MCMANUS (Formerly Mind Shift) with Erwin & Aaron McManus

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/thanksgiv...

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...

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...

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 div...

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 tra...

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...

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 t...

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!...

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...

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 trustin...

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...

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 ha...

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'...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 attitude...

(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-be...

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...

(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 sto...

(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 bein...

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 Christ...

NBA Bubble / Personal Character / Future of the Church In this week’s podcast, Erwin and Aaron McManus use the NBA ‘bubble’ as context to discuss what it means to overcome and achieve greatness in challenging environments. Right now we are watching some basketball players excel, while others are choking. Erwin reminds us that we don’t have the right to complain about something that everyone else i...