Order of Man

How do you become a better man, lead your family, and navigate life's toughest challenges? Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen explore the power of brotherhood, explaining how meaningful relationships create possibility, accountability, and growth. They answer five listener questions covering freezing during confrontation, leading as a stepfather, helping an adult child become independent, raising resilient children, and moving beyond a troubled past. Along the way, they discuss conflict resolution, personal responsibility, repentance, and the importance of taking action rather than seeking validation. Plus, learn how the Iron Council can help you build stronger connections and become the man you're meant to be.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction and Opening 00:40 - Brotherhood, Purpose, and Meaningful Conversations 01:44 - Why Men Need a Band of Brothers 04:12 - Inspiration: From Motivation to Action 07:08 - The Power of Accountability and Connection 11:16 - Ideas, Growth, and the Value of Brotherhood 12:56 - Self-Determination: Autonomy, Mastery, and Relatedness 17:10 - Handling Confrontation and Protecting Your Family 21:32 - Preparing for Conflict Through Training 29:16 - Leading as a Stepfather 35:54 - Supporting Adult Children Without Enabling Them 43:25 - Raising Resilient and Grateful Children 47:11 - Moving Beyond Your Past and Reputation 48:17 - Why You Don't Need to Prove You've Changed 50:30 - Repentance, Making Amends, and Personal Growth 53:25 - Iron Council: Take Action Before the Year Ends   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  

Most of us were raised to believe that a man is defined by what he's chasing: the money, the woman, the title, the next goal. And for a big part of life, that's exactly right. You should be hungry, and you should be building. But what happens when you get there? When the goal is hit, the purpose fulfills itself, and you're left standing there asking, "Now what?" A lot of men mistake that moment for depression. My guest today says it might actually be a doorway. David Deida wrote The Way of the Superior Man nearly 30 years ago, and it's shaped a generation of men, including me. His new book, The Man of Zero, picks up where that one left off. We talk about the difference between living from lack and living from fullness, why surrendering to God isn't weakness but a code bigger than you, how a warrior can do hard things with an open heart, and why the less you chase woman and world, the more they come to you. This one goes deep, gentlemen. Let's get into it.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 01:30 - From Superior Man to Man of Zero 07:36 - Living Without Goals or Motives 14:52 - Understanding the Deep "I" 21:43 - The Awareness of Animals and Humans 26:10 - Neutralizing Threats from a Place of Love 37:54 - The Three Stages of Men's Development 48:34 - Mastering Sexuality and Integrity 54:57 - Confronting Mammalian and Primal Urges 57:07 - Defining Primal Power and Boundless Sex 01:00:26 - Where to Find David's Work   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 exposes the trap of "mental masturbation" and breaks down ten ways men deceive themselves into thinking they are engaged in self-care and personal development when they are actually stalling. From buying unused courses and hoarding unread books to hiding behind fitness routines and blaming past trauma, Ryan highlights how noble distractions prevent real growth.  Learn why true self-work requires action, accountability, and execution rather than endless planning or talking. Tune in to audit your habits, eliminate comfortable excuses, stop going at it alone, and build the frameworks and network needed to step up and become the man you were meant to be.    SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction & Recapping Real Self-Care 02:10 - 1. Buying Courses You Never Use 02:55 - 2. Doom Scrolling & Social Media Traps 04:20 - 3. Waiting Until You're "Ready" 05:35 - 4. Blaming Others & Making Excuses 07:45 - 5. Going At It Alone 09:55 - 6. Collecting Books You Never Read 12:00 - 7. Chasing Bright & Shiny Objects 14:25 - 8. Talking More Than Doing 17:00 - 9. Hiding in the Gym or Office 18:55 - 10. Quitting When Things Get Hard 21:35 - Self-Assessment Exercise & Scoring 23:30 - Frameworks, Networks & The 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 episode of Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen discuss the value of taking action, embracing imperfection, and questioning the polished images presented on social media. They debate the promise of Elon Musk's flying car before answering listener questions about career opportunities, family priorities, firearm safety, purpose, screen time, and leadership. They also explore handling envy, rebuilding relationships with adult children, and navigating changing interests with teenage kids. Along the way, Ryan and Kipp share practical advice on setting boundaries, communicating honestly, and becoming more intentional as men, husbands, fathers, and leaders. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction: Opening 00:17 - Embracing Stress and Taking Action 04:48 - Why Being Real Matters More Than Being Perfect 07:50 - Elon Musk's Flying Car: Innovation or Showboating? 16:46 - Career Opportunities vs. Family Roots 26:00 - Firearms, Family Safety, and Marriage 30:14 - Restlessness, Ambition, and Finding Purpose 34:58 - Setting Boundaries With Your Phone 40:57 - Leading Difficult Parents in Youth Sports 46:28 - Envy, Success, and Personal Growth 53:25 - Becoming a Better Grandfather 56:54 - When Your Child Wants a Different Path 01:02:03 - The War Room: Brotherhood and Connection 01:04:34 - Closing Thoughts and 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  

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