Episodes

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down different ways to make your first $100,000 and rank them based on speed, scalability, and difficulty. From freelancing and niche agencies to content creation, sales jobs, and flipping products, Travis shares candid insights from his own entrepreneurial journey—including what worked, what didn’t, and which opportunities offer the fastest path to real income. The conversation also dives into the psychology of sales, building valuable skills, and...

In this episode, Travis sits down with serial entrepreneur Adrian Salamunovic to talk about building, scaling, and exiting companies. Adrian shares lessons from launching multiple successful startups — including CanvasPop, which sold for over $30 million — and explains why the future belongs to founders who deeply understand product, customer experience, and community. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, product-market fit, networking, and Adrian’s newest venture, DexaCam. On this...

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down his conversation with bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr. From building elite discipline in the SEAL teams to creating a blockbuster book franchise adapted into an Amazon series starring Chris Pratt, Jack’s story is packed with lessons on focus, generosity, preparation, and pursuing ambitious goals without letting the odds stop you. Travis shares the biggest takeaways from their conversation and explains how these principles apply to entrep...

In this episode, Travis Chappell and his producer, Eric, break down the real-world pros and cons of different creator monetization methods. From sponsorships and coaching to affiliate marketing and live events, Travis shares candid insights from years of building content businesses, working with clients, and growing revenue streams online. The conversation blends humor with practical advice for creators trying to decide where to focus their time and energy in today’s digital landscape. On this e...

Tal Navarro is a Forbes 40 Under 40 honoree, AI strategist, and CEO of Social Lady who has spent more than 20 years helping businesses scale using digital media, automation, and online communities. From building a kite surfing business online before social media really existed to launching Israel’s first social media college and empowering women through tech, Tal has been at the forefront of nearly every major digital shift of the last two decades. In this episode, she breaks down how entreprene...

Scott Harrison is the founder of Charity: Water, one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the world focused on solving the global clean water crisis. Over the last 20 years, charity: water has raised more than a billion dollars and helped bring clean drinking water to more than 20 million people around the globe. But before becoming one of the most respected voices in philanthropy, Scott spent a decade as a top nightclub promoter in New York City living a life fueled by status, exces...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric pull back the curtain on the realities of podcasting after thousands of interviews and hundreds of episodes. From nightmare guest appearances and awkward interviews to lessons on professionalism, preparation, and setting boundaries, this conversation is packed with honest insights about what separates great podcasters from everyone else. Travis also shares the standards he now uses before agreeing to appear on other shows and why consistency is the true ...

Eric Corey Freed is an award-winning architect, author, global speaker, and the Principal and Director of Sustainability for CanonDesign, where he helps lead healthcare, education, and commercial teams toward low-carbon, regenerative buildings across more than 30 million square feet annually. In this episode, Eric shares lessons from decades of entrepreneurship, architecture, and innovation while diving into the ideas behind his new book, Frictionless. The conversation explores fear, innovation,...

In this solo episode, Travis breaks down some of the biggest lessons from his conversation with Josh Peck — actor, creator, author, and former Nickelodeon star best known for Drake & Josh. Travis dives into Josh’s journey from child stardom to reinventing himself as a modern creator, including the struggles, rejection, ego death, and vulnerability that helped him stay relevant in Hollywood and online. The episode explores how authenticity, resilience, and embracing uncertainty can open the door ...

In this fun and fast-paced episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis Chappell and producer Eric break down and rank some of the most popular side hustles in today’s economy—from freelance copywriting and media buying to dropshipping, reselling, and drone businesses. Along the way, they swap hilarious gym stories, debate hustle culture, and dive deep into which side hustles actually build valuable long-term skills versus which ones are becoming obsolete. Travis also shares why drones may ...

Buddy Clay is the founder and CEO of New Hope Healthcare Institute, a behavioral health and addiction recovery facility based in Knoxville, Tennessee. After being diagnosed with stage three melanoma at 32 and then facing a stage four recurrence just a few years later, Buddy chose a holistic healing journey while continuing to lead and grow his company. He shares the lessons he learned about leadership, purpose, community, and resilience in his book Built in the Fire: Two Battles at Once. In this...

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell reflects on some of the most impactful lessons he’s learned after interviewing more than 1,000 guests over nearly a decade of podcasting. Drawing insights from conversations with thought leaders like Ed Mylett, James Clear, Mark Manson, and Nicole LePera, Travis shares the mindset shifts and personal breakthroughs that have shaped his own life and career. From endurance challenges and habit formation to self-awareness and relationships, this episode is packe...

In this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis Chappell and producer Eric play a fast-paced game of “This or That,” diving into some of the biggest debates in entrepreneurship, investing, and wealth-building. From buying vs. renting and high-ticket offers to personal branding and business partnerships, Travis shares nuanced takes shaped by interviewing over 1,000 successful entrepreneurs. Along the way, the conversation mixes practical business wisdom with hilarious tangents about HOA...

Attorney Ryan is a workers’ rights lawyer, former firefighter, and author of Get It in Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Your Rights at Work. Known online for his practical legal advice and relatable approach, Ryan has built a massive following by helping everyday workers understand labor laws, negotiate better outcomes, and avoid getting taken advantage of at work. In this episode, he shares hard-earned lessons from both the fire service and the courtroom, breaks down common workplace misconceptio...

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell breaks down the current state of podcast guesting and whether it’s still worth your time as a marketing strategy in 2026. Drawing from his experience hosting more than 1,700 podcast episodes, appearing on 500+ shows himself, and building a multi-million dollar podcast booking agency and software company, Travis shares the real pros and cons of podcast guesting today. He explains why the strategy has evolved, how entrepreneurs can use podcast appearances to b...

On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis and producer Eric dive into the surprising $2 billion sale of Nothing Bundt Cakes and unpack what it says about franchising, private equity, branding, and scaling a simple business model into a nationwide empire. Along the way, they debate whether private equity ruins beloved brands, swap stories about junk food cravings, cake shakes, and Vegas dessert spots, and explore why some businesses become cultural staples while others disappear overnight. It...

What if the fastest way to get a “yes”… is to stop asking for it? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with legendary FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss to challenge one of the most ingrained habits in communication: chasing agreement. Instead, Chris introduces a counterintuitive approach—go for “no”—and explains why it actually builds trust faster, lowers resistance, and leads to better outcomes in both business and everyday life. Chris breaks down how “yes” has be...

Host Travis walks through how to follow up like a pro, respect your guest’s time, and turn a 30‑day DM challenge into real relationships and opportunities. Drawing on over a thousand interviews, he breaks down the mindset, cadence, and etiquette that separate annoying outreach from respected professional persistence. On this episode we talk about: Setting a smart follow‑up cadence instead of DMing people every day The difference between professional persistence and pushy persistence Respectin...

In this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into the business behind entertainment franchises, streaming rights, and why intellectual property can become one of the most valuable assets in media. Using The Walking Dead as the centerpiece of the conversation, they break down how legacy TV shows continue generating hundreds of millions of dollars long after their original run, the economics behind licensing content to streaming platforms like Netflix, and why some media companies strug...

Forbes Riley is a globally recognized communication expert, entrepreneur, and bestselling author known as the “Queen of Pitch.” With more than $2.5 billion in product sales across live television, home shopping, and infomercials, Forbes has built an extraordinary career helping people sharpen their message, boost confidence, and sell more effectively. In this episode, she shares the incredible journey from struggling actress to world-class pitch expert, the lessons she learned from building the ...

Travis is a podcast host, interviewer, and creator who’s running a 30-day interview challenge and sharing practical outreach, scheduling, and interview-prep tactics from his experience booking guests and growing a show. On this episode we talk about: How to structure DM outreach to get podcast interview yeses Why short video messages beat long written pitches in DMs Scheduling and reducing friction (Calendly tips and what not to ask) Ten to fifteen high-leverage interview questions to use r...

In this special episode, host Travis sits down with producer Eric to rank some of the biggest names in financial advice. From real estate moguls to personal finance gurus, they debate who deserves S-tier status and who falls short. The conversation reveals what makes financial advice trustworthy, the importance of balanced perspectives, and why conflicts of interest matter when following money influencers. On this episode we talk about: The tier system for ranking financial influencers (S-tier ...

Jon Gordon is a bestselling author, speaker, and leadership expert known for his work with Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and organizations around the world. With over 30 books—including The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership—Jon has helped millions improve their mindset, leadership, and performance. His latest book, The Power of Positive Habits, is a collection of proven strategies designed to help people elevate their lives through simple, consistent actions. O...

On this solo episode, host Travis shares a personal, behind-the-scenes look at how strategically reaching out to people you admire can transform your career and expand your sense of what is possible. Drawing from his own experiences in podcasting and entrepreneurship, he walks through how he went from dreaming about conversations with icons like Shaquille O’Neal and Joe Gatto to building real relationships with them over time. On this episode we talk about: How a “dream guest” list turned into...