Praise for Iron and Cotton
What if every future husband had a wise, informed, fun, encouraging friend to help prep them for marriage? Now they do. In Iron and Cotton, Mike not only gives you tools, but he also shows you how to use them. Future husbands, already husbands, read this. I promise you will be glad you did.
Ted Lowe, author of Your Best Us
The best authors are often the ones with the most passion for their subject. Mikes passion for preparing and ultimately guiding young men through marriage shines clearly in Iron and Cotton. Using a casual, everyman tone, he brings to life the challenges and joys of marriage in a quick, enjoyable, and insightful read.
David Purdum, ESPN writer
Mikes original goal is one we all share equipping our sons and future sons-in-law with the tools and principles to be great husbands! This practical book will be valuable to men who aspire to marry and even to those who are already married.
Peter Bourke, Author, Men Your Marriage Matters to God
Iron and Cotton is a breath of fresh air for anyone who wants to grow in their faith and in their marriage. Mike masterfully weaves inspiration and practical application onto every page. I highly recommend this book.
Dave Willis, Author, Pastor, and Co-host of The Naked Marriage Podcast
Iron and Cotton addresses virtually every issue we encounter and teach as marriage counselors of fifteen years. Its a wonderful field guide for the young, soon-to-be-married guys, but I believe every husband should read it periodically to keep his marriage thriving and growing.
Gary Delaplane, Mourning Dove Counseling
I hope that men out there are able to understand and value the amount of knowledge and wisdom that is shared in this book. Mike writes from a refreshing perspective on a topic I feel as though men often dont honestly talk about. It has impacted me and my relationship with my wife. I hope it does the same for you.
Timothy Wenger - themaneffect.com
Mikes field manual is an essential read for anyone either currently married or considering marriage! His direct, plain-spoken language conveying his insight on making marriage thrive makes Iron and Cotton a book I highly endorse!
Justin Bailey Code of Character, codeofcharacter.com
This book should be in the hands of all men that desire to build emotional intimacy with their partner. It is easy to read, relatable to men young and old, and targets an often neglected part of communication - asking questions! The author gives fantastic examples of how to take a common conversation and turn it into meaningful dialogue.
Kerry Jo Schneider, MS, LPC
Mike Povenz 2021
ISBN: 978-1-09838-871-3
eBook ISBN: 978-1-09838-872-0
Editor: Josh Raab
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Dedication
To my wife Brandy:
You have given me the greatest adventure a man can ask for. Marrying my best friend was the best decision I ever made. Thank you for being by my side and allowing me to be by yours for twenty years. Life is so much richer and fuller with you in it. You are a continual inspiration to me and a beacon of light in my life and the lives of so many others. I am so proudly tethered to you in our marriage, a bond I see as a lifeline and jump rope of fun for us both. Your love and respect for me give me the confidence to take on the world. I am forever grateful to you. Thank you for your incredible patience and support as I wrote this book. Whatever life offers us next, I fear nothing with you by my side.
To my son Lachlan: I wrote this for you, tough guy.
To my daughters Lily and Breckyn: I wrote this because of you.
And to my future sons-in-law: Take notes; I have a quiz for you at the end.
Disclaimer
A buse is not love; it never has been and never will be. The abuse you may have experienced or witnessed was not okay. Healing from these events and pursuing recovery should be at the top of your list. Nobody should be in an abusive relationship. Nobody.
Verbal abuse is a communication style that is unhealthy and unwanted. Verbal abuse is abuse. Seek change or counseling immediately if you are insulting, constantly criticizing, name-calling, threatening, blaming, accusing, and humiliating your partner. Seek help if this is happening to you.
Visit the following website for more information:
https://www.thehotline.org/resources/types-of-abuse/
About Mike Povenz
M ike Povenz has a passion for helping men discover the best version of themselves and for guiding them to be better husbands and fathers. He is the founder of Modern Chivalry Men, an organization that inspires men to positive change and community involvement. He is also the host of Iron and Cotton , a podcast. Mike has served for years as a mens group leader and is the recipient of the Life Changer Award . He lives in North Georgia with his beloved wife of twenty years. They are the proud parents of three children, Lily, Lachlan, and Breckyn, along with three dogs, two guinea pigs, four chickens, and one psychotic fish. Mike loves the outdoors, fishing, boating, skiing, cooking on cast iron, and time with family and friends.
About Iron and Cotton
I ron and Cotton is an organization focused on inspiring men to be full of character, strength, and compassion.
Iron and Cotton is a bold way of life for the modern-day mana man who seeks wisdom from the past and shields himself from societal norms that aim to corrupt his future. Courageously, he allows himself to be forged like iron into something stronger, sharper, and more useful. Fearlessly, he seeks to interweave into himself a common thread of decency, care, and understanding. He can often be found carrying a pocketknife and handkerchief as symbolic tools to remind him of his mission to offer his strength and compassion to all in his path. Strength and compassion are evident in his actions, not just his words. He finds adventure in his intentional and purposeful quest to become a better man, husband, and father. He inspires other men through his authenticity and not his prideful pursuits.
Follow and learn more at ; and #modernchivalrymen
Preface
I wrote this book for men who want to enter marriage with their eyes wide open and their hearts prepared for lifes greatest and most rewarding journey.
If youre anything like me, you werent searching for this book; someone gifted it to you. If thats the case, I would ask you to honor this gift and appreciate it. Someone wants the best for you and your relationship, and they are investing in you, your future, and your potential. This is not a judgment on you and your abilities as a man and husband; its a desire for you to have the best life.
Whether you sought this book out on your own or were gifted it and dared to open it up: bravo, brothers. You are off to an incredible start. You are already defying the odds and investing early in your marriage. You have taken the massive step of realizing there is more to know and information to be gathered.
Introduction