You've seen the shirt everywhere—"Lions not sheep"—and something about it resonates. Being an independent thinker, resistant to manipulation, not following the herd. But what if this framework completely misses the point?

When you swap CNN for Fox News or trade your governor's advice for that podcaster's wisdom, you haven't become a lion. You've just changed shepherds. The chest-pounding about independence is still herd mentality—you've simply picked a different pen.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: no amount of critical thinking transforms you from sheep to predator. Your most independent thoughts are shaped by voices you've chosen to trust. The question isn't whether you're a sheep—it's which shepherd you're following.

Embracing this reality unlocks genuine wisdom. Discover the one shepherd worth following and how to discern which voices deserve your trust.

Visit sethtroutt.com for more insights on authentic masculinity that finds freedom in following the right shepherd rather than pretending to lead yourself.