Podcast
The Michael Chernow Podcast
Hosted by Michael Chernow · EN
Welcome to The Michael Chernow Podcast.
This is a show about the realities of life. The wins, the losses, the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and everything in between.
Hosted by entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and creator Michael Chernow, each episode dives deep into the stories, lessons, and experiences that shape who we become. Through conversations with some of the most interesting people in the world, we explore what it takes to overcome adversity, build resilience, create meaningful habits, and live with greater purpose.
From business and health to relationships, mindset, faith, and per
163episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Biggest Failure Is Never Trying | KOH Sprouts Market Tour
Yesterday00:48:36Summary readyMichael Chernow and Mattiy Christofferson sit down inside an RV after six exhausting days on the road launching the Kreatures of Habit Daily Bar at Sprouts stores across the West Coast.In this raw, off-the-cuff conversation, they break down the reality of building a company, the pressure founders feel when comparing themselves to massive brands, and why obsession is often required to succeed. They also discuss delegation, maintaining momentum, creating your own luck, and learning to accept that nobody will execute your vision exactly like you.Michael opens up about nearly sacrificing his marriage for business, the dream he is still working toward, and why success is meaningless if it costs you the people you love. This episode is a reminder that the biggest failure is not losing—it is reaching the end of your life knowing you never tried.Follow the journey as Kreatures of Habit and Ops Run travel across the country connecting with runners, run clubs, and local communities.
SummaryI wanted A Father Figure. I Found A Monster | My Story Of Childhood Abuse From A Predator
1w ago01:08:41Summary readyMichael 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 finally pushed him toward sobriety, and the mentor who helped him rebuild his life. Now 21 years sober, Michael uses his story as a warning to parents and a message of hope for anyone who feels too broken to change. This episode contains sensitive conversations around childhood abuse, addiction, and recovery.#ChildhoodTrauma #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MensMentalHealth #Fatherhood #TraumaHealing #SurvivorStory #ProtectYourKids #Parenting #RecoveryJourney
SummaryDiscipline Is The Key To Freedom
1w ago00:26:58Summary readyIn 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 rebuild confidence, why fear causes most people to quit, and why discipline is the key to freedom.This conversation is a reminder that your habits will either make you or break you. Whether you are trying to get sober, lose weight, build a business, improve your mindset, or simply become a better version of yourself, the next best decision is always available.Discipline is free. Habits are powerful. And it is never too late to change your life.#MichaelChernow #Discipline #Habits #CreaturesOfHabit #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #SelfImprovement #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Motivation #MentalToughness #LifeLessons #Podcast #TheMichaelChernowPodcast
SummaryShe Lost 30% Of Her Body Weight Trying To Be "Healthy" | Kelsey Heenan
2w ago01:06:50Summary readyMichael 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, they talk about why eating disorders and food anxiety are not just “women’s issues,” how fitness can become punishment, and why true health has to include freedom. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt trapped by food, body image, discipline, or the pressure to always optimize.
SummaryGood vs Evil Is Happening Inside You
2w ago00:07:24Summary readyIn 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, reactions, and the way we choose to show up in the world.Whether you are trying to grow, heal, stay grounded, or become a better version of yourself, this episode is a reminder that the small choices matter.Good and evil are not just ideas. They show up in how we live.
Summary20 Years Of Marriage Taught Me This About Love | Stef Sifandos
3w ago01:11:04Summary readyIn 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 about his 20+ year relationship with his wife, the work it takes to keep love strong, and why communication, self-awareness, and healthy conflict matter so much.This conversation goes deep into marriage, attraction, conflict, generational trauma, fatherhood, addiction, and what it actually means to feel loved. If you’ve ever struggled with intimacy, communication, or staying connected in a relationship, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations around health, relationships, recovery, growth, and what it takes to live a more fulfilled life.#TheMichaelChernowPodcast #Relationships #Marriage #Love #SelfAwareness #Healing #PersonalGrowth #Intimacy
SummaryLoving Someone Who Can’t Love Themselves
3w ago00:08:33Summary readyIn 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 instead of turning away.This episode is a reminder that some relationships are not just challenges, they are opportunities for growth. Michael shares how compassion can become a master test in life, forcing us to evolve as people and maybe even as souls.If you have someone in your life who is hard to love, hard to understand, or hard to keep showing up for, this message may hit home.
SummaryShe Was Broken Beyond Repair—Until This Happened | Lindsey Van Wagner
4w ago00:51:18Summary readyFor 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 health, self-worth, or feeling lost in life. If you've ever felt broken, beyond repair, or like nobody understands what you're going through, this conversation is for you.New episodes of The Michael Chernow Podcast every Wednesday at 12 PM.#MichaelChernowPodcast #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #SelfLove
SummaryThe Fatherhood Lesson Every Man Needs To Hear
Jun 1500:11:13Summary readyFatherhood 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 measured by money, status, or possessions, but by the impact we have on the people we love most.Michael opens up about the emotional moments he shares with his sons, the challenges modern fathers face, and why our children don't need more things—they need more of us.Whether you're a father, have a father, or hope to become one someday, this episode will remind you what truly matters.Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.
SummaryFormer Navy SEAL: "War Is The Most Addictive Drug On Earth" | Kaj Larsen
Jun 1001:18:18Summary readyFormer 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 that have guided him through military service, entrepreneurship, journalism, and life. Michael and Kaj also explore modern masculinity, accountability, mental toughness, AI warfare, and why the ability to embrace discomfort may be the most valuable skill in today's world.If you've ever felt stuck, challenged, or called to become a stronger version of yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom that can help you take the next step.New episodes of The Michael Chernow Podcast drop every Wednesday at 12 PM.Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Kaj Larsen00:50 The SEAL Team Drug Scandal That Changed Everything05:00 Doing The Hard Right Thing As A Leader10:00 Accountability, Leadership & Extreme Ownership16:45 Why Kaj Joined The Navy18:30 How Navy SEALs Actually Select Candidates21:20 Hell Week & What Breaks Most Men23:30 Modern Day Knight Project & Facing Your Darkness28:45 The Real Purpose Of SEAL Training31:15 The Night Kaj Almost Quit Hell Week37:20 Finding The Hidden Gear & Building Mental Toughness42:40 Why Suffering Is Necessary For Growth44:50 Why War Becomes Addictive50:50 AI, Drones & The Future Of Warfare59:20 Mission, Purpose & Becoming Mentally Strong1:05:00 Building A Powerful Mind In An Age Of Distraction1:12:00 Final Lessons On Discipline, Identity & Success#MichaelChernow #KajLarsen #TheMichaelChernowPodcast #NavySEAL #hellweek
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