Episodes

Travis sits down with his producer Eric for a fun, practical breakdown of whether speaking at events is actually worth it for entrepreneurs and creators. From horror-movie cold opens to hard-nosed math on time, travel, and ROI, this episode digs into when to say yes to a stage, when to walk away, and how to think about “paid to speak” vs “pay to speak” opportunities in a sane, strategic way. On this episode we talk about: Whether speaking at events is a vanity play or a real growth lever for y...

Veena Jetti is the founding partner of Vive Funds, an innovative commercial real estate firm specializing in conservative investment opportunities. With over $1 billion in real estate transactions and a dynamic career that spans education, community building, and thought leadership, Veena brings a unique blend of deep market expertise and a passion for empowering new investors. As a multifamily syndicator, philanthropist, and Forbes Council Member, her story stands out for its hard-earned lesson...

In this solo-style episode, Travis sits down with his producer Eric for an introspective conversation using the “rocking chair test,” a thought experiment where you imagine advice from your much older self at the end of your life. Instead of featuring an external guest, this episode turns the spotlight on Travis’s own mindset around regret, failure, and what he wishes he’d stop (and keep) doing in business and life. On this episode we talk about: How the “rocking chair test” helps you see your...

Fernando Angelucci is a self-storage investor and syndicator who’s transacted on over $200M worth of self-storage facilities across dozens of states in just six years. After starting in house painting, flipping, and multifamily, he ditched the “three T’s” (tenants, toilets, trash) and went all-in on self storage, where he now specializes in wholesaling, value-add deals, and creative seller-financed structures—while spending most of the year living abroad.​ On this episode we talk about: Fernan...

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a bestselling author, top executive coach, and leadership professor at Loyola University New Orleans who specializes in connection-driven leadership. She’s the author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership and the new book The Seismic Shift in You, co-written with legendary coach Marshall Goldsmith, where she unpacks seven powerful shifts leaders must make to deepen connection and drive results in an AI-driven world.​ On this episode we talk about: Michelle’s first “rea...

Travis is joined by his producer Eric for a rapid‑fire, no‑guest episode built around funny, candid questions about purchases, regrets, and money habits. Eric keeps Travis on his toes, pushing him to “bring the receipts” on everything from embarrassing Amazon orders to the masterminds and franchises he has invested in.​ On this episode we talk about: The most embarrassing Amazon purchases Travis would hate to see leaked. Under‑$50 buys (like “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant”) that genuinely im...

On this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a fun but revealing “check your contacts” game that exposes how much your network shapes your opportunities, decisions, and problem-solving capacity. Instead of focusing on tactics alone, they use real names from Travis’s phone to unpack what makes a relationship actually valuable beyond social proof or status.​ On this episode we talk about: The one professional contact Travis would keep if he had to delete everyone else fr...

Jesse and Gabi Merl are a married power couple who rebuilt from bankruptcy and six-figure student loan debt to consistent multi–six-figure months through content, social selling, and smart investing. Jesse is a multi-exit tech entrepreneur turned YouTube creator behind “Jesse ON FIRE,” while Gabi is a hormone and cortisol-focused coach and social seller who built a thriving business from scratch using short-form content.​​ On this episode we talk about: How Jesse went from teen restaurant jobs...

In this solo episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and his producer Eric react to a hot take by John Gafford. John Gafford is a highly successful entrepreneur in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and a recognized authority in the real estate industry. Before venturing into real estate, he carved out a remarkable path as an entrepreneur, leaving a lasting impact across various industries including hospitality, insurance, and technology. His extensive experience and visionary leadership...

French-Canadian real estate investor, designer, and developer Natalie Cloutier shares how she and her husband Rob went from broke 20-year-olds in a basement condo to building 50+ rental units and a multimillion-dollar portfolio using a no-money-down build-to-rent strategy. With a background in architectural technology and a focus on new construction, Natalie has turned sweat equity and creative financing into a full-time business, and recently distilled her approach into her book, “The Build-to-...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric react to a viral video from Vivian Tu (“Your Rich BFF”) breaking down three popular “get rich quick” strategies that actually cost most people money: whole life insurance as an investment, day trading, and “passive” side hustles like wholesale real estate, Amazon dropshipping, and affiliate marketing. They use the clip as a springboard to talk about discipline, risk, and why most people should stick to simple, boring money moves instead of gambling their...

Rachel Zaslansky Sheer and Lori Zuker Briller are the co-founders of The Grapevine, a premier corporate and domestic staffing firm known for placing top-tier talent with high-profile executives, households, and leading companies. With 20+ years of recruiting experience across entertainment, tech, finance, real estate, fashion, and more, they’ve built a referral-driven “job matchmaking” agency and recently coauthored “Straight From the Grapevine: How to Crush Your Job Search,” a practical guide t...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into breaking sports media news: ESPN and Penn Entertainment unwinding their $2 billion, 10-year ESPN Bet partnership just two years after launch and pivoting into a new multi-year deal with DraftKings. They unpack what this says about ESPN’s fading dominance, DraftKings’ position as the default sportsbook brand, and how Barstool founder Dave Portnoy continues to land on his feet after Penn sold Barstool back to him and rebranded to ESPN Bet. Along ...

Rod Khleif is a Dutch immigrant, multifamily investor, and high-performance mentor who has owned over 2,000 single-family homes and thousands of apartment units across the U.S. He hosts “Lifetime Cash Flow Through Real Estate Investing,” one of the largest commercial real estate podcasts, where he teaches investors how to use multifamily, senior housing, and other commercial assets to create long-term wealth. After watching his net worth jump $17 million in 2006 and then losing roughly $50 milli...

In this episode, Travis Chappell dives into the mindset shifts that separate effective salespeople from those who plead for clients’ attention. With a focus on the photography industry as a case study, he breaks down common mistakes creatives make when marketing their services and shares actionable strategies to connect authentically with clients. On this episode we talk about: The difference between pitching yourself and pleading for validation in business How creative entrepreneurs often ov...

With over two decades of real estate, sales, and professional coaching experience, Jeremy Herider's mission is to assist agents in building careers worth having, businesses worth owning and lives worth living. https://harvist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this candid and relatable episode, Travis and his producer Eric share personal experiences about starting in podcasting and content creation while grappling with imposter syndrome. They discuss how it's okay not to be an expert at first and how interviewing others can be a powerful way to create valuable content. Travis reflects on his own journey starting solo and the benefits of learning from others. They explore how comparison can either motivate or hold you back and emphasize the importan...

JT Mestdagh shares his extraordinary journey of resilience overcoming multiple complex medical challenges from birth and severe dyslexia to becoming an adventurer and inspirational author. His book No Bad Days: Turning Your Biggest Challenges into Your Greatest Opportunities encourages young adults and everyone to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and to live a positive, purpose-driven life. JT also founded a charity supporting children with medical needs and literacy programs, intertwi...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric delve into how Gen Z approaches financial advice, heavily relying on social media platforms for guidance. They discuss the impact of the lack of traditional financial education, how social media has democratized access to financial info, and the risks and benefits of following influencers online. The episode highlights generational differences in financial behavior, trust in advice sources, and the crucial role of critical thinking in navigating abun...

Brandon Steiner, known as the king of sports memorabilia, shares his journey from a sports-crazed Brooklyn kid with $4,000 to a transformative figure in sports marketing. As founder and president of Collectible Exchange and Steiner Sports, Brandon discusses how he revolutionized the memorabilia industry and built a $50 million empire with exclusive partnerships with legendary athletes like Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Muhammad Ali. He reflects on the fundamentals of business, the importance ...

In this episode, Travis shares a personal story about his experience with a challenging out-of-state real estate flip that resulted in a significant loss initially, but also valuable lessons for long-term investing and property management. He discusses the complexities of managing properties from afar, unexpected costs like property taxes, and the emotional factors that influence buying and selling decisions. The episode also covers practical advice for navigating real estate investments, includ...

Stefan Feuerstein is a leadership expert recognized by Oprah Winfrey as part of her inaugural Super Soul 100 list of awakened leaders elevating humanity. With over two decades of high-stakes leadership experience in humanitarian and private sectors, Stefan has led thousands globally. He is the author of the book "ABC Delegation," which teaches managers and leaders how to leverage delegation to drive engagement, accountability, and outsized returns in business and life. On this episode we talk a...

This episode features a lighthearted and insightful conversation between Travis and his producer Eric, blending humor with practical advice about managing business finances. They discuss the importance of tracking net profit and operating expenses as critical financial metrics, the challenges of cash flow management, and the nuances of personal versus business finance. Through witty banter and relatable stories, they explore how founders can improve their financial literacy and make smarter deci...

Matt Putra is a fractional CFO and founder of Eightx, specializing in helping e-commerce and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies scale profitably and sustainably. With over a decade of experience, Matt has supported businesses generating $5 million to $100 million in revenue, expertly managing cash flow, raising capital, and building financial systems that empower founders to make data-driven decisions confidently. On this episode we talk about: Matt’s unconventional path to becoming a CFO...