Episodes

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down how getting in the best shape of your life becomes a force multiplier for everything else: your confidence, your relationships, and your ability to make more money. He shares his own journey from being clinically obese to getting lean, consistent, and disciplined, and explains how fitness, nutrition, and long-term habits translate directly into better business performance and financial results. On this episode we talk about: Why you can’t “silo” fitness...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric riff on one of the hottest debates in modern city life: are reservations and curated nights out killing “real” experiences, or are they the only sane way to survive places like Las Vegas? Using a viral Subway Takes clip as a jumping-off point, they break down why lines get engineered, why chaos is overrated, and how to actually plan a great Vegas trip without burning cash (or patience) on bad clubs and hour-long waits. On this episode we talk about:...

Cheryl Strauss Einhorn is the creator of the AREA Method, a structured decision-making system used by individuals, companies, and nonprofits to solve complex problems. She’s the founder of Decisive, an adjunct professor at Cornell and the University of Miami, and the author of multiple books on decision-making, including Problem Solved and her latest, The Human Edge. Cheryl combines deep research expertise with practical frameworks to help people think more clearly and make smarter choices—espec...

This solo episode features Travis continuing his deep dive on failure, following up on his “failure resume” from the previous show. He shares a practical three-part framework—debrief, connect, and act—for processing big setbacks, protecting your mindset, and getting back into motion after deals go bad, investments flop, or businesses collapse. On this episode we talk about: Why most of Travis’s 17–18 ventures didn’t meet his expectations, even when they technically “worked” The Grant Cardone ...

This is a conversation between Travis and his producer Eric, who brings a mix of comedy, real-world consumer insight, and behind-the-scenes perspective from the show itself. Eric’s storytelling about fitness, Starbucks chai, and Panera “hacks” sets up a broader conversation with Travis about pricing, perceived value, and how brands like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Everbowl think about experience versus cost. Together, they break down what “premium experience” really means at the register and in the...

Mark Divine is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL commander, entrepreneur, and founder of SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind. After 20 years leading elite special operations teams, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, building multiple businesses and training top executives in leadership, resilience, and peak performance. A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Mark blends military discipline with mindfulness practices to help others unlock their full potential. On this episode we talk ab...

On this solo episode, Travis shares candid stories from his own entrepreneurial journey, walking through more than a dozen ventures that didn’t work out the way he hoped before his podcasting business took off. From childhood side hustles and landscaping to MLMs, door-to-door sales, and water purification, he breaks down how repeated “failures” created the skills, resilience, and opportunities that ultimately built his income today. On this episode we talk about: Why fear of failure and fear o...

Host Travis and producer Eric dive into an in-depth discussion about Tony Hawk's legendary decision to turn down a $500,000 buyout from Activision in favor of royalties on the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game franchise. They explore the financial wisdom behind knowing when to bet on yourself versus taking guaranteed money, and how keeping your lifestyle expenses low creates the flexibility to take calculated risks. On this episode we talk about: Tony Hawk's decision to reject a $500,000 buyout f...

Owen Barrett is the founder of a solar company that has generated over $50 million in revenue in just three years. Before building his solar empire, Owen spent a decade in the energy efficiency space, eventually discovering a massive gap in the multifamily real estate market: operators were ignoring solar as a value-add strategy. After trying and failing to convince syndicators to adopt solar, Owen bought his own apartment buildings, proved the model worked, built proprietary software to elimina...

This episode features an in-studio conversation with Travis's producer, who brings a unique perspective on financial decisions and lifestyle choices. The producer shares personal stories about weight loss, childhood experiences with "husky" uniforms, and honeymoon budgeting, creating an authentic dialogue about money management at different life stages. On this episode we talk about: The trade-off between buying luxury items versus investing in appreciating assets like real estate How frugal p...

Yasmin Cheyenne is a three-time HarperOne author and Today Show wellness expert who has guided hundreds of thousands of people back to their authentic selves through her writing, workshops, and teachings. After serving five years in the Air Force and working in the JAG (legal) department, Yasmin spent nearly a decade balancing a government job with her growing coaching and writing business before making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship in 2021—just days before the Today Show reached out fo...

In this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into a candid conversation sparked by Dave Portnoy discussing his relationship with his ex-wife on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast. The discussion evolves into a thoughtful exploration of marriage, prenups, business partnerships, loyalty, and what it really means to build a life together. Travis shares personal reflections on getting married young, growing wealth alongside a spouse, and why nuanced conversations matter more than one-size-fits-all ...

What if one of the world’s most solvable problems remains unsolved… simply because most of us never have to think about it? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water, to unpack a staggering reality: 700 million people still lack access to clean water—and the biggest barrier isn’t technology, it’s attention and funding. Scott shares how his organization has already helped over 21.6 million people across 29 countries, and why ...

Caitlin Clark has become one of the biggest stars in professional sports, transforming the WNBA’s popularity and sparking major conversations around athlete pay, league growth, and the future of women’s basketball. In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” explore how one player can completely reshape a sport’s economics, and debate what it really takes to grow a professional league. On this episode we talk about: Caitlin Clark’s impact on WNBA attendance,...

Bestselling author, journalist, and podcast creator Jo Piazza joins Travis to break down the realities of building a career as a modern writer. From working gossip columns in New York City to publishing bestselling novels, launching hit podcasts, and navigating today’s AI-driven content landscape, Jo shares the unfiltered truth about storytelling, publishing, audience building, and why creators need to think like entrepreneurs. With books published in multiple languages and millions of podcast d...

Travis and his producer Eric discuss actress Shannon Elizabeth's remarkable OnlyFans success, where she earned $1.2 million in her first seven days on the platform. The conversation explores the economics of creator platforms, celebrity access, and the power of owning your audience versus working through traditional Hollywood gatekeepers. They also dive into the harsh realities for average OnlyFans creators and what it really takes to succeed in the creator economy. On this episode we talk abou...

Brian Keller is the CEO and co-founder of Rora, a company focused on creating innovative, easy-to-use water filtration systems designed to improve health without requiring complicated plumbing. After discovering that a filtered shower head dramatically improved his daughter’s eczema, Brian became obsessed with understanding water quality and building products that families could trust. Prior to launching Rora, Brian co-founded the mission-driven apparel brand Love Your Melon, scaling it over a d...

On this episode, Travis is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a hilarious and surprisingly insightful conversation about fast food, self-control, and how subscription models are changing the way restaurants make money. They riff on Travis’s former “big back” days, his love of junk cereal and late-night drive‑thrus, and then pivot into a real discussion about what an “all you can eat” McDonald’s subscription would mean for both customers and the company. Along the way, they unpack how chai...

Chris Hunter is the co-founder of Four Loko and the founder behind Koia, one of the fastest-growing plant-based protein beverage brands in the country. From disrupting the alcohol industry in the early 2000s to building a multi-nine-figure health beverage company carried in over 35,000 retailers, Chris has mastered the art of spotting trends, scaling brands, and staying ahead of consumer demand. In this episode, he shares lessons from decades in the beverage industry, the realities of entreprene...

Travis Chappell is the host of the Travis Makes Money podcast and a content creator who transformed from a 24-year-old door-to-door sales guy with zero content experience into a successful podcaster and entrepreneur. His journey has been guided by principles that helped him build an audience and create meaningful content in a crowded digital landscape. On this episode we talk about: Why treating an audience of one like an audience of a million is essential for growth The importance of being s...

In this episode, Travis and his producer dive into the fascinating financial strategy and global influence of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani. While there’s no traditional guest, the conversation highlights what makes Ohtani one of the most unique earners in sports history—blending elite performance, international appeal, and long-term thinking. From endorsement dominance to contract structuring, this episode unpacks how one athlete is redefining what it means to make money. On this episode we talk ...

In this episode, Travis sits down with Guy Winch—an internationally renowned psychologist, bestselling author, and TED speaker whose talks have amassed over 35 million views. Guy is a leading voice in emotional health, known for translating complex psychological research into practical, everyday strategies. His latest book, Mind Over Grind, explores how modern work culture hijacks our well-being—and how to take control back. On this episode we talk about: The concept of “mind over grind” and ho...

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down the double-edged sword of optimism—one of the most powerful drivers of success that can also quietly sabotage your progress. Drawing from psychology, entrepreneurship, and personal experience, he explores how blind optimism can distort decision-making, and how to properly “calibrate” your mindset to make smarter, more effective moves in business and life. On this episode we talk about: The four dangerous forms of optimism: anesthesia, entitlement, bad ma...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric break down financial advice circulating online and react to contrasting perspectives from popular finance personalities. They unpack the practicality of investing strategies like Roth IRAs versus real estate, while also diving into fascinating money stories—like how blockbuster filmmaker deals can generate massive long-term income. With a mix of humor and real-world insight, this episode blends financial education with entertaining commentary on weal...