Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Vinny Brusco, founder of Agora Social Club, says the modern-day man is “lost” due to conforming to social norms and losing self-knowledge, and argues men need communities where they can be vulnerable, have meaningful conversations, and pursue health and wellness. He defines a healthier masculinity as controlled, stoic, and self-aware, contrasting it with negative cultural stereotypes and “bad actors” who exploit the term. 

The conversation covers fatherhood as a mirror for personal growth, routines like bedtime talks and prayer, and the pursuit of inner peace amid hustle culture. Vinny shares a major recommitment to Christian faith on December 5, 2025, describing “micro miracles,” surrender, and struggles with authority and belief. They also discuss sobriety, evolving prayer practices, and Vinny’s crowdfunding efforts for Agora. 

TIME STAMPS:
01:30 The Modern Man is Lost 
04:47 Agora Club Mission 
09:10 Vulnerability as Strength 
16:30 Fatherhood and Love 
25:50 Faith Commitment Journey 
32:40 Protein Bar Break 
36:16 Seeing Jesus In Utah 
40:00 Faith In Modern Men 
53:30 Commitment to Faith 
59:40 Creating Space For Men

Michael Chernow shares how a chaotic, unsafe childhood with a severely ill father left him with deep trauma and an overwhelming fear of becoming terminally ill, especially cancer, which can trigger fast, devastating spirals of anxiety and dissociation that impact his family. Despite 21+ years in recovery and extensive work through prayer, meditation, fitness, 12-step programs, breathwork, and self-development, the fear persists as a constant “low hum.”
After a year of researching and interviewing plant-medicine facilitators, he has decided to undertake a two-day guided journey on June 9–10 using either psilocybin alone or psilocybin with MDMA, which his facilitator says can help open the heart and address PTSD/trauma. He emphasizes sobriety remains his top priority and is not endorsing this for others, especially those early in sobriety, and plans to share his experience afterward.

Ian and Margaret Wishingrad break down what it actually takes to build a successful business with your spouse without destroying your relationship. As co-founders of Three Wishes, they reveal how their opposing strengths—visionary growth and disciplined execution—became their biggest advantage, not their biggest problem. From early chemistry and humor to real conflict, therapy, and setting boundaries, they share the unfiltered truth about mixing marriage and business at a high level.This episode dives into the origin of Three Wishes, from a trademark rejection to building a category-defining cereal brand focused on higher protein, lower sugar, and better ingredients. They unpack how retail really works, why shelf space is everything, and the early signals that proved the business could win. Beyond business, the conversation goes deep on parenting, building confidence in kids, emotional validation, and why prioritizing family over everything is the only strategy that actually scales long term.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 When Marriage and Business Collide 05:18 Delusion vs Belief in Founders 09:43 Moments That Prove You’re Close 13:06 Dreamer vs Guardrails Dynamic 18:37 Naming Three Wishes Under Pressure 23:22 Retail Is a Real Estate Game 29:38 How They Make It Work Daily 32:18 Strengths, Weaknesses, Growth 34:52 Why You Should Marry Your Best Friend 46:30 Advice for Fathers 49:17 Raising Confident Kids 53:42 Parenting With Intention 58:48 Why Family Comes First 01:01:32 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Them

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares why productive confrontation is necessary in relationships and how communication is the foundation of healthy romantic, business, and friendship dynamics. He explains that bottling things up leads to resentment and eventual blow-ups, and encourages addressing issues calmly, clearly, and without aggression. He shares advice from an old friend that whoever raises their voice is wrong, and recounts a recent argument with his wife where choosing to sit in the discomfort helped de-escalate and reconnect. His core message: confront to release and improve communication, not to win.

Bill Shufelt, co-founder of Athletic Brewing, shares the full story behind leaving a demanding career in finance to build the #1 non-alcoholic beer company in the United States. After realiziång that traditional success wasn’t delivering fulfillment, he made the decision to quit alcohol—a move that led to major improvements in his productivity, sleep, relationships, and overall clarity. That shift became the foundation for Athletic Brewing, built around the belief that health, performance, and social connection don’t have to come at the expense of each other.In this conversation, Bill breaks down the early days of building Athletic Brewing from nights and weekends into a category-defining brand, including how he identified the health and wellness megatrend before it became mainstream. He talks about the importance of having a strong partner, taking calculated risks, and maintaining optimism while navigating uncertainty as an entrepreneur. The episode also explores the cultural shift toward moderation, how Athletic Brewing helped destigmatize non-alcoholic beer, and why more high performers are rethinking their relationship with alcohol. Bill shares practical insight into balancing leadership of a 300-person company with family life, developing systems for growth and delegation, and what it really takes to walk away from stability to build something meaningful.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 The Pivot: Finance to Non-Alcoholic Beer 01:47 Spotting Trends Before They Explode 02:42 The Decision to Quit Alcohol 03:49 Why Success in Finance Felt Empty 06:26 The Leap: Walking Away from Stability 11:32 The Role of a Strong Partner 14:25 Building the Right Team Early 15:38 Who Actually Thrives in Finance 21:15 Optimism vs Risk in Business 25:05 The First Sign It Would Work 27:39 Selling Out Online—Proof of Demand 28:28 The Gratitude Behind the Movement 32:13 Breaking the Stigma Around Not Drinking 36:32 Moderation as a Lifestyle Shift 41:22 Balancing Business and Family 46:49 Learning to Delegate as a Founder 49:00 Advice for Career Switchers 51:10 Where to Find Athletic Brewing 51:49 Closing Thoughts 52:52 Final Takeaways