The Michael Chernow Podcast

Michael Chernow opens up about growing up in an unsafe home, searching for a father figure, and how that vulnerability led him into the hands of a predator. He shares the confusion, shame, addiction, and anger that followed, and why he believes parents need to be more aware of who has access to their children. This conversation also goes into his near-death experience with heroin, the moment that...

In this episode, Michael Chernow opens up about the moment he realized his habits were destroying his life and how discipline became the foundation for everything he has built since. From addiction, violence, and losing control to sobriety, business, fatherhood, and personal growth, Michael breaks down why small daily habits matter more than massive life changes. He explains how little wins can re...

Michael Chernow sits down with Kelsey Heenan for a raw conversation about food, fitness, control, and recovery. Kelsey opens up about how trying to become a better athlete slowly turned into dangerous food rules, restriction, over-exercising, and losing 30% of her body weight. Michael also shares how food became another form of addiction for him after getting sober from drugs and alcohol. Together...

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow reflects on the constant battle between good and evil, light and darkness, and the choices we make every single day. This message is about awareness, discipline, and understanding that life will always test who you are becoming. Michael breaks down why the real battle is not always outside of us, but often within us — in our thoughts, actions, habits...

In this episode of The Michael Chernow Podcast, Michael sits down with Stef Sifandos for a powerful conversation on love, relationships, marriage, intimacy, ego, and why real connection feels harder than ever. They talk about how social media creates the illusion of connection, why so many people push love away, and how old survival patterns can quietly destroy relationships. Michael opens up abou...

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow opens up about one of the hardest tests he has faced in his own life: true compassion. Michael breaks down the difference between empathy and compassion, and why compassion can be so difficult when you love someone who struggles to love themselves. He reflects on the people in our lives who test our patience, our heart, and our ability to stay open i...

For years, Lindsey Van Wagner battled addiction, self-hatred, depression, and a darkness she never thought she could escape. In this powerful conversation with Michael Chernow, she opens up about the moment everything changed, the reality of getting sober, finding self-love, and why recovery is about so much more than quitting alcohol. This episode is for anyone struggling with addiction, mental h...

Fatherhood is more than a title. It's a responsibility, a privilege, and one of life's greatest gifts. In this special Father's Day episode, Michael Chernow shares a heartfelt message about what truly matters as a parent. From the importance of being present with your children to the lessons he's learned as a father, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn't m...

Former Navy SEAL, entrepreneur, war correspondent, and documentarian Kaj Larsen joins The Michael Chernow Podcast for a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, suffering, purpose, and what it takes to perform at the highest level. Kaj shares incredible stories from SEAL training, nearly quitting Hell Week, the addictive nature of war, lessons from combat, and the leadership principles...

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...

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 f...

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 thro...

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 acto...

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...

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 boundar...

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares why productive confrontation is necessary in relationships and how communication is the foundation of healthy romantic, business, and friendship dynamics. He explains that bottling things up leads to resentment and eventual blow-ups, and encourages addressing issues calmly, clearly, and without aggression. He...

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...

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 p...

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 outpe...

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 mon...

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 motivat...

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...

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 “...

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 s...

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 Creature...