Order Of Man: Protect | Provide | Preside

In this week's Ask Me Anything, Ryan and Kipp tackle questions about rebuilding from loss, finding purpose, and leading your family with meaning. They discuss biblical masculinity, staying present with family, being reliable in relationships, and helping kids find purpose. Ryan also shares lessons from his recent travels and interviews, emphasizing the value of simplicity, responsibility, and action. A thought-provoking, practical conversation for men striving to live intentionally and lead well. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Ryan's return and recent adventures 02:40 – YouTube update and setup 03:05 – Losing everything and rebuilding 13:05 – Biblical masculinity and fulfillment 20:59 – Listening, memory, and reliability in marriage 33:10 – Balancing ambition with being present 40:13 – Helping kids find purpose 47:12 – Framing and managing pain 53:48 – Closing thoughts and promotions

On our perpetual quest for bigger, better, faster, wealthier, and stronger, we're led to believe that more is the answer – more gadgets, advanced technology, connections, resources, money, entertainment, etc. But what if there was a case to be made the answer to fulfillment is not in more but in less? My guest today, Dewyane Noel, makes that case. We talk about why less is more, how to reduce noise, chaos, and distraction in the modern world, the value of a hard day's work, what we can learn about human behavior through good horsemanship, and why good men ride good horses. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Working Together as Men 04:21 – Teaching the Next Generation of Horsemen 07:49 – "He Rode Good Horses" and Life Lessons 09:16 – A Man's Epitaph and Legacy 09:59 – The Purpose Behind Becoming a Better Man 13:09 – Hitting Rock Bottom and Choosing Change 17:19 – Guarding Peace and Avoiding Old Patterns 19:53 – Living Off the Grid and Finding Rest 24:38 – Setting Boundaries and Protecting Privacy 25:39 – Why Dwayne Began

Most men are working hard, providing, producing — but not necessarily happy. In this Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler shares six practical principles to help you rediscover joy and meaning in your life. From cutting toxic influences to reconnecting with purpose, this episode helps you break out of burnout and live with more fulfillment. Whether you're frustrated, exhausted, or simply drifting, this conversation will help you recalibrate your priorities and bring more joy into every area of your life. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why so many men feel unhappy despite "doing everything right" The real reason joy isn't selfish — it's essential How to identify people who lift you up vs. those who drain you Why you must remove toxic activities to make room for happiness How minimalism creates margin for peace and purpose The importance of saying yes to adventure and interesting experiences How to attach your work to a deeper mission Why serving others is the ultimate path to joy Resources & Links Mentioned:

In this week’s Ask Me Anything, Kipp Sorensen sits down with Jay Jairdullo from the Iron Council for a powerful conversation about purpose, vulnerability, and growth. They discuss emotional regulation, staying resilient when life feels heavy, and how to lead with authenticity at home and at work.  Listener questions explore fatherhood, leadership, connection, and career challenges. Jay and Kipp also share practical tools for staying grounded, building community, and re-integrating after time apart. Plus, updates on the Iron Council and upcoming Order of Man events. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Intro and Iron Council background 02:00 – Reflections on purpose and service 06:57 – Meaning through serving others (Hook) 08:48 – Being vulnerable while maintaining respect 22:03 – Habits for when life feels deflated 31:23 – Building stronger local meetups 38:16 – Rebuilding life and finances 48:10 – Emotional maturity for men 51:25 – Staying connected during military absence 58:42 – Promotions and closing thoughts Battle P

Why do people refuse to say what they see, and, what everyone knows…whether or not they’re willing to acknowledge it? Is there some benefit to keeping quiet, adhering to the “unwritten rules,” and, is there a time and place to break tradition? Today, I’m joined by Harvard professor, Dr. Steven Pinker to answer these questions. We also discuss the difference between common knowledge and common wisdom, whether or not it’s hypocrisy to stay quiet about the unwritten rules, when to be radically honest or complacently quiet, how to judge risk in your honesty, how the “Abeline Paradox” will serve you, and the importance of male initiation. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Steven Pinker 00:45 – Defining “common knowledge” vs. “common sense” 03:11 – “Don’t ask, don’t tell” and social hypocrisy 07:46 – Cultural shifts and the meaning of hypocrisy 09:41 – Morality, religion, and policy contradictions 11:21 – Hidden hypocrisies: paper bags and escort services 14:07 – How common knowledge shapes powe

In this week’s Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down how men can reclaim masculinity in an overly feminized culture. He outlines five principles for leading, protecting, and providing in a world that often mislabels masculine virtues as toxic. Ryan challenges modern misconceptions, redefines what strength looks like, and calls men to take responsibility - for themselves, their families, and their communities. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Intro - The Cost of a Feminized Culture                   00:12 - We Live in an Overly Feminized Culture 02:33 - Rule #1 - Reject the Idea That Men and Women Are the Same 05:38 - Rule #2 - Masculinity Isn’t Toxic, It’s How You Use It    08:04 - Masculine vs. Feminine Virtues: Different, Not Opposed    10:27 - Rule #3 - Don’t Take Masculinity Advice from Women        14:31 - Rule #4 - Boys Need Men: Why Male Influence Matters       16:40 - Rule #5 - Read the Room: Strength vs. Compassion          20:15 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Parenting Roles          22:35 - Rule

In this week’s Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle a wide range of powerful listener questions—from raising children without a “heart at war” to building better connections with your sons and wives. They dive deep into personal growth, leadership, and balance, discussing authenticity, recovery, and what it means to find peace while still pursuing excellence.  They also explore the realities of career transitions and starting new business ventures. A thoughtful, real, and motivating conversation filled with practical wisdom and relatable life lessons. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Opening banter & hunting talk 02:19 – First viewer question (Tony) 12:14 – Staying driven without Iron Council 15:53 – Connecting with teenage sons 26:13 – Reflecting on past podcast episodes 30:41 – Relationship checklists & intentional connection 34:32 – Resources for starting a business 39:32 – When to leave your job 43:17 – Finding peace while still growing 50:08 – Promotions & course announcements 52:22

It’s no secret that men are fascinated with the Roman Empire. Tales of battle, glory, and reign ignite our passion and enthusiasm for exerting our will against our enemies and for the benefit of those we lead. But these tales aren’t just an entertaining insight into the way men’s minds work – they’re also cautionary regarding how every once-great civilization has fallen. Today, I’m joined by Jeremy Ryan Slate to discuss what makes men so attracted to the Roman Empire, in what ways the United States in following in its ill-fated footsteps (and, in which ways it isn’t), lessons we can learn from monetary policy, political aspirations, wars and conquests, and how we can avoid the fate (or, at least prolong) every great civilization has eventually faced. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and setup 00:58 - Technical issues and restart 04:07 - Why men are fascinated by the Roman Empire 07:45 - Monetary policy, inflation, and control in Rome 13:50 - The rise of Julius Caesar and fall of the Republic 21:18 - Augus

In this deeply personal episode, Ryan opens up about his own divorce - how it unfolded, what he learned, and how men can navigate their own journey with strength and integrity. Drawing from experience and thousands of conversations with men, Ryan shares five things NOT to do and five things TO do when facing divorce. He reminds listeners that divorce, while painful, doesn’t have to be the end - it can be the start of rebuilding your life with purpose, clarity, and resilience. Key Takeaways Five Don’ts:  - Don’t sedate yourself - Avoid alcohol, porn, or distractions that numb growth.  - Don’t stalk your ex - Cut off emotional dependence and focus forward.  - Don’t sleep around - Don’t use others to fill emotional voids.  - Don’t seek vengeance or self-harm - You’re needed, and life can get better.  - Don’t watch porn - It distorts intimacy and respect for women. Five Do’s:  - Build male friendships - Brotherhood is essential for healing and accountability.  - Develop new skills - Strengthen your financial and

In this week’s Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and guest co-host Jay Jairdullo tackle powerful questions from members of the Iron Council and the broader Order of Man community. They dive into overcoming complacency after success, saving a struggling marriage, the real key to consistency, and finding clarity amid diet confusion.  Ryan also shares guidance on battling depression, building self-worth, and mastering emotional regulation. This episode is packed with wisdom, frameworks, and honest stories that every man can apply to become stronger and more grounded in purpose. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Intro and catch-up with Jay 01:26 – Setting new goals and avoiding complacency 07:42 – Navigating marital separation and self-improvement 17:31 – Why some men thrive in the Iron Council 34:18 – Using the Pareto Principle 42:51 – Overcoming depression and learning self-love 48:35 – Managing emotions and staying calm 56:21 – Final thoughts and Iron Council invitation Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's ne

Early in my self-development days, I would only consume non-fiction, self-help books. It seemed to be doing the trick but I became more consumed with the amount of books I read at the expense of actually improving my life. Then a friend encouraged me to read fiction every once in a while. Shortly thereafter, my friend Jack Carr, released his first book, Terminal List – which I devoured. And, Jack Carr is back with me again to talk about his newest book, Cry Havoc. But we talk a whole lot more than just the book. We cover how best to cultivate a new skill set (be it writing or something else), the importance of exercising the brain, making yourself better through wisdom, worrying about only what you can control, and the value of fictional work on your self-development journey. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Catching up with Jack Carr and reflecting on The Terminal List beginnings 01:23 - How publishing has changed and the modern author’s battlefield 05:21 - Gratitude, readers, and using social media for good 09:21 -

In this Friday Field Notes, Ryan dives into the inevitable challenges every man faces—and how you can rise above them. Being a male is a matter of birth, but being a man is earned through responsibility, capability, and leadership. Ryan outlines practical ways to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually so that you can protect, provide, and preside when it matters most. Whether it’s solving problems under pressure, anticipating threats, regulating emotions, or empowering others, this episode will challenge you to step up and live as the man you were meant to be. SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Intro 00:10 – Not every male is a man: challenge defines manhood 02:34 – True leadership reveals itself when things go wrong 04:50 – The power of anticipation and situational awareness 09:23 – Building capability in every area of life 11:45 – Manhood as a profession: constantly improving yourself 14:08 – Emotional regulation and creating safety 16:20 – Helping others solve their own problems 18:47 – Soverei

Ryan and Kipp dig into building and protecting the relationships that matter: how to communicate needs, spot relationships that no longer serve you, rebuild trust with children after long absences, and strike the balance between work, service, and family. Along the way Ryan shares a harrowing (and hilarious) zipline rescue that reinforces why we should hold our loved ones close. Practical advice, real-world boundaries, and quick tactical habits (like rotating one-on-one lunches with kids) make this episode a toolkit for men working to show up better at home and in community. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 — Intro & topic setup 04:26 — Topic: building relationships (Iron Council prompt) 10:20 — Q: William Pennell — communicating needs 15:47 — Q: Jeremy Kofi — when relationships stop serving 20:45 — Q: Travis Gare — reentering your son's life after absence 31:10 — Q: Matthew Jenkins — prioritizing time with family 40:16 — Q: Christopher Jackson — reclaiming masculine energy 45:19 — Q: Eric Tyler — inner work before

In 1992, John Gray released, “Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus.” It was important work then. It is just as (if not, more so) important today. Why do we as men struggle to understand what women are thinking and saying? And, why do women struggle just as much in understanding us? My guest today, Vanessa Bennet, author of “The Motherhood Myth,” and psychotherapist sheds some light on the reasons, including an inside look at what women are thinking and why. Today, we talk about the misunderstandings between men and women, why women aren’t interested in being with you as one of their children, why women are looking for leadership and respect from men, what is healthy womanhood and manhood, why safety is a key factor in attractiveness for women, and what it really means when a woman says, “I want a man who is vulnerable.” SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 — Intro & Costa Rica setup 02:02 — Miscommunication Between Men & Women 09:17 — Shadow Work & Shame 13:06 — Myths of Motherhood 18:07 — Finding the Middle

In this Friday Field Notes episode, Ryan Michler explores what it truly means for men to take risks and why it’s essential for growth, leadership, and purpose. He outlines the importance of knowing your “why,” weighing risk versus reward, hedging your bets, and preparing every area of your life before making bold moves. Ryan also emphasizes the need for courage, resilience, and guidance from mentors. This conversation is a practical and powerful guide for men who want to step into greater responsibility, push past fear, and live with meaning while taking calculated, righteous risks. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:14 Big goals and the role of risk 02:24 The importance of knowing your why 07:03 Measuring risk versus reward 09:27 Hedging your bets 11:50 Getting your house in order 14:16 SWOT analysis for decision-making 16:37 The mandate to take righteous risk 18:55 Coaching opportunities and Iron Council Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the I

In Part 2 of this Ask Me Anything Ryan and Kipp tackle real listener money questions - from Roth vs. traditional 401(k)s and how to start saving at 48, to scaling rental portfolios, buying land, and running a meat processing business. They also discuss high-income skills, the psychology of debt and “usury,” and whether cashing out investments to pay a low-rate mortgage makes sense. Packed with actionable prudence, blunt honesty, and practical frameworks for financial decisions. Tune in, take notes, and move to action. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Intro 01:33 - Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) (Mike Cole) 04:22 - Biggest moves at 48 with nothing saved (Lonnie McIntyre) 10:57 - Scaling rentals: use equity or let it pay off (Jeremy Fulmer) 14:07 - Considering closing 401(k) to buy land (Mike) 16:57 - Starting a meat processing business (Jeff Kessler) 23:18 - Experience vs. price: creating convenience & premium services 26:21 - High-income skills & why connection matters (Jonathan Webster) 34:05 - Usury, debt cultu

If all it took was a basic understanding of food to get lean and healthy, all men would have visible abs and never need the scale. The reality, however, is that most men don’t have the abs and, although they may have the scale, they’re not really willing to get on it. It turns out that the science of food and how it reacts with our body goes so much deeper, including the mental and emotional realm. My guest today, author of Eat Smarter, Shawn Stevenson, has spent decades of his life understanding the basics and nuances of the fuel we call food and our relationship with it. We cover why not all calories are the same, how culture impacts our eating decision making process, how placebos are more effective than you’d think in curing illness and disease, why the diversity of what you eat is just as important as how much you eat, and why you are what you eat. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Catching Up & Setting the Stage 01:24 – Changing Family Food Culture 03:25 – Redefining Health & Culture in America 24:31 –

In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down the truth behind the phrase “Nice Guys Never Win.” He explains how the tendency to avoid conflict, suppress needs, and chase approval leads to weak boundaries, indecision, and frustration in relationships and careers.  Ryan outlines the real costs of “nice guy syndrome” and challenges men to reclaim respect through clarity, honesty, and decisive action. He closes with five daily practices to help men stop self-betrayal and start leading with conviction. This episode is a direct, no-fluff call for men to stop playing the victim and step into responsibility. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Defining the Nice Guy 02:13 – Consequences of Nice Guy Syndrome 04:32 – Indecisiveness and People Pleasing 06:53 – Suppressing Needs and Passive Aggression 09:18 – Inauthenticity and Fear of Judgment 11:43 – Playing the Victim 13:51 – Confusion, Distrust, and Frustration 18:43 – The Cycle of Anger and Resentment 20:46 – Five Daily Practices to Overcome 27:58 – Closing Though

In this week’s Ask Me Anything, Ryan and Kipp tackle pressing questions from the Iron Council, all centered on money. From understanding the habits of wealthy men, to real vs. nominal gains, to the psychology of budgeting and investing, they cover practical insights that cut through financial confusion. The guys also dive into real estate, Roth strategies, and why prudence matters more than market timing. Tune in for a candid, actionable conversation on building and stewarding wealth with wisdom. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:05 – Opening and headlines 11:41 – Wealthy habits vs. average habits 21:44 – Real vs. nominal gains 24:49 – Selling a house and liquidity decisions 35:07 – Budgeting and psychology of money 43:23 – Wealth and dishonesty mindset 46:24 – Borrowing against equity 49:14 – Rentals vs. 401k 50:57 – When to sell real estate investments 53:16 – Backdoor Roth explained 59:47 – Iron Council promotion 1:02:57 – Social and community links Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masc

What you think of yourself is directly correlated with the kind of man you are or will become. If you believe yourself to be a victim of circumstances beyond your control, you will be. If, alternatively, you believe the world is conspiring for your benefit, it will be. It is quite literally self-fulfilling prophesy. My guest today, Jay Jairdullo, knows exactly what this is like after spending 25 years in law enforcement and now a college wrestling coach, he has had to redefine himself over and over again. Today, Jay and I talk about what he calls “false masculinity,” avoiding slipping back into old patterns, the importance of core values, overcoming the victimhood mentality, and keeping yourself and others off pedestals you don’t belong. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Building Brotherhood and Friendship 04:00 – Self-Image and Overcoming Excuses 10:00 – Shifting Identity and Mindset 14:00 – Lessons from a Career in Law Enforcement 18:00 – Loyalty, Support, and Marriage Dynamics 22:00 – Rebuilding Trust and Reputation