Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Michael Chernow
  • 4.8 (275)
  • 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. 22h ago

    Believing In Yourself is the Key to Limitless Success | Michael Chernow | Monday Moments

    In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow explains why problems, especially the unexpected ones, are a sign of growth, and how your mindset determines whether you get stuck or overcome them. He urges listeners to pause when the first “doomsday” reaction hits, take a breath, and reframe challenges as opportunities to grow, “flex your muscles,” and prove what you’re made of. Michael emphasizes that belief is the catalyst for success, sharing a story from fundraising for Kreatures of Habit where a potential investor challenged him for limiting the company’s vision to $200 million instead of believing it could become a billion-dollar brand. He closes by encouraging the community to control their response, sustain a positive mindset, and embrace problems rather than letting reactionary thoughts take over.

    10 min

  2. 5d ago

    From Near Death at 19 to Summiting Everest with Ryan Rivard | Kreatures of Habit

    Ryan Rivard shares what it felt like to summit Mount Everest while helping save another climber, describing the awe, adrenaline, and danger of the descent, the physical toll of the “death zone,” and the brutal cold and logistics at extreme altitude. He explains why he pursued Everest after getting sober at 19, emphasizing the mental challenge, keeping promises to family, and proving you can rise from homelessness and addiction to “the top of the world.” Ryan reflects on 23 years of sobriety, faith and gratitude, and how setbacks like a torn knee delayed his climb and may have protected him. He discusses building a marketing agency, creating a nonprofit (Let’s Fuel Growth), coaching through the DODEK, finding joy in helping others, and sustaining a 21-year marriage through intentional communication and shared time.TIME STAMPS00:00 Summit Emotions07:22 Why Everest10:24 Life After Recovery16:40 Faith And Timing20:40 Marriage That Lasts31:50 Finding Joy In Service35:25 Rock Bottom Stories49:54 Final Hope And Outro

    53 min

  3. Jun 1

    Why Judging Others is Causing the Male Loneliness Epidemic | Michael Chernow | Monday Moments

    In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow talks about judgment as a major barrier to connection and a contributor to the growing loneliness epidemic, especially among men. He explains how humans are conditioned to judge, how ego drives judgment as a form of self-protection, and why judging ourselves often leads to judging others just as harshly—something he says social media intensifies through constant comparison. Michael shares his personal experience at 45, including struggling to make new friends after moving upstate from New York City and realizing his harsh judgments were shutting the door on meaningful relationships. By becoming more self-aware and giving people more of a chance, he’s built strong new friendships, and he encourages listeners to notice their instant judgments, pause, and try to see situations from others’ perspectives.

    10 min

  4. May 27

    Why Modern Men Feel Lost with Vinny Brusco | Kreatures of Habit

    Vinny Brusco, founder of Agora Social Club, says the modern-day man is “lost” due to conforming to social norms and losing self-knowledge, and argues men need communities where they can be vulnerable, have meaningful conversations, and pursue health and wellness. He defines a healthier masculinity as controlled, stoic, and self-aware, contrasting it with negative cultural stereotypes and “bad actors” who exploit the term.  The conversation covers fatherhood as a mirror for personal growth, routines like bedtime talks and prayer, and the pursuit of inner peace amid hustle culture. Vinny shares a major recommitment to Christian faith on December 5, 2025, describing “micro miracles,” surrender, and struggles with authority and belief. They also discuss sobriety, evolving prayer practices, and Vinny’s crowdfunding efforts for Agora.  TIME STAMPS: 01:30 The Modern Man is Lost  04:47 Agora Club Mission  09:10 Vulnerability as Strength  16:30 Fatherhood and Love  25:50 Faith Commitment Journey  32:40 Protein Bar Break  36:16 Seeing Jesus In Utah  40:00 Faith In Modern Men  53:30 Commitment to Faith  59:40 Creating Space For Men

    1h 7m

  5. May 25

    Why I’m Exploring Plant Medicine After 21 Years of Sobriety

    Michael Chernow shares how a chaotic, unsafe childhood with a severely ill father left him with deep trauma and an overwhelming fear of becoming terminally ill, especially cancer, which can trigger fast, devastating spirals of anxiety and dissociation that impact his family. Despite 21+ years in recovery and extensive work through prayer, meditation, fitness, 12-step programs, breathwork, and self-development, the fear persists as a constant “low hum.” After a year of researching and interviewing plant-medicine facilitators, he has decided to undertake a two-day guided journey on June 9–10 using either psilocybin alone or psilocybin with MDMA, which his facilitator says can help open the heart and address PTSD/trauma. He emphasizes sobriety remains his top priority and is not endorsing this for others, especially those early in sobriety, and plans to share his experience afterward.

    14 min

  6. May 20

    Why Most Couples Fail in Business (And They Didn’t) | Ian & Margaret Wishingrad | Kreatures of Habit

    Ian and Margaret Wishingrad break down what it actually takes to build a successful business with your spouse without destroying your relationship. As co-founders of Three Wishes, they reveal how their opposing strengths—visionary growth and disciplined execution—became their biggest advantage, not their biggest problem. From early chemistry and humor to real conflict, therapy, and setting boundaries, they share the unfiltered truth about mixing marriage and business at a high level.This episode dives into the origin of Three Wishes, from a trademark rejection to building a category-defining cereal brand focused on higher protein, lower sugar, and better ingredients. They unpack how retail really works, why shelf space is everything, and the early signals that proved the business could win. Beyond business, the conversation goes deep on parenting, building confidence in kids, emotional validation, and why prioritizing family over everything is the only strategy that actually scales long term.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 When Marriage and Business Collide 05:18 Delusion vs Belief in Founders 09:43 Moments That Prove You’re Close 13:06 Dreamer vs Guardrails Dynamic 18:37 Naming Three Wishes Under Pressure 23:22 Retail Is a Real Estate Game 29:38 How They Make It Work Daily 32:18 Strengths, Weaknesses, Growth 34:52 Why You Should Marry Your Best Friend 46:30 Advice for Fathers 49:17 Raising Confident Kids 53:42 Parenting With Intention 58:48 Why Family Comes First 01:01:32 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Them

    1h 7m

  7. May 13

    Why Athletic Brewing Is Winning the NA Beer Market | Bill Shufelt | Kreatures of Habit

    Bill Shufelt, co-founder of Athletic Brewing, shares the full story behind leaving a demanding career in finance to build the #1 non-alcoholic beer company in the United States. After realiziång that traditional success wasn’t delivering fulfillment, he made the decision to quit alcohol—a move that led to major improvements in his productivity, sleep, relationships, and overall clarity. That shift became the foundation for Athletic Brewing, built around the belief that health, performance, and social connection don’t have to come at the expense of each other.In this conversation, Bill breaks down the early days of building Athletic Brewing from nights and weekends into a category-defining brand, including how he identified the health and wellness megatrend before it became mainstream. He talks about the importance of having a strong partner, taking calculated risks, and maintaining optimism while navigating uncertainty as an entrepreneur. The episode also explores the cultural shift toward moderation, how Athletic Brewing helped destigmatize non-alcoholic beer, and why more high performers are rethinking their relationship with alcohol. Bill shares practical insight into balancing leadership of a 300-person company with family life, developing systems for growth and delegation, and what it really takes to walk away from stability to build something meaningful.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 The Pivot: Finance to Non-Alcoholic Beer 01:47 Spotting Trends Before They Explode 02:42 The Decision to Quit Alcohol 03:49 Why Success in Finance Felt Empty 06:26 The Leap: Walking Away from Stability 11:32 The Role of a Strong Partner 14:25 Building the Right Team Early 15:38 Who Actually Thrives in Finance 21:15 Optimism vs Risk in Business 25:05 The First Sign It Would Work 27:39 Selling Out Online—Proof of Demand 28:28 The Gratitude Behind the Movement 32:13 Breaking the Stigma Around Not Drinking 36:32 Moderation as a Lifestyle Shift 41:22 Balancing Business and Family 46:49 Learning to Delegate as a Founder 49:00 Advice for Career Switchers 51:10 Where to Find Athletic Brewing 51:49 Closing Thoughts 52:52 Final Takeaways

    57 min

  8. May 11

    Embracing Resilience & Conquering Entrepreneurial Challenges | Michael Chernow | Monday Moments

    In this Monday Moment episode of the Kreatures of Habit podcast, Michael Chernow shares a real-world look at entrepreneurship as a constant cycle of ebbs and flows, where even successful businesses face moments that feel close to the end. He explains that business is ultimately about solving problems for people, but that the work is often harder than it is easy, requiring relentless hustle, fast problem-solving, and sometimes major pivots—something he’s experienced across all of his business endeavors. Michael breaks down why money and communication matter, how building a network of believers can keep a business moving, and why mindset is the deciding factor in performance. His core message: the only thing you have to do perfectly is get back up—and never quit.

    13 min
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4.8
out of 5
275 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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