Order of Man

In this episode of Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen discuss the value of taking action, embracing imperfection, and questioning the polished images presented on social media. They debate the promise of Elon Musk's flying car before answering listener questions about career opportunities, family priorities, firearm safety, purpose, screen time, and leadership. They also explore handling envy, rebuilding relationships with adult children, and navigating changing interests with teenage kids. Along the way, Ryan and Kipp share practical advice on setting boundaries, communicating honestly, and becoming more intentional as men, husbands, fathers, and leaders. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction: Opening 00:17 - Embracing Stress and Taking Action 04:48 - Why Being Real Matters More Than Being Perfect 07:50 - Elon Musk's Flying Car: Innovation or Showboating? 16:46 - Career Opportunities vs. Family Roots 26:00 - Firearms, Family Safety, and Marriage 30:14 - Restlessness, Ambition, and Finding Purpose 34:58 - Setting Boundaries With Your Phone 40:57 - Leading Difficult Parents in Youth Sports 46:28 - Envy, Success, and Personal Growth 53:25 - Becoming a Better Grandfather 56:54 - When Your Child Wants a Different Path 01:02:03 - The War Room: Brotherhood and Connection 01:04:34 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Every man will eventually find himself in water over his head. A business that's sinking, a marriage that's struggling, a season of life where you can't see the shore. Most men panic. They thrash around, burn through their energy, and make emotional decisions they regret for years. The men who make it through aren't stronger or more talented. They stay calm, focus on what they can control, and take the next breath. My guest today, former Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf, knows this better than anyone. We talk about the drownproofing evolution at BUD/S and what it really teaches, why you should have emotional responses but never make emotional decisions, and the "chunking" approach he says is the most useful tool he's ever had. We also get into why most guys who quit regret it for decades, the difference between being a quiet professional and a silent one, why telling the truth is always enough, and what real wealth looks like once you stop chasing more. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction & Catching Up 01:10 Master Jiu-Jitsu Competitions & Mindset 02:50 The Reality of Jiu-Jitsu Culture 04:15 Demystifying the BUD/S Drownproofing Test 07:15 Emotional Control in Real-World Situations 09:15 Practical Stoicism and Objectivity 12:00 Leveraging Time to Prevent Emotional Decisions 14:15 Technology Usage and Healthy Digital Boundaries 17:00 Gen-Z and Connectivity Fatigue 19:40 The Quiet Professional vs. Silent Professional 21:30 The Importance of Absolute Truth and Integrity 24:00 Taking Personal Ownership vs. Making Excuses 26:50 The Chunking Strategy for Achieving Goals 33:00 Daily Writing Discipline for Drownproof 35:00 Navigating Regret, Failure, and Pivoting 38:30 Talent vs. Relentless Work Ethic 40:25 Mindset for Survival and Overuse Injuries 43:40 Transitioning Out of Military Service & Identity 46:15 Exploring Aviation and Unforeseen Opportunities 49:30 Authentic Relationships vs. Strategic Networking 51:20 Guarding Your Inner Circle 54:00 Snowboarding, Flying, and Lifelong Learning 55:35 The Surprising Origin of Writing Drownproof 57:40 Measuring Impact Beyond Money 59:45 Redefining Wealth and Financial Freedom Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler confronts the growing cultural hostility toward men and dismantles the superficial social media fluff around male "self-care." Instead of empty buzzwords, Ryan delivers ten actionable, non-negotiable daily habits every man must cultivate to lead himself, protect his household, and stand as a true ambassador for masculinity. From waking up with deliberate intention and physically conditioning the body to maintaining financial stewardship, living by a strict moral code, and embracing intentional hardship, this episode provides the exact framework men need to reclaim focus and master their lives. Pick two habits and start building today. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Reclaiming Masculinity in a Hostile Culture 06:30 - Defining Real Self-Care for Men 08:30 - Rule 1: Wake Up With Intention 11:55 - Rule 2: Train Your Mind, Body, and Soul 14:40 - Rule 3: Read for Application, Not Status 18:40 - Rule 4: Join a Real Brotherhood 21:40 - Rule 5: Track Your Budget and Buy Back Time 25:40 - Rule 6: Be Present in Your Home 26:40 - Rule 7: Own Your Mistakes 27:20 - Rule 8: Accept and Process Your Emotions 29:40 - Rule 9: Live by an Unshakable Code 33:20 - Rule 10: Do Difficult Things With Purpose 35:20 - Pick Two Practices and Take Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this episode of Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen discuss the importance of living intentionally, making the most of time with loved ones, and taking responsibility for personal decisions. They debate the death penalty and the public broadcasting of executions before answering listener questions about dating after divorce, fatherhood after children leave home, staying consistent when progress slows, and handling workplace disappointments. The conversation also explores firing a friend who isn't performing, the value of honest feedback, and why clear communication matters in difficult situations. Finally, they discuss how fathers can encourage their children to embrace outdoor adventures and family experiences. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Opener 00:50 - Making the Most of Life and Time with Loved Ones 03:04 - The Death Penalty and Public Executions 10:33 - Attention, Incentives, and Personal Responsibility 14:37 - Dating After Divorce: When Should Your Kids Meet Someone New? 21:11 - Fatherhood After Your Children Leave Home 27:23 - Staying Consistent When Results Stop Being Exciting 32:22 - Drifting Through Life vs. Acting Intentionally 34:27 - Shackleton's Expedition and the Power of Intentionality 39:55 - Pride vs. Knowing Your Worth at Work 48:55 - The Importance of Honest Feedback 53:54 - Hiring Your Best Friend: Can You Fire Him Without Losing the Friendship? 01:02:01 - Why Uncertainty Creates Stress 01:05:42 - Getting Your Teenager Interested in Outdoor Adventures Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Men today are lonelier, more exhausted, and more divided than ever, and most of them won't reach out for help until their world is already falling apart. Today I sit down in person with Ian Wendt to talk about why brotherhood is a necessity and not a luxury. We get into the isolation of men, the decline of the institutions that used to bring us together, and why so many guys only show up once their wife has pushed them through the door. From there, we go into the bigger picture: the forces working to divide us along the most emotional lines possible, why nuance is where the truth lives, how algorithms build our lenses for us, and what it means to be in the world but not of it. Ian also shares what it cost him to speak up when silence would have been easier, and why becoming a father made that choice for him. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Episode Introduction 03:00 Montana Knife Gift 04:53 Growing Up and Hunting Aspirations 11:08 Why Connection is a Necessity, Not a Luxury 17:53 Exhaustion, the Rat Race, and Apathy 22:36 The Men's Mental Health Crisis and Brotherhood 27:11 The Agenda to Isolate Men 34:24 Manufactured Distractions and National Court Cases 41:29 Social Media Algorithms and False Narratives 46:16 The Demoralization of Truth and Society 48:43 Dissecting the True Purpose of Conspiracies 58:24 Politicians, Empty Influencers, and the Future 01:05:26 Leveraging the Digital World Without Being Consumed Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down why the popular concept of "vulnerability" is being misconstrued in modern culture . By definition, vulnerability means susceptibility to harm and weakness - traits that undermine a man's core responsibility to protect, provide, and preside . Rather than glorifying weakness for sympathy, men should replace vulnerability with humility, honesty, and discernment . Ryan explains how to identify weaknesses to shore them up, share truthful struggles only with trusted brothers who have earned your trust, and avoid the twin traps of total isolation or emotional leaking . Plus, learn details about the upcoming Order of Man War Room event focused on overcoming five foundational fears every man faces . SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction: The Problem with "Vulnerability" 02:19 - Defining Vulnerability: Why It Means Weakness 03:10 - The Castle Analogy: Shoring Up Defenses 04:46 - What to Use Instead: Humility and Honesty 07:00 - The Dopamine Trap of Modern Vulnerability 08:00 - Applying Humility in Real Life 10:00 - Living in Honesty and Dealing in Reality 15:36 - Discernment: Who Has Earned Your Trust? 19:12 - Protecting the Skeleton Key 21:00 - The Two Dangers: Walled Off vs. Leaking 26:40 - Order of Man War Room Invitation Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle six questions about friendship, marriage, parenting, career, preparedness, and personal growth. They discuss how to confront a friend who is cheating, rebuild credibility after repeatedly abandoning self-improvement efforts, and navigate a teenager's decision to skip college for the trades. They also explore the line between healthy preparedness and obsession, maintaining boundaries in a co-parenting situation, and whether loyalty to an employer is still worthwhile. Throughout the episode, Ryan and Kipp return to a common theme: consistency, responsibility, and taking ownership of your choices rather than waiting for circumstances or other people to change. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction 13:46 - Confronting a Friend Who Is Cheating 18:44 - Rebuilding Credibility Through Consistency 33:07 - College vs. the Trades 42:21 - Preparedness vs. Paranoia 48:58 - Parenting Across Two Households 53:10 - Is Employer Loyalty Worth It? 1:06:18 - The Case for Taking Action Now 1:08:13 - War Room Announcement Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

If you forget a man's name two seconds after he says it, your memory isn't the problem. You weren't listening. That's the case my guest today, two-time USA Memory Champion Ron White, makes, and he backs it up with a system any man can use: ask yourself one well-worded question before you shake a hand, pin the name to the most distinctive feature on the face, and review it before the forgetting curve wipes it out. We also build a mind palace in real time using the furniture in my studio. Ron shows how the same method lets you give a speech without notes, retain what you paid to learn at a conference, carry a to-do list in your head, and remember the script when a customer objects. We get into why action and emotion lock things into long-term memory, the major system and character-action-object method he used to memorize a deck of cards in record time, and why memory comes down to training and intention, not talent. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Epsiode Introduction 04:20 - Connecting with Corey 04:44 - The "Brain Athlete" Shirt & Andy Elliott's Advice 07:06 - 3-Minute Street Hacks for Learning Fast 08:13 - The Mind Palace System for Public Speaking 12:07 - Walkthrough: Memorizing Five Speech Points 15:07 - Visuals, Action, & Emotion in Memory 20:30 - Practical Everyday Memory Applications 23:56 - Overcoming the "Bad with Names" Excuse 25:40 - Calming Brain Chatter with Focused Questions 28:13 - Linking Names to Facial Features 32:20 - USA Memory Records & The Major System 38:42 - Advanced Memory Palace: Character-Action-Object (CAO) 46:43 - How Rhythm and Music Lock In Information 48:38 - Body and Vehicle Palaces for Daily To-Do Lists 52:59 - Retaining Key Points from Conferences & Seminars 01:00:15 - Review Systems & The Phone Flashcard Hack 01:04:15 - How a Telemarketing Call Launched Ron's Memory Career 01:06:10 - Keynote Speaking & Memorizing Sales Scripts 01:09:20 - Memorizing 7,500 Fallen Soldiers & Media Audits 01:11:43 - Guest Socials and Course Info Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler dives deep into the high-profile Cornell controversy to break down the critical differences between legal culpability, moral responsibility, and mainstream media narratives. Addressing the ongoing cultural attack on men, Ryan challenges the popular claim that masculinity itself is inherently toxic. Instead, he explains the distinction between raw, amoral masculinity and mature, righteous manliness grounded in divine principles. Ryan calls on men to stop outsourcing their morality to institutions, start holding their peers accountable, and actively model strength, virtue, and leadership for the next generation. Tune in to explore what it truly takes to restore real men in today's society. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction & The Cornell Controversy 02:35 - Legal Culpability vs. Moral Responsibility 09:50 - Deconstructing Anti-Male Narratives 18:22 - Due Process and the Flaws of Public Opinion 25:50 - Masculinity vs. Manliness Defined 32:00 - The Role of Objective Morality and Righteousness 40:10 - Stop Outsourcing Your Sense of Morality 43:30 - Policing Our Own and Embracing Confrontation 47:09 - Raising the Next Generation & Modeling Virtuous Behavior 54:34 - Joining the Iron Council Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle five questions from the Order of Man community in this episode of Ask Me Anything. They discuss making a major career change after decades in public service, finding forgiveness after betrayal, setting boundaries while serving family and friends, navigating different faiths within a marriage, and protecting a teenage daughter without damaging the relationship. Along the way, Ryan and Kipp explore entrepreneurship, AI, service, martyrdom, grace, parenting, dating, and the importance of maintaining influence through trust rather than control. The conversation also includes a wholesome discussion about defending the people we care about and a look at Ryan's new studio and Origin gear. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - New Studio, New Setup 10:50 - The Importance of Nuance 17:40 - Origin Boots and Hunting Gear 21:55 - Retirement, Risk and Entrepreneurship 35:00 - Why Retirement Isn't the Goal 39:49 - Forgiveness After Betrayal 50:59 - When Everyone Depends on You 57:00 - The Trap of Martyrdom 1:00:36 - When Spouses No Longer Share a Faith 1:08:32 - Protecting Your Daughter Without Pushing Her Away 1:14:10 - Setting Boundaries With Your Daughter's Dates 1:18:13 - Closing and Final Call to Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most men are chasing a dent in the world, followers, recognition, a bigger stage, while overlooking the one place they can make the biggest difference: the town they live in and the people right next to them. Today's conversation is about impact over income, why being known by ten thousand people in your own community beats being famous online, and why we're robbing our kids by shielding them from the consequences of their bad choices. We also get into giving yourself permission to try new things without committing to them forever, managing risk without letting fear run your life, and knowing when to say no so service doesn't burn you out. My guest, Casey Lofthouse, is a mechanic, tow operator, former search and rescue volunteer, mule packer, country line-dancer, and one of the most capable and generous men I know. He's also someone I'd call first if I were in a pickle. If you've ever felt like you don't matter because you're not "making your mark," this conversation will change how you see your own value. Whether you're broke down, stuck in the sand, or just having a bad day, it's all part of the adventure. What matters is who shows up. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - From Making Money to Making an Impact 04:43 - The Power of Small-Town Accountability 09:09 - Teaching Kids Personal Responsibility 11:19 - Why Authenticity Matters 13:29 - The Importance of Personal Accountability 15:19 - Raising Kids to Be Responsible Adults 19:12 - Learning From the Consequences of Your Choices 25:29 - The Masculine Side of Art, Music, and Dance 29:21 - Give Yourself Permission to Try New Things 34:52 - Understanding Risk and Knowing Your Limits 40:58 - How Community Creates Lifelong Relationships 45:06 - The Impact of Serving Others 49:06 - Being There When People Need You 53:03 - Setting an Example When People Are Watching 56:59 - Living Authentically in a Social Media World 58:32 - The Unexpected Connections That Come From Helping People 01:00:54 - Why Serving Others Is So Rewarding 01:02:50 - Knowing When to Say No 01:05:07 - Knowing When It's Time to Move On 01:06:55 - Raising Kids Who Surpass You 01:08:00 - What's Next for Casey? 01:10:23 - Becoming the Best Version of Yourself 01:12:19 - Casey's Off-Road Recovery and Life in the Community Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most men live their lives actively ignoring the pain and suffering they have experienced, leading to destructive behavior, self-sabotage, and sedation. In this solo episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down the five core wounds every man must address to build healthy relationships with himself and his family. Ryan details the unblessed, betrayal, humiliation, abandonment, and failure wounds, explaining exactly how they manifest in our daily lives. Moving beyond theory, he provides simple, highly tactical fixes for each wound so you can begin the healing process immediately. Whether you need to practice delegating a task to build trust or making amends for a past mistake, these steps will help you take back responsibility. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Five Wounds Men Ignore 02:05 - The Unblessed Wound 04:26 - The Betrayal Wound 09:06 - The Humiliation Wound 14:26 - The Abandonment Wound 19:10 - The Failure Wound 25:11 - Implementing the Five Fixes 27:37 - The Iron Council and New Studio Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle another round of Ask Me Anything questions, covering career ambition, fatherhood, divorce, sobriety, friendship, faith, Stoicism, hunting injuries, masculinity, money and men's brotherhood. They discuss the hidden costs of achieving your goals, how to rebuild trust with your children, why friendships require intentional effort, and how to redefine your sense of worth beyond income. They also explore whether Christian principles and Stoic philosophy can coexist, adapting outdoor pursuits after injury, and what to do when others misunderstand your men's group. Throughout, the conversation emphasizes intentionality, responsibility, consistency, connection and surrounding yourself with men committed to growth. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Recording Setup & Connection Issues 04:37 - Kipp Returns from Europe 06:30 - The Hidden Cost of Career Success 13:33 - Can You Overdo Affection as a Father? 19:36 - Rebuilding Trust After Divorce 27:57 - Sobriety and Finding Fun Without Alcohol 37:07 - Maintaining Long-Distance Male Friendships 39:55 - Christianity, Stoicism and Truth 46:46 - Staying Connected to the Outdoors After Injury 48:59 - When Your Wife Makes More Money 54:41 - Defending Brotherhood Without Defending It 56:46 - The Iron Council 57:45 - Staying Connected with Order of Man Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most of us think courage is something you either have or you don't. But what if it's actually a decision you make over and over, the same way you'd train a muscle? Today's conversation is about what happens when you stop asking "what if I fail" and start asking, "let's find out." We get into why 90% of what we fear never happens, how to raise kids with grit in a culture built for convenience, and why the most dangerous thing a man can do isn't the risk he takes…it's the potential he leaves untapped. My guest today, Alex Harris, has summited Everest, walked unsupported to the South Pole, and made the first-ever unsupported crossing of Arabia's "Empty Quarter" on foot. But this isn't a conversation about extreme sports. It's about the mindset that separates the guy who stays inside the fence from the guy who goes and finds out what's on the other side of the wall. If you've ever felt like you're sitting on something you haven't had the guts to go pursue, this one's for you. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction & Hiking the Zion Narrows 04:55 - Changing Risk Profile & Fatherhood 08:45 - Evaluating Risk vs. Reward 09:49 - Broad Peak Expedition & Turning Point 14:18 - Lower-Risk Adventures & Family 18:52 - Cultivating Adventure in Children 22:21 - Building Grit and Life in South Africa 23:51 - Media Narratives vs. South African Realities 26:51 - Reasons for Immigrating to Texas 32:41 - The Journey to US Citizenship 36:56 - Cultural Differences and Adapting to Texas 46:17 - Unplanned Path to Becoming an Extreme Athlete 50:39 - Curiosity and Unlocking Potential 53:57 - Redefining Failure and Managing Fear 01:01:27 - Forging Untrodden Paths & The Arabian Desert 01:06:00 - A Unique Moment in Cave Exploration 01:11:41 - Purpose, Choice, and Stifled Curiosity 01:15:30 - Where to Connect with Alex Harris Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Communication is one of the most powerful tools we have. It allows us to connect with people, share ideas, build relationships, rally people around a common cause, keep people safe, and create opportunities. But communication can also become the thing that holds you back. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan breaks down five practical ways men can become more effective communicators - not by simply talking more, but by becoming more intentional about how they use their words, listen, and connect with others. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - If You Can't Communicate, You Can't Win 00:48 - Why Communication Matters 03:04 - Communication: Your Key or Your Killer 04:15 - #1: Say Less but Mean More 07:41 - #2: Listen to Understand 10:09 - Use Your Two Ears and One Mouth 10:45 - #3: Match Your Tone to the Stakes 15:04 - Why Your Tone Matters 17:25 - #4: Use Small Talk as Leverage 19:32 - Small Talk Creates Connection 21:55 - #5: Own Your Words 24:42 - Express Yourself and Lead 27:04 - Say What You Mean 28:50 - Follow Through on Your Words 31:14 - Words Only Have Weight When You Back Them Up 32:23 - The Five Keys to Better Communication 33:23 - Join the Iron Council Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan Michler and Alan Placer tackle ten questions from men dealing with family, identity, fatherhood, marriage, pain, career, and personal responsibility. They discuss how to set boundaries when financial gifts come with strings attached, what to do when a teenage son is drawn toward extreme online communities, and how to separate identity from a sport or physical ability. They also explore recognizing your parents as imperfect human beings, building self-respect without external validation, navigating disagreement over having another child, and understanding the limits of financial provision in marriage. The episode closes with a spirited debate over what actually qualifies as a sport. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Great Sport Debate 07:03 - When a Financial Gift Comes With Strings 11:35 - Embarrassing Habits at 25 18:19 - Helping a Son in Extreme Online Spaces 28:05 - Chronic Pain: Strength or Stubbornness? 37:31 - Identity After a Physical Setback 44:41 - Don't Punish Your Child for Your Past 52:10 - Building Self-Respect Without Validation 59:05 - When Dad Stops Being a Hero 01:05:59 - When Husband and Wife Disagree About Another Child 01:15:17 - When Providing Hurts Your Marriage 01:22:31 - The Sport Debate Continues 01:26:18 - War Room Invitation Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most of what passes for leadership advice today is polish. You say the right things, avoid conflict, perform confidence until you believe it yourself. This episode is about the opposite. We're talking about what happens when you stop performing and start operating: how to build relationships that are actually real instead of transactional, how to handle conflict without flinching or blowing it up, and why the most effective leaders aren't the cleanest; they're the ones willing to own their flaws and use them. We get into the idea of the "antihero." He's not a villain, not a saint, but someone pragmatic enough to do what the moment requires instead of what looks good on camera. We talk about credibility versus performative influence, why so much content today is loud but hollow, and how the stories we tell ourselves (culturally and individually), shape whether we actually grow or just look like we are. If you're tired of leadership advice that sounds good and does nothing, this one's for you. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Power of Real Relationships 05:44 - Why Transactional Relationships Destroy Trust 07:16 - How to Handle Conflict Like an Adult 10:50 - There Is No Magical Phrase for Communication 12:45 - The Problem With Contrarian Content 16:55 - The Anti-Hero Advantage 21:41 - Why "Regular Guys" Don't Always Get Heard 25:26 - Pragmatism, Influence and Social Capital 28:50 - Understanding Your Conflict Archetype 33:30 - Integrating Your Dark Side 39:14 - Do the Ends Justify the Means? 44:05 - Why You Don't Have to Be Liked 46:17 - Dealing With Internal and External Conflict 50:17 - Why Culture Has Replaced Self-Development 53:55 - The Truth Just Isn't Sexy 55:53 - The Five Skills Everyone Needs 59:35 - The Value of Admitting Your Own Ignorance 01:03:00 - Learning to Challenge Your Own Ideas 01:04:00 - When Communication Goes Wrong and What to Learn From It Order Ryan's latest book, The Masculinity Manifesto on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Masculinity-Manifesto-Establishes-Influence-Credibility/dp/1684513316 Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready. https://orderofman.link/battle-ready Download the NEW Order of Man Twelve-Week Battle Planner and maximize your week. https://orderofman.link/12-week-planner-app Support the Order of Man mission by picking up merchandise: https://orderofman.link/support-the-mission Connect with us on the socials: Instagram https://orderofman.link/instagram Facebook https://orderofman.link/facebook-page Twitter https://orderofman.link/twitter-ryan Join the Order of Man Facebook group: https://orderofman.link/facebook-group

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler tackles the cultural double standard between misogyny and misandry. While modern discourse frequently condemns the hatred of women, systemic contempt toward men - misandry - is often ignored or dismissed as simple individual preference. Ryan breaks down the etymology of these terms and addresses critical disparities facing men today, including family court bias, false accusations, workforce declines, and the alarming male suicide rate. Moving beyond victimhood narratives, he distinguishes raw masculinity from true manliness, demonstrating how masculine traits are not inherently toxic but require proper direction. Tune in to understand why society must evaluate both sides of the aisle to cultivate genuine accountability, strength, and human flourishing. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Defining Misogyny vs. Misandry 02:26 - The Double Standard in Cultural Discourse 04:46 - Etymology and the Power of Words 09:40 - Custody Bias and Courtroom Discouragement 10:45 - The Impact of False Accusations 12:01 - Labor Force Declines and Biological Aptitude 14:30 - The Male Suicide Epidemic and Empathy Gaps 15:45 - Rejecting the Victimhood Scoreboard 18:56 - Masculinity vs. Manliness: Harnessing Raw Power 23:18 - Stop Neutering Young Men 25:21 - Taking Sovereignty Over Your Worth Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan Michler is joined by Alan Placer for this week's Ask Me Anything, tackling eight questions about fatherhood, masculinity, family, legacy, grief, mentorship, co-parenting, and business. They discuss when helping an adult child becomes enabling, what it means to be a real man, showing up for a parent with dementia, and navigating a child's relationship with a good stepfather. They also explore letting go of an inherited business legacy, dealing with infertility, becoming a mentor before you feel ready, and the hidden cost of being constantly available to your business. Along the way, Ryan and Alan return to a common theme: responsibility, boundaries, progress, and choosing to show up as the kind of man you want to be. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Opening & Alan Placer Joins the AMA 01:26 - The Lindsay Clancy Trial & Personal Responsibility 09:26 - Supporting an Adult Child Without Enabling Him 17:01 - What Makes a Real Man? 24:36 - Showing Up for a Parent With Dementia 35:08 - Co-Parenting With a Good Stepfather 43:28 - Letting Go of a Legacy Your Child Didn't Choose 49:01 - Carrying the Grief of Infertility 56:18 - What Qualifies a Man to Be a Mentor? 1:02:16 - The Hidden Cost of Always Being Available 1:10:13 - Wrapping Up With Alan Placer Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most men will never come close to the kind of suffering Brent Oliver has lived through. And, that's exactly why this conversation matters. Today we're talking about the difference between a man who lets his circumstances define him and a man who decides, moment by moment, that he's still the one in control. You're going to hear what it actually looks like to rebuild a body and a mind from nothing, and why the story you tell yourself about your pain determines whether it makes you dangerous or makes you soft. This episode is about the strength to overcome the worst moments of your life and the idea that these moments aren't happening to you, they're shaping you into either a weapon or a victim. Brent breaks down why he refused to let anyone see weakness, why he refuses pain medication to this day, and why "effort equals outcome" isn't a slogan for him; it's the only reason he's alive. If you've ever used your circumstances as an excuse to coast, this conversation is going to make that a lot harder to do. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 01:04 - Connecting with Ryan 03:58 - The Tragic 1991 Motorcycle Accident 05:59 - The "N of 1" Medical Study 10:12 - Understanding Incomplete Quadriplegia 12:30 - Relearning Muscle Control & Function 15:08 - Rejecting Prognoses & Forging the Mind 16:49 - A Turning Point Night in the Hospital 21:15 - Victim Mentality vs. Becoming a Good Weapon 22:15 - True Strength & Modern Vulnerability 27:26 - Overcoming the Fear of Being a Burden 31:22 - What Separates Warriors from Victims 36:21 - Choosing Mindset Over Pain Medication 38:21 - Dealing with CRPS & Severe Phantom Pain 39:42 - Mind Control, Focus, and Detachment Techniques 46:14 - Finding a Path Forward Through the Outdoors 49:55 - Perspectives on Dark Moments & Hope 55:33 - Advocating for Outdoor Accessibility and the Disabled Community 01:04:33 - How the Artificial Larynx Works 01:07:17 - Brent Oliver Foundation & Closing Thoughts Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Are you stepping in to fix everyone else's problems at the expense of your own mission, household, and peace of mind? In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler unpacks the Karpman Drama Triangle—a psychological pattern where men rotate between the roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer. Ryan reveals why rescuing often stems from ego rather than love, and how stripping people of natural consequences cripples their growth. Learn how to transition into the Empowerment Triangle by practicing true vulnerability, setting clear assertive boundaries, and offering care that builds capability rather than dependency. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The High Cost of Rescuing Others 01:35 - The Karpman Drama Triangle Explained 01:50 - Role 1: The Powerless Victim 02:22 - Role 2: The Controlling Persecutor 03:20 - Role 3: The Overreaching Rescuer 07:12 - Cycling Between Roles & Covert Contracts 11:45 - Why Consequences Are Essential for Growth 16:26 - Introducing the Empowerment Triangle 18:29 - True Vulnerability vs. Making Excuses 20:47 - Assertiveness and Setting Boundaries 23:07 - When Rescuing Is Actually Appropriate 25:27 - Weekly Challenge & War Room Announcement Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

This week's Ask Me Anything explores the challenges men face when life tests their identity, discipline and relationships. Ryan and Kipp discuss balancing fitness with family, staying sober, managing anger, rebuilding identity after losing a career, navigating divorce and fatherhood, reconnecting with the outdoors, and defining a meaningful legacy. Along the way, they emphasize personal responsibility, healthy boundaries, reflection, identity, and developing the skills and values that endure beyond circumstances. They also share practical strategies for handling temptation, anger and conflict, while highlighting the importance of brotherhood, challenge and time away from the noise of everyday life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Jiu-Jitsu Camp and the Importance of Brotherhood 02:03 - Imposter Syndrome, Vulnerability and Earning Your Place 06:34 - Fitness, Marriage and Being Present as a Father 12:56 - Staying Consistent After Quitting Alcohol 19:14 - Getting Control of Anger 30:10 - Identity Beyond Your Career 37:01 - Divorce, Resentment and Protecting Your Kids 40:20 - Why Men Are Drawn to the Outdoors 46:33 - What Legacy Really Means 49:58 - Iron Council and the Upcoming War Room Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Pornography addiction isn't a willpower problem. It's a brain problem and, understanding the mechanics changes everything about how you fight it. Today, we go deep into the neuroscience: what edging actually does to your reward system, why desensitization and hypo-frontality reshape how your brain processes stress and pleasure, and why getting exactly what you want can leave you more depressed than before you started. We also unpack what "Rat Park" study reveals about addiction and isolation, and why the opposite of sobriety isn't willpower; it's connection. My guest, Sathiya Sam, and I go beyond the behavior to the coping mechanism underneath it, what porn is really substituting for, what predicts who struggles with it, and why quitting cold turkey rarely works without addressing the root. You'll learn the real skills required to overcome it, why a satisfied heart rarely wanders, and how to build an identity that doesn't need to prove itself through control or escape. If you've ever wondered what's actually happening in your brain when you engage — or how to build something stronger in its place — this episode gives you the science and the path forward. Contact Sathiya Sam: www.thelastrelapsebook.com www.deepcleancoaching.com/innercircle SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and AI's Impact on Pornography 03:20 - Emotional Connection and AI Sex Bots 05:39 - Dopamine, Variable Returns, and Edging 08:00 - Supernormal Stimuli and Accessibility 10:32 - Meeting Psychological Needs vs. Physical Drive 14:12 - The Rat Park Experiment & Connection vs. Addiction 18:16 - Meaninglessness as the Primary Driver of Vice 22:00 - Practical Skill Building Beyond Behavior Manipulation 24:52 - Connection, Control, and Validation 27:23 - Mainstream Pornography and Aggressive Content Trends 31:40 - Physical Transformation After Breaking Addiction 33:27 - Overcoming 48 Years of Addiction 38:23 - Identity Shifts and Rethinking 12-Step Frameworks 44:00 - Anchoring Identity Outside of Temporary Roles 47:00 - Who You Are and Who Told You 52:17 - Authentic Conviction vs. People Pleasing 56:30 - Public Apologies vs. Personal Alignment 01:00:02 - The Myth That Pornography Only Affects One Person 01:01:59 - The Four Neurological Effects of Pornography 01:03:33 - How Pornography Distorts Relational Intimacy 01:10:50 - Hypofrontality, Sensitization, and Stress Responses 01:18:45 - Replacing Addiction with Purpose 01:22:00 - Where to Find Sathiya Sam and The Last Relapse Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Whether caused by a minor slip-up or a major rupture like infidelity or financial betrayal, every man will eventually face the grueling challenge of restoring broken trust. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler outlines 12 non-negotiable principles for rebuilding trust when it's been shattered. Time alone won't fix your mistakes - only deliberate, sustained, and unselfish action will. Learn why explaining away your issues destroys credibility, how to stop keeping score during the process, and why true reform requires changing your character without demanding immediate validation. Tune in to discover how to own your failures, match your repair to the break, and lead with unwavering integrity. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction & Recording From Maine 01:35 - 12 Steps to Rebuilding Broken Trust 02:00 - Rule 1: Time Doesn't Fix Trust, Action Does 02:40 - Rule 2: You Don't Decide When Trust Is Restored 04:40 - Rule 3: Explaining Isn't Owning 07:35 - Rule 4: Match the Repair to the Break 08:45 - Rule 5: Privacy Is Not a Privilege 11:15 - Rule 6: Consistency Beats Intensity 14:15 - Rule 7: Your Apology Has an Expiration Date 16:55 - Rule 8: Stop Asking for Trust 19:15 - Rule 9: Tolerate Being Tested 21:15 - Rule 10: Stop Keeping Score 22:50 - Rule 11: Fix the Rupture Where It Happened 25:30 - Rule 12: Accept That Some Trust Never Returns 29:50 - Order of Man War Room Call to Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

This week's Ask Me Anything tackles real questions about fatherhood, marriage, friendship, faith, addiction, parenting, and personal responsibility. Ryan and Kipp discuss why becoming a first-time father can feel more frightening than exciting, how to reconnect with an emotionally absent father, and how to take surface-level friendships deeper. They also explore balancing work and family, finding your way back to faith, essential backcountry gear, recovering after an alcohol relapse, and navigating a teenage son's growing independence. Along the way, they share practical frameworks for turning fear into action, building trust, creating deeper relationships, and leading without relying on force or rescue. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Opening and War Room discussion 02:09 Selling through value instead of pressure 06:25 War Room September session 07:23 Wholesome segment: wealth, capitalism and medical innovation 12:32 First-time fatherhood fears 17:04 Reconnecting with an emotionally absent father 22:42 Taking male friendships deeper 28:00 Balancing providing and being present at home 35:41 Finding your way back to faith 42:59 Essential backcountry gear 48:43 Relapsing after sobriety 54:00 Parenting a teenager who is pulling away 59:45 War Room call to action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Your brain is either getting stronger or getting weaker. There is no neutral, gentlemen. Today Jim Kwik breaks down why comfort, convenience, and cognitive offloading to AI are quietly making men mentally soft, and what it actually takes to build what he calls "cognitive reserve" which is the difference between a man who stays sharp, independent, and capable as he ages and one who doesn't. We get into why peace comes from capacity, not comfort, why self-trust is built by keeping promises to yourself instead of anybody else, and Jim's personal framework for using AI to sharpen your thinking instead of replacing it. If you feel like your focus is slipping, your discipline softening, or your identity too wrapped up in a job title that could be taken from you tomorrow, this episode might be the reset. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Shift from Achievement to Fulfillment 03:51 Avoiding Modern Distractions & Media Outrage 06:00 Developing Mental Sovereignty in the Age of Information 08:20 The Danger of Cognitive Surrender to AI 11:35 Comfort Crisis and the Value of Struggle 14:01 Building Human Intelligence Through Challenge 18:44 How Modern Conveniences Weaken Mental Muscles 21:33 Navigating Difficult Conversations & Growth 25:50 Building Self-Trust by Keeping Promises 28:08 Character, Wealth Transfer, and Raising Resilient Kids 31:00 Understanding Cognitive Reserve and Brain Health 35:21 Cognitive Offloading vs. Building Real Intelligence 37:40 The B.U.I.L.D. Framework for Using AI 41:02 Overcoming Childhood Labels and Traumatic Injury 46:44 What AI Can Never Replace in Humans 48:38 The H.U.M.A.N. Framework for Personal Evolution 52:27 Decoupling Your Identity From External Roles 57:08 Standing in the Arena and Overcoming Criticism 01:00:03 Why Adaptation is Critical for Modern Leadership 01:03:51 Limitless Daily: The 5-Minute Morning Mental Upgrade 01:09:00 Protecting Your Morning Attention Window Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Are you consuming endless podcasts, books, and sermons but finding your life stuck in the exact same spot? In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down the critical difference between being a roaring river and a stagnant swamp. Most men don't have an information problem—they have a direction problem. Unapplied knowledge turns into a shallow, rotting pond that breeds resentment, irritability, and inaction. Discover how to establish rigid boundaries ("banks") in your life, implement the 48-Hour Rule for immediate execution, cap your inputs, and surround yourself with real accountability so your knowledge actually flows into meaningful strength. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 The Analogy of Two Waters 01:30 Why a River Needs Banks to Have Power 02:26 You Don't Have an Information Problem 04:55 What Boundaries and Banks Actually Do 06:05 The Danger of Stagnant Knowledge 08:00 How Unused Insight Rotates into Resentment 09:45 Action Rule 1: The 48-Hour Rule 11:30 Action Rule 2: Single-Point Accountability 12:50 Action Rule 3: Cap Inputs, Raise Outputs 16:00 Feeding Everything Downstream Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle four powerful questions in this week's Ask Me Anything, covering stepfatherhood, confidence versus arrogance, addiction and sobriety, and the challenge of coaching your own child. They discuss why a biological father and a dad aren't necessarily the same thing, how confidence is earned, why temptation may never completely disappear, and how fathers can balance high standards with grace. Ryan also gets candid about a time he pushed a young athlete too hard and reflects on what truly matters when raising and leading children. The episode closes with an invitation to the upcoming Order of Man War Room. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:37 - Wholesome Segment: Guns and Shooting 09:54 - Viewer Questions Begin 10:17 - Stepfatherhood and the Meaning of "Dad" 19:08 - Confidence vs. Arrogance 26:06 - Sobriety, Temptation and Addiction 35:26 - Coaching Your Own Child 46:13 - War Room Invitation and Closing Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

You've been told the Epstein case is closed. It's not. It's a blueprint - for how blackmail, sex, and power get used to buy silence at the highest levels of American government, and why the people who could stop it never do. Today's guest has spent decades chasing this story further than almost anyone alive, and what he's found doesn't end with one dead man in a Manhattan jail cell. Nick Bryant joins me to talk about the Franklin Scandal, the CIA's fingerprints on decades of cover-ups, why the "uniparty" protects itself no matter who's in office, and what it actually looks like to draw a line in the sand when the people meant to hold power accountable are the ones compromised. If you've ever wondered why nothing changes no matter who you vote for, this conversation is the answer you didn't want but need to hear. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Epstein Justice Fight 03:22 - Why Mainstream Media Shut Him Out 06:19 - Nick Bryant's Personal Story 11:27 - Political Division and CIA Blackmail 16:05 - Iraq, Government Lies and No Accountability 24:00 - How Politicians Are Compromised 28:40 - Arrogance, Sex and Greed 35:57 - The Uniparty and Political Corruption 41:35 - The Epstein Cover-Up 45:45 - Sean Combs, Clive Davis and Powerful Networks 49:40 - The "Conspiracy Theorist" Label 52:27 - The Franklin Scandal and Hollywood 56:50 - Bringing the Right and Left Together 59:28 - The Education System Scam 01:00:20 - The Disappearing American Dream 01:03:36 - Inflation, Money Printing and Healthcare 01:05:37 - Why Americans Can't Afford Homes 01:08:48 - Poverty, Food Insecurity and Homelessness 01:10:40 - Homelessness and Cognitive Development 01:19:43 - Drawing the Line 01:20:51 - Fighting for Epstein Justice Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Summer is ending, and for many men, structure and discipline went out the window right along with it. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down why waiting for external calendars to rebuild your life is a major mistake. Instead of treating the end of summer like a burden to survive, learn how to systematically reclaim your standards and rebuild your personal routine in three non-negotiable steps: locking in your wake time, adding daily physical movement, and tackling deep work in proper order. As the leader of your household, setting this cadence isn't just about personal discipline—it's about orchestrating stability for your entire family. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Reclaiming Structure After Summer 01:18 - The Pitfall of Waiting for External Structure 03:46 - Step 1: Lock In Your Wake Time 06:06 - Step 2: Rebuild Your Body with Daily Movement 08:12 - Step 3: Rebuild Your Work Foundation 10:15 - Setting the Household Cadence 13:00 - Raw Masculinity vs. Disciplined Manliness 14:14 - Execute Out of Duty, Not Guilt 15:38 - War Room Announcement & Wrap-Up Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

This episode of Ask Me Anything tackles the real-life challenges men face as they age, lead families, navigate friendships and raise children. Ryan and Kipp discuss making peace with physical decline, giving teenagers room to develop independence, and questioning popular self-help advice. They also explore how to rebuild trust after betrayal, what masculine leadership looks like when raising daughters, and how to manage anger without repeating the patterns of our fathers. The conversation closes with a deeply personal discussion about lessons inherited from fathers, the danger of confusing exhaustion with productivity, and finding a healthier balance between work, relationships and life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Weekly Recap & Staying on the Path 02:51 - Wholesome Hero: Training for Real Life 10:17 - Making Peace With an Aging Body 18:26 - Raising a Sixteen-Year-Old 24:22 - The Most Overrated Self-Help Advice 30:44 - Rebuilding Trust After Betrayal 38:43 - Protect, Provide & Preside With Daughters 43:34 - Anger Without Becoming Your Father 50:15 - What We Unlearn From Our Fathers 55:40 - The War Room: Restoring Order Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

If you've ever lost everything (a business, a marriage, your sense of who you are) this conversation is proof that the collapse isn't the end of your story. Rick Trimmer walks through the exact math he and his wife used to climb out of $640,000 in debt: the thousand-day stretch with no pay, the decade of living on a thousand dollars a month, and the brutal conversations he had with himself and his wife about what they actually wanted. If you're in the hole right now, or you're scared of ever being in it, this is the blueprint for how a man digs out without excuses and without quitting on his family. But this isn't just a comeback story; it's a lesson in delayed gratification and what winning the game really looks like. We'll cover how to build passive income, take advantage of opportunities that scare you, and chose freedom over the appearance of success. If you're tired of chasing a lifestyle you can't afford, or you're ready to start building something that actually lasts, this conversation gives you the mindset and the moves to get there. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 03:05 - Introduction to Rick Trimmer and Real Business Owners 05:08 - What Sets Entrepreneurs Apart: IQ, Drive, and Delusion 07:10 - Overcoming Weaknesses and the Power of Mentorship 09:12 - Leaving Corporate Life and Betting on Yourself 11:23 - The Reality of Financial Risk and Losing It All 13:32 - Repaying $640k Debt and Working 1,000 Days Straight 17:01 - Sacrifice, Top Ramen, and Building a Foundation 23:08 - Living on $1,000 a Month to Buy Freedom 29:05 - Getting Started in Real Estate and Finding Mentors 37:49 - Creative Financing and Acquiring Rental Properties 43:30 - Hitting the Passive Income Goal and Traveling the World 49:19 - Why Financial Freedom and Time with Family is Worth the Grind 54:57 - Consumerism vs. Real Wealth 01:00:55 - The Men's Forge and the Power of Live Events 01:04:29 - Saying "Yes" to New Opportunities 01:08:36 - Where to Connect with Rick Trimmer Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Every single day, you wake up with a finite bank account of time, energy, integrity, and focus. But without realizing it, most men trade away their potential in thousands of unnoticed, micro-decisions. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down the four dangerous trades men make every day on autopilot - from trading real progress for temporary fake peace, to sacrificing long-term character just to look good to others. If you're ready to stop bleeding your potential through a thousand small cuts and start living with deliberate intentionality, this episode is your wake-up call. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Finite Account: What Are You Trading Daily? 02:17 - Death by a Thousand Unintentional Cuts 03:40 - Trade 1: Fake Peace vs. Real Progress 06:27 - Stop Calling Cowardice "Patience" 08:14 - Trade 2: Doom Scrolling vs. Building Your Legacy 12:15 - When the Bill Comes Due: Facing the Receipt 13:00 - Trade 3: Quick Hits of Dopamine vs. Long-Term Satisfaction 15:21 - Trade 4: Outward Appearance vs. Personal Integrity 17:37 - The Cost of Owning Your Reality 19:54 - How to Reclaim Intentionality Today Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this "Ask Me Anything" episode, Ryan and Kipp explore how men can break through life's transitional slumps and rebuild momentum. They answer viewer questions on keeping motivation alive after a health scare, finding purpose after military service, navigating the loss of a foster child, and handling sudden business success. They also share practical advice on stepping up as an uncle and owning past mistakes to rebuild a damaged reputation. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 01:46 - Wholesome Character of the Day: Sophie Cunningham & Standing Up for Women's Sports 11:42 - Maintaining Clarity & Purpose After a Major Health Scare 19:22 - Rebuilding Identity and Mission After Leaving the Military 29:56 - Reconnecting with Family: Who Should Make the First all? 33:43 - Leading a Family Through the Grief of Foster Care 41:25 - What to Chase Next When You've Already Won 47:54 - Stepping Up as a Powerful Role Model Without Being a Dad 51:27 - Rebuilding Your Reputation When Everyone Knows Your Past Mistakes Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this special solo episode of Order of Man, founder Ryan Michler reflects on eleven years of podcasting, building a movement, and navigating personal evolution. Ryan interviews himself to extract actionable lessons for men leading families, starting businesses, or advancing their careers. He dives deep into why consistency beats talent every time, the costly "tuition payments" that come with entrepreneurship, and how to stand out in a saturated market. Ryan also opens up about his darkest personal battles, including divorce and alcohol recovery, offering a candid look at accountability, resilience, and adaptability. Tune in to learn why maintaining your dignity and affording yourself grace are essential to becoming the man you were meant to be. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction & 11 Years of Order of Man 02:16 - Why Ryan Started the Podcast 06:49 - Business Mindset and Generating Income 09:08 - Why Consistency Beats Talent 11:30 - Paying Tuition: Learning from Costly Business Mistakes 13:58 - How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market 18:44 - Mastering Conversation and Everyday Lessons 23:28 - Evolving Interview Preparation and Adaptability 25:48 - True Accountability vs. Public Criticism 28:09 - Facing Personal Darkness and Choosing Not to Quit 32:55 - The Immutable Mission to Restore Masculinity 35:19 - Adapting to Cultural Shifts and New Technology 37:41 - Core Lessons: Grace, Adaptability, and Maintaining Dignity 39:42 - Conclusion & Call to Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Society often celebrates a man's physical labor- his calloused hands and strong back- while instructing him to hide or feel ashamed of his emotional scars. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, host Ryan Michler breaks down why carrying a bruised heart is not evidence of weakness, but proof that you actually showed up and lived. Drawing from Theodore Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" speech, Ryan reframes past failures, divorces, addictions, and losses as valuable badges of effort. Stop sitting on the sidelines in the cheap seats. Learn how to build calluses on your heart, stop disguising cowardice as wisdom, and take one actionable step back into the arena. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Marks of Physical Labor 02:15 - The Unseen Bruises of a Man's Heart 04:50 - Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizenship in a Republic" 06:15 - The Man in the Arena 08:00 - Why Wounds Are Proof of Effort, Not Weakness 10:40 - Responding to Haters and Cheap-Seat Critics 15:45 - What True Sacrifice Looks Like 18:25 - Building Calluses on the Heart Through Resistance 22:30 - Sovereignty: Getting Back in the Ring 29:20 - Wisdom vs. Cowardice: Protecting vs. Avoiding 31:45 - Weekly Challenge: Re-Engage With What Bruised You 33:50 - Iron Council War Room Announcement Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this "Ask Me Anything" episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen answer real questions from men striving for personal growth. They share candid insights on breaking free from social media comparison, staying emotionally present without checking out, and stepping up as a father without a roadmap. The duo also dives deep into rebuilding trust after business betrayals, finding resilience through backcountry hunting, and overcoming self-doubt in leadership. Tune in for practical advice on building character, dynamic family life, and leading with radical authenticity. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Intro & News Headlines 05:05 - Wholesome Anniversary Segment 11:56 - Beating Social Media Comparison 18:58 - Calm Under Pressure vs. Emotionally Checked Out 30:36 - Fatherhood Without a Father Figure 41:11 - Rebuilding Trust After Business Betrayal 47:07 - Character Lessons in the Backcountry Wilderness 52:40 - Leading Through Faith and Doubt 01:01:38 - The Line Between Providing and Spoiling Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Every relationship you're in is running a test you don't even know you're taking. And, most men are failing it in slow motion. Today's guest built his reputation calling out the exact moments men hand over their frame without noticing: the pedestal-building, the concessions that pile up one at a time until there are a thousand of them, the "I appreciate your energy" while she's quietly checking out. This isn't theory. It's the pattern behind every man who woke up one day wondering how he ended up as her Plan B in his own home. We're getting into "shit tests" and why they never stop, why contempt is the clock counting down on a marriage, and why the "go plan" is the same as the "stay plan" might be the most freeing sentence you hear all year. We'll cover a few of the 7 spokes of a high-value man, some of the the 21 red flags and 16 green flags worth knowing before you commit, and why proximity, familiarity, and exclusivity are what actually build attraction. If you've ever felt like you're auditioning for your own life, this episode is your wake-up call. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Social Media Platforms 03:47 - Male Friendships and Testing Boundaries 05:08 - The Rise of the "Boss Girl" Avatar 06:51 - Why Modern Men Struggle with Masculinity 11:09 - Taking Frame Back in Relationships 14:18 - The Process of Betatization and Concessions 17:44 - Decisiveness and Leading in Dating 21:08 - How Cultural Narratives Weaken Men 24:36 - Tuning Into Your Inner Asshole 28:02 - Establishing Boundaries and Determinative Action 33:17 - Addressing Toxic Masculinity Accusations 37:10 - Handling Competency and Shit Tests 39:28 - The Fishing Boat Analogy for Maintaining Attraction 42:45 - The 7 Spokes of a High-Value Man 48:58 - Avoiding Bitterness and the Black Pill Mentality 53:45 - Major Red Flags to Avoid in Dating 55:25 - The Controversy Around Women and Tattoos 57:55 - Green Flags to Look for in a Partner 01:00:48 - Overview of 'Top Shelf Man' and Where to Connect Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most men go their entire lives running on substitute friendships without realizing their tank is completely empty. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down the 5 types of men in your life - from the convenient neighbor to the group chat clown - and reveals why only one of them will actually stand by you in a crisis. Learn how to audit your inner circle, eliminate friction-free surface relationships, and build genuine 2 AM friendships through intentionality and radical honesty. Ready to surrounding yourself with high-caliber men? Join the Iron Council brotherhood at orderofman.com/ironcouncil. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Friendship Trap Most Men Fall For 00:21 - Category 1: The Convenient Friend 04:55 - Category 2: The Default Friend 07:11 - Category 3: The Clown 11:02 - Category 4: The Casual Friend 15:04 - Category 5: The 2 AM Friend 18:10 - Why 2 AM Friendships Still Have Limitations 20:07 - Taking Responsibility for Your Relationships 22:25 - The 80/20 Rule of Male Vulnerability 26:47 - How to Build Intentional Brotherhood Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Ryan and Kipp dive into another Ask Me Anything episode covering friendship, leadership, masculinity, marriage, and purpose. They begin by discussing George Washington's remarkable character and why understanding history matters today. Listener questions lead to conversations about finding true brothers instead of surface-level friends, accepting difficult personal feedback, evaluating modern masculinity influencers, and navigating marriage when a wife earns more than her husband. Along the way, Ryan shares personal stories about leadership, divorce, and conviction, while Kipp offers practical insights on authenticity, self-leadership, and intentional living. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Pre-show conversation 11:47 – George Washington discussion 19:21 – Finding brothers instead of casual friends 27:22 – Difficult personal feedback and growth 42:30 – Choosing trustworthy voices on masculinity 51:19 – Should men be the primary provider? 1:03:18 – Iron Council preview invitation 1:04:18 – Closing thoughts Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most men think attraction is something that happens to them (a switch their wife either flips or doesn't). Keith Yackey burns that idea to the ground. After two divorces, he built a framework around one brutal truth: you don't get what you want, you get what you are. If she's not leaning in anymore, that's not a mystery. That's a mirror. In this conversation, Keith breaks down the five dials every man is quietly failing (parent, partner, producer, player, and power) and hands you the exact language to rate yourself against them. We get into why scheduling sex builds more desire than spontaneity ever will, why "I did it for you" is the worst thing a man can say, and why the guys who stop chasing anything eventually get left by everything. This isn't theory. It's the same math Keith used to go from a 19 out of 100 to the best marriage of his life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Welcome to Mickler Manor 01:53 Montana Knife Company Gift & Blood Brothers 04:06 Learning How to Receive Help as a Man 08:23 Do Men Need to Hit Rock Bottom? 10:36 Realizing You Are the Common Denominator 12:55 Becoming a Better Coach Through Failure 14:38 Why Men Need Stories of Struggle 18:42 Purpose, Mission, and Identity Over Ego 22:33 The Raw Truth About Relationship Dynamics 24:42 Extreme Ownership vs. Victim Mentality 28:53 What a "Fulfilled" Woman Wants 32:43 The Power of Boundaries and Saying "No" 36:57 The Importance of Brotherhood and Male Tribes 40:13 Overt vs. Covert Communication in Marriage 42:27 Overcoming Complacency in Relationships 46:20 Creating Novelty & Building Consistency 50:32 Self-Validation and Holding High Standards 54:42 Leading with Intention 58:34 Captain of the Vessel vs. Passengers 01:02:35 Support, Peacemaking, and Shared Joy 01:06:31 Direct Communication and Expressing Desires 01:12:45 Why Scheduling Intimacy Works 01:16:53 The 5 Dials of Long-Term Attraction 01:23:10 Rating Yourself and Fixing Your Relationship Grade 01:29:32 Modeling Love and Setting the Container 01:32:52 Connecting with Keith Yackey & Married Game Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Most men despise small talk, dismissing it as shallow, fake, or a complete waste of breath. We skip the pleasantries and go straight to the agenda. But in this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down why avoiding small talk is quietly costing you massive life, career, and romantic opportunities. Small talk isn't about the weather or sports; it's a low-risk reconnaissance mission to establish trust, likeability, and respect. Ryan shares 4 actionable moves to stop trying to be "impressive" and instead leverage genuine curiosity to open doors you've been walking right past. Stop treating small talk like a nuisance - it's the gateway to your next big breakthrough. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Real Cost of Skipping Small Talk 02:35 - Low Risk Equates to High Opportunity 04:30 - The Instinctual Mistakes Men Make 06:47 - The True Function of Small Talk 08:34 - Curiosity Over Performance 12:55 - Move 1: Master the Follow-Up Question 16:40 - Move 2: Be Memorable, Not Impressive 18:50 - Move 3: The 48-Hour Follow-Up Rule 20:45 - Move 4: Treat Every Room Like It Matters 28:00 - Why Introversion Is Not an Excuse 29:40 - Your Weekend Assignment Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this week's Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen kick things off by discussing the latest UFC headlines, Conor McGregor's return, Patty Pimblett's impressive performance, and what happens when people tie their identity to something that eventually expires. They also unpack the recent Yellowstone bison incident and the lessons it teaches about respecting nature and recognizing danger. Then they answer listener questions on authenticity, difficult conversations in marriage, job loss and identity, misconceptions in the manosphere, seeking a father's approval, dementia, and whether hunting builds better men or simply reinforces lessons learned elsewhere. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Cold Open 01:48 Episode Begins 06:51 UFC Headlines: Patty Pimblett, Conor McGregor & Identity 16:12 Yellowstone Bison Attack & Lessons from Nature 25:30 AMA: How to Live Authentically 42:40 AMA: Job Loss, Identity & Being a Provider 48:31 AMA: The Worst Advice in the Manosphere 52:45 AMA: Making Peace with a Father Facing Dementia 1:04:16 AMA: Does Hunting Build Better Men? 1:09:00 Closing Thoughts Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Men are drowning in a culture that rewards the appearance of strength. You've likely heard the term, "ripped, rich, and rare." It misses the one thing that actually builds it: the willingness to fail, feel it, and let their kids watch them do it. Today's guest calls this the "Upside Down Game," the con every man eventually has to walk away from if he wants to become someone worth following. This conversation goes straight at the blindness most men carry about themselves, the resistance that waits for every man trying to change, and why the hardest thing on earth isn't becoming a warrior; it's accepting your own humanity first. Kyle Carnohan joins me to talk about the greatest awakening happening among men right now, and what it actually looks like to raise kids who can hold frame in a world built to knock them off it. We get into the difference between being calm and being a pushover, why "non-reactive" doesn't mean passive, and how a strong spine and a soft heart aren't opposites, they're the whole point. If you've ever wondered whether your kids are learning more from your failures than your victories, this episode will answer that question whether you're ready for it or not. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Reconnecting 01:09 - The State of Modern Podcasting vs. Real Connection 03:22 - The Great Awakening: Transitioning from Promotion to Realness 05:24 - Embracing Failure, Disaster, and Finding Faith 07:23 - The Struggle for Men to Accept Their Humanity 09:22 - Falling in Love with the Process Over the Outcome 10:00 - Finding Peace in Major Life Hardships 11:51 - Teaching Children Resilience Through Witnessing Hardship 14:38 - Spotting Your Blind Spots and Learning to Continually Reconcile 19:40 - The Importance of Finding an Accurate Mirror in Life 21:30 - Navigating Different Personalities Under One Roof 22:38 - Unconditional Love and Radical Non-Reactivity in Parenting 27:11 - Stripping Away the Tough Guy Persona 30:20 - Overcoming the Need to Force and Strong-Arm Your Family 32:18 - Maintaining a Calm Nervous System Amidst Household Chaos 36:36 - Commanding Respect vs. Demanding Compliance 39:38 - The Societal Shift and Misconceptions of Kindness in Men 41:56 - The Balance: Hard Man with a Soft Heart 45:01 - Maintaining Your Frame vs. Being a Pushover 48:45 - The Courage Required for Calm, Loving Pursuits in Conflict 50:51 - Holding the Line Calmly with Children 54:12 - How Raising Righteous Children Saves the Culture 56:05 - Yielding the Glory and Fighting Alongside Men 58:21 - Connecting with Kyle and Closing Thoughts Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, host Ryan Michler tackles a critical societal crisis: the rise of vanishing fatherhood. With nearly half of all men between the ages of 25 and 45 currently childless, Ryan breaks down why this trend isn't just an economic narrative, but a profound crisis of belief. He exposes the cultural lie that children are a restriction on personal freedom and contrasts it with data showing that 90% of fathers find fatherhood to be their deepest source of joy. True purpose comes from shouldering responsibility, not chasing comfort. Tune in to learn why raising righteous children is the ultimate battlefield for our culture. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:45 - The Fatherhood Statistics Shock 02:24 - Belief Systems vs. Economic Stories 04:27 - The Joy of Fatherhood vs. Societal Expectations 06:37 - The True Cost of Opting Out 08:50 - The Danger of Fragile and Rudderless Men 11:02 - The Birth Rate Collapse and Cultural Decay 13:19 - Reclaiming Culture Through the Next Generation 15:28 - Forfeiting the Cultural Fight 17:28 - Raising Righteous Children as the Mission 19:13 - Shifting from Dopamine to Legacy 19:57 - Step Up and Find the Courage 22:00 - A Call to Action for Modern Fathers Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready