Order of Man

Today I'm joined by Jon Acuff, a New York Times bestselling author who has spent years studying why so many of us procrastinate and how to finally get out of our own way. We talk about the real reasons people stall out—fear, rejection, imposter syndrome, perfectionism—and how comparison, when used correctly, can actually become a source of inspiration rather than insecurity.
Jon also shares practical frameworks for focusing on effort instead of obsessing over outcomes, creating your own personal scorecard for success, and adopting a "let's find out" mentality when it comes to pursuing goals and navigating uncertainty. If you've ever felt stuck between what you say you want and what you're actually doing, this conversation will give you some tools to start closing that gap.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Intro & Jon Acuff returns to the podcast
01:14 - Why Ryan hates the term "Imposter Syndrome"
03:12 - Healthy vs destructive comparison
06:01 - "Audition your goals" instead of committing immediately
08:25 - Why men create fictional problems before starting
09:56 - Perfectionism and the "all or nothing" trap
12:21 - Thinking long-term to make better decisions
14:56 - "Noble obstacles" and how we sabotage ourselves
20:57 - The danger of attaching too much to outcomes
23:27 - Holding two opposing truths in leadership
25:26 - The "Let's Find Out" mentality
27:57 - Why men need other men to push them
33:18 - Ryan's story of channeling anger through wrestling
35:15 - The four permissions that beat procrastination
38:48 - Discipline vs desire
43:36 - Hustlers skipping the planning stage
45:12 - Becoming the best salesperson of yourself
49:22 - Why men overcommit their schedules
50:04 - How men hide inside hobbies
55:12 - Measuring success as a father
58:45 - Parenting example: the tattoo story
01:02:13 - Where to find Jon Acuff and his new book
 
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

Life can collapse faster than we expect. A divorce, financial loss, health issues, or the breakdown of relationships can leave a man wondering where to even begin again.
In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler shares six strategies for rebuilding your life when everything feels like it's falling apart. Drawing from personal experience and years of working with thousands of men, Ryan explains why rebuilding doesn't start with massive breakthroughs—it starts with small, disciplined actions that restore stability and control.
If you're facing rock bottom—or helping someone who is—this episode outlines the mindset and practical steps required to rebuild stronger than before.
Ryan covers why stabilizing yourself is more important than rushing into strategy, how taking full ownership restores your personal power, and why rebuilding your body is one of the fastest ways to regain confidence and discipline. He also explains the importance of simplifying your life, stacking small wins, and surrounding yourself with the right brotherhood so you don't face the rebuilding process alone.
Rock bottom doesn't have to be the end of your story. It can be the foundation for becoming the man you were meant to be.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 Intro
00:22 When Life Falls Apart
02:56 Where Do You Even Start?
03:33 Stabilize Before You Strategize
05:05 The Fundamentals: Sleep, Training, Nutrition
07:12 Creating Daily Structure
08:49 Take Ruthless Ownership of Your Life
11:20 Powerful Questions for Self-Reflection
12:40 Simplify Your Life Aggressively
15:28 Rebuild Your Body First
17:25 The Power of Stacking Small Wins
21:00 Why Brotherhood Matters
24:55 Why No Man Rebuilds Alone
25:55 Using Rock Bottom as Your Starting Block
27:19 Who Do You Become Now?
28:00 Iron Council Brotherhood
29:00 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

In this AMA episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen tackle a wide range of listener questions-from AI and authenticity to divorce, brotherhood, and extreme ownership. Ryan shares lessons from his own divorce about reflection, accountability, and rebuilding your life after a major setback. The conversation also dives into why authenticity builds trust, the danger of labeling words as violence, and how men can start building strong brotherhoods even if they've spent most of their lives alone. If you're feeling stuck in your career, isolated in life, or unsure how to take the next step forward, this episode offers practical guidance and honest perspective.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:04 - Introduction and lacrosse tournament story
03:46 - Listener question: AI and content creation
17:57 - Navigating divorce and staying afloat emotionally
30:17 - New Order of Man merchandise designs
32:14 - Ideals worth fighting or dying for
35:15 - Violence, language, and societal perception
42:16 - Building brotherhood from scratch
51:22 - Extreme ownership when stuck in a job
59:24 - Reflecting on advice given years earlier
59:50 - Episode 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

My good friend Kipp Sorensen interviews me. I'm on the hot seat today and very excited to be talking with you about all things Order of Man, including the origin story of Order of Man, why we need to be careful of falling into the comparison trap, but how it can actually help you by comparing yourself in healthy ways to others. We talk about having healthy relationships with delayed gratification. Any misconceptions about what order of man does what we're doing now and into the future, how we've grown the movement, and how we continue to innovate and come up with new ideas. We talk about some of the tactics and strategies.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 Cold Open & Fight Talk
03:12 Reversing the Roles — Ryan on the Hot Seat
05:30 The Origin of Order of Man
11:20 Launching the Iron Council
13:50 Commitment and Delayed Gratification
19:28 Why Ryan Never Quit the Mission
22:00 Lessons From Personal Struggles and Divorce
28:00 Commitment to the Mission vs Results
30:20 The Trap of Always Chasing "What's Next"
34:28 Dealing With Pressure and Escapism
40:32 Handling Leadership Pressure
43:07 The Danger of the Red Pill Movement
48:00 The Problem With Modern Masculinity Influencers
50:53 The Real Men We Should Look Up To
53:25 What Men Often Get Wrong About Masculinity
54:47 The Intangible Side of Protect, Provide, Preside
01:00:37 Tactical vs Strategic Leadership as a Father
01:14:17 Being an Introvert With a Massive Audience
01:15:41 The Impact of Listener Stories
01:22:26 Call to Action for Men
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

Ryan Michler challenges the cultural myth of the "lone wolf" man and explains why isolation is quietly destroying modern men.
While movies, social media, and modern culture glorify the rugged individual who needs no one, the truth is the opposite - men were built for brotherhood, tribes, and shared struggle.
Ryan breaks down why modern systems incentivize isolation, how loneliness leads to mediocrity and addiction, and what men can do to build real brotherhood again.
From historical examples of men organizing to modern distractions that keep men disconnected, this episode is a powerful reminder that the strongest men aren't lone wolves - they're leaders of packs.
Ryan also shares practical ways to build connection, including where brotherhood naturally forms and how to take the first step in creating it.
In This Episode
Why the "lone wolf" myth is a lie

What actually happens to lone wolves in nature

How isolation is affecting modern men

Why systems and incentives push men toward loneliness

How technology simulates brotherhood without delivering it

The dangers of losing accountability and perspective

Why strong men throughout history built tribes

Practical ways to build real brotherhood today

The three environments where men improve together

Why shared struggle builds deeper bonds than conversation

Resources & Links
Iron Council Brotherhood https://orderofman.com/ironcouncil
The Men's Forge Event https://themensforge.com
Montana Knife Company https://montanaknifecompany.com Code: ORDERMAN
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