Travis Makes Money

On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis sits down with his in-house producer to unpack how modern couples can navigate money, marriage, and identity when traditional gender roles are flipped or blurred. Drawing on Travis’s own journey with his wife Jackie—from dual incomes to traditional roles and back again—they explore what actually works for a relationship financially and emotionally, beyond cultural or religious expectations. On this episode we talk about: Growing up in patriarchal, religious environments and how that shapes money and marriage expectations How Travis and Jackie experimented with dual-income dynamics and evolving career goals The emotional impact on men when their partner earns more—and what that does to their sense of masculinity Why Travis and Jackie ultimately decided to return to more traditional roles and how it affected their finances and happiness How high-earning couples can creatively structure childcare, lifestyle, and work (nannies, travel, homeschooling, etc.) Top 3 Takeaways You cannot copy-paste “ideal” gender roles from culture or religion; you have to design a structure that actually works for your specific relationship and be brutally honest about it. Financial contribution is not the only measure of value in a relationship—clear communication about expectations, roles, and respect matters more than who brings in the bigger paycheck. Traditional roles often work well for many couples, but they should be a conscious, strategic choice based on strengths, earning power, and personal fulfillment—not just “the way it’s always been done.” Notable Quotes "We were doing this almost for the sake of combating traditional gender roles, but at the detriment of our own financial success and happiness." "My ability to earn so far outweighs her ability to earn with our current skill sets that it just doesn’t make sense for me to spend my time cleaning the house or worrying about dinner." "You have to be willing to say some of the quiet parts out loud if you want to find what’s really going to work for your relationship." Connect with Travis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: 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

Alan Stein Jr. is a seasoned performance coach, keynote speaker, and author who has spent over 15 years working with some of the highest-performing basketball players in the world, including Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant. Known for blending elite athletic principles with business performance, Alan now helps leaders and organizations improve mindset, leadership, and team dynamics. His journey from basketball performance coach to top keynote speaker offers powerful lessons on discipline, humility, and long-term growth. On this episode we talk about: Why “adding value and being of service” is the ultimate career growth strategy The importance of saying yes early—and earning the right to say no later How mindset separates elite performers when talent is equal Transitioning careers and starting over without ego Building a keynote speaking business through reps, feedback, and coaching Top 3 Takeaways Earn the right to say no — Early in any new venture, say yes to everything to build reps, experience, and credibility before becoming selective. Mindset is the ultimate differentiator — At elite levels, skill is assumed; mental discipline and emotional control create separation. Reps + feedback = growth — Consistent practice, self-review (like watching film), and hiring coaches dramatically accelerate progress. Notable Quotes "Repetition is not punishment. It’s the oldest and most effective form of learning." "You can’t see the picture when you’re in the frame." "The only thing better than learning from your own mistakes is learning from other people’s mistakes." Connect with Alan Stein Jr.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alansteinjr Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AlanSteinJr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alansteinjr Other: https://alansteinjr.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 solo episode, Travis Chappell shares hard-earned insights from years of studying personal development, interviewing top performers, and consuming hundreds of books and podcasts. Rather than focusing on external success, Travis dives into a deeper internal challenge—loneliness—and unpacks why the true solution isn’t more social activity, but a stronger relationship with yourself. On this episode we talk about: The difference between loneliness (internal) and social isolation (external) Why the true antidote to loneliness is learning to be alone Practical frameworks for developing meaningful solitude How distraction prevents self-awareness and fuels loneliness Turning self-reflection into real action and personal growth Top 3 Takeaways Loneliness is internal, not external — You can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely if you lack connection with yourself. Solitude is a skill — Learning to be alone without distraction builds self-awareness, clarity, and emotional resilience. Self-respect drives connection — How you view yourself directly impacts your ability to form meaningful relationships with others. Notable Quotes "The antidote to loneliness is actually aloneness." "If you don’t like you, why should anyone else like you?" "The loneliest existence is not having a good relationship with yourself." Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: 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, Travis is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a fun, fast-paced conversation about what everyday earners can learn from pro athletes’ best and worst money decisions. Using quotes from icons like Magic Johnson, Serena Williams, Muhammad Ali, and others, they break down how to think about saving, lifestyle creep, family pressure, and building businesses so you don’t end up as another “made millions, lost millions” cautionary tale. On this episode we talk about: Why “save at least 50% and never touch it” is elite-level money advice for athletes and high earners The trap of trading future earnings for upfront cash (and why those predatory “career earnings” loans are so dangerous) Serena Williams’ approach to investing in companies vs. “having things” and what that means for regular investors The pressure athletes feel to take care of friends and family—and how that generosity can quietly destroy their financial future How to use your “prime years” income to build a baseline of wealth in simple vehicles like the S&P 500 Top 3 Takeaways If you have a short earning window (like athletes, creators, or commission-heavy salespeople), treat every high-income year like it could be your last and aim to save at least half. You can love your people and still set firm financial boundaries—take care of yourself first, then help others from passive income, not from your core nest egg. Your real long-term security comes from simple, boring investing and building businesses and assets around your personal brand, not from flashy purchases or one big contract. Notable Quotes “Work really hard when it feels really easy to make the money, and then live on half the lifestyle you could actually afford.” “You can take care of your family, that’s fine—but it’s not going to be on the first time you sign a deal.” “Get to your number first, then start helping people with the money your money is making, not by giving away your whole paycheck.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: 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

Tom Szaky is the founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle waste and building innovative circular economy solutions. Starting the company from a college dorm at Princeton University, Tom transformed a simple idea—turning worm waste into fertilizer—into a nearly $100 million international business. His approach combines profit with purpose, proving that entrepreneurs can solve massive environmental problems while building highly scalable companies. On this episode we talk about: How TerraCycle started with worm poop fertilizer and scaled to millions in revenue Why most “recyclable” items actually aren’t recycled—and the real economics behind it How Tom pivoted from a product company to a global recycling platform Creative, scrappy tactics used to land major retailers like Walmart Building a business model where brands pay to recycle their own waste Top 3 Takeaways The best business opportunities often exist in overlooked, “boring” industries like waste. Your first idea isn’t your final one—successful entrepreneurs pivot when they find a better model. Aligning profit with purpose can create a scalable business that solves real-world problems. Notable Quotes "Garbage is the only material in the world that we pay to get rid of." "Recycling exists not where it’s possible, but where it’s profitable." "Take criticism as a gift—it's the fastest way to improve your business." Connect with Tom Szaky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomszaky Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/terracyclevideos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terracycle/ Other: https://www.terracycle.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 solo episode, Travis Chapel shares his personal playbook for feeling better so you can show up stronger in life and business. Drawing from years in the personal development space, he breaks down why so many of us feel worse than ever in the best time in history to be alive and what to actually do about it. Travis offers simple, practical mindset and lifestyle shifts that any entrepreneur or high-achiever can use to improve their mood, energy, and outlook. On this episode we talk about: Why we’re in a mental health crisis in the “best time to be alive” How overconsuming politics and negative news wrecks your mood and focus The importance of monitoring your inputs (media, conversations, and content) What Blue Zones teach us about community, belonging, and longevity How to build a daily and in-the-moment gratitude practice that rewires your brain Top 3 Takeaways Your inputs become your outputs: if you constantly consume negative, fear-based content—especially politics and 24/7 news—you will inevitably feel more anxious, pessimistic, and drained over time. Real, in-person community and a sense of belonging are proven longevity multipliers; scheduling time with friends, family, and shared experiences (dinners, game nights, concerts, comedy) is one of the fastest ways to feel better. Gratitude is a powerful “hack” for mood: practicing it daily and intentionally amplifying good moments in real time helps reshape your neural pathways so your default state shifts from fear and stress toward joy, peace, and possibility. Notable Quotes "Your inputs become your outputs, so if you’re constantly consuming negativity, you’re going to feel an overall dampening of your mood." "Nobody on this planet sees reality as it is—we all see it through our skewed perspective, which means you get to choose the version of reality that’s most useful to you." "It’s impossible to be anxious and grateful at the same time, so the more you practice gratitude, the more often you’ll find yourself in a better state." Connect with Travis Chapel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: 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

Travis and his producer Eric dive into the intersection of faith, money, and manipulation in modern church culture. In this conversation, they dissect a viral Instagram post from a pastor’s wife describing how her family “lived in tents” all summer to give more to their church — and what this kind of messaging reveals about financial guilt, obedience, and influence inside religious communities. On this episode we talk about: The viral story of a pastor’s family living in tents to “obey God” The psychology and marketing behind “sacrificial giving” How financial guilt and spiritual manipulation intersect in faith-based settings The blurred line between faith-driven generosity and predatory persuasion What healthy, values-based giving actually looks like Top 3 Takeaways Be cautious when emotion-driven appeals push you toward extreme financial decisions “in the name of faith.” True generosity doesn’t require self-destruction — giving should align with your responsibilities and capacity. Charitable impact can extend beyond the church; supporting people and causes directly can be just as meaningful. Notable Quotes “Don’t make decisions with emotion that you later justify with logic.” “You can love your church and still recognize when something feels manipulative.” “God would rather you take care of your family first than camp in a tent for a donation pledge.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travischappell Website: travischappell.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – 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

Guy Kawasaki is a Silicon Valley legend, bestselling author of 19 books, Chief Evangelist at Canva, and former Chief Evangelist at Apple. From being in the room for Apple’s iconic “Think Different” campaign to helping scale Canva into a global powerhouse, Guy has built a career defined by timing, trust, and an uncanny ability to attach himself to winning ideas. In this episode, he shares lessons on privacy, startups, content creation, and what really drives long-term success. On this episode we talk about: Why privacy matters more than ever—and how tools like Signal can help protect it Behind-the-scenes stories from Apple’s “Think Different” campaign and working with Steve Jobs The real story of how Guy joined Canva—and why luck often beats strategy Why most startups fail (and the only two roles that truly matter) The power of podcasting as a lifelong learning and networking tool Top 3 Takeaways Success isn’t about a “golden touch”—it’s about recognizing and attaching yourself to great opportunities when they appear. Focus on what actually matters in business: building something valuable and selling it—everything else is secondary. Consistent curiosity and learning (like podcasting) can compound into your most meaningful work over time. Notable Quotes "As your privacy degrades, so does society and democracy." "Guy’s golden touch is whatever is gold, Guy touches." "You’re either building something or selling something—everything else is bullshit." Connect with Guy Kawasaki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guykawasaki Website: https://guykawasaki.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guykawasaki/ Other: Podcast – Remarkable People | Book – Everybody Has Something to Hide  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 solo episode, Travis tells the story of his brief 9–5 corporate stint, why it pushed him to rethink everything, and how you can decide what really needs to change in your own life—your environment, your goals, your expectations, or your attitude. On this episode we talk about: Travis’s journey from Bible college and ministry track into door-to-door solar sales. How a short corporate job and one Home Depot incident exposed the frustrations of traditional corporate culture. Why “life doesn’t owe you your dreams” and what that really means in practice. The four levers you can pull when you’re unhappy: environment, goals, expectations, and attitude. The scary but necessary step of actually changing something if you want different results in life. Top 3 Takeaways If your current reality doesn’t match your desired life, something has to change—staying the same but expecting new results is a dead end. Start by evaluating whether you need a new environment (job, industry, structure) or whether you’re willing to adjust your goals and expectations to fit your current path. If you won’t change your circumstances, you must change your attitude; learning to be content and grateful is a superpower, but it won’t replace action if you want big outcomes. Notable Quotes "Life does not owe you your dreams just because you checked the boxes you thought you were supposed to check." "If you are not okay with where you are now, something has to change in order for you to be okay with whatever's going to happen." "Be willing to change something, or accept that life is going to look much different than you wanted it to look like." Connect with Travis: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: 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, host Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into a viral headline about Gen Z getting fired at record rates and unpack what’s really going on beneath the clickbait. Between jokes about McDonald’s new Big Arch burger and “feeders,” they get practical about how younger workers, leaders, and companies can actually win together in a changing job market. On this episode we talk about: Why “60% of companies fired Gen Z employees” might be more about headlines than hopelessness How COVID, remote work, and a broken job market shaped Gen Z’s communication and workplace expectations Why work ethic usually isn’t the problem—and why buy-in, incentives, and leadership matter more The rise of “fractionalized entrepreneurship” and why many young people prefer building their own path Practical ways leaders can adapt and how Gen Z can protect themselves, negotiate raises, and stay mobile Top 3 Takeaways Gen Z isn’t “broken”; the job market and work structures have changed, and leaders who cling to old playbooks will keep losing young talent instead of learning how to motivate them. Loyalty to a single company is rarely rewarded the way it was for past generations, so you have to advocate for yourself—ask for raises, watch how minimum wage changes affect your real pay, and stay open to moving roles or companies. Many Gen Z workers will gravitate toward side hustles and entrepreneurship because they want impact, autonomy, and flexibility—not because they lack work ethic, but because they’re not willing to grind forever for a company that doesn’t share those values. Notable Quotes “It’s probably not that an entire generation is broken; it’s that they’re going to figure out a new path forward.” “Work ethic is almost never the problem—it’s a buy-in problem.” “You can’t save your way to your dream life anymore, but you also can’t outsource your career to a company that doesn’t reward you for going above and beyond.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/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