Episodes

Joe Gatto is a comedian, writer, producer, and one of the stars of Impractical Jokers, the hit comedy series he helped create with his longtime friends. What started with four friends practicing improv in Joe's mom's basement eventually became a decade-long television phenomenon spanning more than 300 episodes. In this episode, Joe takes us behind the scenes of how the show came together, why the group's friendship was so important to its success, and how he developed his career as a creative fo...

Larry Weidel has spent more than 50 years studying, building, and coaching high achievers. A founding member of the organization that became Primerica, Larry helped build one of the industry's largest sales organizations, recruiting more than 24,000 people in just 39 months. Today, he is the bestselling author of Serial Winner: Five Actions to Create Your Cycle of Success, founder of Big Hitters International, and host of the Big Hitters podcast. In this episode, Larry shares the lessons he lear...

Chris Van Vliet is a four-time Emmy Award-winning TV host, entertainment reporter, YouTuber, and the host of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, one of the most recognizable wrestling interview shows. Chris built a devoted audience by spotting an underserved niche in pro wrestling, bringing genuine fandom and sharp interviewing to conversations with major talent, and then turning years of behind-the-scenes work into a full-time media business. On this episode we talk about: How Chris went from red-c...

Dr. Hardik Chodavadia—better known as Dr. C—is the co-founder and CFO of Enamel Dentistry, a growing network of comfort-first dental studios across Texas. A dentist, entrepreneur, and co-host of the Day Ones podcast, Dr. C shares how he and a college roommate went from fresh dental-school graduates with student loans and no patients to building a repeatable multi-location business. He also breaks down the financial lessons he has learned through expansion, calculated risk-taking, investing, and ...

Sanaa Abourezk is a Syrian-born chef, cookbook author, and owner of Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A 2023 James Beard Award finalist, Sanaa has spent more than two decades sharing the food and traditions of her Syrian heritage while championing healthy, plant-forward cooking. She has authored five cookbooks and built a thriving restaurant by staying true to her food, her values, and her community. In this episode, Sanaa shares the lessons she learned from surviving t...

Travis is an entrepreneur, podcast host, and media operator who built a profitable podcast business by treating every listener as valuable, listening closely to audience problems, and creating products that solved them. Rather than waiting for sponsorship revenue or chasing download numbers alone, Travis used free one-on-one calls to understand his audience, launched a mastermind based on their feedback, and eventually expanded into premium podcast coaching and other services. In this unique co...

In this special episode, Travis is in the guest seat for another show, where he challenges conventional expectations. After stepping away from the belief system and environment he grew up in, Travis learned to tolerate disapproval, think independently, and create a life aligned with his own values—not other people’s expectations. He also shares the practical origins of his podcasting career: starting with no meaningful network, learning from established podcasters, investing in mentorship and s...

Trixy Castro is a first-generation Latina entrepreneur, investor, and strategic advisor who built Genesis Capital and Genesis Auctions from the ground up before selling both companies to Fortune 500 firms Goldman Sachs and Fidelity National Title within nine months of each other. She has facilitated more than $20 billion in real estate transactions across debt and equity and continues to invest in real estate, fintech, AI, and sustainability. In this episode, Trixy shares how she went from tutor...

Building a meaningful network is not about paying for access—it’s about becoming someone who consistently creates value for others. In this special episode featuring Travis in the guest seat, he shares how he invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into coaching, masterminds, events, and relationships; used a zero-percent credit card to make an early bet on his business; and built connections that led to new opportunities, partnerships, speaking engagements, and interviews with icons such as S...

Pamela Meyer is an internationally recognized expert in deception detection, social observation, and human behavior. She is the bestselling author of Lie Spotting and her new book, How to Read the Room. Pam has trained executives, organizations, government agencies, investigators, and leaders around the world to recognize behavioral signals, navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, and build trust. In this episode, she explains why observation is one of the most overlooked skills in business—and...

In the final installment of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski discuss why product-market fit matters more than purity, preference, or appearances. From Panda Express’s unapologetically American Chinese positioning to the debate over meat substitutes and alternative foods, they explore how businesses win when they meet real demand, communicate honestly, and avoid forcing customers into products they do not genuinely want. On this episode we talk about: Why pe...

Tim Leatherman is the inventor of the iconic Leatherman multi-tool and the co-founder, owner, and chairman of Leatherman Tool Group. What started as a simple idea during a nine-month road trip through Europe took eight years to become a reality, including three years of building prototypes by hand, countless rejections, and a decision to manufacture the product himself. Today, more than 90 million Leatherman tools have been sold in over 70 countries. In this episode, Tim shares the lessons he le...

In part four of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and Eric Skwarczynski use Panda Express, vegan tacos, and protein-food substitutes to unpack a practical business truth: customers—not founders—ultimately decide what wins. The conversation explores why Panda Express embraced “American Chinese” food rather than chasing a narrow definition of authenticity, and why businesses often struggle when they try to sell people what they should want instead of delivering an experience they genuinely en...

Jim Bildner is the CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK), one of the world’s largest venture philanthropy firms. With experience across the private sector, government, and philanthropy, Jim has spent his career helping mission-driven organizations create meaningful change. In this episode, he explains how venture capital principles can be applied to philanthropy, why financial discipline is essential for nonprofits, and how purpose—not money—can be the foundation for a fulfilling life. He also sha...

In part three of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and Eric Skwarczynski expand on a key creator-economy principle: follower count is not financial security. Through examples ranging from a pizza-maker creator who embraces his day job to Surreal’s clever low-budget celebrity marketing, they explore why meaningful work, owned audiences, repeatable customer acquisition, and resourceful creativity matter more than hype. On this episode we talk about: Why no honest work should be dismissed as...

Jared Dillian is a former Lehman Brothers trader, author of seven books, and the founder of Jared Dillian Money. He spent seven years at Lehman, where he was head of ETF trading, before building a successful market commentary and newsletter business. In this episode, Jared shares lessons from launching a newsletter during the 2008 financial crisis, explains why he believes bonds may offer one of the biggest investment opportunities today, and discusses the importance of having a strong voice and...

In part two of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski dig deeper into the creator economy, using Markiplier’s GoPro investment and Jordan “The Stallion” Howlett’s path from a pizza job to full-time creator as jumping-off points. Their core message: starting a creative business does not require reckless leaps—build momentum early, protect your downside, and leave your job only when the opportunity has enough stability to support you. On this episode we talk about: ...

Jon Mest is a data scientist turned entrepreneur, CEO of both ChatRank and Just Reach Out, and a builder focused on helping companies get discovered in an AI-first world. After early roles in Wall Street and data analytics, Jon learned how enterprises buy, how to turn customer problems into products, and why bootstrapping can create more ownership and long-term flexibility. Today, he helps brands improve their visibility across AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI while earni...

Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski kick off the first episode of this five-part series with a funny, unfiltered conversation about sales, creator-led businesses, and the strange psychology of billionaires. From a brilliantly simple door-to-door pitch to Markiplier’s reported GoPro investment, Travis and Eric explore how creativity, attention, and conviction can turn unusual ideas into real business opportunities. On this episode we talk about: Why a “no soliciting sign” can be one ...

Tim Storey is an acclaimed author, speaker, executive coach, and the host of the Miracle Mentality podcast. Known as the “Original Comeback Coach,” Tim has spent more than four decades helping entrepreneurs, athletes, executives, celebrities, and people facing difficult circumstances turn adversity into forward momentum. His work centers on building the mindset, relationships, preparation, and practical support systems that allow people to move from being stuck to creating a meaningful comeback....

Travis Chappell and producer Eric discuss how creators are changing the entertainment industry by bypassing traditional gatekeepers and building audiences directly online. Using the faith-based comedy series The Promised Land as an example, they explore how a show that started on YouTube grew to millions of views and ultimately landed a global distribution deal with Lionsgate. The conversation highlights the opportunities available to creators today, the importance of making content good enough ...

Gina London is an Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent, executive communication advisor, and CEO of Language of Leadership. Having coached leaders and high-performing teams across nearly 60 countries, Gina helps professionals communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and influence. In her book, Amplify You: How to Connect More Powerfully in an AI World, she shares a practical framework for strengthening your voice, presence, and human connection—skills that become even more valuable as AI t...

Travis Chappell and producer Eric break down a simple but powerful financial concept: how small daily spending decisions can add up to thousands of dollars over time. Inspired by a clip from Mel Robbins, they discuss the reality behind spending $27.40 a day, the power of compound interest, and why “paying your future self first” can be one of the simplest ways to build wealth. They also explore the tension between saving and enjoying your money, from expensive movie nights to family activities a...

Nick Huber is an accomplished entrepreneur and real estate investor based in Athens, Georgia. Best known for building a $30M+ annual revenue portfolio that includes 68 self-storage properties, Nick also owns companies like somewhere.com, Bolt Storage, and RE Cost Seg. He’s recognized for his no-nonsense advice on entrepreneurship, his book The Sweaty Startup, and his focus on building wealth through practical, “boring” businesses rather than chasing flashy startup trends. Nick’s unique perspecti...