Rebel Saints: Catholic Faith & Spiritual Growth Podcast for Christians

Nicole Olea | Catholicism & Catholic Faith Writer
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

There is nothing more punk than Catholicism. Rebel Saints is a Catholic podcast exploring Christian discipleship, spiritual growth, and Catholic theology for restless hearts trying to follow Jesus Christ in a modern world. In an age of algorithms, anxiety, artificial intelligence, and endless scrolling, how do we live out our Christian faith? St. Augustine wrote, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You." Sixteen hundred years later, we're still restless — we just have smartphones now. Hosted by Catholic journalist, youth minister, and mother Nicole Olea, this show offers a fresh laywoman’s perspective on the ancient Church. Whether you are a cradle Catholic, a recent convert, a scripture seeker, or a skeptic, this podcast tackles the hard questions about faith and culture. Through thoughtful interviews, compelling storytelling, Catholic Church history, Scripture reflections, and the inspiring lives of the saints, Nicole dives into what it actually means to build a daily prayer life today. The Church has outlived empires, revolutions, and pandemics. She isn't afraid of modernity, and you don't need a perfect life hack or another political hot take to find peace. Maybe the most rebellious thing you can do isn't reinvent yourself. Maybe it's discovering Catholic spirituality and becoming the saint you were created to be. Restless hearts: You are welcome here. Join the Rebellion: Connect with the Restless Heart Society! Ready to connect with fellow rebels living out the Catholic faith? Find us, follow us, and join the community: Restless Hearts Social Club: facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcastInstagram & TikTok: @rebelsaintspodcast / @RebelSaintsPodcastRestless Hearts Society: (Patreon Support the Show): patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcastEmail: rebelsaintspodcast@gmail.comWebsite: rebelsaintspodcast.com Rebel Saint - this podcast is for you!

  1. Oct 18 ·  Video

    Did a Catholic Nun Bilocate? | Catholic Faith & Christian Mystery

    In 1629, a group of Indigenous visitors arrived at a Catholic mission in New Mexico with a strange story. A mysterious woman dressed in blue had been appearing among their people, teaching them about Jesus and urging them to seek baptism. But the woman they described was a cloistered nun living more than 5,000 miles away in Spain. Her name was Venerable María de Jesús de Ágreda. In this episode of Rebel Saints, we investigate the mysterious Lady in Blue, her reported gift of bilocation, her encounters with the Spanish Inquisition, and her extraordinary friendship with King Philip IV of Spain. A story of mystery, Catholic faith, and the unexplained, from a fascinating figures in Catholic history. Explore the extraordinary stories of Catholic saints and mystics, and discover the history, traditions, and mysteries of Catholicism. Support the show: SUPPORT THE SHOW: www.rebelsaintspodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast Facebook: facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast Instagram: @rebelsaintspodcast TikTok: @RebelSaintsPodcast Substack: https://rebelsaintspodcast.substack.com Email: rebelsaintspodcast@gmail.com Rebel Saints | Music Credits & Licensing Music featured in this episode is licensed through Uppbeat. All tracks are used under their respective licenses. “Chopin Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat” — Aaron Paul Low Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/aaron-paul-low License code: EFW1LZACVXJGIIZB “Two Conversations” — Holly Jones Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/holly-jones License code: Y4HAL2KN3UT646DS “Skylark” — Oliver Massa Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/oliver-massa License code: S2RHY5GHTH4XXHR7 “Adrift (Ian Wong)” — Sonder House Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/sonder-house License code: 1DM8WLHCPEXP2F6L “Living Waters” — Brock Hewitt: Stories in Sound Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound License code: GU36G4QXR39IM8J9 “Tramontane” — Dominique Charpentier Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/dominique-charpentier License code: 8DG5ICQY5LYNOYAS “Notes From The Past” — Monument Music Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/monument-music License code: AIO0SI1NNOPFXDPW “Amaranth” — Enzalla Artist: https://uppbeat.io/c/enzalla License code: GJMUFEALRZXSCRDV

  2. Oct 15 ·  Bonus Video

    Catholic News: Pope Leo’s Cancer Diagnosis, Death Penalty & Marriage

    Pope Leo XIV is recovering from surgery following a lung cancer diagnosis, Catholic leaders are speaking out against plans to livestream the execution of a convicted terrorist, and bishops at the Vatican are discussing cohabitation, declining marriage rates, and the future of Catholic family life. In this bonus episode of Rebel Saints, Nicole breaks down three major Catholic news stories, what Church leaders are saying, and the latest developments from Rome and the United States. Catholic news update | October 14, 2026 rebelsaintspodcast.com Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: RGRH9KUS50PX6LFY, SZQ2QUHWXCHDGRGF, FTOOESFOVIEITUWC

  3. Oct 11 ·  Video

    Catholicism Explained: Do Catholics Believe in Ghosts? | Catholic 'ghost' stories

    Catholic faith meets the mystery of ghosts in this deep dive into Catholicism, purgatory, and Christian teaching on the dead. Through eerie stories involving St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Gregory the Great, and St. John Bosco, we explore whether the dead can appear to the living, how prayer for the dead fits in, and what the Church teaches about supernatural encounters. Want more Catholic ghost stories: "Too Many Ghosts" A Rebel Saints Bonus episode is live on my Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RebelSaintsPodcast

  4. Sep 27 ·  Video

    Don’t Blame Mercury: Why Catholics Don’t Need the Universe to Explain Our Lives

    Mercury is in retrograde. Suddenly your awful week has a plot. But what does Mercury retrograde actually mean — and why are astrology, horoscopes, manifestation and “signs from the universe” so appealing when life feels uncertain? In this episode of Rebel Saints, Nicole explores what the Catholic Church actually teaches about astrology and divination, the surprisingly messy history of Catholicism and astrology, Providence, discernment, manifestation, prudence, confession and the difference between asking St. Anthony for intercession and treating Catholic devotion like magic. Along the way, we fall into one particularly strange Catholic-history rabbit hole: Renaissance popes, astrologers and the foundation horoscope associated with St. Peter's Basilica. We also ask: Was that really a sign from God — or did your algorithm just notice you've watched 600 breakup videos? Because Mercury doesn't know your name. God does. In this episode: Mercury retrograde • astrology and horoscopes • Catholic teaching on divination • Providence • Lectio Divina • discernment • signs from God • manifestation • prudence • confession • St. Anthony • Catholic superstition Listen next: Lessons from Saint Anthony on Catholic Faith, Failure, and Finding Your Voice Rebel Saints is a Catholic podcast for restless hearts called to be saints. There is nothing more punk than Catholicism.

  5. Sep 20 ·  Video

    Lessons from Saint Anthony on Catholic Faith, Failure, and Finding Your Voice

    What does Catholic faith look like when you're told your voice doesn't matter? In this episode of Rebel Saints, Nicole explores the life of Saint Anthony of Padua—a doctor of the Roman Catholic Church who faced early rejection, profound failure, and a remarkable spiritual transformation. Discover how Anthony's journey from isolated monk to powerful preacher offers timeless lessons on authenticity, finding your voice in faith, and the spiritual growth that comes from leaning into your unique calling. Whether you're struggling with doubt, pressure to conform, or searching for spiritual direction, Anthony's legacy teaches us that our brokenness can become our greatest strength. Support the Journey: Help other restless hearts find us! Follow: Hit the "+" or "Follow" button or subscribe, where applicable. Review: If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or tap the stars. It’s the best way to help us grow. Connect with Rebel Saints: rebelsaintspodcast.com Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast Instagram: @rebelsaintspodcast TikTok: @RebelSaintsPodcast For exclusive content and to join the Restless Hearts Society -  (Coming Soon) find us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RebelSaintsPodcast Music licensed through Soundstripe.

  6. Sep 1 ·  Video

    Augustine's Spiritual Awakening | When Christianity Finally Made Sense

    Augustine had spent years running from Christianity. Then, inconveniently, it started making sense. By the time he reached Milan, he had the career, the intellect, the ambition and the life he thought he wanted. What he did not have was peace. And once the truth began pressing in, Augustine had a new problem: believing it was one thing. Letting it change his life was another. In Part Two of the Rebel Saints deep dive into St. Monica and St. Augustine, we follow the restless road toward one of the most famous conversions in Catholic history — and the mother who had spent years praying for a son she could not control. This is a story about conversion, grace, desire, unanswered prayer, and what happens when God starts dismantling the life you were so sure you wanted. Because sometimes the long road home begins when you finally stop pretending you’re not lost. Find Confessions by St. Augustine on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ci4NrA or read for free via Project Gutenburg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3296/3296-h/3296-h.htm Support the Journey: Help other restless hearts find us! Follow: Hit the "+" or "Follow" button or subscribe, where applicable.  Review: If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or tap the stars. It’s the best way to help us grow. Connect with Rebel Saints: rebelsaintspodcast.com Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast Instagram: @rebelsaintspodcast TikTok: @RebelSaintsPodcast For exclusive content and to join the Restless Hearts Society -  (Coming Soon) find us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast Write us: rebelsaintspodcast@gmail.com Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 0JJXLK9LQEARSVPK, GHAJSHDEVHZZD8G1, GAKD2HUQX17Q81XW, DZOKHW8HSCLRIHBF, 5ITUQDFGA59PZ2E9, QYMLQMCGRMYF6RLK, NJQ324JXPXIUETRE, E1GQ4SSQ1R7SMS42, ND3X316RWYCE51VN, Z9DHTGGCO9VKD4EY, IANXWZQPI6FYOJ9Z, AMAMXVV3EIA3AGJZ, P5VTAI7FFFVQS67T, 5XWGGATQ3FJU1UYP

  7. Aug 30 ·  Video

    St. Monica's Heartbreak | A Catholic Mother's Fight for Her Son, Augustine

    Before St. Augustine became a doctor of the Catholic Church, Augustine, was a son making his mother absolutely miserable. He was brilliant, ambitious, restless, questioning everything, chasing the life he wanted and moving farther and farther away from Christianity. And Monica had to watch it happen. We know how the story ends. Augustine becomes one of the greatest theologians in Christian history and one of the most famous Catholic saints who ever lived. In Part One of this Rebel Saints deep dive into St. Monica and St. Augustine, we go back to fourth-century North Africa and meet them before the halos, when both of their lives were still messy, complicated and very much unfinished. A note about domestic abuseAugustine describes Monica living in a volatile marriage and surviving within a fourth-century legal and social system that left women with far fewer choices than many women have today. Her story should never be used to suggest that enduring abuse is spiritually admirable or required by Catholic teaching. If you are experiencing domestic abuse in the United States, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting START to 88788. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. www.thehotline.org Read more on the Catholic Church’s teaching on domestic abuse here: https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/when-i-call-help-pastoral-response-domestic-violence Find Confessions by St. Augustine on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ci4NrA or read for free via Project Gutenburg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3296/3296-h/3296-h.htm Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: AQIIIYB15EZX6IXD, PAGIOH723EIEKXTZ, APDGDYXS2GTVXX3X, YGENDLRYUETWLSW2, AEMSZIRV6QJ5J4XF, JTNGAHAULN3GRG9Q, 2YZBAP00YP0PFIY5 Support the Journey: Help other restless hearts find us! Follow: Hit the "+" or "Follow" button or subscribe, where applicable.  Review: If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or tap the stars. It’s the best way to help us grow. Connect with Rebel Saints: rebelsaintspodcast.com Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast Instagram: @rebelsaintspodcast TikTok: @RebelSaintsPodcast For exclusive content and to join the Restless Hearts Society -  (Coming Soon) find us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast Write us: rebelsaintspodcast@gmail.com

  8. Aug 17 ·  Video

    Immaculate Conception Explained | Why Catholics Believe Mary Was Sinless

    What does the Immaculate Conception actually mean? No, it is not the conception of Jesus. And no, Catholics do not believe the Virgin Mary is divine. A listener asked whether the Catholic Church teaches that Mary was divine or sinless, which opens the door to one of the most misunderstood teachings in Catholicism. In this episode of Rebel Saints, Nicole breaks down what Catholics actually believe about the Immaculate Conception of Mary, original sin, Mary’s sinlessness and why Mary still needed Jesus Christ as her Savior. We follow the theology from Genesis and the Gospel of Luke through the early Church Fathers, St. Augustine, the Council of Ephesus, medieval theologian John Duns Scotus, Pope Pius IX and the 1854 definition of the dogma — with a stop at Lourdes four years later. We also explore: • What the Immaculate Conception actually means • The difference between Mary’s conception and the virginal conception of Jesus • Whether Catholics believe Mary is divine • Original sin: “contracted,” not personally committed • Why Catholics believe Mary remained free from personal sin • How Mary could need a Savior if she was preserved from original sin • Duns Scotus and “preservative redemption” • Luke 1:28 and “full of grace” • Mary as the New Eve • Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant • Why Catholics call Mary the Mother of God • The Council of Ephesus and the title Theotokos • Whether the Immaculate Conception was invented in 1854 • Lourdes and St. Bernadette Soubirous • Romans 3:23 and the objection that “all have sinned” • Whether sinlessness makes Mary less free • What authentic Catholic Marian devotion should actually look like • Why Mary’s holiness matters for Christian discipleship today At the center of Catholic teaching about Mary is Jesus Christ. Everything extraordinary about Mary comes from the grace of God, and authentic Marian devotion always directs Christians toward her Son. At Cana, Mary gives us one of the simplest summaries of Marian devotion in Scripture: “Do whatever he tells you.” Rebel Saints is a Catholic podcast for restless hearts exploring Catholicism, saints, Scripture, theology, Church history and what it means to follow Jesus Christ in the modern world. Restless heart, you are welcome here. Connect & Learn More:• Website & Blog: www.rebelsaintspodcast.com • Subscribe & Rate: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help other restless hearts and curious souls discover Catholic Christianity! Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: LEALQB4SZEDJYUHG, TJRYHAUKXE47BXTS, KDIQLZBYLWEJQDL4, Y0H0VKSVEPIRHKVV, PW2LGEXDPNNHT5AS, CXUXRVNTHWHGL8HW, VPJ4ZO2RTOVLLLM2, JLKDFYI2YDNODCJW, MIXZ88063RJLFLQQ, VZ9UJXSO2KGABLTX, IIHYBGURGJTMFXV2, TSMY1JTMWHEOK5L9, DHCHGUPNODVGHZVD, HAVOJNIERMCP5GGT

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About

There is nothing more punk than Catholicism. Rebel Saints is a Catholic podcast exploring Christian discipleship, spiritual growth, and Catholic theology for restless hearts trying to follow Jesus Christ in a modern world. In an age of algorithms, anxiety, artificial intelligence, and endless scrolling, how do we live out our Christian faith? St. Augustine wrote, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You." Sixteen hundred years later, we're still restless — we just have smartphones now. Hosted by Catholic journalist, youth minister, and mother Nicole Olea, this show offers a fresh laywoman’s perspective on the ancient Church. Whether you are a cradle Catholic, a recent convert, a scripture seeker, or a skeptic, this podcast tackles the hard questions about faith and culture. Through thoughtful interviews, compelling storytelling, Catholic Church history, Scripture reflections, and the inspiring lives of the saints, Nicole dives into what it actually means to build a daily prayer life today. The Church has outlived empires, revolutions, and pandemics. She isn't afraid of modernity, and you don't need a perfect life hack or another political hot take to find peace. Maybe the most rebellious thing you can do isn't reinvent yourself. Maybe it's discovering Catholic spirituality and becoming the saint you were created to be. Restless hearts: You are welcome here. Join the Rebellion: Connect with the Restless Heart Society! Ready to connect with fellow rebels living out the Catholic faith? Find us, follow us, and join the community: Restless Hearts Social Club: facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcastInstagram & TikTok: @rebelsaintspodcast / @RebelSaintsPodcastRestless Hearts Society: (Patreon Support the Show): patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcastEmail: rebelsaintspodcast@gmail.comWebsite: rebelsaintspodcast.com Rebel Saint - this podcast is for you!

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