ADAM LANE SMITH | How Men and Women Cause Each Other Pain

In this week’s Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler addresses the troubling rise of political violence and cultural hostility, urging men to step up as protectors, providers, and leaders. He lays out a clear roadmap of four key actions—protecting your family, speaking out against destructive ideologies, stepping into positions of influence, and building strong brotherhoods. Ryan also shares upcoming plans for local Order of Man chapters and emphasizes why good men must refuse to stay silent any longer. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 02:15 – The power of prayer and courage 05:00 – Protecting your family and building skills 07:00 – Financial security as protection 08:30 – Speaking out against dangerous ideologies 14:15 – Stepping into positions of power 16:40 – Building influence through business and community 18:30 – The importance of brotherhoods 21:30 – Call to action and next steps 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

12 Syys 23min

I revisit my 2020 conversation with Charlie Kirk, recorded during a time when we discussed pressing issues around masculinity, responsibility, and the future of our culture. In light of the tragic news of Charlie’s passing after the horrific shooting at Utah Valley University on September 10th, 2025, I share this episode in his honor. We cover topics such as the hyper-feminization of boys, the need for strong male role models, and the responsibility men carry to lead with courage and conviction. Let’s honor Charlie’s legacy by carrying forward the work he dedicated his life to. 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

11 Syys 1h 4min

In this week’s Ask Me Anything, Ryan and Kipp tackle questions from the Order of Man community around productivity, energy management, and living with greater intention. From balancing family responsibilities with work, to eliminating distractions and staying aligned with long-term goals, they dive deep into practical strategies men can apply right now. They also cover tools for planning, handling setbacks with resilience, and the value of family meetings. Plus, updates on the Iron Council and the importance of choosing growth over mere compliance. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 News headlines – Phillies “crazy Karen” 08:32 Shifting AMA format & topics 09:18 Work-life balance & energy 19:07 Refocusing after interruptions 22:36 Full alignment in planning 31:22 Income and spending trackers 32:15 Writing vs. digital planning 34:39 Recommended tools 42:48 Weekly family meetings 47:03 Best time to plan 51:19 Mindset when plans go off track 01:00:29 Iron Council promotion & Facebook group 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

10 Syys 1h 4min

If you’ve ever heard the dreaded words, “I love you but I am not in love with you,” or, more bluntly, “I want a divorce,” you know what follows is a mental and emotional rollercoaster of epic proportion. But what you probably don’t know is what to do if that day comes and what your rights might be when it comes to protecting yourself, your money, and your relationship with your children. My guest today, Attorney David Pissara, has made it his life’s work to help men navigate what is likely the most difficult part of his life – post-divorce. Today, we talk about how to avoid conflict during these times while simultaneously protecting your rights, the emotional manipulation many men face and how to confront it, whether or not the family court system is biased and what to expect when dealing with the courts, what indicators to be on the lookout for you to recognize if a divorce is pending, and even how AI may change family law. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:17 – Introduction and Context 01:05 – Why Men Struggle in Divorce 02:58 – Men, Vulnerability, and Leadership 08:33 – Marriage as a Contract 12:37 – The Question of Fairness in Divorce Settlements 17:01 – What Men Should Look for in Women 20:18 – Predictors of Divorce and Commitment 21:27 – The Danger of Social Isolation 25:51 – Balancing Happiness and Sacrifice 28:15 – Feminism, Disney, and Unrealistic Expectations 31:12 – Dating Standards and Preferences 36:12 – The Dreaded “I Want a Divorce” Moment 37:00 – How Women Strategize Divorce 39:23 – Abuse vs. Violence in Relationships 43:40 – How Courts Handle Restraining Orders 46:06 – Why Men Rarely File Restraining Orders 49:40 – Civil vs. High-Conflict Divorces 52:02 – Should Men Stay or Leave the House? 54:38 – Resources for Fathers in Custody Battles 57:46 – Strategies for High-Conflict Personalities 59:39 – No-Fault Divorce and Its Impact 01:04:00 – Handling Loans and Slander in Divorce 01:06:52 – Bias in Family Courts and AI Judges 01:09:59 – Parental Alienation and Legal Strategy 01:11:00 – Wrap-Up and Post-Show Instructions 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

9 Syys 1h 12min

In this Friday Field Notes episode, Ryan Michler breaks down what it really means to be vulnerable “like a man.” He challenges the popular narrative that vulnerability is strength in itself and instead explains how it should be used as a tool for growth. Ryan outlines why discernment matters, how goals must shape openness, and why solutions must accompany weakness. Listeners will walk away with a sharper, more practical understanding of vulnerability—stripped of fluff and grounded in responsibility. This episode is a call for men to embrace honesty without falling into the trap of empty exposure. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Rethinking vulnerability 02:30 – Vulnerability as weakness 04:40 – Exercising discernment 09:00 – Setting goals for openness 11:20 – Pairing vulnerability with solutions 18:00 – Vulnerability plus solutions equals results 20:20 – Iron Council promotion 22:45 – 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

5 Syys 24min

In this Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan Michler dives into daily efficiencies, planning systems, and the power of structure in building a productive life. He answers listener questions on balancing flexibility with discipline, handling unexpected events, creating rituals around planning, and becoming an early riser. Ryan also shares practical tactics like using buffers, after-action reviews, and categorizing different types of days to stay consistent and effective. Whether you’re aiming for better routines or long-term growth, this conversation offers actionable strategies you can apply immediately. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction and episode setup 02:14 – Balancing flexibility and structure 06:59 – Consistency with non-traditional work schedules 11:44 – Daily tactics for continual growth 16:30 – Handling the unexpected in planning 21:10 – Becoming an early riser 25:50 – Making daily planning a ritual 33:57 – Closing thoughts and 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

3 Syys 34min

Over time, it’s likely that you have drifted off course. Like a boat without a navigator, it’s easy to let the current of reality, overwhelm, and frustration take you off course. My guest today, Larry Hagner has been a father for over two decades and knows firsthand what the drift looks like as a dad and how to steer yourself back on course. Today, we talk about staying awake and vigilant when it comes to leading your wife and kids, the first “domino” to fall before things go horribly wrong, how to get your wife back on course if she starts to drift, in what ways do you become lethargic, monotonous, and bland in your life (and, what to do about it), and learning to build “conversations of curiosity.” SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Catching Up 00:11 - Larry’s Knee Injury Discussion 04:33 - The Forge Event Recap 04:57 - The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood Book Launch 07:47 - Understanding the Drift 09:17 - Introducing Lance: The Avatar of the Drift 15:30 - Helping Your Spouse Overcome the Drift 16:12 - Getting Out of the Drift as a Man 23:51 - Coaching Consistency in Men 29:57 - Being a Man of Your Word 31:02 - Motivating Your Wife Respectfully 36:56 - Impact of Kids on Relationships 38:02 - Motivating and Guiding Children 41:50 - Creating Psychological Safety for Kids 47:22 - Building Trust Through Questions 53:30 - Navigating Single Fatherhood 55:09 - Finding Common Ground with Your Child 59:35 - Connecting with Larry and The Forge Event 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

2 Syys 1h 11min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores how men can confront and overcome betrayal in both personal and professional life. Drawing from his own recent experiences, Ryan offers practical strategies and hard-earned insights to help men navigate betrayal with strength, clarity, and integrity. He emphasizes respect, self-control, and learning valuable lessons rather than succumbing to anger or despair. This episode is a call for men to rise above hardship, establish healthy boundaries, and move forward with resilience and purpose. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 02:15 – Facing betrayal in life and business 04:37 – Responding with respect and rationality 06:50 – Treating innocent bystanders gracefully 09:12 – Learning the lessons from betrayal 11:32 – Recognizing red flags early 13:54 – Building strong boundaries 18:43 – Final thoughts and encouragement 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

29 Elo 21min