In this episode of the Ask Me Anything series, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorenson dive into hard-hitting questions from listeners about fatherhood, masculinity, personal growth, and navigating life’s toughest transitions. They discuss what it means to be a man in today’s culture, the power of physical discipline, balancing martial arts training, and overcoming shame and failure.

With raw honesty and practical insight, they challenge men to take ownership, build resilience, and lead with purpose—especially when life demands a reinvention from the ground up.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 News & personal updates 14:22 Devotional roles: husband, father, son 22:43 Thoughts on Liver King 28:18 Balancing jiu-jitsu with other martial arts 34:47 Leading yourself through life transitions 42:43 Fitness and its impact on mindset and leadership 52:53 Training goals into your 50s, 60s & 70s 55:34 Identity, inner dialogue, and breakthrough moments

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

Is there a clear and deliberate agenda against men and boys in culture today? Or, is it simply a byproduct of the relative ease of modern times. My guest today, Pastor Douglas Wilson, makes the case that it’s a combination of both and, more accurately, than “modern times,” a result of “wealthy times.” And, if that is the case, what should men do for ourselves and for the future of our children and this world?

Today, Doug and I talk about rebuilding strength and order in our lives and instilling it in our boys, how exactly men can step up against the lunacy and degeneracy we see in modern culture, why men make inferior women and vice versa, why reality calls for us, as men, to reckon with the dangerous times in which we live, and why masculinity cannot (and, should not) be legislated away.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome   01:03 - Softness in Society and Masculinity   03:36 - Exploitation in a Soft Society   04:17 - The Need for Righteous and Hard Men   06:30 - Hard Times Create Strong Men   07:58 - Men's Role as Protectors   09:16 - Historical Context of Church Femininity   14:53 - Corporate vs. Individualized Worship   17:51 - Egalitarianism and Traditional Roles   20:27 - Reclaiming Masculinity in Culture   22:57 - Preaching for Truth vs. Consensus   24:30 - Learning Masculinity Through Imitation   28:54 - Single Mothers and Masculine Role Models   31:19 - Balancing Risk and Safety in Raising Boys   37:06 - The Impact of a Pampered Society   41:49- The Decline of Risk-Taking in Men   46:18 - Male-Female Dynamics and Patriarchy   53:29 - Masculinity as Sacrificial Responsibility   57:13 - Promoting Man Rampant and Other Works  

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 tackles the crisis of male isolation, emphasizing the need for strong male connections. He introduces the "BBQ Test," a framework to evaluate potential brothers-in-arms based on five key questions: enjoyment, resilience, depth, principle, and capability. 

Michler challenges men to reject cultural lies about lone masculinity, urging them to build networks of virtuous men. He shares personal insights and offers the Iron Council as a resource for forging these bonds. Join Ryan to discover how to cultivate meaningful, growth-oriented relationships.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Struggle of Male Connection 02:39 - Importance of Frameworks and Networks 05:06 - The BBQ Test Concept 07:32 - Question 1 & 2: Enjoyment and Resilience 10:01 - Question 3: Deep Thinker or Stooge 12:21 - Question 4: Principled Man 16:44 - Question 5: Capability 18:43 - Evaluating Your Circle 21:08 - The Iron Council Solution 23:30 - 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

Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen dive into powerful listener-submitted questions around change, brotherhood, leadership, emotional vulnerability, and navigating fear in uncertain times. They explore how desperation and inspiration spark transformation, the traits that make up a strong inner circle, and the importance of vigilance in a chaotic world. 

Additionally, they explore spiritual perspectives, navigating major life transitions, and emotional expression as fathers. Real talk, real insight — this episode offers practical and heartfelt guidance for men striving to lead with strength and clarity.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Opening Banter & Headlines 08:08 – Desperation vs. Inspiration: How Change Happens 15:42 – Building Your Inner Circle 32:22 – Dealing with Eternity and Purpose 41:10 – Managing Fear in Uncertain Times 49:15 – Leading Through Major Life Transitions 52:43 – Emotional Expression as Fathers 59:00 – Iron Council Invitation & Wrap-Up

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

Too many men are wandering around aimlessly through life doing just enough in their existence to make it through one more day. That’s part of the reason I founded Order of Man and bring in incredible men like my guest today, Cody Jefferson. Cody is on a mission to help men find their purpose and live a life they’re called to live. Today, Cody and I talk about why so many men feel they’re always behind and never enough, the pressures a man faces daily and how to relieve them correctly, the source of joy and peace in a man’s life, how your body will tell you a lot about your attitude and efforts in life, why men should focus on who they are, not what they do, and so much more.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Friendship 01:11 - Trusting God's Timing 02:59 - Learning from Challenges 05:41 - Being Known vs. Being Seen 07:07 - Overcoming Vices 09:24 - Impact of Self-Sabotage 11:24 - Fear of Success 13:35 - Transition from Ministry 14:38 - Practical Self-Care 19:35 - Lessons from Past Mistakes 23:18 - Health Crisis and Realization 27:04 - Divine Inspiration 30:24 - Importance of Wise Counsel 34:57 - Death and Resurrection 40:13 - Understanding Purpose 43:14 - Calling to Help Others 46:46 - Judging Actions vs. Souls 49:36 - Overcoming Ego 53:16 - Areas of Growth 57:21 - Building a Deeper Connection

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

Ryan Michler shares six essential books for fathers in this heartfelt episode of *Friday Field Notes*. Reflecting on fatherhood’s profound impact, he draws from personal experiences, including a near-death hunting trip with his son. Michler recommends reads like *The Boy Crisis* and *Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters* to help fathers navigate modern challenges, raise resilient sons, and nurture daughters’ self-worth. Emphasizing sovereignty and emotional regulation, he inspires men to lead with purpose,0making this episode a powerful guide for fathers committed to growth. 

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction to Fatherhood’s Importance 02:31 - Father’s Day Reflections 04:52 - Book 1: The Boy Crisis 06:09 - Book 2: Iron John 07:09 - Book 3: Wild at Heart 09:36 - Book 4: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters 11:02 - Book 5: Men’s Work 12:02 - Book 6: Sovereignty 14:31 - Closing Thoughts and Resources

Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle listener questions in this Friday Field Notes "Ask Me Anything" episode. They explore escaping life’s ruts, timing for starting a business, simplifying battle plans, staying disciplined, interviewing high-profile figures, and sharing advice confidently. Recorded early due to a hunting trip, their practical insights and relatable analogies inspire men to take action and live purposefully. Join the Iron Council at orderman.com/ironcouncil for more.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Hunting Plans 09:38 - Escaping Life’s Ruts 18:00 - Timing for Starting a Business 24:21 - Simplifying Battle Plans 34:31 - Maintaining Discipline 45:31 - Framing a High-Profile Interview 51:10 - Sharing Advice Confidently 01:03:21 - Iron Council Enrollment and Wrap-Up

Very few men think of relationships in the frame of the “sexual marketplace,” although the rules and principles of attraction and connection can very much be understood as an economic model, of sorts, of perceived value. And, the man who offers the most perceived value, is the man who gets the girl. Whether you’re married or single, understanding the intricacies and nuance of what makes a man attractive to a woman will help him get more of what he wants from her.

My guest today, psychologist Orion Taraban joins me to discuss these dynamics between men and women so we all get more of what we’re after in relationships. We cover the importance of knowing your value and knowing what is valuable to the opposite sex, why love has little or nothing to do with attraction, what is known as the “Madonna-Whore Complex,” the concepts of Captains and Passengers as it relates to dating and mating, the difference between talking and communicating, and how best to make yourself more attractive.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction to Captain and Passenger Roles 00:30 - Orion Taraban’s Background and Book Success 01:30 - The Role of YouTube in Building an Audience 03:24 - Orion’s Communication Style and Credentials 07:04 - The Captain and Passenger Metaphor 11:33 - Prerogatives of the Captain 12:23 - Liabilities of Female Captaincy 15:29 - Sexual Marketplace Dynamics 18:38 - Love and Relationships 20:15 - Male Sexuality and Objectification 26:16 - Attraction and the “Bad Boy” Myth 28:12 - The Two Women Concept 32:21 - Communication vs. Talking in Relationships 37:24 - Self-Knowledge and Attraction 41:14 - Double Standards in the Sexual Marketplace 47:20 - Body Count and Sexual Novelty 51:17 - The Coolidge Effect and Male Drive 56:13 - Monogamy and Historical Context 59:54 - Relationships as Economic Transactions 1:03:36 - Marriage as a Business Partnership 1:09:48 - What Women Want in Men 1:16:01 - Standing Out in the Sexual Marketplace 1:23:12 - Where to Connect with Orion

In this powerful episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler tackles imposter syndrome, urging men to reject feelings of inadequacy and embrace their divine purpose. He challenges the notion of being an imposter, labeling it as selfish and rooted in insecurity. 

Michler provides a candid, no-nonsense perspective, offering five actionable steps to reframe negative self-stories, unpack insecurities, and lean on others’ belief in oneself. With raw honesty, he inspires listeners to recognize their worth and take bold action to become the men they’re meant to be.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:30 - Introduction to Imposter Syndrome 02:56 - The Selfish Nature of Imposter Syndrome 04:42 - Acknowledging Strengths and Weaknesses 06:54 - Value is Subjective 08:56 - The Comparison Trap 11:07 - You’re Not an Imposter, You’re Learning 12:57 - Imposter Syndrome is Just a Story 14:58 - Unpacking Insecurities with the Five W’s 17:07 - Journaling to Confront Insecurities 19:11 - Rewriting Your Past Story 21:22 - Crafting a New Story 24:50 - Leaning on Others’ Belief in You 27:05 - Rejecting Imposter Syndrome 29:11 - Moral Imperative to Be Your Best 31:18 - Closing Thoughts and 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 AMA episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorenson dive into key questions from listeners on navigating relationships, living with purpose, processing intense emotions, and making tough life decisions. They also explore personal family traditions, the importance of frameworks and accountability, and how to know when it's time to pivot. With honest, practical insights and stories from their own experiences, this episode is packed with value for any man seeking growth, clarity, and strength in all areas of life.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 – Intro and catching up 01:38 – Navigating early relationship struggles 08:05 – Living life unabashedly 16:41 – Family summer traditions 20:17 – Processing strong emotions like anger and sadness 30:11 – Running away or moving toward opportunity 40:11 – What would you prioritize if your life was on the line? 45:06 – What to cut out to move forward 48:31 – Turning knowledge into action 54:24 – Preparing for the Forge event & final 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