Travis Makes Money

JT Mestdagh shares his extraordinary journey of resilience overcoming multiple complex medical challenges from birth and severe dyslexia to becoming an adventurer and inspirational author. His book No Bad Days: Turning Your Biggest Challenges into Your Greatest Opportunities encourages young adults and everyone to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and to live a positive, purpose-driven li...

In this candid and relatable episode, Travis and his producer Eric share personal experiences about starting in podcasting and content creation while grappling with imposter syndrome. They discuss how it's okay not to be an expert at first and how interviewing others can be a powerful way to create valuable content. Travis reflects on his own journey starting solo and the benefits of learning from...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric delve into how Gen Z approaches financial advice, heavily relying on social media platforms for guidance. They discuss the impact of the lack of traditional financial education, how social media has democratized access to financial info, and the risks and benefits of following influencers online. The episode highlights generational differences in finan...

Brandon Steiner, known as the king of sports memorabilia, shares his journey from a sports-crazed Brooklyn kid with $4,000 to a transformative figure in sports marketing. As founder and president of Collectible Exchange and Steiner Sports, Brandon discusses how he revolutionized the memorabilia industry and built a $50 million empire with exclusive partnerships with legendary athletes like Derek J...

In this episode, Travis shares a personal story about his experience with a challenging out-of-state real estate flip that resulted in a significant loss initially, but also valuable lessons for long-term investing and property management. He discusses the complexities of managing properties from afar, unexpected costs like property taxes, and the emotional factors that influence buying and sellin...

Stefan Feuerstein is a leadership expert recognized by Oprah Winfrey as part of her inaugural Super Soul 100 list of awakened leaders elevating humanity. With over two decades of high-stakes leadership experience in humanitarian and private sectors, Stefan has led thousands globally. He is the author of the book "ABC Delegation," which teaches managers and leaders how to leverage delegation to dri...

This episode features a lighthearted and insightful conversation between Travis and his producer Eric, blending humor with practical advice about managing business finances. They discuss the importance of tracking net profit and operating expenses as critical financial metrics, the challenges of cash flow management, and the nuances of personal versus business finance. Through witty banter and rel...

Matt Putra is a fractional CFO and founder of Eightx, specializing in helping e-commerce and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies scale profitably and sustainably. With over a decade of experience, Matt has supported businesses generating $5 million to $100 million in revenue, expertly managing cash flow, raising capital, and building financial systems that empower founders to make data-driven...

This episode features a candid conversation between Travis and his producer Eric, diving into the realities of investing in organic content creation for business growth. They unpack the costs, strategies, and mindset shifts required to build a successful content engine, using real-world examples from comedians and entrepreneurs to illustrate the importance of budgeting for organic growth. On this...

Julee Gracey is a certified business coach, speaker, and author specializing in building confidence, overcoming self-doubt, and empowering entrepreneurs to unlock personal and financial freedom. Her background spans international modeling, TV hosting, and multimillion-dollar real estate deals, bringing an edge and authenticity to her work with high-achieving business owners and those seeking pract...

In this episode, Travis and Eric break down the viral news about Donald Trump’s floated idea of introducing 50-year mortgages. They unpack the financial realities, the math, the pros and cons, and why this proposed change sent shockwaves through social media—especially in the real estate world. From bank incentives to equity timelines to whether long-term loans actually help buyers, this is a prac...

Today’s guest is Ben Zweig — economist, data scientist, founder of Revelio Labs, and NYU Stern professor specializing in the future of work. With a PhD in economics and a career spanning IBM’s Chief Analytics Office, hedge fund strategy, and groundbreaking research on labor markets and occupational mobility, Ben brings a rare blend of academic rigor and real-world insight. His work allows him to s...

On this episode, Travis sits down with Sebastien Page, author of The Psychology of Leadership and Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price. With over 20 years of experience managing $500 billion in assets, Sebastien brings deep insight into finance, leadership, and performance psychology. He combines academic research, practical investing experience, and a passion for teaching financial literacy...

In this episode, Travis Chappell is joined by his producer Eric. Together, they break down some of the wildest viral success clips on the internet—from astrology-based basketball theories to Grant Cardone proclaiming you “can’t live” on $400K a year—and explore the real lessons hiding underneath the noise. On this episode we talk about: Why absurd “success hacks” go viral, including the astrology...

Nelson Repenning and Don Kieffer are longtime collaborators and professors at the MIT Sloan School of Management. With nearly 30 years of combined research, leadership experience, and hands-on work inside major organizations, they specialize in fixing broken systems, developing leaders, and helping teams operate at peak performance. They are co-authors of the new book There’s Got to Be a Better Wa...

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down the modern “buy back your time” culture—everything from viral clips glamorizing $400/month haircuts to outsourcing every basic task. Eric brings his media and production perspective, while Travis adds years of entrepreneurial insight, creating a practical, funny, and eye-opening look at what actually matters when it comes to time, money, and pri...

On this episode, Travis reacts to an old video of his 26-year-old self giving advice to young people in their late teens and early 20s. Eric—Travis’ producer—plays the video for him, and together they break down what young Travis got right, what he’d revise today, and why early career decisions matter more than most people realize. On this episode we talk about: Why “getting a job” isn’t selling o...

Sean O’Brien is a serial entrepreneur, Shark Tank alum, and founder of Swingzy, a golf training tool designed to help players make smoother, more consistent swings. He’s also the former CTO and CMO of Autio, a venture-backed startup co-founded by Kevin Costner and supported by major brands like Camping World and Snapchat. Known for turning down one of the biggest offers in Shark Tank history, Sean...

In this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a candid conversation on money mindset, investing, and why “playing it safe” can sometimes be the riskiest move of all. Together, they unpack what it really means to make your money work for you—and why saving alone won’t build long-term wealth. On this episode we talk about: The truth behind Grant Cardone’s “cash is trash” ment...

Betsy Fore is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and investor with nearly 20 years of leadership experience. She’s the author of Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams, founding partner of Velveteen Ventures, and a trailblazer in consumer products for children and the planet. Notably, Betsy scaled Tiny Organics past $13 million in revenue in just 24 months...

Thomas Nitzsche is a financial educator, media spokesperson, and Vice President of Media and Brand at Money Management International — the largest nonprofit credit counseling agency in the U.S. After facing his own financial struggles during the Great Recession, Thomas turned his hardship into purpose, helping thousands of Americans overcome debt, rebuild their credit, and regain control of their...

Bonnie-Jill Laflin is a trailblazer in the world of sports — the first and only female NBA scout in history, a former NFL cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, a sports broadcaster, and founder of the nonprofit Hounds and Heroes. From modeling at age three to scouting for the Lakers dynasty under Phil Jackson, Bonnie-Jill has shattered glass ceilings in some of the most male-...

In this episode of The Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric dive into 10 rapid-fire questions about purchases, investments, and regrets — with two minutes on the clock for each answer. From Travis’ best investment ever to the truck that literally lost a wheel days after buying it, this one’s full of laughs, lessons, and hard-earned financial wisdom. Travis opens up about: His best...

Rebecca Matchett is a serial entrepreneur, fashion innovator, and now tech founder who’s built her career around solving real-world problems. From co-founding Alice + Olivia to developing a patented women’s sizing system called TrioFit, Rebecca has consistently combined creativity and practicality to build impactful businesses. Now, she’s channeling that same drive into Synchrony—a new social app...

Jen Powell is the innovative CEO of JP Inc, a talent management agency revolutionizing influencer licensing with offices in LA, Nashville, and New York. With over 20 years of experience in modeling and influencer marketing, Jen has transformed the traditional fashion industry by embracing influencer-driven commerce early on, making her a unique leader in this space. On this episode we talk about:...