Order of Man

Most men are chasing a dent in the world, followers, recognition, a bigger stage, while overlooking the one place they can make the biggest difference: the town they live in and the people right next to them. Today's conversation is about impact over income, why being known by ten thousand people in your own community beats being famous online, and why we're robbing our kids by shielding them from the consequences of their bad choices. We also get into giving yourself permission to try new things without committing to them forever, managing risk without letting fear run your life, and knowing when to say no so service doesn't burn you out.
My guest, Casey Lofthouse, is a mechanic, tow operator, former search and rescue volunteer, mule packer, country line-dancer, and one of the most capable and generous men I know. He's also someone I'd call first if I were in a pickle. If you've ever felt like you don't matter because you're not "making your mark," this conversation will change how you see your own value. Whether you're broke down, stuck in the sand, or just having a bad day, it's all part of the adventure. What matters is who shows up.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - From Making Money to Making an Impact
04:43 - The Power of Small-Town Accountability
09:09 - Teaching Kids Personal Responsibility
11:19 - Why Authenticity Matters
13:29 - The Importance of Personal Accountability
15:19 - Raising Kids to Be Responsible Adults
19:12 - Learning From the Consequences of Your Choices
25:29 - The Masculine Side of Art, Music, and Dance
29:21 - Give Yourself Permission to Try New Things
34:52 - Understanding Risk and Knowing Your Limits
40:58 - How Community Creates Lifelong Relationships
45:06 - The Impact of Serving Others
49:06 - Being There When People Need You
53:03 - Setting an Example When People Are Watching
56:59 - Living Authentically in a Social Media World
58:32 - The Unexpected Connections That Come From Helping People
01:00:54 - Why Serving Others Is So Rewarding
01:02:50 - Knowing When to Say No
01:05:07 - Knowing When It's Time to Move On
01:06:55 - Raising Kids Who Surpass You
01:08:00 - What's Next for Casey?
01:10:23 - Becoming the Best Version of Yourself
01:12:19 - Casey's Off-Road Recovery and Life in the Community
 
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 live their lives actively ignoring the pain and suffering they have experienced, leading to destructive behavior, self-sabotage, and sedation. In this solo episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler breaks down the five core wounds every man must address to build healthy relationships with himself and his family. Ryan details the unblessed, betrayal, humiliation, abandonment, and failure wounds, explaining exactly how they manifest in our daily lives.
Moving beyond theory, he provides simple, highly tactical fixes for each wound so you can begin the healing process immediately. Whether you need to practice delegating a task to build trust or making amends for a past mistake, these steps will help you take back responsibility.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - The Five Wounds Men Ignore
02:05 - The Unblessed Wound
04:26 - The Betrayal Wound
09:06 - The Humiliation Wound
14:26 - The Abandonment Wound
19:10 - The Failure Wound
25:11 - Implementing the Five Fixes
27:37 - The Iron Council and New Studio
 
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 tackle another round of Ask Me Anything questions, covering career ambition, fatherhood, divorce, sobriety, friendship, faith, Stoicism, hunting injuries, masculinity, money and men's brotherhood. They discuss the hidden costs of achieving your goals, how to rebuild trust with your children, why friendships require intentional effort, and how to redefine your sense of worth beyond income. 
They also explore whether Christian principles and Stoic philosophy can coexist, adapting outdoor pursuits after injury, and what to do when others misunderstand your men's group. Throughout, the conversation emphasizes intentionality, responsibility, consistency, connection and surrounding yourself with men committed to growth.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Recording Setup & Connection Issues
04:37 - Kipp Returns from Europe
06:30 - The Hidden Cost of Career Success
13:33 - Can You Overdo Affection as a Father?
19:36 - Rebuilding Trust After Divorce
27:57 - Sobriety and Finding Fun Without Alcohol
37:07 - Maintaining Long-Distance Male Friendships
39:55 - Christianity, Stoicism and Truth
46:46 - Staying Connected to the Outdoors After Injury
48:59 - When Your Wife Makes More Money
54:41 - Defending Brotherhood Without Defending It
56:46 - The Iron Council
57:45 - Staying Connected with Order of Man
 
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 think courage is something you either have or you don't. But what if it's actually a decision you make over and over, the same way you'd train a muscle? Today's conversation is about what happens when you stop asking "what if I fail" and start asking, "let's find out." We get into why 90% of what we fear never happens, how to raise kids with grit in a culture built for convenience, and why the most dangerous thing a man can do isn't the risk he takes…it's the potential he leaves untapped.
My guest today, Alex Harris, has summited Everest, walked unsupported to the South Pole, and made the first-ever unsupported crossing of Arabia's "Empty Quarter" on foot. But this isn't a conversation about extreme sports. It's about the mindset that separates the guy who stays inside the fence from the guy who goes and finds out what's on the other side of the wall. If you've ever felt like you're sitting on something you haven't had the guts to go pursue, this one's for you.
 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Introduction & Hiking the Zion Narrows
04:55 - Changing Risk Profile & Fatherhood
08:45 - Evaluating Risk vs. Reward
09:49 - Broad Peak Expedition & Turning Point
14:18 - Lower-Risk Adventures & Family
18:52 - Cultivating Adventure in Children
22:21 - Building Grit and Life in South Africa
23:51 - Media Narratives vs. South African Realities
26:51 - Reasons for Immigrating to Texas
32:41 - The Journey to US Citizenship
36:56 - Cultural Differences and Adapting to Texas
46:17 - Unplanned Path to Becoming an Extreme Athlete
50:39 - Curiosity and Unlocking Potential
53:57 - Redefining Failure and Managing Fear
01:01:27 - Forging Untrodden Paths & The Arabian Desert
01:06:00 - A Unique Moment in Cave Exploration
01:11:41 - Purpose, Choice, and Stifled Curiosity
01:15:30 - Where to Connect with Alex Harris
 
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

Communication is one of the most powerful tools we have. It allows us to connect with people, share ideas, build relationships, rally people around a common cause, keep people safe, and create opportunities.
But communication can also become the thing that holds you back.
In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan breaks down five practical ways men can become more effective communicators - not by simply talking more, but by becoming more intentional about how they use their words, listen, and connect with others.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - If You Can't Communicate, You Can't Win
00:48 - Why Communication Matters
03:04 - Communication: Your Key or Your Killer
04:15 - #1: Say Less but Mean More
07:41 - #2: Listen to Understand
10:09 - Use Your Two Ears and One Mouth
10:45 - #3: Match Your Tone to the Stakes
15:04 - Why Your Tone Matters
17:25 - #4: Use Small Talk as Leverage
19:32 - Small Talk Creates Connection
21:55 - #5: Own Your Words
24:42 - Express Yourself and Lead
27:04 - Say What You Mean
28:50 - Follow Through on Your Words
31:14 - Words Only Have Weight When You Back Them Up
32:23 - The Five Keys to Better Communication
33:23 - Join 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