OoM 068: Raising Men with Navy SEAL, Eric Davis

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores the crucial question of how to initiate boys into manhood. Drawing from personal experience as a father and mentor, Ryan outlines key principles such as separation, challenge, risk, and meaning that help shape rites of passage. He emphasizes the importance of deliberate and intentional practices for raising boys into strong, capable men—especially in a society that often resists such growth. This episode offers fathers, mentors, and even single mothers clear considerations for guiding the next generation of men. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:40 – The challenge of raising boys in today’s culture 03:00 – Separation from women in rites of passage 05:27 – Building challenge and risk into the process 07:50 – Age-based milestones for boys 10:05 – Responsibility, puberty, and independence 12:21 – Honoring achievements with meaning 14:33 – Public celebration and recognition 16:58 – Marking and family mottos 19:16 – Reintroduction as young men 21:37 – Course promotion and final 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

22 Aug 23min

In this week’s Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle powerful questions from the Order of Man community. From knowing which battles are worth fighting, to bringing God into past trials, to addressing blind spots at work without sounding like a complainer — they cover practical wisdom every man can apply. They also dive into handling public haters, having hard conversations about addiction, and reflecting on past interviews. Honest, challenging, and inspiring — this one’s packed with lessons for intentional living. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Opening and headlines 08:07 – Choosing your battles 19:45 – Inviting God into past trials 29:50 – Approaching leadership with blind spots 41:01 – Telling your wife about addiction 48:27 – Responding to public haters 56:45 – Interviews Ryan would redo 01:02:41 – Promotions 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

20 Aug 1h 3min

We all know that one guy who is tough, resilient, loves a fight, and can make things happen, even when he’s behind. I think, in a way, we all want to be that guy. I’m convinced that a man who is scrappy is a man who can achieve everything he wants in this world – even if it first seems out of reach. My guest today, Pete Roberts, agrees. And, he knows a thing or two about the resourcefulness and scrappiness it takes to revive an American tradition – manufacturing. You know him as the founder of Origin and Jocko Fuel. Today, we talk about the power of purpose, how and why a man needs to define success, regular people building irregular things, what he looks for in people to hire and promote to leadership in his organization, and making yourself capable of carrying burdens. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Catching Up After Years Apart 01:15 – Origin and the Almost Reality Show 03:20 – Building a Brand with Authenticity 05:40 – Jiu-Jitsu as Life’s Greatest Teacher 10:40 – From Passion to Purpose in Business 18:50 – Regular Guys Doing Extraordinary Things 21:45 – Breaking Free from the System 25:40 – Ty’s Story: Taking a Risk on Yourself 33:05 – Spotting Talent: Deep Selects and Leadership 40:45 – Redefining Success and Carrying the Burden 46:20 – Breaking the Cycle for Family and Legacy 52:40 – Losing $6 Million and Firing Myself 01:00:15 – Restarting with New Purpose 01:06:20 – The Truth About Success and Struggles 01:08:20 – New YouTube Channel and Final Promotions 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

19 Aug 1h 19min

In this Friday Field Notes episode, Ryan Michler shares ten powerful strategies to become more influential in every area of life. From building strength and dressing with purpose to mastering communication, practicing honesty, and making exceptionalism the standard, Ryan delivers actionable insights for men who want to lead with integrity and impact. He also emphasizes the importance of follow-through, consistency, and lightheartedness in building trust. Whether at home, at work, or in the community, these principles equip listeners to show up as the man they are meant to be. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction 02:28 Build Strength & Muscle 04:56 Dress Your Age & Occasion 09:38 Learn to Communicate Well 14:26 Use Self-Deprecation 15:38 Get Good at Saying “I Don’t Know” 18:39 Get Good at Saying “I Don’t Agree” 23:03 Be Ruthlessly Consistent 25:13 Make Exceptionalism Your Standard 29:43 Follow Through on Commitments 31:38 Laugh, Smile & Be Lighthearted 34:00 Bonus – Never Let Them See You Sweat 36:20 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

15 Aug 37min

In this week’s AMA, Ryan and Kipp tackle tough listener questions on becoming more self-aware, navigating the pain and decisions around infidelity, and setting boundaries to disincentivize bad behavior in relationships and parenting.  They also explore meaningful rites of passage for young men, fostering responsibility in teens, and the lessons they wish they could share with their younger selves. Honest, direct, and actionable, this episode blends inspiration with real-world strategies for men striving to lead with integrity. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction 03:18 First listener question – Skill, habit, or mindset shift 14:09 How much infidelity is too much to forgive 27:06 Considering separation over chemical dependency 39:55 Rite of passage for your son 46:44 Handling entitled teenagers 54:44 Advice to your teenage self 01:05:32 Promotions and 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

13 Aug 1h 5min

Why can’t women just understand men? Why can’t men just understand women? The short answer is, “we’re not supposed to.” If we were, we wouldn’t really have any need for each other, would we? My guest today, Adam Lane Smith, has made it his life’s work to get closer to helping men understand women and help us understand our own natural tendencies in relationships. Today, Adam and I talk about emotional starvation, the concept of CEO/COO between men and women, the ‘red flags’ that your marriage is struggling, what men and women do to cause each other pain, and how men can lead in their relationships much more effectively. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Finding Purpose and Chasing It 00:59 – Building a 200-Year Family System 02:51 – Two Worlds: Secure vs Insecure Attachment 05:55 – Teaching People Safety vs Creating Secure Attachment 07:27 – Maslow’s Hierarchy and Emotional Safety 10:46 – Safety for Men as Peace 14:19 – Security Starts Outside the Relationship 17:38 – Rebuilding a Marriage After Decades 20:53 – Invalidation and Dismissal in Relationships 22:23 – Venting vs Bringing Concerns 27:18 – The Purpose of Female Feelings as Data 29:36 – Men and Women’s Brains Are Meant to Interlink 32:05 – The Ancient Fear of Not Being Believed 37:25 – Emotional Starvation in Relationships 40:38 – Signs She’s Thriving or Starving Emotionally 45:13 – Four Levels of Safety Women Need 48:24 – Level 1: Physical Safety 50:07 – Level 2: Resource Safety 52:00 – Choosing the Right Woman for Your Circle 55:08 – Defining Masculine and Feminine Roles 58:32 – How Men Decide and Women Refine 01:02:05 – Level 3: Emotional Safety 01:04:29 – Level 4: Bonding Safety 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 Aug 1h 27min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler passionately defends hunting, addressing misconceptions and highlighting its ecological and ethical benefits. He explores the historical role of hunting in human survival, its impact on conservation, and the reverence of consuming what you kill. Michler provides data-driven arguments to counter anti-hunting sentiments, emphasizing population management, habitat preservation, and sustainable practices. He also offers practical advice for aspiring hunters.  Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges assumptions and celebrates hunting’s role in human tradition and environmental stewardship. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Addressing Hunting Misconceptions 04:09 - The Cycle of Life and Homo Sapiens 08:10 - Consequences of Stopping Hunting 10:33 - The Truth About Trophy Hunting 12:56 - The Decency of an Honorable Death 15:21 - Hunting vs. Slaughterhouse 17:43 - The Reverence of Eating What You Kill 20:04 - Sustainable Hunting Practices 22:27 - Hunters’ Contributions to Conservation 27:15 - Getting Started with Hunting 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

8 Aug 28min

In this AMA episode, Ryan and Kipp explore the tension between motivation and meaning in today’s self-help culture. They dive into headline topics like the Tim Kennedy stolen valor controversy, then tackle listener questions on marriage doubts, healing journeys, ex-partner conflicts, starting a podcast, and when to pivot in life. Expect honest, grounded advice around boundaries, intentional living, and balancing life’s demands without burnout. A must-listen for men navigating growth, fatherhood, and purpose. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Tim Kennedy & the Stolen Valor Debate 08:29 - Should You Have Doubts Before Marriage? 16:35 - Mistakes When Starting a Podcast 22:34 - Growth & Healing: What's Top of Mind 27:01 - Parenting Disagreements with Your Ex 32:30 - When Is It Time to Quit or Pivot? 38:42 - Handling Overwhelm & the Four Quadrants 46:19 - Living an Intentional Life 55:31 - Reclaiming Your Identity from People-Pleasing 1:04:00 - Hiring Help: Building a Team for Your 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

6 Aug 1h 22min