The Michael Chernow Podcast

Fatherhood is more than a title. It's a responsibility, a privilege, and one of life's greatest gifts.In this special Father's Day episode, Michael Chernow shares a heartfelt message about what truly matters as a parent. From the importance of being present with your children to the lessons he's learned as a father, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn't measured by money, status, or possessions, but by the impact we have on the people we love most.Michael opens up about the emotional moments he shares with his sons, the challenges modern fathers face, and why our children don't need more things—they need more of us.Whether you're a father, have a father, or hope to become one someday, this episode will remind you what truly matters.Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

Former Navy SEAL, entrepreneur, war correspondent, and documentarian Kaj Larsen joins The Michael Chernow Podcast for a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, suffering, purpose, and what it takes to perform at the highest level.Kaj shares incredible stories from SEAL training, nearly quitting Hell Week, the addictive nature of war, lessons from combat, and the leadership principles that have guided him through military service, entrepreneurship, journalism, and life. Michael and Kaj also explore modern masculinity, accountability, mental toughness, AI warfare, and why the ability to embrace discomfort may be the most valuable skill in today's world.If you've ever felt stuck, challenged, or called to become a stronger version of yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom that can help you take the next step.New episodes of The Michael Chernow Podcast drop every Wednesday at 12 PM.

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Kaj Larsen00:50 The SEAL Team Drug Scandal That Changed Everything05:00 Doing The Hard Right Thing As A Leader10:00 Accountability, Leadership & Extreme Ownership16:45 Why Kaj Joined The Navy18:30 How Navy SEALs Actually Select Candidates21:20 Hell Week & What Breaks Most Men23:30 Modern Day Knight Project & Facing Your Darkness28:45 The Real Purpose Of SEAL Training31:15 The Night Kaj Almost Quit Hell Week37:20 Finding The Hidden Gear & Building Mental Toughness42:40 Why Suffering Is Necessary For Growth44:50 Why War Becomes Addictive50:50 AI, Drones & The Future Of Warfare59:20 Mission, Purpose & Becoming Mentally Strong1:05:00 Building A Powerful Mind In An Age Of Distraction1:12:00 Final Lessons On Discipline, Identity & Success

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In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow explains why problems, especially the unexpected ones, are a sign of growth, and how your mindset determines whether you get stuck or overcome them. He urges listeners to pause when the first “doomsday” reaction hits, take a breath, and reframe challenges as opportunities to grow, “flex your muscles,” and prove what you’re made of. Michael emphasizes that belief is the catalyst for success, sharing a story from fundraising for Kreatures of Habit where a potential investor challenged him for limiting the company’s vision to $200 million instead of believing it could become a billion-dollar brand. He closes by encouraging the community to control their response, sustain a positive mindset, and embrace problems rather than letting reactionary thoughts take over.

Ryan Rivard shares what it felt like to summit Mount Everest while helping save another climber, describing the awe, adrenaline, and danger of the descent, the physical toll of the “death zone,” and the brutal cold and logistics at extreme altitude. He explains why he pursued Everest after getting sober at 19, emphasizing the mental challenge, keeping promises to family, and proving you can rise from homelessness and addiction to “the top of the world.” Ryan reflects on 23 years of sobriety, faith and gratitude, and how setbacks like a torn knee delayed his climb and may have protected him. He discusses building a marketing agency, creating a nonprofit (Let’s Fuel Growth), coaching through the DODEK, finding joy in helping others, and sustaining a 21-year marriage through intentional communication and shared time.TIME STAMPS00:00 Summit Emotions07:22 Why Everest10:24 Life After Recovery16:40 Faith And Timing20:40 Marriage That Lasts31:50 Finding Joy In Service35:25 Rock Bottom Stories49:54 Final Hope And Outro

In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow talks about judgment as a major barrier to connection and a contributor to the growing loneliness epidemic, especially among men. He explains how humans are conditioned to judge, how ego drives judgment as a form of self-protection, and why judging ourselves often leads to judging others just as harshly—something he says social media intensifies through constant comparison. Michael shares his personal experience at 45, including struggling to make new friends after moving upstate from New York City and realizing his harsh judgments were shutting the door on meaningful relationships. By becoming more self-aware and giving people more of a chance, he’s built strong new friendships, and he encourages listeners to notice their instant judgments, pause, and try to see situations from others’ perspectives.