Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Michael Chernow
  • 4.8 (270)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Michael Chernow, host and founder of Kreatures of Habit, hosts discussions with his guests about their routines and habits, and how committing to them has helped their paths to success. In each episode, Michael asks about the guest’s morning and evening routines, 3 habits that have changed their life, and one habit that they've broken, and how they stay committed to it.

  1. 14H AGO

    The Truth About Fear, Shame & Addiction with Dr. Adi Jaffe | Kreatures of Habit

    In this powerful episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with psychologist, author, and addiction expert Dr. Adi Jaffe for a raw conversation about trauma, fear, shame, addiction, and the discipline required to heal and reclaim your life. The discussion begins with Michael sharing his experience of childhood sexual abuse and the shame that followed, opening the door to a deeper exploration of how hidden pain, fear, and secrets often fuel addiction and compulsive behavior. Dr. Jaffe explains why bringing darkness into the light can create relief, how belief systems shape our experience of life, and why identity labels like “I am anxious” can reinforce suffering. Together they explore the psychology of fear versus joy, the power of discipline as a free tool for building confidence and boundaries, and how shifting from scarcity to abundance can fundamentally change how we approach life and recovery. Dr. Jaffe also shares his own story—from addiction and jail to a life-changing motorcycle accident that forced him to confront deeper truths about purpose and healing. The conversation also dives into themes from his book Unhooked, which examines the deeper emotional hooks behind addiction trauma, fear, shame, and feelings of worthlessness and how understanding these patterns can lead to real transformation. This episode is a vulnerable and thought-provoking exploration of healing, accountability, and the courage it takes to own your story. If you’re navigating trauma, addiction recovery, or personal growth, this conversation offers powerful insights, perspective, and hope. #AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Speak Up 01:37 Sharing Darkness 04:08 Fear Shame Secrets 06:02 Fear Versus Joy 08:33 Balance Hustle Culture 11:05 Obsession Or Passion 14:00 Discipline Builds Confidence 18:40 Jail And Owning Reality 20:08 Beliefs Shape Life 27:57 Scarcity To Abundance 32:10 Value Over Scarcity 33:49 Optimism As A Practice 34:57 Sobriety And Discipline 36:55 Rose Colored Research 38:22 Motorcycle Crash Turning Point 40:54 Facing Pain And Fear 42:13 Sharing Abuse And Shame 45:28 Grooming And Realization 48:28 Trust Barriers With Men 53:32 Fear Journaling Exercise 58:30 Marriage Discipline And Repair 01:02:15 Best And Worst Decisions 01:04:38 Unhooked Book And Farewell

    1h 10m

  2. 2D AGO

    Love and Values: The Foundation of a Strong Marriage | Monday Moments

    In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, entrepreneur Michael Chernow shares why choosing your life partner may be the most important decision you’ll ever make. Drawing from nearly 19 years of marriage to his wife Donna and his personal journey through sobriety and growth, Michael reflects on how the quality of our closest relationships directly impacts long-term happiness and fulfillment. He explains that healthy marriages will always include disagreements, but the foundation must be shared values, morals, and a deep sense of alignment. Too often, couples commit without truly understanding each other’s core beliefs, which can lead to toxic dynamics and painful divorces later on. Michael emphasizes that when a relationship feels fundamentally misaligned, having the courage to change your mind and move on can ultimately be the healthiest choice for both people involved. This episode is an honest reflection on love, commitment, and building a life with someone who shares your values. For anyone navigating relationships, marriage, or long-term partnership, it offers perspective on why great relationships—and great families—are built on alignment, honesty, and mutual respect.

    14 min

  3. MAR 4

    The Daily Routine That Helped Me Stay Sober for 21 Years | Kreatures of Habit

    In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit podcast, Michael Chernow shares his deeply personal story of addiction, recovery, and transformation. Growing up in Manhattan, Michael turned to drugs and alcohol at a young age while trying to cope with childhood trauma and instability at home. What began as experimentation quickly escalated into selling drugs, struggling with addiction, and entering rehab by the age of sixteen. Michael reflects on losing friends as opioids and fentanyl spread, and recounts the near-fatal heroin overdose that almost ended his life in 2004. After hitting rock bottom and being fired by a restaurant owner he saw as a father figure, he finally made the life-changing decision to ask for help. With the guidance of his mentor Marcus, Michael adopted a disciplined plan centered on faith, AA, Muay Thai training, healthy habits, and personal accountability principles he still follows today. He also shares lessons about recovery, relationships, and how structure and humility helped him rebuild his life and dedicate himself to helping others. TIME STAMPS 01:44 Home Life and Upbringing 07:37 Self Harm and Survival 10:58 Parenting and Attention 18:04 Early Rehab at Sixteen 22:18 Heroin Overdose Story 25:24 Rock Bottom and Mirror Moment 30:25 Fired and Final Wake Up34:21 Marcus Plan for Sobriety 40:33 Addiction Misconceptions 46:45 Meeting His Future Wife 58:35 Learning Self Love01:03:48 Advice for Getting Sober 01:09:27 Protein Bar Taste Test 01:12:06 Final Thanks and Wrap

    1h 12m

  4. MAR 2

    The Mindset Shift That Healed My Relationship With My Father | Monday Moments

    In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares a deeply personal story about growing up with a difficult relationship with his father and the life-changing wisdom passed down from his grandmother, Grandma Chickie, a practicing Buddhist. Her mantra “Bless you, change me” became a guiding principle that transformed how he handles conflict, emotional triggers, and challenging relationships. Michael explains that the phrase is a reminder that we cannot control or change other people—only how we receive, interpret, and respond to them. Instead of reacting with defensiveness or anger, the mantra encourages blessing the other person with positivity while doing the inner work to shift your own mindset. Whether you’re dealing with parents, bosses, coworkers, or anyone you can’t easily avoid, this episode offers a practical and spiritual framework for navigating conflict with maturity and emotional intelligence. From childhood struggles to tattooing the mantra on his arm as a permanent reminder, Michael reflects on loss, perspective, and the discipline of responding instead of reacting. If you’re working on personal growth, emotional resilience, or healing difficult relationships, this episode offers a simple but powerful tool you can start using today.

    8 min

  5. FEB 25

    What the Restaurant Industry Taught Me About Life with Andrew Aguero | Kreatures of Habit

    In this episode of the Creatures of Habit podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with Andrew Aguero to delve into the intricacies of the restaurant industry, sharing personal anecdotes and discussing the nuanced challenge of leading a team in such a dynamic environment.  They talk about the essentiality of leading by example, the concept of service both in and out of the restaurant, and the inevitable transition from the restaurant world to a more balanced lifestyle focusing on wellness. From hilarious and stressful restaurant stories to key lessons in leadership and the importance of supporting one's community, Michael and Andrew provide a heartfelt exchange about life, leadership, and personal growth.  Don't miss this heartfelt, informative, and truly inspirational episode filled with practical advice and genuine human connection. TIME STAMPS 03:44 The Restaurant Industry: A Community of Opportunity 09:29 Opening Restaurants: Challenges and Rewards 13:31 Restaurant Nightmares and Lessons Learned 27:17 The Magic of Restaurant Atmosphere 32:50 Creating Memorable Guest Experiences 33:59 Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence 35:44 Understanding and Connecting with Your Team 37:06 The Complexity of the Restaurant Industry 42:52 Transitioning to a Wellness-Focused Lifestyle 47:36 The Power of Habits and Fitness 54:31 Building Meaningful Relationships and Networks 01:00:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    1h 3m

  6. FEB 23

    Daily Bar vs. Other Protein Bars: What Makes It Different? | Monday Moments

    In this episode of Monday Moments, entrepreneur Michael Chernow introduces the Daily Bar, Kreatures of Habit’s revolutionary plant-based protein bar designed to redefine clean, functional snacking. Packed with 20 grams of plant-based protein and 3 grams of creatine, the Daily Bar was developed over two and a half years with more than 50 research and development iterations to perfect its taste, texture, and formulation.Michael breaks down what sets this bar apart from traditional protein bars—including ultra-low added sugar (under 1 gram in Chocolate Peanut Butter Banger and under 3 grams in Cookie Dough Dazzler), real food ingredients, and absolutely no seed oils or sugar alcohols. The Daily Bar is also non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free, making it a gut-friendly option for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone committed to high performance and healthy habits.If you’re looking for a clean protein bar with creatine that actually tastes incredible, this episode dives into the full story behind its creation, the community response since launch, and why this could be a true game-changer in functional nutrition.Try the Daily Bar and get 20% off your first purchase with promo code KOH POD 20.Share this episode with anyone who eats protein bars or wants a better, plant-based alternative built for performance and daily discipline.

    8 min

  7. FEB 18

    The Hidden Cost of Success with Scarlett Leung | Kreatures of Habit

    In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the realities of entrepreneurship — the stress, the identity crisis, venture capital pressure, and what no one tells you about scaling a company. Our guest shares: • Why she walked away from her startup• The heartbreak of watching it shut down• The hidden stress of venture-backed businesses• Why she’ll never raise VC again• How delegation saved her sanity• Designing life instead of being consumed by work• Spiritual habits that ground her daily (gratitude journaling, tarot, reflection) We also discuss founder identity, investor pressure, scaling retail, AI in business, legacy vs exits, and what success really means. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or someone navigating burnout this conversation will hit home.

    1h 4m

  8. FEB 16

    Keep Your Ego In Check and Embrace the Power of the Pause

    In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares invaluable insights on overcoming the ego and dealing with negative self-talk. He emphasizes the importance of 'pausing' to combat the inner voice that fosters doubt and fear. Michael introduces a mantra, 'The power is in the pause,' as a practical method to regain control and push through the challenges. Drawing from personal experiences and motivational advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with self-confidence and wanting to break free from the constraints of their ego. Tune in for empowering strategies to stay motivated and achieve your goals.

    8 min
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4.8
out of 5
270 Ratings

About

Michael Chernow, host and founder of Kreatures of Habit, hosts discussions with his guests about their routines and habits, and how committing to them has helped their paths to success. In each episode, Michael asks about the guest’s morning and evening routines, 3 habits that have changed their life, and one habit that they've broken, and how they stay committed to it.

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