Arleen Spenceley Babino’s Writing Portfolio

I’m a former Tampa Bay Times staff writer and a former Virginian-Pilot correspondent. I currently work full-time as a content editor for Family First and write freelance for Gulf Coast Catholic Magazine and CatholicMatch. I am the author of Chastity Is for Lovers: Single, Happy, and (Still) a Virgin (Ave Maria Press, 2014) and have chapters in The Catholic Hipster Handbook (Ave Maria Press, 2017) and A Guide to the Dating Project (Ascension, 2018). My work has appeared in additional publications including Chastity Project, U.S. Catholic Magazine, the Austin-American Statesman, and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Scroll to read samples of my work from Gulf Coast Catholic Magazine, the Tampa Bay Times, the Virginian-Pilot, CatholicMatch, and Chastity Project. Additional writing samples, samples of work I’ve edited, and references are available upon request. I am also a keynote speaker. Click here to see descriptions of my talks, video clips, and endorsements from event hosts who’ve booked me.

Gulf Coast Catholic Magazine

Click here and head to page 12 to read Gifted a miracle — God blesses the Kuhlmans with love in the midst of tragedy (pictured below) in the digital edition of Gulf Coast Catholic. A few days after their Fall 2023 wedding, Nathaniel and Mariana Kuhlman woke up in San Lucia, ready to enjoy the first full day of their honeymoon. But that day ended in tragedy when, after a water skiing accident, Nathaniel lost his life. This feature tells their miraculous story.

Click here and head to page 10 to read Looking to Mary: Finding hope and peace after the storm (pictured below) in the digital edition of Gulf Coast Catholic. This feature covers the damage done in the Diocese of St. Petersburg after 2024’s hurricanes Helene and Milton—and the hope restored after a cherished statue disappeared during the first storm’s flooding.

Tampa Bay Times

Essays and Columns

Features

Virginian-Pilot

Essays and Columns

Features

CatholicMatch


Bad Relationships Show Us What God’s Love Is Like

Don’t Be Afraid to Do These Things on a First Date

Here’s Why You Should Probably Go on a Second Date

Don’t Go After a Fling, Focus on Finding Your Spouse

Are You Sure You Aren’t Looking for a Fairytale?

To see all my posts on CatholicMatch, click here.

Chastity Project

The most important thing to do while you’re single

Why I don’t date men who are ‘willing’ to save sex for marriage

Why I STILL don’t date men who are ‘willing’ to save sex

To see all my posts on Chastity Project, click here.