Podcast Summary: Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Episode Title: Keep Your Ego In Check and Embrace the Power of the Pause
Host: Michael Chernow
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this "Monday Moment" episode, Michael Chernow delivers a motivational solo talk, focusing on the detrimental effects of ego and the invaluable practice of pausing before reacting—both internally (to self-talk) and externally (to others). He introduces his mantra, "The Power is in the Pause," as a strategic tool to combat negative self-talk, boost self-control, and foster better decision-making. Using personal anecdotes and actionable advice, Michael encourages listeners to recognize the protective (and limiting) nature of ego, especially when facing challenges, and to harness the space between stimulus and response as an opportunity for growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Ego: Friend or Foe?

• Main Idea: The ego is not an “amigo”—it isn’t your friend.
  • Michael repeats: "The ego is not the amigo. The ego is the exact opposite of the amigo. The ego is going to hold you back from doing things that are going to push you forward." [00:00, 02:41]
• Purpose of Ego: While designed to protect us from harm and discomfort, the ego often becomes the main obstacle to growth.
• Ego’s Influence:
  • It triggers negative self-talk, especially when facing new or difficult challenges.
  • It seeks to keep life comfortable, but true progress requires discomfort and effort:

    "In order to get higher on the mountain, you are going to have to climb harder under any condition." [00:33]

• Ego’s Tricks:
  • Makes you question your ability: “You’re not good enough.”
  • Encourages you to quit when things get tough.

2. The Power of the Pause

• Mantra: “The power is in the pause.” [00:42, 02:54, 05:03]
• Definition & Application:
  • When negative thoughts arise, stop, breathe, and pause before following them.
  • Use the pause to reflect, not just react instinctively.
  • Michael’s method:

    "Pausing, literally stopping what you’re doing, potentially closing your eyes, taking a deep breath, and saying to yourself, 'the power is in the pause.'" [01:00]

• Benefits:
  • Allows you to remember why you started a challenge.
  • Helps you to recognize your positive attributes.
  • Creates distance from self-doubt and negative self-talk:

    "Take 30 seconds and I promise you that voice, that negative self talk, will quiet down." [03:35]

3. Reframing Negative Self-Talk

• Source of Negative Voices:
  • Internal, though possibly influenced by past external sources.
  • “That negative self talk is fabricated and manifested from you... You have control over that.” [04:00]
• Control:
  • You cannot control your first thought, but you can control your next response.

4. Application to Daily Life & Relationships

• Meetings & Reactions:
  • Use the pause with others, not just yourself.

    “If you’re sitting in a meeting... somebody says something that you don’t like, you can pause. Instead of just reacting to it, you can pause and you can say, 'Hey, is my reaction going to add to this conversation... or is it just going to get us deeper into a hole and waste more time?'" [06:10]

• Responder, Not Reactor:
  • Aim to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

5. Overcoming Resistance & Facing Pain

• Personal Anecdote:
  • Michael shares his hesitation before fighting in Muay Thai kickboxing, a situation where he let ego delay his growth:

    “I pushed it off for a long time until I finally did, and I was like, why did I wait so long to do this? You know, pain is temporary.” [08:02]

• Core Message:
  • Ego tries to save you from pain, but stepping outside your comfort zone brings progress.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ego & Growth

  "You are going to have to do things that you don't want to do to get to places that you have never been. That is just a fact."
  — Michael Chernow [00:27]

• On the Pause

  "The power is in the pause. When something happens that we don’t like, when something makes us doubt ourselves... Pausing, literally stopping what you’re doing... give yourself a minute."
  — Michael Chernow [01:00]

• On Self-Talk

  "There is no reason why you should take the bait on negative self-talk. Because guess what? That negative self talk is fabricated and manifested from you."
  — Michael Chernow [03:52]

• On Control

  "You may not be in control of your first thought, but you are in control of how you respond to it."
  — Michael Chernow [09:25]

• On Personal Progress

  "Pain is temporary. And the ego doesn’t want us to experience any pain. So it’ll really try to walk us off the ledge of taking a leap of faith."
  — Michael Chernow [08:21]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] Opening thoughts on ego as a barrier
• [01:00] Introduction of the “power is in the pause” mantra
• [03:35] The effect of pausing on negative self-talk
• [04:00] Explanation of the origins of negative self-talk and control over responses
• [06:10] Application of the pause concept to meetings and interactions
• [08:02] Muay Thai kickboxing anecdote—overcoming ego
• [09:25] Closing mantra: control over response, not initial thought

Summary

Michael Chernow’s episode is a focused, inspiring address on self-mastery through self-awareness. Drawing on personal experience and a simple, memorable mantra—“The power is in the pause”—he offers listeners a clear blueprint for managing ego and negative self-talk. The episode emphasizes that while we all struggle with ego-driven doubts, by pausing to reflect, we can choose more empowering responses, both inwardly (with our thoughts) and outwardly (with our interactions).

This episode is ideal for anyone seeking a practical and compassionate approach to overcoming self-doubt and reacting more skillfully to life’s challenges.