The Michael Chernow Podcast

Latest Episodes:

In Case You Missed It: Michael Chernow on The Money Mondays Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

In case you missed it… Michael Chernow was recently on The Money Mondays with Dan Fleyshman — and trust us, this one’s worth a replay.

Michael shares how he beat the odds not once but twice in the restaurant world, what it takes to build a standout CPG brand today, and how he turned personal struggles into fuel for entrepreneurial success. From going up against legacy players in the space, to the importance of authenticity, morning routines, and building brands with purpose—this really takes a look into the brains and drive behind Kreatures of Habit

The two dig into:

Why your first meal can make or break your day
How staying true to yourself helped Michael build restaurant empires
What it’s like going head-to-head with mega-brands
The power of building charity into your brand mission

If this was your first introduction to Kreatures of Habit, welcome. If you’ve been a lifelong supporter, we can’t thank you enough. And, if you like what you heard today, and want to get involved, check out the link below. Until next week, y’all, peace!

TIMESTAMPS:

2:25 Why your first meal can make or break your day

6:10 How staying true to yourself helped Michael build restaurant empires

20:20 What it’s like going head-to-head with mega-brands

35:30 – The power of building charity into your brand mission

Become a KOH Owner: www.kreaturesofhabit.com/crowd

Become An Owner | Monday Moments Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This week marks a major milestone for Kreatures of Habit—we're launching our crowdfunding campaign and inviting YOU, our community, to become owners in the mission.

KOH has always been built on the belief that habits create freedom and transformation—but it’s the people behind those habits that create lasting change. This brand was built by the community, for the community, and now, it’s time to take that to the next level.

In today’s Monday Moments episode, Michael gets real about what it means to join our mission, why now is the time to open the doors to investors, and how you can play a part in shaping the future of KOH.

Whether you're a long-time supporter or brand new to Kreatures of Habit, this is your chance to join the movement.

Learn more about becoming an owner here: https://kreaturesofhabit.com/pages/crowd

Earn It Every Day with Mesh Gelman Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Mesh Gelman, former Senior VP at Starbucks and founder of The Cumulus Coffee Company, joins Michael Chernow for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, coffee culture, and building a brand that brings the joy, connection, and warmth of your favorite neighborhood coffee shop into your home.

This episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast is all about bold moves, building businesses with soul, and is redefining the way we experience coffee. But don’t expect startup clichés—Mesh believes you don’t coast on wins, you earn your business every single day.

Today, the two explore:

Cumulus Coffee Company: The vision behind Cumulus Coffee

Mesh’s first taste of entrepreneurship: What sparked this journey

Do you celebrate the wins?: Why not celebrating wins can keep you sharp

The grit and endurance behind real success: The role of endurance in entrepreneurship

Mesh’s morning routine: Who thinks coffee is a staple?

Whether you’re a coffee lover, aspiring founder, or just need a dose of motivation, Mesh’s story will leave you caffeinated in all the right ways. If you loved today’s show, be sure to like and subscribe… and, if you really loved it, share it with a friend that would want to become part of the Kreatures fam!

TIMESTAMPS:

10:16 Cumulus Coffee Company

21:56 Mesh’s first taste of entrepreneurship

29:53 Do you celebrate the wins?

39:13 The grit and endurance behind real success

42:35 Mesh's morning routine

Pay Peanuts Get Monkeys | Monday Moments Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Let’s be real: going for the “budget hire” might save you a few bucks upfront—but it can seriously cost you in the long run. In this quick hitting Monday Moment, we’re diving into why hiring the right person (even if they come with a higher price tag) is actually the smartest move for your business.

Today, we’ll dive into:

Why great talent pays for itselfHow cheap hires can drain time, energy, and revenueWhy your business deserves better than bare minimum

This one’s for founders, team leads, and anyone building something they care about. Your people are your power—don’t skimp on the good ones.

Healing The “Untreatable” with Angela Skudin | Part 2 Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

We’re back with Part 2 of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast with Angela Skudin, the powerhouse behind the 343 Fund and a mission-driven entrepreneur based in New York. If you missed Part 1, Angela shared how she beat chronic Lyme disease — and today, we dive even deeper.

Angela opens up about navigating deep grief after losing her husband, how the tools she gained along her Lyme journey, including plant medicine, helped shift everything, and how she turned her pain into purpose. She’s built not only a foundation that helps others heal, but also a thriving business rooted in her own story.

A quick note: This episode is all about one person’s healing journey. Plant medicine isn’t for everyone. If you're sober or sober-curious, we totally get the hesitation — Michael shares that same view and chooses not to use psychoactive plant medicines himself. This conversation is about exploration–not prescribing–a path to healing.

Today the two explore:

What is Kambo: And Michael’s reservations about this ceremony

Grief that Follows Loss: Angela’s navigation of deep grief

Healing Through 343 Fund: A firefighter’s testimonial and healing journey

Pain & Purpose: How Angela built a mission-driven foundation & multiple businesses

Angela’s story is about resilience, perspective shifts, and the power of being open to the unconventional. If you or someone you love is navigating grief, chronic illness, or the search for deeper healing — this episode will leave you with hope and curiosity.

TIMESTAMPS:

7:21 What is Kambo

21:09 Grief that Follows Loss

28:12 Healing Through 343 Fund

36:00 Pain & Purpose

Weather the Seasons | Monday Moments Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Relationships change—and that’s normal. In this episode, we’re talking about the real stuff: communication, navigating the highs and lows, and choosing curiosity over criticism. Long-term love isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it when you turn toward, not away.

Healing The “Untreatable” with Angela Skudin | Part 1 Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

On today’s raw, authentic, and eye-opening episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael sits down with Angela Skudin—founder of the 343 Fund and a powerhouse entrepreneur out of New York. She opens up about her long, painful journey with Lyme disease and what finally helped her heal after doctors and hospitals couldn’t.

Today the two explore:

Pitfalls of Western Medicine: Why hospitals often miss the mark with Lyme

The Start of Angela’s Symptoms: Why it took decades to heal

19 Stings a Day: The wild truth about bee venom therapy

Not “Just” Physical: Could Lyme be linked to unresolved trauma

From mysterious symptoms starting at age 11 to using bee venom as medicine (yep, really), Angela shares it all. This is Part 1 of a two-part series you do not want to miss—especially if you're dealing with chronic illness or looking for alternative paths to healing.

TIMESTAMPS:

2:11 Pitfalls of Western Medicine

7:56 The Start of Angela’s Symptoms

17:16 19 Stings a Day

28:07 Not “Just” Physical

Go The Distance | Monday Moments Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode is your reminder to go all in—with faith, with nutrition, with life. Because most would quit, but you won’t. You’ve got today… and that’s everything. Show up. Fuel right. Stay aligned. And when it’s not serving you? Walk away. This is your sign to go the distance.

Not Done Yet: Chris Molnar on Success to Starting Over Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a brand from the ground up—and then do it all over again?

On today’s episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Chris Molnar, the founder of the premium menswear brand Goodlife and his latest venture Cacio Pepe, sits down with Michael Chernow to talk shop. From getting his start in the apparel industry, to launching a whole new business in 2025, Chris shares real-life lessons, challenges, and what keeps him creative.

The two explore:

Chris’s launch into the apparel industry: It’s a family affair

The morning routine of an entrepreneur: Creating manageable mornings

What’s sparking Chris’s entrepreneurial interest: What excites Chris most about Cacio Pepe

The OG of influencers: How Chris’s father still influences his work

What would Chris do differently: Insights post-launch

If you're into entrepreneurship, branding, or just love hearing how great ideas come to life, you're in the right place. If you loved today’s show, be sure to share it with a friend, rate, and review! See you next week, Kreatures!

TIMESTAMPS:

1:56 Chris’s launch into the apparel industry

16:30 The morning routine of an entrepreneur

24:33 What’s sparking Chris’s entrepreneurial interest

29:41 The OG of influencers

36:48 What would Chris do differently

Think Old. Act Old. Be Old–Think Young. Act Young. Be Young. You Choose. | Monday Moments Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Act old, think old, be old.Act young, think young, be young.Which one sounds better? Exactly.

This episode is your wake-up call: age is just a number, not a life sentence. Your “prime” isn’t behind you — it’s whatever decade you decide to claim it in. Stop letting your birth year boss you around, Kreatures. It’s time to align your mindset, your habits, and your health with the version of you that feels most alive. The one who’s still just getting started.

Get ready for a reality check — and a reminder that your best years haven’t even met you yet.

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