Travis Makes Money

In this episode, Travis and his producer take a closer look at the growing controversy surrounding hate speech and social media platforms. Using a report from the Global Disinformation Index, they explore how YouTube may be profiting from channels that publish hateful content, the challenges of moderating billions of videos, and the responsibility platforms have when their business models reward outrage. They also discuss the complicated balance between free speech, content moderation, advertiser accountability, and the incentives driving today's online ecosystem. On this episode we talk about: How YouTube allegedly profits from channels publishing content that violates its own community guidelines. Why social media platforms struggle to balance free speech with their responsibility to moderate harmful content. The challenges of moderating billions of videos and the inconsistencies creators experience with content enforcement. How outrage bait and controversial content drive views, engagement, and advertising revenue. Why greater transparency and advertiser accountability could change the incentives behind harmful online content. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Social media platforms have a responsibility beyond simply hosting content. When platforms share advertising revenue with creators, they become business partners in the content they monetize. That raises questions about how accountable they should be for what they allow to stay online. 2. Content moderation is incredibly complicated at scale. YouTube reportedly receives around 720,000 hours of video every day. Consistently enforcing policies across that volume of content is an enormous challenge, especially when definitions of harmful or hateful speech can be subjective. 3. Money and incentives influence corporate behavior. Platforms may be more motivated to enforce their policies when advertisers threaten to pull their spending. Greater transparency around demonetization, ad placements, and enforcement could help hold these companies accountable. Notable Quotes: "YouTube is not a neutral host that occasionally misses bad actors. It's a business partner in every monetized video." "A rule with an undefined trigger in unreported use is not really a rule, it's a discretion." "Like most big problems, it requires an insanely complex solution that probably won't ever exist." Connect with Travis: Instagram: Travis Chappell Website: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! -Glean connects enterprise knowledge, people, decisions, and workflows across systems—giving employees and AI agents the context they need to move their most important work forward, while preserving your existing permissions and security boundaries. Visit Glean.com/tmm to unlock an exclusive offer just for listeners of Travis Makes Money! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Altman is an economist, author, and former economics columnist for The New York Times, The Economist, and Foreign Policy. With a doctorate in economics from Harvard, he has advised the British government, worked with Premier League soccer clubs and US Olympic teams, and helped businesses make better decisions through data and strategy. His new book, The Best Decisions You'll Ever Make: An Economist's Guide to Saving Time, Making Money, and Living Well, breaks down how everyday economic principles can help people make smarter choices, save money, and improve their overall well-being. On this episode we talk about: How Daniel became interested in investing at just nine years old, including buying his first Apple shares in 1983 Why understanding the value of your time can help you make better everyday financial decisions How to save money at the grocery store by understanding delivery schedules and shopping strategically How rebate agents and better-aligned incentives can help homebuyers save thousands of dollars What's happening in the housing market, why affordability is becoming a bigger challenge, and whether owning a home is still necessary to build wealth Top 3 Takeaways: Put a value on your time. Saving money isn't always worth the time it takes. Whether you're waiting in line for a sale or handling a small inconvenience, consider what your time is worth and whether there's a better use for it. Pay attention to incentives. The people helping you make financial decisions don't always have the same interests as you. Understanding those incentives—and finding ways to align them—can help you avoid unnecessary costs and make better decisions. Make money serve your well-being. Economics isn't just about accumulating wealth. It's about getting the most value out of your time, money, and other resources so you can live a better life. Notable Quotes: “Economics has always targeted wellbeing as its main outcome, not money.” “The more you explain your decisions using that economic frame of reference, I think the more kids will realize how useful it can be.” “You don't really have a great frame of reference” for everyday decisions. Connect with Daniel Altman: Website: danielaltman.com Book: The Best Decisions You'll Ever Make: An Economist's Guide to Saving Time, Making Money, and Living Well Other: Check out Daniel's High Yield Economics newsletter, value-of-time quiz, and retirement calculator on his website. A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! -Glean connects enterprise knowledge, people, decisions, and workflows across systems—giving employees and AI agents the context they need to move their most important work forward, while preserving your existing permissions and security boundaries. Visit Glean.com/tmm to unlock an exclusive offer just for listeners of Travis Makes Money! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best business ideas often start with a problem you can't stop thinking about. In this Money Mashup, three entrepreneurs share how personal frustrations led them to build successful businesses. One founder set out to reinvent water filtration after struggling to find a reliable solution for his family. Nelson Nigel built Kidmoto to make airport transportation easier for parents traveling with children. And Josh Whalen turned his own health struggles into the foundation for Joy & Blokes, a telehealth company focused on helping men feel better. Their stories show how paying attention to your own problems can reveal opportunities to serve an entire market. On this episode we talk about: How a personal experience with water quality inspired a better-looking, easier-to-use filtration product. Why building an audience before launch can create momentum, generate early sales, and help validate demand. How Nelson Nigel started Kidmoto with just two car seats and expanded the service to 84 cities globally. How Josh Whalen's personal health struggles exposed a gap in men's healthcare and led to the creation of Joy & Blokes. Why customer education, founder credibility, and following market signals matter when building a business. Top 3 Takeaways: Your frustrations are market research. Pay attention to the problems you repeatedly encounter. If something is difficult or underserved for you, there's a chance other people are looking for the same solution. A clearly defined problem makes selling easier. Whether it's parents traveling with car seats or people looking for better water filtration, a specific customer with a specific need gives your business a clearer direction. Your personal experience can give you credibility. Solving a problem you've experienced firsthand helps you understand the customer and communicate why your solution matters. Notable Quotes: “If somebody doesn't believe that your product is solving what you're trying to pitch that it's going to, then why would they invest?” “When you're an entrepreneur, you just figure things out.” “There was a massive hole that I saw in the market.” Connect with Our Guests: Brian Keller Nelson Nigel Josh Whalen A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! -Glean connects enterprise knowledge, people, decisions, and workflows across systems—giving employees and AI agents the context they need to move their most important work forward, while preserving your existing permissions and security boundaries. Visit Glean.com/tmm to unlock an exclusive offer just for listeners of Travis Makes Money! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henna Pryor, CSP, is a workplace performance expert, keynote speaker, and award-winning author who helps leaders and teams improve communication, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and take strategic risks. An 18-time award-winning author and regular Inc. columnist, Henna spent 14 years in executive search and staffing before transitioning into executive coaching and workplace performance. Her latest book, The Signal Gap: How to Boost Believability and Influence in the Age of Doubt, explores why trust is harder to earn today and how professionals can become more believable in an increasingly skeptical world. On this episode we talk about: How Henna went from public accounting to a successful career in commission-based sales. Why understanding human behavior and psychology can give you a lasting edge in sales. How executive coaching skills can help sellers build stronger relationships and have better conversations with clients. The financial preparation and risk mitigation that allowed Henna to leave a successful career and pursue something new. Why believability is becoming essential to building trust and influence in the age of AI, deepfakes, and information overload. Top 3 Takeaways: Learn to read people, not just sales scripts. Understanding what motivates people, how they communicate, and why they behave the way they do will help you become more effective in sales, leadership, and everyday relationships. Take strategic risks instead of reckless ones. Before making a major career move, build a financial safety net, consider the worst-case scenarios, and give yourself room to adjust along the way. Pay attention to the signals you're sending. Your intentions don't always match how others interpret your actions. Even a fast, thoughtful response can make someone feel unheard if it comes across as rushed or impersonal. Notable Quotes: “The people I see win long term sustainably are students of human behavior.” “Constraints can be, you know, breeding ground for creativity.” “They have to believe you first.” Connect with Henna Pryor: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hennapryor Instagram: @hennapryor Website: thesignalgap.com Book: The Signal Gap: How to Boost Believability and Influence in the Age of Doubt Free Chapter: thesignalgap.com/tmm A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Money Mashup features three entrepreneurs who built successful businesses by understanding a specific customer and creating products that solve real problems. Alina turned a layoff into a seven-figure brand serving doodle owners in just 15 months. Dave Munson built Saddleback Leather around bags designed to last a lifetime, while Adrian shares lessons from launching and scaling multiple consumer businesses, including a company he sold for nearly $35 million. Together, they show why focusing on the right customer and building a remarkable product can make all the difference. On this episode we talk about: Why choosing your audience before choosing your product can lead to a stronger business. How Alina used customer research, organic content, and an email list to build a seven-figure brand for doodle owners. How Dave Munson turned a custom leather bag into the foundation of Saddleback Leather. Why product and marketing are deeply connected, and how a remarkable product can make selling easier. Four steps to creating a product people actually want: solve a problem you understand, talk to potential customers, gather feedback, and pre-sell before perfecting it. Top 3 Takeaways: The riches are in the niches. Instead of trying to sell to everyone, identify a specific audience and build products that solve problems unique to them. A great product can be its own marketing. A clear promise, thoughtful design, and quality that stands out can generate word-of-mouth and make sales easier. Validate before you overbuild. Talk to potential customers, listen for useful feedback, and test demand by getting people to commit before you invest too much time and money. Notable Quotes: “Pick an audience that you're gonna serve instead of picking the product that you're gonna create.” “I want my grandchildren to fight over this when I'm dead.” “Nothing votes more for a product's value than when people hand you their credit card.” Connect with Our Guests: Elina Panteleyva Dave Munson Adrian Salamunovic A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! -Glean connects enterprise knowledge, people, decisions, and workflows across systems—giving employees and AI agents the context they need to move their most important work forward, while preserving your existing permissions and security boundaries. Visit Glean.com/tmm to unlock an exclusive offer just for listeners of Travis Makes Money! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell and producer Eric sit down for a fun episode breaking down some of the most outrageous celebrity purchases. From a $62,000 designer couch and $418,000 worth of flowers to a $20 million attempt to buy an entire town, they react to the wild ways celebrities spend their money and debate what actually counts as a frivolous purchase. Along the way, they share their own collecting habits, thoughts on spending, and why not every unconventional investment deserves to be criticized. On this episode we talk about: Pete Davidson and Colin Jost's $280,000 purchase of a decommissioned Staten Island ferry and their plans to turn it into a floating comedy club. The most outrageous celebrity purchases, including a $20 million town, a $2 million stage humidifier, and a $62,000 designer couch. Why some purchases that look frivolous can actually be investments in someone's career, passions, or happiness. Travis and Eric's personal collecting habits, from Pokemon cards and Star Wars memorabilia to movie props. Teaching kids about money, thoughtful spending, and showing appreciation for the people you care about beyond holidays and special occasions. Top 3 Takeaways Not every unconventional purchase is a bad investment. Pete Davidson and Colin Jost's ferry purchase initially attracted criticism, but their vision of turning it into a floating comedy venue eventually started becoming reality. Sometimes good ideas take time to pay off. Money should be spent on things that genuinely bring you happiness. Whether it's collecting movie memorabilia, buying flowers, or decorating your home, a purchase doesn't have to make sense to everyone else to be worthwhile. Put your spending into perspective. What's considered frivolous depends on your financial situation. The important thing is being intentional about where your money goes and making sure your purchases align with what matters to you. Notable Quotes "Just because it's Pete Davidson, I guess, 'cause a lot of people don't like him." "I like to look around and see things that make me think of stuff I like." "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! -Glean connects enterprise knowledge, people, decisions, and workflows across systems—giving employees and AI agents the context they need to move their most important work forward, while preserving your existing permissions and security boundaries. Visit Glean.com/tmm to unlock an exclusive offer just for listeners of Travis Makes Money! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Taylor is the founder of FlowLister, AI-powered eBay listing software that turns item photos into complete listings with titles, descriptions, item specifics, pricing based on recent sold comps, and shipping details. He's also a full-time eBay reseller and runs Taylor Family Store, an estate sale company in Kingman, Arizona. After experiencing homelessness in 2018, Chris rebuilt his life through entrepreneurship, eventually growing multiple businesses and developing his own software using AI coding tools. His story is a powerful example of what can happen when you combine determination, problem-solving, and a willingness to take action. On this episode we talk about: How Chris went from living in a shed in 2018 to owning a home and building multiple businesses. How reselling on eBay became a full-time business and helped Chris gain financial independence. Why Chris believes eBay's fees are simply the cost of doing business and how the platform changed his life. How he used AI coding tools to build FlowLister without a traditional software engineering background. How keeping promises to yourself and following through on commitments can build confidence and create opportunities. Top 3 Takeaways: Knowledge only matters when you apply it. Learning new skills is important, but information sitting in your head won't change your circumstances. Put what you learn into action and use it to solve real problems. Build confidence by doing what you say you're going to do. Start with small commitments and follow through. Every time you take action on something you've decided to do, you reinforce the belief that you're capable of following through on bigger goals. You don't need to know everything before you start. Chris built FlowLister by experimenting with AI coding tools and figuring things out along the way. A little confidence, curiosity, and persistence can take you further than waiting until you feel completely qualified. Notable Quotes: "You have to apply it. Otherwise it's just sitting there in your head taking up space, man. It's taking up rent. It's costing money." "It's just a matter of deciding it and then doing it." "It's just literally it's like integrity, right?" Connect with Chris Taylor: Website: https://flowlister.com Other: https://taylorfamilysoftware.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could turn what you already know into a business that generates income beyond the hours you work? In this Money Mashup, three entrepreneurs share how they've packaged their expertise into intellectual property, published books, and built high-ticket coaching offers. From creating industry-specific IP and using books to establish authority to charging premium prices for meaningful transformations, this episode breaks down how to turn your knowledge into scalable business assets. On this episode we talk about: How to build intellectual property around your expertise and repurpose it for different industries and audiences. Why storytelling and distribution are the two foundations of building a powerful personal brand. How publishing a book can establish authority, build trust, and generate opportunities beyond book royalties. How to make the book-writing process easier through ghostwriting, collaboration, and professional publishing services. Why niching down, communicating in language your audience understands, and creating high-ticket offers can help you earn more with fewer clients. Top 3 Takeaways Turn your expertise into intellectual property. Books, courses, workshops, and coaching programs allow you to package what you know into assets that can generate revenue beyond trading your time for money. Think beyond book royalties. A book can be a powerful business asset that establishes credibility, builds trust, and creates opportunities for consulting, speaking, coaching, and partnerships. Sell transformation, not information. Instead of building a business around low-cost products that require thousands of customers, focus on solving meaningful problems and communicating the value of the transformation you provide. Notable Quotes "Storytelling and distribution. For the last 100 years, that Winnie-the-Pooh story, your kids already know it. It's just different mediums." "A good book, a well-written book that really contains knowledge and expertise is actually much more like a PhD." "He wasn't looking to buy a product. He was looking to actually have a transformation in his life." Connect with Our Guests: Mike Kim Eric Jorgenson Zander Fryer A Word from Our Sponsors: - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! -Glean connects enterprise knowledge, people, decisions, and workflows across systems—giving employees and AI agents the context they need to move their most important work forward, while preserving your existing permissions and security boundaries. Visit Glean.com/tmm to unlock an exclusive offer just for listeners of Travis Makes Money! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis Chappell and producer Eric break down a conversation Travis had with Michael Smoak and Tony (better known as Train Bloom) about one of the most important assets a creator can build: trust with their audience. They discuss why creators should be selective about brand partnerships, how the wrong sponsorship can damage credibility, and why building your own products and services can be a better way to monetize an audience. They also get into high-pressure sales tactics, including Travis and Eric's experiences sitting through timeshare presentations. On this episode we talk about: Why audience trust is more valuable than a lucrative brand deal How creators should evaluate sponsorships and avoid promoting products they don't believe in Why building your own products and services can be a smart way to monetize early How to balance monetization with protecting your reputation for the long term The psychology and pressure tactics behind timeshare sales presentations Top 3 Takeaways: Protect your credibility. Your audience's trust takes years to build and can disappear quickly. Don't risk it for a sponsorship that doesn't align with your values or that you can't honestly recommend. Build something you control. Creating your own products or services that help your audience solve a problem gives you more control over the customer experience and the value you deliver. Think long term. A quick payday might feel worthwhile today, but maintaining a trusted relationship with your audience can be far more valuable over the next five or ten years. Notable Quotes: “You only get one shot at blowing your credibility and it's gone forever.” “The audience building is just building relationships at scale.” “If you're building an audience, trust is the thing that matters the most. So do not take it lightly.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell  Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors:  -Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robin Ducharme is the founder and CEO of Real Love Ready, a former matchmaker and love coach, and the author of Real Love Ready: A Guide to Relational Literacy. She's also the host of the Real Love Ready podcast and the creator of the In Bloom Summit, which brings together leading relationship experts, authors, and thought leaders. In this conversation, Robin shares how an entrepreneurial upbringing, a willingness to try different careers, and a passion for helping people led her to build a business centered on one of life's most important investments: relationships. On this episode we talk about: How Robin started making money at 12 years old by building her own babysitting business. Why young people should focus on exploring different careers and building skills instead of feeling pressured to have their entire lives figured out. How sales, real estate, and business experience helped Robin develop a unique set of skills she carried into her next ventures. How a favor for a friend turned into a matchmaking business and eventually Real Love Ready. Why building a supportive village is essential when balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal responsibilities. Top 3 Takeaways: Focus on learning before earning. Early in your career, prioritize gaining experience, trying new things, and developing skills. The more skills you stack over time, the more unique and valuable you become. Don't be afraid to change direction. Your first career doesn't have to be your forever career. Pay attention to what energizes you, stay open to opportunities, and be willing to start something new when your interests change. Relationships are one of life's most important investments. Money and business matter, but developing the skills to build healthy, meaningful relationships can have an impact far beyond your professional life. Notable Quotes: "You just gotta keep going." "Whatever you're energized about, go there." "At the end of the day, there's nothing more important than our relationships." Connect with Robin Ducharme: Website: https://realloveready.com Instagram: @RobinDucharmOfficial and @RealLoveReady Other: Check out the Real Love Ready book and podcast, and learn more about the In Bloom Summit in Vancouver. A Word from Our Sponsors: - Quick money tip for the holidays. The gift exchange is where budgets go to die. This year, run it on Elfster. It’s a free gift exchange app. You set the budget up front, Elfster draws names, and everyone makes a wish list. No guessing, no overspending, no wasted money on stuff nobody wanted. Go to travischappell.com/elfster and use code "Travis" to get started with your own gift exchange! - Join the millions who are already banking fee free with America's #1 choice for banking! Head to Chime.com/travis to sign up now. It only takes a few minutes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices