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

Choose a metric regarding the health, wealth, and fulfillment of men and it’s easy to see that men are either falling drastically behind our female counterparts or, at a minimum, on a downward spiral. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s a contest between the sexes (That would suggest that it’s a zero-sum game. It’s not). But it’s a glimpse into modern man’s gradual decline in his ability to protect, provide, and preside in his life and the lives of those he cares about. Matt Beaudreau joins me on the podcast today to talk about why this is the case and how our steady decline starts at a young age and inside the halls of academia. We talk about Trump’s desire to shut down the Department of Education, how government and academia have distracted us from true learning, why you’ll never find your purpose – you must forge it, living a life by design – not default, and the importance of the “Hero’s Journey.” SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:40 - Dismantling the Department of Education: A Good Move? 03:17 - Defining Success: Beyond Standardized Tests 07:13 - Should We Lower the Bar for Everyone? 10:55 - Do People Give Enough to Charity? 14:23 - How Crisis Brings Out the Best in People 17:44 - Creating Opportunities for Young Men 23:17 - A Bold Idea: Free Mentorship for Boys from Single-Mother Homes 27:10 - The Real Purpose of Education 31:27 - Why Men Feel Isolated and Alone 37:58 - Do Men Find Their Purpose, or Do They Forge It? 47:32 - The Natural Drive to Do More 53:30 - Learning from Personal Crisis: The Hero’s Journey 54:14 - Fired Up: Turning an Idea into Action 56:17 - The Power of Intentionality in Men’s Lives 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

18 Feb 1h 2min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler challenges men to simplify their lives by focusing on what truly matters. He breaks down five key areas—physical possessions, technology, environment, relationships, and work—where men can cut out the unnecessary and become more effective. By doing less but doing it better, men can increase their value, find deeper satisfaction, and lead more fulfilling lives. Ryan delivers a powerful message on eliminating distractions, setting boundaries, and making intentional choices. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 02:47 – The power of brotherhood and connection 03:59 – Decluttering your physical space 07:29 – Cutting out technological distractions 09:51 – Structuring your environment for success 11:54 – Managing relationships and toxic influences 14:39 – Eliminating unnecessary work and delegating effectively 17:00 – The importance of doing less, but better 18:34 – Closing thoughts 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

14 Feb 20min

In this AMA episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle hard-hitting questions from listeners on leadership, relationships, career growth, and personal development. They discuss overcoming fear, building strong teams, saving for the future while enjoying the present, and stepping up as a leader.  Ryan also shares insights on assertiveness and taking responsibility, while Kipp breaks down the mindset shifts needed for growth. Plus, they highlight the power of networking and making bold career moves. Don't miss this powerful conversation filled with practical advice and real talk.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and catching up   03:05 - Winter Strong event and the power of networking   06:10 - The Men's Forge event promotion   12:50 - How to build strong relationships and choose the right people   16:14 - Overcoming fear and making tough career and relationship decisions   27:56 - How to introduce friends to the Iron Council   36:10 - Creating stronger team bonds and accountability   43:14 - Common leadership weaknesses and how to fix them   53:13 - Balancing saving for the future vs. enjoying the present   1:01:21 - Feeling stuck in a job and finding a meaningful career path   1:10:29 - The power of taking initiative at work   1:14:46 - Closing thoughts and key takeaways   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 Feb 1h 21min

You may not immediately recognize the names, Lee and Andrew Child, but I bet you know the name, Jack Reacher. Lee is the creator of Jack Reacher and Andrew is now the man who will carry on the legacy of the man who all of us want to be like. Today, I am joined by the iconic and legendary duo and authors of the Jack Reacher series. We talk about so much including the nature of men, the power of good storytelling (whether you’re a fictional author or just want to be a good dad), the “Robin Hood Myth,” the future of good literature in modern times, and how much individual personality goes into creating a character who will last.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:40 - The Power of 'J' in Protagonist Names 01:35 - Why 'J' Names Dominate Thriller Heroes 02:51 - The Science Behind Compelling Character Names 03:28 - Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack Reacher 04:52 - How Film Adaptations Alter Characters 06:20 - The Challenge of Casting Jack Reacher 07:32 - Tom Cruise vs. Alan Ritchson as Reacher 08:42 - Creating the Physical Presence of Reacher 09:53 - Transitioning the Jack Reacher Series 11:01 - The Natural Evolution of a Character 12:52 - How Personal Experiences Shape Fictional Characters 15:22 - The Organic Transition of Writing Reacher 16:45 - How Readers Shape Character Perceptions 18:54 - Balancing Character Description and Reader Imagination 20:13 - The Power of Storytelling in Fiction 22:07 - The Evolutionary Purpose of Storytelling 23:21 - Showing Virtue Through Action in Fiction 25:09 - Fiction as a Release Valve for Frustrations 27:00 - The Role of Storytelling in Managing Emotions 29:12 - Vigilantism, Justice, and Society’s Reaction 31:45 - The Modern Robin Hood Myth 33:01 - Exploring Moral Ambiguity in Fiction 35:05 - Why Flawed Heroes Are More Compelling 36:33 - Reacher’s Moral Code and the Power of Choice 37:44 - What Sets Reacher Off? 39:12 - Why Not Let Reacher Die? 40:40 - The Author’s Duty to the Readers 42:30 - Balancing Creativity and Reader Expectations 45:03 - How Reader Trends Have Changed Over 30 Years 46:55 - Predicting Cultural Trends in Thriller Novels 49:03 - The Enduring Theme of the Underdog vs. the Bully 51:37 - Avoiding Heavy-Handed Messaging in Fiction 54:01 - Respecting the Reader’s Intelligence 56:11 - The Economic Unfairness Theme in Modern Fiction 58:19 - The Robin Hood Story Still Resonates Today 01:00:17 - Writing Convincing Villains 01:02:29 - Lee Child on Letting Go of Reacher 01:04:26 - Andrew’s Perspective on Taking Over the Series 01:06:39 - The Blue-Collar Work Ethic in Writing 01:07:08 - Final Thoughts and Farewell 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 Feb 1h 15min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores the crucial role men play in shaping the next generation. He discusses the consequences of fatherlessness, the importance of mentorship, and the responsibility of men to lead by example. Ryan shares personal experiences and actionable steps to ensure boys grow into strong, virtuous men.  He emphasizes leading from the front, getting involved, and knowing when to step back to let others rise. This episode is a powerful reminder that the future of manhood depends on the lessons we pass down today.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction   00:46 – The impact of absent fathers   02:49 – Lessons from strength training with young men   04:54 – The crisis of masculinity in modern society   06:56 – Leading from the front   11:32 – Taking action and getting involved   16:24 – Learning to lead from behind   21:25 – The power of continuous learning   22:56 – Closing thoughts and call to action Link to YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Orderofman 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

7 Feb 24min

In this week’s AMA episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen dive into a range of thought-provoking topics, from the role of masculinity in the arts to overcoming stagnation and embracing the underdog mindset. They tackle viewer questions on leadership, personal growth, and maintaining momentum after success. Ryan shares insights on self-improvement, discipline, and the power of artistic expression in shaping culture. Tune in for a compelling discussion that challenges conventional thinking and offers actionable advice for men striving to improve their lives. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction 02:50 - The psychology of political identity 14:16 - Masculinity in the arts and its cultural impact 20:48 - The value of serving on a board 29:51 - Overcoming stagnation in personal growth 37:15 - Three essential skills every man should develop 42:05 - Keeping momentum after success 50:20 - Coping with a divorce and rebuilding life 54:19 - Final thoughts and wrap-up 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 Feb 56min

I recorded this podcast with Anson Frericks, former Anheuser-Busch Executive, about a month ago before Trump took office and began putting the final nails in the coffin of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” (DEI) at the federal level. But, even before that, we saw the decline and predicted the ultimate downfall of DEI initiatives with very notable cases such as the Bud Light fiasco and subsequent boycott. Now, with Target, Amazon, Harley-Davidson, and more notable companies are dismantling these dangerous and destructive ideologies. Today, Anson and I talk about, why we’ve seen such a huge cultural shift against these policies, why companies truly started these policies in the first place (it wasn’t out of the goodness of their hearts), how consumers can take back culture through their purchasing power, and why DEI needs to die once and for all. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:41 - The Power of Authentic Branding 03:37 - Corporate America and Censorship 07:02 - When Companies Prioritize Politics Over Customers 11:34 - The Bud Light Controversy and Corporate Backlash 15:59 - The Influence of ESG and DEI on Big Business 21:39 - The Fallout of Anheuser-Busch’s Marketing Misstep 27:21 - Corporate America’s Struggle with Political Pressure 33:46 - The Shift in Advertising and Audience Connection 40:00 - How COVID and Social Movements Shaped Corporate Policy 46:02 - The Role of BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street 51:21 - The Future of Free Speech in Business 56:39 - The Power of Courageous Leadership in Shaping Industry 57:24 - The Next Era of Defense and Innovation 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

4 Feb 1h 10min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores the powerful concept of “Will it Make the Boat Go Faster?”, a mantra for making decisions that drive real progress. Inspired by Olympic rower Ben Hunt-Davis, Ryan shares how this mindset can be applied to career growth, relationships, health, and personal goals. He discusses the importance of setting clear objectives, testing strategies, and adjusting when necessary.  SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction to the concept 01:42 - The Olympic rowing story 03:12 - Applying the mantra to life 07:43 - Decision-making and pivoting 09:45 - The importance of self-review 12:00 - Measuring progress objectively 14:32 - Eliminating distractions and staying focused 16:47 - Upcoming event: The Men's Forge 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

31 Jan 18min