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
Where I’ve Been and Where We’re Headed
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Nicole is back — not with a rebrand exactly, but something more like a pivot.
The Rebel Saints Podcast is no longer just for teens — it’s for anyone swimming upstream in a culture that doesn't understand why you still care about things like grace, sacrifice, and truth. It’s for Catholics (and maybe the Catholic-curious) who are trying to live an ancient faith in the middle of our contemporary world.
Expect stories, hard questions, strange saints, and the messiness of trying to be holy without pretending it’s easy.
Support the Journey: Help other restless hearts find us!
Follow: Hit the "+" or "Follow" button
Review: If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review. It’s the best way to help us grow.
Connect with Rebel Saints:
- Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast
- Reflections: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints
- Instagram: @rebelsaintspodcast
- TikTok: @RebelSaintsPodcast
- For exclusive content find us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast
- Write us: rebelsaintspodcast@gmail.com
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