Michael Chernow — restaurateur, entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and founder of Kreatures of Habit — joins us for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, recovery, discipline, and building a life worth living.From running some of New York City’s most iconic restaurants to hitting rock bottom with drugs and alcohol, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in transformation. He shares the moment he realized, “I’m gonna die. I hate myself,” and how that pain became the catalyst for an entirely new way of living. We go deep into what sobriety really means — and why quitting drinking or drugs is only step one. Michael breaks down the routines, mindset shifts, and non-negotiables that keep him on track:

• Why discipline beats motivation every time
• The morning routine that builds your “foundation” for the day
• The 3 C’s that guide his life — Commitment, Confidence, and Courage
• How community and accountability play a vital role in staying sober
• Why entrepreneurship is about people, not just profit
• The story behind Kreatures of Habit and his newest product launch

Follow Michael on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/michaelchernow/

And visit the Kreatures of Habit website here: https://kreaturesofhabit.com/

3:00 – Restaurants and cocaine
5:45 – Life is pain
6:30 – Self-proclaimed savage; life is pure sober
8:30 – Glass half full; wine sales down 40%
9:30 – School picture policy; getting off phones
12:00 – Boundaries around quality time; work/life balance
14:00 – True wealth is the people you love
15:20 – Entrepreneur mindset: “Who am I working 14 hours a day for?”
20:00 – Happiness in Denmark and work policies
22:00 – Purpose is love, not just drive
25:00 – Sobriety advice: stay in the present moment
26:45 – Building your foundation in the morning
28:30 – “Don’t trip at the starting line” — I am a miracle
30:00 – Your brain on alcoholism
31:30 – Doing what you say as a superpower
35:15 – Guilt from the past
40:00 – Calling the man who saved my life on my sober anniversary
41:45 – The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
43:00 – Relationship with God and dealing with fear
46:00 – We are built to endure hard things
47:00 – Turning up your awareness
50:00 – “I’m gonna die. I hate myself” — Michael’s rock bottom
54:00 – Daily routine for sobriety
1:01:30 – Diet & exercise: The 3 C’s (Commitment, Confidence, Courage)
1:04:00 – AA meetings daily
1:06:10 – Community in sobriety
1:08:00 – Story of Kreatures of Habit
1:12:00 – Crowdfunding a business venture
1:14:30 – Tony Robbins: “All you need is 100 raving fans”
1:15:30 – Kreatures of Habit protein bar announcement
1:17:00 – Closing

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this episode of Who Thought We’d Be Here?, stand-up comedian David Stickle gets honest about the messy, uncomfortable, and hilarious process of becoming a comic. He opens up about how terrifying his early sets were, what it’s like to bomb in front of a crowd, and why anxiety still shows up before every performance — no matter how many times he’s done it.

David shares how stand-up helped him move through self-doubt, build confidence, and discover a deeper version of himself on stage. From managing hecklers to balancing authenticity with the pressure to be liked, this conversation explores the tension between fear and courage — and the power of doing the hard thing anyway.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to get up there and try to make people laugh, this one’s for you.

00:00 – Intro & meeting David Stickle
03:15 – How David got into stand-up and his first few sets
07:40 – What bombing on stage taught him
11:25 – Anxiety and the moments right before going on
15:50 – Building stage presence & emotional resilience
20:30 – Balancing vulnerability and humor
26:05 – The pressure to be liked vs. being yourself
30:40 – When the jokes aren’t landing
35:15 – Processing fear and rejection after a bad set
39:00 – Why he keeps returning to stand-up
44:10 – Comedy as a tool for authenticity and self-growth
48:00 – Are we ever actually *ready* to do the hard thing?
51:45 – Finding confidence through repetition and discomfort
56:15 – The vulnerability hangover after being fully seen
59:20 – Shifting expectations and defining personal success
1:03:10 – How the audience changes the performer
1:06:30 – What keeps him grounded when it gets hard
1:10:45 – Letting go of needing approval
1:14:00 – Advice for anyone thinking about starting stand-up
1:17:40 – Final reflections and outro

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this stripped-back solo episode, your favorite co-hosts return to one of their original recording spots — but they’re not the same people they were when they started. It’s a full-circle moment, and what follows is an open, emotional conversation about growth, fatherhood, sobriety, and self-work.

They reflect on the idea that quitting drinking didn’t solve everything. “I thought quitting drinking would fix everything. It didn’t.” Sobriety, they realize, was just step one. The real challenge was facing the emotional pain, the loneliness, the avoidance, and the hard truths about themselves.

They talk about impending fatherhood, breaking generational trauma, navigating identity without numbing, and the quiet struggle of maintaining self-care when it doesn’t feel like it’s working. The most powerful theme? That healing isn’t about one big moment — it’s about showing up, again and again, even on the days that suck.

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this powerful and heart-centered episode, we sit down with Federico Fridman, co-founder of Cacao Lab, to explore how plants, fatherhood, and men’s work transformed his relationship with himself and the world around him.

Federico shares how ceremonial cacao went from a personal healing practice to a thriving business built with his sister and rooted in ancestral connection. He opens up about what it means to lead as a man today — one who holds space, embraces softness, and unlearns shame — all while navigating the real-life challenges of entrepreneurship, emotional growth, and fatherhood.

This episode is an honest look at how we break cycles, find purpose, and choose presence — even when life doesn’t go as planned.

Whether you're curious about cacao, evolving as a leader, or simply trying to show up more fully in your life, this conversation is a beautiful starting point.

Join Federico's Men's circle and other mindful events at Kelta here: https://www.kelta.life/events

Support Cacao Lab Here: https://www.instagram.com/cacaolaboratory/ https://cacaolaboratory.com/

And watch our episode with Federico's partner Taylor Lyons here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMWk3V0MoAY&t=880s

00:00 – Intro: What ceremonial cacao really is and why it matters
05:20 – Building a business rooted in ancestral respect & family healing
12:00 – From personal ritual to a global cacao brand
17:40 – Men's circles: creating space for honesty, softness & safety
22:00 – How fatherhood shifted everything emotionally & spiritually
30:50 – Burnout, boundaries & showing up as a leader who’s still healing
38:50 – Sobriety, ceremony, and the joy that came after nightlife
46:30 – The moment Federico found out he was becoming a father
52:50 – Identity, roots, and building a life between Argentina & upstate NY
59:00 – Legacy, love, and preparing for what's next
01:10:30 – Final reflections & where to connect with Federico

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this episode, we sit down with Katie Parent, a licensed therapist and holistic healer, to explore what healing really means—beyond talk therapy and into the body, the nervous system, and lived experience.

Katie shares how she combines traditional mental health practices with somatic tools, nervous system regulation, and energy work like Reiki to support people through trauma, burnout, and the messy process of becoming more whole. We discuss the difference between survival mode and true self-awareness, how trauma often lives in the body long after the mind thinks it’s healed, and why so many people are stuck in patterns that aren't their fault—but are their responsibility to shift.

She also opens up about her own healing path, including childhood trauma, divorce, and what it means to show up as a therapist who’s still doing the work. We dive into addiction as an expression of unmet needs, the impact of little-t trauma, and why healing doesn't happen in isolation—it happens in connection.

If you've ever felt burned out, numb, overly responsible, or like you're doing all the "right" things and still not feeling better, this one’s for you

00:00:00 – Meet Katie: therapist, healer, space holder
00:01:00 – Therapy, energy work & bridging science with spirituality
00:05:00 – Trauma in the body vs. talk therapy
00:10:00 – The nervous system, survival mode & burnout
00:17:00 – Chronic stress, digestion & trauma in the organs
00:22:00 – Childhood patterns, anxiety & confidence
00:30:00 – Relationships, parenting, and healing through connection
00:38:00 – Katie’s personal trauma & therapist identity
00:44:00 – Shame, addiction, self-talk & emotional reparenting
00:53:00 – Root-cause healing & readiness for change
01:00:00 – Reiki, emotional pain & asking for help
01:10:00 – Daily practices: hydration, cold showers, nervous system care
01:15:00 – Where to find Katie + what’s coming next

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Allen Wong — filmmaker, distance runner, and former addict — to explore how endurance sports and creativity helped him rebuild his identity from the ground up.

Allen opens up about his chaotic past: growing up in a traditional Asian household, falling into addiction during his years of heavy partying, and losing his sense of self. But after COVID forced him into isolation, something shifted. He started running. Then filming. Then healing.

From shooting marathon footage with a GoPro to building a tight-knit community of runners and recovering friends, Allen shares how storytelling and suffering on the road gave him a new reason to live. We talk about imposter syndrome, the loneliness of social media, the power of faith in yourself, and what it means to put something out into the world even when you think no one’s watching.

If you’ve ever felt lost, like you’ve burned bridges or missed your moment — this one’s for you.

00:00–Intro: Meet Allen Wong
01:00–How Allen met the hosts through filming and running
05:00–Allen’s 24-hour race shoot and the “Walking Dead” lean
07:00–The story of addiction begins: fake IDs, rebellion, and burnout
11:00–COVID isolation and why it was the wake-up call Allen needed
13:00–From 210 lbs to his first run: how running changed everything
15:00–First half marathon and falling in love with the process
17:00–Discovering YouTube running creators & picking up a GoPro
19:00–Getting into trail running & documenting the journey
21:00–Growing up poor, bullied, and learning resilience
23:00–How addiction gave him a superpower when redirected
25:00–Rebuilding his relationship with his parents
28:00–Getting into filmmaking, thanks to friends and YouTube
30:00–First time filming a real athlete and making it work
32:00–Creating content that inspired friends to run too
34:00–The impact of storytelling and impostor syndrome
35:00–Running the NYC Marathon in memory of a lost friend
37:00–Being humbled by the marathon and coming back stronger
39:00–Documenting his story with UPS and seeing it on the big screen
41:00–Why he films “regular people” instead of elite runners
49:00–What running really gives you — and why it’s more than fitness
51:00–Faith, flow states, and doing the hard thing on purpose
53:00–Running as spiritual practice and life mirror
56:00–The importance of delayed gratification
1:00:00–Why the marathon humbles you (and why that's a gift)
1:02:00–Creating from vulnerability: "You’re never fully ready, just hit publish"
1:04:00–Allen on imposter syndrome and doing it anyway
1:08:30–The power of showing up for others & building creative community
1:10:30–From self-doubt to impact: when someone says your work changed their life
1:17:00–Post-creative anxiety and releasing attachment to the outcome
1:19:00–Why hard conversations are worth it, even when they’re awkward
1:21:00–Allen’s advice for anyone stuck or scared: “Fuck it, let’s ball”
1:23:00–Allen’s personal “council” of inspiration
1:25:00–Where to find Allen online

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this episode, we sit down with Jess Kravit, founder of Exalted Alchemy, to dive deep into the world of herbalism, natural wellness, entrepreneurship, and energetic healing. Jess breaks down what it really means to be a clinical herbalist in a modern world that’s both disconnected from nature and hungry for authenticity.

From her journey with food-as-medicine and flower essences to the intentional, vibe-rich creation of her skincare, tinctures, and candles, Jess shares how she’s built a business that feels like an extension of self — and how she's learned to separate her identity from her brand. The conversation covers everything from garlic’s antiviral powers to the FDA's impact on herbalists, flower essence therapy, and the real energy behind making something by hand.

00:00 – Intro & Meet Jess
00:01:11 – The Reality of Running a Product-Based Business
00:03:39 – Community & Entrepreneurial Friendships
00:04:58 – Herbalism Origins: From Vegetarianism to Clinical Study
00:07:03 – Toxic Skincare & Ingredient Awareness
00:08:25 – Food Disconnection & the Pharma Parallel
00:10:02 – Taste as Medicine: Why Capsules Aren’t Enough
00:11:34 – Exalted Alchemy Product Overview
00:13:03 – Skincare, Naming Products & Childhood Dreams
00:16:05 – Developing Ritual Products & Specialty Collaborations
00:17:36 – Top Go-To Herbs: Nettles, Elderberry & Garlic
00:20:01 – Garlic Suppositories & Alternative Treatments
00:21:27 – The Legal Limits of Herbalists
00:24:01 – Herbalism Is Ancestral Memory
00:25:21 – Customer Education & Skepticism
00:28:18 – Product Matching for Mental Health
00:31:11 – Flower Essences vs. Herbal Remedies
00:34:10 – Saint John’s Wort & Nerve Support
00:35:38 – Infusing Brand with Personality — and Separating from It
00:38:25 – Vibes, Intention & Energy in Products
00:41:15 – Making Tinctures, Face Oils & Energetic Skincare
00:44:16 – Flower Essences: How They’re Made
00:47:09 – Mental Health & Emotional Healing with Flower Essences
00:54:04 – From Survival to Thriving with Plants
00:58:11 – Live Demo: Grounding Spray Experience
01:00:16 – Candle Rituals & Gemini Moon Energy

#Herbalism, #HerbalMedicine, #NaturalHealing, #HolisticHealth, #PlantMedicine, #EnergeticHealing, #FlowerEssenceTherapy, #FoodAsMedicine, #AlternativeMedicine, #EnergyHealing, #VibrationalHealing, #HealingJourney, #SpiritualWellness, #ConsciousLiving, #RitualsMatter, #HealingVibes, #MentalHealthAwareness, #GroundingPractices, #RestIsProductive, #MindBodySoul, #BurnoutRecovery, #ConsciousBusiness, #SpiritualEntrepreneur, #WellnessBrand, #AuthenticBranding, #CreativeEntrepreneur, #FounderStory, #PodcastInterview, #WellnessPodcast, #HealingPodcast, #YouTubePodcast, #WomenInWellness, #HealingConversations, #HolisticLiving

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

In Episode 064, we sit down with Nick Spencer, martial artist, business owner, and founder of Snake Hill Jiu-Jitsu, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about healing, identity, and building something real. From military police service to managing PTSD, Nick shares how Jiu-Jitsu became not just a discipline, but a path to personal evolution.

We explore how plant medicine and psychedelics, like ayahuasca, reshaped his understanding of ego and trauma, and how community, communication, and showing up authentically have become the backbone of his business and relationships. This episode dives into the realities of co-owning a studio with his brother, confronting trauma from working in a morgue during the height of COVID, and finding strength through vulnerability.

Whether you're into martial arts, mental health, or just trying to live more intentionally, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it means to be truly yourself.

Check out Nick and Snake Hill Jiu-jitsu here -

https://snakehilljiujitsu.com/

https://www.instagram.com/snakehill_jiujitsu/

0:30 our guest this week, Nick Spencer, Martial Arts Instructor & Founder of Snake Hill Jiu-Jitsu

4:00 Building a safe community and culture within a Jiu-Jitsu Studio

8:30 finding your mental edge in a healthy physical outlet

12:00 Biggest lessons from teaching Jiu-Jitsu and owning your own business

18:00 Co-owning a studio and business with your older brother

20:00 Nick’s military police officer experience with PTSD and neck injuries

23:00 confronting trauma from the covid summer working for the morgue in NYC

27:00 plant medicine, ayahuasca and PTSD

32:00 the effects of powerful psychedelics on your ego

40:00 how friendships and we view our friends evolve over time

46:45 developing your own identity through yourself instead of perception

49:00 just be who you are and being yourself in your relationship via communication

54:00 books that have helped us on our journey

1:02:00 Nick’s favorite podcasts

1:06:00 the importance of community and family when building a business

1:11:00 finding religion and attending Catholic/Christian school

1:25:00 showing up authentically in your relationships and your business

1:30:00 Nick asks us what our next big move is

1:38:00 Nick’s council of decision makers

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!