Order of Man

In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler returns to the studio to address a critical and disturbing trend: the rapid decline of modern men. Diving into five alarming statistics, Ryan breaks down the uncomfortable truths about male suicide rates, the epidemic of isolation, and dropping testosterone levels. 
He doesn't just highlight the problems; he offers practical, hard-hitting solutions to help men break free from societal traps. Whether it's building a brotherhood, taking charge of your physical health, or stepping up to lead in your relationships, this episode is a wake-up call to reclaim your masculinity. Tune in to discover how you can stop isolating, boost your vitality, and become the protector and provider you were meant to be.   
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:13 - Back in the Studio & Vortex Optics
02:19 - Five Alarming Statistics About Men
03:10 - Statistic 1: The Tragedy of Male Suicide
04:50 - Statistic 2: The Epidemic of Isolation
08:40 - Where to Find Good Men
11:35 - Statistic 3: The Single Status of Young Men
17:20 - Statistic 4: The Decline in Male Education
21:05 - Statistic 5: Plummeting Vitality and Testosterone
22:12 - How to Naturally Boost Testosterone
28:50 - Upcoming Interview with Jim Caviezel
 
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, Kipp and Shawn tackle four questions about the challenges men face in leadership, relationships, personal growth, and fatherhood. They discuss how to earn respect as a newly promoted supervisor without becoming an authoritarian boss, how to bring excitement and connection back into a long-term marriage, and how to stop letting past mistakes define your future.
They also explore the challenges of parenting teenagers and rebuilding a relationship with a son who is becoming increasingly distant. Along the way, they share personal experiences and practical advice about influence, intentional relationships, and becoming a better father.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Catching Up and Hunting Stories
03:16 - Establishing Authority Without Losing Respect
06:30 - Leadership Through Influence, Not Authority
10:56 - Bringing the Spark Back Into Marriage
15:00 - Dating Your Spouse Again
17:25 - Overcoming Regret and Moving Forward
21:00 - Turning Your Past Into an Advantage
26:04 - Reconnecting With Your Teenage Son
30:00 - Understanding Teenagers and Their Behaviour
36:00 - Parenting With Peace Instead of Conflict
38:30 - Creating Lasting Family Memories
41:30 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect
42:27 - Iron Council 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

Most men don't have a fitness problem as much as they have a "no" problem. Your kid asks you to jump on the trampoline, wrestle, or go for a hike, and you're too tired, too out of shape, or too worried about getting hurt to say yes. Say no enough times and they stop asking. My guest today knows that if you want to protect, provide, and show up for the people who count on you, being physically capable is the price of admission.
Jason Khalipa and I talk about learning new skills well past 40, why tools like TRT and GLP-1s should never become crutches, and what it means to stay ahead of your sons in the weight room for as long as you can. We also get into the Train Hard Men's Club, the free weekly workouts Jason started in a library parking lot that have grown to more than 100 clubs around the world. Men need a reason to get together, and a hard workout followed by a cup of coffee might be exactly the excuse you've been missing.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Opening: Tactical Fitness and Smith & Wesson Partnership
01:16 - Preparing for First Big Game Hunt in Texas
04:19 - Upcoming Whitetail Hunts & Long Range Shooting
07:03 - Evolving with Age: Police Academy & BJJ at 41
09:25 - Maintaining Physical Capability as You Age
10:53 - Muscle Retention, GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs, and Strength Baselines
13:44 - The "Never Zero" Approach & Modern TRT Tools
16:31 - The Protect and Provide Mandate of Modern Men
18:52 - Training to Always Say Yes to Your Kids
21:31 - Friendly Competition Between Fathers and Sons
24:19 - Inspiring the Next Generation Through Strength
30:40 - Recording Break & Mid-Show Pause
32:44 - The Origin of the Train Hard Men's Club
35:30 - Scaling Free Men's Clubs Worldwide
38:59 - Restoring Real-World Groundedness and Connection
41:09 - The Unique Value of Male Brotherhood and Accountability
45:08 - Why Men Need Purpose-Driven Gathering
51:13 - Breakdown of the Train Hard Burpee Test
52:50 - Breathwork, Heart Rate Control, and Managing Stress at Home
56:45 - How to Join or Start a Local Train Hard Club
 
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 week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler broadcasts from a whitetail hunting lodge in Minnesota to discuss three insidious habits that are quietly destroying modern men: distraction, isolation, and sedation. It is dangerously easy to justify your distractions when they look like noble work, grinding at the gym, or even church service, but running from your core responsibilities will ultimately destroy your home.
Isolation might feel like the path of an alpha male, but cutting yourself off from a trusted brotherhood makes you significantly weaker. Finally, sedation—whether through drugs, porn, or simply tuning out—is a desperate attempt to regain control when life feels chaotic. Real strength comes from confronting your challenges head-on. Tune in to learn how to break these destructive patterns.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:40 - Episode Opening
00:40 - Broadcasting from the Hunting Lodge
02:22 - The Danger of Noble Distractions
07:05 - The Lie of the Lone Wolf and Isolation
11:40 - Sedation and the Illusion of Control
16:25 - Confronting Challenges Head-On
20:57 - Closing Thoughts and 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

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