Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

In this powerful episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with psychologist, author, and addiction expert Dr. Adi Jaffe for a raw conversation about trauma, fear, shame, addiction, and the discipline required to heal and reclaim your life.

The discussion begins with Michael sharing his experience of childhood sexual abuse and the shame that followed, opening the door to a deeper exploration of how hidden pain, fear, and secrets often fuel addiction and compulsive behavior. Dr. Jaffe explains why bringing darkness into the light can create relief, how belief systems shape our experience of life, and why identity labels like “I am anxious” can reinforce suffering.

Together they explore the psychology of fear versus joy, the power of discipline as a free tool for building confidence and boundaries, and how shifting from scarcity to abundance can fundamentally change how we approach life and recovery. Dr. Jaffe also shares his own story—from addiction and jail to a life-changing motorcycle accident that forced him to confront deeper truths about purpose and healing.

The conversation also dives into themes from his book Unhooked, which examines the deeper emotional hooks behind addiction trauma, fear, shame, and feelings of worthlessness and how understanding these patterns can lead to real transformation.

This episode is a vulnerable and thought-provoking exploration of healing, accountability, and the courage it takes to own your story.

If you’re navigating trauma, addiction recovery, or personal growth, this conversation offers powerful insights, perspective, and hope.

#AddictionRecovery #TraumaHealing #MentalHealth

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Why Speak Up
01:37 Sharing Darkness
04:08 Fear Shame Secrets
06:02 Fear Versus Joy
08:33 Balance Hustle Culture
11:05 Obsession Or Passion
14:00 Discipline Builds Confidence
18:40 Jail And Owning Reality
20:08 Beliefs Shape Life
27:57 Scarcity To Abundance
32:10 Value Over Scarcity
33:49 Optimism As A Practice
34:57 Sobriety And Discipline
36:55 Rose Colored Research
38:22 Motorcycle Crash Turning Point
40:54 Facing Pain And Fear
42:13 Sharing Abuse And Shame
45:28 Grooming And Realization
48:28 Trust Barriers With Men
53:32 Fear Journaling Exercise
58:30 Marriage Discipline And Repair
01:02:15 Best And Worst Decisions
01:04:38 Unhooked Book And Farewell

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, entrepreneur Michael Chernow shares why choosing your life partner may be the most important decision you’ll ever make. Drawing from nearly 19 years of marriage to his wife Donna and his personal journey through sobriety and growth, Michael reflects on how the quality of our closest relationships directly impacts long-term happiness and fulfillment.
He explains that healthy marriages will always include disagreements, but the foundation must be shared values, morals, and a deep sense of alignment. Too often, couples commit without truly understanding each other’s core beliefs, which can lead to toxic dynamics and painful divorces later on. Michael emphasizes that when a relationship feels fundamentally misaligned, having the courage to change your mind and move on can ultimately be the healthiest choice for both people involved.
This episode is an honest reflection on love, commitment, and building a life with someone who shares your values. For anyone navigating relationships, marriage, or long-term partnership, it offers perspective on why great relationships—and great families—are built on alignment, honesty, and mutual respect.

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit podcast, Michael Chernow shares his deeply personal story of addiction, recovery, and transformation. Growing up in Manhattan, Michael turned to drugs and alcohol at a young age while trying to cope with childhood trauma and instability at home. What began as experimentation quickly escalated into selling drugs, struggling with addiction, and entering rehab by the age of sixteen.

Michael reflects on losing friends as opioids and fentanyl spread, and recounts the near-fatal heroin overdose that almost ended his life in 2004. After hitting rock bottom and being fired by a restaurant owner he saw as a father figure, he finally made the life-changing decision to ask for help.

With the guidance of his mentor Marcus, Michael adopted a disciplined plan centered on faith, AA, Muay Thai training, healthy habits, and personal accountability principles he still follows today. He also shares lessons about recovery, relationships, and how structure and humility helped him rebuild his life and dedicate himself to helping others.

TIME STAMPS
01:44 Home Life and Upbringing
07:37 Self Harm and Survival
10:58 Parenting and Attention
18:04 Early Rehab at Sixteen
22:18 Heroin Overdose Story
25:24 Rock Bottom and Mirror Moment
30:25 Fired and Final Wake Up34:21 Marcus Plan for Sobriety
40:33 Addiction Misconceptions
46:45 Meeting His Future Wife
58:35 Learning Self Love01:03:48 Advice for Getting Sober
01:09:27 Protein Bar Taste Test
01:12:06 Final Thanks and Wrap

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares a deeply personal story about growing up with a difficult relationship with his father and the life-changing wisdom passed down from his grandmother, Grandma Chickie, a practicing Buddhist. Her mantra “Bless you, change me” became a guiding principle that transformed how he handles conflict, emotional triggers, and challenging relationships.

Michael explains that the phrase is a reminder that we cannot control or change other people—only how we receive, interpret, and respond to them. Instead of reacting with defensiveness or anger, the mantra encourages blessing the other person with positivity while doing the inner work to shift your own mindset. Whether you’re dealing with parents, bosses, coworkers, or anyone you can’t easily avoid, this episode offers a practical and spiritual framework for navigating conflict with maturity and emotional intelligence.

From childhood struggles to tattooing the mantra on his arm as a permanent reminder, Michael reflects on loss, perspective, and the discipline of responding instead of reacting.

If you’re working on personal growth, emotional resilience, or healing difficult relationships, this episode offers a simple but powerful tool you can start using today.

In this episode of the Creatures of Habit podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with Andrew Aguero to delve into the intricacies of the restaurant industry, sharing personal anecdotes and discussing the nuanced challenge of leading a team in such a dynamic environment. 

They talk about the essentiality of leading by example, the concept of service both in and out of the restaurant, and the inevitable transition from the restaurant world to a more balanced lifestyle focusing on wellness. From hilarious and stressful restaurant stories to key lessons in leadership and the importance of supporting one's community, Michael and Andrew provide a heartfelt exchange about life, leadership, and personal growth. 

Don't miss this heartfelt, informative, and truly inspirational episode filled with practical advice and genuine human connection.

TIME STAMPS
03:44 The Restaurant Industry: A Community of Opportunity
09:29 Opening Restaurants: Challenges and Rewards
13:31 Restaurant Nightmares and Lessons Learned
27:17 The Magic of Restaurant Atmosphere
32:50 Creating Memorable Guest Experiences
33:59 Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
35:44 Understanding and Connecting with Your Team
37:06 The Complexity of the Restaurant Industry
42:52 Transitioning to a Wellness-Focused Lifestyle
47:36 The Power of Habits and Fitness
54:31 Building Meaningful Relationships and Networks
01:00:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections