Travis Makes Money

In today's episode, we're diving into "election loneliness" and the impact of the current political landscape on our mental well-being. With the intensity of election season, it’s easy to feel isolated, overwhelmed, and even more disconnected from others. This cycle seems to affect us all, from ads infiltrating our personal spaces to political conversations straining relationships. In our "30 Days of Friendship" series, I discuss ways to ease election loneliness and stay grounded during this polarizing time. Tune in to hear practical steps to limit political overload, avoid divisive conversations, and protect your mental space as election day nears.Connect with Me:Got more questions or thoughts about today’s episode? Send them my way on Instagram @travischappell! I’d love to hear from you.Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Connect with Me:Got more questions or thoughts about today’s episode? Send them my way on Instagram @travischappell! I’d love to hear from you.Tune in next week as we continue to explore meaningful ways to build friendships and foster connections, both personally and professionally.Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Connect with Me:Got more questions or thoughts about today’s episode? Send them my way on Instagram @travischappell! I’d love to hear from you.Tune in next week as we continue to explore meaningful ways to build friendships and foster connections, both personally and professionally.Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Travis Makes Friends, we're diving deep into the 6 Pillars of Human Connection as outlined by the Surgeon General. We’ll explore how to foster connections both within local communities and in the broader world of entrepreneurship. We’ll also tackle an important question: how do you manage client relationships when they turn into friendships? And how do you make genuine connections as an entrepreneur? Let’s break it all down.Key Discussion Points:Pillar 1: Strengthen Social Infrastructure in Local CommunitiesSocial infrastructure includes programs like volunteer groups, parks, libraries, and public policies that nurture connections.My Thoughts: This is a no-brainer, but something we all need to prioritize more. Personally, it’s been a challenge due to frequent travel, but I’m making improvements.Pillar 2: Enact Pro-Connection Public PoliciesPublic policy affects social connection, from transportation to health. There’s a need for a “Connection-in-All-Policies” approach to address the disconnection epidemic.My Thoughts: While I lean towards less government, the damage already done needs repair, especially in health. The food industry is a clear example of policies prioritizing corporate interests over public health. We need a reality check here.Pillar 3: Mobilize the Health SectorSocial isolation is a significant risk factor for many health conditions. The health sector must prioritize educating both providers and patients on the importance of social connection.My Thoughts: I’m skeptical of more government involvement, but I’m all for tracking data and letting entrepreneurs help solve these problems with real solutions.Pillar 4: Reform Digital EnvironmentsTechnology plays a massive role in how we connect. It’s crucial to minimize harm and encourage pro-connection tech.My Thoughts: Government intervention in tech can get tricky. While regulations are needed, it’s ultimately up to individuals to set boundaries in their own digital lives.Pillar 5: Deepen Our KnowledgeUnderstanding social connection on a deeper level requires more research and public awareness, similar to how we tackled smoking.My Thoughts: This is the most important pillar. Knowledge is power, and more research will lead to better solutions. We need transparency about the real impacts of social disconnection.Pillar 6: Cultivate a Culture of ConnectionBuilding a culture of connection rests on kindness, respect, and empathy. Leaders, influencers, and media have a responsibility to model healthy dialogue.My Thoughts: This is what we owe to each other—respect and kindness. Unfortunately, we’ve seen the opposite in recent political debates, but I’m hopeful that we can get back to setting better examples.Q&A Segment:This week’s question comes from @amberfarooqui:“How do you set boundaries with clients who become your friends? And how do you make genuine friendships in entrepreneurship?” Setting Boundaries with Clients: Keep clear lines between business and friendship by setting a culture where mutual support is expected, not discounts. Think like a therapist—there’s a time for billable hours and a time for friendship. Making Genuine Friendships in Entrepreneurship: Look beyond transactional relationships. True friends in entrepreneurship understand and empathize with your journey, and they stick with you through tough times, not just when it’s financially beneficial. Connect with Me:Got more questions or thoughts about today’s episode? Send them my way on Instagram @travischappell! I’d love to hear from you.Tune in next week as we continue to explore meaningful ways to build friendships and foster connections, both personally and professionally.Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2014, Drew began his stand-up career quickly making a name for himself around New England for his quick wit, voices, and unique style. After winning the Boston Comedy Festival in 2017, he began to perform comedy regularly around the country. In 2018, Drew won the Seattle International Comedy Competition followed by being selected to be a “New Face of Comedy” at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal in 2019. Drew has since continued to headline comedy clubs across the US and Canada while making various types of online content earning millions of views. Drew has a special on Dry Bar Comedy and a set recorded with Don’t Tell Comedy. He has also gained the attention of some of the biggest names in comedy, including a shoutout on the Joe Rogan Experience. Most recently, Drew opened for comedy legend, Dane Cook, on his 2023 and 2024 tours. Follow @DrewDunnComedy online for weekly standup content and to watch the journey of one of the county’s fastest rising comedic talents. Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of Travis Makes Friends, we dive deep into a listener question that touches on something so many of us have experienced: Why is it so hard to make friends in your mid-30s, especially in a new city?✖️✖️✖️Instagram: @travischappellBook a 15-minute call with me: travischappell.com/chatCheck out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Rex is a top real estate expert, record-breaking realtor, and founder of We Are The They, a men’s community focused on vulnerability, authenticity, and integrity. Despite his success, Jimmy’s journey was shaped by a desire to prove he was good enough, a mantra instilled in him at a young age. His achievements—like selling the most expensive home in Utah—were impressive, but left him feeling disconnected from his true self. Through years of personal growth, mentorship from leaders like Tony Robbins and Ed Mylett, and building real relationships, Jimmy learned that true success comes from aligning with who you are. Now, through We Are The They, Jimmy helps men build strong, meaningful friendships, develop confidence, and live purpose-driven lives based on authenticity, vulnerability, and integrity.Connect with Me:Instagram: @travischappellBook a 15-minute call with me: travischappell.com/chatCheck out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of friendship and how it relates to the loneliness epidemic. We start by discussing the famous "Rat Park" experiment and what it reveals about loneliness and addiction. Then, we explore a conversation between Trevor Noah and Simon Sinek on the healing power of friendship. Finally, we break down practical ways we can all be better friends.Catch you in the next episode, and remember—leave every relationship better than you found it!Connect with Me:Instagram: @travischappellBook a 15-minute call with me: travischappell.com/chatCheck out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alua Arthur is the most visible and active death doula working in America today. She is a recovering attorney and the founder of Going With Grace, a death doula training and end-of-life planning organization. A frequent guest on TV and radio, Arthur has been featured on CBS’s The Doctors and in Disney’s Limitless docu-series with Chris Hemsworth, as well as in national print media outlets, such as Vogue, InStyle, the Los Angeles Times, The Cut, The New Yorker, and the New York Times. International newspaper features on Arthur include Brazil’s Estadão and Norway’s Årets Avis. She has appeared on dozens of podcasts, and a Refinery29 video feature on Arthur, and her work has received ten million views across social platforms. In non-pandemic times, she travels the country and world as a keynote speaker, addressing audiences of several hundred to several thousand people at medical and end-of-life conferences, universities, seminaries, senior citizens’ communities, and more.Connect with Me: Instagram: @travischappell Book a 15-minute call with me: travischappell.com/chat Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of social connection and explore its critical role in our lives. We’ll unpack the three components that make up social connection and how they influence our health, wealth, and general well-being. We then tackle a hotly debated question: Is social media to blame for the loneliness epidemic? Or is it simply a tool that, when misused, amplifies existing issues? Using examples from history and modern technology, we’ll explore both the benefits and drawbacks of our hyper-connected digital world.Plus, we answer audience questions from my Instagram (@travischappell), such as: How to keep in touch with a new friend without coming off as clingy? Why is making friends so difficult in your mid-30s? Let’s dive into it!Key Topics Covered:What is Social Connection? Social connection is a dynamic, continuous spectrum, not a simple on/off switch. It evolves over time and changes due to factors like life events, health, job transitions, and more. We discuss how chronic loneliness and social isolation, even in our hyper-connected age, remain major health concerns. The Impact of Technology on Social Connection: Technology plays a dual role: it can foster connection, especially for marginalized groups, but can also displace in-person interactions and lower the quality of social bonds. We dive into stats, like how Americans spend 6 hours a day on digital media and how social media use has exploded among both teens and adults. Benefits like online support groups versus downsides like distraction and increased loneliness are discussed. Is Social Media the Culprit Behind Loneliness? Social media is an accelerant but not the root cause. Loneliness has been on the rise since long before the advent of social platforms. We draw comparisons to historical technological advancements, such as the steamboat and diesel engine, showing that each era faces challenges from new inventions. Instead of blaming technology, we discuss how we can rise to the challenge, much like past generations did. Three Ways Social Media Influences Our Daily Lives: It affects how we connect, often replacing face-to-face time with virtual interactions. Social media can exacerbate the fear of missing out (FOMO) and contribute to feelings of inadequacy and isolation. It reshapes our communication habits, creating shorter attention spans and less meaningful conversations. Listener Q&A: How to maintain excitement in new friendships without seeming overbearing. Why making friends becomes more challenging as we get older, especially when moving to new cities. Key Quotes: "Is social media to blame for all of this? I don’t think so. But is it an accelerant? Absolutely. It’s gasoline on the fire." "We as humans are not built to go backwards. When new technology presents new problems, we find new ways to solve those problems." Additional Resources: Douglas Brunt's book on Rudolf Diesel and the diesel engine – A fascinating dive into how past technological advancements solved problems and created new ones. Check out my Instagram (@travischappell) for Q&A submissions for future episodes! Connect with Me: Instagram: @travischappell Book a 15-minute call with me: travischappell.com/chat Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices