Travis Makes Money

Vinny Brusco is an insight and perspective coach, community builder, and podcast host who helps men cultivate clarity, connection, and purpose. After 16 years in the car business, he walked away from a lucrative but misaligned career to build a life and business rooted in what matters most to him: authentic brotherhood, mental and spiritual health, and intentional living. As the founder of Agora Social Club and host of The Council of Dudes podcast (with over 500 episodes), Vinny creates spaces where men can drop the performative self-help act and actually live in alignment instead of autopilot.

On this episode we talk about:

Leaving a high-income, misaligned career for a more meaningful path

How sales skills become a “break glass in case of emergency” safety net

Why fulfillment in the pursuit matters more than status or titles

The loneliness epidemic among men and entrepreneurs

Building real, local community through Agora Social Club and long-form conversation

Top 3 Takeaways

You can be making great money and still be completely out of alignment—and no number in your bank account will fix that internal mismatch.

Learning to sell is one of the most valuable “forever skills” you can develop, giving you the confidence to take bigger risks in pursuit of a life you actually want.

Deep, in-person community and long-form conversation are antidotes to modern male loneliness, especially for entrepreneurial men who often feel isolated at the top.

Notable Quotes

“This isn’t a weekend hobby; it’s a heart-and-soul project that needs a life force behind it.”

“If you’d still do it even if you never became ‘the best’ at it, you’re probably on the right path.”

“The transaction is just an energetic byproduct of a real, authentic conversation.”

Connect with Vinny Brusco:

Instagram (personal): @vinnybrusco

Agora Social Club website: agorasocialclub.com

Instagram (club): @agora_westchester

Podcast: The Council of Dudes

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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On this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell breaks down the three core levers that determine the overall quality of your life and, ultimately, your long-term success. Drawing from his own journey as a podcaster, entrepreneur, and student of personal development, Travis shares practical frameworks you can apply immediately to upgrade your thinking, your routines, and your relationships.

On this episode we talk about:

Why the quality of your life is shaped by three core factors: questions, habits, and relationships.

How asking better questions leads to better answers, deeper self-awareness, and clearer direction.

A practical exercise for sitting down with a blank page and writing questions that guide your next steps.

How to think about discipline as a “bank account” and use it to systematically build powerful habits.

Why your long-term happiness and success are most strongly tied to the depth and quality of your closest relationships.

Top 3 Takeaways

The quality of your questions—both to yourself and to others—determines the quality of your answers, your beliefs, and ultimately your actions.

Discipline resets daily like a bank account, so focus on using it to build small, sequential habits that eventually appear effortless to outsiders.

Over the long run, the depth and strength of your key relationships are the single biggest predictor of your happiness and fulfillment.

Notable Quotes

"Ask better questions, you get better answers."

"Show me your habits now, and I'll show you who you'll be in five years from now."

"Relationships plus nothing equals everything to me."

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

In this episode of Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell and co-host Eric dive into the art of authentic sales — how to close deals without turning into the stereotypical pushy salesperson. From viral TikTok sales videos to lessons learned in door-to-door, they explore how humor, confidence, and clarity can elevate your sales game and help you build long-term trust with clients.

On this episode we talk about:

Why entertaining content can make you a better salesperson

The right (and wrong) way to use assumptive language

How to handle price questions early in a sales call

Why offering too many options kills conversions

The importance of having one clear call to action

Top 3 Takeaways

Sales isn’t manipulation — it’s communication. Confidence and clarity lead to better conversions.

Limit your prospects’ choices. One clear offer beats a dozen confusing ones every time.

You’re not just selling to anyone — you’re choosing clients who are the right fit for you.

Notable Quotes

“Sales is just communication, and it happens in everyday life.”

“If you’ve done your job right, the close should be the natural conclusion to the presentation.”

“Your job is to create certainty, not confusion.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travischappell

Twitter/X: twitter.com/travischappell

Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell

Website: 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

Katie Fortunato is the co-founder and EVP of Platform Innovation and Strategy at Hire Innovations, where she’s fixing a broken talent acquisition system with a human-centric AI platform that cuts through bots, ghosting, and phantom job posts. With a background leading brand experiences and business development at MTV, AOL, and The Wall Street Journal, she’s spent years at the intersection of traditional media and the creator economy. Now she’s helping entrepreneurs, brands, and creators turn job seekers and “work content” into real revenue while connecting Gen Z and millennial talent with AI-resistant, high-value roles.

On this episode we talk about:

How creators can monetize job-related content for the first time

What “the ShopMy of job content” is and how it works

Why most great jobs never hit LinkedIn or Indeed

How brands can turn employees into a powerful referral and creator network

What today’s talent really wants: culture, fair pay, impact, and values alignment

Top 3 Takeaways

Job content is an untapped revenue stream for creators, newsletters, and communities whose audiences are anxious about layoffs, AI, and career uncertainty.

Referral-style hiring is still king—turning your employees and creator partners into a scaled referral network beats sifting through hundreds of unqualified applicants.

The strongest employer brands lead with culture, fair compensation, training, and real social impact, then back it up with values they actually live, not just words on a wall.

Notable Quotes

“We’re basically democratizing access to referrals—anyone can refer anyone to a job.”

“You can’t outsource culture. It has to start at the top and be lived every day.”

“People want to feel part of something bigger—what role is your company actually playing in society?”

Connect with Katie Fortunato:

Website / Platform: https://getjobstream.com/

Company: https://hireinnovations.com/

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

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In this solo episode, Travis dives deep into one of the most powerful success principles he’s observed in hundreds of high-achieving entrepreneurs — delayed gratification. Drawing on lessons from personal experience, top performers like Grant Cardone and Kevin Hart, and timeless studies like the Marshmallow Experiment, Travis breaks down why learning to wait for bigger rewards later can completely change your financial, physical, and personal life.

On this episode we talk about:

How delayed gratification sets the foundation for lasting success

The Marshmallow Test and what it teaches about life outcomes

Avoiding the “Jones Effect” and unnecessary spending

Why choosing short-term comfort leads to long-term struggle

Finding balance between enjoying the present and building for the future

Top 3 Takeaways

Success often comes down to your ability to delay gratification — trading short-term pleasure for long-term gain.

Living below your means today gives you the freedom to live on your terms tomorrow.

Balance is key: allow yourself small rewards now while you continue building for future success.

Notable Quotes

“You can have everything you want — just not now.”

“Choosing struggle now gives you control over how your life turns out later.”

“If you’re constantly optimizing for pleasure today, you’re sacrificing your peace of mind tomorrow.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travischappell

Twitter/X: twitter.com/travischappell

Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell

Website: 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

On this episode of Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a candid conversation about ditching hustle culture and getting truly productive. They unpack how Travis learned to ruthlessly prioritize his time while launching a software company, and why shifting from “busy” to “effective” helped his team break seven figures in revenue. Along the way, they break down frameworks from EOS, Traction, The One Thing, and lessons from leaders like Sharan Srivatsa, Ed Mylett, and the Hormozis on using your time like a real CEO.

On this episode we talk about:

Why people confuse being busy with being valuable—and how that sabotages real progress.

How Travis redefined his role as a CEO around talent, cash, and vision instead of doing everything himself.

Using EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), Traction, and The One Thing to reverse engineer high‑leverage daily priorities.

The real message behind Ed Mylett’s “21 days a week” concept and why most people only work 2–4 truly productive hours a day.

Practical ways solopreneurs can time‑block their day, audit their activities, and turn three “days” of output into one.

Top 3 Takeaways

Your worth is not measured by how busy you look; it is measured by the results you create from a few high‑leverage actions done consistently.

A CEO’s job is to recruit and retain talent, keep cash in the bank, and cast vision—everything else should be delegated or eliminated as fast as possible.

Compressing time by stacking focused blocks of deep, productive work over months and years completely changes your business trajectory and quality of life.

Notable Quotes

“At some point, you have to ruthlessly prioritize what makes it onto your calendar or you’ll do a bunch of stuff and get nothing done.”

“The idea that more hours equals better output is false; it is what you do with the hours you actually work that moves the needle.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

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

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

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

Other: https://www.travismakesmoney.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

Evan Marks is a Wall Street veteran with 25 years of experience in trading and market psychology, and the founder of M1 Performance Group. He helps high performers master decision-making under pressure, turning mindset and emotional control into consistent, measurable financial results. Known for his work on risk, discipline, and clarity, Evan has used his own performance frameworks to generate $50–100K months in realized income while coaching traders, hedge fund managers, and ambitious professionals.

On this episode we talk about:

How Evan went from hedge fund veteran to performance coach

The difference between impulsivity and true intuition in decision-making

Using emotions as data instead of trying to suppress them

Why consistent decision frameworks beat random “gut feelings” over time

The “callous building phase” and staying in the game long enough to see results

Top 3 Takeaways

You can’t make great decisions by ignoring your emotions; you need to understand and use them as data inside a clear decision-making framework.

High performers aren’t magically decisive — they practice slowing down mentally, creating space, and then responding quickly with intention.

Progress feels invisible at first, but if you stay consistent through the “callous building phase,” your evidence and confidence compound over time.

Notable Quotes

“We’re always in the game of best decision-making — we don’t know if it’s right, only time tells you that.”

“You can’t tweak inconsistency; you need a repeatable model before you can improve it.”

“There’s a bridge between nervousness and excitement, and that bridge is belief based on evidence.”

Connect with Evan Marks:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmarks-m1/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emarks72/

Website: M1PerformanceGroup.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

On this solo episode, host Travis Chappell breaks down one of the core values that has transformed his life and business: radical responsibility. Drawing from his background in door-to-door sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Travis shares hard-earned lessons about refusing to blame circumstances and instead reclaiming control over outcomes. Through real stories—from struggling sales reps to young first-time employees and heavy life situations like health crises—he lays out a practical, mindset-first framework for taking ownership so you can actually change your results.

On this episode we talk about:

Why adopting your own values (instead of inherited beliefs) is essential to growth.

What radical responsibility really means and how it differs from simple self-awareness.

The difference between “producing results” and “producing excuses” in sales and business.

How taking ownership (even when it doesn’t feel like your fault) gives you power and control back.

Why fault and responsibility are not the same—and how this applies to unfair or painful life circumstances.

Top 3 Takeaways

Radical responsibility is the starting point for becoming the person you want to be; if nothing is ever your fault, there is no path to improvement.

You are always producing something—either results or excuses—and only those who own their mistakes can actually learn, adjust, and win long term.

Something can be “not your fault” and still 100% your responsibility; you can’t control the cards you’re dealt, but you can control how you play them.

Notable Quotes

“Everybody produces. You’re just either producing results or you’re producing excuses.”

“Blame feels good, but it destroys all agency. Responsibility gives you your power back.”

“You can’t control the cards that you get dealt, but it is your responsibility to play them to the best of your ability.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

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

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

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

Other: https://www.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, Travis Chappell sits down with his co-host for a lively and surprisingly deep conversation that begins with TV banter and ends with some serious money talk. From dissecting White Lotus characters to breaking down what true financial security really means, Travis shares insights on why confidence in your ability to earn beats any number in the bank. Known for helping creators and entrepreneurs master income generation, Travis blends humor, vulnerability, and actionable advice that’ll leave you rethinking your relationship with money.

On this episode we talk about:

Why confidence in your earning ability matters more than your savings balance

The $10 million security number—does it really mean freedom?

Why “comfortably” living in America now means a six-figure income

How scarcity can actually fuel productivity and focus

The mindset shift that keeps entrepreneurs resilient through financial risks

Top 3 Takeaways

Financial security isn’t tied to a number—it’s rooted in your confidence to generate income when needed.

Comfort looks different today: for most families, living well now requires over $100K a year in virtually every U.S. state.

Investing in yourself and your ability to earn is far more valuable than stockpiling money in a savings account.

Notable Quotes

“My security stems from my confidence that I can generate money out of nothing.”

“If you can wake up tomorrow and know you can earn, you already have real financial security.”

“Money only solves your money problems—but it’s a lot easier to solve the rest when you’ve got some in the bank.”

Connect with Travis Chappell:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travischappell

Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell

Website: 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, Travis Chappell sits down with legendary NFL agent Ben Dogra, one of the most influential figures in modern sports representation. Over a three-decade career, Ben has represented a record-breaking 54 NFL first-round draft picks and helped build what Sports Business Journal once called the most dominant player-representation practice in the business. From immigrating to the U.S. as a five-year-old with hardworking parents to quietly shaping locker rooms and boardrooms at SFX Football and later CAA, Ben’s story is a masterclass in work ethic, humility, and strategic thinking.​

On this episode we talk about:

How Ben went from immigrant kid washing dishes at 10 to top NFL agent with 54 first-rounders

The unconventional path: 52 law school rejections, one yes, and working for free to get in the door

Why he chose to avoid the spotlight and build power through quiet influence, not personal fame

How agents really make money, and why billionaires and athletes live in different financial universes

Why athletes go broke, the power of the right team around you, and what it actually takes to win long term

Top 3 Takeaways

You do not need the “front man” role to make life-changing money; becoming the indispensable strategist behind the scenes can be just as lucrative and often more sustainable.​

Work ethic plus strategic positioning beats raw talent alone—Ben leveraged his mind, research, and persistence to win in a space where he had no traditional advantages.​

Whether you are an athlete, entrepreneur, or professional, chasing mastery and the right opportunities—not quick cash or fame—is what leads to lasting wealth and leverage.​

Notable Quotes

“If I can outwork you and I love what I do, I should make money in any field.”​

“I didn’t chase the limelight; I chased the work. I wanted to be the guy in the back room that nobody could replace.”​

“Don’t try to keep up with the billionaires. They’re rich; you can be wealthy in your own lane if you stop chasing their game.”​

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