Most men obsess over goals - the outcomes, the achievements, the shiny targets. But goals don't build men. Standards do. In today's Field Notes, Ryan breaks down why standards define your identity, how they outperform goals in every way, and why your life only changes when you elevate the rules you live by. He shares powerful examples, including recovering from a major injury, why men fail when they rely on motivation, and how to build standards that make you unshakable. Ryan also outlines a four-step framework to reset your identity, eliminate weak standards, and cement the behaviors that transform your life. If you want 2026 to be different, this episode explains exactly where to start. Key Takeaways Goals are emotionally dependent, standards are identity-based. Standards keep you anchored in the present - goals keep you trapped in the future. Goals collapse under adversity; standards strengthen you because they're non-negotiable. A man becomes powerful when he lives by a code with zero negotiation. Your life changes when your identity upgrades, not when your goals get bigger. Four-step framework to build standards that stick: -Identify the man you refuse to be. -Build non-negotiables in all four quadrants (Calibration, Connection, Condition, Contribution). -Build accountability. -Enforce consequences when you violate your own standards. 00:00 - Introduction 00:09 - Why Most Men Get Goals Backwards 01:20 - Goals Don't Build Men — Standards Do 02:33 - Examples of Weak vs. Strong Standards 04:34 - Ryan's Pec Tear: Standards in Adversity 06:24 - A Man Rises or Falls to His Standards 07:50 - Why Goals Fail Men 09:33 - How Goals Delay Action and Keep Men Stuck 11:23 - Goals Collapse Under Stress 12:57 - Standards Create Structure and Strength 14:38 - How Standards Transform a Man 16:10 - Standards Prevent Moral Drift 17:32 - Building Trust Through Consistency 18:57 - Standards Make Men Anti-Fragile 21:03 - Stop Waiting for "All Green Lights" 22:43 - Identity Before Action 23:28 - Fast Progress Comes From Identity Shifts 24:26 - The "Light Yourself on Fire" Lesson 25:14 - Reverse Engineering Goals Into Standards 25:57 - Step 1: Identify the Man You Refuse to Be 27:38 - Making Weak Behaviors Repulsive 29:31 - Step 2: Non-Negoti

In this week's Ask Me Anything, Ryan and Kipp dive into discipline, motivation, and the realities of staying committed when life gets heavy. They discuss sustaining purpose in long-term work, navigating burnout, and understanding the difference between quitting and evolving.  The conversation takes a powerful turn as Ryan opens up about the passing of his father and what it truly means to forgive and move forward. They also address why men seek validation, how to handle relationship breakdowns, and what books shaped them this year. Practical, grounded, and deeply human - this episode hits every level. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Opening & Morning Discipline 01:56 What Keeps You Driven? 11:26 Quitting vs. Evolving 20:02 Burnout and Battle Plans 26:05 Losing a Father & Processing Grief 34:56 Why Men Seek Validation 49:43 Most Impactful Books of the Year 56:12 Iron Council Preview Promotion 58:49 Closing Remarks   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

I know you've felt like, in the past, you've been hesitant to share your true feelings and beliefs. Maybe you didn't want to offend that woman you were pursuing. Or, maybe you didn't want to upset your boss and run the risk of losing your job. Or, maybe you were afraid of what society or social media would say if you shared your true thoughts. My guest today, Father Stephen Gadberry, is familiar with all of that in a way that many of us relate with. As a Catholic priest, US Air Force Veteran, and American Ninja Warrior competitor, he knows how compelling public criticism can become. Today, Father Gadberry and I talk about discipline, what "turning the other cheek," really means, how to handle false accusations, what true accountability actually means, the difference between your "vocation," and "occupation," and how God will speak to all of us. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Masculinity and the Church 01:20 Growing Up Rural and Military 02:20 Has the Church Become Soft? 04:00 Culture, Covid and Truth 05:40 Truth vs Feeling Good 06:50 What Does "Love at All Costs" Mean? 08:20 Learning to Speak Truth Boldly 10:30 Men and Zero-F Attitudes 11:30 Tempering Instincts and Temptations 13:40 Crash and Burn Lessons 15:40 Discipline and "Doing Hard Things" 17:15 Small Things Shape Big Character 18:45 Christian Persecution Today 21:20 Should Christians Fight Back? 23:40 Violence, Duty, and Discernment 25:20 Bold, Relatable Preaching 27:20 Conviction vs Condemnation 30:00 Accountability Done Right 31:40 Guiding Boys and Raising Men 34:10 Real Discipline and Real Consequences 38:50 Guilt, Shame, and Responsibility 41:15 Preaching While Imperfect 45:10 His Calling and Vocation 53:15 Hearing God's Voice 56:30 Silence and Spiritual Clarity 57:50 Real Masculinity and Faith 59:00 Where to Follow Father Stephen  

In this Friday Field Notes, Ryan explains why so many men have lost the ability to speak up for themselves and how cultural conditioning has silenced masculine confidence and clarity. He covers the cost of silence, how lack of self advocacy leads to resentment and instability, and why reclaiming your voice is a foundational leadership skill. Ryan also provides practical language men can use in relationships, work, friendships, and with themselves to rebuild confidence and assertiveness. This episode is a direct challenge to the mindset that staying quiet keeps the peace. Ryan shows that speaking up is not selfish. It is responsible and necessary if you want to protect, provide, and preside for the people you care about. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Intro 00:53 Why men lost their voice and the conditioning that caused it 03:02 The consequences of silence and suppressed needs 04:48 Self-advocacy is not selfish. It is a responsibility 06:55 The cost of silence and becoming a punching bag 10:22 How suppressed frustration shows up in destructive ways 12:34 Advocating early or resenting later 14:07 How to advocate in relationships 16:18 How to advocate at work 17:17 Advocacy with friends and brothers 17:55 Advocating with yourself and ending excuses 18:58 Clarity equals courage and consistency 19:51 The three-step framework for self-advocacy 23:38 How to communicate needs clearly 26:03 Holding the line and enforcing boundaries 28:23 Self-advocacy and leadership 30:53 Iron Council and the power of counsel from other men 32:38 Final call to action. Get your voice back 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 ou

In this week's Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorenson tackle a wide range of listener-submitted questions on leadership, relationships, accountability, confidence, and personal development. They dive into topics such as coming out of difficult life seasons, raising prices in business, being "unarmored" versus vulnerable, navigating age-gap relationships, reclaiming decisiveness in the home, and staying consistent with difficult tasks.  They also discuss communication differences between men and women and how men can lead more effectively with clarity and purpose. A practical, direct, and insightful conversation for men committed to growth. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - Ascending out of a difficult season 07:20 - Raising prices with early clients 15:43 - Being unarmored vs. vulnerable 23:01 - Age-gap relationships 28:06 - Regaining accountability leadership 33:00 - Decision making in the home 42:29 - Doing hard, unappealing tasks 47:00 - Iron Council promotion & 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

There is no doubt in my mind that we, as a nation (and, across the world) are facing a moral confusion if not a complete moral crisis. And, unless righteous, bold men step up to the plate, we'll continue to see the moral decay of everything we love from our favorite institutions, to our families, and our neighborhoods, and even the threat of losing this great nation. That isn't hyperbole. Today, I am joined by John Lovell, founder of Warrior Poet Society and former Army Ranger to discuss what we as men can do about it. We talk about mercy and justice (and, how to satisfy both), why we should hate injustice, the dangers of communism and socialism, why we must unite behind Truth (with a capital T), why "happiness" is inferior to "joy," and why we should pursue peace if possible but truth at all costs. 00:00 - Introduction & Catching Up 01:20 - Why John Wrote "The Lions of Mercer" 03:49 - Justice, Fiction, and Catharsis 07:15 - The Cry for Justice 08:07 - Modern Culture and Victimhood 08:51 - Loving the Good vs. Hating the Evil 11:44 - Redemption, Failure, and Public Dogpiling 13:01 - Loyalty, Forgiveness, and Standing by Brothers 16:14 - What Is "The Good"? 18:27 - Justice, Mercy, and the Role of Christ 20:15 - Judgement, Hypocrisy, and Accountability 23:07 - Integrity and Personal Alignment 24:39 - Happiness vs. Joy 26:39 - Teaching Discipline and Long-Term Thinking 27:03 - You Can Only Replicate Who You Are 28:22 - Wrestling With Faith and Christianity 29:02 - The Dangers of Atheism & Moral Relativism 31:05 - America's Moral Foundation 32:42 - Who Decides Morality? 34:12 - Rise of Socialism & Cultural Rejection 35:38 - New York, Ideology, and Consequences 36:36 - Unity vs. Compromise 38:41 - What Makes Someone American?

In this Friday Field Notes episode, Ryan Michler delivers a direct challenge to men who've been giving away their power. He breaks down how modern culture, comfort, and conditioned beliefs push men into outsourcing responsibility - and how reclaiming sovereignty starts with ownership, discipline, and intentional action. Ryan explains why accountability feels heavy, why most men avoid the truth, and why no one is coming to save them. He closes with practical steps to take back control and a reminder that transformative change begins from within. A hard-hitting message for men ready to stop drifting and start leading. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction 00:05 Outsourcing Power 02:31 Psychological Slavery 04:49 Responsibility Reveals Truth 06:40 No One Is Coming to Save You 09:29 What Can I Do About It? 11:54 Taking Control of One Domain 14:17 Surround Yourself With Better Men 16:40 Invest in Brotherhood 18:46 Power Comes From Within 20:31 Iron Council Invitation 20:45 Next Week's Episode Preview 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 the Ask Me Anything series, Ryan and Kipp explore what it means to build a meaningful life through intentional action, structure, and the pursuit of legacy. They tackle listener questions on community, communication, personal balance, spiritual leadership, and fatherhood - while offering grounded strategies men can apply immediately.  Through stories about friendship, divorce, fatherhood, and growth, they reveal how to keep life steady when things get chaotic and how to preserve what matters most. This conversation blends humor, wisdom, and vulnerability in a way only these two can deliver. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Travel recap & St. Louis event 03:52 Introduction to legacy questions 04:12 How to build community from scratch 13:23 Communicating difficult truths 30:41 Getting life back under control 38:17 Signs of spiritual abuse 49:10 Leaving a legacy during divorce 54:56 Avoiding short-term comfort over long-term purpose 58:47 Legacy through connection with your children 01:01:30 Closing thoughts & call to action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book,

You ever have the feeling what you see on the news and socials is exactly and only what they want you to hear? Yeah, me too. Turns out it's true. Very rarely do you get the full story so you can make your own informed decisions. And, this practice is skewing and distorting the way we view and interact with the world. My guest today, Jeremy Carey – Founder of IRONCLAD, knows exactly what this is about and in his new series (partnered with Shawn Ryan), Target Intelligence: Psyop, they unpack exactly how this is happening in every aspect of life. We talk about what he calls the "Forgotten Audience" and the "Doer Class," the power of telling good stories – accurately, why authenticity is the key to success in an inauthentic world, and understanding the "Education-to-Entertainment" ratio in consuming content. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Opening 02:03 - Why Ironclad Exists 03:41 - The Content Attention Crisis 05:03 - The Forgotten Audience 06:31 - Storytelling Without Agendas 08:04 - Authenticity in Modern Media 09:10 - Working with Elite Creators 10:28 - Advice for Creators & Entrepreneurs 11:42 - Early Failures and Lessons 14:01 - God's Will, Hard Work, and Obstacles 17:20 - Getting Reps & Evolving Your Craft 18:17 - Inside the Target Intelligence Series 21:16 - Psychological Operations in Everyday Life 22:53 - Useful Idiots & Hidden Influence 24:26 - Conspiracies, Credibility & "They" 27:05 - The Future of Media Consumption 29:19 - AI Disruption in Film & Branding 31:27 - Masculinity Content & Market Saturation 32:37 - Tools, AI & Adding Value 34:00 - Advertising, Trust & Audience Alignment 36:42 - Serving the Right Audience 39:32 - On-Demand Society & Tech Shifts 41:26 - Upcoming Ironclad Projects 43:51 - Turning Podcasts Into Film Series 45:39 - How to Know What's Real Anymore 48:13 - Deepfakes, Trust & Reputation 50:19 - The Importance of Authenticity 53:27 - Where to Find the Series Battle Planners:

In today's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler shares a powerful message built around a simple but meaningful reminder: your dust, your rust, and your scars do NOT define you - they tell your story. After finding an old, rusted metal grid and working to restore it, Ryan reflects on how men often feel discarded, overlooked, or worn down by life. Through this analogy, he unpacks five key truths about identity, hardship, and resilience. If you've ever felt beat up by life, sidelined by circumstances, or dismissed by others, this episode will remind you of your worth and your purpose. In This Episode: Why your scars are proof that you've lived, not that you're broken How stagnation creates "rust" in your life How to wipe away habits, attitudes, and behaviors that no longer serve you Why rejection doesn't define your value How to turn your scars into stories that help others Five Lessons From This Episode: What clings to you is not who you are Rust only forms when you sit still You can wipe away what no longer serves you Your scars are your stories - your mess is your message Someone's trash is another person's treasure SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 00:27 – The Rusted Metal Grid Story 02:51 – Men Feeling Discarded 03:20 – Five Lessons About Dust and Rust 03:30 – #1 You Are Not Defined by What Clings to You 05:16 – #2 Rust Only Forms When You Sit Still 07:29 – Stop Wearing Other Men's Names 08:07 – Become the Man Who Leads 09:30 – #3 Wipe Away What No Longer Serves You 10:27 – #4 Your Scars Are Proof You've Lived 12:40 – Turning Scars Into Stories 13:50 – The Restored Rusty Truck Story 14:46 – #5 Someone's Trash Is Another's Treasure 16:04 – Being Valued at Home 17:19 – Recap of the Five Lessons 18:00 – Final Encouragement & Closing CTA Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brothe

In this week's Ask Me Anything, Ryan and Kipp dive deep into goal setting, New Year's resolutions, discipline, personal systems, and the internal dialogue that derails many men. They discuss practical strategies for building momentum, tracking progress, leading communities, and staying accountable even when motivation fades.  Listeners ask about goal-setting frameworks, balancing long-term and short-term ambitions, and how to prioritize key areas of life. Ryan and Kipp also explore integrity, honesty, and the real influence every man carries - whether he acknowledges it or not. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Discipline, systems & flexibility 03:50 Community goal-setting question 14:27 Internal dialogue & low points 21:46 New Year's resolutions 25:34 Balancing easy vs. long-term goals 30:11 Prioritizing life quadrants 34:19 Daily systems & accountability 45:21 Being influential and showing up 46:50 Promotions & call to action 48:03 Episode close 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

For something that we do every single day, and something that has the power to change every aspect of our life, we sure don't focus on, train, or develop it. And, that thing is conversation. Nothing great ever happened in your life without, first, a conversation – no promotions, no jobs, no clients, no dates, nothing. My guest today, Payam Pakmanesh (known as "The Convo Guy") is here to explain why and, more importantly, how we can build and develop our ability to communicate more effectively. We cover the proper principles of communication, Adlerian Psychology and how it helps you focus on what you can control, the "Zoom Flow" model for deeper connection, how to make yourself more approachable, and becoming aware of how others perceive you. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Conversation as a Life-Changing Tool 01:06 - Why Men Struggle With Communication 02:33 - Nature vs. Nurture in Your Voice 03:18 - How Environment Shapes Language & Identity 04:19 - Film Yourself: The First Breakthrough Exercise 05:30 - Pausing, Filler Words & Leadership Presence 06:55 - Listening Critically to Yourself 07:48 - Buying Time vs. Fear of Silence 09:18 - Authenticity vs. Performance 11:03 - Why Humans Detect Inauthenticity 12:20 - Reading Engagement & Disengagement Cues 13:51 - The Power of Real Listening 15:10 - Faces, Interpretation & Owning Your Identity 16:28 - Getting Out of Your Own Head 17:55 - Fear of Judgement & Perfectionism 18:34 - Social Masks & Status Games 20:32 - Adlerian Psychology & Letting Go of Others' Opinions 21:43 - Book Structure & Thoughts on "Courage to Be Disliked" 22:06 - Biggest Communication Mistakes Men Make 24:25 - Auditing Your Stories & Mental Frameworks 25:19 - Choose Stories that Serve You 27:45 - Tracking Thoughts & Fact-Checking Beliefs 30:18 - Inner Peace as the ROI of Self-Development 31:22 - Misreading Signals from Others 33:44 - Why Hard Conversations Must Be Live 34:50 - Growth Through Discomfort 35:17 - Why Men Avoid Difficult Conversations 37:06 - Nice Guys, Suppressed Emotions & Blowups 38:10 - Joker Example: From Nice to Extreme 40:12 - Standards vs. Expectations 41:14 - Make the Implicit Explicit 42:26 - Experimenting Like a Scientist 43:31 - Everyon

In this Friday Field Notes episode, Ryan Michler challenges men to stop drifting through life and confront the apathy holding them back. He breaks down the five core actions that help men regain direction, eliminate complacency, and move with purpose. Ryan speaks candidly about distraction, burnout, and his own past patterns of escape, giving listeners a direct path to clarity and discipline. This episode offers a clear call for men to reclaim their focus, cut the noise, and commit to what actually matters. A powerful, practical reminder for anyone who feels stuck or overwhelmed. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Burnout and rising apathy 01:54 Why men are giving up 03:40 Know what you want 06:10 Delegate what drains you 08:45 Remove energy draining people 11:23 Go deep, not wide 14:50 Ryan's story of sedation 16:06 Stop escaping your life 18:34 Final message 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

In this episode, Ryan and Kipp dive deep into what it means to be a man in modern relationships — how to lead with strength, clarity, and purpose without falling into the "nice guy" trap. They break down how to build trust, create safety and structure for your partner, and why healthy conflict is essential for growth. You'll hear powerful insights on what truly turns your wife on (it's not what you think), why your marriage needs to feel like a sparring match instead of a competition, and how to help your wife flourish in her feminine role by being consistent, decisive, and dependable. Whether you're married, dating, or just want to understand masculine leadership on a deeper level, this episode will hit hard. Join the conversation and learn how to stop being a "nice guy" — and start being a strong, grounded man. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Hunting stories and catching up 03:14 – Nice Guy vs. Good Husband: How to tell the difference 05:28 – Compliance vs. Commitment in relationships 07:42 – Marriage as a covenant, not a transaction 10:14 – The importance of defined roles and expectations 13:44 – Vetting your partner before marriage 15:09 – Why your wife is your sparring partner 16:39 – Handling sacrifices that go unseen or unacknowledged 20:36 – The difference between sacrifice and self-pity

You're listening to a men's self-help podcast so it's safe to assume that you're interested in becoming more disciplined, structured, and productive. But there is a side of discipline that many of the self-help gurus won't talk to you about – when discipline becomes a liability more than an asset. My guest today, Craig Ballantyne, joins me to talk about what that even means, what it looks like, and what to do about it. We also cover why it's so important that you plan your days out months in advance, how to keep yourself from distractions but building in flexibility to your day, how much a man can get done in what he calls, "slivers of time," and why you should never paint yourself into a box you don't belong. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 - Introduction 01:12 - Discipline and rigidity: the downside of structure 03:30 - Parenthood, resilience, and slivers of time 07:30 - The balance between discipline and flexibility 10:00 - Craig's life in Mexico and bilingual family life 14:30 - Managing distractions and time boundaries 17:30 - The true cost of meetings and decision-focused teams 21:00 - Structuring family and bedtime routines 25:00 - Delegation, priorities, and focusing on purpose 28:00 - Fear of delegation and how to fill your reclaimed time 30:00 - Deep work, planning, and monthly focus blocks 35:00 - Combating boredom and sustaining focus 37:00 - The myth of "always enjoying the grind" 41:00 - Planning the next month and long-term thinking 46:00 - Changing self-talk and removing limiting language 49:00 - Childhood patterns and self-imposed boxes 51:00 - Overcoming introversion and building social confidence 55:00 - Selflessness, service, and growth through discomfort 56:00 - Craig's books and where to connect Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the

Most men think the X Factor - that magnetic presence of strong, capable men - is something you're born with. It's not. It's built through five rules that any man can follow. In this Friday Field Note, Ryan Michler breaks down the simple, actionable formula that will make you more influential, bold, and courageous - and help you create the life and relationships you want. The 5 Rules Every Man Must Follow: Be Strong - build the trifecta: physical, mental, and emotional strength Be Emotionally Stable - create safety and calm for your family and team Be Kind - true kindness comes from power, not weakness Be Discerning - not everyone deserves your time or vulnerability Be Courageous - take action even when you're scared SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 - What Is the X Factor? 00:30 - The Myth of the X Factor 02:58 - Rule #1: Be Strong 07:18 - Rule #2: Be Emotionally Stable 11:11 - Rule #3: Be Kind 13:20 - Rule #4: Be Discerning 18:04 - Rule #5: Be Courageous 24:15 - The Iron Council Promo 24:50 - Closing 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 week's Ask Me Anything, Kipp and Shawn tackle listener questions from the Iron Council, diving deep into the practices of visualization, breaking mental limits, embracing mentorship, and persevering through pain.  The conversation turns raw as the hosts address loneliness, depression, and how men can build stronger connections through openness and authenticity. This episode reminds us that growth requires action, awareness, and brotherhood. Join Kipp and Shawn as they offer practical and heartfelt wisdom to help men live more purposefully and powerfully every day. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:05 - Opening & Dodgers Talk 01:08 - Promotion - Iron Council 02:16 - Ken's Question: Visualization Struggles 14:29 - Julian's Question: Breaking Limiting Narratives 28:36 - Dwayne's Question: Master vs Apprentice Learning 37:22 - Brian's Question: Fighting Through Pain 45:29 - Jeremy's Question: Blind Spots in Men 50:14 - Nana's Question: Handling Gossip & Slander 58:37 - Dustin's Question: Coping with Depression & Hopelessness 01:08:27 - 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  

Whether we acknowledge it or not, there are certain behaviors and mindsets that are etched into our psyche by our fathers. And, if we cannot be aware of what they are, we lose any hope of having power over them and charting new paths for ourselves and our children. Today, I'm joined by Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, to talk about the legacy his father left and how he is trying to break the string of mindsets that hindered, not helped. We talk about how do adapt when plans don't work, the power of the meritocracy, how to overcome the victimhood mentality, creating powerful and healthy outlets, and the mantras that have served him well and that he wishes to instill in his children. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – The New York Marathon disaster 02:00 – Pushing through with mantras 03:40 – Planning, pace, and preparation 05:30 – Travel stress and overcommitment 07:37 – The power of mental reframing 08:11 – Continuous forward motion 10:35 – Learning from past failures 11:58 – "On to Cincinnati" mindset 15:23 – Lessons from failure and legacy 20:29 – How his father inspired running 21:34 – Finding identity through running 23:35 – Parenting and discipline 25:32 – Lockdown marathon story 27:40 – Breaking generational cycles 30:57 – Lessons from his father's downfall 33:18 – The danger of victim mentality 37:17 – Teaching resilience to his sons 39:13 – Soccer as a meritocratic equalizer 42:07 – Shared humanity through sport 45:01 – The importance of men talking openly 46:01 – Running as leadership training 48:21 – Endurance, pacing, and goal setting 49:59 – The Running Ground book 50:38 – Closing remarks 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

In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores the importance of building meaningful male friendships and creating your own "band of brothers." Drawing from personal experiences, including his annual hunting trip in Minnesota, Ryan breaks down five key principles for cultivating brotherhood - working toward a shared goal, finding common activities, embracing challenge, engaging in banter, and showing up consistently. He reminds men that strong friendships don't just happen - they're built through shared effort, loyalty, and reliability. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for deepening male bonds and strengthening their sense of purpose and connection. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction: The Power of Male Friendships 02:17 – Work Toward a Common Goal or Enemy 04:38 – Find Shared Hobbies and Activities 07:56 – Embrace Challenge and Growth 09:24 – Banter, Insults, and Testing Bonds 11:54 – Consistency and Predictability 16:35 – Recap: The Five Keys to Male Friendship 17:12 – The Iron Council Brotherhood 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 Ask Me Anything, Ryan and Kipp tackle questions about rebuilding from loss, finding purpose, and leading your family with meaning. They discuss biblical masculinity, staying present with family, being reliable in relationships, and helping kids find purpose. Ryan also shares lessons from his recent travels and interviews, emphasizing the value of simplicity, responsibility, and action. A thought-provoking, practical conversation for men striving to live intentionally and lead well. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Ryan's return and recent adventures 02:40 – YouTube update and setup 03:05 – Losing everything and rebuilding 13:05 – Biblical masculinity and fulfillment 20:59 – Listening, memory, and reliability in marriage 33:10 – Balancing ambition with being present 40:13 – Helping kids find purpose 47:12 – Framing and managing pain 53:48 – Closing thoughts and promotions