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Living Life for Christ:
An Interview with Olivia of "Real Life Radio"

by Bobbi

 

Interview done in 2003.

I recently heard about Spirit FM 90.5, a Catholic radio station in Tampa, Florida. I was intrigued with their alternative music show "Real Life Radio" geared towards teens and young adults. I asked the host Olivia for an interview and she kindly agreed. It's cool to see someone so on fire for their faith and living it daily. I hope you enjoy the interview! -Bobbi

RoL: Hi, Olivia, thanks for sharing some time with us. Can you give us a little background about yourself? Were you always a Catholic?

Olivia: Hey Guys. Well, I am a 5th Generation Floridian and the oldest of two. I have a brother who is twenty and at the University of Florida. I am a cradle Catholic who has really always loved going to church. Ever since I was small I can remember being at church.

RoL: Tell us a little about the show you host and how you got involved in that.

Olivia: Well it was A Big God-Incidence really. I was always a big fan of the Spirit FM 90.5. It is a one of a kind place. There are only a few 100,000-watt Catholic Radio stations in the world! So I've always been a big fan of the station and when I was 19 I was asked to be a teen representative on the Spirit FM Advisory Board. I was blessed to do that for two years. Then a position became vacant at the radio station. I never asked or really even thought about working at Spirit FM, but God had other ideas. A few people who also worked with the radio station said, "Hey, what about Olivia?" So I started interning and learning the ropes. I guess they liked me, so they kept me!

RoL: I've always believed that music can be a huge influence in a person's life, especially in our teens and twenties and that it can help shape who we are - for better or for worst. Do you agree with that?

Olivia: YEAH! That is Huge! I really believe that and not just because I want too, but because I have seen it in teens lives. There are so many teens out there that are listening to the stuff on say, MTV - Eminem, JA Rule, Jay Z, Puddle of Mud, Marylin Manson, etc. These teens are good teens, but with all the pressures of sex, alcohol and their friends, the music just adds to it. You can become weak to the messages that these artists convey in there songs. But if we are listening to artists who convey Godly values and morals, it has a positive effect on our lives. We start thinking, "Hey, what DOES GOD want me to do with my life? How am I serving Him?" or "Hey, I need to find out more about Jesus and the Bible!"

RoL: Any cool local bands out there in Florida that we should watch out for?

Olivia: Oh wow, there are so many! It just depends on what kind of music you like. I do have some favorites though!

For Rock, Joash www.joashmusic.com
For Rap, I.O.D www.invadersforever.com
For Acoustic Keith Roberts www.keithroberts.info

RoL: You say in your bio that you love being a Catholic. What do you love most about your faith?

Olivia: I love my faith because it is so rich in liturgy. Meaning, we don't just read the Bible and sing songs at church. We have the Mass, something that was instituted by Christ and his Apostles. We have communion. We ask holy men and women of God to pray for us through the Rosary and the Communion of Saints. We have One Leader who is one of the holiest men alive, Pope John Paul II. On top of that we know how to throw a party - World Youth Day! I went in 2000 along with 4,000,000 other Catholics!

RoL: How do you keep your faith alive in your daily life and not let it become mere habit?

Olivia: Constant dying to self and saying in my prayers…"Lord, only your will and your words, please. Let my sinful thoughts and actions die, Lord, I want to be your hands and feet!"

RoL: Thanks so much for sharing with us, Olivia. Any last comments you'd like to make?

Olivia: Umm, Hey I could talk forever, it's my job ya-know! But, seriously, if there are people out there who are looking to get into a deeper relationship with Christ, I would just challenge them…look at your life. Get rid of anything that you wouldn't let Jesus be a part of. It will hurt a little bit, but in the end, it will make you truly happy. And GET INVOLVED with something…[a teen or young adult group within your church.] Thanks so much and be God's!

Check out Real Life Radio at www.spiritfm905.com.