Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Host: Michael Chernow
Episode: Power Is In The Pause | Monday Moments
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this solo "Monday Moments" episode, host Michael Chernow explores the crucial difference between reacting and responding—emphasizing how a simple pause, driven by self-awareness, can dramatically affect our relationships and outcomes. Drawing on personal experiences and everyday scenarios, Michael introduces "the power is in the pause" as a guiding mantra, encouraging listeners to adopt this habit for improved interactions and better decision-making.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Nature of First Thoughts and Reactions

• [00:10] Michael highlights that our immediate first thoughts are often automatic—driven by habit or past experiences, sometimes even trauma.
• These first thoughts are not always positive ("Our first thought is typically not awesome"), and the crux of growth is in how we handle them.

Quote: “We don’t really have control over our first thought. Our first thought is, in many cases, subconsciously provoked.”
— Michael Chernow [00:23]

Responding vs. Reacting

• [01:10] Explains that the difference is how we act on our first thought: immediate reaction vs. intentional response.
• Immediate reactions often lead to unnecessary conflict (“the downfall to all relationships and every bad thing…came on the backside of a reaction”).
• Response, on the other hand, involves conscious choice and consideration, typically leading to better outcomes.

Quote: “The difference between reacting and responding is what we do with that first thought. That’s all it is.”
— Michael Chernow [01:30]

Practical Example: Domestic Conflict

• [02:15] Uses a classic example: forgetting to take out the garbage.
  • The instant reaction might be defensive (“I do enough here!”)
  • Instead, practicing a pause allows space for empathy and accountability (“Hey baby, I’m so sorry. You’re totally right…”)
• This deliberate pause prevents escalation and can “save the day.”

The Power of the Pause

• [03:40] Michael asserts that “the power is in the pause”—recommending listeners make this a mantra for the week.
• The pause gives time to process and choose the response rather than falling into a reaction.

Quote: “The power is in the pause. That is where all the power lives.”
— Michael Chernow [03:55]

Applying the Pause in Different Contexts

• [04:15] Email Communication:
  • Michael describes writing a response to a difficult email but waiting 12-24 hours before sending. “Nine out of ten times, I make edits—the edits come from the pause.”
• Meetings:
  • In meetings, pausing before speaking helps him determine whether his input is necessary or simply self-serving.
  • Trusts the collective process, knowing that necessary points will be addressed, even if not by him directly.

Quote: “If I’ve done my job right in a meeting with multiple people, chances are what I need to say will either get said by somebody else, or the outcome will be reached.”
— Michael Chernow [06:21]

Self-Awareness as a Foundational Habit

• The ability to pause hinges on self-awareness.
• Being mindful of when to contribute vs. when to hold back is a sign of maturity and trust in oneself and the team.

Key Reflection

• Michael circles back to how most relationship issues are rooted in unchecked reactions, proposing that listeners honestly reflect on their own experiences and consider the validity of this insight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The decisions we make on a consistent basis truly define who we are as human beings.”

— Michael Chernow [00:19]

• “Most the downfall of most relationships and bad things that have happened where you were at fault have come on the backside of a reaction.”

— Michael Chernow [07:01]

• Mantra for the Week:

  “The power’s in the pause.”

— Repeated throughout, notably at [03:55], [05:21], [07:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:10] What is the difference between reacting and responding?
• [01:30] The impact of immediate reactions on relationships
• [02:15] Example: Managing conflict with a partner
• [03:40] The mantra: “Power is in the pause”
• [04:15] Applying the pause to email communication
• [05:00] The role of the pause in meetings and group settings
• [06:30] Building self-awareness through deliberate pauses
• [07:01] Reflection: examining reactions as the source of conflict

Episode Tone and Voice

Michael’s delivery is energetic, conversational, and occasionally humorous (“Monday, Monday, Happy, happy Monday!”). His storytelling feels personal and relatable, using everyday scenarios and honest self-reflection to drive his key message home.

Summary Takeaway

This episode champions the transformative habit of pausing before reacting—be it in personal relationships, professional settings, or digital communication. Michael invites listeners to elevate their self-awareness and adopt “the power is in the pause” as a weekly mantra, promising less conflict and more intentional living as a result.