Episodes

Vanessa Druskat is an associate professor at the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, and an internationally recognized expert in leadership and team performance. She has spent over 30 years studying what makes teams effective, pioneering the concept of team emotional intelligence. Vanessa’s research has transformed Fortune 500 companies, and her bestselling Harvard Business Review article, “Building the Emotional Intelligence of Groups,” is considered e...

This episode features Travis and producer Eric in a wide-ranging, practical talk about what it really takes to build wealth in real estate, busting through common myths and offering clear, non-hype advice for buyers in 2025. Whether you’re scared of becoming a “Money Pit” homeowner, unsure about Grant Cardone’s “asset for asses” line, or just wondering how to buy smarter and flexibly, this one’s packed with lessons from real-world experience. On this episode we talk about: – The “Money Pit” ph...

Jeff Seder is a Harvard-trained innovator who revolutionized the horse racing world with analytics, biomechanics, and data-driven insights. Founder of EQB (Equine Biomechanics & Exercise Physiology), Jeff spent over $7 million of his own money and four decades developing scientific methods—helping buyers select young, unraced thoroughbreds that become world champions. His work has led to landmark wins, including scouting the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, and proven you don’t need to be ...

This Q&A episode features Travis and his producer Eric, digging into modern realities around wages and the importance (and possibilities) of side hustles in 2025. Drawing on real-world examples and listener questions, Travis breaks down practical steps for anyone—whether stuck at minimum wage, looking to upskill, or considering taking a side gig full time. The conversation debunks common myths, highlights actionable pathways, and injects a healthy dose of tough love and encouragement. On this e...

Hey everyone, welcome to another preview episode of Travis Makes Friends! This time, I’m diving deeper into my friendship with the hilarious Nikki Howard. We’re talking comedy, storytelling, and the wild world of content creation—from her love for sketch comedy to her big-picture goals of crafting long-form narratives on screen. Nikki shares updates on her latest projects, including her web series and a new movie, Hollywood Grit, hitting AMC theaters on August 22nd. We also get into the changing...

Student Loan Horror Story: A viral video highlights a 26-year-old with $90,000 in student debt paying a staggering 17% interest rate—and after years of $1,500/month payments, she owes more than the original amount. Student loan debt in the U.S. has exploded, rising from $187 billion to $1.4 trillion since 1990, while college costs are up 420%, but starting wages for graduates have only risen about 10% in the same timeframe—barely keeping up with inflation. College: Value, Costs & Alternatives:...

Guest: Alex Smereczniak— Serial entrepreneur, former CEO of 2ULaundry & Laundry Lab (over $100M valuation, 118 franchises sold), founder of Franzy (30,000+ monthly users, $3M+ raised to help people buy “cash-flowing” businesses). Early Hustles & First Big Win: Started with classic entrepreneurial pursuits: trading cards, washing cars as a kid, and then running a laundry delivery business (“Wake Wash”) in college, which he bought for $30,000 and sold for nearly $300,000 after systematizing and ...

Joseph Shalaby, founder and CEO of e-mortgage capital, joins Travis Chappell to share his journey in the mortgage industry. With over 20 years of experience, Joseph is known for his innovative lending solutions and personal branding strategies. His unique approach to the mortgage business and his commitment to transparency make him a standout figure in the industry. Connect with Joseph: https://www.instagram.com/josephshalaby/ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – th...

Join Travis as he sits down with Neil Ghosh, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in launching and scaling both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Neil shares his journey from his early days in India to becoming a successful leader in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of passion, mentorship, and reinvention. Neil Ghosh's Website: https://www.neilghosh.org/ ✖️ ✖️ ✖️ ✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform buil...

In this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with Robin Dreeke, a former FBI special agent, to explore the art of communication. Robin shares his journey from spy recruitment to sales, emphasizing the importance of trust, empathy, and empowering others with choice. Discover actionable strategies to enhance your communication skills and build lasting relationships in both personal and professional settings. Visit Robin's website at robindreeke.com for more insights and resources on communication a...

Episode Description: Join Travis Chappell on the Travis Makes Money podcast as he sits down with Jace Graham, CEO of Rising Phoenix Capital. In this insightful episode, Jace shares his expertise on alternative investments, focusing on the lucrative opportunities in oil, gas, and real estate. Discover how to leverage mineral rights, non-operated working interests, and 1031 exchanges to diversify your investment portfolio and generate passive income. Key Takeaways: Jace Graham's journey as a fou...

Guest: Rafa Conde — Founder & CEO of Man of War, former DEA/Narcotics/SWAT officer, best-selling author, host of the Men of War podcast (35M+ downloads), elite leadership coach, and multimillion-dollar entrepreneur. Early Hustle & Lessons: Rafa’s first money came washing cars at age 11, developing a bias for action, self-reliance, and learning to execute before overthinking or overplanning. Early entrepreneurship shaped his long-term drive to “just do it” — a theme he now instills in men seek...

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/XSt1XdCWoFY Welcome to The Travis Makes Friends Podcast, where we dive into building better relationships and uncovering the truth about human connections. In this episode, we’re joined by Emmy-winning TV producer and podcast host Johnathan Walton, who shares his chilling personal story of being scammed out of nearly $100,000 by a professional con artist. From his hit podcast Queen of the Con to his new book, Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Fla...

Guest: Matthew Le Merle — CEO & Co-Founder of Blockchain Coinvestors, global blockchain VC, early investor in 1200+ startups (Coinbase, Kraken, OpenSea), author, and Silicon Valley board veteran. Background & Early Lessons: Matthew began his working life delivering newspapers as a child in rainy London, developing a lasting sense of responsibility and the importance of “seeing things through.” Earned a scholarship to Oxford for his academic and athletic excellence, then completed an MBA at St...

Guest: Lulu Ge — Founder & CEO of Elix Healing (elixhealing.com), holistic health entrepreneur, Inc. Female Founder 200, and advocate for women’s hormone health. From Early Hustles to Harvard Boardrooms: Lulu’s first entrepreneurial spark: selling bulk Snickers bars door to door as a kid in California, learning about “arbitrage” before knowing the word. Grew up in an immigrant household that highly valued education (her parents lived through China’s Cultural Revolution, when universities were...

Guests: Rob & Melissa Stephenson — Founders of Flea Market Flipper, full-time eBay resellers and educators Getting Started in Flipping: Rob began flipping nearly 30 years ago, inspired by his parents selling yard sale finds in the newspaper classifieds—long before eBay existed. Melissa joined the business 17 years ago after marrying Rob, initially unsure but quickly realizing the side hustle’s earning potential as Rob “always found a way to pay for everything.” What began as a part-time vent...

Guest: Scott Leese — Fractional CRO, 12 unicorns, 13 exits, six-time sales leader, five-time founder, three-time author, major LinkedIn community builder, newsletter publisher, and creator of multiple businesses. Early Days & First Hustles Grew up in a non-entrepreneurial household; sold baseball cards as a kid, had entrepreneurial “side hustles” in college. Spent much of his 20s battling and recovering from a life-threatening illness. Four years hospitalized, nine surgeries, struggled with p...

Dr. Jeff Gross — Board-certified neurological surgeon, biochemist, biohacker, founder of Celebrate Regenerative Medicine, and longevity/biohacking consultant based in Las Vegas & Southern California. Medical & Health Longevity Background: Dr. Gross trained at UC Berkeley (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology), George Washington University School of Medicine, UC Irvine (Neurosurgery), and UNM (Spinal Biomechanics). He has decades of frontline experience in spine surgery, sports injuries, regenerat...

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld – the only person to serve as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents (Alcoa in the US, Siemens in Germany), global advisor, founder of K2 Elevation, angel investor, and author of Leading to Thrive. First Dollars & Early Hustle: At 12, worked illegally at a supermarket in Germany, later launched a Santa Claus business delivering gifts (and family messages!) on Christmas Eve. Early work taught the value of money, the realities of management at all levels, a...

Are you ready to take control of your health and uncover the truth about what’s holding you back? In this powerful episode of the Travis Makes Friends podcast, host Travis Chappell sits down with health and science journalist Max Lugavere, New York Times bestselling author of Genius Foods, Genius Life, and Genius Kitchen. Together, they dive deep into the four major killers threatening your future—heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and cancer—and reveal practical, science-backed strat...

George Stefanou – First-generation Greek-American, Forbes “Best in State” Next Gen Wealth Advisor (2023, 2024), author of Two Comma Wealth, and founder of the financial planning firm Two Comma Wealth. Early Hustle: Grew up working flea markets, managing a coffee stand by 14, learning firsthand about hard work and margins (selling hundreds of cups from a single bulk bag of beans). Family stress on work ethic over formal education (first in his family to finish high school/college). Mindset & ...

Trent Lee — #1 ranked business broker in the U.S. seven years in a row, with 600+ closed sales totaling over $200M in deals and more than $15M in personal commission. Early hustle: Painted address numbers on neighborhood curbs and mowed lawns — learned value creation early. Current role: Licensed business broker & appraiser. Specializes in small to mid-sized businesses, valuations, and finding qualified buyers through cash, SBA loans, or seller financing. How he got here: Inspired watching h...

Eva Yazhari — Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Ventures, early-stage investor, author of The Good Your Money Can Do, and advocate for conscious capitalism. Her funds have backed 50+ equity and 9 debt investments, reaching over 100 million customers across Africa and India. First and most recent dollar: First job: Working at a Staten Island bread shop. Today: Managing partner of a venture + private credit fund investing in emerging markets with LP capital. Family background & mindset: Fath...

John Dwyer — founder of The Institute of Wow, direct response marketing expert, and creator of standout campaigns (including a rare Jerry Seinfeld deal) that help businesses win without competing on price. Key Points: Theming sells: Inspired by Disney, JD uses evergreen, public domain themes (wildlife, outer space, dinosaurs) to make offers irresistible year‑round. Free IP example: Attack of the Dinosaurs collectible promo netted $500K in 4 weeks. Seinfeld home loan campaign: Replaced rate d...