Episodes

What if the biggest threat to online gambling isn’t addiction or bad odds—but an invisible criminal economy operating alongside the legal one? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with Ismail Vali, founder of Yield Sec and a global expert on online gambling markets, to reveal how the industry has evolved from a money-laundering target into a massive data business. Drawing on more than two decades of experience working with sportsbooks, poker platforms, regulators, a...

In this solo episode, Travis dives deep into one of the most powerful success principles he’s observed in hundreds of high-achieving entrepreneurs — delayed gratification. Drawing on lessons from personal experience, top performers like Grant Cardone and Kevin Hart, and timeless studies like the Marshmallow Experiment, Travis breaks down why learning to wait for bigger rewards later can completely change your financial, physical, and personal life. On this episode we talk about: How delayed gr...

Does wealth determine who your kids should be friends with? In this lively roundtable episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer to react to a viral parenting video claiming children shouldn't associate with kids from "broke families." The conversation quickly expands into a thoughtful discussion about parenting, limiting beliefs, character, friendship, and why financial status is a poor measure of someone's values. On this epis...

Dana Flanagan is a real estate executive, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and branding strategist who helps professionals transform their expertise into influence and scalable business opportunities. After building a successful 25-year career in real estate, Dana expanded into media, business development, and personal brand consulting, showing entrepreneurs how consistent visibility and authentic messaging can attract clients, partnerships, and long-term success. On this episode we talk about: ...

Failure isn't the opposite of success—it's often the path to it. In this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis Chappell reflects on the lessons he's learned from interviewing world-class athletes, entrepreneurs, authors, and leaders who have all developed a healthier relationship with failure. Drawing on conversations with guests like Paul Pierce, Bernard Hopkins, Trey Gowdy, Donald Miller, and others, Travis shares why reframing failure as feedback can unlock resilience, better decision-ma...

In this roundtable episode, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer of Brands on Brands for a thoughtful—and often hilarious—discussion about money, generosity, and financial advice. Using viral clips of pastors discussing tithing as a jumping-off point, they explore the ethics of financial messaging, the dangers of guilt-based persuasion, and why context matters when giving financial advice. On this episode we talk about: The difference between healthy g...

Anthony Faso and Cameron Christensen are the founders of Infinite Wealth Consultants and hosts of the Infinite Wealth Podcast. Anthony, a U.S. Army veteran, former CFO, and recovering CPA, and Cameron, a longtime entrepreneur, have spent nearly two decades helping investors and business owners build wealth outside of traditional Wall Street strategies. In this episode, they break down the Infinite Banking Concept, explain how entrepreneurs can use leverage more effectively, and share the lessons...

Even the most accomplished people—from fighter pilots and bestselling authors to entrepreneurs and comedians—struggle with imposter syndrome. In this solo episode, Travis Chappell shares one of the biggest recurring themes he's uncovered after interviewing more than 1,000 high performers. Drawing insights from guests like Michelle "Mace" Curran, Donald Miller, Michael Hyatt, Tanner Chidester, and Nikki Howard, Travis explores why self-doubt is universal, how confidence is actually built, and the...

In this episode, Travis is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer, host of the Brands on Brands podcast, to break down a viral piece of personal finance advice claiming you should focus entirely on making more money instead of budgeting. The trio explores where that advice gets it right, where it falls apart, and why lasting wealth comes from balancing income growth with financial discipline. Along the way, Travis shares personal stories about downsizing his lifestyle to pur...

Sarah Westall is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and host of the Business Game Changers podcast. With a background in computer science and telecommunications, she helped build early internet infrastructure before leaving corporate America to launch multiple businesses. In this episode, Sarah shares her entrepreneurial journey, explains why creativity is one of the most valuable business skills, and discusses how she has built and monetized a successful media platform over more than a decad...

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell explores one of the most common themes to emerge from nearly 2,000 podcast episodes: identity. Drawing on conversations with entrepreneurs, athletes, and high performers—including Bonnie Schutz, John Salley, Brendan Schaub, and Tanner Chidester—Travis explains why the people who successfully reinvent themselves don't define themselves by a single job title. Instead, they build an identity rooted in their values, allowing them to embrace change, pursue purpos...

Sometimes the biggest opportunities to save money aren't found in investment portfolios—they're hiding in your weekly grocery bill. In this fun, off-the-cuff episode, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and podcast strategist Brandon Birkmeyer for a wide-ranging conversation about grocery shopping, hidden delivery markups, household quirks, childhood nostalgia, and the surprisingly expensive world of organic maple syrup. Along the way, they share practical money-saving tips, parenting obs...

Dean Matthews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, a workforce management platform that helps small businesses simplify employee time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and HR. Serving more than 16,000 businesses and 160,000 employees, Dean has built a thriving SaaS company by combining technical expertise with relentless curiosity. In this episode, he shares how repairing lawnmowers as a teenager led to building a successful software company—and why learning from great business owners was the foun...

Loneliness isn't just an emotional challenge—it may be one of the biggest hidden threats to your health, happiness, and long-term success. In this solo episode, Travis Chappell unpacks one of the most recurring themes from past podcast conversations, drawing heavily on insights from relationship expert Dr. John Delony. Backed by research, personal experience, and public health data, Travis explores the difference between loneliness and social isolation, why success doesn't guarantee meaningful r...

In this discussion, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric and guest co-host Brandon Birkmeyer for a candid conversation about the modern creator economy. They explore how viral clips, outrage, and sensationalism have reshaped social media—and why creators need to be intentional about building an audience that aligns with their long-term goals. From the dangers of "clip farming" to creating meaningful content that still captures attention, this episode offers valuable insights for podcasters...

What if the biggest obstacle to getting healthier isn’t a lack of discipline—but too much bad advice? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with Tony from Trainbloom to break down some of the internet’s biggest fitness myths and explain why sustainable habits beat trendy diets every time. The conversation starts with Travis sharing his own decade-long health journey, from gaining nearly 60 pounds after college to trying everything from keto and CrossFit to Insanity a...

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell explores one of the most common themes shared by successful entrepreneurs, athletes, military leaders, and high performers: having a compelling vision is only the beginning. Drawing on insights from past guests including Vicente Fox, Jack Carr, and the late Steve Sims, Travis explains why consistent execution—not wishful thinking—is what transforms ambitious goals into reality. He also breaks down the science behind effective goal-setting and offers a practi...

In this discussion, Travis Chappell and producer Eric unpack the debate surrounding New York City's proposed rent freeze and what it reveals about housing affordability, property ownership, and economic incentives. Using a real-world example of a small landlord facing financial hardship, they explore both sides of the issue while examining the unintended consequences of well-intentioned housing policies. On this episode we talk about: The debate over New York City's rent freeze and its impact ...

Michael Smoak has built one of the internet's fastest-growing platforms by talking about fitness, personal responsibility, and self-improvement—but in this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, the conversation goes far beyond health. Travis and Michael explore why nuance has disappeared online, how creators can stay authentic in a culture that demands opinions on everything, and why building a personal brand is one of the greatest opportunities available today. Michael explains why credibil...

In this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis Chappell explores one of the most powerful common themes he's uncovered after interviewing hundreds of high achievers: the stories we tell ourselves shape the actions we take—and ultimately the results we get. Drawing on insights from experts like Michael Hyatt, Dr. Nicole LePera, and Viktor Frankl, Travis explains why changing your internal narrative may be the missing piece between where you are today and the life you want to create. On this ...

What would you do if your family's primary source of income disappeared overnight? In this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric tackle that exact scenario, offering practical advice for anyone who needs to generate income quickly. From launching service-based businesses to building sales skills and leveraging technology that younger generations often take for granted, Travis shares actionable strategies for creating cash flow fast without needing significant startup capital. On this episo...

Rebecca Minkoff is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the globally recognized Rebecca Minkoff fashion brand, a bestselling author, and the co-founder of the Female Founder Collective. What began with handcrafted jewelry and a one-way ticket to New York turned into one of the most recognizable accessible luxury brands in fashion. In this episode, Rebecca shares the unfiltered story behind building her business—from living on credit cards and surviving setbacks to scaling a global compan...

Consistency beats intensity is one of the most powerful themes that emerged after interviewing over a thousand high performers—comedians, bestselling authors, athletes, entrepreneurs, and billionaires—across Travis’s podcasts. In this solo episode, Travis breaks down why daily, undramatic action creates durable success, drawing on stories from guests like Jerry Seinfeld, Brian Callen, Dan Fleyshman, Dan Martell, and Jason Witten, plus research on habit formation and mastery. He explains how to p...

Instead of interviewing a guest, Travis is joined in the studio by producer Eric for a conversation about what entrepreneurs can learn from an unexpected source: the movie industry. Using the success of low-budget horror films, bootstrapped startups, and high-profile business failures as examples, they explore why constraints often produce better products than unlimited funding. From startup fundraising to filmmaking, this episode is packed with practical lessons on building sustainable business...