Episodes

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into the wild world of door-to-door selling—reacting to some of the most painfully awkward sales videos on the internet. From cringe-worthy “Karen” interactions to clueless pitches, the two unpack what not to do when trying to close a deal. With laughter, role-playing, and a little sales therapy, they uncover why emotional intelligence still beats any script. On this episode we talk about: The worst door-to-door sales tactics caught on camera Why...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric turn up the heat as they break down the real vs. fake side of the business influencer world. From internet gurus to billion-dollar founders, they ask the tough questions most podcasts avoid—like who’s pretending, who’s giving bad advice from their ivory tower, and who would actually survive starting over from zero. On this episode we talk about: The difference between a real entrepreneur and an online persona Why so much business advice only works if ...

In this episode, Travis and Eric dive deep into the minds of today’s top business influencers and creators — Gary Vaynerchuk, Alex Hormozi, Naval Ravikant, and Sharran Srivatsaa. Eric shares his take on what makes each one powerful, influential, and sometimes… a little overrated. With humor, hot takes, and honest reflection, this episode uncovers the truth behind influencer hype and what actually creates long-term business success. On this episode we talk about: Which business influencers trul...

In this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis and Eric have a fun, insightful conversation about their personal “Mount Rushmore” of business influencers and how those voices have shaped the way they think about work, money, and success. From early inspirations like Gary Vaynerchuk to deep thinkers like Naval Ravikant, plus polarizing giants like Grant Cardone, they unpack what these leaders get right, what people copy wrong, and which ideas are actually worth modeling in your own life. On this ...

In this episode, Travis sits down with Eric in the studio for a hilarious and insightful deep dive into the world of online sales training. Together, they react to viral clips from well-known sales coach Andy Elliott—an infamous personality whose aggressive methods, animated delivery, and controversial reputation make him one of the most polarizing figures in modern sales culture. On this episode we talk about: The fine line between confidence and cringe in sales training videos Why aggressio...

On this episode, Travis and his producer Eric break down a powerful Quentin Tarantino clip about being “dream adjacent” and how that concept applies to chasing your own ambitions. Through Tarantino’s story of leaving a comfortable-but-stagnant video store job and moving closer to Hollywood, Travis unpacks what it really takes to stop circling your dream and start living it. The conversation hits on environment, networking, brutally honest self-audits, and why changing your surroundings might be ...

Sara Blackmer is not your typical CEO. A decorated U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel turned award-winning tech executive, Sara brings battlefield precision and boardroom credibility to her ventures. As a senior partner at Salaiko Capital and CEO of FluidLogic, she blends her passion for service, technology, and leadership to create cultures of excellence and drive innovation. On this episode we talk about: What 15 generations of military service taught Sara about leadership and resilience How...

In this co-hosted episode, Travis and Eric riff on TED vs. TEDx, the evolution of “thought leadership,” and why people love to critique things that have genuinely helped millions. They also dig into how ideas spread today, the difference between real credibility and checkbox credentials, and why simple, boring actions still beat fancy labels when it comes to actually making money. On this episode we talk about: * Whether TED and TEDx talks still matter for credibility in 2026 * Why not all “be...

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a TEDx speaker, leadership strategist, and host of the top 1% ranked Happy Healthy Hustle podcast, where she helps leaders think clearly, speak with conviction, and take bold, aligned action during times of change. With roots in Germany, a PhD in applied economics from Purdue, and a career spanning academia, innovation, and entrepreneurship, she brings a unique blend of research-backed insight and real-world hustle to help people grow without burning out. On this epi...

On today's episode, Travis and Eric break down some of the most common “popular” pieces of advice in entrepreneurship and personal development—and why blindly following them can keep you broke and stuck. Through stories, examples, and a lot of banter, they unpack how to actually think about risk, focus, multiple income streams, and the balance between working smart and working hard in 2026’s economic reality. On this episode we talk about: * Why “just quit your job and follow your dreams” can ...

Pete Poggi is the founder and CEO of John Galt Insurance Franchising, where he scaled his property and casualty insurance agency from $3 million to $150 million in premiums in under seven years. A seasoned entrepreneur who once helped grow a chain of family salons before jumping into insurance, Pete is on a mission to teach everyday people—many with zero experience—how to build seven- and eight-figure insurance agencies through his proven system. He’s also the author of PNC Insurance Accelerator...

On this special episode, Travis flips the script and becomes the guest on his own show—handing the hosting reins to his AI co‑host “Charlie.” What starts as an experiment in automating one more part of his life turns into a rapid‑fire conversation about mindset, focus, myths about money, viral content, and why podcasting is still his favorite networking tool. You’ll hear Travis break down how to think about income in 2026, what skills really matter now, and where he believes the entrepreneurial ...

Lynn Smith is a former national news anchor for NBC, MSNBC, and CNN who now serves as an executive communication strategist and CEO of Lynn Smith Media & Communications, where she helps enterprise leaders become revenue-driving communicators. Drawing on 15 years inside top newsrooms, she coaches Fortune 500 CEOs to transform fear into confident communication that protects productivity, investor trust, and market value, and she is also the author of the children’s book Just Keep Going, designed t...

In this unique episode, Travis flips the script and “interviews” an AI financial expert—ChatGPT—about making money in 2026, diversification, live social shopping, and building a personal brand. Alongside in-studio producer Eric, Travis uses the conversation to highlight what AI gets right, where it still falls short, and how listeners can practically use these tools without losing their own voice or strategy. The result is a fun, meta, and surprisingly insightful look at the future of money-maki...

Marisa Wong is a self-made entrepreneur who turned zero dollars into a multimillion-dollar business, leading over 250 corporate events for Fortune 1000 companies and managing contracts worth up to $32 billion. She blends leadership, mindfulness, and adventure to help teams and organizations thrive. A sought-after speaker at TEDx, Deloitte, KPMG, and other global summits, Marisa’s mission is to transform cultures through meaningful experiences that connect people, spark growth, and drive results....

In this episode, Travis and Eric, his producer, take the mic to explore the skills that actually move the needle when it comes to making more money and keeping it. Blending sharp humor, AI-generated “comedy,” and real-world experience from his days in door-to-door sales, Travis breaks down why skills like sales, discipline, and learning itself matter far more than traditional schooling when it comes to building wealth. On this episode we talk about: * Why AI still can’t beat real human humor (...

This week, Travis sits down with Lorraine Marchand, acclaimed consultant, author, educator, and innovation leader. Lorraine has spent her career shaping how organizations—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—approach problem solving and sustained growth. She’s co-author of No Fear, No Failure: Five Principles for Sustaining Growth Through Innovation and brings decades of experience from roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, IBM, and on advisory boards for Johnson & Johnson and Hewlett Packard. On th...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down one of society’s most enduring myths — that rich people are inherently “bad.” Drawing from his personal experiences interviewing and interacting with some of the wealthiest individuals in the world, Travis explores how wealth amplifies who we already are, rather than changes us. This episode turns humor, perspective, and real-world insight into an honest look at what it really means to be rich — in money and in mindset. On this episode we tal...

Amy Leneker is a former C-suite executive turned leadership advisor, “recovering workaholic,” and author of Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead & Live with Less Stress & More Joy, where she teaches leaders and teams how to break the cycle of burnout and overwhelm. She has trained over 100,000 leaders, including those at Fortune 100 companies, and now serves as a Joy Strategist helping organizations thrive with less stress and more energy. On this episode we talk about: Amy...

In this episode, Travis is joined in the studio by his producer Eric for a candid and funny conversation about bad takes, wrong predictions, and the life lessons learned the hard way. Together, they break down the importance of adapting your views, learning in public, and staying self-aware as a creator and entrepreneur. From podcasting vs. YouTube debates to overthinking sales and chasing the wrong kind of success, this one’s packed with real talk and self-reflection. On this episode we talk a...

Clare Baukham is a global wealth architect, alternative investment curator, and creator of the Billionaire Women platform who helps clients go beyond traditional portfolios into higher-upside asset classes like blue-chip art. She rose as an award-winning financial advisor in Canada before expanding into media as an executive producer on TV series about wealth, power, and business, and eventually built her own firm around the idea that wealth is identity, structure, and seduction. On this episod...

In this episode, Travis and his producer use everything from Avatar and A24 movies to office space and social media trends to explore a simple question: what actually matters for making more money—and what’s just ego and aesthetics? They break down titles, office space, optics, and “being first” versus being consistent, and show where each one really fits in a practical business strategy.​ On this episode we talk about: Why job titles (“CEO,” “founder,” etc.) rarely matter to customers—and how...

Megan Spencer, better known online as Meg the Creator, is a content creator and mentor who helps introverts and “everyday people” earn real money online without becoming influencers. Through her Anti Influencer Method™, she teaches practical side hustles like Amazon Onsite Commissions (“Amazon reviews”), UGC freelancing, and TikTok Shop so students can build sustainable income streams without relying on follower counts or virality.​ On this episode we talk about: How Megan went from local gove...

In this episode, Travis and his producer get brutally honest about the offers, products, and business models they would never build again—and why that matters if you want to make more money with less stress. From overpriced courses to overbuilt software and Travis’s hard “no” on ever starting a restaurant from scratch, this conversation focuses on pattern recognition: how to spot red flags earlier, avoid expensive mistakes, and build offers people actually want to buy.​ On this episode we talk ...