EDUCATE the curious. 10 Years Later...

Ten Years of Brewing Against the Machine—EDUCATE the curious.
To celebrate a decade of Mad Priest we’re looking back—one year, one roast, one glorious mess at a time. This is the story of our evolution: through chaos and clarity, hustle and heresy, growth and grind. And maybe, just maybe, how we found a little balance in the brew. Each year we’ll reflect with a word that we feel encompassed who we were and what we were doing.

If you have been following along, you know that I recently wrote a reflection of each year of our existence, and last week, the first part of our mission statement.

This line, just like the first, evolved to envelop far more than I even considered possible. I’ve always considered myself curious, though I didn’t really use that word, and long before it was a trend for marketing. I actually remember one of my favorite verses was from Paul in 1 Corinthians 9, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 

I saw myself as a chameleon. 

I would shape shift however I needed to fit in. Connect. Only recently did I understand this “gift” (and truly, I see it as a superpower) was also actually a product of childhood wounds. We’ll leave it at that…

But when this line was written, it was 100% written with intention regarding a more externalized vision of “who” we are educating. Except I came to realize that I have no business educating anyone. On anything really. Not only am I no expert on any one thing (I’ve always been more of a jack-of-all-trades kinda guy). The more life I experience, the one clarity that only becomes more crystal, is how little I actually know. So then back when I was developing the Get Mad Crusade concept, I changed the meaning, or I should say, intention.

Instead of “educating the curious”... the ‘curious’ simply becomes me – and I am educating myself. On what? Fucking everything. It’s almost problematic. I want to absorb as much tangible reality of this world as possible. Whether it’s religion, sociology, psychology, health & wellness, culture… you name it. 

And then I simply share what I am learning. Take it or leave it. Who cares? I am not making any statements. I am simply relaying information I find intriguing. Especially if I feel it has the power to impact people, both individually and collectively, especially collectively. Though arguably, it still starts with us individually. 

You can find the work we’ve done from 2022 on the website under “Brew Against the Machine”... of which we are hoping to build out more exhaustively. 

Our most recent attempt at internal coffee education involves a very extensive document with a whole lot of great information. We actually have a tiered system where new team members start out as sub-deacon, then progress to deacon, priest, bishop and lastly, archbishop. Each tier with a clear highlighted system for what is considered more advanced understanding or practical skills, combined with a written and practical exam to move forward (each with a financial bonus incentive). 

So we’re gonna just keep doing what we’re doing, which is really just living, learning and growing. And I’d love to include you all along for the ride, if you’d like. If you’re a MP customer, there is a high chance you are a curious individual who exists in a perpetual growth mindset. That is why we are here.

Yes, good coffee. Good vibes. 

But for growth. Understanding. Ultimately, love.

And that starts with being curious.

What is something that you’ve been challenged to be curious about recently? Maybe even resisted at first. I’d love to hear. 

Be well,

+Michael, High Priest