Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorenson explore Hickson Gracie's influence on MMA and how his dominance, despite not competing in early UFC events, laid the foundation for the sport. They discuss the Gracie family’s strategic choice of Royce Gracie to showcase jiu-jitsu’s power through a smaller fighter in the first UFC and examine early MMA's bare-knuckle fighting style and its impact on safety and techniques.

The conversation then shifts to men’s mental health, as they advocate for hobbies like jiu-jitsu or hiking as therapy alternatives. They also touch on leadership and parenting, focusing on resilience, autonomy, and stress’s role in growth, while promoting personal agency in belief systems and institutions.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) Episode Intro (00:40) Hickson Gracie's Impact on MMA   (07:46) Men's Resistance to Traditional Therapy   (18:21) Parenting and Shaping Resilience in Children   (30:34) Empowering Leadership Through Trust and Respect   (35:55) Leadership Through Autonomy and Ownership   (41:51) Parenting With Discipline and Love   (53:58) Personal Sovereignty and Agency in Belief

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

We all know how crucial it is to build alliances in our lives and, yet, most men aren’t real deliberate and intentional about how they do it. Think about it, most of your connections are a product of default proximity, not rational design – your neighbor, your brother, the guy that works down the hall from you, etc.

So, how do you form and nurture these strategic relationships. Robin Dreeke joins me today to share his knowledge as a former FBI behavioral analysist, and spy recruiter. We discuss the power of non-judgmental curiosity, the 4 keys of effective communication, how to analyze a person’s behaviors and motives quickly, including an analysis of the positive and negative characteristics of both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, how to strategize trust with others, and why some men can read people well while others can’t.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) Episode Intro (03:40) The Power of Human Connection   (16:06) Building Balanced Reciprocal Relationships   (22:15) Navigating Controversial Conversations With Empathy   (30:33) Assessing Emotional vs Pragmatic Conversations   (38:09) Assessing Personalities Beyond Script and Media   (43:57) Assessing People Through Ground Truth   (53:26) Strategizing Trust in Intelligence Operations   (01:04:45) Promoting "Unbreakable Alliances" With Robin Dreeke

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

Is influence different from manipulation, or just a different shade? In this episode, Ryan Michler breaks down the art of building true influence, essential for leaders in any realm—family, business, or community. Through ten practical strategies grounded in integrity, Ryan explores how influence can elevate our interactions by aligning personal goals with broader values, creating outcomes that benefit everyone involved.

Influence isn’t just for the workplace; it’s woven into daily life, from guiding your kids to closing deals. With relatable examples—from Donald Trump’s connection with blue-collar voters to Kamala Harris’s attempts at relatability—Ryan uncovers the power of genuine connection, honesty, and setting clear boundaries. By leading with care and maintaining consistency, we can build trust-filled relationships that last.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) Episode Intro (00:40) Building Influence With Integrity (04:38) The Power of Honesty and Influence (14:36) Solving Problems Through Connection (19:31) Connecting Through Relatability (23:08) Firm and Fair Approach in Relationships (33:34) Be a Man of Your Word (37:45) Consistency Builds Trust

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

Navigating life's challenges with integrity and purpose requires a commitment to personal priorities. By allowing children to face their own obstacles, we nurture resilience and growth. Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen explore the importance of honest self-assessment and celebrate others' achievements as sources of inspiration rather than envy. The idea is to stay true to our paths, even amidst external pressures, ensuring that our decisions reflect what truly matters to us. 

Finally, Ryan and Kipp embrace the chaos of daily life with strategies that emphasize moral integrity and personal growth. They reflect on the balance between discipline and flexibility, whether it's about maintaining workout routines on vacation or making healthier choices while dining out.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS - (00:40) Episode Intro - (00:40) Hunting Mindset and Resilience Teachings - (09:56) Prioritizing Growth and Personal Development - (17:31) The Power of Pivoting - (29:15) Balancing Discipline and Practical Application - (38:00) Navigating Overthinking and Overaction - (51:43) Maintaining Moral Integrity in Chaos - (57:38) Battle Against the Natural Man - (01:05:24) Man Camp Experience

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’ve made it a personal rule, when I’m offended, to chalk it up to people’s inability to communicate effectively. It’s proven to be useful and, typically, correct. But how can the activity we engage in more than anything else (with the exception of sleep) be something so many men are horribly deficient with?

That’s a question my guest, Jefferson Fisher, has spend decades understanding and, over the last several years, teaching over 10,000,000 of his social media followers how to address. Today Jefferson and I talk about avoiding miscommunication, how to be assertive in communication – but not an asshole, when diplomacy and advocacy connect and contradict, why learning not to, “take the bait” of others will serve you, learning the rules of the communication game, and why control, confidence, and connection will set you apart.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS - (00:00) Episode Intro - (03:40) Effective Communication and Assertive Conversations - (18:10) Direct Communication for Difficult Conversations - (22:48) Respectful and Considerate Communication Skills - (34:09) Navigating Egos in Professional Interactions - (46:16) Personal Rules and Self-Advocacy in Communication - (55:04) Parenting and Professional Likability - (01:00:09) Authentic Communication and Self-Evaluation - (01:09:38) Podcast Connection and Shared Mindset

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

Unlock the keys to unshakable confidence and self-assurance in this episode of Friday Field Notes, where Ryan Michlers tells us how to harness the power of self-validation over external approval. Discover the profound impact of honoring personal commitments and how they lay the foundation for integrity and resilience, propelling you toward genuine influence and opportunity. Ryan deep dives into the importance of understanding the motives behind your successes and the true value of building confidence through self-awareness and introspection. 

Expect actionable insights that will help you reflect on your journey and steer it toward self-growth and improvement.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

(00:00) Episode Intro (00:50) Building Confidence and Security as Men (15:21) Strengthening Confidence and Security (22:43) MensForge

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

This Ask Me Anything episode dives into critical themes of election rigging, the burden of owning unnecessary stuff, and showing up powerfully. Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen explore how misleading FBI crime statistics and media manipulation erode public trust, impacting political narratives and elections. 

Transparency and active participation are essential in fighting this, and they challenge listeners to engage fully in the democratic process. Personal growth is also discussed, emphasizing that investing in experiences, relationships, and self-improvement leads to deeper fulfillment than material possessions. 

From political engagement to simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters, Ryan and Kipp encourage everyone to take action and commit to their personal and societal roles with integrity.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) Episode Intro (00:42) Trust, Transparency, and Manipulation   (10:47) Importance of Political Involvement   (17:38) Interview Preparation and Taking Initiative   (26:04) National Sovereignty and Financial Control   (38:48) Commitment and Progress in Life   (45:09) Investments in Fulfillment and Happiness   (54:54) Inclusivity in the Iron Council   (01:04:11) Men's Forge Collaboration Event Announcement

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

Many of us have been accused of perpetuating the concept of male privilege and male power. Heaven forbid a man uses his God-given talents and abilities to lift his people up. But too many misguided and damaged souls tend to see only the worst parts of the men in their vicinity or, on social media and in the bright light of the entertainment industry. Those men, in no way, are indicative of the general consensus of men and, yet, many still view men as the premier problem in society today.

My guest today, Dr. Warren Farrell, helps unpack why that is not the case and, if anything how genuine men are the cure to many of the ailments of modern times. We talk about why “men’s issues” are not just men’s issues, the differences in what language men and women speak, the male equivalents of the feminist movement, why men are more interested in garnering respect than love, the dreaded “V-word” (vulnerability), and 6 mindsets to form powerful connections between men and women. 

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) Episode Intro (04:10) The Boy Crisis and Male Identity   (14:54) Reframing Power and Responsibility in Men   (29:18) Gender Dynamics in Communication and Relationships   (41:47) Improving Communication in Relationships   (53:10) The Art of Non-Defensive Communication   (01:04:01) Deepening Love Through Relationship Practices   (01:13:16) Enhancing Relationships Through Active Listening

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

Unlock the secret to choosing battles that truly matter and become the hero of your own story. In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores the powerful notion of being "anxiously engaged in the fight," inspired by Mormon doctrine, and how it can guide us in aligning our efforts with personal beliefs and societal impact.

Discover five essential strategies to ensure your fight is both meaningful and successful, as we discuss the concept of personal sovereignty and the pursuit of worthy causes. 

Hear Ryan's personal anecdotes that illustrate the power of enlisting allies who believe in you, reinforcing the significance of support systems in the battles you choose to engage in. Tune in for an inspiring episode filled with insights that will empower you to tackle your chosen battles with clarity and conviction.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

(00:42) Episode Intro (00:42) Anxiously Engaged (14:32) Battle Strategy and Allies in Victory

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 an era of manipulated narratives, skepticism towards polling reliability is crucial, urging us to make informed voting decisions based on what matters. We encourage seeking information from trusted sources while avoiding mainstream distractions, inspired by figures like RFK, Tulsi Gabbard, and Elon Musk. 

Shifting focus, we delve into the art of storytelling and the importance of preserving family legacies, especially narratives tied to significant historical events like World War II. By documenting these stories, we aim to inspire future generations to connect with their roots.

Additionally, we explore personal growth through evolving goals and embracing challenges, highlighting Covey's principles on productivity. We stress adaptability and the importance of viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, and overcoming obstacles.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) Episode Intro   (00:38) Importance of Staying Informed and Voting   (10:43) Reflecting on Family Legacies and Growth   (22:04) Evolving Goals and Personal Growth   (27:28) Overcoming Organizational Hurdles for Success   (31:18) Embracing Unreasonable Actions for Growth   (34:57) Personal Growth and Embracing Transformation   (41:53) Embracing Growth Through Challenges   (56:05) Leadership, Success, and Personal Growth   (01:04:55) Wedding Stress and Post-Workout Nutrition

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

Take a quick look around you and you’ll easily see the degradation of the family, the undermining of both masculinity and femininity, the perversion of virtue and even things like “man” and “woman”, and the dismantling of societal norms that have served the world for good for centuries. It’s not hard to see that in many ways, some of our most influential institutions (government, academia, entertainment, and medicine) are actively working against us.

My guest today, author and cultural commentator, Andrew Klavan joins me to talk about what is happening in society today and what, we as men, can do about it. We discuss extreme feminism and the male equivalent – Red Pill and MGTOW, the difference between happiness, fulfillment, and joy (and which to pursue), why men like Andrew Tate have come to influence millions of men – and why that’s not a good thing, how the powers that be are getting people to turn against each other, and so much more.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS (00:00) - Episode Intro (04:06) - Debating Gender Roles in Society (13:18) - Rejecting Toxic Gender Expectations (23:21) - Navigating Perceptions of Masculinity and Femininity (27:12) - Navigating Personal Morality and Accountability (39:04) - Spiritual Transformation and Interfaith Respect (45:24) - Exploring Gender Dynamics in Fiction (58:00) - Exploring Moral Principles and Atheism (01:07:26) - Personal Reflections on Writing and Connection

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