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Travis Chappell and producer Eric sit down for a conversation about spending money on the things that bring you genuine joy. From vintage James Bond movie posters and signed Star Wars memorabilia to Pokémon cards with the kids, they explore why not every purchase needs to generate a financial return. Travis shares how collecting can reconnect you with childhood interests, create unexpected connections with other people, and even open the door to teaching kids valuable lessons about money, commerce, and entrepreneurship. On this episode we talk about: Why it's okay to spend money on hobbies and collectibles that make you happy, even if they never increase in value How Travis scored an original The Spy Who Loved Me movie poster for just $75 and why meaningful collectibles are worth more than their resale price How collecting Pokémon cards with your kids can create lasting memories and teach them about earning, saving, and spending money What buying and reselling products online taught Travis about commerce, budgeting, and finding profitable deals Why the best collectibles combine personal enjoyment with the possibility of becoming valuable keepsakes for the next generation Top 3 Takeaways Not every dollar needs to make you more money. Building wealth is important, but it's also worth setting aside money for things you genuinely enjoy. If a purchase brings you years of happiness, it doesn't have to appreciate in value to be worthwhile. Hobbies can create unexpected connections. Shared interests like Star Wars, movies, and collectibles can become natural conversation starters that help you connect with people you'd never otherwise meet. The right hobby can be both personally fulfilling and socially valuable. Teach kids the value of money through experiences. Helping children work toward something they want, whether it's a rare Pokémon card or another special purchase, introduces them to earning, budgeting, and entrepreneurship. Even simple activities can teach lessons that last a lifetime. Notable Quotes "It's just cool to own stuff that you think is cool and you don't have to explain it to anybody and nobody has to get it or understand it." "I bought it to enjoy it." "You can get that money. Like it's more money than you have. But there's ways that you can sell some extra money." Connect with Travis Chappell Website: https://travischappell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana K. White is the author of Procrastinators Get Stuff Done and Decluttering at the Speed of Life, a Wall Street Journal bestseller with more than 500,000 copies sold. After struggling to manage the clutter in her own home, Dana developed practical, reality-based strategies to help people move from feeling overwhelmed to taking action. Through her five-step anti-procrastination process, she teaches people how to stop overthinking, break big goals into manageable steps, and make meaningful progress without needing the perfect plan. On this episode we talk about: Why procrastination often comes from feeling overwhelmed rather than being lazy or unmotivated. Dana’s five-step process for overcoming procrastination: look, do the easy stuff, experiment, make a plan, and finish. Why taking action and learning through experimentation can be more effective than endless research and planning. How to break big goals into small, completable steps that make it easier to build momentum. Why focusing on what you can accomplish today is more effective than pressuring yourself to achieve long-term consistency right away. Top 3 Takeaways Start by looking at the reality of the situation. Before making a detailed plan, take a noncommittal look at what you're actually dealing with. Removing the unknown can make an overwhelming project feel much more manageable. Experiment instead of trying to predict everything. You don't have to know whether an approach will work before you try it. Taking action helps you learn what works and what doesn't, while endless research can keep you stuck for months. Focus on today's finish line, not the entire journey. Instead of setting a goal like running every day, focus on going for a run today. Break larger projects into small, completable steps, and let consistency develop over time. Notable Quotes “Ultimately it's facing something that is so overwhelming I cannot even get started.” “The goal is to find out what works, which means if I fail, I've actually succeeded because I've learned something that doesn't work.” “If I run today, I am so much more likely to run tomorrow.” Connect with Dana K. White Website: DanaKWhite.com Books: Procrastinators Get Stuff Done and Decluttering at the Speed of Life A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell and his producer Eric break down one of Jeff Bezos’s biggest business lessons: obsess over the customer experience instead of getting distracted by competitors. From marketing campaigns that miss the point to once-dominant tech companies that failed to evolve, they explore what it takes to build a lasting business. They also discuss why collaboration can be more valuable than competition, how customer-focused messaging wins attention, and what entrepreneurs can learn from the marketing strategies of political figures. On this episode we talk about: Why Jeff Bezos believes customer obsession is more important than competitor obsession, and how businesses can apply that philosophy. How to create marketing that focuses on what customers actually care about instead of what matters to the business. What the decline of Skype and Apple Podcasts can teach entrepreneurs about user experience, innovation, and adapting to changing markets. Why collaborating with competitors, sharing best practices, and referring customers can help businesses grow together. How political marketing, name recognition, and persuasive messaging demonstrate the power of understanding your audience. Top 3 Takeaways 1. Put the customer at the center of every decision. Customers care about the value they receive, not your company's milestones or internal accomplishments. Lead with the benefit that matters most to them. 2. Don't let competitors dictate your strategy. Constantly copying other businesses can distract you from building something valuable. Pay attention to market trends when necessary, but keep your focus on improving your own product and customer experience. 3. Collaboration can create more opportunities than competition. You don't have to put another business out of business to succeed. Sharing best practices, referring customers, and helping others in your industry can create growth for everyone involved. Notable Quotes “The number one thing that has made us successful by far is obsessive compulsive focus on the customer.” — Jeff Bezos, as discussed in the episode “Every bit of energy that's directed toward the competitor is not directed toward your space being successful.” — Travis Chappell “I don't have to see you fail in order for me to succeed.” — Travis Chappell Connect with Travis Chappell Website: Travis Chappell Instagram: @travischappell  A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Willington is an entrepreneur, marketer, and author of F**k Your Agency, a book that teaches business owners how to generate their own leads instead of relying on marketing agencies. After starting out as a DJ and music producer, Brandon accidentally built a marketing agency before realizing that most small and medium-sized businesses could get better results by learning to run their own ads. Today, his business helps entrepreneurs master lead generation, landing pages, and sales, with his “with you” program growing from $29,000 in monthly sales in October 2024 to more than $1 million a month just one year later. In this episode, Brandon breaks down his approach to advertising, explains how to attract qualified leads, and shares why understanding your customers is more important than complicated marketing tactics. On this episode we talk about: How Brandon went from DJing and producing music to building a marketing agency and generating millions in monthly sales. Why most small and medium-sized businesses may be better off learning to generate their own leads instead of hiring an agency. The three essential components of lead generation: ads that attract the right people, landing pages that convert, and a sales process that closes deals. How to use messaging, customer psychology, and the “curious versus committed” principle to attract qualified leads instead of clicks from people who will never buy. How to approach paid advertising, including choosing between Meta and Google Ads, testing creative formats, setting budgets, measuring results, and improving sales processes. Top 3 Takeaways Learn the fundamentals before outsourcing your marketing. Business owners understand their customers better than anyone else. Learning to run ads, build landing pages, and convert leads can help them move faster, save money, and maintain control over their growth. Attract the right leads, not just more leads. Your advertising should speak directly to your ideal customer's circumstances, problems, and desired outcomes. Brandon explains how changing an ad from “This is how guys are losing stubborn belly fat” to “This is how the guys I coach are losing stubborn belly fat” helped one fitness coach significantly improve conversion rates by setting clearer expectations. Fix problems upstream instead of optimizing individual steps in isolation. If your landing page isn't converting, the problem might not be the page itself. Your ads may be attracting the wrong audience or setting the wrong expectations. Make sure your ads, landing pages, and sales process communicate a consistent message, and use meaningful data trends rather than reacting to daily fluctuations. Notable Quotes "No one knows the customer better than the business owner." "Advertising is very much like debating at scale." "Whenever you're testing anything, I can give you like a educated opinion on what the outcome might be, but until you turn that thing on, spend a bunch of money, and let a bunch of strangers on the internet vote with their clicks, everything's just a hypothesis." Connect with Brandon Willington: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-willington/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon.lyads Other: Visit Brandon's website and check out his book, F**k Your Agency, for more on generating leads and growing your business. A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell and producer Eric are back for another episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, breaking down the internet’s latest controversies and what they reveal about business, branding, and consumer perception. From a debate over whether sports fans should give caught baseballs to kids to OnlyFans’ attempt to attract mainstream creators, Travis and Eric explore why context matters, how audiences shape a brand’s reputation, and why companies can lose customer trust when they try to be everything to everyone. On this episode we talk about: Whether fans who catch baseballs at games should give them to nearby kids, and why context matters more than internet outrage. How social media turns minor disagreements into controversies and why not every viral moment deserves attention. OnlyFans’ attempt to reposition itself as a platform for entrepreneurs, podcasters, and mainstream content creators. Why brand perception is difficult to change once consumers associate a company with a particular type of content. Why companies should focus on their existing customer base instead of alienating loyal users to chase a new market. Top 3 Takeaways Context matters more than quick judgments. Before labeling someone a villain online, consider the circumstances. You rarely know the full story behind an interaction, and not every disagreement deserves outrage. Brand perception is difficult to change. Consumers develop strong associations with companies. Even if a business expands its offerings, those associations can prevent new audiences from taking it seriously. Serve your existing customers before chasing a new market. Companies risk losing the people who helped build their success when they try to reinvent themselves for a different audience. If there's an opportunity to serve a new market, creating a separate brand or platform may be the smarter move. Notable Quotes "There are a lot of context that matters, I think, in those types of interactions that nobody ever considers." — Travis Chappell "Perception is reality." — Travis Chappell "Let it be what it is. Do well for the people you serve in that world." — Travis Chappell Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if most relationships don't fail because of a lack of love, but because nobody ever taught us how to love well? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with Jimmy Knowles, who got to a breaking point seven years into his marriage. Only after hitting that rock bottom did he pick up his first book on relationships. One book turned into two years of studying what a strong, healthy partnership actually looks like. Now he wants to know why none of this is taught before we say "I do." Jimmy makes the case that we send people into marriage with almost no preparation and then wonder why the divorce rate sits near 50%. He shares one of his favorite lines, "Just because you say I do, doesn't mean you can," and explains why relationships are much simpler than we make them, but still take real, steady effort. He's so passionate about this that he wants to build a free premarital course. It would help couples learn what love requires of them, and help them decide if they're truly ready for that commitment, rather than just ticking off life's next box. One of the boldest ideas in the conversation is that love is not enough. Jimmy explains how one partner can say "I love her" while the other says "I don't feel loved," and why that gap is where relationships quietly break down. His fix is very practical. Swap the yes-or-no question for this one: "What are two ways I can love you this week so you feel valued and prioritized?" It's a simple question that almost nobody asks. Travis and Jimmy also look at modern dating. One survey says 63% of men under 30 are single. More than half of younger women on dating apps say they've received sexual messages they never asked for. Young men and young women seem to be living in two very different dating worlds. The two talk about how swipe culture cuts attraction down to looks, how it can crush confidence, and why sending an Instagram DM instead of saying hello in person means you never build the skill. Their takeaway reaches well beyond dating: in friendships, business, and your career, you have to risk rejection to get better. You'll also hear Jimmy explain why conflict is one of the biggest threats to a relationship. Most people don't know how to avoid it, resolve it, or repair it. When you feel you can't bring something up with your partner, what you're really saying is "I can't trust this person." And trust is much bigger than staying faithful. It's about knowing someone has your back, and seeing their actions match their words. If you've ever wondered why so many relationships fall apart, or what it really takes to make one last, this preview offers a candid, practical, and hopeful starting point. Hit play to hear why love alone isn't enough, and the simple questions that could change your relationship this week.Check out the full episode on Youtube HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell and his producer Eric are back in the studio for a conversation about behavioral science, social proof, marketing, and the internet's obsession with outrage. After reacting to a viral clip featuring behavioral scientist and bestselling author Jon Levy, they explore why familiarity can shape what we trust, buy, and believe. From the Mona Lisa's rise to worldwide fame to the importance of recurring segments in content creation, Travis and Eric unpack how creators and businesses can use familiarity to build stronger connections with their audiences—and why we could all benefit from getting a little less worked up in the comments. On this episode we talk about: How the Mona Lisa became one of the world's most famous paintings and what its story reveals about familiarity and trust. Why social proof influences our decisions, from the celebrities we follow to the politicians we recognize and the coaches we hire. How creators can build more engaging content by developing recurring segments, recognizable characters, and consistent show formats. Why repeated brand interactions matter in marketing and how advertising overload affects our attention and mindset. Why online outrage is so common and why it's worth thinking twice before leaving an angry comment. Top 3 Takeaways Familiarity builds trust. People tend to gravitate toward things they recognize. Consistent exposure to a person, brand, or idea can make it feel more trustworthy, which is why repeated interactions matter in marketing and audience building. Build a recognizable content experience. Rather than publishing disconnected pieces of content, create recurring segments, familiar characters, and repeatable formats that give people a reason to return. Don't confuse popularity with credibility. Fame and social proof can influence people's decisions, but being widely recognized doesn't automatically mean someone is qualified or that their work is the best. Evaluate ideas on their merits instead of following the crowd. Notable Quotes "The same reason people actually listen to the song Friday or care about Kim Kardashian." "It's just that bottom line of familiarity breeds trust." "Stop getting so enraged about everything." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damon Centola is the Elihu Katz Professor of Communication, Sociology, and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Network Dynamics Group. A pioneering researcher in social networks, behavior change, and collective intelligence, Damon is a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow and the award-winning author of How Behavior Spreads and Change. In his forthcoming book, Good Think, he challenges the conventional wisdom that groupthink is inevitable when people collaborate, revealing how the structure of our networks influences decision-making, innovation, and behavior. In this conversation, Damon explains how businesses, healthcare organizations, and online communities can create environments where better ideas emerge and people learn to work together more effectively. On this episode we talk about: Why groupthink may be misunderstood and how centralized hierarchies can suppress valuable ideas, even among highly intelligent people. How egalitarian networks help groups with opposing viewpoints find common ground and make more informed decisions. How businesses can encourage innovation by bringing together people from different departments and creating opportunities for unexpected conversations. How hospital hierarchies can contribute to medical errors and healthcare disparities, and how collaborative networks can improve clinical decision-making. How social media algorithms amplify influencers and echo chambers, and why redesigning online networks could encourage more productive conversations and reduce hostility. Top 3 Takeaways The structure of a group matters as much as the people in it. Even talented individuals can make poor decisions when a rigid hierarchy causes everyone to conform to the leader's preferred viewpoint. Create environments where people at every level can contribute ideas and challenge assumptions. Create opportunities for unexpected connections. Innovation often happens when people interact with colleagues outside their usual circles. Businesses can encourage this by designing workspaces and collaboration systems that bring together people from different teams and disciplines. Change the environment, not just people's attitudes. Training people to recognize bias doesn't necessarily change how they behave when they return to familiar social structures. Build systems that naturally encourage diverse perspectives, independent thinking, and constructive collaboration. Notable Quotes "Those highly coordinated, efficient groups don't really have a way of intelligently solving like new hard complex problems." "It's not really about shoving new ideas into people's heads. It's about putting people into settings where the decision making and the learning just happens naturally." "There's people around us and those people are either helping us to think things through better, or we're all kind of coalescing down into a lowest common denominator." Connect with Damon Centola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damoncentola/ Research: Visit the Network Dynamics Group at the University of Pennsylvania to explore Damon's research, publications, and work on social networks and collective intelligence.  Book: Check out his forthcoming book, Good Think, for more on how groups can become smarter through better network design. A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric break down Crumbl Cookies’ reported sales decline and what entrepreneurs can learn from a brand that once rode the post-pandemic boom. They discuss the company’s oversized, indulgent products, controversial marketing decisions, and the influence of health-focused creators calling out popular food brands. Along the way, Travis and Eric debate where criticism crosses the line into unfairly targeting business owners, why companies need to listen to customers, and how product quality and value ultimately shape a brand’s future. On this episode we talk about: Crumbl Cookies’ reported sales decline, store closures, leadership changes, and attempts to revive the business with new products. How oversized cookies, high-calorie milkshakes, and sugar-heavy drinks can create backlash when customers question whether the indulgence is worth it. The influencer offering people money not to buy Crumbl Cookies and the debate over whether this kind of content holds brands accountable or unfairly targets businesses. Why entrepreneurs should distinguish between legitimate criticism of their products and online attention designed primarily to generate views. How brands can respond to changing consumer expectations by improving their products instead of relying solely on marketing and social media presence. Top 3 Takeaways A strong brand cannot compensate for a product customers don't love. Travis argues that Crumbl’s challenges may have more to do with the product itself than any single influencer. If customers don't enjoy the experience enough to come back, a massive online presence won't necessarily save the business. Pay attention to what customers are telling you. When sales fall and negative feedback grows, entrepreneurs need to evaluate their products honestly. That might mean reconsidering portion sizes, ingredients, pricing, or the overall customer experience rather than simply launching another trendy offering. Consider the long-term impact of how you compete. Travis and Eric debate whether publicly discouraging customers from supporting a business is fair criticism or excessive targeting. Their conversation highlights the tension between consumer advocacy, content creation, and the hard work required to build a company. Notable Quotes “You want something if you're gonna eat something bad for you, it better be something you love.” “I feel for business owners who are trying to build businesses and do cool stuff.” “If the product is not doing well, that's what I'm not—” (Travis's thought is interrupted in the conversation; the central point is that businesses should examine the product itself.) Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larry Coval is a veteran technology and telecommunications executive who spent nearly four decades leading sales organizations, business units, and billion-dollar operations at companies including AT&T, Telligent Telecom, Epoch Internet, Global Crossing, and Cox Business. Throughout his career, he turned around underperforming teams, drove business growth, and helped develop future executives. Now, he's sharing the lessons he learned from both his successes and failures in his book, Misled: Why Almost Everything You Learn About Leadership Is Wrong and How to Fix It. In this episode, Larry explains why effective leadership requires more than emotional intelligence, how door-to-door sales shaped his approach to business, and why developing practical skills, embracing feedback, and helping employees succeed are essential to becoming a great leader. On this episode we talk about: How Larry went from an uncertain college graduate to a nearly 40-year career in technology and telecommunications leadership. Why combining complementary skills, understanding your strengths, and being honest about your weaknesses can help you stand out professionally. How door-to-door sales taught Larry to handle rejection, improve through repetition, and help teams push through challenges. Why Larry believes leadership development has focused too heavily on emotional traits instead of the practical skills employees need from their managers. How employee-centered leadership, accountability, and actionable feedback can build stronger teams and create a lasting organizational legacy. Top 3 Takeaways Treat rejection as practice, not failure. Every “no” is an opportunity to learn, refine your approach, and get closer to a “yes.” Larry even rewarded salespeople for the number of rejections they worked through, turning a frustrating part of the job into a motivating challenge. Great leaders need competence, not just good intentions. Empathy and vulnerability matter, but employees also need managers who can teach them, solve problems, provide direction, and help them perform better. Leadership is a set of skills that can be developed with deliberate effort. Build a legacy by developing people. Business results matter, but Larry believes one of the most meaningful measures of leadership is the people you help grow. Investing in employees' careers and modeling effective leadership can create a lasting impact on an organization's culture. Notable Quotes “I'm going to take no as not yet or not now.” “And reps help you get better at stuff.” “If you ask me about the people that I was able to help grow, I can list them, you know, chapter and verse.” Connect with Larry Coval: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-coval/ Website: https://arcaneleadership.com/ Other: Look for Larry's book, Misled: Why Almost Everything You Learn About Leadership Is Wrong and How to Fix It. A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final segment of this three-part episode, Travis and producer Eric explore the changing ways people socialize, build relationships, and spend their free time. From the decline in alcohol consumption among younger generations to the growing appeal of in-person gatherings, they discuss how the pandemic, remote work, and digital entertainment have reshaped social habits. They also explore business opportunities in creating real-world experiences, from hobby-based communities and social clubs to large recreational spaces, and why meaningful human connection may be more important than ever. On this episode we talk about: How entrepreneurs can build communities around shared interests, hobbies, and experiences, taking inspiration from events like Pokémon card openings and run clubs. Why in-person experiences and gathering spaces could become major business opportunities as people look for reasons to get out of the house. Jon Taffer's perspective on declining alcohol consumption among younger generations and how the pandemic disrupted traditional social habits. How remote work, streaming, food delivery, and at-home entertainment can contribute to social isolation and fewer opportunities to make friends. Why prioritizing human connection and relationships matters, even when some traditional ways of socializing come with health risks. Top 3 Takeaways Build businesses around shared experiences. Communities centered on hobbies, activities, and common interests can bring people together while creating opportunities for events, memberships, and physical gathering spaces. Look beyond the surface of changing consumer habits. Declining alcohol consumption doesn't necessarily mean younger generations are healthier or more socially connected. Understanding the reasons behind a trend can reveal the bigger picture and potential business opportunities. Make meaningful human connection a priority. Digital entertainment and the convenience of staying home can make isolation easy. Intentionally spending time with others, joining communities, and building relationships can improve the quality of your life. Notable Quotes "There's gonna be a big resurgence of trying to do things where people actually get out of their house and talk to people." "Social interaction is so important to us as a species." "Remember to leave every relationship better than you found it." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gerry Rich is a veteran Hollywood marketing executive who has helped bring some of the film industry's most memorable movies to audiences. Named one of America's top 100 marketers by Ad Age, Gerry has held marketing leadership roles at Columbia Pictures, Miramax, Paramount Pictures, MGM, and United Artists, and has consulted for Universal. Throughout his decades-long career, he's worked on films including The Crying Game, Reservoir Dogs, GoldenEye, War of the Worlds, and No Time to Die. In his new book, Chasing Hollywood, Gerry shares the lessons he learned building a career from humble beginnings in St. Louis to the top of Hollywood, offering insights on ambition, persistence, networking, and the evolving world of film marketing. On this episode we talk about: How Gerry turned his childhood fascination with movies and advertising into a decades-long Hollywood career. Why internships, focused career goals, and personalized outreach can help you get in the room with successful people. How working at Miramax on The Crying Game became a career-defining experience despite the company's demanding work environment. The marketing strategies behind iconic films like GoldenEye, Showgirls, and No Time to Die, including how to learn from campaigns that don't succeed. How independent filmmakers and digital creators are changing Hollywood by building audiences, testing ideas, and creating original intellectual property without traditional studio budgets. Top 3 Takeaways Be specific about what you want and put in the work. Passion alone isn't enough. Identify the career path that excites you, learn everything you can about it, and develop the skills needed to stand out. Make networking valuable for both sides. When asking successful people for advice, do your homework, personalize your outreach, and arrive with thoughtful questions. Don't expect others to map out your future for you. Treat setbacks as opportunities to learn. Not every campaign, project, or decision will work. Evaluate what happened, identify what you could improve, and make sure you've done everything possible before judging the outcome. Notable Quotes "Find the thing that you are gonna be most passionate about and figure learn everything you can about it." "The more difficult the challenge is, the more tenacious you have to be." "Originality is gonna win the day." Connect with Gerry Rich: Look for Gerry's new book, Chasing Hollywood, for his insights into the evolution of Hollywood, film marketing, and the lessons behind his career. A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis and producer Eric continue to dive into the growing push to unplug from screens and reconnect with real-world experiences. They discuss why younger generations may be pushing back against an increasingly digital world, the downside of endless content consumption, the difference between creating meaningful work and chasing views, and the business opportunities emerging around in-person experiences. On this episode we talk about: The growing trend of unplugging from technology and seeking more real-life experiences Why physical businesses and in-person experiences could be making a comeback The difference between creating meaningful content and chasing views through controversy and “slop” How endless digital consumption can become a distraction from the things we actually need to address Business opportunities around experiences like driving ranges, golf simulators, restaurants, and other community-focused activities Top 3 Takeaways Spend more time creating than consuming. Reading, journaling, building businesses, and engaging with people in the real world can leave a much more lasting impression than endlessly scrolling through content. Don’t chase a trend just because it looks profitable. If you want to build a business around the return to in-person experiences, start with something you genuinely care about. Long-term success is more likely when the business is connected to something you actually enjoy. Just because something gets attention doesn't mean it deserves attention. Views, followers, and engagement aren't necessarily indicators that content is useful or valuable. Ask whether what you're creating actually helps the people consuming it. Notable Quotes “If I spend more time creating than consuming, my life will probably look a little bit better.” “Just because you can sell something doesn't mean you should sell something.” “I would really encourage you to look at the things that you enjoy doing.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell  Website: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dub Washington is a funding strategist, credit expert, travel hacker, coach, and mentor who teaches entrepreneurs how to strategically leverage the credit system to build wealth and grow their businesses. After leaving his job as a shipping and receiving warehouse supervisor in 2021, Dub launched a credit-focused ebook and made $10,000 in a single day, kicking off his transition into entrepreneurship. Today, he helps clients build credit, access funding, grow coaching and funding businesses, and use financial leverage more strategically. On this episode we talk about: How Dub made his first $10,000 in a day selling a credit and travel-hacking ebook Why Dub believes credit can be one of the most powerful tools for changing your net worth How to establish financial guardrails before leveraging large amounts of credit Building relationships with banks and starting with secured cards when you have little or damaged credit Why relationships, mentorship, and community can be worth more than money Top 3 Takeaways Know your North Star before you leverage credit. Your financial strategy should be determined by where you're actually trying to go. Someone pursuing a million dollars in available credit needs a very different strategy from someone simply trying to qualify for a mortgage or auto loan. Use credit for leverage, not lifestyle inflation. Dub has seen people receive $150,000–$200,000 in business credit and immediately spend it on luxury trips, designer clothing, and expensive cars. The goal should be to use capital toward something with potential upside rather than a temporary dopamine hit. Relationships are a form of wealth. Dub emphasizes that the communities, mentors, and relationships you build can provide access to resources and opportunities that money alone can't buy. Notable Quotes “Let's leverage the system that's intended to be leveraged.” “Relationships is the new currency.” “Sometimes your blessing is to literally be a blessing into other people's lives.” Connect with Dub Washington: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dubwashington/ Other: YouTube — Dub Washington A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric take a closer look at the growing appeal of physical experiences in an increasingly digital world. They discuss the resurgence of bookstores, the value of owning physical books and keeping a journal, and why stepping away from screens can create more meaningful memories and better habits. They also explore the tension between consuming and creating, and how intentionally unplugging can help you become more present. On this episode we talk about: Why physical products and offline experiences are making a comeback The resurgence of bookstores and what the latest reading trends actually show How journaling can help you remember your life and recognize recurring patterns The benefits of using libraries, physical books, and audiobooks Why spending more time creating than consuming can lead to a better life Top 3 Takeaways Give yourself permission to be imperfect. Journaling doesn't need to be organized, aesthetically pleasing, or perfectly consistent to be useful. The value comes from capturing your thoughts and experiences so you can learn from them later. Pay attention to recurring patterns. Looking back through old journals can reveal problems, questions, and areas of your life that you've remained stuck in for years. Those patterns can point you toward what you need to address or learn more about. Create more than you consume. Constant scrolling can leave you consuming huge amounts of content without remembering much of it. Intentionally putting your phone away and prioritizing writing, reading, and real-world experiences can help you become more present and productive. Notable Quotes "The only thing that's consistent is on the top I put pages read." "It's been helpful for me to look through." "If I spend more time creating than consuming, my life will probably look a little bit better." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Scribe captures workflows as work happens and automatically generates step-by-step guides with screenshots and instructions, so no one has to sit down and write documentation from scratch. Learn more at scribe.how/tmm and mention Travis Makes Money for your first month of Scribe Capture free on select plans. - When you need a legal hand, visit LegalZoom. Go to LegalZoom.com to get started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices