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 re...
Dec 15, 2020•51 min•Season 3Ep. 36
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 ...
Dec 11, 2020•49 min•Season 3Ep. 35
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, ...
Dec 08, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 34
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...
Dec 04, 2020•45 min•Season 3Ep. 33
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 h...
Dec 01, 2020•38 min•Season 3Ep. 32
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 o...
Nov 27, 2020•46 min•Season 3Ep. 31
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.battle...
Nov 24, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 30
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...
Nov 20, 2020•38 min•Season 3Ep. 29
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 yea...
Nov 17, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 28
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 crea...
Nov 13, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 27
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 conce...
Nov 10, 2020•44 min•Season 3Ep. 26
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 ...
Nov 06, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 25
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 ...
Nov 03, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Season 3Ep. 24
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...
Oct 30, 2020•30 min•Season 3Ep. 23
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 Pimente...
Oct 27, 2020•35 min•Season 3Ep. 22
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 Bat...
Oct 23, 2020•42 min•Season 3Ep. 21
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 safet...
Oct 20, 2020•59 min•Season 3Ep. 20
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 podcas...
Oct 16, 2020•56 min•Season 3Ep. 19
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 s...
Oct 13, 2020•39 min•Season 3Ep. 18
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...
Oct 09, 2020•53 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Erwin and Aaron discuss the current political landscape in the aftermath of the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. They discuss the current animosity between the two candidates and the growing partisan divide it represents in the country. Erwin longs for a world where the differences of both sides are acknowledged and the best ideas that make the world better become the priority. Aaron sees a lack of vision and generational leadership st...
Oct 06, 2020•48 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Erwin and Aaron tackle a great email from a listener who talks about their struggle with the message of Jesus in contrast to the beliefs of close friends while living in a city that tends to talk about the ‘universe’ rather than God. Erwin first addresses the idea of the universe as a substitute for God and religion, pointing out that love is not possible if there is nothing 'out there' but the universe. In this way, the universe doesn’t love you, but God does. Aaron and Erwin dive into the nuan...
Oct 02, 2020•34 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Erwin and Aaron discuss a listener’s divisive comment on their previous episode, ‘Burnout.’ The listener took offense at Erwin saying the concept of burnout was a white disease. Erwin reminds us that some statements are intended to be light, and that the use of humor has the power to provoke thought and promote deeper conversation. Aaron suggests that to intentionally misinterpret the words of another person points to a lack of wisdom. They both dive deeper into the context of what burnout is, w...
Sep 29, 2020•34 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Continuing their European tour, Erwin and Aaron stopped by Hillsong Amsterdam in January and held a surprise Battle Ready recording, joined by Pastor Richard Vanderkolk, where they tackle a highly prevalent issue throughout the Amsterdam culture: burnout. Erwin challenges the notion of burnout as something that all humanity deals with, painting it more as a symptom of privileged and affluent Western culture. What does it mean to be able to claim burnout? Aaron asks this in the place of the typic...
Sep 25, 2020•48 min•Season 3Ep. 13
This week we’re coming at you from Stockholm, Sweden! This episode was captured in January of 2020 while Erwin & Aaron were visiting friends and different churches in Western Europe. While on the road, our father-son duo reflect on the importance of environments and the spaces we create for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. From seeing the small details, to the people and the attitudes within a space, everything can contribute to an environment. How can we prepare spaces, especially...
Sep 22, 2020•25 min•Season 3Ep. 12
(Biblical Language, Christian Language, Human Language) Erwin and Aaron receive a 'hostile' email from a listener who worries that the Battle Ready content isn't biblical. Erwin breaks down for us what 'biblical language' is and how it relates to Jesus. How does the language of the Church relate to the outsider? Aaron and Erwin discuss how traditional Christian jargon can be alienating to a non-believer and create an exclusive 'insider' culture. Erwin explains his intention for Mosaic to be a pl...
Sep 18, 2020•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 11
Erwin and Aaron dive into listener emails and discuss questions asked on dating, relationships and conflict. On dating and relationships, they explore the common problems that one of our listeners encounters: from not knowing what to look for in a partner, to knowing when it’s time to end things and move on. Erwin is always challenging Aaron to “cast his net” and continue to date, and that dating should be seen as a positive and proactive thing—refraining from dating is holding your future hosta...
Sep 15, 2020•52 min•Season 3Ep. 10
(Apocalypse Obsessed Cultures / Heaven on Earth / Dystopian Future) Erwin & Aaron invite us into a discussion of their favorite new TV show, Raised by Wolves , and explore why as a culture we're fascinated by apocalyptic stories. Erwin notes that it's not just Christians (or theists in general) that are obsessed with end-of-world narratives, but atheists are equally interested in such stories. Is it possible that the ‘end of the world’ as we expect it has already happened? What if the accept...
Sep 11, 2020•51 min•Season 3Ep. 9
(Picking Sides / Forgiveness / Personal Growth) Erwin and Aaron discuss the current social culture of having to choose a side; right or wrong, left or right and the lack of space there is to disagree with oneself or to change your mind. Our higher level of thinking is jilted when everyone close to us agrees with us, and we are unable to understand opposing viewpoints when we are consumed with being loyal to one side. They discuss the filter of bias, like when Erwin is categorized and filtered th...
Sep 04, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Erwin and Aaron are joined by Mariah McManus Goss on Erwin’s 62nd birthday to reflect on his life and what it was like growing up in the McManus home, how until recently they never went on proper vacations, the challenges that came with living up to the standard Erwin set for them, and how as a family they stood behind their dad and refused to conform to the traditional success model of the Christian world. The wild stories of Aaron’s trips abroad and Mariah’s early experiences in travel illustr...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 7
