This is the sixth installment of BOLD - A University of St. Thomas Podcast, a series that creates a dialogue and aims to inspire, encourage and aid students—current and prospective— to “Be Your Bold Self.” New episodes are published bi-weekly. If you have an idea for a potential podcast guest or topic, send them to Darnell Miller at dmiller@stthom.edu.

Host Alex Yemeck talks to Jessica Salinas and Emily Garza, members of faith-based households on campus. Salinas is a member of Non Nisi Te, NNT, a household that focuses on the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas while Garza is a member of Simply Irresistible Women, SIW, a household modeled on Mary with a special devotion to Our Lady of Shoenstatt. They share details about living life in community, spiritual growth and what they have learned living with others.

Overview:

01:20 - An Introduction to Jessica Salinas

04:58 - An Introduction to Emily Garza

06:11- What is your spiritual background?

08:46 - What is a household anyway?

12:00 - Why did they join their households?

17:01 - What is it like living in community?

22:45 - Why is living in community important to spiritual life.

00:00 - Benefits of living with others

00:00 - What does daily life in community look like?

00:00 - Scheduling spiritual activities and prayer

00:00 - Top three reasons to join a household

00:00 - Top three things learned in household

Additionally, Garza offers three reasons to join a household:

1. Good way to grow in faith
   Living in community with others offers new perspectives on faith and an opportunity to gain new insights and see new points of views.
2. Meet New People
   It puts you in a space to meet people that you might not have otherwise met. 
3. It’s just fun!
   With time it becomes sharing your life and faith with your best friends! What’s better than that?

Finally, Salinas shares three things she has learned while living in a household community.

1. Things won't always go your way
   Living in community things won't always go your way, but they often turn out better than expected.
2. Get out of your comfort zone
   Living in community forces you to get out of your comfort zone and be vulnerable with others. When you are able to be vulnerable it leads to building friendships that will last a lifetime.
3. Push past introversion
   As an introvert, Salinas liked alone time, but she learned it is fun to be around people who share similar passions and care for her.