
Special Episode: Jon Erwin: How Failure Forges True Leadership
From Hey! It's The Luskos by K-LOVE Podcasts
July 1, 2026 · 1h 3m · Season 8
About this episode
Jon Erwin discusses how failure shaped George Washington's leadership and shares insights from his filmmaking journey.
Jon Erwin — the filmmaker behind Young Washington, House of David, and Jesus Revolution — joins Levi and Jennie to talk about why he spent a decade obsessed with George Washington before ever picking up a camera. They get into how Washington's worst failures actually forged his leadership, the real bullet holes that shaped his faith, and why Jon cast Andy Serkis (yes, Gollum himself) for the film. Plus: the wild, lifeguard-overwhelming baptism story behind Jesus Revolution and what's coming next from Wonder Project. Connect with us on social! Jon: @jonerwinofficial Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links] Get tickets to see Young Washington: https://bit.ly/4vIbH0M Stream House of David on Amazon Prime Video: https://bit.ly/4oO1PA5 Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Get the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Time Stamps 00:00 - Welcome Jon Erwin 02:33 – America's 250th and why this is "an experiment worth believing in" 05:37 – The leadership lesson hiding in young Washington's biggest mistakes 16:02 – Making war feel real without losing the family…
People in this episode
Hosts: Levi Lusko, Jennie Lusko
Guest: Jon Erwin
Topics covered
- leadership
- failure
- faith
- filmmaking
- George Washington
- baptism
- storytelling
Keywords
- leadership
- failure
- George Washington
- Jesus Revolution
- baptism
- filmmaking
- Andy Serkis
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Fresh Life Church
Books & works: Young Washington, House of David, Jesus Revolution
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