Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

October 04CO-HOST | Make Money Without Falling for Predatory Business Tactics
Travis and producer Eric take a closer look at allegations surrounding Life Surge, a Christian wealth-building seminar company that has faced scrutiny over its sales practices and high-ticket financial education programs. Using reporting and testimony discussed on the show, they break down how low-cost events can lead into increasingly expensive offers, including programs allegedly costing tens of thousands of dollars and financed through credit cards, loans, and home equity. Travis also shares his perspective on legitimate high-ticket business education, explaining why investing heavily in mentorship can make sense for experienced business owners—but becomes a very different proposition when inexperienced or financially vulnerable people are pressured into taking on debt.
On this episode we talk about:
The allegations and reporting surrounding Life Surge and its high-ticket wealth-building programs

How low-cost seminars and events can be used to introduce attendees to increasingly expensive offers

Credit card stacking, 0% promotional rates, and the risks of using debt to fund business education

The difference between investing in mentorship as an experienced business owner and selling expensive programs to financially vulnerable people

How religious messaging and appeals to faith can influence purchasing decisions in high-pressure sales environments
Top 3 Takeaways
The price of a program isn't the only thing that matters. A relatively inexpensive entry point can lead to much larger financial commitments, so it's important to understand the entire sales funnel and what you're ultimately being asked to purchase.

Debt changes the equation when investing in education. Travis distinguishes between using available business profits to invest in education and taking on credit-card debt, loans, or home-equity debt to purchase a program—particularly when the buyer doesn't have an established business or clear path to generating a return.

Evaluate the offer independently of the authority behind it. A recognizable speaker, religious affiliation, or inspirational message can create credibility, but buyers should still examine the actual business model, costs, financing terms, and expected outcomes before committing significant money.
Notable Quotes
“It turns predatory when you start pulling out credit cards and cashing in 401s for people who've never done a thing in business in their entire life.”

“You're not talking to a room of sophisticated business owners who, like, ‘Okay. Your business is doing $3 million. You wanna take it to $10 million. We'll invest $50K in this program.’”

“I'm not convincing a retiree, a 60-year-old woman, to give me money and put it on 0% credit cards in order to pay me.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

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22 min
October 04INTERVIEW | Make Money by Caring for Your People Like Family with Bob Chapman
Bob Chapman is the CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a $4 billion global capital equipment company and author of Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. Over his 50-year leadership journey, Bob transformed a struggling $20 million family business into a multibillion-dollar enterprise using a blend of sound business design, creative acquisitions, and a culture of truly human leadership. His work proves that success and compassion aren’t opposites—they’re partners.
On this episode we talk about:
How Bob turned a near-bankrupt family company into a $4 billion global organization

The nine-month period of surviving day-to-day on cash and what it taught him about resilience

Why your business model—not metrics alone—is the true engine of wealth creation

The strategy behind 150+ acquisitions and how he found value others missed

The power of combining common sense, creativity, and positivity in leadership
Top 3 Takeaways
Cash is the oxygen of business—understanding its flow is fundamental to growth and survival.

True leadership requires calm under crisis; your team follows your attitude more than your words.

A great business model is your engine, but a caring culture is the premium fuel that makes it perform.
Notable Quotes
“Cash is the foundation of your ability to be a good steward of your business.”

“There’s no relationship between what something costs and what it’s worth.”

“Our business model is the engine, but our culture is the premium fuel.”
Connect with Bob Chapman:
Website: BarryWehmiller.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
36 min
October 03CO-HOST | Make Money by Doing the Work, Not Chasing the Shortcut
Travis and producer Eric break down a powerful message from filmmaker Ava DuVernay about desperation, mentorship, networking, and the importance of focusing on your own work. They discuss why constantly asking people for coffee, mentorship, introductions, or favors can become a distraction from actually building something—and how consistent action and progress can naturally attract the right people into your life. Travis shares his own approach to pitching podcast guests and explains why continuing to move forward, regardless of who says yes or no, can create momentum and make people want to be part of what you're building.
On this episode we talk about:
Why constantly asking people to “pick their brain” or mentor you can come across as desperate

The difference between networking with purpose and expecting other people to do the work for you

How actually creating, building, and improving your work can attract mentors and opportunities

Why persistence matters when pitching podcast guests, clients, investors, or collaborators

How progress creates momentum and makes people want to become part of what you're building
Top 3 Takeaways
Do the work before asking others to help you do it. Whether you're writing a screenplay, building a business, launching a podcast, or developing a side hustle, taking action creates something tangible that others can respond to.

Don't let rejection stop your momentum. A “no” or “not right now” doesn't mean you should abandon the idea. Keep building, and when you come back later with meaningful progress, the conversation can look completely different.

Passion attracts people more effectively than desperation. Mentorship and relationships still matter, but they become more natural when you're already pursuing your goals and creating something worth being part of.
Notable Quotes
“You have to be doing something. Desperation, all that stuff is not active, it's not doing anything, it's not moving you forward.”

“The person that's just like, ‘Okay, great. Well, I'm gonna keep working in the meantime’... is going to attract the same type of productive energy that those people are putting out into the world.”

“It is good to have mentorship and it's good to learn from others. And it's good to seek outside counsel, but not at the expense of the work that you need to do and never with an attitude or a stink of desperation.”
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
October 03INTERVIEW | Make Money by Avoiding Speculation with Mark Matson
Mark Matson is the bestselling author of Experiencing the American Dream: How to Invest Your Time, Energy, and Money to Create an Extraordinary Life, and founder of Matson Money, a firm managing over $12 billion in assets. Known for making Nobel Prize–winning investment science accessible to everyday families, Mark has spent decades teaching people how to invest prudently, avoid speculation, and build wealth that serves a greater purpose.
On this episode we talk about:
Why most financial advice is based on false promises of predicting the market

The dangers of stock picking, market timing, and chasing performance

How modern portfolio theory and academic research can guide smart investing

Practical asset allocation and the discipline of rebalancing

Why having a purpose for your money matters more than money itself
Top 3 Takeaways
The market can’t be reliably predicted—success comes from disciplined asset allocation and rebalancing, not gambling.

Emotional decisions in down markets often lock in losses; sticking to your plan yields far greater long-term returns.

Money alone won’t make you happy—invest with purpose, aligning your finances to your values and life goals.
Notable Quotes
“All the knowable information about the future is already in the stock price today.”

“Leave your money in the market and rebalance—don’t pull it out during downturns.”

“Money for money’s sake never works; it has to serve a purpose greater than itself.”
Connect with Mark Matson:
Website: MatsonMoney.com

Instagram: @MarkMatson1
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
October 02CO-HOST | Make Money or Look Max? Inside the $5,000 Self-Improvement Trend
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric jump from true crime and bizarre prison stories to the increasingly popular world of “looksmaxxing.” They break down a $5,000, seven-day “Camp LooksMax” program offering mentorship, grooming advice, social and dating coaching, and confidence-building exercises. Along the way, they debate whether appearance can really transform a person's dating life, question the value of paying thousands of dollars for this kind of program, and argue that confidence, social skills, and personality matter far more than obsessing over facial features and bone structure.
On this episode we talk about:
The $5,000 “Camp Looks Max” program and what participants actually receive

The growing online trend of “looksmaxxing” and its focus on appearance, grooming, and facial features

Whether spending thousands of dollars on self-improvement programs can actually create meaningful transformation

Why confidence, social skills, personality, and status can matter more than physical appearance

The dangers of becoming overly obsessed with appearance and trying to optimize every aspect of how you look
Top 3 Takeaways
Confidence and social skills can matter more than appearance. Travis and Eric question the idea that endlessly optimizing facial features is the key to better relationships or dating outcomes.

Be skeptical of expensive self-improvement programs. Before spending thousands of dollars, understand exactly what you're buying, what outcomes are realistic, and whether the program is actually addressing the problem you want to solve.

Don't let self-improvement become self-obsession. Improving your grooming, style, health, and confidence can be useful, but constantly analyzing your bone structure and physical flaws can become counterproductive.
Notable Quotes
"If you're a dude, it just doesn't matter. Girls will like you for your confidence and so many other things."

"Seem like a self obsessed weirdo is not the answer."

"You don't need to looking at men's bone structure and going, like, you could be better, bro."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min
October 02INTERVIEW | Make Money with Toxic Grit, feat. Amanda Goetz
Amanda Goetz is a two-time founder, four-time CMO, and single mom of three who’s helping ambitious people redefine what “having it all” actually looks like. She inspires over 150,000 readers each week through her Life’s a Game newsletter and her new book, Toxic Grit: How to Have It All and Actually Love What You Have. In this conversation, Amanda shares a grounded, intentional approach to ambition—one that makes space for work, relationships, and personal growth without burning out.
On this episode we talk about:
Why Amanda believes ambition isn’t toxic—it’s lack of intention that is

How to embrace “and” thinking instead of living life as an “either/or” equation

The hidden cost of letting one identity (career, parent, partner) take over your life

How to transition between roles, build hierarchy, and avoid constant guilt

The five pillars of Amanda’s “portfolio career” and how to start building one yourself
Top 3 Takeaways
The solution to overwork or burnout isn’t quitting ambition—it’s learning to balance all your “characters” with awareness and structure.

A thriving career doesn’t have to compete with family, purpose, or rest—it can coexist when you embrace the and.

Genuine success comes from self-awareness and human connection—two things that automation and hustle culture can’t replace.
Notable Quotes
“Life isn’t an or statement—it’s an and. You can chase goals and still build a life you love.”

“Toxic grit happens when one character takes over the whole storyline of your life.”

“You can’t automate your way out of human connection.”
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 min
October 01CO-HOST | Make Money Without Losing It: The Hidden Risks of Online Gambling
In this episode, Travis and producer Eric take a deep dive into the growing world of online gambling and the controversy surrounding how gambling platforms use customer data. They discuss reporting on DraftKings' promotional practices, the use of machine learning to identify customers likely to spend more, the challenges of regulating addictive products, and where personal responsibility and corporate responsibility intersect. Travis also shares practical advice for anyone who chooses to gamble, including setting strict limits and treating gambling as entertainment—not an investment strategy.
On this episode we talk about:
How online gambling companies use customer data and machine learning to maximize customer spending

The controversy surrounding DraftKings' promotional practices and targeting of high-value customers

The challenges of identifying and protecting people who may be developing gambling problems

Where personal responsibility, corporate responsibility, and government regulation intersect

Practical ways to gamble responsibly, including setting a fixed budget and disconnecting gambling accounts from your bank account
Top 3 Takeaways
Treat gambling as an entertainment expense, not a way to make money. If you choose to gamble, view the money as part of your leisure budget—similar to spending money on a concert, movie, or vacation.

Set hard financial boundaries before you start. Travis recommends establishing a fixed amount, avoiding credit cards, and disconnecting gambling accounts from your primary bank account so you can't continually reload.

Don't chase losses. The moment you start believing you can win back what you've lost or that you can "beat the casino," you're moving beyond entertainment and potentially making increasingly damaging financial decisions.
Notable Quotes
"If you're gonna gamble, fine, but put fund the account with 50 bucks and then disconnect it from your damn bank account."

"Once you start dipping back in and then thinking that you can win and beat the casino type thing is like you are diluting yourself into losing all of the money that you have in your bank account."

"If you're gonna gamble, you just gotta you have to be smart about it. You have to set limits, you have to treat it like any other thing that you would spend money on."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min
October 01 INTERVIEW | Make Money with Pet Products, feat. Elina Panteleyeva
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis Chappell sits down with Elina Panteleyeva, the founder of Dood Woof, a thriving seven-figure brand for doodle dog breeds. Elina shares her inspiring journey from being laid off to building a successful business in just 15 months, all without a team or prior e-commerce experience. Tune in to discover how Elina's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach have helped her create products that doodle owners love.

Connect with Elina:

- Website: https://doodwoof.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elina-panteleyeva/
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 min
September 30CO-HOST | Make Money by Ignoring the Outrage Machine
In the second part of this discussion, Travis and Eric unpack the strange intersection of celebrity brands, influencer marketing, social-media outrage, and sports betting. They discuss why some celebrity campaigns succeed while others create backlash, how outrage has become a business model for creators, and why consumers have more power than they realize simply by choosing what they engage with. They also explore the rapid growth of sports betting advertising and the potential consequences of normalizing gambling through celebrity and influencer partnerships.
On this episode we talk about:
Why some celebrity and influencer brand partnerships succeed while others create brand misalignment

How social-media outrage has become a monetization strategy for creators

Why consumers shouldn't give more attention to marketing campaigns they don't like

The risks and growing prevalence of sports betting and gambling advertising

How personal responsibility and choosing what to engage with can help break the cycle of outrage-driven content
Top 3 Takeaways
Not every failed idea means you've lost your ability to build something great. Sometimes you simply took the wrong approach. Learn from the miss, make the adjustment, and take another swing.

Attention is currency. Outrage-driven content often succeeds because people keep engaging with it—even when they claim to dislike it. Choosing not to engage can be more powerful than adding another angry reaction.

Be intentional about what deserves your attention. Social media makes it easy to spend hours reacting to things that have little impact on your actual life. Focus that energy on the things that matter to you, your relationships, your work, and your financial goals.
Notable Quotes
"You take the swing and then you correct."

"If you don't like it, like, also don't give it more attention. Then it dies."

"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:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
September 30INTERVIEW | Make Money by Selling Leather Bags with Dave Munson
Dave Munson is the founder of Saddleback Leather Company, a brand known for building rugged, overbuilt leather bags designed to last 100 years. What started in a small Mexican leather shop grew into a globally recognized business with collaborations alongside Toyota and Martin Guitar. Beyond business, Dave and his wife Suzette also lead Love 41, a nonprofit supporting communities in Rwanda, Mexico, and Texas. His adventurous life has included escaping an assassin, surviving danger in Mexico, and building a family-owned business that became a worldwide success.
On this episode we talk about:
How Dave turned a need for a durable book bag into Saddleback Leather

His first scrappy sales tactics involving homemade signs on his Land Cruiser

Moving to Mexico, surviving an assassin encounter, and navigating unexpected dangers

How eBay became the platform that validated his business idea

The importance of striving to be the best and building products that sell themselves
Top 3 Takeaways
Sometimes a successful business starts with solving your own problem—in Dave’s case, creating a bag he couldn’t find anywhere else.

Exceptional products don’t just sell; they create demand from day one by being designed to last and built with integrity.

To stand out as an entrepreneur, choose to be the best at something—even in crowded markets—through expertise, quality, and relentless improvement.
Notable Quotes
"I told the leatherworker, I want my grandchildren to fight over this when I’m dead."

"My first marketing sign was just a sheet of paper taped to my Land Cruiser—‘Cool leather bags for sale.’"

"If you’re going to do something, don’t blend in. Try to be the best at it."
Connect with Dave Munson:
SaddlebackLeather.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans.
- When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 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…