds of survival by 50%."

"It may be the highest leverage activity you can focus on for your health and longevity."

Connect with Travis Chappell:

Website: https://travischappell.com

Podcast: https://travischappell.com/podcast

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/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

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Travis is joined on the mic riffing with his producer about fast food CEOs, viral burger campaigns, and what they reveal about modern content and personal branding. Through a hilarious breakdown of McDonald’s new “Big Arch” burger promo and the competitive responses from Burger King, A&W, and Wendy’s, Travis pulls out practical lessons for entrepreneurs on how to think about content, virality, and brand personality.

On this episode we talk about:

McDonald’s controversial Big Arch CEO taste-test video and why it blew up.

How Burger King, A&W, and Wendy’s “clapped back” with their own CEO burger videos.

Why some CEOs should not be the face of their marketing—and when it works.

How a simple iPhone video can outperform big-budget ad campaigns in reach and impact.

Ideas for piggybacking on trends and turning competitor content into your own marketing angle.

Top 3 Takeaways

You don’t have to be polished to win on social—an awkward CEO video can generate more awareness than a six‑month, celebrity-backed campaign if people can react to it and share it.

Even “failed” content can be a win when it sparks conversation, duets, stitches, and competitor responses that multiply your brand’s reach for free.

As a business owner, your skill set is running the company, not necessarily making content—treat content like its own craft, and either develop that skill or get help so the brand doesn’t take avoidable hits.

Notable Quotes

"Sometimes even when it doesn’t work, it still works."

"That cost them zero dollars and about two minutes of time, and it was equal to three or four months of their traditional marketing budget."

"They may be really good at what they do for a living, but creating content is a different skill set."

Connect with Travis:

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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Lewis Crompton is a finance expert, trading mentor, and self-made millionaire who has spent over a decade trading the financial markets and six years teaching others how to do the same. Growing up on a low income and grinding through long commutes and low-paying corporate work, Lewis used trading as the skill that allowed him to escape the rat race and build real wealth. Today, he runs a global education company helping everyday people generate 5–10% per month in the markets in under 30 minutes a day, with a mission to help one million families reduce money stress through financial education.

On this episode we talk about:

Why “just save and wait 40 years” is broken advice in an inflationary world

The myth of passive income and what real “30 minutes a day” investing looks like

How Lewis went from a £25K-a-year retail job and two-hour commutes to self-made millionaire

The “three magic beans” (time, money, energy) you must invest to change your life

How identity, belief, and personal responsibility shape your income and your future

Top 3 Takeaways

You can’t save your way to wealth—if your returns barely beat inflation, you’re just treading water, not building real financial freedom.

There is no such thing as truly passive income; meaningful returns come from learning a skill, paying attention, and consistently putting in focused 30-minute-a-day effort.

Your identity and beliefs about who you are and what you earn act like a ceiling on your results, so shifting from “I’m a 30K earner” to “I’m a high-value, high-earning person” is the first real step to making more money.

Notable Quotes

“If your money is only matching inflation, you’re just treading water.”

“There’s no such thing as passive income; to be a good steward of your money, you have to pay attention.”

“It’s not always your fault you’re where you are, but it is your responsibility to get out of it.”

Connect with Lewis Crompton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewiscrompton

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

Other: https://startradingnow.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

Travis shares his philosophy on networking as friend‑making, not cold prospecting, drawing from his journey from solar sales and door‑to‑door to full‑time online income through podcasting and high‑level relationships. He unpacks hard‑won lessons from cringeworthy event interactions, volunteering at conferences, and adding disproportionate value to mentors like John Lee Dumas. This episode is especially useful if you want to move from transactional “networking” to building real relationships that compound over time.

On this episode we talk about:

Why networking and making friends are essentially the same skill in business

The “Networking Ned” archetype and why traditional networking feels slimy

How a botched first impression with Pat Flynn turned into a real friendship over 18 months

Specific ways Travis added 51% of the value to mentors long before he “deserved” their time

Why you should think in long‑term relational frames instead of short‑term transactions

Top 3 Takeaways

Treat networking as building genuine friendships with people who are professionally aligned with you, rather than as in‑person cold calling.

Always aim to add at least 51% of the value in your important relationships, even if that means investing time, energy, and money without an immediate ROI.

Think long term and relationally: you’ll usually have multiple future opportunities to connect with high‑level people, and your frame and reputation matter more than a single “shot.”

Notable Quotes

“Networking and friend‑making are basically the same thing, and people who separate them usually don’t do either one very well.”

“Don’t think, ‘If I don’t talk to this person right now, I’ll never get another chance.’ Most of the time, that’s just not true.”

“Always strive to add at least 51% of the value in your relationships, even when you don’t feel like you have much to offer.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

Since this is a solo episode, Travis dives deep into how self-awareness, intentional choices, and skill-building shape your financial future and overall fulfillment. He wraps up his 25-question series with a powerful set of prompts designed to help you stop living on autopilot, take responsibility for your trajectory, and start building a life you actually want instead of the one others expect from you.​

On this episode we talk about:

What you’re pretending not to know about your habits, relationships, and next steps in life​

Whether you’re building a life you actually want or one that other people will applaud​

How your daily choices either reward your highest self or your laziest self​

The difference between social isolation and loneliness—and why loneliness is a hidden health crisis​

Identifying one skill you can master in the next 12 months to disproportionately change your financial life​

Top 3 Takeaways

You usually already know what you should do; the real work is stopping the self-delusion and acting on what you’d honestly tell a friend in your same situation.​

Fulfillment comes from building the life you truly want, not the life others scripted for you, and that requires regularly questioning the “mountain” you’re climbing.​

Your future income and opportunities are driven by your skills, so choosing and aggressively leveling up one high-value skill over the next year can radically shift your money situation.​

Notable Quotes

"When you're born, you look like your parents; when you die, you look like your choices."​

"Am I building a life I actually want, or the life that somebody else will applaud?"​

"This is going to be like our generation’s smoking—we’ll look back and realize outsourcing our social lives to technology was a really bad idea."​

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

In this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis and producer Eric break down an unlikely entrepreneurial case study: the origin story of Johnny Knoxville and Jackass. What starts as a conversation about a Conan interview quickly turns into a deeper discussion about risk, creativity, loyalty, and the real-life decisions entrepreneurs face when choosing between security and betting on themselves.

They explore how Johnny Knoxville went from waiting tables and struggling to support a family to pitching a crazy idea—testing self-defense equipment on himself for a magazine—that eventually became the foundation for Jackass. Along the way, they discuss the pivotal moment when Knoxville turned down an opportunity with Saturday Night Live to keep creative control and build something with his friends.

The conversation highlights how many entrepreneurial journeys involve uncertain choices where success isn’t guaranteed—and why the stories we hear are often the rare winners, not the many people who took the same risk and didn’t break through.

On this episode we talk about:

The surprising entrepreneurial origin story behind Jackass

Why Johnny Knoxville turned down a major opportunity with Saturday Night Live

The importance of creative control and ownership

The role of loyalty and partnerships in building successful ventures

How entrepreneurs decide when to take a risk vs. accept a safe opportunity

The “rocking chair test” for making big life decisions

Why most success stories we hear are examples of survivorship bias

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. Big opportunities often come disguised as weird ideas.
Johnny Knoxville’s breakthrough came from pitching a bizarre concept—testing self-defense gear on himself—that eventually evolved into one of the most successful stunt franchises ever.

2. Creative control can matter more than immediate opportunity.
Turning down Saturday Night Live was risky, but Knoxville valued building something with his own team and maintaining ownership over the concept.

3. You can’t know the outcome—only the decision.
Entrepreneurs rarely have perfect information. The best approach is to make the decision that aligns with your long-term values and avoid regretting the chances you didn’t take.

Notable Quotes:

“You just have to make the decision with the best information you have at the time—and then be okay with whatever happens.”

“Most people don’t know whether it’s going to work out. They just take action and keep moving.”

“Which decision will you regret more when you’re sitting in the rocking chair later in life?”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠

Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips⁠

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

Amanda Litman is the co-founder and president of Run for Something, an organization dedicated to recruiting and supporting young, diverse leaders running for local office across the United States. Since launching in 2017, Run for Something has helped thousands of millennials and Gen Z candidates step into leadership roles and reshape what local leadership looks like in America. Amanda is also the author of When We’re In Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership and Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself. With experience working on major campaigns including Barack Obama’s re-election and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, Amanda brings a unique perspective on leadership, community building, and the power of local politics.

On this episode we talk about:

Why local government has the biggest impact on everyday life and small business

How political campaign marketing strategies translate directly to business

The story behind Run for Something and how it grew from 1,000 signups in a week to over 250,000 aspiring candidates

Why relationships and community are the most important resources for leaders

Authenticity, digital presence, and leadership in the modern remote and AI-driven world

Top 3 Takeaways

Local leadership drives real change. Issues like housing, schools, infrastructure, and small business regulations are largely decided at the local and state levels.

Relationships outperform everything else. Whether in politics or business, trust and community connections are the most powerful drivers of long-term success.

Authenticity is the competitive advantage of the next decade. In a world filled with automation and AI-generated content, genuine human connection and leadership stand out.

Notable Quotes

"You don’t get what you don’t ask for."

"Authenticity is the building block of trust, and trust is the building block of community."

"The campaign exists to give people the chance to get to know you."

Connect with Amanda Litman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalitman

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

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

Other: https://www.amandalitman.com

Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net

 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

In this episode, Travis Chappell sits down in-studio with producer Eric for a fun but insightful conversation breaking down famous quotes about money from well-known actors and public figures. As they react to perspectives from people like Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Denzel Washington, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the discussion dives into deeper truths about wealth, fulfillment, and the role money really plays in building a meaningful life. From consumerism and lifestyle creep to investing in yourself and building valuable relationships, Travis unpacks the mindset shifts that can help you earn more while also living better.

On this episode we talk about:

Why many people spend money to impress people they don’t even like

The real definition of wealth and why free time might be the ultimate status symbol

Why fame, money, and success don’t automatically create happiness

The core principle that money is a reflection of the value you create

Why relationships and investing in people often outperform traditional investments

Top 3 Takeaways

Money follows value. The more value you create for others—through skills, knowledge, or relationships—the more money you’ll naturally earn.

Wealth isn’t just about dollars. True wealth is having the freedom to spend your time how you want, with the people you care about.

Money won’t fix internal problems. Financial success can amplify your life, but fulfillment and happiness require intentional personal work along the way.

Notable Quotes

“Money is a measure of the value you create for others.”

“There’s no amount of accomplishment that will fill whatever void you’re trying to fill inside.”

“Money only solves your money problems—but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips

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

Josh Marsden is a two-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Arm5 Formula Company, an e-commerce aggregator and AI-driven growth company focused on acquiring, scaling, and operating profitable direct-to-consumer brands. Since entering the e-commerce world in 2013, Josh has generated more than $100 million in online sales and built multiple successful brands across health, wellness, beauty, and consumer products. In this conversation, he shares how a corporate sales job introduced him to the world of online business—and how that eventually led him to build a portfolio of brands with the goal of taking the company public.

On this episode we talk about:

How a corporate sales job exposed Josh to the world of online entrepreneurship

The evolution from running a marketing agency to acquiring e-commerce brands

Why focusing on the health and beauty niche creates better growth opportunities

The massive impact AI is having on marketing, operations, and e-commerce

Josh’s strategy for acquiring profitable brands and scaling them toward a public company

Top 3 Takeaways

Exposure to entrepreneurial environments can completely shift your career trajectory—even if you start in a traditional corporate job.

Specialization is powerful: focusing on one niche (like health and beauty) allows for stronger brand synergies and faster growth.

The future of e-commerce operations will combine AI automation with lean teams, dramatically increasing efficiency and scalability.

Notable Quotes

“Hearing how other business owners were making money completely opened my eyes to what was possible.”

“Instead of being broad, we decided to specialize in health and beauty so we could create real synergy across brands.”

“Resiliency is the number one trait you need as a business owner.”

Connect with Josh Marsden:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshmarsden

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

Other: https://arm5formula.com

Website: https://joshscale.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

This solo episode with host Travis Chappell dives into his “25 questions to ask yourself to live a better life,” focusing on five powerful prompts that can reshape your habits, relationships, and financial trajectory. Travis shares personal examples from health, marriage, and money to illustrate how better questions lead to better decisions and, ultimately, a more intentional and prosperous life.​

On this episode we talk about:

What your 90-year-old self would tell you to cut out of your life immediately​

How the five people you spend the most time with shape your future success and income​

The power of hard conversations in marriages, friendships, and business​

Using a “repeat this day 365 times” audit to evaluate your habits and goals​

Updating old stories you tell yourself about money, career, and what’s possible​

Top 3 Takeaways

Your future self is a powerful filter: many habits you justify today (like skipping workouts or certain vices) have no place in the life you actually want, so cut them sooner rather than later.​

You really are the average of the five people you’re around most; you don’t need to “dump” good friends, but you do need to intentionally add higher-level people into your life to grow.​

Avoided hard conversations compound into years of low-level pain, while one uncomfortable but honest conversation can unlock healthier relationships, better culture, and more aligned results.​

Notable Quotes

"The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask."​

"You can't hang out with high-level people and stay the same person—either you level up or you get pushed out of that group."​

"Most of us are living a life limited by stories we never even thought to question."​

Connect with Travis Shapell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips

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

Other: https://travischappell.com

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