Episodes

On this solo episode, Travis breaks down his personal framework for deciding which side hustles are actually worth your time, energy, and attention. Using real-world examples and mindset shifts, he shows you how to stop numbing out with Netflix and impulse buys and start using your “5-to-9” to escape a job you hate and build something you actually enjoy. On this episode we talk about: Why “burn the boats” advice is dangerous for most people with families, mortgages, and real responsibilities ...

In this episode, Travis is joined in-studio by his producer Eric for a candid, unscripted conversation reacting to viral clips, popular financial advice, and real-life experiences. Instead of a traditional guest interview, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Travis thinks about money, relationships, and long-term success—blending humor, disagreement, and practical wisdom along the way. On this episode we talk about: Whether getting married helps or hurts your ability to build we...

Mike Kim is a three-time bestselling author, speaker, and strategic advisor who helps thought leaders, coaches, and authors turn what they do best into intellectual property that actually scales. He’s generated over $5M in revenue from his expertise, wrote the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller You Are the Brand, and has worked with New York Times bestselling authors and experts featured on PBS, TED, CNN, and Fox. In addition to speaking at events like South by Southwest, Social Media ...

On this solo episode, Travis breaks down why he still believes buying a home is worth it, even in a high-price, high-interest-rate environment. Drawing from his own journey of buying, selling, and renting in different markets, he walks through the numbers, the mindset, and the long-term strategy that make homeownership a powerful wealth-building tool—not just a “nice to have.” On this episode we talk about: Why some finance voices say “don’t buy a house” and where Travis lands after years of g...

In this episode, Travis sits down with his friend and recurring co-host Eric to unpack what it actually means to be “overpaid” and why most entrepreneurs are dramatically undercharging for the value they create. Through personal stories, client examples, and a few well-placed quotes from Alex Hormozi and The Alchemist, they break down how to think about pricing from your ideal client’s perspective instead of your own bank account. On this episode we talk about: Why being called “overpaid” can ...

Matt Alvarez is the founder of SoundShed Studios, a rapidly growing turnkey design and build company specializing in high-end podcast studios and custom creative spaces. Starting with a background in music, AV, and IT, Matt’s entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly during the pandemic—when he landed his first major client: Joe Rogan. Since then, he’s scaled SoundShed into a multi-million dollar business serving top-tier creators, comedians, and brands, becoming a go-to name for fully automate...

Even though this is a solo episode, Travis steps in as your guide through one of the most underrated money-making skills: managing your reactions in a world engineered to keep you emotionally hijacked. Drawing from personal stories, psychology, and stoic philosophy, he walks through his BASS Method—Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share—to help you turn everyday frustrations into opportunities for growth, better relationships, and ultimately better decision-making in life and business. On this episode we t...

In this co-hosted episode, Travis is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a fun, fast-paced conversation about wealth-building, viral money clips, and what most people get wrong about “getting rich.” They react to Kevin O’Leary’s story about his mom quietly becoming wealthy by putting 20% of every paycheck into dividend-paying stocks and bonds for decades, riff on the clickbait culture around money advice, and then bring it back to Travis’s core philosophy: build wealth slowly and predictab...

David Royce is a four-time founder and serial entrepreneur who has quietly built an empire in “unsexy” home services. Starting as a broke college kid who was terrible at sales, he turned door-to-door pest control into a personal masterclass—eventually founding and exiting multiple companies for a combined enterprise value approaching $200 million in his 30s, and later scaling Aptiv Environmental to over $500 million in annual revenue and 6,500 employees across 5,000 cities. He’s an expert at cre...

In this solo episode, host Travis Chappell answers a listener question from Amber about how to set boundaries with clients who become friends—and how to build genuine friendships in entrepreneurship. Drawing from his own experiences in masterminds, coaching, and community-building, Travis breaks down the tension between “being helpful” and “being a doormat,” and offers a healthier, more sustainable way to think about fees, friendships, and long-term relationships in business. He also shares real...

In this co-hosted episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a candid, humorous, and thought-provoking conversation about the modern job market. Using insights sparked by commentary from Mike Rowe, they break down why traditional career paths may no longer be the smartest route—and why skilled trades and alternative learning paths are becoming increasingly valuable in today’s economy. On this episode we talk about: The growing demand for skilled trades and the massive shortag...

Jake Polino is a content creator turned entrepreneur who built an audience through sneaker content and leveraged it into a scalable brand. Starting with viral TikToks and DIY sneaker customization, Jake learned firsthand that views don’t always equal income—leading him to co-found Kizo, a sneaker company built on the back of his audience and creative expertise. On this episode we talk about: Why going viral doesn’t mean you’re making money—and the reality of creator income How Jake transitione...

Aristotle, one of history’s greatest thinkers, explored the nature of friendship thousands of years ago—and his insights are more relevant today than ever. In this solo episode, Travis breaks down Aristotle’s three types of friendships and connects them to modern life, success, and even income. By understanding how your relationships shape your decisions, opportunities, and mindset, you can intentionally build a network—and a life—that actually moves you forward. On this episode we talk about: ...

In this candid co-host episode, Travis Chappell dives into one of the most difficult balancing acts in life—building a successful career while being a present parent. Sparked by a powerful clip from performance coach Tim Grover, Travis reflects on the tension between ambition and family, sharing personal stories, hard truths, and the mental frameworks he uses to navigate work, fatherhood, and long-term fulfillment. On this episode we talk about: The emotional trade-offs between building a caree...

Brynn MacLennan is a serial entrepreneur and product designer who’s been building businesses since she was just 13 years old. With a background in product design and experience working alongside the dental industry, Brynn co-founded an innovative electric flosser designed to make oral care easier, more effective, and actually enjoyable. Her journey spans everything from launching a bounce house company as a teenager to buying and scaling a dental practice—and now disrupting a legacy industry wit...

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell shares hard-earned lessons from nearly a decade in podcasting, thousands of interviews, and deep personal reflection. Drawing from both his own experiences and insights gathered from top performers, Travis breaks down why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. He opens up about the internal struggles that come with ambition and offers practical ways to build a healthier relationship with yourself so you can show up better in business and in life. On this ep...

Ready to rethink how—and when—to make the ask in your relationships? In this powerful preview from Travis Makes Friends, Travis Chappell sits down with entrepreneur and recovery advocate Darren Prince to break down one of the most misunderstood aspects of networking: how to ask for help without damaging trust. Darren pulls back the curtain on what it really means to build “relationship capital” with high-level people—and why most people get it completely wrong. While the common advice is to alw...

In this two-part conversation, Travis Chappell dives into the nuanced decisions couples face around career, parenting, and societal expectations. Picking up from part one, Travis explores what it means to support a partner, balance personal ambition, and navigate cultural pressures around stay-at-home roles, both for women and men. This episode blends practical advice, personal anecdotes, and cultural commentary to help listeners rethink traditional expectations. On this episode we talk about: ...

If you’ve ever felt stuck, second-guessed yourself, or wondered why confidence seems to come so easily to others, this episode breaks it all down. In this solo episode, Travis Chappell pulls back the curtain on what actually creates real confidence—not surface-level affirmations or fake-it-til-you-make-it energy, but earned, sustainable belief in yourself. Drawing from years of interviews with top performers, personal experience, and hard-won lessons, Travis introduces a powerful framework: trea...

On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis sits down with his in-house producer to unpack how modern couples can navigate money, marriage, and identity when traditional gender roles are flipped or blurred. Drawing on Travis’s own journey with his wife Jackie—from dual incomes to traditional roles and back again—they explore what actually works for a relationship financially and emotionally, beyond cultural or religious expectations. On this episode we talk about: Growing up in patriarchal, ...

Alan Stein Jr. is a seasoned performance coach, keynote speaker, and author who has spent over 15 years working with some of the highest-performing basketball players in the world, including Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant. Known for blending elite athletic principles with business performance, Alan now helps leaders and organizations improve mindset, leadership, and team dynamics. His journey from basketball performance coach to top keynote speaker offers powerful lessons on discip...

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell shares hard-earned insights from years of studying personal development, interviewing top performers, and consuming hundreds of books and podcasts. Rather than focusing on external success, Travis dives into a deeper internal challenge—loneliness—and unpacks why the true solution isn’t more social activity, but a stronger relationship with yourself. On this episode we talk about: The difference between loneliness (internal) and social isolation (external) ...

In this episode, Travis is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a fun, fast-paced conversation about what everyday earners can learn from pro athletes’ best and worst money decisions. Using quotes from icons like Magic Johnson, Serena Williams, Muhammad Ali, and others, they break down how to think about saving, lifestyle creep, family pressure, and building businesses so you don’t end up as another “made millions, lost millions” cautionary tale. On this episode we talk about: Why “save a...

Tom Szaky is the founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle waste and building innovative circular economy solutions. Starting the company from a college dorm at Princeton University, Tom transformed a simple idea—turning worm waste into fertilizer—into a nearly $100 million international business. His approach combines profit with purpose, proving that entrepreneurs can solve massive environmental problems while building highly scalable companies. On this episod...