Build Your Network

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 you're already rich The influencers who couldn't rebuild if they lost everything The fine line between helpful inspiration and harmful messaging How flashy “success stories” twist the meaning of ethics and authenticity Top 3 Takeaways Many creators give advice that sounds profound—but only makes sense once you've already made your millions. Real entrepreneurs lead with integrity and consistency. Their offline life should match their online brand. Before acting on anyone's advice, ask yourself: “Does this apply to my current reality?” Context matters more than charisma. Notable Quotes “It's easy to say ‘just be happy' when you've already got millions in the bank.” “Too many people copy characters they built online and forget who they really are.” “I filter everything through two questions: Is it useful, and does it hurt other people?” Connect with Travis Chappell:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell• Other (Website): https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is brought to you by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 truly earn their hype Why copying creators like Alex Hormozi misses the real point The underrated genius of Sharran Srivatsaa How context matters when following Gary Vee's advice The psychology behind imitation, credibility, and influence Top 3 Takeaways Imitating someone's style—like Alex Hormozi's yellow-text captions—won't make you successful. Imitate their work ethic and strategy instead. Gary Vee's “hustle” mindset only works if you understand the deeper message of self-awareness and finding what you love. True influence doesn't come from virality. It comes from credibility, consistent value, and playing the long game. Notable Quotes “Copying someone's font or video format doesn't build authority—it's the thousand hours of mastery behind it that matter.” “It's dangerous to take any advice out of context, especially if you haven't done the real work behind the scenes.” “When Alex Hormozi came on the scene, it wasn't luck. It was a grenade of credibility, volume, and great content all hitting at once.” Connect with Travis Chappell: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell • Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell • Other (Website): https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level — the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 episode we talk about: Why Gary V is still a no-brainer top spot on Travis's business influencer Mount Rushmore How Naval Ravikant blends real-world success with philosopher-level clarity The difference between thinkers (like Adam Grant) and doers (like operators and founders) Why people misunderstand Alex Hormozi and Grant Cardone—and what they actually do well How Travis and Eric each define their own Mount Rushmore of business and productivity mentors Top 3 Takeaways The best influences are a mix of operators and thinkers—people who've actually built businesses and can clearly explain how they did it. Copying someone's routines, style, or “persona” rarely works; the real leverage comes from adopting their principles, not their aesthetics. You should build your own Mount Rushmore based on what truly shifts your behavior and mindset, not on who is the most popular or least controversial. Notable Quotes “You're looking in the 20% of their productivity for your 80%, and that's not where the real results come from.” “You can order Chipotle all you want, but it's not going to make you Alex Hormozi.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest when you've got money in the bank.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other (Website): https://travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 aggression and fake enthusiasm rarely work in real sales How “high empathy” and curiosity can instantly make you a better communicator The viral rise (and fall) of Andy Elliott and what that says about social media influence Practical, down-to-earth ways to handle objections and keep people talking Top 3 Takeaways The best salespeople don't shout—they listen longer and ask better questions. Controlling your tone and energy is more persuasive than trying to “dominate a room.” Modern buyers recognize authenticity—if it feels scripted, it won't work. Notable Quotes “It's your only job to keep the conversation going. Just keep asking more questions.” – Travis “People buy from real humans, not caricatures of confidence.” – Eric “Before you became who you are online, you were probably a really good salesperson.” – Travis Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is powered by HighLevel – the all-in-one sales and marketing platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the most practical first step toward the life you actually want. On this episode we talk about: What it means to be “dream adjacent” instead of truly living your dream How Tarantino's story shows the danger of staying in “good enough” environments Why your environment quietly shapes your future more than your intentions do The power of brutally honest self-reflection (the “Detest Fest”) How changing rooms, cities, and inputs can fast-track your growth Top 3 Takeaways Being “dream adjacent” feels comfortable, but it can quietly put your ambition to sleep if you stay there too long. Your environment will either reinforce your current identity or pull you toward the person you want to become—changing it is often the fastest lever you can pull. Radical honesty about where you are, paired with decisive action (moving, changing rooms, changing inputs), is what turns vague dreams into real progress. Notable Quotes “It's not my dream what I'm doing, but it's dream adjacent.” – Quentin Tarantino (clip discussed in the episode) “You can have any life you want, but you can't have every life you want.” – Travis “Your outputs are directly influenced by your inputs, so if you can't change your environment yet, change what you're feeding your mind.” – Travis Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/traviscchappell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 she transitioned from the Air Force to high-level tech entrepreneurship Building a problem-solving mindset that thrives in both combat and corporate environments Why following your curiosity can lead to your dream career—one you didn't even know existed The science of hydration and why most people aren't “doing water right” Top 3 Takeaways Your career path doesn't need to be linear—focus on your “why,” give 110%, and opportunities will find you. True leadership starts with service, whether it's for your country, your team, or your customers. Hydration is a simple yet overlooked performance multiplier—mastering it can dramatically improve focus and recovery. Notable Quotes “You can have any life you want, but you can't have every life you want.” “There is no one right path—your job is to bring 110% to whatever you're doing right now.” “If you just do water right, you'll be amazed at how much better your body performs.” Connect with Sara Blackmer: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarablackmer Website: fluidlogic.com Company: solycocapital.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 “bestselling author” or “TEDx speaker” titles are created equal*  How great ideas rise above the noise regardless of the label on them*  Why people love to criticize helpful platforms instead of doing the work themselves*  When a TEDx talk or self-published book is actually worth doing for your brand Top 3 Takeaways 1.  There's a massive difference between a TED talk and a TEDx talk—one is a global, highly curated stage, the other is much more accessible and variable in quality.2.  Labels like “TEDx speaker” or “bestselling author” can help, but only if the underlying work is excellent; the best ideas and books win because they're good, not because of the stamp.3.  Time spent tearing down platforms that help millions is usually better spent creating something great yourself and letting the market decide its value. Notable Quotes *  “If you don't like it, just don't watch it—you don't need a Reddit thesis about why something that helps people is dumb.”*  “It's the difference between an Amazon bestseller and a New York Times bestseller—same label, wildly different signal.”*  “You have to earn the right not to do the things you don't like to do.” Connect with Travis: *  Travis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell*  Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell*  Podcast: Travis Makes Money on all major podcast platforms - leave a review and we'll love you forever!*  Website: https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 episode we talk about: *  How early money lessons from her grandmother shaped Christiane's hustle and savings habits*  Leaving free university in Germany to study in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship*  Why you should never put a hard monetary cap on education and personal growth*  The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset (and why “you're so smart” can be harmful)*  How to speak to your kids (and yourself) in ways that encourage effort, curiosity, and resilience*  The unexpected ways podcasting sharpens your thinking, communication, and professional network Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Small, consistent actions—like saving a few dollars a week—compound into meaningful results over time, whether in money, skills, or opportunities.2.  A growth mindset is built by praising effort, curiosity, and problem-solving, not innate “smartness,” which keeps you from avoiding challenges out of fear of failure.3.  Creating content, such as a podcast, is a powerful way to clarify your thinking, expand your global reach, and organically deepen your professional network. Notable Quotes *  “It doesn't need to be a lot, but if you save it every single week, it really compounds into quite a nice sum of money.”*  “First we fail and then we sail.”*  “You can't put a monetary value on the people you meet in life and the opportunities you have to build your network.” Connect with Dr. Christiane Schroeter: *  Podcast: Happy Healthy Hustle (available on all major podcast platforms)*  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctor.christiane*  Books: https://doctorchristiane.com/books/*  Other: https://doctorchristiane.com/  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 be both powerful and dangerous depending on your life situation*  The truth about “multiple streams of income” and why you should usually master one thing first*  Why “work smarter, not harder” is incomplete—and how combining both is where real money is made*  How simple, boring advice (like calorie deficits and cold calls) still beats sexy hacks and magic bullets*  Why there is never just “one way” to succeed, despite what many gurus preach from the stage Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Pursuing your dream is worth it—but timing, responsibilities, and cash flow matter; the path looks very different at 21 with no obligations than at 44 with a family and a mortgage.2.  Most wealthy people have multiple income streams, but they usually earn that diversification by going all-in on one vehicle first, then expanding within their lane.3.  Success is almost always a mix of working smart and hard, consistently doing the unsexy, high-ROI activities (like cold calling or outreach) that everyone else avoids. Notable Quotes *  “Putting off your dreams for the sake of safety and security can end up being the biggest risk you take.”*  “You have to earn the right not to do the things you don't like to do.”*  “It's always the most boring, simple advice that actually works—and that's exactly why most people ignore it.” Connect with Travis: *  Travis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell*  Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell*  Podcast: Travis Makes Money on all major platforms - leave a review and we'll love you forever!  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 and creator of the Million Dollar Producer program. On this episode we talk about: *  How Pete transitioned from family business to building one of Florida's fastest-growing insurance firms*  The flaws of traditional insurance franchise models and how John Galt flips the script*  Why independent agencies have the upper hand in today's market*  Pete's “relationship-first” business model that fuels 95% of his agency's growth*  How to build recurring income and financial freedom through property and casualty insurance Top 3 Takeaways 1.  The insurance industry offers unmatched recurring revenue potential—once you build your client base, income compounds year after year.2.  Focus on relationships, not transactions. Partnering with mortgage brokers and real estate agents can create a steady referral pipeline.3.  You don't need sales aggression to win in insurance—being genuine, consistent, and coachable drives long-term success. Notable Quotes *  “I don't really know any poor insurance people. Let me check this insurance thing out.”*  “If you follow the system and put in the work, I can almost make anybody successful.”*  “The insurance business is the best-kept secret to financial freedom ever invented.” Connect with Pete Poggi: *  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petepoggi*  Website: https://www.johngaltinsurancefranchising.com*  Training Program: https://www.petepoggi.com*  Learn more: https://www.myjgi.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 world is headed. On this episode we talk about: Why focusing on who you become matters more than the income target The #1 skill you need to juggle multiple income streams: focus The myth that you need formal qualifications to make more money Travis's top 5 underrated skills every entrepreneur should master Why he believes in-person events and connection are about to make a big comeback How starting a podcast can be the ultimate relationship and income-building tool Top 3 Takeaways Identity beats income goals. Instead of obsessing over a dollar amount, design the kind of person who can consistently earn that level of income—and build the habits that match. Focus is a superpower. Most wealthy people didn't start with seven income streams; they mastered one thing deeply before diversifying. Relationships scale revenue. Strong business friendships, often built through platforms like a podcast, open doors and opportunities that no cold outreach or random networking event can match. Notable Quotes “Stop asking, ‘How do I make a million dollars?' and start asking, ‘Who do I need to become to be the person who makes a million dollars?'” “The average millionaire might have seven income streams—but they didn't start with seven.” “You don't need more qualifications; you need to be the person who's willing to take the first step.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/traviscchappell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Website: https://www.travischappell.com Podcast: “Travis Makes Money” on all major platforms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to teach kids resilience and courage from an early age. On this episode we talk about: How fear quietly sabotages CEOs, communication, and company performance Why Lynn wrote Just Keep Going as a children's book inspired by her work with executives A simple framework for assessing risk with best and worst-case scenarios The difference between real confidence and arrogance in leadership How to prepare for high-stakes communication moments without sounding scripted Why presence, energy, and human connection are irreplaceable in the age of AI Top 3 Takeaways Fear is a signal, not a stop sign. The most successful leaders learn to “metabolize” fear, assess risk clearly, and move forward with smart, courageous decisions instead of staying stuck in their comfort zone. Preparation is the fastest path to confidence. When you prepare the right way—refining your message, practicing soundbites, and taming your inner critic—you show up calmer, clearer, and far more influential. Your communication and presence are your new competitive edge. As automation and AI expand, the leaders who win will be those who communicate with clarity, empathy, and energy that other humans actually want to follow. Notable Quotes “The greatest indicator of success is your ability to metabolize fear and assess risk without being reckless.” “Confidence isn't believing you're good at everything—it's knowing you'll figure it out even if you fail.” “If you don't communicate your vision effectively, it doesn't exist.” Connect with Lynn Smith: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnsmithtv Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lynnsmithtv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnsmithtv Website: https://www.lynnsmith.com Just Keep Going Book & Resources: https://www.justkeepgoingbook.com  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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-making in an AI-powered world. On this episode we talk about: Why the “best” financial advice in 2026 is turning what you already know into multiple income streams The right order of operations: master one core offer before you diversify Emerging money-making trends: niche communities, AI-powered tools, and micro-education How to “sell shovels in the gold rush” of AI instead of chasing every new shiny use case What live social shopping is and why big voices (like Gary Vee) are obsessed with it How to make money with live shopping even if you don't have your own products Platforms enabling live shopping (including Amazon Live) and how they work at a basic level Simple, kid-level breakdown of using Amazon's fulfillment plus live streams to sell products How to build trust from scratch so people will actually buy from your lives and content Recommended voices to follow for making money and building a personal brand How Travis can double down on his unique stance against toxic hustle culture The limits of AI as a podcast guest—what it's great at and where it still feels vague and “too nice” Top 3 Takeaways Multiple income streams only work if they're built on a strong, proven core offer—focus, then diversify. AI is a massive opportunity not just to “use,” but to build tools, training, and services that help others use it better. The next wave of making money combines authenticity, community, and live interactive selling on platforms people already use. Notable Quotes “Before you diversify, you really do need a strong core…get that one income stream really solid and then you can add on and diversify from there.” “If AI is the gold rush, the real opportunity is being the one selling the shovels—tools, platforms, and education that help others use AI effectively.” “Go bold without being divisive—challenge hustle culture, put lifestyle design and relationships first, and show people there's another way to win.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Coaching & podcast help: https://travischappell.com/coaching  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. On this episode we talk about: Marisa's first taste of independence—and income—working retail at 16 How early roles in hospitality and golf taught her the value of people and service The moment she realized business can be both strategic and human The tug between career comfort and entrepreneurial curiosity Why it's worth exploring the urge to build something of your own The power of changing your state and environment when you feel stuck The importance of defining success on your own terms How to integrate happiness, purpose, and freedom into your work Why retreats and shared experiences create lasting professional growth Marisa's approach to designing transformative encounters for teams and leaders Top 3 Takeaways You don't need to have it all figured out to start—a small step of exploration can change the course of your life and career. True success isn't just financial; it's about freedom, fulfillment, and waking up excited to live your day. Sometimes, the simplest shift—changing your environment, your state, or your perspective—can reignite your purpose and creative power. Notable Quotes “If you even have that tiny little feeling, explore it. Nothing's permanent—try it and see where it takes you.” “Where are you happiest? You only get this one life, so spend it doing what lights you up.” “Change your state, change your environment, change your mindset—then life opens up in ways you couldn't imagine.” Connect with Marisa Wong: Instagram: @experiencewithMarisa LinkedIn: Marisa W. Website: Experiences with Marisa  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 (yet) when it comes to money jokes*   The number one money-making skill Travis credits for changing his life: sales*   How discipline works like a muscle and why most people misunderstand it*   Why trying to change “everything at once” almost always fails*   The crucial meta-skill schools don't teach: how to actually learn Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Sales is one of the highest-leverage skills you can learn because it increases your confidence to take financial risks and bounce back if things don't work out.2.  Discipline is not a personality trait; it is a skill built over time through habits and systems that reduce how much “willpower” you need each day.3.  The most important skill missing from traditional education is the skill of learning itself—knowing how to acquire, process, and apply new information quickly. Notable Quotes *   “Sales is the thing that enables you to have more confidence to take more risks—which is also something that can make you good money.”*   “Discipline is a skill. People think some are just ‘super disciplined,' but they've simply worked on that skill long enough to install better habits.”*   “School is great at giving you information, but it's terrible at teaching you how to actually learn.” Connect with Travis Chapell: *   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell *   Other: https://travischappell.com *   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell*   Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 this episode we talk about: How Lorraine's father sparked her curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit at age 12 The invention of the “Sugar Cube” and her first lesson in innovation and royalties The difference between convergent and divergent problem solving Why fear of failure cripples innovation—and how to overcome it How Lorraine's new book helps leaders build a culture that encourages experimentation Top 3 Takeaways Curiosity and problem solving can be taught early—and they're the foundation of building wealth and innovation. The biggest barrier to innovation isn't lack of ideas; it's fear of failure and organizational rigidity. Success comes from reframing failure as learning, taking consistent risks, and staying commercially focused on solving real customer problems. Notable Quotes “Parents have a powerful role in cultivating curiosity and developing future innovators—don't take it lightly.” “The only problems worth solving are the ones customers will pay you to fix.” “Fear of failure stops innovation before it starts. Reframe it as learning, and you'll open up entirely new possibilities.” Connect with Lorraine Marchand: LinkedIn: Lorraine Marchand on LinkedIn Website: lorrainemarchand.com Book: No Fear, No Failure – available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the all-in-one sales & marketing platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 talk about: *   Why people often assume the wealthy are corrupt or unethical*   How money amplifies character rather than defining it*   The portrayal of rich people in Hollywood and popular media*   Why “new money” behavior differs from generational or extreme wealth*   The richest guest ever to appear on Travis Makes Money—and what he learned from him Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Money doesn't determine morality—it simply magnifies who you already are.2.  Hollywood often portrays the wealthy as villains because it sells, not because it reflects reality.3.  True wealth reveals itself through generosity, humility, and discipline, not flashiness or status symbols. Notable Quotes *   “Money is almost never the indicator of what kind of person you are—it's an amplifier of who you already are.”*   “It's easy to vilify the people we envy most…and that's why so many assume rich equals bad.”*   “The guy in the Lamborghini and the $5,000 suit is probably not the wealthiest person in the room.” Connect with Travis Chapel: *   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell *   Website: https://travischappell.com *   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell *   Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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's two burnout experiences and how her body forced her to stop The belief that “stress is the price of success” and why it's wrong Eustress vs. distress and how to tell which one you're in The “stress ruler” tool and how leaders can use it with their teams The Stockdale Paradox, toxic positivity, and bringing real joy back into work Top 3 Takeaways Stress is inevitable, but burnout is not—most high achievers are trapped in the story that stress is the price of success, when in reality chronic distress quietly kills performance and joy. You can and should use “good stress” (eustress) as fuel for growth while actively monitoring when it tips into “bad stress” (distress) that drains energy, health, and relationships. Simple practices—like rating your stress on a 0–10 “stress ruler,” defining clear seasons of hard pushes, and intentionally weaving joy into your normal days—create sustainable success instead of cycles of crash and recover. Notable Quotes “Stress isn't the price of success—it's the thief that steals it.” “My body shut down before my brain was willing to admit I was burned out.” “Joy isn't something you schedule once a quarter; it's something you protect and practice in the middle of real life.” Connect with Amy Leneker: Find out more about her book here: https://www.amyleneker.com/book LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyleneker Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/amy_leneker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.leneker Other: https://www.amyleneker.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 about: How Travis's early anti-YouTube stance held him back and what he's doing about it now. Why 40% of podcast listeners now prefer video, and what that means for creators. The shift from “never take advice from someone you wouldn't trade places with” to a more nuanced approach to mentorship. The danger of overthinking—and why being too smart can actually hurt your ability to sell. How people confuse “inspiration” with “imitation” when following others' success paths. Top 3 Takeaways Video has become inseparable from audio—if you're not publishing your podcast on YouTube, you're missing half your audience. You can't separate success in one area from the habits that shape an entire life—find role models whose full lifestyles you'd actually want to live. Intelligence doesn't equal impact: action and consistency outwork smarts almost every time. Notable Quotes “If you're not putting your podcast on YouTube, you're missing out on a huge audience.” “Pick fewer people to listen to—ones who live the kind of full life you actually want.” “You don't need to be the smartest person in the room; you just need to do the work the smart people overthink.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

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 episode we talk about: How Clare went from a family machine shop to floral design, acting, professional options trading, and finally top-tier wealth planning. What she learned shadowing one of Canada's leading advisors and later a billionaire mentor—then why she left the traditional bank-controlled model. Why she believes budgeting alone won't make you rich, and why most households need “alpha” (high-upside) bets alongside safer “beta” investments. The logic behind using fine art as an asset class, including examples of paintings appreciating from a few million to tens of millions of dollars. How her team acquires, stores, and plans to tour a curated collection, while allowing investors to buy fractional ownership instead of full pieces. Top 3 Takeaways You don't need to reinvent the wheel to build wealth. Attach yourself to people who already have the results you want, copy their playbook, and then adapt it to a vehicle you actually care about. High-net-worth investors think in “alpha” and “beta,” not just savings accounts. A small, risk-tolerant slice of your portfolio in alternative assets can meaningfully accelerate your path to freedom. Alternative assets can be both financial and lifestyle plays. For the right investor, owning a fraction of museum-worthy art (instead of more index funds) is as much about story and identity as returns. Notable Quotes “You're their trophy—they want you to win so they can say, ‘Look what I can do.'” “Most advisors white-knuckle market crashes. I wanted clients positioned to want the crash because everything's on sale.” “You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Take the billionaire's blueprint and lay it over something you actually believe in.” Connect with Clare Baukham: Website: https://www.clearwealthgroup.com/ Instagram: instagram.com/clarebaukham ✖️✖️✖️✖️

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 they're often used in corporate settings to extract more work without more pay.​ How Travis changed his mind on office space, and why in‑person teams can still beat fully remote setups for culture, communication, and output.​ The difference between healthy brand perception (optics that match reality) and fake positioning that can backfire when you can't deliver.​ Whether you really need to be “first” in a new trend, space, or platform—or if you're better off being second and more consistent.​ Why copying every new “expert” pivot (Web3, NFTs, AI, etc.) is usually worse than staying in one lane and compounding your skills over time.​ Top 3 Takeaways Titles are mostly internal theater. Clients care about results, not whether you call yourself founder, CEO, or “bull”; focus on competence and clarity, not status.​ Optics matter—but only if they're true. Brand, image, and perception can open doors, but if they don't match your real capabilities, they create refunds, resentment, and reputation damage.​ Consistency beats trend chasing. You don't need to be first to a new platform or idea to win; you need to be good, reliable, and around long enough for your work to compound.​ Notable Quotes “You can't escape perception; brand is just what people think when they hear your name.”​ “If people perceive you as great and you're not, that's bad for business. If you are great and nobody perceives it, that's bad for business too.”​ “Most people would have made more money sticking with one skill for ten years than ‘reinventing' themselves every eighteen months.”​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

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 government and social media management to building a multi–six-figure online business as a creator and mentor.​ The exact early steps of her social media agency: landing first clients on Upwork, charging low retainers, then scaling to $5K/month per client with a niche in holistic doctors.​ How Amazon Onsite Commissions works (horizontal product-review videos on Amazon product pages, no follower minimum) and why it can become “magic money” once you have enough videos live.​ Beginner-friendly UGC platforms (like JoinBrands and Billo), typical starter rates ($50–$80 per video, paid product photos), and how to turn that into recurring brand work.​​ What's inside her Anti Influencer Method™ Skool community: training on Amazon Onsite, UGC, TikTok Shop, freelancing, and a steady stream of brand opportunities for students.​ Top 3 Takeaways You don't need an audience to get paid. Models like Amazon Onsite Commissions and UGC let you piggyback on Amazon's traffic and brand audiences instead of building your own following.​ Start small, then level up. Early UGC jobs might pay $50–$80 per video or $15 for a quick photo set, but they build your portfolio, skills, and confidence—so you can later charge much more.​​ Community and environment matter. Being in a group of people all learning the same skills (and sharing brand deals) accelerates your progress and makes the whole process far less intimidating—especially if you're introverted.​ Notable Quotes “I didn't want to be famous—I just wanted to be paid.”​ “Courses changed my life. That first $997 course led to my first $2,400 client and proved I could make money online.”​ “You have to build what people want, then give them what they need on the back end. That's true for brands and for creators.”​​ Connect with Meg the Creator: Website & resources: megthecreator.com​ Anti Influencer Method™: antiinfluencermethod.com​ Instagram: @megthecreator__​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

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 about: Why Travis's early webinar-to-course funnel “worked” on paper but could never scale without a real backend offer.​ How he would redesign that same funnel today: free or low-ticket course, then selling implementation (done-with-you and done-for-you).​ The expensive lessons from building a software company before validating demand—and why you must build what the market wants, then deliver what it needs.​ The hidden stress and complexity of certain business models (like restaurants) and why Travis would never launch one from scratch.​ How ego, perfectionism, and “romanticizing your idea” can cost you time, money, and opportunity.​ Top 3 Takeaways Courses aren't dead—but information isn't enough. Use courses as lead magnets and make real money on implementation offers (coaching, consulting, done-for-you services).​ Validate before you build big. Especially with software, ship the embarrassing V1, get feedback fast, and only scale what people are already using and asking for.​ Choose business models that match your life. Some ideas (like restaurants) can be wildly profitable for the right person, but come with low margins, high stress, and operational headaches Travis doesn't want.​ Notable Quotes “You have to build what they want—and then give them what they need on the back end.”​ “If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you launched too late really hit home for me—because I launched way too late.”​ “I would never start a restaurant from scratch. One successful store isn't enough reward for all the headache it takes to get there.”​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Dr. Bradley Nelson is a holistic physician, USA Today bestselling author, and one of the world's leading voices in energy healing and root-cause wellness. As founder and CEO of Discover Healing, he created The Emotion Code®, The Body Code™, and The Belief Code®, and has now released The Heart Code, a book focused on dissolving “Heart-Walls” to unlock abundance, healing, and deeper purpose.​ On this episode we talk about: How Dr. Nelson went from chiropractor and former computer programmer to bestselling author and global teacher.​ The journey of self‑publishing The Emotion Code and later landing a six‑figure advance when St. Martin's republished it.​ Why he believes in doing “any show, anywhere” and how roughly 1,700 interviews have fueled book sales and brand growth.​​ How he built Discover Healing's main revenue engine through multi‑level certification in Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code.​ The launch strategy behind The Heart Code—preorders, bonus gifts, and bulk packages to hit the USA Today list.​ Top 3 Takeaways One book can be a business, not just a product. Dr. Nelson used his first book as a foundation for courses, certifications, an app, and live events—eventually certifying 15,000+ practitioners in 108 countries.​ Self‑publishing vs. traditional isn't either/or. He started by self‑publishing to move fast and keep margins, then later partnered with a major publisher for reach and credibility once demand was proven.​ Relentless visibility compounds. Years of consistent podcast, radio, and media appearances have created a global audience that now supports new book launches like The Heart Code.​​ Notable Quotes “When you self‑publish, you can make money from the very first copy—and you can change the book any time you need to.”​ “My policy has been to do any show, anywhere, at any time. That's how you build a movement.”​​ “I didn't know what it would look like; I just knew this information had to get out into the world.”​ Connect with Dr. Bradley Nelson: Website (books, about, speaking): drbradleynelson.com​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Travis and producer Eric dig into a surprisingly relatable mix of topics: changing friendships, unexpected stress in adulthood, and yes, bringing earplugs to the movie theater without feeling like a complete boomer. Through humor and a little friendly roasting, they unpack what no one really warns you about when it comes to growing up, building a business, and trying to stay healthy in the process.​ On this episode we talk about: Why Eric is (apparently) the first Gen Z moviegoer planning to wear earplugs to every screening.​ How relationships—friends, collaborators, even co‑workers—naturally change over time as your life, geography, and goals evolve.​ The difference between avoiding stress and choosing the right kind of stress for the life you actually want.​ Why time management becomes one of the hardest—and most important—skills of adult life.​ How to intentionally keep connections alive with simple habits like periodic check‑in texts and DMs.​ Top 3 Takeaways Stress is inevitable—so pick your stress. Whether it's building a business, raising kids, or staying “comfortable” and broke, every path has stress. The goal is not to escape it, but to choose the stress that leads to the life you want.​ Relationships will change, and that's normal. Friends move, priorities shift, careers evolve—so build simple rhythms (messages, calls, shared workouts, trips) to keep the right people close on purpose.​ Self‑care isn't soft; it's strategic. From sleep to hearing protection to workouts, protecting your body and mind is what allows you to keep showing up for your goals long‑term.​ Notable Quotes “You're not going to avoid stress—if you want anything above average, stress is part of the deal.”​ “Most of the stress in my life is stress I welcomed because I wanted the challenge.”​ “If you don't choose the stress of being a good parent now, you get the stress of having kids who cause you more stress later.”​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Jeremie Kubicek is a globally recognized speaker, author, and leadership expert who's helped shape some of the world's top organizational cultures. As co-founder of Giant Worldwide, he's dedicated to multiplying healthy influence, building trust-driven workplaces, and creating systems that combine peace and performance. Jeremie's the author or coauthor of several bestselling leadership books, including Making Your Leadership Come Alive, The 100X Leader, Five Voices, The Peace Index, and his latest release, The Voice Driven Leader. In this episode, Jeremie shares how he's built nine interconnected revenue streams—and why leaders should aim to multiply their impact across ventures by focusing on people, systems, and personality-driven leadership. On this episode we talk about: How Jeremie built nine businesses that complement each other under a single ecosystem. The difference between “diversified investments” and “diversified revenue.” Why some personalities thrive with multiple ventures while others need narrow focus. How he uses AI (and his own custom GPT) to evaluate market readiness before launching. The mindset and apprenticeship model he uses to train operators and step into the executive chair role. Top 3 Takeaways Think like a portfolio manager, not a hustler. You can grow wealth faster by building connected ventures with shared DNA, not random side hustles. Create people-first businesses. Knowing your team's personalities and leading them in their “language” accelerates both trust and productivity. Test before you invest. Use market-readiness testing—and a little AI help—to validate ideas before committing serious time or capital. Notable Quotes “I figured out how to diversify revenue, not just investments.” “I start businesses, but I don't run them. I build, apprentice, and multiply.” “If you speak the language of the people you lead, they'll fight for you.” Connect with Jeremie Kubicek: Website: jeremiekubicek.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis and Producer Eric break down why most traditional networking advice is completely backwards for today's world. Travis reflects on his early “Build Your Network” days and how he's evolved past the outdated idea of “just showing up” to events with a business card and a smile. Now, his philosophy is about earning credibility first — because real relationships are built on competence, not empty confidence. On this episode we talk about: Why the phrase “networking” has gotten such a bad reputation. How Travis learned that “knowing a lot of people” doesn't mean having influence or opportunity. Why the best-connected people are both competent and confident. The difference between productive relationship-building and “conference junkie” habits. Sharon Srivatsa's reminder that “your network isn't who you know — it's who knows you can deliver.” Top 3 Takeaways Networking without value is noise. Focus first on learning, building skill, and doing great work — credibility comes from results. Competence creates confidence. Too many people try to project success before they've earned it, and it backfires. Relationships multiply your skills. The “who” and the “what” aren't opposites — the right people accelerate what you already know. Notable Quotes “Most networking advice is for people with nothing to offer.” “Too many people are focused on building confidence when they haven't built a base level of competence.” “People are the key to everything you want in life — but you have to bring real value to the table.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

John O. McGinnis is the George C. Dix Professor of Constitutional Law at Northwestern University and one of the leading legal minds examining how wealth, influence, and democracy intersect in modern America. In this episode, he unpacks the core argument from his forthcoming book, Why Democracy Needs the Rich—that wealthy entrepreneurs and investors don't just drive economic growth, but also counterbalance left-leaning professional influencers and fund vital cultural, civic, and philanthropic institutions. The conversation dives into envy, academia, “professional influencers,” and why attempts to sideline the rich could unintentionally damage pluralism, innovation, and freedom. On this episode we talk about: Why critics like Bernie Sanders and big-city mayors argue that the rich are a problem for democracy—and how John dismantles that claim. How founders typically capture only a tiny fraction of the total value they create, and why innovations like Amazon massively increase “consumer surplus” for everyday people. The concept of “professional influencers” (academics, media, entertainers, bureaucrats), why they lean heavily left, and how wealthy individuals provide ideological and practical counterbalance. Historical and modern examples of the rich funding abolition, civil rights, environmental causes, education reform, museums, and other public goods that government is slow or incapable of providing. Why classical political thinkers feared static oligarchies, and how today's dynamic, constantly changing class of entrepreneurs is almost the opposite of that. The data and reality behind wealth creation—why most millionaires are first-generation—and what that says about opportunity and technological change. How resentment, envy, and “othering” the rich mirror older patterns of scapegoating minority groups, and why that's dangerous for a free society. Whether the wealthy are drifting right politically in response to regulation, energy policy, and growing hostility from the activist left. Practical thought experiments to challenge “eat the rich” rhetoric, including how much our daily lives resemble those of historical elites thanks to modern tech and markets. Top 3 Takeaways 1.  The rich are not a monolithic right‑wing bloc; they are a diverse, constantly changing group whose entrepreneurship and philanthropy expand opportunity, fund public goods, and increase real living standards.2.  Efforts to mute or punish the rich don't create a level playing field—they simply hand even more power to already-dominant professional influencers in academia, media, entertainment, and bureaucracy.3.  Envy-driven politics may feel emotionally satisfying, but they ignore how much ordinary people benefit from innovation, consumer surplus, and the pluralism that wealthy funders help sustain in a free society. Notable Quotes   “Founders often only capture one or two percent of the value they create—the rest goes to consumers in the form of better, cheaper, more abundant goods and services.”   “If you push the rich out of the public square, you don't get ‘pure democracy'—you get even more power for academics, media, and bureaucrats who already lean heavily to one side.”   “Envy is a thief of joy; before you condemn the rich, it's worth asking how much of your everyday life was made possible by the very people you claim to hate.” Purchase John O. McGinnis' book:   Book –Why Democracy Needs the Rich : https://a.co/d/eKcmirX ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric use a ridiculous on‑air nicotine experiment and some Kroger pickle‑jar banter to launch into a serious conversation about the power of saying no with your money. From friends asking to “spot me, bro” to sketchy investments, unpaid collabs, lifestyle upgrades, and sponsors that don't feel right, they walk through real scenarios where saying yes can quietly wreck your finances—or your brand—if you're not intentional.​ On this episode we talk about: Eric nearly puking on mic after trying a 6mg mojito ZYN, why “no” would have been the better choice, and how that sets up the theme of the episode.​ How Travis handles friends and family asking for money—why he almost always says no to “investment” pitches now, and how he decides when helping actually becomes enabling.​ When to say yes (and when to stop) with unpaid collaborations, speaking gigs, and local partnerships—plus the story of how saying yes to a low‑ROI volleyball promo still led to a profitable tournament relationship for AuraVela.​ Lifestyle spending boundaries: cars, first‑class flights, subscriptions, Klarna‑financed Chipotle, and how Travis finally justified buying a genuinely nice car after years of driving beaters.​ The importance of asking “Does this matter to me—or just to other people?” before dropping money on status symbols, upgrades, or brand‑driven purchases.​ Eric's recent decision to drop a meaningful podcast sponsor after loyal, long‑time listeners said it felt off, and why he chose long‑term trust over short‑term cash.​ The hidden risks of programmatic ads (like political spots or government agencies slipping in) and how both hosts have had to tighten ad category filters to protect their brands.​ Saying no to shady money: Travis turning down a $3,000 crypto‑related interview offer that required an NDA and looked like reputation rehab for a founder with bad press.​ Top 3 Takeaways Not every “opportunity” is for you. Saying no to friends' investments, high‑risk plays, or repeated bailouts protects your own financial runway and keeps you from funding other people's bad patterns.​ Your brand is worth more than a short‑term check. Dropping a sponsor or declining a stage when it feels misaligned can cost money now but preserves audience trust that's worth far more over a decade.​ Buy for your life, not their approval. Big purchases and lifestyle upgrades should be driven by your values, convenience, and experiences—not by keeping up with people you don't even like.​ Notable Quotes “For investments right now it's basically a no—if I don't have true ‘play money,' I'd rather put it in something more certain than somebody else's ‘sure thing.'”​ “If you're asking me for help the fifth time, at some point I'm not helping—you're just making bad decisions and I'm funding them.”​ “You can have the life you want now and later, but only if you stop buying stuff just to impress people and start asking if it actually matters to you.”​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Diana Pagano is an international keynote speaker, author, and action‑driven mindset coach who helps people break past limiting beliefs and step into who they were truly meant to become. A proud first‑generation Mexican American from San Diego, she went from growing up in a two‑bedroom apartment with a family of six and constant evictions to becoming a record‑breaking real estate producer in multiple markets and scaling a multi‑million‑dollar company as MVP. In this episode, she shares how her “more mindset” transformed fear and survival mode into consistent high performance—and how anyone can apply the same mental shifts to sell more, earn more, and live more fully.​ On this episode we talk about: Diana's childhood in a struggling entrepreneurial household, moving every 18 months in San Diego and inheriting limiting beliefs about money, struggle, and what was “normal.”​ How becoming a single mom in her 20s pushed her into real estate with a survival‑mode mindset—and why fear of her kids repeating her story initially drove her success.​ Going from PetSmart corporate HR to rookie real estate agent, breaking ceilings and 10x‑ing her income to hit six figures in under 12 months (a highly atypical first‑year result in real estate).​ Rebuilding from scratch in Scottsdale and later Connecticut, door‑knocking luxury neighborhoods, cold‑calling for‑sale‑by‑owners, and proving you don't need an existing network to win in a new market.​ How blocking “power hours,” tracking appointments, and focusing on income‑producing activities beat being “busy” at the office all day.​ Why strategy alone isn't enough if you secretly don't believe you're the kind of person who can succeed—and how The More Mindset offers neuroscience‑backed tools to rewire those internal stories.​ Diana's telemarketing origins at 16½, becoming top producer booking copier appointments, leading a team of older reps, and paying her family's electric bill with her first big paycheck.​ Common cold‑calling mistakes—trying to sound “salesy,” apologizing for calling, or believing you're a bother—and how to reframe calls as helping people instead of harassing them.​ Why belief and authenticity in sales matter more than having the “perfect” script, and how confidence plus genuine value consistently outperform low‑confidence reps with great products.​ Top 3 Takeaways Your past doesn't cap your potential. Diana carried inherited beliefs from a childhood of evictions and scarcity, but by obsessively studying why some people succeed while others struggle, she rewired her mindset and built a multiple‑market real estate career.​ Discipline beats busyness. Time‑blocking prospecting, door‑knocking high‑end neighborhoods, and running focused “power hours” of cold calls produced six‑figure results far faster than simply “being at the office” all day.​ Sales starts in your head, not your script. If you believe you're a bother or that success is “for other people,” you'll sabotage proven strategies; when you see yourself as someone who helps others and truly believes in the offer, confidence and results follow.​ Notable Quotes “It wasn't about doing more. It was about becoming more of who you were meant to become—not living stuck in self‑sabotage and limiting beliefs.”​ “You can drop me in Arizona, Connecticut, or Japan—semantics are semantics. It's your brain and how you show up that determine your success.”​ “You shouldn't be okay with being ‘a bother' on the phone. If you truly believe you're helping people, your entire delivery changes.”​ Connect with Diana Pagano: Website – https://dianapagano.com​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric get brutally honest about parenting, legacy, and work. Through a mix of serious reflection and completely derailed knock‑knock jokes, Travis breaks down how becoming a dad fundamentally changed his ambition, his calendar, and the way he evaluates every opportunity. The conversation hits on the myth of “work–life balance,” the reality of sacrifice, and how to choose a mission that's actually worth time away from your kids. On this episode we talk about: Why Travis wants the “superhero dad” his kids see today to be as close as possible to the real man they discover when the veil eventually lifts. How having kids forced him to interrogate his goals and ask whether the things he's chasing are still worth the time they take away from family. Why work–life “balance” is a myth, and how constantly chasing it can create anxiety, guilt, and a inability to be present anywhere. The importance of living in the present instead of only in future fantasies, and how that shift affects both parenting and entrepreneurship. When it makes sense to bring your kids into your business world—events, trips, meetings—and how that exposure can shape who influences them later. Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Legacy is less about money and more about minimizing the gap between the idealized “superhero parent” your kids see and the flawed human they eventually meet.2.  Every “yes” to a business opportunity is a “no” to time with your kids, so your mission has to be compelling enough to justify that trade—random hustle isn't good enough.3.  Balance is largely a myth; the more practical goal is to be fully present where you are—at work or with family—instead of mentally living in the past or future. Notable Quotes   “Whenever I say yes to an opportunity, I'm saying no to time with my kids—so it better be a hell yes.”   “If you try to be ultimate super‑dad and ultimate super‑entrepreneur at the same time, you're just going to constantly feel like you're dropping the ball.”   “The past and the future don't exist—the present is all we have, and I was spending most of mine somewhere else.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Brad Beeler is a retired U.S. Secret Service agent who conducted more criminal polygraph examinations than anyone else in the agency's history, interviewing thousands of suspects in homicide, national security, and child exploitation cases. He now trains federal investigators, intelligence officers, and corporate teams on advanced interviewing, influence, and deception detection, helping organizations eliminate costly communication failures, uncover lies earlier, and build stronger trust. His upcoming book, Tell Me Everything, translates high-stakes interrogation lessons into practical tools for leaders, sales teams, and entrepreneurs who need the truth to make better decisions and more money. On this episode we talk about: How Brad went from picking up trash at a softball field to interviewing inmates in a St. Louis jail, and why “tactical curiosity” about people's lives became his most profitable skill in law enforcement and business. What he learned from thousands of criminal interviews about why people really do what they do—and how that maps directly to understanding buyer motivation in sales. The reality of polygraph exams: what they can and can't do, why they're best seen as an investigative tool (not courtroom magic), and how “countermeasures” almost always backfire. Simple, field-tested techniques for lowering anxiety, building trust quickly, and spotting red flags in yes/no answers during high-stakes conversations. Why the shift to text and AI-driven communication is eroding crucial context, and how to protect the “human signal” in a world that wants everything faster and more automated. Top 3 Takeaways 1.  The best interviewers and salespeople are “tactically curious”—they let other people educate them, especially about leisure, habits, and backstory, because that's where trust, dopamine, and real motivation live.2.  Polygraph isn't a magic truth machine, but used in the right environment, with the right prep and questions, it can dramatically improve accuracy over human gut feel, which hovers barely above a coin flip.3.  In business, just like in criminal work, you win more often when you judge the pattern (past behavior) rather than the persona, and when your questions are precise, calm, and anchored in genuine respect. Notable Quotes   “We were basically selling jail—I was selling something people didn't want to buy, so I had to figure out how to get them to like, trust, and respect me first.”   “Humans are really good at lying because it's a social lubricant and really bad at detecting lies—we're right only about 54 percent of the time.”   “A good interview is like a good podcast: you prep hard, you lower anxiety, you let them talk 80 percent of the time, and you only step in to steer—not to steal—the conversation.” Connect with Brad Beeler:   Website: https://bradleybeeler.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, host Travis Chappell and his producer Eric react to Naval Ravikant's “everyone can be rich” clip from The Joe Rogan Experience and use it as a springboard to talk honestly about money, health, education, and what “rich” actually looks like in real life. Through humor, book talk, Star Trek references, and some uncomfortable math, they challenge listeners to rethink their timelines, their earning power, and the beliefs that are quietly keeping them stuck. *​​ On this episode we talk about: Naval Ravikant's claim that “everyone can be rich” and the idea that money is today's path to freedom that monks once found by renouncing everything.​​ Whether fitness and health should come before getting rich, and how discipline in the gym can make business success more attainable.​​ How to define what “rich” actually means for your life by modeling your ideal lifestyle instead of chasing a vague, giant number.​ A practical exercise using AI to calculate how much money you really need by certain ages—and why that often exposes a huge gap with your current plan.​ Why your 35–55 years are likely your peak earning window, and how urgency, education, and intentional skill-building determine whether you capitalize on it.​ Top 3 Takeaways 1.  “Everyone can be rich” is less about a magic guarantee and more about the combination of education, leverage, and belief that a lot more people could reach meaningful wealth than they currently assume.​​2.  Getting in shape is one of the fastest, most direct ways to prove to yourself that change is possible, build discipline, and create the energy and confidence you need to pursue bigger financial goals.​​3.  You probably underestimate how much money you'll actually need to live your ideal life, which means you must either meaningfully change your expectations or meaningfully change your plan—sooner rather than later.​ Notable Quotes   "You don't need to learn how to invest 22 dollars a month—you need to learn how to turn that into 2,200 or 22,000 a month, and then invest that."​   "Everything you want in life is on the other side of a question you're not asking yourself."​   "From 35 to 55 is probably your peak earning window, and there's likely a five-to-seven-year stretch where you'll make more than in the previous twenty years—if you're set up for it."​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Zvi Band is a developer, serial founder, and relationship-driven entrepreneur best known for building Contactually, the much-loved CRM he scaled to over $10 million in revenue before selling to real estate giant Compass in a deal valued north of $20 million. In addition to founding and exiting venture-backed companies, he's written a book, coached thousands of professionals, and now leads Relatable, a personal CRM designed to help people deepen trusted relationships instead of just “monetizing contacts.” In this conversation, he unpacks how AI is blowing the doors off traditional software gatekeeping and what non-technical founders can realistically build in the next 30 days. On this episode we talk about: How AI has collapsed the barrier to building software—from needing a technical co-founder or expensive dev team to being able to spin up a working web app in a matter of hours. What non-technical founders should actually learn first (hint: product thinking and clear specs) instead of trying to become full-stack engineers. Which AI-powered tools can help you go from “idea in your head” to V1 MVP—covering product specs, code, hosting, and iteration. How to think about UX/UI in an AI world, including using real-world visuals and brand cues to guide your app's look and feel. Where AI is taking the software and career landscape next, from solo-built seven–eight figure products to massive retraining opportunities as lower-level jobs get automated. Top 3 Takeaways 1.  You no longer need a technical co-founder to ship a real product; if you can clearly describe what you want and think like a product manager, AI can handle most of the coding and infrastructure for a basic business app.2.  The real “execution risk” has shifted from writing clean code to building the right thing, matching real user journeys, and finding distribution in an increasingly noisy, AI-generated world.3.  AI will both automate low-level work and open up huge opportunities in enablement—helping industries adopt AI, retraining displaced workers, and giving more people a viable path into software and entrepreneurship. Notable Quotes   "Even if the code is ‘throwaway,' it costs you next to nothing now to have AI build a V1 while you sleep."   "Anyone can tell an AI to make a CRM; very few people can make a CRM informed by fifteen years of thinking deeply about relationships."   "As AI takes more tasks off your plate, the real question is whether you'll use that freed-up time to invest in relationships or just scroll more content." Connect with Zvi Band: Website: https://www.zviband.com Relatable (personal CRM): https://relatable.one ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric break down what it really looks like to make money as a content creator when you're not pulling MrBeast numbers or signing eight‑figure brand deals. Instead, they focus on the realistic—and highly achievable—lane of “middle class creators”: people earning $1,000–$5,000 per month from content as a side income (or lean full‑time if you keep expenses low). They also share real revenue numbers from Eric's channel, plus examples of small brick‑and‑mortar businesses using short‑form content to turn marketing into a profit center instead of a pure expense. On this episode we talk about: Why most creators should aim for “middle class” money first instead of chasing MrBeast‑level outcomes How Eric built a niche show (Preacher Boys) into a $2.6k/month side income through ads, sponsors, and platform payouts The importance of loving your topic enough to talk about it for free for years How one Zoom interview episode on YouTube alone brought in over $1,500 in ad revenue Why you should spread income across YouTube, podcast ads, Facebook bonuses, sponsors, and Patreon Brick‑and‑mortar examples like the LED sign guy and the “pancake lady” turning simple videos into customers and creator checks Why every post is a “lottery ticket” for new opportunities, from documentaries to brand deals How business owners can get to the point where their marketing actually gets paid by platforms Top 3 Takeaways You don't need millions of followers to make meaningful money; a focused niche, consistent publishing, and multiple small revenue streams can add up to a solid side income that may evolve into full time. Content creation is front‑loaded work and back‑loaded payoff—expect years of low or no pay before the inflection point where old episodes start earning hundreds or thousands of dollars each. If you own a business, learning to create simple, personality‑driven content can turn your advertising from a cost center into a profit center—platforms and sponsors can effectively subsidize your marketing. Notable Quotes “If you're not excited about the first dollar you made, you're not going to be excited about the first thousand.” “Hourly, I used to be making maybe a dollar an hour—now a single Zoom interview can bring in over $1,500 on YouTube alone.” “Historically, every form of advertising cost you money; now your marketing can actually pay you." ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Kiana Danial is a social media finance educator, personal finance expert, and the author of Triple Compounding For Dummies, as well as previous “For Dummies” books on forex and cryptocurrency. She went from accidentally making $10,000 trading forex during the 2008 crash to working on Wall Street, losing everything on one bad trade, and ultimately building a multi‑income‑stream business teaching people how to invest wisely without treating the markets like a casino. In this episode, she breaks down her “triple compounding” framework and why most traders and would‑be investors are skipping the most important step: investing in themselves first. On this episode we talk about: How Kiana accidentally made $10,000 during the 2008 market crash while studying electrical engineering in Japan Why she left forex trading after one over‑leveraged trade wiped out years of profits The truth about retail forex, “copy trading,” and why most people lose money What “triple compounding” really means: you, your business/income, then external assets Why investing in skills, identity, and income comes before stocks, crypto, or any market How entrepreneurs making seven figures can still end up broke if they don't compound correctly The trap of hoarding small nest eggs vs. using them to upgrade your earning potential Why saving $0.06 per gallon on gas matters less than learning a skill that adds $100k+ to your income Top 3 Takeaways The first and most important investment is you—your identity, skills, mindset, and financial literacy—because without that, you will misuse any strategy or asset class you touch. Triple compounding stacks three layers: invest in yourself, then in a controllable income engine (job or business), and only then in external assets you cannot control (stocks, crypto, real estate, etc.). If it took you years to save $10k, your problem is income, not portfolio allocation; focus on increasing your earning power before obsessing over whether to get 8% vs. 10% in the market. Notable Quotes “If this were truly an automatic 10–15% per month, why isn't Warren Buffett doing it?” “You can't make money you don't have work for you—you have to raise your income first.” “It took eight years of compounding skills to become an ‘overnight success.'” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Travis Chappell and his producer, Eric, react to a retired American couple who traded their old life in the US for a more affordable, higher-quality retirement in Malta. By downsizing their costs, leveraging rental income from their U.S. home, and tapping into cheaper healthcare and everyday expenses overseas, they've created a lifestyle they never could have afforded if they stayed put in the States. Their story is a real-world case study in using self-awareness and geography—not just income—to design a life you actually want. On this episode we talk about: How Mary and Kevin retired to Malta on Social Security and rental income Why your ideal life might be more about where you live than how much you earn The mindset shift from “big house and car” to “low overhead and freedom” Tradeoffs of retiring abroad: distance from family vs. more time and presence when you visit Countries where you can live comfortably for under $1,000 a month Why lifestyle bloat traps people in jobs they hate longer than necessary How to reverse-engineer your cost of living around the life you actually want Top 3 Takeaways You don't have to become a billionaire to live well in retirement; you may just need to move somewhere your Social Security or modest income stretches a lot further. Success starts with self-awareness—getting brutally honest about what you really want (time, freedom, experiences) instead of defaulting to status symbols like big houses and luxury cars. Geographic arbitrage is real: by lowering housing, transportation, and healthcare costs abroad, you can often buy more free time, less stress, and more meaningful time with the people you love. Notable Quotes “The choice was basically stay in the U.S. and keep working—or go to Malta and actually enjoy our retirement.” “You don't have to dedicate your life to becoming the next Steve Jobs; you just have to do the math on the life you want and engineer it on purpose.” “If you just float and let life happen to you, you get the kind of results that come from living that way—and that's not how I want to live.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to emerging companies, and international bestselling author of 13 books, including Fanocracy and The New Rules of Marketing & PR. His work has helped companies generate tens of billions in revenue, and his portfolio career spans speaking, writing, advisory roles, and equity-based coaching, giving him a uniquely practical perspective on how to build a flexible, lucrative life in business.​ On this episode we talk about: How David went from pulling weeds at 11 to launching an office in Tokyo in his 20s Why his “dream job” on Wall Street became unbearable—and what he did next How to act like an entrepreneur inside a company and get paid to learn The transition from corporate CMO to fractional CMO, author, and speaker Why he stopped consulting for cash and started coaching for equity instead How book writing became the engine for 500+ paid speaking gigs worldwide Portfolio strategy: mixing speaking, royalties, courses, and equity for freedom Avoiding lifestyle bloat so you can say yes to long-term upside (not just quick cash) Top 3 Takeaways You can practice entrepreneurship while still employed by taking ownership, cutting deals tied to profit, and treating your role like you're running a mini-business. Building intellectual property (like books and courses) can become powerful marketing for higher-ticket revenue streams such as speaking and advisory work. Keeping your lifestyle lean and your income diversified gives you the freedom to take equity, play the long game, and avoid becoming trapped in work you hate. Notable Quotes “It was totally entrepreneurial even though I was on salary—my bosses were 12 time zones away, and I was responsible for everything.” “I wasn't writing books to make money from book sales; the books were the advertising for my speaking and advisory work.” “I don't want cash; I want a piece of the upside.”​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, host Travis Chappell and his producer Eric kick off 2026 with a tongue‑in‑cheek look at “getting rich” in Grand Theft Auto V versus actually building wealth in real life. Using a viral GTA video that breaks down the “five best businesses to buy” in the game, they unpack why it's so tempting to grind for fake money while feeling stuck financially—and where that logic breaks down if you're unhappy with your real bank account. Along the way, they swap stories about ultra‑strict childhood rules on movies and games, why sleepovers now feel like a hard no as parents, and how leisure fits into a healthy, ambitious life.​ On this episode we talk about: A GTA V creator teaching “five businesses that will make you rich online” and how his million‑view content is actually an example of turning play into a real income stream.​ The difference between enjoying games as a hobby versus pouring five hours a day into them while complaining there's “no opportunity” in real life.​ Childhood stories about not being allowed to watch certain movies or play certain games, calling parents from sleepovers, and the weird logic of which ratings were “okay” and which weren't.​ How becoming parents has flipped their perspective: less concern about temporary tattoos and game ratings, more concern about letting kids sleep at other people's houses at all.​ The rise of creators who build channels around nostalgic games, movie tie‑in titles, or walkthroughs—and how that can turn low‑effort fun into a monetized side project.​ Why modern games and social platforms are engineered to keep you in an endless loop, and how that “vortex” quietly delays people from ever taking real swings at their goals.​ The nuanced take: you don't have to be “grinding 24/7,” but you also can't expect big financial changes if every spare hour goes to escapism.​ A brief tangent into IP consolidation (Saudi money, Activision, Bond, DC, Lord of the Rings) and how massive ownership shifts change what shows, games, and stories get made.​ Top 3 Takeaways Hobbies are fine—until they clash with your goals. Playing GTA or Call of Duty isn't a moral issue; the problem is when you're miserable with your finances yet still spend all your free time in virtual worlds instead of building real skills and income.​ You either monetize the passion or own the trade‑off. The GTA creator in the clip turned his obsession into a channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers; if you don't want to do that, that's fine—but then you have to accept slower financial progress without blaming “lack of opportunity.”​ Most “successful people” aren't gaming all day. High performers might still play, but usually after they've already put in serious work; expecting similar results while investing most of your energy into entertainment is a mismatch in inputs and outcomes.​ Notable Quotes “If you're spending five hours a day playing video games and also complaining there's no opportunity, you can't be mad at the results you're getting.”​ “That guy grinding GTA businesses is actually making real money—because he turned his gameplay into content, not just a way to escape his own life.”​ “Do whatever you want in your downtime, but don't be shocked when the people who spend that same downtime learning and building get very different outcomes.”​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Lamar Tyler is the CEO and co‑founder of Tyler New Media and the creator of Traffic, Sales & Profit, a business community of over 47,000 entrepreneurs focused on closing the wealth gap through entrepreneurship. Recognized multiple times on the Inc. 5000 list, Lamar has also earned awards from Ebony Magazine's Power 500, Black Enterprise's 2023 Disruptor of the Year, and ClickFunnels' Two Comma Club C and X awards for generating over $25 million through their platform. In this episode, he walks through how he went from cutting grass and working I.T. to building a media company, scaling blogs into conferences and masterminds, and helping thousands of business owners grow from “just a skill” into real, scalable companies.​ Connect with Lamar Tyler: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamartyler​ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lamartyler​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamartyler​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, host Travis Chappell and his producer Eric unpack what big brands like Starbucks and Target are getting wrong about culture, customer experience, and “forced friendliness.” Using Eric's local Starbucks and Target's “10–4 policy” as jumping-off points, they dig into how authenticity, sleep, and sustainable effort matter far more than corporate scripts or nonstop grind. Along the way, they break down Gary Vee's “new” stance on sleep and hustle, plus how high performers actually use rest as a competitive advantage.​ On this episode we talk about: Why Eric's favorite Starbucks went from feeling like “Cheers” to feeling scripted once corporate required baristas to write something on every cup.​ How genuine, voluntary gestures from employees turn into hollow “corporate bullshit” once they're turned into a rule.​ Target's 10–4 policy (smile within 10 feet, warm interaction within 4 feet) and why forcing friendliness can feel awkward for both customers and staff.​ The difference between real culture (people who like working there) and forced culture (mandated smiles, scripted greetings, required cup messages).​ Gary Vee's clip about sleeping 7–10 hours, not going hard 24/7, and why that sounds like a reversal of his early “hustle” content.​ How high performers reconcile hustle with rest: being insanely productive when awake while protecting sleep so they can sustain output for decades.​ Insights from Travis's interview with The Sleep Doctor, including Steve Aoki's custom sleep schedule built around a 1 a.m. start time.​ Why even entertainers and entrepreneurs with “wild” schedules need intentional sleep architecture to keep going into their late 40s and beyond.​ The weirdness of people falling asleep to business podcasts, and what it says about how hard it is for entrepreneurs to mentally clock out.​ Top 3 Takeaways Authentic culture can't be scripted. If you take something organic—like baristas writing personal notes—and turn it into a corporate mandate, you strip away the sincerity that made it powerful in the first place.​ Forced friendliness doesn't fix deeper problems. Policies like Target's 10–4 may create momentary eye contact, but they can't compensate for broken systems, low morale, or a bad customer experience.​ Sustainable success requires real rest. Hustle still matters, but the people who win long term (including Gary Vee and Steve Aoki) are the ones who treat sleep as a performance tool, not a luxury.​ Notable Quotes “There's a difference between culture and forced culture—once you make it a rule, you kill the very thing that made it special.”​ “Don't put ‘going hard' on a pedestal; it's not about never sleeping, it's about being productive when you're awake and listening to your body.”​ “You can't perform at a high level for 15–20 years on no sleep—hustle without rest just means you hit the wall sooner.”​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis talks with serial entrepreneur and private equity operator Eddie Wilson, known as the “King of Exits” for owning more than 140 companies and successfully exiting over 100 of them. Eddie breaks down how he went from corporate media to running a 30‑company portfolio, created the Empire Operating System, and co-built the Aspire Tour, the nation's largest business event series.​ On this episode we talk about: How Eddie went from third‑generation real estate kid and corporate TV/radio executive to starting an ad agency, exiting it, and then suddenly helping operate a portfolio of 30+ companies The Foot Locker “measure-the-feet” story, how it inspired his Brick concept, and how extreme focus on one core metric evolved into the Empire Operating System now used across thousands of companies​​ Scaling from 30 to 86 portfolio companies, then selling 76 of them in a single year to ~20 different buyers—while only owning a minority stake and learning how to systematize exits Why he and Andrew Kroeze built Aspire Tour as a front-end community and lead engine for financial services (tax, insurance, wealth) and how they fill arenas with speakers like David Goggins, Gary Vee, and Shark Tank sharks while often losing money on the event itself​ Eddie's deeper “why” behind all of it—his Impact Others nonprofit that feeds and educates ~5,300 kids a day in 100+ countries and runs massive projects like providing Christmas morning for 18,000+ children worldwide​​ Top 3 Takeaways Systems are the only way to scale and exit repeatedly; Eddie's Empire Operating System grew out of real portfolio pain and now focuses each company around a single “brick” metric that drives everything else. Big, sexy front-end plays like Aspire are often loss leaders—what matters is the lifetime value created when you plug those attendees into masterminds, tax strategy, insurance, and other high-value services. Money alone gets boring; tying business growth to a bigger mission—like feeding thousands of kids daily through Impact Others—creates the kind of purpose that keeps you building even after you could retire. Notable Quotes “I realized I could do what I do—but at scale.” “Aspire is really just aggregation. It's the community that lets us serve people with financial services long after the event ends.” “Success without impact left me empty; Impact Others is what keeps me going.” Connect with Eddie Wilson: Personal site & bio: https://officialew.com​ Operating system: https://empireom.com​ Business tour (Aspire): https://aspiretour.com​ Nonprofit: https://impactothers.com  ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis sits down with leadership expert and “Business Sergeant” Chris Hallberg to unpack how great sales and great leadership go hand in hand. From shoveling driveways in Minnesota to scaling and selling an energy‑efficient remodeling company during the Great Recession, Chris shows how disciplined systems, integrity in sales, and long‑term thinking can build serious revenue.​ On this episode we talk about: How Chris went from shoveling snow and working at McDonald's to military police, then into construction sales and six‑figure commission income The story of launching an energy‑efficient remodeling business in 2008–2010 using tax credits, ROI calculators, and “green” door‑to‑door canvassing to thrive while legacy contractors went under Why door‑to‑door is still “king” in certain home-services niches, and how to sell respectfully at the front door without being a stereotypical high‑pressure closer The mindset shift from zero‑sum “I win, you lose” sales to win‑win selling that focuses on impact, education, and walking away when you're not the best fit How Chris now helps leadership teams implement EOS and uses his GoExpand AI platform to build disciplined, accountable, highly profitable organizations​ Top 3 Takeaways The best salespeople think of themselves as problem solvers and educators, not manipulators; they're willing to walk away when their solution is not truly in the customer's best interest. In tough economies, differentiation plus math wins: pairing tax incentives, real energy‑savings ROI, and targeted canvassing allowed Chris's company to grow while others shrank. Long‑term success comes from systems and culture, not just charisma—frameworks like EOS and tools like GoExpand help leadership teams create repeatable, scalable performance. Notable Quotes “I look at people as helping people, not selling people. No one wants to be sold, but everybody needs help.” “If you serve other humans, you'll get your just rewards. If you're only trying to take, you'll only get what they'll let you have.” “Both models can work for six months, but only one works for ten years.” Connect with Chris Hallberg: Website (Veteran community): https://bizsgt.com​ Coaching & software: https://goexpand.com​ EOS Implementer profile: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/chris-hallberg​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis and his producer share a loose, late‑night “roses and thorns” conversation about the early highs and lows of Travis's business journey—fueled by a festive candy-cane full of Fireball. The story moves from his very first $197 online sale for an unbuilt course to the realization that big-ticket investments and branding splurges do not guarantee results.​ On this episode we talk about: How a single listener voluntarily sending $197 for a future networking course unlocked Travis's belief that a small but engaged audience can fund real offers The path from that first pre-sale to masterminds, coaching, and a live event that generated a six-figure weekend and completely changed his sense of what was possible Painful lessons from dropping tens of thousands on masterminds and a fancy website before understanding cash flow, prioritization, and revenue-generating activities Why investing in your business is necessary but never guaranteed—and how to avoid confusing “looking legit online” with actually making money Eric's tongue‑in‑cheek “Alpha Influence / The Bull” bit and why blind trust in hype-y investment schemes is a terrible replacement for due diligence​ Top 3 Takeaways Small, early wins—like one person happily paying for your idea—can be more important to your trajectory than the dollar amount itself because they prove people will pay you for your expertise. Not all business investments are created equal; prioritize things that directly create offers, sales conversations, and cash flow before you pour money into websites, logos, and vanity upgrades. Risk is mandatory, but recklessness is optional—structure payments, manage runway, and always separate real opportunities from hype-driven schemes that promise “foolproof” returns. Notable Quotes “If you can build a brand and add value, people will want to give you money.” “It's a requirement to make these investments—but it is not a requirement that every investment pans out.” “You should absolutely invest in your business, but be wise enough to prioritize the things that actually generate revenue.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric pour a couple of fireball shots and get unusually candid about the early “roses and thorns” of Travis's entrepreneurial journey. From his very first $197 course sale to painful five‑figure misfires on masterminds, branding, and websites, they unpack the emotional rollercoaster behind building a real business instead of just chasing highlights.​ On this episode we talk about: How Travis made his very first money online selling a networking course that did not exist yet—and why that pre-sale unlocked a new way of thinking about audience, value, and offers The evolution from that first $197 to early masterminds, higher-ticket coaching, and finally a live event that brought in over six figures in a few days (and what it felt like to see the bank balance jump overnight) Early “thorn” moments where he dropped tens of thousands on masterminds, branding, and a fancy website—only to realize none of it directly generated revenue or cash flow Why investing in a business or education is required but never guaranteed to work, and how misallocating funds can wipe out months of runway The difference between spending for optics (logos, swag, sites) versus spending on true income-producing activities—and how Travis would structure payments and cash flow differently now Top 3 Takeaways Early wins do not have to be big to be life-changing; a single small sale that validates your offer and your value can permanently shift how you view making money online. Investments in your business are necessary, but not all investments are equal—prioritize cash-generating assets and skills before you pour money into aesthetics and brand polish. Risk, disappointment, and “bad bets” are part of the process; the goal is not to avoid all losses, but to learn faster, manage cash flow smarter, and stay in the game long enough for your bets to pay off. Notable Quotes “That first $197 wasn't a big deposit in my bank account, but it was a huge deposit in my confidence bank.” “It's a requirement to make these investments—but it is not a requirement that every investment pans out.” “You should absolutely invest in your business, but be wise enough to prioritize the things that actually generate revenue.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis and his producer dig into a deceptively simple question: is owning rental properties actually worth the headache? They cover single family vs. multifamily, house hacking, and Travis's own real estate regrets to help listeners decide whether rentals fit their wealth-building plan.​ On this episode we talk about: Why Travis still believes single-family rentals are worth it—especially for beginners—despite the horror stories and extra management work The difference between buying a simple single-family home and taking on a multifamily deal that behaves more like running a small hotel than owning a house How incentives shape advice: why many multifamily syndicators are financially motivated to downplay single-family investing House hacking strategies for young investors (owner-occupied FHA loans, duplexes/4-plexes, living in one unit, and letting tenants cover your mortgage) Hard-earned lessons from Travis's past sales—how selling too soon and thinking short term cost him six figures in long-term equity and cash flow Top 3 Takeaways Single-family rentals and small multifamily properties are still powerful wealth-building tools, but you need to treat them like a real business with real risk—not like an HGTV side project. “Don't wait to buy real estate; buy real estate and wait” holds up over time—if someone else is covering your mortgage, holding long term usually beats trying to time the market. The best move for young, unencumbered investors is often house hacking: live cheaply (or free), let tenants pay down your loan, and stack properties instead of selling them at the first sign of short-term profit. Notable Quotes “Buying a multifamily deal is more similar to buying a hotel than buying a house that just cash flows passively on the side.” “You can't plan your life around being the exception; plan around the rule that real estate rewards patience.” “Don't wait to buy real estate—buy real estate and wait.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

In this episode, Travis and his producer tackle a common question: what should a young person do with their first $10,000—put it into stocks, real estate, or a business? They use that prompt to unpack why there is no real “easy button,” why business and skill-building usually beat passive investing early on, and how to think about risk, regret, and investing in yourself over the long term.​ On this episode we talk about: Why, if “invest in yourself” is temporarily off the table, Travis would still choose investing in a business over stocks or real estate for a young person with $10k The realities of real estate beyond HGTV—hidden costs, thin margins, contractor issues, and why most successful investors built deep, specialized knowledge first How to think about risk on a 10–30 year life horizon instead of obsessing over what happens to your money in the next 90 days The mindset shift from hoarding cash to using money as energy that has to flow out (into skills, deals, and experiments) in order to flow back in Practical first steps for “investing in yourself” the right way: books, free content, then targeted coaching once you have clarity on your path Top 3 Takeaways For most ambitious young people, betting on a business or income-producing skill will build wealth much faster than passively drip-feeding small amounts into the market and hoping compound interest saves them. There is no legitimate get-rich-quick path; every real success story involves tests, failed bets, and money lost along the way, so plan for the rule (steady action and learning) rather than the rare exceptions. Start small and cheap with self-investment (books, podcasts, YouTube), use that to gain clarity, and then don't be afraid to spend meaningfully on coaching or education that directly improves your ability to earn. Notable Quotes “The inability to make a decision will always cost you more money than making the bad decision.” “Money is energy—it has to flow out in order to flow in.” “You can't plan your life around being the exception; plan for the rule, and if you end up the exception, great.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

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In this episode, Travis and his producer unpack how to use mentorship and coaching without becoming dependent on “the next guru” or wasting years trying to figure everything out alone. They distinguish between free, relationship‑based mentorship and paid coaching, and show how the right guidance—combined with ownership of your own effort—can dramatically shorten the path to making more money.​ On this episode we talk about: The tension between “figure it out yourself” hustle and “find a mentor” advice, and why the truth sits in the middle The difference between generic life/business mentors and targeted coaches hired to solve specific problems (sales, operations, lead gen, etc.) Why time is your only nonrenewable resource, and how mentorship can compress the years it takes to learn what actually works How to evaluate potential mentors holistically—looking at business results, family life, and values—not just revenue screenshots​ Why investing in coaching beats spending your last $5k on branding, swag, and fancy gear when you don't yet have a proven offer or cash flow Top 3 Takeaways Mentors and coaches will not “save” you; they give you better information and guardrails, but you are still fully responsible for doing the work and creating results. Take advice from people whose whole life you respect—business, relationships, and character—not just from whoever is loudest or most famous in your niche. If you have limited capital, prioritize buying knowledge, access, and implementation support over equipment and aesthetics; revenue and skills come first, upgrades come later. Notable Quotes “The mentor is there to make sure you don't make catastrophic mistakes—not to build your business for you.” “Busy with six different things is not the same as being productive or actually moving your life forward.” “You are still responsible for your own success—not your coach, not the mastermind, not the course you bought.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️

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In this episode, Travis and his producer tackle the classic “jack of all trades vs. master of one” question for modern creators and entrepreneurs juggling multiple side hustles. Using examples ranging from happiness research to garage-cleanout side hustles, they break down how to explore widely at first, then strategically double down on the thing with the most upside and meaning for your life.​ On this episode we talk about: Why saying “yes” to almost everything early on can be smart when you're broke, in debt, and still figuring out what you actually like How ideas from Arthur Brooks and Simon Sinek around happiness, purpose, and “knowing your why” tie directly into choosing which skill or business to go all in on​ Ben Shapiro's early career grind—working multiple jobs, including law and writing—to stack cash and eventually build what became The Daily Wire The real difference between being “busy with six things” forever versus setting a time limit, testing, then committing to the path with the clearest upside The Gary Vee-style question of when to quit your job for your side hustle, illustrated by the $699‑per‑garage cleanout business that clearly deserves a full‑time leap​​ Top 3 Takeaways Early on, it is completely fine to be a jack of all trades—as long as you are doing it intentionally to pay down debt, stack cash, and discover what you actually enjoy and are good at. At some point you must pick a lane: set a time horizon, evaluate which opportunity has the best mix of income potential and personal meaning, and then pour your time, learning, and energy into that one vehicle. Fear will always be there, so reframe it: instead of fearing failure or embarrassment, fear future regret—if you would regret not taking the shot, that is a strong signal you should take the leap. Notable Quotes “The result is going to come from mastery of one thing, but the inevitability of the struggle of mastery means you better pick something you actually care about.” “Don't confuse having six different things going on with actually making progress—busy does not mean productive.” “If you think you might regret not doing the thing, then do the thing." ✖️✖️✖️✖️