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 illustrate Erwin’s commitment to make his children citizens of the world and see the richness of humanity in different cultures. He taught Mariah and Arron about generosity at an early age, even in their poor beginnings, that there was always enough to give back to God and others. 

Erwin takes a few moments to reflect on his journey as a father and how much his children changed the meaning of his life. From reflecting on early parenting mistakes and lessons taught to the evolution of his relationship with his kids, Erwin can’t help but be proud to call his children his friends in this stage in life. 

If there’s one thing the McManus’s are not is traditional, and that rebellious spirit ignited a loyal passion between them as Erwin spoke in many traditional Christian platforms, never comprising his calling to speak about Jesus in a way that no one else was. 

Aaron sums up the conversation reflecting on the purpose of Battle Ready: “This podcast is a roadmap on how to think. How to change your thinking— how to challenge your thinking. How to think, not just on the left or the right, but to continue moving forward.”