Episodes

In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric break down the growing controversy surrounding prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, including New York's lawsuit alleging that Polymarket is operating an unlicensed gambling operation. They discuss whether prediction markets are really different from traditional sports betting, how these platforms could introduce gambling to new demographics, the challenges of enforcing age restrictions, and where the line shou...

Rajeev Kapur is a three-time CEO with three exits, the CEO of 1105 Media, a former member of Dell's leadership team, and an AI advisor focused on making artificial intelligence accessible to everyone—not just the tech elite. During his time at Dell, Rajeev helped build a $1 billion-plus U.S. business and led operations across China and South Asia. He's also the bestselling author of AI Made Simple and Chase Greatness, a CNBC contributor, and an advisor to multiple AI companies and boards. In thi...

In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric unpack the growing debate around AI and the job market, especially why recent college graduates are struggling to find entry-level work. They discuss whether AI is actually responsible for rising unemployment, how remote work and a low-hire economy are changing the job search, and why sending hundreds of applications may be one of the least effective ways to land a job. Travis also explains why relationships, networking,...

Hariharan Jayakumar is the co-founder of Silo Markets and the creator of Logically Answered, a technology and business media brand with more than 920,000 YouTube subscribers and over 200 million views. Hari started creating YouTube videos at just 10 years old and spent more than a decade consistently building his audience before using that platform as the foundation for a fintech company. In this episode, he shares how consistency helped him grow without a viral moment, how he turned an audience...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric discuss Disney’s appointment of former Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand as its first Chief Technology Officer and what the move could mean for the company’s approach to artificial intelligence. They explore the tension between using AI to increase efficiency and production while preserving the human creativity and craftsmanship that make entertainment meaningful. The conversation also examines the growing tendency for companies to add “AI” to products an...

Clayton Tomasino is the CEO of Scorpion Protective Coatings, a family-founded Indiana manufacturer that has grown into a five-time Inc. 5000 company with a dealer network of roughly 2,000 shops nationwide. Clayton has helped expand the company from protective coatings into window film, paint protection film, cutting software, and emerging smart film technologies. In this episode, he shares how he helped transform a small family business into a growing company, why low barriers to entry can creat...

Travis and producer Eric continue their conversation about the allegations surrounding Life Surge and the broader questions raised by celebrity endorsements and high-ticket business opportunities. They discuss how much responsibility public figures should take when lending their names and credibility to products, companies, or events they may not fully understand. Travis also explains why he believes mixing religious authority with aggressive business sales can become especially problematic, whi...

Ben Meer is a writer, speaker, coach, and the “Systems Guy.” His weekly newsletter, System Sunday, reaches more than 250,000 subscribers, and his social media following has grown to more than two million people. He also coaches founders and CEOs on productivity, systems thinking, and intentional living. A former management consultant with an MBA from Cornell University, Ben is the author of How to Be Good at Life: Simple Systems to Achieve More and Stress Less, where he explores how simple, repe...

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 ...

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. ...

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 continu...

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 advic...

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 prog...

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 epi...

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,...

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: - W...

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 n...

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...

Travis and producer Eric are back in the studio for a conversation about celebrity brands, marketing strategy, and what happens when a product’s positioning doesn’t match the audience it’s trying to reach. Using Sydney Sweeney’s lingerie brand, Siren, as a case study, they discuss the importance of understanding your customer, creating marketing that speaks directly to the people who will actually buy, and why one failed product doesn’t necessarily mean a brand has lost its ability to succeed. ...

Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is an engineer, social entrepreneur, sports scientist, and engineering professor at the University of Arizona who specializes in helping teams think clearly and make confident decisions. His work has helped organizations including SpaceX, the U.S. Army, Major League Baseball, and the NCAA, while his nonprofit Science of Sport has used sports to make STEM education more engaging for more than 700,000 students. Ricardo joins Travis to explore the intersection of data, intuition...

In part two of this conversation, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski unpack the tension between ambition and skepticism. They explore how to pursue meaningful work, build a comfortable business, and learn from successful people without blindly buying into anyone’s “secret formula.” The conversation moves from creative comparison and coaching to the value of timeless principles, healthy discernment, and keeping enough belief to take action. On this episode we talk about: Why becomin...

Sally Gimon is a tax-saving expert who discovered the power of beneficial spendthrift trusts after facing a hefty tax bill on her real estate investments. She now helps business owners and investors understand how they can legally minimize their taxes and build generational wealth using strategies often employed by the ultra-rich. On this episode we talk about: - How Sally Gimon transitioned from real estate wholesaling to specializing in tax-saving strategies. - The history and legality of b...

Travis and producer Eric break down one of Jim Rohn’s classic lessons: the importance of asking. After joking about Rohn’s dramatic delivery, they explore why asking is such a powerful skill, from being clear about what you want to approaching goals with both intelligence and faith. The conversation also dives into the tension between adult skepticism and childlike optimism, and why some of the most successful people Travis has interviewed share an unusual willingness to believe they can accompl...

Trevor Cowley is a 38-year-old serial entrepreneur, investor, writer, and podcaster. He’s a co-owner in 5 businesses that collectively produce over eight figures. He co-hosts a top 100 business podcast on iTunes called Real Business Owners. Trevor is committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed. 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 nee...