Order of Man

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