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-Negotiables in the Four Quadrants 31:32 - Step 3: Accountability 33:00 - Step 4: Enforce Consequences 33:42 - Final Challenge: Raise Your Standards 35:45 - Iron Council Promotion 36:33 - Preview Call Details

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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

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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!

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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!

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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? 39:58 - Parenting, Boyhood, and Raising Men 40:45 - Why Boyhood Resurrected Was Written 42:38 - Risk, Adventure, and Rite of Passage 46:14 - Finding Balance in Parenting 47:09 - Trust, Risk, and Leadership in Marriage 51:27 - Why Should Your Wife Trust You? 52:21 - Leadership, Submission, and Marriage Dynamics 55:49 - Biblical Structure for Marriage 59:04 - Loving Leadership and Wise Authority 01:00:54 - Closing Thoughts & Transition to IC Segment 01:01:15 - Where to Find John Lovell 01:02:13 - Q&A Teaser

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

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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.

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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.

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, The Masculinity Manifesto.

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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: Pick yours up today!

Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.

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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 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 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