A World-Class Rock Drummer on Finding Jesus & Seeking Excellence | Michael Miley of Rival Sons

Michael Miley is one of the best rock & roll drummers in the world.

In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss secrets to his outlier excellence that can help you in your own life, the wild road to his conversion to Catholicism, and what it's like to witness as a Christian sharing the stage with legendary rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Guns 'n Roses.

We cover everything from the state of popular music today, why joy is necessary to make you an outlier in any field, Miley's routines that have made him so good at his craft, and how you can glorify God in all that you do—from office work to hobbies to keeping the beat for a rock band.

As someone who considered himself a spiritual seeker, Miley went from a gnostic...to a Krishna...to a Christian...to a Catholic. He beautifully describes his conversion story, why he feels at home in the Catholic Church, and how he offers up every performance as a sacrifice to co-create the kingdom of God on earth. How cool is that?!

This interview contains so much practical wisdom on how to be successful from someone who is at the height of his craft, as well as spiritual insights about actively witnessing your faith in a secular setting and glorifying God through your work.

Plus, be sure to watch to the end for some bonus footage of me and Miley jamming in my living room! It's amazing to see how God works through the unlikeliest of people and places—even rock & rollers at rock concerts—to reveal his love for us. Rock on. 

Check out Mike Miley's band Rival Sons: https://www.rivalsons.com/

Timecodes:

0:00 Intro
0:55 Michael Miley on the drums
4:00 Why modern music feels “soulless”
8:00 What Rival Sons set out to revive in rock
13:35 What makes an outlier in ANY field
15:09 Miley’s pre-show routine: offering it up to God
23:25 "Lord, make them dance!"
33:40 Why discipline and sacrifice matter
42:57 From Gnostic → Krishna → Christian → Catholic
1:00:39 Making the Leap to Christianity
1:07:03 The prayer that changed his life
1:13:28 Why he feels at home in the Catholic Church
1:15:57 How his faith shapes his career
1:18:10 The gift of offering up his performances
1:24:11 What it's really like touring with major rock bands
1:27:48 Striving for excellence and living his faith
1:33:47 What's next for Rival Sons
1:25:50 Miley’s message to young artists
1:36:24 Miley and Stefanick’s living-room jam session

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