You’re listening to The Only Constant, a podcast about active hope. On this episode of the podcast, we spoke with Elijah Rios.

Eliah is earning his BFA in Acting from Florida State University. Coming from a background in high school football, our conversation focused on some of the stigmas around men in performing arts, and how theater has helped Elijah become more vulnerable.

Elijah’s first year as an acting student was filled with intense emotional vulnerability. Often, acting exercises in class would cause him and his classmates to break down barriers together. People he had only just met were now seeing Elijah’s rawest emotions.

We also touched on Elijah’s Christian faith and how it has made him always strive to treat people right. He believes human decency is rare these days and contributes that lack of friendliness to our society’s addiction to phones and constantly comparing ourselves to others.

However, that cultural challenge only strengthens Elijah’s commitment to connecting with others emotionally. He sums it all up by saying “in the world, we only have each other.”

Stay open, stay active, and keep listening.