Episodes

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...

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 eventual...

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 beh...

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 fou...

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 rec...

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 cont...

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 h...

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 ...

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 a...

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...

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 prof...

Most fitness plans push constant intensity, but real progress comes from recovery. In this episode, entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast Michael Chernow breaks down his every-other-day training approach, a simple yet powerful method built around alternating training and recovery days instead of traditional multi-day workout splits. Michael shares how this strategy has improved his recovery, flexibility, and long-term performance while reducing burnout and injury risk. Whether you’re lifting, co...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Alli Schaper, an entrepreneur and wellness advocate to explore the growing interest in functional mushrooms, mental wellness, and emerging approaches to healing. The conversation blends historical context and modern research, examining how mushroom-based compounds are being studied for their potential role in mental health support, addiction recovery, and emotional well-being. Michael and his guest share personal ...

Most nutrition plans fail because they are too complicated to sustain. In this Monday Moments episode, entrepreneur Michael Chernow breaks down his simple, repeatable approach to daily nutrition, built around consistency, discipline, and removing decision fatigue. Michael walks through his day from breakfast to dinner, including the importance of starting with a solid first meal, using protein based snacks, and structuring lunch and dinner around animal protein and complex carbohydrates. He sh...

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Eric Hinman—multi-sport athlete, investor, and entrepreneur—to explore what it truly means to build a life around fitness, wellness, and high-performance living. Eric shares how discovering enjoyable and accessible movement transformed his approach to health and fitness, why intentional lifestyle design matters more than motivation, and how curiosity-driven relationships have helped him build a successful personal...

Your day is won or lost by the conversation you have with yourself before it even begins. In this Monday Moments episode, entrepreneur Michael Chernow breaks down the power of intentional self-dialogue, inspired by the mindset of a football team walking into the Super Bowl. The same mental preparation that fuels champions can be used every morning to build confidence, clarity, and momentum. Michael shares how positive, disciplined self-talk helps eliminate doubt, sharpen focus, and create a wi...

Michael Chernow returns to the Kreatures of Habit Podcast to share the full, unfiltered story of his transformation, from addiction and childhood trauma to sobriety, fatherhood, and building multiple successful businesses. Originally shared on The Rich Roll Podcast, this conversation goes deeper than ever. Michael opens up about the darkest moments of his life, the turning points that changed everything, and the daily habits, structure, and discipline that helped him rebuild from the ground up....

In this episode, Michael Chernow shares the intimate bedtime routine he created to teach his sons life’s most important values. Called “The 13 Things,” it includes everything from everyday etiquette to powerful principles like loyalty, kindness, and brotherhood. Michael talks about how this ritual has become a cornerstone of their relationship, helping his boys grow with confidence, compassion, and a strong moral compass. Join us as we explore the beauty of raising children with intentional va...

In this compelling episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with leadership expert and author Dr. Michelle Johnston to explore how connection, emotional intelligence, and self-prioritization can radically transform both our personal lives and the way we lead. Michael opens the conversation with a simple but powerful concept — the “go-to-bed alarm” — and why protecting your energy and well-being is foundational to happiness, clarity, and success. Michelle joins to dis...