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 – Biological Age vs. Chronological Age 37:52 – The Truth About Dairy & Processed Foods 40:31 – Calories, Metabolism & Food Quality 46:20 – Context Matters: Fueling for Your Goals 01:11:36 – Training, Nutrition & Recovery Insights 01:13:34 – TRT, GLP-1 & Lifestyle Foundations 01:18:05 – Vitamin D, Deficiencies & Aging 01:21:14 – Nutrition & Movement After 40 01:24:43 – Rapid Fire: Protein, Food Choices & More 01:30:13 – Supplement Risks & Safe Practices 01:31:43 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Connect

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

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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 Thoughts and Challenge

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

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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.

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 Masculinity Manifesto.

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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 26:00 – Focusing on Positives vs Negatives 30:00 – Emotional Intelligence and Fatherhood 33:00 – Leadership: Autocratic vs Democratic 36:00 – Masculinity, False Masculinity, and Clarity 41:00 – Values, Vision, and Decision-Making 46:00 – Aligning Actions with Identity 48:00 – Retirement, Reflection, and New Purpose 52:00 – Connecting Through the Iron Council

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

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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 Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler addresses the troubling rise of political violence and cultural hostility, urging men to step up as protectors, providers, and leaders.

He lays out a clear roadmap of four key actions—protecting your family, speaking out against destructive ideologies, stepping into positions of influence, and building strong brotherhoods. Ryan also shares upcoming plans for local Order of Man chapters and emphasizes why good men must refuse to stay silent any longer.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 02:15 – The power of prayer and courage 05:00 – Protecting your family and building skills 07:00 – Financial security as protection 08:30 – Speaking out against dangerous ideologies 14:15 – Stepping into positions of power 16:40 – Building influence through business and community 18:30 – The importance of brotherhoods 21:30 – Call to action and next steps

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.

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I revisit my 2020 conversation with Charlie Kirk, recorded during a time when we discussed pressing issues around masculinity, responsibility, and the future of our culture. In light of the tragic news of Charlie’s passing after the horrific shooting at Utah Valley University on September 10th, 2025, I share this episode in his honor.

We cover topics such as the hyper-feminization of boys, the need for strong male role models, and the responsibility men carry to lead with courage and conviction. Let’s honor Charlie’s legacy by carrying forward the work he dedicated his life to.

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.

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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 and Kipp tackle questions from the Order of Man community around productivity, energy management, and living with greater intention. From balancing family responsibilities with work, to eliminating distractions and staying aligned with long-term goals, they dive deep into practical strategies men can apply right now.

They also cover tools for planning, handling setbacks with resilience, and the value of family meetings. Plus, updates on the Iron Council and the importance of choosing growth over mere compliance.

00:00 News headlines – Phillies “crazy Karen” 08:32 Shifting AMA format & topics 09:18 Work-life balance & energy 19:07 Refocusing after interruptions 22:36 Full alignment in planning 31:22 Income and spending trackers 32:15 Writing vs. digital planning 34:39 Recommended tools 42:48 Weekly family meetings 47:03 Best time to plan 51:19 Mindset when plans go off track 01:00:29 Iron Council promotion & Facebook group

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 heard the dreaded words, “I love you but I am not in love with you,” or, more bluntly, “I want a divorce,” you know what follows is a mental and emotional rollercoaster of epic proportion. But what you probably don’t know is what to do if that day comes and what your rights might be when it comes to protecting yourself, your money, and your relationship with your children. My guest today, Attorney David Pissara, has made it his life’s work to help men navigate what is likely the most difficult part of his life – post-divorce. Today, we talk about how to avoid conflict during these times while simultaneously protecting your rights, the emotional manipulation many men face and how to confront it, whether or not the family court system is biased and what to expect when dealing with the courts, what indicators to be on the lookout for you to recognize if a divorce is pending, and even how AI may change family law.

00:17 – Introduction and Context 01:05 – Why Men Struggle in Divorce 02:58 – Men, Vulnerability, and Leadership 08:33 – Marriage as a Contract 12:37 – The Question of Fairness in Divorce Settlements 17:01 – What Men Should Look for in Women 20:18 – Predictors of Divorce and Commitment 21:27 – The Danger of Social Isolation 25:51 – Balancing Happiness and Sacrifice 28:15 – Feminism, Disney, and Unrealistic Expectations 31:12 – Dating Standards and Preferences 36:12 – The Dreaded “I Want a Divorce” Moment 37:00 – How Women Strategize Divorce 39:23 – Abuse vs. Violence in Relationships 43:40 – How Courts Handle Restraining Orders 46:06 – Why Men Rarely File Restraining Orders 49:40 – Civil vs. High-Conflict Divorces 52:02 – Should Men Stay or Leave the House? 54:38 – Resources for Fathers in Custody Battles 57:46 – Strategies for High-Conflict Personalities 59:39 – No-Fault Divorce and Its Impact 01:04:00 – Handling Loans and Slander in Divorce 01:06:52 – Bias in Family Courts and AI Judges 01:09:59 – Parental Alienation and Legal Strategy 01:11:00 – Wrap-Up and Post-Show Instructions

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 Friday Field Notes episode, Ryan Michler breaks down what it really means to be vulnerable “like a man.” He challenges the popular narrative that vulnerability is strength in itself and instead explains how it should be used as a tool for growth. Ryan outlines why discernment matters, how goals must shape openness, and why solutions must accompany weakness.

Listeners will walk away with a sharper, more practical understanding of vulnerability—stripped of fluff and grounded in responsibility. This episode is a call for men to embrace honesty without falling into the trap of empty exposure.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Rethinking vulnerability 02:30 – Vulnerability as weakness 04:40 – Exercising discernment 09:00 – Setting goals for openness 11:20 – Pairing vulnerability with solutions 18:00 – Vulnerability plus solutions equals results 20:20 – Iron Council promotion 22:45 – 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 Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan Michler dives into daily efficiencies, planning systems, and the power of structure in building a productive life. He answers listener questions on balancing flexibility with discipline, handling unexpected events, creating rituals around planning, and becoming an early riser.

Ryan also shares practical tactics like using buffers, after-action reviews, and categorizing different types of days to stay consistent and effective. Whether you’re aiming for better routines or long-term growth, this conversation offers actionable strategies you can apply immediately.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction and episode setup 02:14 – Balancing flexibility and structure 06:59 – Consistency with non-traditional work schedules 11:44 – Daily tactics for continual growth 16:30 – Handling the unexpected in planning 21:10 – Becoming an early riser 25:50 – Making daily planning a ritual 33:57 – Closing thoughts and resources

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