Podcast Summary: Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Episode: These 13 Rules I Teach My Kids Every Night | Monday Moments
Host: Michael Chernow
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt solo episode, Michael Chernow—entrepreneur, athlete, and founder of Kreatures of Habit—dives into “the 13 things” he recites with his sons every night. Michael reflects on the importance of instilling core values and principles at a young age, sharing personal anecdotes and the reasoning behind each rule. He frames bedtime as a sacred opportunity for parents to make a lifelong impact on their children.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin of the 13 Rules

• Creating a Values Ritual:

  • When his first son was born, Michael committed to reciting values and principles aloud at bedtime—an effort to shape their moral compass and build a foundation for kindness, courage, and self-respect.
  • “I made a commitment that I was going to say these values out loud to my son—and now sons—every night that I put them down.” (00:29)

• The “13 Things” Ritual:

  • Each night, after reading together, Michael recites these 13 rules with his sons, helping embed them into their daily consciousness and memory.

The 13 Rules (as recited to his sons)

1. Always protect your brother
2. Ladies always go first
3. Squeeze an eyes (firm handshake and eye contact)
4. Remember people’s names
5. Lift up the toilet seat when you need to go to the bathroom
6. Put the toilet seat back down when you’re done
7. Look to the left before crossing the road
8. Look to the right before crossing the road
9. Kindness always wins
10. Always have courage
11. Always be kind to mommy when daddy’s away
12. Always tell a teacher, guardian, or parent if you’re going to step away from a situation
13. I love you

• “Those are the 13 things that I walk through with my sons. They know them by heart. We say them together.” (01:40)

Breaking Down the Principles:

Michael explains the rationale and stories behind several of the rules:

• Protect Your Brother:

  • Teaches sibling loyalty and responsibility.

• Ladies Go First:

  • Chivalry, respect for women, continuing a lesson he learned from his father.
  • “One of the few things I really took away from our relationship was this idea that, you know, you respect women no matter what, at all cost.” (04:30)

• Squeeze an Eyes:

  • A unique phrase encouraging direct eye contact and a firm handshake.
  • “Whether it’s the first time or the 500th time, you look them in the eye and give them a nice firm handshake.” (05:16)

• Remember People’s Names:

  • Hospitality background influenced this; using names is the “favorite word” for most people and creates connection.
  • “If you can address people by their name...you just have leverage. People enjoy that, especially if you don’t know them very well.” (06:15)

• Toilet Seat Etiquette:

  • Practical respect for others, something his own father emphasized.
  • “There’s nothing worse than sitting down on a toilet seat and it’s got somebody else’s piss on it, right?” (07:08)

• Crossing the Road:

  • Grew up in NYC, where street safety was critical—reinforces caution and awareness.

• Kindness & Courage:

  • Kindness as a core leadership trait; courage being essential for success.
  • “Courage is not something that you can necessarily teach, but it is certainly something you can project.” (09:02)
  • “Kindness has always been the core of my leadership style ... kindness is certainly something that people remember in a positive way.” (10:10)

• Being Kind to Mom When Dad’s Away:

  • A reminder for empathy and support during his frequent travel.

• Tell a Parent/Guardian if Stepping Away:

  • Originated from a scary experience at a brewery/apple orchard when one of his sons wandered off.
  • “From that day forward, I had introduced the always tell a parent, guardian or teacher if you’re going to step away from a situation.” (13:48)

• I Love You:

  • Never taken for granted—ends the list to affirm unconditional love each night.

The Nightly Ritual’s Lasting Impact

• Strategic Bedtime Programming:

  • Michael believes what children hear before sleep “stays with us,” making this ritual a form of positive programming for self-worth and values.
  • “I’ve taken such a strategic approach on how I communicate with my sons at bedtime.” (16:16)

• Repetition for Future Recall:

  • Confident his sons will remember and, hopefully, use these principles as adults.
  • “My sons are going to remember those 13 things for the rest of their lives.” (17:10)

• A Multi-Generational Legacy:

  • Hopes the ritual may be passed down, ensuring these principles outlast his own parenting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every human being on the planet’s favorite word, whether they know it consciously or subconsciously, is their own name.” (06:12)
• “Kindness always wins. That’s my story. I’ve led with my heart as a business owner and now as a father.” (10:01)
• “I love my sons more than anything on the planet, and I did not have that kind of relationship with my father.” (16:33)
• “When my sons are 35 years old and I’m 65, I could be across the room and I’m going to say, ‘Boys, give me the 13.’ They’re going to rattle them right off.” (17:40)
• “That’s how you make an impact.” (18:01)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29 – Origins of the 13 things ritual
• 01:40 – Full list of the 13 rules
• 04:30 – Chivalry and respect for women (“Ladies always go first”)
• 05:16 – “Squeeze an eyes” – handshake and eye contact explained
• 06:12 – Memory and power of using people’s names
• 07:08 – Toilet seat etiquette
• 09:02 – Courage and its role in Michael’s life
• 10:10 – Kindness as a leadership and life principle
• 13:48 – The “tell a parent/guardian if you leave” story
• 16:16 – The strategy behind bedtime rituals
• 17:10 – The lasting legacy of the 13 rules
• 18:01 – Final reflections on making an impact

Takeaways for Listeners

• Bedtime rituals are a powerful tool for instilling values and security in children.
• Simple, repeated affirmations can shape a child’s sense of self and guide their decision-making for life.
• Legacy isn’t just material—it’s about passing on principles and love.

[Ad sections, intros, and outros were omitted to focus solely on the episode’s content.]