CO-HOST | Make Money by Avoiding Scams, Theft, and Costly Mistakes

In this episode, Travis is joined by producer Erickson for a candid and entertaining conversation about theft, scams, and the unexpected ways people lose money. From luxury watch thefts at Formula One events to apartment break-ins, identity scams, and AI-powered fraud, they share personal stories and practical lessons on protecting yourself and your finances. The episode highlights how staying vigilant can save you from becoming the next victim. On this episode we talk about: The organized theft rings targeting luxury watch owners at major events Personal stories of home burglaries and apartment break-ins Online scams, wire fraud, and deceptive marketplace transactions How scammers use AI and voice cloning to target victims Practical ways AI tools can help identify fraudulent messages and scams Top 3 Takeaways Scammers and thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making skepticism and verification more important than ever. Small security measures—whether protecting valuables, monitoring accounts, or verifying suspicious messages—can prevent significant financial losses. AI isn't just creating new risks; it can also be a powerful tool for identifying scams and spotting red flags before you take action. Notable Quotes "One thing you're not gonna do is rip me off." "Don't get robbed, I think." "Money only solves your money problems, but it does solve all of your money problems." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors. Their support helps us continue bringing you conversations about entrepreneurship, investing, personal finance, and the strategies that help people build wealth. Be sure to check out our sponsors using the links in the episode description. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to  https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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

Andy Baumann Lustig is a sixth-generation wealth advisor, managing partner of Fisher Stralem Advisors within Hightower Advisors, and author of Legacy on the Line. Recognized multiple times as a Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisor and Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, Andy helps entrepreneurs, business owners, and high-net-worth families grow, protect, and transfer wealth across generations. In this episode, she shares practical wealth-building strategies, common mistakes people make when planning for the future, and why thinking about your legacy earlier than you think is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. On this episode we talk about: How Andy transitioned from aspiring diplomat to top wealth advisor The foundational principles of wealth accumulation and long-term investing Tax-deferred accounts, asset allocation, and building wealth efficiently Estate planning strategies that help preserve wealth across generations Why entrepreneurs should think about legacy planning long before they plan to retire Top 3 Takeaways Building wealth and preserving wealth require different skill sets. The sooner you begin planning for wealth transfer and legacy, the more options you'll have in the future. Tax-efficient investing can dramatically improve long-term outcomes. Understanding how taxable and tax-deferred accounts work is essential to maximizing growth. Your financial team should work together. Coordinating your advisor, accountant, estate attorney, and insurance professional can uncover opportunities that are often missed when each operates independently. Notable Quotes "I like to solve problems, and I like to solve problems for other people." "The earlier you can back the truck up and build those structures in, the better off you're going to be." "Take your legacy seriously as early as you possibly can." Connect with Andy Baumann Lustig: Website: https://fischerstralem.com/andrea-lustig.html Book: https://www.legacyonthelinebook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-baumann-lustig-9b76b01/ A Word from Our Sponsors: Want to reach ambitious entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who are actively working to build wealth? Sponsoring the Travis Makes Money podcast is a powerful way to connect with a highly engaged audience seeking actionable financial strategies and business insights. Contact the Travis Makes Money team to learn more about partnership opportunities. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to ⁠https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney⁠ -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

Whitney Miller has lived several extraordinary lives in one. From winning Miss USA to stepping into the MMA cage, launching a podcast, and eventually pursuing a career as a country music artist in Nashville, Whitney's journey is a masterclass in reinvention. In this episode, Travis reflects on his conversation with Whitney and shares the biggest lessons he learned about following your calling, embracing change, building meaningful relationships, and creating a life aligned with what truly fulfills you. On this episode we talk about: Why the dream you keep avoiding may be the one you're meant to pursue The power of saying "yes" before you feel ready Why reinvention is not the same thing as quitting How relationships create opportunities in competitive industries Building a supportive network through intentionality rather than cutting people off Top 3 Takeaways The desire that refuses to go away is often worth exploring. If a dream keeps resurfacing despite your efforts to ignore it, there may be a reason it continues calling you. Growth often starts with commitment before confidence. Saying yes to opportunities before you're fully prepared can create momentum that changes the trajectory of your life. Reinvention is a strength, not a weakness. Sometimes moving on from one chapter isn't quitting—it's recognizing you've learned what you came to learn and are ready for what's next. Notable Quotes "The thing that you keep running from is probably the thing that you're supposed to run toward." "Sometimes you just have to jump off the cliff and build the plane on the way down." "The opportunities come from the relationships." Connect with Whitney Miller: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitnlove/ Website: https://www.whitneymillermusic.com/ Music: Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms A Word from Our Sponsors: Interested in sponsoring the Travis Makes Money podcast? Reach out to discuss partnership opportunities and connect your brand with an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, and high achievers looking to build wealth and create financial freedom. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to ⁠https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney⁠ -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 dive into a viral controversy surrounding the breakout indie horror film Obsession. After an art director from the film publicly shared her frustrations about earning just over $6,700 on a project that went on to gross hundreds of millions of dollars, the internet erupted into debate. Travis and Eric unpack the realities of risk, reward, compensation, and reputation in creative industries, exploring whether crew members deserve backend participation and how professionals should navigate public criticism when opportunities unexpectedly turn into massive successes. On this episode we talk about: The viral social media post from an Obsession crew member and the backlash that followed Why risk and reward are inseparable in filmmaking, entrepreneurship, and investing Whether film crews should receive backend participation when projects become major hits The hidden costs and realities of independent film production How public complaints can impact long-term career opportunities and professional reputation Top 3 Takeaways The people who take the greatest risks typically receive the greatest rewards. Investors, producers, and founders shoulder significant uncertainty, which is why they benefit most when projects succeed. Your biggest opportunity may come after the project, not during it. A successful project can dramatically increase your future earning potential if you leverage the experience effectively. How you communicate frustrations matters. Raising legitimate concerns is important, but the way those concerns are presented can significantly impact how others perceive and work with you. Notable Quotes "The person who takes the most risk gets the most reward." "This should be the greatest thing that ever happened to you." "Be grateful for the things that happen when they go really well, learn from them, and see what you can do better next time." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors. Their support helps us continue bringing you conversations and insights designed to help you make more money. Be sure to check out the links in the show notes and support the companies that support the show. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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

Emmanuel Straschnov is the co-founder and former CEO of Bubble, one of the pioneers of the no-code movement. After graduating from Harvard, Emmanuel set out to democratize software creation by making it possible for anyone—regardless of technical background—to build applications. Self-taught in coding, he built Bubble around a simple but powerful belief: humans shouldn't have to learn a computer's language; computers should understand ours. Today, Bubble powers thousands of businesses and has helped entrepreneurs around the world turn ideas into reality without writing code. On this episode we talk about: How Emmanuel turned a $50 customer check into validation for a billion-dollar idea Why qualitative customer conversations beat massive amounts of user data in the early stages The evolution of no-code tools and how AI is accelerating software creation How entrepreneurs can identify real problems before falling in love with solutions Building a successful business without raising venture capital—and when Emmanuel eventually decided to raise over $100 million Top 3 Takeaways Talk to users before scaling. A handful of deep conversations with customers can provide more valuable product insights than thousands of anonymous analytics events. Solve problems, not ideas. Entrepreneurs often become attached to products when they should be obsessed with the problems they're trying to solve. The barriers to building software are disappearing. With no-code tools and AI, entrepreneurs can launch products faster and cheaper than ever before, making validation easier than at any point in history. Notable Quotes "The right startup ideas are the ideas where someone is willing to give you money for a very crappy version of your product." "Humans shouldn't have to learn a computer's language. The computer should understand their language." "I've always felt that technology should open opportunities to people and remove barriers for people to try things." Connect with Emmanuel Straschnov: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/straschnov/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emstnv/ Bubble: https://bubble.io Email: [email protected] A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our incredible sponsors. Their support allows us to continue bringing you conversations with world-class entrepreneurs, founders, and investors who are sharing practical strategies to help you make more money. Check out the links in the show notes to learn more about the products and services that support the show. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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

Steve Sims was an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and founder of the luxury concierge company Bluefish, a business that became famous for creating extraordinary experiences for some of the world's wealthiest and most influential people. Dubbed "The Real-Life Wizard of Oz" by Forbes, Steve built a career around making the impossible possible—from arranging private dinners beneath historic landmarks to creating James Bond-style adventures for clients. In this heartfelt episode, Travis reflects on Steve's legacy following his recent passing and shares some of the most impactful lessons he learned from their friendship and conversations over the years. On this episode we talk about: Why pursuing "stupid" goals can unlock extraordinary opportunities The connection between passion, authenticity, and personal magnetism The importance of solitude and self-reflection for entrepreneurs Building genuine relationships instead of transactional connections Why criticism and ridicule are often signs you're heading in the right direction Top 3 Takeaways Big, seemingly unrealistic goals force you to think differently and create opportunities that smaller goals never will. Sometimes the fastest path to growth is aiming for something that sounds impossible. When you're genuinely energized by your work, people notice. Passion isn't just fulfilling—it's magnetic and can attract the right clients, partners, and opportunities. The strongest relationships are built on mutual value, trust, and long-term investment. Connections may open doors, but real relationships create lasting impact. Notable Quotes "Stupid goals are the strategy." "When you love what you're doing, you're more magnetic." "They'll always laugh at you just before they applaud." A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our incredible sponsors. Their support allows us to continue bringing you conversations and lessons from some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, creators, and thought leaders. Be sure to check out the sponsor links in the episode description and support the companies that help make this show possible. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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 by producer Eric to discuss a challenge every creator, entrepreneur, and business owner faces: dealing with criticism. From angry social media comments and controversial takes to building an audience that genuinely resonates with your message, Travis and Eric explore what it means to create in public. Drawing on examples from podcasting, social media, and conversations with top creators like Graham Stephan, they share practical insights on handling feedback, filtering criticism, and staying focused on long-term growth. On this episode we talk about: How to deal with criticism and negativity on social media Why creators should pay attention to comments in the early stages The difference between constructive feedback and random internet noise Building a community that advocates for you Why trying to please everyone online is a losing game Top 3 Takeaways If you're building a brand or audience, you can't afford to ignore comments completely. Early engagement helps you understand your audience and improve your content. Not all criticism deserves equal weight. Feedback from trusted sources and people who know your work matters far more than random negativity from strangers online. Consistency builds community. When you show up authentically over time, your audience begins to understand your message and often defends it better than you can. Notable Quotes "You gotta do what doesn't scale in order to be able to scale." "You don't get paid for the amount of hours you work—you get paid for the amount of value you bring." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you have some money in the bank." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our incredible sponsors. Their support allows us to continue bringing you actionable conversations and practical lessons designed to help you make more money, build better relationships, and create a life on your own terms. Be sure to check out our sponsors using the links in the episode description. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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

Olivia Levin is a digital entrepreneur, content creator, and founder of Swifties for Eternity, one of the largest fan-driven Taylor Swift communities online with more than 630,000 followers. What began as a Tumblr account she started at age 13 evolved into a thriving business built on community, content creation, brand partnerships, and consulting. Olivia is also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Story of Us: How the Taylor Swift Fandom Changed Our Lives. Her journey demonstrates how passion, consistency, and authentic audience-building can eventually lead to meaningful income and career opportunities. On this episode we talk about: How Olivia grew a fan account into a platform with over 630,000 followers Why it took more than a decade of consistency before seeing explosive growth Creative ways to monetize niche audiences through brand deals and subscriptions The importance of authenticity and showing your personality online How Olivia landed a book deal and became a bestselling author Top 3 Takeaways Most successful creators spend years building their audience before experiencing breakthrough growth. Consistency and patience often matter more than short-term results. Authenticity is one of the most valuable assets a creator can have. Audiences connect with genuine passion far more than content designed solely to perform well. Building a community creates opportunities beyond content creation, including brand partnerships, consulting, products, subscriptions, and publishing deals. Notable Quotes "You can pretty much turn any passion that you have into some sort of at least side hustle to make money." "If you feel like you're forcing something or being performative because you think it's going to do well, people can see right through it." "Find within yourself the reason why you started the page in the first place and the reason why you're passionate about what you're talking about." Connect with Olivia Levin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swiftiesforeternity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivialevinn/ Other: The Story of Us: How the Taylor Swift Fandom Changed Our Lives (available wherever books are sold) A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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

John Di Domenico is one of the world's most recognized celebrity impersonators, best known for his legendary Donald Trump impression. A veteran comedian, actor, and voice artist, John has appeared on major platforms including Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Howard Stern Show, and The Tonight Show. He was also one of the highest-earning creators on Cameo, building a thriving business around a single character. In this episode, Travis breaks down the biggest lessons he learned from John’s journey—from overcoming a childhood speech impediment to creating a scalable career through skill stacking, relentless practice, and creative expansion. On this episode we talk about: How childhood challenges can become career-defining strengths The power of skill stacking and developing a unique competitive advantage Why top performers constantly return to the fundamentals Turning one successful skill into multiple income streams Why there has never been a better time to create opportunities for yourself Top 3 Takeaways Your biggest obstacles may become your greatest assets. John's years of speech therapy ultimately gave him the technical understanding of voices that made him a world-class impersonator. Long-term skill stacking creates opportunities that look like luck to outsiders. Decades of comedy, acting, improv, and voice work positioned John perfectly when demand for Trump impersonations exploded. Success comes from maximizing what you've built. Rather than relying on a single income source, John expanded one core skill into corporate events, live performances, Cameo videos, and customized experiences. Notable Quotes "Your obstacles can become your instruments." "Stacking skills over a long time creates an unfair advantage." "There's no excuse in this era not to succeed." Connect with John D. Domenico: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/didonyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejohnnydshow/ Other: https://www.thejohnnydshow.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors:If you're enjoying the Travis Makes Money podcast, be sure to support our sponsors. Their support helps us continue bringing you conversations with world-class entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and business leaders every week. - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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 his producer Eric dive into a lively conversation about wealth-building, spending habits, investing, and the often-heated debate around personal finance advice. Using examples ranging from Kevin O'Leary's comments on expensive lunches to the power of compound interest, they explore how small financial decisions add up over time. Along the way, they discuss the realities of modern costs of living, the importance of increasing income, and why personal finance advice isn't always one-size-fits-all. On this episode we talk about: How net worth compares across age groups and what it means to be "above average" Why starting to invest young creates an enormous long-term advantage The debate around spending $28 on lunch versus investing that money How everyday spending habits impact long-term wealth accumulation Balancing frugality with increasing your earning power Top 3 Takeaways Time is your greatest investing advantage. Small amounts invested consistently in your 20s and 30s can compound into significant wealth over the course of your lifetime. Financial habits matter more than individual purchases. One expensive lunch won't make or break your finances, but repeated spending patterns can dramatically affect your long-term results. Focus on both saving and earning. Cutting unnecessary expenses helps, but increasing your income creates the flexibility to enjoy life while still building wealth. Notable Quotes "The gap that you can make in your 20s and 30s is going to be the one that actually compounds for the rest of your life." "Two things can be true. You can recognize the pricing is insane while also choosing to eat at home." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you have money in the bank." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors. Their support allows us to continue bringing you practical conversations about money, business, investing, and personal growth. Be sure to check out the sponsors mentioned in this episode and let them know you heard about them on the Travis Makes Money Podcast! - Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -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