Erwin and Aaron discuss two topics they’re very passionate about: genius and creativity. Firstly, they discuss Erwin’s fascination with genius, how he views it in a uniquely spiritual way, and his journey to explore the genius in everyone with a new, upcoming project. They then discuss creativity and its underrated value to improve your life and work. Erwin inspires by illustrating the possibilities in life when we inject creativity into everything we do. If you missed it, don't forget to check out Ed Mylett's podcast featuring Erwin McManus: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ed-mylett-show/id1181233130 — Check out Battle Ready merch here: shop.erwinmcmanus.com/collections/battleready — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus are back after a quick "spring break" and dive right into discussing current cultural events, including Covid-19 vaccines, reactions to the Derek Chauvin trial, and the social hurdles we're soon to face as society returns to normal. They chat about Erwin's recent trip to a conference in Miami, from what it was like to return to speaking in front of hundreds of people, to the concepts and ideas that were presented at this event for successful entrepreneurs. Erwin comments on how to respond when people criticize Christianity, and how you can create the mindset that you have to earn the right for your voice to be heard in every room. –Links from this episode– The Ed Mylett Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ed-mylett-show/id1181233130 Born to Impact with Joel Marion: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/born-to-impact/id1437958494 — Check out Battle Ready merch here: shop.erwinmcmanus.com/collections/battleready — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus talk about the various arenas of our lives that we have control over, from creativity to courage to the faith that we chose, and how the decisions and mindsets within those arenas can impact our futures. They take more questions from listeners and discuss topics from minimalism, to the ethics of wealth, and the fashion culture in church.  You're invited to join us at Mosaic for Good Friday and Easter online experiences! Go to mosaic.org/easter to find the gathering times and where to watch.  — A new line of merch just dropped, check it out here: shop.erwinmcmanus.com/collections/battleready — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus tackle a variety of listener questions and topics. They discuss the rise of the underdogs in college basketball, the power of a “nothing to lose” mentality, and how cultures are established and stick within teams. They talk about different challenges in communication: from conflict, to hard conversations and negative feedback. Lastly, Erwin and Aaron talk about the rise of Asian-focused violence and its impact on culture, from continued strains of racial and political differences, to the way social media influences how we show our support. — A new line of merch just dropped, check it out here: shop.erwinmcmanus.com/collections/battleready — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

With Los Angeles embracing a relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions this week, Erwin and Aaron McManus take a step back and look at the basics of how we reopen not only our cities, businesses, and churches, but how we reopen ourselves. They reflect on how the past year has affected people and the challenges we will face when trying to return to a so-called "normal." They discuss struggles with finding a job, finding joy within your life, and the internal work needed to emerge into this next season with hope and purpose. — A new line of merch just dropped, check it out here: shop.erwinmcmanus.com/collections/battleready — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

With a busy season of projects, shoots, and other surprises, Erwin and Aaron McManus give a quick update on the podcast's schedule moving forward this year. New episodes now drop every Friday! — A new line of merch just dropped, check it out here: shop.erwinmcmanus.com/collections/battleready —  Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

With Los Angeles on the verge of reopening Erwin and Aaron McManus reflect on a year of lockdowns, quarantines, and stay-at-home orders as they look forward to the return of some normalcy. They discuss how the year has changed people and society, the new perspectives we've gained, and the things they missed most that they can't wait to return to. — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus along with special guest Joe Smith talk about the idea of "The Illusion of Safety" and how dangerous it can be to society. From the COVID Crisis to raising a family, they talk about the battle between fear and courage and the importance of asking tough questions.   —   Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt  —  Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt   —   Support the podcast: anchor.fm/battlereadypodcast Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus answer the question "How do you commit to something without control?" They dive into the different contexts we find ourselves where commitment is essential and control is anything but guaranteed—from teams to filmmaking to book writing. They discuss leadership implications, the importance of being a follower, and the importance of pastors in leadership and personal development. — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus continue to answer listener questions, diving into conversations on leadership, communication, and navigating through life. They go in-depth about the relationship between hardship and greatness, learning how to speak and communicate, and how choosing the world around you affects your ability to spread the message of Jesus. — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus answer wide-ranging questions from listeners, spanning topics from theology, leadership, and entrepreneurship, to modern Christianity. They answer questions such as “Is desiring wealth a selfish desire?”—“What do you do when you outgrow your church?”—and “How do you know when God is really speaking to you?” — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus are joined by Lawrence Fudge from Mosaic Seattle to discuss leadership and what it takes to launch a new campus. They dive into what lessons they took away from their different experiences, how they grew as leaders, and how they mobilized their teams to tackle the challenges of starting successful movements of Jesus in cities vs. suburbs. The topics range from what a leader should look for when building teams, how to respond when things aren’t going well, and how to recognize the strengths and weaknesses in your team members and enable them to thrive. — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus talk about Mosaic's newest initiative: Mosaic Houses. Mosaic Houses is a new way to keep the global Church resilient, agile, and connected. Aaron breaks down who Mosaic Houses hosts are: people all across the world who call Mosaic their home and want to ‘officially’ become a part of the community and serve under the spiritual authority of Pastor Erwin McManus. Mosaic provides tools and resources for members to build a vibrant community for anyone close or far from Jesus, unifying people around the world around the common mission of Jesus. Erwin and Aaron show how the church responds to our changing world, by taking the best of the past and the best of the present to create the best future. If you'd like to host a Mosaic House, visit mosaic.org/houses — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron take us through a new wave of cancel culture, from Disney+ to the Super Bowl. Set against the backdrop of the retracted Bruce Springsteen commercial for Jeep, they discuss who is punished or ‘canceled’ by society for past mistakes, and who is allowed to emerge unscathed. How do you move forward to create the future while embracing free speech and the ways free speech will differ in ideology with each person? With an eye-opening look at other countries and cultures’ reparations for their past mistakes, Erwin gives an impassioned appeal for our country to work to meet somewhere in the middle, even amongst our differences. — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Our culture is struggling with a new kind of balance: how do we compensate and address the wrongs of the past without discarding or omitting the United States' important history? Erwin and Aaron McManus step into this nuanced debate and examine what it means to embrace change that recognizes both the positive and negative affects of our history. The conversation ranges from the colonial histories of Europe, to America’s founding and beginnings, to current canceled personalities and politicians. — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now shop.erwinmcmanus.com/products/jaime-batte-ready-t-shirt — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss the lingering effects they've felt and observed from a year of lockdowns, isolations, and quarantines. Erwin emphasizes the need to take care of yourself and identifies simple actions we can do to help bolster our mental, physical, and spiritual health. They talk about how to approach your work with the same mindset and care for the balance of focus and rest that is key to our productivity and creativity.  — Buy the NEW J'aime Battle Ready T-shirt — Available Now! Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Reflecting on this weekend's message "The Drive for Greatness" Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss the sources around us that inspire us to be great, and how oftentimes we can feel unmotivated, even when life is going well. How do we fight off our apathy and embrace the potential for greatness in our lives? Erwin and Aaron lay out four solutions that can help you fight through the lethargy of life and embrace its goodness and possibility. Watch the ‘The Drive for Greatness’ from Mosaic – Support the podcast here: anchor.fm/battlereadypodcast Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus walk us through the necessity of change to improve your work and create a better future. They discuss the systems you need to implement to grow and the 'intangible variables' in your life that affect your work performance. Erwin opens up about his Latin heritage and journey as an immigrant - how that perspective shapes his work as a business owner, a creator, and an innovator. He draws us into a discussion on the minority 'glass ceiling' and how one person's achievements can give someone else hope to change their life for the better. Erwin leaves us with this impactful insight: 'The best way to feel big is to stay in a small room. I want to enter a room where I feel small until I get bigger and bigger.' He encourages listeners to surround themselves with people who dream bigger, letting us know that: 'The people you surround yourself with are a reflection of who you are and who you’ll become." — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Filmed in January of 2020, Erwin and Aaron McManus walk the streets of Stockholm and have a conversation on journeys in leadership, the atmospheres that affect the spaces we occupy, and the spiritual warfare that wages around us. Aaron reflects on his journey leading the Mosaic Venice campus, and how he and his team went from struggling attendance to standing-room only gatherings. He asks Erwin about the influence and power of spiritual environments, the ways in which they affect us, and - as Erwin points out— what it means that they are a reflection of the spiritual warfare happening all around us. - Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

It's not news that the world is changing, but how we react to that change is a topic that Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss through the lens of culture and the church. How do churches innovate when their doors are closed? Or when their context and community isn't a part of people's new routines? Erwin and Aaron talk about how the church must be constantly innovating, not to be trendy and cutting edge, but to create the future that humanity is moving toward - or they risk being left behind. They talk about how to reach a growing global audience, Mosaic's history as an innovator and its ability to change as culture evolves, and where potentially the church is headed in the future. — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus talk about the different expressions, structures and sizes of churches in the world and how culture is direct reflection of its surroundings.  Using the idea of a coffee shop, the father-son duo discuss how a business, or a church, grow over time, establish a culture and a following, and how with growth and change the ability to stay consistent defines the culture. They ask what is a megachurch? How do the cultures of different cities and towns translate in the to the culture of the church? Through these parallels they reflect on the origins and foundations of Mosaic's culture, and cast vision for the future of Mosaic. —  Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

In the wake of the violent riots in Washington, DC that saw the electoral vote certification interrupted and the US Capitol building invaded, Erwin and Aaron take stock of the state of America. They talk about the significance of the events on January 6th, 2021 and the deteriorating political discourse that led us there. From lessons on leadership and the dynamics of social and personal relationships, they ask the question: how can we use this latest event to look within? They exhort listeners to examine how we handle the responsibility of our words and actions, and how we handle ourselves when we lose. Erwin quotes the apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial," as he challenges us to always consider the consequences of our words and actions. - Check out the latest merch at shop.erwinmcmanus.com Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Where in the world is the future created? Erwin and Aaron McManus look ahead at the new year and discuss how the disruptive nature of 2020 shook the way we understand how the future is created. In the world of the internet, are cities the mecca of creativity and opportunity as they once were? They talk about how you should talk to yourself coming out of a difficult year, how to manage the voices in your life, and how to handle the weight and struggles of the past and still thrive in your future. What do we do when we know the time ahead is going to be hard? How are we posturing our lives with hope? - Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss the nature of our relationship to our souls, how Jesus sees the best in us, and how He leads our souls towards the richest, most fulfilling, and rewarding life.  This episode from the archives was recorded live at Mosaic Venice on November 25, 2017. - Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus talk about courage, fear, and how we let those forces affect our lives in this archive episode from Season 1, originally recorded at Mosaic Venice on March 7th, 2018. - Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Aaron and Mariah McManus talk about the importance of having dreams, how to build different dreams at different times, and the seasons of life.  "My mission is still the same regardless of my occupation." - Mariah McManus This episode originally aired on May 31, 2019, and was recorded live at Mosaic Venice. Merry Christmas!  - Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast  Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

"You can't allow your past pain to close you off from your future healing."  Pastors Erwin and Aaron McManus talk about one of the most overlooked issues in the church - mental health. Depression and anxiety are a very real struggle for so many of us, and so we felt the need to talk about it as well as what it means to be human. This episode originally aired on November 14th, 2017, and was recorded live at Mosaic Venice.  -  Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

What are the traditions and beliefs you follow and why? Erwin and Aaron discuss how our beliefs and traditions can turn from well-intended guidelines into rigid structures that become less about belief  and more on the rules themselves. How do the ideologies that seek to shape our lives affect how we live? Erwin pushes against the lure of ideologies and challenges our seeming willingness to subscribe to traditions that don't allow for nuance and compassion. They both discuss the need to constantly reevaluate our lives to align with the ideals of Jesus, and not the ideologies of people and institutions. – Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Don’t we all need a little help when it comes to surviving the holiday season and the family interactions that come with it? (Asking for a friend.) Erwin and Aaron break down the tough family dynamics that most people will encounter around the holidays. How can we deal with those confrontations and relationships in ways that are healthy and empower us to embrace our personal journeys and earned identities? Using their own family and experiences, they touch on how to identify those problematic relationships and patterns that can lead to unhealthy interactions. They show how to help people let go of the things they hold against one another and break down the relationship between forgiveness and trust. Erwin and Aaron discuss the different cultures we walk into—even within familiar homes and households— and how to embody grace this holiday season. – Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus tackle the topic of criticism, how to deal with it, and how it should affect your inner world. They talk about the context where criticism is healthy and necessary, and when it oversteps and reveals more about the character of the critic. So many of our actions and reactions are influenced by criticism, and Erwin explains how our reactions to critique, and conflict in general, are the most revealing. The father-son duo discuss past challenges, failures, and struggles and how they handled and overcame criticism to thrive and succeed. – Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

In today’s modern Christianity, what are the expectations put on pastors? What do you expect from your pastor - and why? Erwin and Aaron McManus have a transparent discussion on the complexities of pastoring and break down the growing assumptions and ideals placed on pastors.   How can Christians rethink these commonly held ideas? With the official launch of Erwin’s new fashion label, Erwin Raphael McManus, the discussion revolves around the public reception to the clothing line, its price point, and the debated question: does being a pastor fit in the world of luxury fashion, and how? Can a pastor also be a successful artist? A successful businessman or woman? Erwin and Aaron tackle these weighty questions and give their take on the growing culture of negativity that comes with success within the church. – Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus take us on a deep-dive into their relationship between ideology, politics, culture and theology. They debate what or who Battle Ready stands for and against - can a public platform take a middle stance? Aaron opens up about what it’s like to want love, and Erwin explores the power of love through the person of Jesus.  They dissect the evolving image of Jesus throughout the church and wider culture, and ask if the church's idea of Jesus has parted from the intention God had and the life Jesus actually lived. "We try to create a king Jesus Christianity rather than a servant Jesus Christianity" - Erwin McManus — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

After a long Thanksgiving weekend Erwin and Aaron come back into the studio and celebrate 50 episodes of Battle Ready! They shake off the tryptophan-induced food comas and talk about how to be your most productive self as 2020 winds down in December. Erwin puts Aaron in the hot seat and asks him what makes him most productive as Aaron finds himself in anther busy, work-filled season. The father-son duo come away with three key principles for productivity, how to inject more positive productive habits into your life, and leave us with a 30-day challenge to finish the year off strong. Thank you everyone who listens and watches Battle Ready every week and has supported the podcast throughout all 50 episodes! — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus jump into a wide-ranging conversation that first lands on chess, sparked from their recent viewing of the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit, and discuss their personal histories with the game and how it can be used as a great metaphor for dealing with personal growth and struggles.  Talking about personal struggles leads the father-son duo to discuss the general standards held for pastors and society's obsession with tearing down anyone who makes mistakes—how the mistake of one can also quickly escalate into the failure of all. The self-destructive tendency of all humans doesn't omit pastors, as Erwin and Aaron point out, and they discuss how important the people in our lives are to helping us survive those tendencies. — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

As Los Angeles prepares to enforce new stricter stay-at-home restrictions before Thanksgiving, Erwin and Aaron discuss the church's role during times like these. How should the church respond when the government's restrictions begin to limit their ability to serve people? If you'd like to donate to help fund food boxes for Mosaic's Thanksgiving community support project, go to mosaic.org/thanksgiving. —  Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Our next Starting From Scratch episode is a special one, as Erwin McManus talks about the launch of his new clothing line "Erwin Raphael McManus" and gives us a exclusive sneak peak at some of the pieces and designs. Erwin and Aaron talk about the beginnings of Erwin's new line, illuminating the deceptive nature of a brand launch; what looks instantaneous requires days and years of unseen thinking, planning, and imagining. Erwin opens up about the process of removing the mental hurdles that come with starting something from scratch and how to gain the perspective needed to succeed. The conversation touches on the purpose of art in the church, how geniuses manage their time and their creativity, and how to prepare for failure and success. Check out the first look at some limited items in his collection, and learn more about the inspiration and sub-themes behind the designs, materials, and branding. **New Launch Date for Erwin Raphael McManus: December 4**  Check out www.erwinraphaelmcmanus.com for updates. — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron dive into the details behind Erwin's new company and why he decided to start a business, and a risky creative endeavor, in the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis. They discuss the common double standard held in the Christian world where pastors are expected to work more and earn less. Why is it that Christianity is uncomfortable with pastors making money from their own creative or entrepreneurial efforts? Erwin reflects on his journey as a pastor, how in his early years it was only through his work outside the church that he could afford to live and work as a pastor, adding the current context as he prepares to launch his new collection. Erwin and Aaron discuss the inherent controversies that come with pairing luxury goods with Christianity, and the struggle for people to respect the value of art, whether it manifests in fashion, film, photography, design, etc. Join us on Friday for Part 2 of this conversation! — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us: [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

After a quick tease of Erwin's upcoming new project, Aaron sits down with Joshua Rhodes, creative director and creator of The Last Adam — a faith-based clothing line and brand started in 2018 — and asks him about the origins of his brand, how he started out, and what he's learned along the way.  From creative purpose to the source of creativity and the importance of rest, Aaron and Joshua dive into the nuances of creation and artistic expression. They discuss the balance of work and personal creativity, sources of inspiration, and how authenticity in your brand is what creates genuine engagement.  Joshua shares the origins and inspirations behind his designs for The Last Adam, and his vision for what faith-based clothing could be. This leads to a larger discussion on creativity in the Church, how the majority of designs and content don't include the outsider, and the political divide seen in the church from the response to the "Defend the Oppressed" billboard which Joshua helped design.   Check out The Last Adam — thelastadam.com — and follow them @thelastadam_official — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus return to talk about the presumptive election of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and frame the conversation around how we handle winning and losing.  Moving from politics Erwin and Aaron reflect on Mosaic's One-Day Conference and the sessions on leadership and communication. Erwin poses an interesting connection between the contact tracing we see in the efforts to contain and trace the origins of Covid-19, and how we can use the same concept to discover the source and motivations of our decisions. How well can you see the patterns in your life, whether good or bad? Who in your life can help you recognize those patterns? Are your decisions predicated by their proximity and probability to negative consequences? How do your patterns relate to your own leadership? — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Reflecting on the past election week, Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss the state of our country, democracy, and how we should think about the growing divide in America. From how we listen and learn from those who don't succeed, to the dignity we should embrace in victory, Erwin and Aaron break down the health of democracy in our society in light of this year's election. How do we fight for a better world together, regardless of the people in power or the political affiliations they hold? Instead of fighting against people and party ideologies, Erwin challenges us to choose the battle for ideas, where the best ideas are those that make our country and our world better. — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

On Election Day in America, Erwin and Aaron talk about how we handle disappointment as individuals and as a society. From the World Series to the president, they dissect our responses when we don't get who or what we want. What do your expectations and your reactions to disappointment say about your character? This integral question is what Erwin challenges younger generations to consider as the tensions within the US rise. Both Aaron and Erwin implore us to constantly check how we are handling disappointment in our lives. No matter what, there will inevitably be those you disagree with, and things cannot always go your way. We must approach those situations with maturity and ultimately respect if we strive to live in a better world. We hope everyone has a safe Election Day and we'll see you on Friday! —  Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

This week we're digging into the archives and going back to where it all began. Take a listen to the first-ever episode of the Battle Ready podcast with Erwin and Aaron McManus, originally released on October 26, 2017.  The father/son duo talk about the power of ideas, how to actually think better, and the value of different perspectives. — Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Aaron laughs, cries, and cry-laughs in talking with Mosaic MSC during their writing retreat in beautiful, snowy Wyoming and asks them about their creative process, how they’re writing music for the moment, and how God is speaking to them in this season. The group shares what’s been on their hearts since writing Human and living through isolation during the pandemic, and now how they’re approaching writing a new album.  Interviewed in this episode w/ Mosaic MSC: Mariah McManus Goss, Carlos Pimentel, Brooke Figueroa, Andres Figueroa, Robbie Aholoka, and Colin Dennard —   Listen to Mosaic MSC's newest album Human (Deluxe), wherever you listen to music!  Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Pain is something we all deal with, and on this episode, Erwin and Aaron McManus open up on their different experiences with pain and how the way you handle pain can expand or limit your future. Some of the deepest pains are those felt when trust is broken. Erwin & Aaron talk about the importance of trust — how trust is the fuel for love, for relationships, for collaboration — and that trusting others, even through the pain we may experience, builds trust in ourselves. — New limited-time Battle Ready Merch is here! Get it now at shop.erwinmcmanus.com Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss the concerning patterns they see emerging in life and in politics across the country. Their conversation takes us from the freedoms we take for granted, to our acceptance and participation in cultural censorship, to distress at a new wave of entitlement. Erwin outlines his fears of the growing precedents being set with Executive Orders and local mandates in response to COVID-19, and asks how far we’re willing to give up our freedoms in the name of health and safety. The father-son duo both address a growing trend of removing people who are experts in their field from conversations in which they would offer a dissenting opinion. What will it take for us to engage with higher thought by opening our ideas up to debate and disagreement?  They make a call to action to avoid falling into a trap of conformity and censorship. Erwin cautions a growing sense of entitlement he sees emerging in society. Part of the freedoms we enjoy are being able to work, and to work for the lifestyle we desire. Pastor Erwin is worried that we can easily lose sight of things that have value, even the church, when we lose sight of earning what we enjoy. — New limited-time Battle Ready Merch is here! Get it now at shop.erwinmcmanus.com Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus tackle a myriad of topics, spanning freedom of speech to reconnection with God, and discuss the variety of factors and influences that shape the inherent biases of the culture we live in. Erwin and Aaron volley back and forth when discussing the validity of a voice - when should a person speak, when should they be silent, and - a more difficult distinction - when do they have the right to be heard? They break down Aaron’s frustration with a particular review of the podcast and share its evidence of entitlement. Aaron shines a light on the struggle of the expectations placed on a pastor - he advocates that pastors can be held to greater responsibility while still being granted the leeway to fall short of perfection. Erwin speaks against hate as the response to anything you do not love - for example, if you love one basketball team, it doesn’t require you to hate their rival. He shares the missed opportunities and narrowed capacity for joy when you choose to expend energy on hate, and challenges the listener to go down a better path. — New Battle Ready merch is available for a limited time! Get it now at shop.erwinmcmanus.com Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron McManus discuss the relationship between imitation, theft, and originality in creating something new. Erwin ruminates that before you create, first you imitate; there is a structure to every piece of clothing, art, film, etc. that serves as the beginning for every creative process. Aaron dives into inspiration and shares the origins of his creative process. They both discuss Erwin's past and present work - the people who have copied his talks and books with no apology and great success, and the projects he is currently pursuing that people in his life didn't believe he could achieve. Erwin reminds us that to create anything is courageous - but we must be compelled to create the best expression of what is unique to us. — Battle Ready Merch is here! Get it now at shop.erwinmcmanus.com Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com

Erwin and Aaron talk about Aaron's side project Pagan USA, a brand & clothing line he started with his friends, and what it's like to start something you care about and create it from nothing.  From risk, to personal development, to selecting and growing a team, Erwin highlights key elements of Aaron's journey with Pagan and how the way he's managed the company has valuable life lessons and insights. Aaron reflects on the experience of launching Pagan in 2020 and how now was the right time to take the risk and start something new.  Aaron flips the conversation and gets his dad to talk about the motivations for starting his own side project and how passion and love for the work play a central role in where we find meaning and fulfillment in what we do. — Battle Ready Merch is here! Get it now at shop.erwinmcmanus.com Follow us on Instagram @battlereadypodcast Email us! [email protected] www.battlereadypodcast.com