Episodes

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Dave Gatto, CMO of Oslo, to explore the future of sleep, recovery, and premium product innovation. After working with iconic brands like Red Bull, Lululemon, and Oura, Dave shares why he chose to focus on one of the most overlooked pillars of performance—sleep. They break down the problem most people ignore: noise as a major disruptor of deep, restorative rest—and how Oslo Sleepbuds were designed specifically to so...

In this Monday-style episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow breaks down a simple but powerful truth: business without culture is dead. Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or a family, culture is always being created—intentionally or by default—and the outcome depends on how deliberate you are. Drawing from his experience building brands like The Meatball Shop and Creatures of Habit, Michael shares why culture goes far beyond perks or slogans. It’s how people communicate...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with astaxanthin expert David Watumull to explore one of the most powerful—and overlooked—nutrients in health and longevity. Known as the pigment that gives salmon its pink color, astaxanthin is a marine antioxidant humans can’t produce, yet it plays a critical role in protecting the body at the cellular level. David breaks down how astaxanthin works differently from traditional antioxidants like vitamin C and E, explai...

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow shares a simple but effective challenge: set yourself up for success the night before by committing to three small habits that can dramatically reduce stress and improve your mornings. Michael walks through his own nightly routine, which includes preparing a 30-ounce jar of room-temperature water with supplements and electrolytes, laying out his workout clothes to eliminate friction for early training, and reviewing the next day’s schedule to avoid...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with his longtime mentor Marcus Antebi—founder of Juice Press and CEO of Good Sugar—for a powerful conversation on addiction, anxiety, recovery, and self-mastery.Marcus has played a pivotal role in Michael’s sobriety journey since August 2, 2004, and in this episode, they go deep into what it really takes to recover. They discuss why not everyone is able to overcome addiction, the role of mental illness, and why it...

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow shares his simple but powerful five-minute morning routine “prayers, pushups, and poses” a daily practice he’s relied on for years to reduce anxiety, feel grounded, and start the day with intention. Michael breaks down the routine: beginning with a few minutes of prayer (or box breathing for those who prefer a more secular approach), followed by pushups to wake up the body and get blood flowing, and finishing with a short sequence of yoga poses to ...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Jake—host of The Optimist and founder of Thursday Labs—for an honest conversation about modern masculinity, men’s mental health, and the evolving role of men in today’s world.Jake shares two defining moments in his life from a painful experience in his early twenties to a later breakup that revealed how little language many men have for sadness, vulnerability, and emotional pain. Those experiences ultimately inspir...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Jake—host of The Optimist and founder of Thursday Labs—for an honest conversation about modern masculinity, men’s mental health, and the evolving role of men in today’s world. Jake shares two defining moments in his life from a painful experience in his early twenties to a later breakup that revealed how little language many men have for sadness, vulnerability, and emotional pain. Those experiences ultimately inspi...

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow shares a powerful reminder about the importance of love, affection, and presence in our everyday lives. Reflecting on his own upbringing, Michael opens up about growing up in an environment where love wasn’t always openly expressed—and how he had to intentionally learn how to give and receive it. After an early morning workout, Michael returns home to a simple but meaningful moment with his son—building Legos and sharing a long hug that instantly s...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with entrepreneur and creative strategist Adam Greenfeld for a deep conversation about entrepreneurship, building CPG brands, and the balance between vision and execution. Adam shares his journey from launching his first supplement brand Go, learning hard lessons from failure, and later helping grow Formula through innovative paid media, creative strategy, and strong product positioning before the company eventuall...

In this Monday Moments episode of the Creatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares the vision and experience behind the Return to Self Men’s Retreat , a powerful three-day immersion designed to help men reconnect with themselves, nature, and brotherhood. Hosted on his Hudson Valley property in upstate New York, the retreat brings together a small, intentionally selected group of men for a technology-free deep dive into personal growth, healing, and transformation. Michael reflects on the f...

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 beha...

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 foun...

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 reco...

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 contr...

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 hi...

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—inc...

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 (g...

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 sel...

In this powerful episode, we explore the realities of addiction recovery, habit-building, and personal transformation with a guest who turned his life around and now leads the latest version of P90X, inspiring millions worldwide. Once trapped in addiction and hopelessness, he shares the turning point that changed everything, the importance of finding your “why,” and how fitness, structure, and daily routines became the foundation for long-term sobriety and success. The conversation dives into ad...

In this Monday Moment episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow discusses the significant impact of maintaining a clutter-free environment and establishing a solid routine on mental clarity and overall productivity. He emphasizes the importance of setting a go-to-bed alarm, ensuring sufficient sleep, and starting the day with key habits like making your bed. By implementing these practices, Michael shares how anyone can create structure and set themselves up for success. Tune in...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Robby Sansom, co-founder of Force of Nature, to explore the journey of meat from farm to table. They discuss ethical and regenerative meat production, the differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef, and the impact of our choices on health, animal welfare, and the environment. Robby shares his personal connection to hunting, the challenges of running an ethical meat company, and the importance of transparency,...

Prayer isn’t about religion—it’s about asking for help, direction, and greatness. In this episode, Michael Chernow shares how a simple daily prayer practice transformed his mindset, relationships, and overall outlook on life over the past 21 years. If meditation has felt difficult or unclear, this approach offers a practical, accessible alternative rooted in clarity, humility, and intention. You’ll learn how morning prayer can create focus, optimism, and momentum—regardless of your beliefs—and h...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with the founder of Caldera Lab Jared Pobre, to explore the transformative journey of introducing and normalizing skincare for men. They discuss the science behind top-tier products, the entrepreneurial challenges of building a premium brand, and the evolving market for men’s grooming. The conversation also touches on personal routines, self-care after 40, family priorities, and balancing time between wellness and profe...