Order of Man

Men have lost initiation. There was a time when boys were tested before becoming men. They faced hardship. They endured pain. They returned changed - recognized as men. Today, that process is gone. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down: Why modern men feel lost The three elements of ancient initiation Why pain is necessary How comfort culture is weakening men Why nobody is coming to initiate you How to initiate yourself If you feel stuck, drifting, or chasing validation - this episode is for you. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Men Have Lost Initiation 00:26 When Boys Knew They Became Men 02:50 The Cost of Extended Adolescence 05:10 Comfort Culture Is Weakening Men 07:25 "Where Have All the Real Men Gone?" 08:05 The Three Elements of Initiation 08:30 Removed From Comfort 09:24 The Benefit of Pain 11:15 The Trial: Facing Fear 12:56 Recognition and Acknowledgment 14:49 Drifting, Chasing, and the Integrity Gap 16:35 Nobody Is Coming to Initiate You 17:14 Voluntary Hardship 18:45 What Initiation Looks Like Today 19:45 Brotherhood Is Modern Initiation 20:51 The World Needs Grounded Men 21:15 Questions Every Man Must Ask Himself 22:21 Do Something Difficult This Week 23:47 Steadiness Over Loudness 24:35 Choose the Fire 25:00 Join the Iron Council 25:20 The Men's Forge Event 26:00 Final Challenge   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 and Kipp Sorensen answer powerful questions from the Iron Council on leadership, fatherhood, faith, discipline, and personal responsibility. They explore how to eliminate noise and live an integrated life, coach teenage boys through cultural conflict, raise resilient children, and avoid bureaucratic leadership traps. The conversation also confronts modern church culture, challenges the pursuit of comfort over growth, and defines what it truly means to be present as a father - even when work demands time away. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 03:50 - Signal vs Noise and Life Integration 14:27 - Coaching Teens Through Cultural Conflict 22:52 - Leadership Systems vs Human Judgment 34:41 - Faith, Masculinity, and the Modern Church 47:29 - Helping Kids Find Their Passion 52:31 - Defining Presence as a Working Father 56:19 - Men's Forge Event Announcement 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 a world that constantly pressures men to outsource responsibility, comfort has become a substitute for competence and dependence is sold as safety. But sovereignty isn't something given to you by institutions, culture, or circumstance. It's secured through discipline, ownership, and a commitment to lead yourself first. In this episode, we're talking about what it really means to secure your sovereignty—mentally, physically, financially, and morally—so no one else gets to dictate the terms of your life. My guest today, Ian Wendt, joins me for a powerful conversation on reclaiming authority over your decisions, your time, and your future. We dig into the hidden trade-offs men make when they surrender control, the systems that quietly erode independence, and the practical steps required to stand firm as a self-governed man in an increasingly unstable world. This isn't about rebellion, it's about responsibility. If you're serious about protecting what you've built and leading with clarity and conviction, this is a conversation you need to hear. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - The Evolution of Podcasting 00:13:36 - Ryan's Origin Story and Order of Man 00:29:03 - The State of Masculinity Today 00:44:18 - Leadership, Standards, and Responsibility 00:59:03 - Marriage, Fatherhood, and Presence 01:14:32 - Building Brotherhood and Community 01:29:01 - Discipline, Business, and Personal Code 01:44:07 - Final Advice for Men Who Want More 01:58:34 - 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  

Most men believe confidence comes after certainty - once they make more money, gain more experience, or eliminate risk. In this Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler challenges that belief and explains why clarity, not certainty, is the real source of confidence. Ryan breaks down how ambiguity quietly drains a man's energy, why indecision exhausts the nervous system, and how avoiding clarity eventually leads to resentment, broken relationships, and missed opportunities. He also explains why most men don't lack clarity - they lack the courage to act on what they already know. This episode is a call to action: stop negotiating with clarity, make decisions, and move forward calmly, deliberately, and decisively. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Confidence vs Certainty 00:38 - Why Ambiguity Drains Men 02:32 - How Indecision Exhausts Your Energy 04:34 - Clarity Calms the Nervous System 05:45 - Confidence Is Calm, Not Loud 06:30 - Why Men Avoid Clarity 08:08 - Clarity Requires Courage 10:16 - "Patience" as Avoidance 12:19 - What You Avoid Will Confront You 14:00 - Clarity Is Respect, Not Aggression 15:52 - The One Question You Must Ask Yourself 17:02 - One Decision Can Change Everything 19:07 - Confidence Comes After Decision 21:22 - Final Challenge to Get Clear 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 and Kipp Sorensen tackle real-world questions from men across the globe. They discuss staying on the path after divorce, resisting the urge to chase new systems, and why consistency matters more than quick results. The conversation dives into parenting sons and daughters, raising boys through real-world apprenticeship, navigating estranged relationships with adult children, and how emotional regulation shapes leadership and influence. From fitness and fatherhood to boundaries, patience, and embodiment, this episode offers grounded wisdom for men committed to growth. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Weekend banter and life updates 03:35 - Systems after divorce and consistency 14:12 - Predictions, expectations, and relationships 21:26 - Taking young children into the outdoors 29:29 - Connecting with daughters as a father 35:55 - Teaching young men leadership and decisions 42:46 - Estrangement from children and self-leadership 51:48 - Men's Forge event announcement and CTA   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

What does it mean to truly protect something you love? And, what are you willing to sacrifice to do it? Today's guest has gone farther into the wild than most people ever will, not for thrill or ego, but to defend one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. From the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the front lines of conservation, this is a conversation about courage, responsibility, and confronting fear head-on. My guest today is Paul Rosolie, a renowned explorer, conservationist, and storyteller whose life's work is rooted in protecting the Amazon and the creatures that inhabit it. We talk about what the jungle teaches you about yourself, the modern war on nature, and his powerful new book, Junglekeeper, which challenges us to stop outsourcing responsibility and start defending what matters, personally and globally. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction 01:15 - Encounter With an Uncontacted Amazon Tribe 04:10 - The Amazon Rubber Boom and Tribal Genocide 06:45 - Protecting the Last Wild Places 08:20 - Life Before Civilization 10:00 - Romanticizing Primitive Life vs Reality 12:35 - Modern Man's Disconnection From Nature 15:35 - Why the Wild Shapes Strong Men 18:45 - Artificial Fitness vs Real Work 20:25 - Is Saving the Amazon Even Possible? 23:45 - Hope, Despair, and Media Manipulation 26:00 - Overpopulation and Ecological Limits 29:00 - Letting Nature Regulate Itself 34:20 - Conservation vs Human Arrogance 37:05 - How Storytelling Saves Ecosystems 40:55 - Why Extreme Activism Backfires 43:45 - Hunters as Conservationists 46:50 - Dropping Out and Going All In 49:55 - Near-Death Encounters in the Wild 54:25 - From Adventurer to Protector 56:00 - Hope as a Weapon Against Despair 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

Healthy boundaries are essential - but most men don't know what they actually look like. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down eight practical boundaries every man must establish in his personal, professional, and romantic relationships to build respect, alignment, and long-term success. These boundaries aren't about control or ultimatums - they're about clarity, self-respect, and creating relationships that truly work. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Why Boundaries Matter 01:10 - Why Men Struggle with Boundaries 02:38 - Grace, Communication, and Relationships 03:05 - High Fences Make Great Neighbors 05:05 - Alignment in Healthy Relationships 06:15 - Boundary #1: Reciprocity 07:26 - Boundary #2: Initiation 08:50 - Boundary #3: Flow 10:55 - Boundary #4: Capacity 12:08 - Boundary #5: Self-Abandonment 14:45 - Boundary #6: Regulation 17:30 - Boundary #7: Exit Boundary 22:55 - Boundary #8: Potential 24:10 - Identifying Triggered Boundaries 26:05 - Communicating Boundaries Effectively 28:40 - Join Iron Council 30:05 - Final Thoughts & Sign-Off 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 and Kipp tackle some of the most misunderstood challenges men face today. They break down how to establish clear and healthy boundaries - especially the role of reciprocity in relationships - and why unspoken expectations often lead to resentment. The conversation also explores the importance of physical touch between men and how appropriate, grounded connections build trust and brotherhood. Finally, they address jealousy, comparison, and social media, offering practical strategies for cultivating gratitude while still pursuing growth. This episode is a tactical, honest discussion on showing up as a grounded, intentional man in every area of life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Opening 06:57 - UFC Commentary and Attention Spans 12:07 - Taking Ownership Around Authority Figures 19:42 - Carrot vs. Stick in Self-Discipline 26:20 - Physical Touch and Connection Between Men 31:47 - Choosing a Word or Theme for the Year 37:04 - Boundaries, Reciprocity, and Resentment 48:50 - Discipling and Mentoring Young Men 56:50 - Overcoming Jealousy and Social Comparison 01:03:51 - Raising Boys and Recommended 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

Most men don't realize how much of their anxiety, distraction, and frustration is tied to what they own—and what owns them. We live in a culture that constantly tells us to want more, buy more, and accumulate more, yet peace, clarity, and contentment feel further away than ever. Today's conversation is about pushing back against that noise and asking a harder, more honest question: When is enough, enough? My guest is Joshua Becker, author of Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World. Joshua challenges the idea that minimalism is lifeless or empty and reframes it as an intentional act of stewardship, generosity, and purpose. We talk about consumerism, greed, anxiety, and the hidden cost of everything we own—and how living with less can actually free us to love people more deeply, live with greater clarity, and invest in what truly matters. This is a conversation about discipline, contentment, and creating a life that serves your mission—not your possessions. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Why Consumerism Fuels Misery 02:15 - The Inner Motivations Behind Overconsumption 04:49 - Selling With Integrity vs Manufacturing Need 07:10 - How Algorithms Shape Desire 11:44 - Purpose as the Filter for Consumption 14:42 - When Possessions Become a Burden 18:16 - Experimenting With Owning Less 21:13 - Reducing Phone Dependency 24:13 - The "Any Benefit" Mentality 28:01 - Wealth, Anxiety, and Possessions 32:20 - Wanting Less vs Earning More 34:06 - Money as a Magnifier 38:51 - What You Own Ends Up Owning You 44:17 - When Is Enough, Enough? 47:44 - Discovering You Have Enough Through Giving 51:59 - Generosity and Abundance 55:20 - Stewardship as the Antidote to Comparison 58:10 - Uncluttered Faith and the Hope Effect 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  

Pain is part of life. Breakups, divorce, job loss, grief, frustration - every man faces suffering at some point. The difference between men who grow stronger and men who grow bitter isn't whether they suffer, but how they carry it. In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explains what it really means to "suffer like a man." Not suppressing emotions. Not performing toughness. But learning how to metabolize pain into strength, discipline, clarity, and usefulness. Ryan shares five powerful principles that will help you stop wasting your suffering and start using it as fuel for growth, leadership, and resilience - in your work, your family, and your life. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Suffer Like a Man (Intro) 00:50 - Suffering Isn't the Problem 01:45 - Why Men Numb Pain 03:11 - When Suffering Makes You Bitter 04:56 - Stop Resisting Pain 06:10 - Name the Pain 06:58 - Contain It, Don't Leak It 07:23 - Explode or Implode 08:45 - Move Pain Through the Body 10:58 - Don't Waste Your Suffering 11:35 - Extract the Meaning 13:12 - Let Suffering Make You Useful 15:18 - Suffering Builds Strong Men 16:42 - Suffering Is Part of the System 18:05 - Final Charge to Men 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 and Kipp Sorensen tackle some of the most pressing questions facing modern men. From the pros and cons of testosterone replacement therapy to rites of passage for men who were never initiated, the conversation dives deep into masculinity, leadership, and responsibility. They explore how men can give advice with confidence, navigate today's confusing cultural signals around manhood, and prepare their sons for a challenging financial future. This episode is a powerful reminder that being a man is not a title - it's a daily commitment to action. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Opening & Current Events 04:55 - Testosterone & TRT 12:35 - Rites of Passage Into Manhood 22:45 - Giving Advice With Authority 33:20 - Masculinity, Adolescence & Maturity 42:30 - Preparing Sons for the Future 50:30 - Wrap-Up & 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  

Today's conversation is a homecoming—back to the body, back to character, and back to what it means to be a man. My guest, Mark Walsh, challenges the modern habit of living entirely in our heads—cut off from sensation, boundaries, and responsibility. We talk embodiment not as fitness or aesthetics, but using physical training to develop character, emotional regulation, and presence. From Stoicism and shadow work to doing hard things on purpose, this episode is about reclaiming awareness, expanding range, and building the discipline required to choose better behavior. We also confront the cult of modernity: hyper-individualism, happiness culture, pleasure-seeking that produces pain, and the loss of religion, community, and moral formation. Mark makes the case that happiness is secondary to meaning and commitment and that true freedom is forged through discipline, not the absence of limits. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Opening & Introduction 02:31 - What Embodiment Really Means 05:44 - Objectification & Modern Culture 08:13 - The Four Disconnections 11:49 - How to Come Home to the Body 15:08 - Training Beyond Comfort Zones 18:15 - Freedom, Range, and Choice 22:27 - Culture, Tribe, and Identity 27:13 - Modernity as a Death Cult 31:00 - Structure, Religion, and Meaning 34:24 - Happiness vs Purpose 36:57 - Rock Bottom of Modern Society 41:44 - Family, Institutions, and Masculinity 46:10 - Get Offline and Live Fully 49:30 - Emotions, Stoicism, and Control 52:00 - War Zone Story & Masculine Instinct 55:14 - Practices for Becoming Human 56:46 - Where to Find Mark Walsh 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 today's episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler challenges one of modern self-help culture's most sacred ideas: vulnerability. While honesty, humility, and emotional awareness are essential to growth, Ryan makes the case that vulnerability - when practiced without discernment, responsibility, or purpose - often becomes performative, destabilizing, and counterproductive, especially for men in leadership roles. This episode is not an argument against emotion. It's an argument for self-mastery, containment, and earned honesty. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - Why Vulnerability Became a Sacred Cow 02:45 - Emotional Awareness vs Emotional Exposure 04:55 - Vulnerability Without Discernment = Emotional Exhibitionism 07:40 - Oversharing Shifts the Emotional Burden 09:50 - Why Emotional Dumping Kills Trust & Attraction 12:55 - Leadership Requires Stability, Not Collapse 14:40 - Transparency vs Discernment 16:30 - Honesty Is Not a Lack of Self-Mastery 17:40 - Regulation vs Repression 19:20 - Lessons from Stoic Men & Great Leaders 21:10 - Earned Vulnerability Explained 23:00 - Secure Containers, Not "Safe Spaces" 25:05 - Responsibility Over Emotional Relief 27:00 - What Men Actually Need More Of 28:20 - Vulnerability Is Not the Goal—Integrity Is 30:20 - Final Thoughts & 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

This episode is being re-released in remembrance of Scott Adams, who has passed away on the 13th of January, 2026. This interview remains a meaningful reflection of his ideas, experiences, and voice, and it deserved to be shared again. My guest today, Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, joins me to talk about exactly why that is and the type of thinking he refers to as "Loserthink." It's also the title of his new book subtitled, How Untrained Brains are Ruining America. Today, we talk about the fact that being right and being wrong feel the same, how to determine what battles to fight online, how shaming and mockery can be used positively, and ultimately how you can avoid thinking like a loser. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Augmenting your intelligence Wrestling with social media A "slippery slope" Linear thinking Predictable variables to success Influencing other people Enlightened selfishness Succeeding at systems Mental addiction Adding to your talent stack There's always a deeper level Engaging in "loser think" Determining a stranger's thoughts SCOTT ADAMS Gents, I am stoked to be able to introduce you to my guest today, Scott Adams. Before I do, I want to make sure I thank my friend, Jordan Harbinger, for introducing us. You may not know who Scott is right away but I'm sure you know Dilbert. Scott is the creator of Dilbert and the bestselling author of Win Bigly and his new book, Loserthink. Although Scott really started to gain attention and traction with Dilbert, his political commentary is, in my mind, just as, if not more, important. If you're interested, you can check out what he has to say on Twitter (@scottadamssays). He's never been afraid to ruffle a few feathers and I think that is why he has gained such a following – his ability to say what needs to be said and his ability to say it in a way that connects with so many of us. SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES Gentlemen, we're all aware of how important systems and processes are on our path to success but how many men have not created those systems in every facet of their lives. These are the same men who often wonder why that cannot seem to get ahead. This month, inside the Iron Council, we'll be exploring and deep-diving into the systems and processes I use and what the 500+ members are using to achieve maximum results. We'll help you unpackage your systems, explore what's working, remove what isn't, and rebuild a strategy that will ensure your success. If you'd like to know more and build your blueprint for success, band with us inside the Iron Council. You'll get the tools, challenges, assignments, camaraderie, and brotherhood needed to thrive. Again, join us at www.orderofman.com/ironcouncil. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/orderofman Connect with us on Instagram and Twitter Please leave us a rating and review Support Order of Man by picking up some new merchandise in our store

In this weekly Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan and Kipp open with reflections on consistency, discipline, and what long-term success actually requires. They then tackle listener questions on deeply held beliefs, fatherhood, masculinity, and how perspectives change with age and experience. The conversation moves into practical advice on building strong male circles, writing and publishing a book, and preparing for marriage with clarity and intention. As always, the episode blends personal insight, hard-earned lessons, and actionable guidance for men committed to growth. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Welcome and Consistency 09:08 - Question on Strong Beliefs and Doubt 17:00 - Fatherhood, Leadership, and Manhood Expectations 29:09 - Finding High-Caliber Men and Brotherhood 36:32 - Writing and Publishing a Book 44:27 - Preparing for Marriage 50:24 - Iron Council Update and Closing 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

Some of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged topics for men are: attraction, compatibility, and what actually creates lasting connection with a woman. My guest, Laurin Ponce, helps us break down the difference between compatibility, connection, and chemistry - and why confusing those three is where most relationships go off the rails. We talk about what women truly find attractive in a grounded man, what it really means when a woman asks for space, why it feels like there are more rules for men, and how respect is built long before it's ever given. From attachment styles and masculine frame to why women's touch is medicine and how peace and respect create a relationship where both people feel safe and free, this conversation cracks open the unspoken dynamics most men are trying to navigate alone. We also explore the practical side: non-negotiables, testing for compatibility, shared values, money, day-to-day living, and why partners are often mirrors and triggers for our own unresolved work. Laurin and I get into anxious versus avoidant dynamics, masculinity and femininity in modern relationships, emotional expression in men, vulnerability, physical attraction, and how connection is built - and rebuilt - over time SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Understanding Men and Women 01:07 - Is There a Line in "Figuring Each Other Out"? 03:22 - Masculine and Feminine Polarity 05:08 - The Bowl and the Water Analogy 06:46 - Why Respect Starts With Self-Respect 08:21 - Non-Negotiables in Relationships 10:05 - Compatibility vs. Chemistry 13:18 - Core Values and Relationship Dealbreakers 14:58 - You Can't Out-Love Incompatibility 17:16 - Chemistry vs. Trauma Bonds 18:46 - What Real Chemistry Feels Like 19:29 - Peace and Respect in Relationships 22:47 - Creating Emotional Safety 26:52 - Masculine and Feminine Imbalance Today 30:30 - Polarity Always Finds Its Way 33:41 - Letting Go of Armor and Control 35:16 - Becoming the Partner You Want to Attract 39:13 - Consistency and Trust 40:10 - Physical Attraction and Discipline 43:02 - Connection Is Built Over Time 46:37 - Scarcity Mindset in Dating 48:02 - Where Men Should Start in Long-Term Relationships 50:32 - Rekindling Attraction and Intentionality 57:12 - "Cracking the Code" of Your Partner 01:00:29 - Never Get Comfortable in Love 01:05:05 - Serving Each Other Without Shame 01:06:23 - Where to Find Laurin'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

As we head into 2026, Ryan Michler breaks down 10 destructive money mindsets that quietly sabotage men's ability to build real wealth. Drawing from his experience as a former financial advisor, Ryan explains why income is not the same as wealth, how debt has been falsely normalized, and why outsourcing responsibility for your finances is a losing strategy. He challenges the belief that "more money will fix everything" and dismantles the idea that your situation is somehow different from everyone else's. This episode is a hard-hitting call to take ownership of your financial decisions, develop discipline, and shift your focus from chasing money to creating real value in the world. Key Topics Covered Why procrastination destroys wealth faster than bad investments The difference between earning money and building wealth How debt has been normalized - and why it's costing you freedom Why outsourcing your finances weakens your sovereignty The danger of entitlement-based spending ("I deserve this") Why more money magnifies problems instead of fixing them Investing vs. gambling - and why doing nothing is the riskiest move Why you must understand money instead of delegating it The myth of being "special" or financially different Why money isn't the problem - behavior and priorities are 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

What does it really mean to lead with integrity when institutions fail and people disappoint? In this Ask Me Anything episode of Order of Man, Ryan Michler answers real questions from the community on leadership, anger and forgiveness, building passive income, physical fitness, accountability, and personal standards. Ryan shares hard-earned insights on responsibility, discipline, and how to operate with clarity in uncertain times. This candid AMA delivers practical guidance and mindset shifts for men committed to growth, strength, and personal ownership. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Ask Me Anything Kickoff 02:42 Asking Better Questions as a Leader 13:36 The Quality Ryan Is Most Proud Of 19:27 Passive Income and Multiple Streams 28:21 Faith, Truth, and Broken Institutions 33:50 Society, Maturity, and Self-Control 41:32 Baseline Physical Aptitude Test Explained 44:16 Letting Go of Anger and Forgiveness 54:52 Dealing With People Who Drop the Ball 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

Leading others doesn't begin with a title—it begins with self-leadership. Too many men chase influence, authority, or recognition before they've learned how to lead themselves. That's where imposter syndrome creeps in—of course you're not as good yet; leadership isn't a destination, it's a discipline. It's not just tactical execution or getting things done—it's service, responsibility, and the relentless pursuit of getting better. Leadership at home, leadership with your kids, leadership over your own habits and standards. In this episode, I talk with leadership expert, Kipp Sorensen. Today, we break down the three traps of self-leadership that quietly sabotage men: the Victim, the Persecutor, and the Rescuer, the dark side of influence, how to get your own wishes and desires met, how to be aware of "polite manipulation," and why honoring agency (yourself and others) is the key to leading well. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Why Self-Leadership Comes Before Leading Others 03:10 - Can Everyone Be a Leader? Mindset vs Skillset 06:15 - Why Ryan Rejects "Imposter Syndrome" 09:00 - Parenting, Projection, and Self-Awareness 12:55 - Jiu-Jitsu, Ego, and the Cost of Pretending 17:45 - Where Men Struggle Most With Self-Leadership 18:05 - The Victim Mindset Explained 22:10 - The Hidden Payoff of Victimhood 26:00 - Taking Ownership and Closing the Integrity Gap 30:30 - Why We Justify Our Worst Behaviors 37:00 - The Persecutor Trap in Leadership 44:15 - How to Have Hard Conversations Without Blame 46:35 - Why Performance Is Emotional, Not Technical 51:20 - The Rescuer Trap and "Nice Guy" Leadership 56:10 - Why Difficulty Is Required for Growth 01:00:40 - Stress as a Catalyst for Learning 01:03:40 - Alignment, Leadership, and Kipp's New Mission 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