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In this episode for the Third Sunday of Lent, John 4 hits hard: Jesus sits at Jacob's well in the noon heat, tired and waiting for a Samaritan woman society avoided. 

He asks for a drink. She gets living water. 

This isn't just ancient history. It's our story. Where are you still thirsty? What broken wells are you drawing from: relationships, validation, distraction, control? Lent asks: Are you brave enough to let Him name it?

In this  no-filter reflection, we unpack isolation, desire as God's design, Eucharistic living water, the radical dignity of women in salvation history, and how one encounter turns a marginalized woman into a saint. 

If this hit home share your "still thirsty" reflection in the comments or tag @rebelsaintspod on social.

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

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Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

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It’s Friday during Lent. You forget and eat a burger.
Or your child’s birthday falls on Good Friday.
Or you’re holding a slice of pizza thinking, “Wait… did I just commit a mortal sin?”

In this episode, Nicole walks through what the Church actually asks of us during Lent — and what it doesn’t.

We cover:

• What Catholics are required to do on Fridays in Lent
• The difference between forgetting and deliberately rejecting Church teaching
• What fasting and abstinence are really about
• How to handle a Good Friday birthday
• Why Lent is about freedom, not fear

If you’re new to the Church, raising kids, or trying to live Lent faithfully in a world that doesn’t observe it, this conversation is for you.

The framework is simple:
Put Christ first. Then celebrate freely.

Catechism references mentioned:
CCC 1438
CCC 2043
CCC 1857

Stay connected: 

Rebel Saints Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Rebel Saints Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Rebel Saints Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Rebel Saints TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Rebel Saints Substack: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

If you’re planning a Catholic wedding right now, this episode is for you.

In the middle of contracts, timelines, florals, and seating charts, it’s easy to forget what’s actually happening on your wedding day.

Marriage isn’t just a beautiful ceremony.
It’s a Sacrament.

In this episode, Nicole — Catholic journalist, catechist, and wedding photographer in the Metro D.C. area — shares what she’s witnessed from the back of countless Nuptial Masses and why the people you invite into your sanctuary matter more than you think.

From the theology of the Eucharist to practical questions you should ask your vendors, this conversation is about starting your vocation intentionally — and keeping the Mass at the center.

IN THIS EPISODE

• What the Church actually teaches about the Sacrament of Marriage (CCC 1601, 1641)
• Why Catholic weddings are normally celebrated within the Mass (CCC 1621)
• Why the spouses — not the priest — are the ministers of the Sacrament (CCC 1623)
• The role of the priest as official witness (CCC 1630–1631)
• How the Eucharist unites your covenant to Christ’s sacrifice (CCC 1104)
• Why reverence during the consecration matters
• Questions to ask wedding vendors before you book them
• Why your photographs — and your spouse — are what last

CATECHISM & CHURCH REFERENCES

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601 — Marriage as a Sacament
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1641 — Sacramental grace for spouses
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1621 — Marriage within the Mass
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1623 — Spouses as ministers of the Sacrament
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1630–1631 — Role of the priest and canonical form
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1104 — The Eucharist makes present the sacrifice of Calvary
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1145 — Sacraments celebrated through perceptible signs
• Familiaris Consortio (St. John Paul II), 67 — The connection between marriage and the Eucharist

Read the Catechism online:
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

PLANNING A CATHOLIC WEDDING?

Nicole is a Catholic wedding photographer serving the Metro D.C. area through Olea & Co Photo.
Learn more: https://www.oleacophoto.com/

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

Week two of Lent is when it gets real. The energy dips. The cravings get louder. The “I can do this” starts wobbling. So why does the Church give us the Transfiguration right now? Because glory isn’t the goal. It’s preparation.

This episode is about trusting God in the middle — when the light fades and obedience still costs something.

Rebel Saints is a podcast for restless hearts called to be saints.

If your Lent feels messy, you’re not behind. You’re in it.

This episode draws from the liturgical readings for the Second Sunday of Lent (Year A) and engages magisterial teaching on covenant, grace, and the Transfiguration. The theological reflections are grounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Christological definition of the Council of Chalcedon (451), and classical commentary from St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Leo the Great, alongside primary Franciscan sources.

Sources & Theological References

Rebel Saints — Second Sunday of Lent (Year A), March 1, 2026

Sacred Scripture

The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE).

• Genesis 12:1–4a
• Psalm 33:4–5, 18–19, 20, 22
• 2 Timothy 1:8b–10
• Matthew 17:1–9
• Romans 4:1–25
• 2 Peter 1:16–18

Magisterial Documents

Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997.

• §§144–149 (Abraham and the obedience of faith)
• §§2570–2572 (Abraham’s trust tested)
• §554 (The Transfiguration as preparation for the Passion)
• §§555–556 (Moses and Elijah; fulfillment of the Law and Prophets)
• §2001 (Grace precedes human response)
• §2015 (The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross)

Council of Chalcedon. Definition of Faith (451 A.D.). In Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils, edited by Norman P. Tanner, S.J. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 1990.

Doctors of the Church & Patristic Sources

Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologiae. III, q. 45 (On the Transfiguration). Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province. New York: Benziger Bros., 1947.

Leo the Great. Sermon 51: On the Transfiguration of the Lord. In Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.

Franciscan Sources

Ce

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

Lent begins with ashes and with the uncomfortable truth that we are not self-sustaining. In this episode of The Rebel Saints Podcast, we move from Ash Wednesday into the Gospel of the First Sunday of Lent, where Jesus is led into the desert and tempted.

What does it mean to be dust? Why does the Church insist on our mortality at the beginning of Lent? And how does Christ’s obedience in the desert reshape our understanding of temptation, grace, and dependence on God?

Drawing from Catholic doctrine, Scripture, and the witness of St. Catherine of Siena, this episode explores the first week of Lent as a movement from illusion to clarity — and from self-sufficiency to trust.

Scripture Referenced

Genesis 2–3
Matthew 4:1–11 (or Mark/Luke depending on liturgical year)
1 Corinthians 15:20–26

Catechism References 

CCC 355–365 – The human person (body and soul)
CCC 396–409 – The Fall and original sin
CCC 538–540 – Christ’s temptation in the desert
CCC 1996–2005 – Sanctifying grace

Saints Referenced

St. Catherine of Siena – The Dialogue  = https://amzn.to/3Ouo00k

Music On this Show: 

Intro: Life Mood  & Love Machine by Hartzmann - https://musicvine.com/browse/artist/hartzmann

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

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.

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

Welcome back to The Rebel Saints Podcast — and if this is your first time here, you picked the right moment to jump in.

In this episode, Nicole shares a deeply personal and Spirit-led reflection on the election of Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born pope, a missionary, an Augustinian, and, perhaps most importantly, a quiet firestarter.

This isn’t just commentary on Church news. This is a holy reckoning — the kind that stirs hearts and reminds us why the Church is alive, roaring, and still moved by the breath of the Spirit.

Nicole breaks down the symbolism of Pope Leo’s first public moment, what his surprising background reveals, and why his presence is already echoing the legacy of St. John Paul II.
But more than that, she invites listeners to consider their own role in this unfolding story. Because the papacy isn’t just about one man — it’s about the Body of Christ rising to meet the moment.

For Catholics with restless hearts.
The Rebel Saints Podcast is where unfiltered faith meets real life — because being Catholic today is about as punk as it gets.

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

Join us on the Rebel Saints Podcast where Nicole, a Catholic Youth Minister and host, reflects on the profound significance of Christ's resurrection by exploring the readings for the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord - Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.

We delve into the themes of witness, anticipation, and joy that permeate the Easter narrative, from Peter's fearless proclamation to Mary Magdalene's awe-inspiring encounter with the empty tomb. Through insightful commentary and heartfelt reflection, we uncover the timeless truths of the Gospel and their relevance to our lives today. Tune in now and let the light of Christ's resurrection illuminate your path to joy and redemption.

Readings:
FIRST READING: Acts 4:32-35
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
SECOND READING: 1 John 5:1-6
GOSPEL: John 20:19-31

Music heard in this episode:
Intro: Life Mood by Hartzmann - https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/life-mood
License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Background: Two Acres by Arend. - https://uppbeat.io/t/arend/two-acres
License code: Z1FHHRHV7LNC9KCK

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

In this episode of the Rebel Saints Podcast, host Nicole delves into the depths of the Gospel readings for Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024. Join us as we unpack the profound journey of Jesus Christ during Holy Week, exploring themes of humility, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Through reflections on the triumphal entry, the ultimate sacrifice of Christ's Passion, and insights from saints such as Saint Teresa of Calcutta and Saint Padre Pio, we find guidance on how to navigate the challenges of being a teenager in today's world. Discover the transformative power of embracing our crosses with courage and trust in God's promises. Don't miss out on this inspiring episode as we continue to explore the beauty and depth of our Catholic faith on the Rebel Saints Podcast. Subscribe now for more reflections and discussions to enrich your spiritual journey.

READINGS for Palm Sunday in the Passion of our Lord - March 24, 2024

PROCESSION: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16

FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-7

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

SECOND READING; Philippians 2:6-11

GOSPEL: Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS

Send a text

Welcome back to the Rebel Saints Podcast! In this episode, host Nicole explores the profound readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, focusing on themes of surrender, grace, and strength in weakness.

Readings:
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 31:31-34

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 

SECOND READING: Hebrews 5:7-9

GOSPEL: John 12:20-33

This episode was written and produced by Nicole Olea

If you enjoyed this show, please leave a review or share it with a friend.

Got questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelsaintspodcast/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelsaintspodcast

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebelsaintspodcast

Blog: https://substack.com/@rebelsaints

For exclusive content join our Patreon page for free: https://patreon.com/RebelSaintsPodcast

Music featured in this podcast, is used under Upbeat's license terms for creators. Music is human-made, rights-cleared for podcasts and content creators.

Main theme song "Life Mood" by Daniel Hartmann can be found at Upbeat - https://share.uppbeat.io/7lal9g5wpyks

License code: SUWF2L8VG76UJDZS