EPISODE · Nov 26, 2025 · 1H 38M
A World-Class Rock Drummer on Finding Jesus & Seeking Excellence | Michael Miley of Rival Sons
from Chris Stefanick Catholic Show · host Chris Stefanick | Real Life Catholic
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 Intro0:55 Michael Miley on the drums4:00 Why modern music feels “soulless”8:00 What Rival Sons set out to revive in rock13:35 What makes an outlier in ANY field15:09 Miley’s pre-show routine: offering it up to God23:25 "Lord, make them dance!"33:40 Why discipline and sacrifice matter42:57 From Gnostic → Krishna → Christian → Catholic1:00:39 Making the Leap to Christianity1:07:03 The prayer that changed his life1:13:28 Why he feels at home in the Catholic Church1:15:57 How his faith shapes his career1:18:10 The gift of offering up his performances1:24:11 What it's really like touring with major rock bands1:27:48 Striving for excellence and living his faith1:33:47 What's next for Rival Sons1:25:50 Miley’s message to young artists1:36:24 Miley and Stefanick’s living-room jam session ........ Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages
What this episode covers
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 Intro0:55 Michael Miley on the drums4:00 Why modern music feels “soulless”8:00 What Rival Sons set out to revive in rock13:35 What makes an outlier in ANY field15:09 Miley’s pre-show routine: offering it up to God23:25 "Lord, make them dance!"33:40 Why discipline and sacrifice matter42:57 From Gnostic → Krishna → Christian → Catholic1:00:39 Making the Leap to Christianity1:07:03 The prayer that changed his life1:13:28 Why he feels at home in the Catholic Church1:15:57 How his faith shapes his career1:18:10 The gift of offering up his performances1:24:11 What it's really like touring with major rock bands1:27:48 Striving for excellence and living his faith1:33:47 What's next for Rival Sons1:25:50 Miley’s message to young artists1:36:24 Miley and Stefanick’s living-room jam session ........ Sign up for the Daily Anchor for FREE and receive daily reflections, updates, and encouragement from Chris Stefanick to help you live with the joy you were made for: https://bit.ly/48Xfhfk ........ Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0 ........ Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages
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A World-Class Rock Drummer on Finding Jesus & Seeking Excellence | Michael Miley of Rival Sons
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