In this episode of Ask Me Anything, Ryan Michler tackles tough but essential topics, including how to navigate difficult conversations with loved ones, balance nurturing and discipline as a parent, and build a strong network to reignite your career. He explores strategies for boosting self-esteem through meaningful commitments, setting boundaries in relationships, and handling the emotional challenges of parenting. From tips on starting over professionally to finding common ground in...

Men’s mental health is an issue that is getting a lot more attention than even when I started this podcast just 9 years ago. In fact, men are falling behind in so many metrics from graduation and college attendance rates, to declining health, incarceration, and even suicide rates. But what is causing this rising trend in the demise of men’s mental, physical, and emotion health? My guest, John Delony, is here to explain some of the biggest culprits in the modern issues that plague so many...

Can recognizing relationship red flags early save a marriage? In this week's Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler reflects on lessons from his 18-year marriage and divorce, emphasizing how minor issues, if ignored, can snowball into major challenges. He highlights the power of proactive communication and self-growth. Ryan shares strategies for navigating divorce with grace, focusing on personal responsibility, parenting, and self-care, while avoiding spiteful behavior. He also explores male...

In this week's Ask me Anything, Ryan and Kipp discuss the meticulous preparation required for bow hunting and share a personal story of a missed opportunity that underscores the importance of vigilance and readiness. It's a broader reflection on the life lesson of embracing new opportunities, even when they come with uncertainties. They also touch on the recent political shifts in the U.S., expressing optimism about the change in leadership with Trump's election victory, while also...

You guys have heard me talk about Jiu-Jitsu ad nauseum but what you may not have heard me talk too much about is the often-overlooked invisible form of the martial art that has taken over the world of MMA and combat sports. This is not about submitting or disabling an opponent on the mats but how the lessons learned on the mats apply to your everyday life. I can think of no better person to share his knowledge and depth of experience than one of the toughest men in the “First Family” of...

Ryan Michler believes traditional masculinity isn’t inherently toxic; it’s simply misunderstood. In this episode, he unravels the complexities surrounding toxic masculinity, challenging the myths that paint masculinity as harmful. Drawing on a pivotal 2019 study by the American Psychological Association, Ryan highlights the critical need for a balanced understanding of masculinity’s role in society, emphasizing that traditional masculine traits—when constructively channeled—can bring comfort,...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Join Ryan Michler as he explores the distinction between masculinity and manliness, a conversation that goes beyond mere semantics. Drawing insights from our social media followers, he discusses how masculinity often encompasses inherent traits like dominance and competitiveness, while manliness is about applying these traits through cultural, moral, and ethical lenses. By sharing various perspectives and definitions, Ryan illustrates that masculinity is a birthright, but manliness must be...

This is our first-ever Order of Man Live Q and A! Let us know if you have any questions. This episode examines how faith and personal values help navigate adversity, highlighting the role of community support and leadership during crises. It explores the importance of aligning actions with principles, drawing on stoicism and religious teachings, and emphasizes the need for honorable individuals to take the lead.  The conversation touches on how societal expectations affect our view of...

Men, we all have scars. Some are visible. Some are not. Some are physical. And, some are mental and emotional. Regardless of the scars you carry around, the stories behind them have the ability to shape you, for better or worse. My guest today, 101st Airborne Division Combat Veteran, J.R. Martinez, has easily-seen external scars. But rather than use those scars as an excuse to self-destruct, Martinez has, instead, decided to use the stories and the lessons he’s learned on the road to...

Unlock the secret to powerful leadership by harnessing the strength of emotional intelligence. Society may often cast aside traditional masculine traits, but we're here to reclaim them by understanding what it truly means to embody stability and reliability. This episode highlights the critical role emotional intelligence plays in being a grounding presence for our loved ones and colleagues. We explore how mastering our emotions allows us to remain composed during life's toughest moments,...

Have you ever felt frustrated by digital communication platforms? In this episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen explore a structured path to personal growth that cuts through tech barriers. They emphasize self-reliance, positive messaging, and building supportive networks.  Drawing on Chris Williamson’s podcast with Dr. Laith Al-Shawaf, they explore how emotions like fear and love guide us. They also share Josh's story of resilience and highlight practical advice for navigating...

This one is going to be a different one for you guys today. For the third time in the history of Order of Man in nearly a decade, we have a woman joining us on the podcast. Kelsi Sheren is a good friend of mine, and she is not afraid to pull punches. We’ve had some very public disagreements about the concept of “Vulnerability,” and “Feminism.” And, I thought, if we’re going to take this movement to the next level, all of us (myself included) need to take ourselves outside our comfort zones. ...

What if mastering your emotions could make you not just a better man, but a stronger leader too? This week on Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler unveils the seven signs of masculine maturity, essential for any man aiming to elevate his personal growth and leadership skills. Starting with an inspiring reading of Rudyard Kipling's timeless poem "If," Ryan sets a powerful tone for the first topic: emotional regulation. Through heartfelt personal stories, he reveals the transformative power of...