Order of Man

In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler broadcasts from a whitetail hunting lodge in Minnesota to discuss three insidious habits that are quietly destroying modern men: distraction, isolation, and sedation. It is dangerously easy to justify your distractions when they look like noble work, grinding at the gym, or even church service, but running from your core responsibilities will ultimately destroy your home.
Isolation might feel like the path of an alpha male, but cutting yourself off from a trusted brotherhood makes you significantly weaker. Finally, sedation—whether through drugs, porn, or simply tuning out—is a desperate attempt to regain control when life feels chaotic. Real strength comes from confronting your challenges head-on. Tune in to learn how to break these destructive patterns.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:40 - Episode Opening
00:40 - Broadcasting from the Hunting Lodge
02:22 - The Danger of Noble Distractions
07:05 - The Lie of the Lone Wolf and Isolation
11:40 - Sedation and the Illusion of Control
16:25 - Confronting Challenges Head-On
20:57 - Closing Thoughts and 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

How do you become a better man, lead your family, and navigate life's toughest challenges? Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen explore the power of brotherhood, explaining how meaningful relationships create possibility, accountability, and growth. They answer five listener questions covering freezing during confrontation, leading as a stepfather, helping an adult child become independent, raising resilient children, and moving beyond a troubled past. Along the way, they discuss conflict resolution, personal responsibility, repentance, and the importance of taking action rather than seeking validation. Plus, learn how the Iron Council can help you build stronger connections and become the man you're meant to be.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Episode Introduction and Opening
00:40 - Brotherhood, Purpose, and Meaningful Conversations
01:44 - Why Men Need a Band of Brothers
04:12 - Inspiration: From Motivation to Action
07:08 - The Power of Accountability and Connection
11:16 - Ideas, Growth, and the Value of Brotherhood
12:56 - Self-Determination: Autonomy, Mastery, and Relatedness
17:10 - Handling Confrontation and Protecting Your Family
21:32 - Preparing for Conflict Through Training
29:16 - Leading as a Stepfather
35:54 - Supporting Adult Children Without Enabling Them
43:25 - Raising Resilient and Grateful Children
47:11 - Moving Beyond Your Past and Reputation
48:17 - Why You Don't Need to Prove You've Changed
50:30 - Repentance, Making Amends, and Personal Growth
53:25 - Iron Council: Take Action Before the Year Ends
 
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 were raised to believe that a man is defined by what he's chasing: the money, the woman, the title, the next goal. And for a big part of life, that's exactly right. You should be hungry, and you should be building. But what happens when you get there? When the goal is hit, the purpose fulfills itself, and you're left standing there asking, "Now what?" A lot of men mistake that moment for depression. My guest today says it might actually be a doorway.
David Deida wrote The Way of the Superior Man nearly 30 years ago, and it's shaped a generation of men, including me. His new book, The Man of Zero, picks up where that one left off. We talk about the difference between living from lack and living from fullness, why surrendering to God isn't weakness but a code bigger than you, how a warrior can do hard things with an open heart, and why the less you chase woman and world, the more they come to you. This one goes deep, gentlemen. Let's get into it.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Episode Introduction
01:30 - From Superior Man to Man of Zero
07:36 - Living Without Goals or Motives
14:52 - Understanding the Deep "I"
21:43 - The Awareness of Animals and Humans
26:10 - Neutralizing Threats from a Place of Love
37:54 - The Three Stages of Men's Development
48:34 - Mastering Sexuality and Integrity
54:57 - Confronting Mammalian and Primal Urges
57:07 - Defining Primal Power and Boundless Sex
01:00:26 - Where to Find David's Work
 
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 exposes the trap of "mental masturbation" and breaks down ten ways men deceive themselves into thinking they are engaged in self-care and personal development when they are actually stalling. From buying unused courses and hoarding unread books to hiding behind fitness routines and blaming past trauma, Ryan highlights how noble distractions prevent real growth. 
Learn why true self-work requires action, accountability, and execution rather than endless planning or talking. Tune in to audit your habits, eliminate comfortable excuses, stop going at it alone, and build the frameworks and network needed to step up and become the man you were meant to be.   
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Introduction & Recapping Real Self-Care
02:10 - 1. Buying Courses You Never Use
02:55 - 2. Doom Scrolling & Social Media Traps
04:20 - 3. Waiting Until You're "Ready"
05:35 - 4. Blaming Others & Making Excuses
07:45 - 5. Going At It Alone
09:55 - 6. Collecting Books You Never Read
12:00 - 7. Chasing Bright & Shiny Objects
14:25 - 8. Talking More Than Doing
17:00 - 9. Hiding in the Gym or Office
18:55 - 10. Quitting When Things Get Hard
21:35 - Self-Assessment Exercise & Scoring
23:30 - Frameworks, Networks & 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

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