Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

A Greenwich Village native, James Kent started his culinary career as a summer apprentice at Bouley when he was fifteen years old. After taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu in London and Paris then graduating from Johnson and Wales, James moved back to New York where he spent time in the kitchens of some of New York’s most storied restaurants including Babbo and Jean-Georges. In the spring of 2007, James joined the team at Eleven Madison Park as a line cook and was quickly promoted to sous chef. In 2010, James placed first in the Bocuse d’Or USA Competition; he then represented the United States at the international finals of the Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, France the following year where he placed 10th in the world. When he returned to New York, James was named chef de cuisine of Eleven Madison Park. Under his leadership, EMP received nearly every accolade bestowed on a restaurant including four stars from the New York Times, three Michelin stars, and a coveted spot on the San Pellegrino list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. James was promoted to Executive Chef of the NoMad in the fall of 2013, the same year that it received one Michelin Star. He left The NoMad in 2017 to pursue his first solo project, an ambitious pair of restaurants in the landmark Art Deco building at 70 Pine Street in New York’s Financial District. James opened Crown Shy, the first of those restaurants, in March 2019. Just six months after opening, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. After 18 months of pandemic-related delays, the pair opened SAGA – a fine-dining restaurant in the tiered spire of the building–in August of 2021. In October 2022, SAGA was awarded two Michelin stars. James is an active supporter of a number of charities working to eradicate childhood hunger in New York City including No Kid Hungry and ReThink Food, for which he sits on the Chef’s Council. James has twice co-chaired the annual Chef’s Benefit dinner for Cookies for Kids Cancer, a nationally-recognized organization that provides funding for pediatric cancer research. And he’s a mentor for Ment’Or organization devoted to inspiring culinary excellence in young professionals and preserving the traditions and quality of cuisine in America. In this episode, Michael and James discuss the mindset of leading a team in a high-stress environment, the key to establishing a positive company culture, and how to carve out time for yourself every single day.

Meghan is a former Division I soccer player turned Fitness Coach and Model based in NYC. Growing up with parents older than most grandparents, she was constantly reminded from a young age how precious life is, and the importance to live in a body that functions for you and enhances your life rather than hold you back. She is passionate about educating and guiding others how to perform optimally at work and in life. Meghan programs long term solutions rather than quick fixes because small consistent changes create sustainable results. She believes everyone should train to be able to do the things they love, for as long as possible. Specializing in mobility, dynamic movement, and athletic strength and conditioning— she does not only strive to help people reach their goals, but also strives to educate people at a high level. Meghan is the founder and CEO of Take Off With Meg as well as a Global Master Trainer with Technogym. As a model and coach on set, Meghan has appeared in campaigns and digital collaborations with Under Armour, Reebok, Performix House, Finish Line, Adidas, Whoop, Therabody, MyProtein, BodyBuilding.com, Eight Sleep, SuperGreenTonik, LNDR, Beast Health, Nama CBD, and Happie Pills. She has been featured in Women’s Health, MindBodyGreen, POPSUGAR, Oxygen, Betches and The New York Times. She is proud to work with great brands that share a mission towards sustainability, human efficiency and performance. In this episode, Michael and Meghan discuss why women and men both benefit from strength training, why putting on muscle is so difficult (plus how to do it), and the one thing you should do every single day.

Brendan Fallis has become one of the most sought-after curators in the industry sitting at the intersection of entrepreneurship and culture as well as the ever-evolving digital landscape. Fallis creates highly engaged content across various platforms, collaborates with the world’s biggest brands, invests in the next big thing brands, speaks on panels and DJs at some of the most impactful events around the globe. Fallis’ success has gained global recognition. He has appeared in campaigns for major brands such as La Mer, Grey Goose, and Audemars Piguet. Because of his digital footprint, Brendan is often tasked to collaborate with brands from a content perspective where he integrates the brand using his curated aesthetic and shares that content with his highly influential audience. Fallis has been featured by publications such as GQ, Vogue, Mr. Porter and Men’s Health. A few years ago, Brendan began playing around with longer-form content via YouTube. He fell in love with the opportunity to showcase his life and work through a new lens. His YouTube Channel has since gained a cult-like following. Fallis shares behind the scenes content from his work, travels, and healthy lifestyle with his audience. He also shares insights into life as a husband to wife, Hannah Bronfman, and new parent to son, Preston. His dive into YouTube provided insight into how much his audience craves his content around home and renovation. This has led to Fallis’ latest venture, Fallis Studios, a creative design and e-commerce brand centered around home projects and a gentleman’s lifestyle. Fallis has also established himself as an investor. With his ethos of ‘people first’, he entrusts his network and relationships he has built to find deals, ideas, companies that align with his interests and are being powered by some incredibly brilliant minds and culturally relevant people.  With over 20 positions and building, he not only invests, but  finds himself advising a good amount of the companies as well giving him a market advantage when you add the social capital on top. All the above was built on the foundation of music.  Brendan started out as a DJ and has provided music for some of the most high-profile events and campaigns. He has worked with clients such as Absolut, Audi, Balmain, Chanel, GQ, Louis Vuitton, Samsung, Taco Bell, and Viacom, among others. Brendan gained worldwide attention from both the music and fashion industries for his production abilities when he created a track, “Day and All Night,” using Kate Moss’ vocals for Stuart Weitzman’s Fall 2013 Campaign.  From there birthed the concept of building an agency, PRE.VEYOR, which manages non-traditional talent and has been growing significantly since it was founded in 2012. In this episode, Michael and Brendan discuss how to optimize your sleep, tips for eating clean when you don’t want to, and actionable steps you can take to reverse aging.

Brendan Fallis has become one of the most sought-after curators in the industry sitting at the intersection of entrepreneurship and culture as well as the ever-evolving digital landscape. Fallis creates highly engaged content across various platforms, collaborates with the world’s biggest brands, invests in the next big thing brands, speaks on panels and DJs at some of the most impactful events around the globe. Fallis’ success has gained global recognition. He has appeared in campaigns for major brands such as La Mer, Grey Goose, and Audemars Piguet. Because of his digital footprint, Brendan is often tasked to collaborate with brands from a content perspective where he integrates the brand using his curated aesthetic and shares that content with his highly influential audience. Fallis has been featured by publications such as GQ, Vogue, Mr. Porter and Men’s Health. A few years ago, Brendan began playing around with longer-form content via YouTube. He fell in love with the opportunity to showcase his life and work through a new lens. His YouTube Channel has since gained a cult-like following. Fallis shares behind the scenes content from his work, travels, and healthy lifestyle with his audience. He also shares insights into life as a husband to wife, Hannah Bronfman, and new parent to son, Preston. His dive into YouTube provided insight into how much his audience craves his content around home and renovation. This has led to Fallis’ latest venture, Fallis Studios, a creative design and e-commerce brand centered around home projects and a gentleman’s lifestyle. Fallis has also established himself as an investor. With his ethos of ‘people first’, he entrusts his network and relationships he has built to find deals, ideas, companies that align with his interests and are being powered by some incredibly brilliant minds and culturally relevant people. With over 20 positions and building, he not only invests, but finds himself advising a good amount of the companies as well giving him a market advantage when you add the social capital on top.   All the above was built on the foundation of music. Brendan started out as a DJ and has provided music for some of the most high-profile events and campaigns. He has worked with clients such as Absolut, Audi, Balmain, Chanel, GQ, Louis Vuitton, Samsung, Taco Bell, and Viacom, among others. Brendan gained worldwide attention from both the music and fashion industries for his production abilities when he created a track, “Day and All Night,” using Kate Moss’ vocals for Stuart Weitzman’s Fall 2013 Campaign. From there birthed the concept of building an agency, PRE.VEYOR, which manages non-traditional talent and has been growing significantly since it was founded in 2012. In this episode, Michael and Brendan discuss how family changes the direction of your life, what becoming a parent will do to your relationship, and the best parenting tips for 2022 and beyond.

Michael Chernow is a Serial Entrepreneur, Restauranteur, Podcast Host and expert in the world of wellness, fitness and nutrition. Most recently, Michael founded and launched Kreatures of Habit, an in-your-face lifestyle and wellness brand, reimagining how you establish healthy habits in your life. After years in the restaurant business in NYC, he realized that his calling was to be of service in a more personal way, with the ability to impact more lives. Honoring his 17 years of sobriety by launching his newest venture, Michael’s goal with KOH was to create easily-accessible nutritional products that are rooted in adopting the positive habits that transformed his life, and allowed him to replace alcohol with the nutrition and fitness he needed. Michael launched KOH because he wanted to share his belief in habits through his personal story of change, how our habits determine whether we are going to be successful in our personal and professional lives, just get by, or worse, be miserable. He’s a firm believer that every time we replace a bad habit with a good one, big or small, the greater a chance we have to live our best lives. In this episode, Michael discusses the importance of radical communication for success in life, business, and relationships.

Zac Clark is an American mental health and addiction recovery advocate and the co-founder and CEO of Release Recovery, a New York-based addiction and mental health recovery program, and the founding board member for Release Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides scholarships for treatment to those who cannot afford it. In 2016 Clark founded Release Recovery, starting with one inpatient facility and expanding to three in the greater New York City area, offering customizable recovery plans including recovery coaching, sober companion, case management, safe transport and intervention services. In 2020, he developed the nonprofit arm, Release Recovery Foundation, which has funded the treatment of more than 35 individuals and has raised more than $1 million for addiction and mental health recovery. Additionally, Release Recovery Foundation has created scholarships specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, minorities, college students and women. As CEO of Release Recovery and a founding board member of Release Recovery Foundation, Clark is tasked with developing and executing business plans and maintaining the day-to-day operations of the program, inclusive of organizational expansion, staff development, fundraising and strategic planning. Clark currently is the chairman of the Caron Foundation New York Advisory board and Corporate board of trustees - where he himself also received treatment for substance abuse. Additionally, he is a key advisor for the organization and has established philanthropic initiatives through the Clark Family and the Release Recovery Foundation. The Caron Foundation offers recovery and referral services and educational resources for people leaving treatment, those in recovery, family members and educators. Clark is also on the board of Surfside Sober Living in Margate, NJ. In 2020, Clark was the final contestant ABC’s The Bachelorette, where he was given the final rose and addressed his sobriety on national television, making him a relatable, fan favorite. He went on to use his platform and following to raise awareness around important mental health and addiction issues and now serves as a motivational speaker, telling his story of redemption from substance abuse, mental health battles and how to lead a sober lifestyle. Clark has run 9 marathons and completed the coveted Goggins challenge, raising nearly two million dollars on behalf of Release Recovery Foundation and Caron Foundation for people in need of recovery tools and programs. A south Jersey native, Clark currently resides in New York City. In this episode, Michael and Clark discuss the importance of seizing every morning, how to deal with negative late night thoughts, and what small habits are essential to turning your life around.

Emily Abbate is a connector on a mission to empower women to live healthier, happier, and more motivated lives. Now an eleven-time marathoner and triathlete, the veteran wellness journalist (bylines include GQ, Well+Good, Glamour, and more) and former Fitness Editor at SELF Magazine wasn’t always kickstarting her days with runs around Central Park or leading workouts on Good Morning America. Emily went through a dramatic transformation in college, combatting negative self talk by integrating regular movement and healthier eating practices into her regular routine — ultimately losing 70 pounds and gaining a fresh perspective that catapulted her into a career in the health and fitness space. The wellness coach shares these experiences with her audience on Hurdle, acclaimed by The New York Times as “addictive,” with more than 7 million downloads to date. Featured in Health, Shape, andRunner’s World, Emily aims to empower her audience to feel less alone on their own wellness journeys, and does so through important conversations with everyone from elite athletes to top CEOs and founders. At the core of her mission is authenticity, which she brings not only to the show but also to her on-air commentary and keynote speeches. In this episode, Michael and Emily discuss the importance of implementing positive self-talk, why you learn the most from listening, and the benefits of movement every single day.

A nine year veteran of VaynerX, Tyler Schmitt is the General Manager of ONE37pm. Tyler oversees the organization across all content output & operations, including recruiting & hiring of talent and growth of the team from 10 to 45 in the past 12 months. Previously, Tyler served in the Office of the CEO for Gary Vaynerchuk and has been responsible for managing Gary's countless relationships, leading some of his efforts across web3, gaming & esports. With the growth of VaynerX over the years and its portfolio companies, Tyler serves as a conduit between the many internal organizations and Gary’s world. Prior to his time in Gary's office, Tyler served as Executive Assistant to former COO and Co-Founder of VaynerMedia, AJ Vaynerchuk. A graduate of Penn State University, Tyler resides in New York City. You can find him on instagram @Tyler. In this episode, Michael and Tyler discuss when it’s okay to “quit,” why you should make your bed every single morning, and how your habits dictate your identity.

With over 12 years of experience, Kenny Santucci has made himself known as one of New York City’s top trainers and a thought leader in the health and wellness industry. Brand ambassador for Michelob ULTRA and Fitaid, Technogym Master Trainer, host of the Fitaid Morning Show, Michelob ULTRA MOVEMENT Fitness Festival, Model Beach Volleyball, and more, Santucci has established himself as a force within the fitness space. He has collaborated with industry titans across the health, wellness, and lifestyle space such as Reebok, Under Armour, Adidas, ASICS, Rhone, Melin, Nocco, Cellucor, Bodybulding.com, CrossFit, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Precision Nutrition, Nautica, TimeOut, Gregory’s Coffee, Get Joy and more. Kenny has also shared his training approach and wellness philosophy with features in top health and wellness publications such as Shape Magazine, Men’s Health Magazine, Men’s Journal, Runner's World, Well+Good, Askmen.com, Reebok.com, and Women’s Health Magazine to name a few. Kenny lives his mantra of helping others well beyond the walls of the gym. He is the creator of Strong New York, NYC's biggest fitness and wellness festival, an event that brings together the community to learn, workout, experience, and connect on all things wellness. You can find Kenny at The Strength Club, his private training facility in the heart of Manhattan located on 28th and 5th Ave in New York City. In this episode, Michael and Kenny discuss how to take control of your own life, why your past does not dictate your future, and the difference between being an asshole and being direct.

Michael Chernow is a Serial Entrepreneur, Restauranteur, Podcast Host and expert in the world of wellness, fitness and nutrition. Most recently, Michael founded and launched Kreatures of Habit, an in-your-face lifestyle and wellness brand, reimagining how you establish healthy habits in your life. After years in the restaurant business in NYC, he realized that his calling was to be of service in a more personal way, with the ability to impact more lives. Honoring his 17 years of sobriety by launching his newest venture, Michael’s goal with KOH was to create easily-accessible nutritional products that are rooted in adopting the positive habits that transformed his life, and allowed him to replace alcohol with the nutrition and fitness he needed. Michael launched KOH because he wanted to share his belief in habits through his personal story of change, how our habits determine whether we are going to be successful in our personal and professional lives, just get by, or worse, be miserable. He’s a firm believer that every time we replace a bad habit with a good one, big or small, the greater a chance we have to live our best lives. In this episode, Michael discusses his detailed morning routine — the foundation of his success.