# I wanted A Father Figure. I Found A Monster | My Story Of Childhood Abuse From A Predator

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-michael-chernow-podcast-25201/i-wanted-a-father-figure-i-found-a-monster-my-story-of-childhood-abuse-from-a-predator
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-michael-chernow-podcast-25201/i-wanted-a-father-figure-i-found-a-monster-my-story-of-childhood-abuse-from-a-predator.md
Podcast: [The Michael Chernow Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-michael-chernow-podcast-25201)
Published: 2026-07-08T16:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kreaturesofhabitpodcast/episodes/I-wanted-A-Father-Figure--I-Found-A-Monster--My-Story-Of-Childhood-Abuse-From-A-Predator-e3lps5d
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/1f233038/podcast/play/122531437/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-6-8%2F427552121-44100-2-c28e96831459c.mp3
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Duration seconds: 4121

## Resource

Michael Chernow opens up about growing up in an unsafe home, searching for a father figure, and how that vulnerability led him into the hands of a predator. He shares the confusion, shame, addiction, and anger that followed, and why he believes parents need to be more aware of who has access to their children. This conversation also goes into his near-death experience with heroin, the moment that finally pushed him toward sobriety, and the mentor who helped him rebuild his life. Now 21 years sober, Michael uses his story as a warning to parents and a message of hope for anyone who feels too broken to change. This episode contains sensitive conversations around childhood abuse, addiction, and recovery. #ChildhoodTrauma #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MensMentalHealth #Fatherhood #TraumaHealing #SurvivorStory #ProtectYourKids #Parenting #RecoveryJourney

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