The Michael Chernow Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Interview Your Parents Before It’s Too Late | Kyle Thiermann | Kreatures of Habit May 06, 2026

Show notes

Kyle Thiermann—writer, journalist, big-wave surfer, and podcast host—breaks down why writing is one of the most powerful tools for thinking clearly, processing life, and escaping what he calls “informational grazing.” He explains how writing forces depth in a distracted world, how to build a repeatable creative system, and why analog tools like longhand drafting and structured research still outperform digital shortcuts. The conversation explores how storytelling, curiosity, and asking better questions can transform not only your work, but your relationships—especially when it comes to documenting family history and interviewing your parents before it’s too late.They also go deep on fear and performance. Kyle shares how big-wave surfing trains real-time emotional control, including a near-death hold-down in Ireland, and how that same mindset applies to jiu-jitsu, business, and everyday stress. The episode covers breathwork practices ranging from Wim Hof to rebirthing, the role of somatic experiences, and a grounded, honest take on psychedelics—focusing on intention, caution, and integration rather than hype. You’ll also hear Kyle’s full morning routine, his perspective on creativity in the age of AI, and practical ways to live with more intention, ask better questions, and create a life that’s actually worth writing about.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Why Writing Beats Passive Consumption 03:36 The Truth About Pro Surfing Careers 06:32 Writing Without Self-Censorship 09:36 Why Reporting Improves Writing 13:52 Training Fear Through Big Waves 17:33 Near-Death Wipeout in Ireland 21:23 Breathwork Fundamentals 26:49 Breathwork vs Psychedelics 37:29 Using Psychedelics With Intention 44:43 Morning Routine for Focus 47:22 Creating in the Age of AI 50:06 Better Questions, Better Life 55:11 Navigating Family Trauma 59:39 The Best Questions to Ask 01:07:57 Questions for Depression 01:12:57 Rosebud Thorn Seed Practice 01:16:49 Choosing Fun Over Approval 01:20:29 Capturing Legacy Stories 01:23:23 Where to Find the Book 01:24:02 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

How to Take Control of Your Money and Reach Financial Freedom | Michael Chernow | Monday Moments May 04, 2026

Show notes

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares the practical financial habits he’s built over the last decade, starting with how he raised his credit score from the low 300s—after unpaid parking tickets and a defaulted Sallie Mae student loan—to 847 (near the 850 max). He explains how using a prepaid credit card and consistently reloading and paying it monthly helped him rebuild credit and gain peace of mind and flexibility for financing. Michael also breaks down his automatic money system: weekly $200 crypto investing, monthly transfers to a high-yield tax savings account to avoid tax-time surprises, and monthly contributions to a portfolio account for his children. He emphasizes automation as the key to saving consistently and avoiding “get rich quick” financial scams.

Rewiring the Brain After Trauma w/ Steve White | Kreatures of Habit Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

In this powerful episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Steve White to unpack a raw story of brain injury, addiction, and a relentless fight back to life. After years of football-related concussions, seizures, cognitive decline, and misdiagnoses, Steve hit a breaking point and made a decision to go “all in” on his recovery.

Steve shares why discipline—not motivation—is the foundation of transformation, and how adopting a purpose-driven mindset he calls “hold the keep” became the anchor for his healing. He explains how cynicism shuts down growth and neuroplasticity, while urgency, belief, and focused thinking can accelerate recovery beyond what most people think is possible.

The conversation dives into the exact tools and routines that fueled his comeback: daily movement, cold exposure, gratitude walks, brain training, supplementation, and stacking therapies with a team-based approach to health. Steve also discusses building a system for long-term healing and why it’s never too late to take ownership and fight for your life.

This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter how far you’ve fallen, transformation is possible—but only if you’re willing to go all in.

TIMESTAMPS:

02:39 Urgency Builds Neuroplasticity

03:49 Steve’s Injury Story

04:27 Rock Bottom and Ownership

08:26 Mentors and Team Health

10:28 Replace Addiction With Discipline

18:07 Never Too Late to Fight

22:07 Discipline Applied Anywhere

24:13 Imagination and Your Path

28:17 Manifesting as Discipline

31:08 Morning Routine Blueprint

34:15 Cold Therapy and Recovery

36:31 Brain Hits and Cognitive Gains

38:06 Train the Brain Daily

40:23 Mind Muscle Connection

43:52 Clinic and Home Teams Mission

50:51 Purpose Kindness and Never Quitting

54:43 Where to Follow and Final Wrap

Why Sleep Is My #1 Performance Tool | Michael Chernow | Monday Moments Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow breaks down his exact sleep protocol for consistently getting 7+ hours of high-quality sleep without relying on melatonin. He explains why sleep is his number one tool for recovery, performance, and long-term health, and how dialing in his nighttime routine has improved everything from energy to focus to overall well-being.

Michael walks through his full evening system, starting with shutting down work around 6 PM, putting his phone away, and using breathwork to transition from work mode to family time. He shares the specific breathing techniques he uses, his consistent dinner and bedtime schedule, and how he structures his evenings with his family to support better sleep. He also details his full sleep setup, including temperature control, blackout environment, sound management, and tools that help him stay asleep through the night. He explains why he avoids melatonin, how he created a melatonin-free sleep drink instead, and the importance of consistent sleep and wake times. This episode is a practical, no-BS blueprint for anyone looking to improve sleep, recovery, and daily performance.

From Victim to Warrior Mindset w/ Ben Bergeron (Mental Toughness Secrets) Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with elite coach Ben Bergeron to break down the mindset behind high performance in sport, business, and life. Known for coaching some of the world’s top athletes, Ben shares why mental fitness—not just physical toughness—is the true separator, and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality.

They dive into Ben’s “mindset ladder,” moving from victim to warrior, and explain how small, intentional shifts in thinking can unlock massive growth over time. The conversation explores the hidden “distractions” that sabotage performance—self-doubt, pressure, past experiences—and how to create space between stimulus and response to regain control. Ben also unpacks why chasing success and accolades can lead to imbalance, and how discipline, routines, and self-awareness create real freedom.

This episode is a deep, practical look at mental resilience, emotional control, and what it actually takes to perform at a high level without losing yourself in the process. If you’re striving for growth in any area of life, this conversation will challenge your thinking and give you the tools to level up—one mindset shift at a time.

00:00 Meet Ben Bergeron

04:23 Mindset Beyond Fitness

07:16 Quiet Distractions Explained

09:22 Language Shapes Performance

13:09 Seal Simulation Lesson

18:28 Mindset Ladder Framework

25:25 Realist Mindset Tools

27:16 Warrior Mindset Defined

31:04 Trigger Awareness Technique

37:05 Addicted to Chaos

41:36 Jordan Kobe and Competition

44:49 Chasing Excellence vs Fulfillment

51:13 Hustle Culture and Balance

57:22 Work That Feels Like Play

01:00:54 Love as the North Star

01:04:22 High Performers Discipline and Pain

01:10:15 Morning Night Routines and Health

01:19:27 Flow State and Dropping Judgment

01:22:01 Wrap Up and Where to Follow

The 8-8-8 Rule That Changed My Life (Work-Life Balance) | Monday Moments Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares a deeply personal reflection on hustle culture, success, and his biggest regret—missing the first two years of his son’s life while chasing money and validation through nonstop work.

He breaks down how that experience reshaped his priorities and led him to create his “triple eights” framework: eight hours of sleep, eight hours of focused work, and eight hours dedicated to life outside of work—family, relationships, and personal time. Michael explains how discipline, boundaries, and intentional scheduling make this balance not just possible, but sustainable.

The episode dives into practical tools like time blocking, working in focused sprints, and creating structure in both your mornings and evenings to protect what matters most. His message is clear: success without balance isn’t success and building a life you actually enjoy requires just as much intention as building a business.

If you’ve been stuck in hustle mode, feeling burned out, or questioning what it’s all for, this episode offers a simple, powerful framework to take your time and your life back.

Why Culture Is Everything in Business & Life Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

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, handle adversity, celebrate wins, and show up for one another daily. He reflects on a pivotal moment with retail legend Mickey Drexler that shaped his role as a “culture cowboy,” responsible for setting and protecting the heartbeat of a company.

The conversation dives into practical ways to build culture in today’s world—from running effective remote teams with real human connection to simple rituals like starting meetings with personal check-ins. Michael also brings it home, explaining how culture starts within your family through consistent dinners, honest communication, and daily connection with your partner.

This episode is a reminder that strong culture doesn’t happen by accident—and whether you’re a leader or not, you have the power to influence and elevate the environments you’re part of every day.

The Longevity Antioxidant Nobody Talks About w/ David Watumull Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

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, explaining its unique ability to span cell membranes and reach key areas like mitochondria and even the nucleus. The conversation dives into its potential to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, improve endurance and recovery, support cardiovascular health, and influence longevity pathways like autophagy. They also discuss emerging research, including NIH-backed studies showing lifespan extension in animal models, and what that could mean for human healthspan.

This episode is a deep, science-backed look at performance, recovery, and aging optimization—while reinforcing that no supplement replaces the fundamentals of sleep, movement, and daily habits. If you’re serious about longevity, energy, and operating at a high level, this conversation will open your eyes to what might be missing from your routine.

00:00 Astaxanthin Explained

04:22 Salmon Endurance Story

06:21 Cell Membrane Superpower

07:55 Performance and Daily Use

09:46 Oxidative Stress 101

16:32 Inflammation and CNS

19:31 Autophagy Without Fasting

24:19 Why Its Still Unknown

30:25 Purity and Absorption Edge

35:21 Mouse Study Breakthrough

39:27 Lifespan Versus Healthspan

41:53 Will Humans Live Longer

47:34 High Performer Recovery

50:28 Rest Recovery Advice

52:17 Morning And Evening Routines

56:03 Where To Buy Astaxanthin

56:42 Research With Modern AI

59:09 Wrap And Takeaways

3 Night Habits to Win Your Morning | Monday Moments Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

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 surprises and mentally prepare. These small actions create clarity, reduce decision fatigue, and allow him to start the day with intention instead of chaos.

He also highlights the importance of preparation in other areas, like having breakfast ready to go—removing yet another barrier to consistency and discipline. The core message is simple: success isn’t built in the morning—it starts the night before.

This episode is a practical reminder that small, consistent habits compound over time, and that creating structure in your evenings can lead to more productive, focused, and stress-free days.

If you’re looking to improve your routine, build better habits, and take control of your mornings, this episode offers an easy framework you can start using immediately.

Recovery Beyond 12 Steps with Marcus Antebi | Kreatures of Habit Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

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’s critical to focus on those who are ready and capable of change.Marcus shares his philosophy on recovery beyond traditional frameworks, emphasizing tools like writing, meditation, breathwork, exercise, and service as practical ways to regulate the nervous system and build a foundation for long-term healing. A major focus of the conversation is breath as a tool—how it can interrupt anxiety, calm the body, and help break destructive thought loops in real time.Michael also opens up about his own struggles with anxiety, including deep-rooted fears tied to childhood trauma, and how those experiences shaped his relationship with stress and control. Together, they unpack how trauma and PTSD influence behavior, and offer actionable ways to recognize triggers, shift patterns, and regain control of your mind.This episode is a raw and insightful look at recovery, discipline, mental health, and the power of daily practices—and a reminder that transformation is possible with the right tools and consistent effort.If you’re navigating addiction, anxiety, or personal growth, this conversation offers practical strategies, perspective, and hope from two people who have lived it.

02:10 The Call That Saved Me

06:18 Marcus Origin Story

12:37 Humility And Service

14:21 Writing As Recovery Tool

23:50 Meditation Explained Simply

33:28 Watching the Mind

34:13 Anxiety and Breath

38:56 Practical Habits Toolkit

46:50 Discipline and Addiction Loops

50:00 Fear of Illness Story

54:04 PTSD Meditation Reframe

58:06 Breath First System