Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Episode: How I Stay Sober During the Most Tempting Season of the Year | Monday Moments
Host: Michael Chernow
Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special "Monday Moments" solo episode, host Michael Chernow offers practical advice, encouragement, and personal anecdotes for staying sober during the holiday season—a period often filled with social drinking and stress. Drawing from over two decades of sobriety, Michael directly addresses the sober community, the sober-curious, and those struggling to maintain sobriety, sharing actionable tips and heartfelt motivation for navigating family gatherings and triggers during this challenging time.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenges of Holiday Sobriety

Social Pressure & Triggers:
Michael acknowledges that the holidays can be a tough time for anyone abstaining from alcohol due to increased social drinking and potential family stress.
"Most people are enjoying cocktails and beers and wine and, you know, they're having a good time and that's great for them. For me, I don't drink and I'm not looking to drink because it would be a really, really devastating occurrence at my house if, if all of a sudden I started to, to drink." (00:21)

2. Practical Strategies for Staying Sober

Have a Sober Drink Always in Hand:
Michael keeps "a big rocks glass with ice and seltzer water and a little splash of cranberry juice and some lemon or lime wedges" so he doesn't feel left out and has something festive to sip on throughout family gatherings. (02:17)
Enjoy Non-Alcoholic Alternatives:
He suggests celebrating with high-quality non-alcoholic beers during special occasions to maintain a sense of festivity without compromising sobriety.
"There are some absolutely incredible non alcoholic beers available on the market today that I also enjoy having...that also just kind of like gives me this festive feeling that I'm, I'm celebrating with something." (03:00)

3. Dealing with Stress and Triggers

Take Breaks When Needed:
Michael stresses the importance of stepping outside or taking a solo walk if the environment becomes stressful, especially if certain family members have overindulged.
"It's okay to take a break when you're at a family outing...if it's getting a little stressful, it's getting a little stuffy...Just go for a walk, cool your jets, take a breath." (03:54)
Connect with Sober Support:
He advises keeping "friends in sobriety on speed dial" and not hesitating to call a sponsor or sober buddy if you're feeling triggered.
"For people that are in the sober community, specifically in the 12 steps, like keep your friends in sobriety on, on speed dial, just give them a call..." (04:45)
Remember Self-Care:
Basic self-care—like staying hydrated and not overeating—can help maintain emotional and physical well-being during holiday gatherings. (05:30)

4. The Gift and Gratitude of Sobriety

Being Present with Family:
Michael shares that sobriety has allowed him to be fully present at family events for over 21 years, emphasizing the joy and gratitude that come from remembering and truly experiencing holidays.
"Being sober is a gift. It's a real gift. Being present at all of my family holidays for the last 21 years is a gift. I wouldn't trade it for anything." (06:15)
Reflecting on Change:
Michael contrasts his current experience with those before sobriety, highlighting the pride and relief he feels in his transformation.
"Before I got sober, you know, it was like, oh, here comes the Chernow's. Because they knew, you know, I was going to get into some, and it's just not that way anymore. And, gosh, am I grateful for that." (07:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"Being sober is a gift. It's a real gift. Being present at all of my family holidays for the last 21 years is a gift. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
— Michael Chernow (06:15)
"It's okay to take a break...Go for a little walk, cool your jets, take a breath. That has always been something that I felt to be very helpful around the holidays."
— Michael Chernow (03:54)
"There are some absolutely incredible non alcoholic beers available on the market today that I also enjoy having...it gives me this festive feeling that I'm, I'm celebrating with something."
— Michael Chernow (03:00)
"Keep your friends in sobriety on speed dial. Just give them a call. It's not worth allowing...some family drama, some family stress drive you to want to throw it all away."
— Michael Chernow (04:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:21 — The reality of being sober during the holidays and acknowledging the challenge
02:17 — Michael's go-to festive sober drink
03:00 — Using non-alcoholic beer for a festive feeling
03:54 — The importance of taking breaks and stepping outside
04:45 — Leaning on sober friends and support networks
05:30 — Reminder about self-care (hydration, avoiding overeating)
06:15 — The joy and gratitude of sober family holidays
07:10 — How life changed after sobriety

Closing Thoughts

Michael delivers a compassionate and practical episode for anyone navigating sobriety during the holidays. His main message: plan ahead, use your tools, rely on your community, and embrace the gift of presence that sobriety brings. He ends by encouraging listeners to share the episode with anyone who could benefit and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season.

For anyone seeking encouragement or tactical guidance on maintaining sobriety during the holiday season, this episode is a warm, insightful, and empowering listen with actionable steps and heartfelt wisdom from someone twenty-one years sober.

Loading summary

Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
The holiday season is a tough time for people that are in sobriety recovery, people that just don't drink. Most people are enjoying cocktails and beers and wine and, you know, they're having a good time and that's great for them. For me, I don't drink and I'm not looking to drink because it would be a really, really devastating occurrence at my house if, if all of a sudden I started to, to drink. It's okay to take a break when you're at a family outing or at one of your family members homes for the holidays and you feel like it's getting a little stressful, it's getting a little stuffy. Maybe there's a couple of people that are just a little too drunk for people that are in the sober community, specifically in the 12 steps, like keep your friends in sobriety on, on speed dial, just give them a call. It's not worth allowing you, you know, some, some family drama, some family stress drive you to want to throw it all away. Being sober is a gift. It's a real gift. Being present at all of my family holidays for the last 21 years is a gift. I wouldn't trade it for anything. An entrepreneur straight out of New York City, Michael Chernow. What's cracking? What's going on, guys? Welco back to the Creatures of Habit podcast and a Monday moment. The holiday season is here. The holidays are here. And I, I'm talking to the sober community here or the people that are sober, curious, or the people that are struggling trying to get or stay sober. The holiday season is a tough time for people that are in sobriety recovery, people that just don't drink. And I have a couple of, of, of of pieces of advice I'd like to give you to help you get through the holidays without feeling the need to take a drink. So what I like to do around the holidays is I always have a big rocks glass with ice and seltzer water and a little splash of cranberry juice and some, some lemon wedges or lime wedges. And I sip on that all day long when my family's here because most people in my family are not sober. Most people are enjoying cocktails and beers and wine and you know, they're having a good time and that's great for them. For me, I don't drink and I'm not looking to drink because it would be a really, really devastating occurrence at my house if, if all of a sudden I started to, to drink. So I always like to have a rocks glass with ice Seltzer and a splash of cranberry juice. Another thing, there are some absolutely incredible non alcoholic beers available on the market today that I also enjoy having. Around the holidays or for special occasions. I don't really have non alcoholic beer all the time, but around special occasions, specifically the. I absolutely crack open a nice cold, non alcoholic beer and, and I have that. And that also just kind of like gives me this festive feeling that I'm, I'm celebrating with something. So I, I really enjoy that. I also want to just say that it's okay to take a break when you're at a family outing or at, at one of your family members homes for the holidays and you feel like it's getting a little stressful, it's getting a little stuffy, maybe there's a couple of people a little too drunk. You know, it's okay to take a break and go outside and give someone a call and just say, hey, I just wanted to check in, you know, go for a little walk, cool your jets, take a breath. That has always been something that I felt to be very helpful around the holidays. You know, going outside, getting some fresh air, taking a walk, you know, and for people that are in the sober community, specifically in the 12 steps, like keep your, keep your friends in sobriety on, on speed dial, just give them a call. It's not worth allowing, you know, some, some family drama, some family stress drive you to want to throw it all away. So, you know, get outside, take a walk, you know, make sure you stay hydrated, stay, don't like, you know, don't overeat because that can also make you feel crummy. You just stuff yourself to the gills and then you're just on the couch and you feel like crap. You know, the holidays are amazing and also can be really stressful. So I just wanted to put a little note out there for people like me that are sober that, you know, I mean, I, the fact is, is that I really love and enjoy the holidays. I love and enjoy the holidays. It's my favorite time of the year. But there are moments and there have been moments over the years that I have felt stressed out around the holidays and I needed a little reprieve. So calling a sober friend, if you're in AA or NA or a 12 step program, calling a sponsor, if things get a little heated, like don't be afraid to do that. That's what, that's what this thing is all about. You know, it's do that, going for a walk and, and staying hydrated. I hope that helps some get, you know, helps some of the sober folks that listen to this podcast. Being sober is a gift. It's a real gift. Being present at all of my family holidays for the last 21 years is a gift. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am there. I'm present. I remember them. I don't do things at these, you know, before I got sober, you know, it was like, oh, here comes the turnouts. Because they knew, you know, I was going to get into some, and it's just not that way anymore. And, gosh, am I grateful for that. So share this with someone that you think could use it. If that's not you, pass it along. And I hope you guys have an awesome holiday season. Until the next one, y'. All. Peace.