In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan dives into five common phrases women say that often don't match what they actually mean. This isn't about deception or manipulation - it's about understanding human nature, attraction dynamics, emotional safety, and relationship leadership.

If men build relationships on what's said instead of what's actually happening beneath the surface, they risk frustration, confusion, and disconnection.

Ryan breaks down:
- Why "I'm fine" rarely means fine
- The truth behind "He's just a friend"
- Why women don't actually want a "nice guy"
- The myth of the "dad bod" preference
- What's really behind "I don't need a man"

The goal? Stronger relationships, better discernment, and healthier dynamics between men and women.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Intro
00:15 - Why This Conversation Matters
01:00 - Lie #1: "I'm Fine"
05:10 - Lie #2: "He's Just a Friend"
09:58 - Lie #3: "I Want a Nice Guy"
14:39 - Lie #4: "I Like Dad Bods"
17:55 - Lie #5: "I Don't Need a Man"
23:37 - What This Is Really About
25:05 - The Men's Forge Event
26:02 - Final Thoughts & Outro

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 into powerful listener questions from the Iron Council and Facebook group. They break down the difference between chasing and pursuing, how to handle employee resentment after promotions, and how childhood beliefs silently shape the man you become.

The conversation moves into leading through chaos, navigating marital strain, protecting yourself during divorce, and the real risks and opportunities of AI. Raw, unfiltered, and highly practical - this episode is packed with leadership wisdom for men navigating business, marriage, and modern life.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 Introduction
02:45 Chasing vs. Pursuing
07:42 Handling Employee Raise Fallout
22:13 Childhood Beliefs That Shape You
32:17 Leading Through Setbacks
41:17 When Is Enough Enough in Marriage?
45:45 The Truth About AI Risks & Leverage
01:06:06 Divorce Strategy & Legal Advice
01:09:17 The Last Time We Laughed Hard

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're living in a digital battlefield and most men don't even know they're fighting. The time we spend on our devices is unreal, and if it's free, you're the product. Algorithms and machine learning are engineered to hijack your attention, erode focus, and create compulsive habits. Today we're talking about auditing your digital life, removing the noise to find the signal, and building the discipline to guard your mind in an age of constant distraction.

Joining me is Richard Ryan, author of The Warrior's Garden, built on the principle that it's better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war. We discuss digital detox, delayed gratification, accountability, and reclaiming the smallest locus of control so you can't be manipulated by the forces competing for your attention.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 - Recording Begins & Digital Reality Check
00:50 - The Attention Economy: You Are the Product
03:00 - Negativity Bias & Why Outrage Wins Online
07:00 - Screen Time Audit: The Lifetime Cost
10:00 - Subscription Culture & Hidden Digital Leakage
12:30 - AI & Cognitive Atrophy: Guarding Your Mind
14:00 - Digital Detox & Withdrawal Symptoms
16:00 - The "Dead Internet" Theory
20:45 - Expediency & The Death of Delayed Gratification
22:30 - The Marshmallow Study & Impulse Control
28:00 - Compulsive App Use & "First Pickups"
31:00 - Addiction Substitution & Dopamine Traps
36:00 - Accountability & Why 95% Succeed With It
38:00 - Gratitude as Mental Armor
41:30 - Optimism, Awareness & Opportunity
49:00 - Incentives Drive Outcomes (Politics & Power)
55:00 - Personal Responsibility Over Group Dependency
58:00 - True Diversity: Strength Through Capability
1:02:30 - Warriors Garden & Closing 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