Rebel Saints: Catholic Faith & Spiritual Growth
There is nothing more punk than being Catholic.
In an increasingly secular world, there is nothing more radical than choosing to belong to something as ancient and eternal as the Catholic Church. To be Catholic today is inherently counter-cultural. It means choosing sacrificial love, prayer, and fidelity to God in a society that prizes noise and self-interest above all else.
I’m Nicole Olea. Most days you’ll find me reporting on the Catholic Church, but I spent years in the trenches as a youth minister and a catechist. If there is one thing I learned accompanying teens on their faith journey, it’s that Catholicism is metal.
When I first heard St. Augustine’s words, “our hearts are restless until they rest in You,” I could finally put a name to the longing in my heart, that constant ache for something real.
If your heart is restless too, that isn't a glitch; it’s an invitation. It’s the signal that we were made for more than what’s being sold to us.
Yet, misconceptions about Catholicism prevail, often fueled by the very real mistakes and pain members of the Church have caused. While we shouldn’t hide from our history, the Church needs real voices of people who have joy in the Lord, to testify on her behalf and point people toward Christ in whatever way the Holy Spirit calls them to.
I was called to start this podcast, to share the messy, the beautiful and the METAL parts of the Catholic faith. I am a layperson, and there is no degree in theology hanging on my wall, but I'm not afraid of digging through books and often find myself doing just that when preparing for an episode.
I don't have it all figured out, I’m not perfect, and this podcast isn’t a guide on how to become some plastic version of a saint. I can't promise you this journey won't be chaotic and we'll definitely take the scenic route. So consider yourself warned.
But if you're like me, or if you are longing for "more" authentic spirituality and the idea of becoming exactly who God made you to be appeals to you, then hit that + button and join this little rebellion, because your restless heart can only mean you're a Rebel Saint too.
Welcome home Rebel!
Rebel Saints: Catholic Faith & Spiritual Growth
Latest Episodes
What Catholics Believe About Mary: The Original Rebel Mother
This One Goes Out to All the Baby Mamas ... and to the tired mamas, the bonus mamas, the spiritual mamas, and every single one of us who had a mother.On this Mother’s Day episode, we’re going straight to the heart of what Catholics actua...
Pope Leo XIV: One Year of Peace in a Restless World | Rebel Saints Podcast
One year into the papacy of the first American pope, Nicole reflects on why Pope Leo XIV’s simple, repeated message of peace is cutting through the noise of our exhausted, outrage-driven culture.In this heartfelt episode, she explores ho...
Pope Leo XIV vs. The White House: April 2026 Catholic News Roundup
The world is trying to delete Christ, but the Church is busy acting as the only referee left in a world that’s lost its mind.In this episode, I'm rounding up the top News Stories for April 2026 and sharing my honest hot takes on:<...
Catholic Saint Stories: St. Catherine of Siena's Contagious Spiritual Fire
If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can actually change the Church… meet St. Catherine of Siena.In this episode of Rebel Saints: A Catholic Podcast for Restless Hearts, Nicole Olea dives into the life of one of the...
Catholic Gospel Reflection: The Apostles' First Apostles | Easter Sunday (Year A)
Can small acts of faith change the world?On this Easter Sunday 2026, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by looking at the "forgotten co-conspirators" of the Paschal Mystery. While the world focused on the powerful, God ...
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