Always A Raven Podcast

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Willie de Gracia, a 2000 Benedictine College graduate who came to Atchison from Puerto Rico to play baseball and build a future far from home. Willie shares how a chance recruitment call, a welcoming campus visit, and the opportunity to continue playing the sport he loved led him to Benedictine — where he faced the challenge of learning English, adjusting to Kansas winters, and proving to himself that he could succeed.

Willie reflects on how Benedictine prepared him not only for a career in finance, management, and healthcare, but also for a life rooted in perseverance, ethical leadership, and service to others. From overcoming language barriers in the classroom to building a professional career in Puerto Rico, he credits the lessons he learned at Benedictine — especially business ethics and understanding the needs of others — with shaping the way he approaches every relationship and decision.

Baseball has remained a central part of Willie’s life. After playing for more than 18 years in Puerto Rico, he now owns a team and helps young athletes pursue opportunities of their own through clinics, mentorship, and community involvement. His story comes full circle as his son prepares to attend Benedictine and play baseball, carrying the Raven tradition into a new generation — a reminder that the welcome Willie first felt in Atchison continues to reach across distance, decades, and family.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz reconnects with Lisa Cotter, a 2005 Benedictine College graduate, wife, mother, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and longtime Catholic voice helping others encounter faith in a relatable and deeply human way. Lisa shares how a campus visit that unexpectedly felt like home led her to Benedictine — and how that decision became providential as she navigated her father’s illness, found a community rooted in faith, and discovered friendships and professors who helped carry her through one of the hardest seasons of her life.

Lisa reflects on how Benedictine formed not only her mind, but her heart — giving her a place where faith moved from something personal to something lived in community, friendship, study, and mission. From returning to campus as a resident director while her husband served with FOCUS, to later stepping into speaking, writing, and creating content for Hallow, she shares how God opened doors she never planned for and used her Benedictine formation in ways she never could have imagined.

Now through her books, speaking, and daily work on Hallowed Be Thy Day, Lisa continues to make the faith approachable, practical, and alive — helping others see the beauty of the saints, the richness of the Church, and the dignity of their own vocation. Her story is a reminder that being a Raven means carrying the lessons, community, and formation of Benedictine into every season of life — because once the Raven is in you, it never really leaves.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Nick Porretta, a 2012 Benedictine College graduate, husband, father of soon-to-be ten, former FOCUS missionary, and longtime Snap-on professional, to share how a seemingly practical transfer decision led him to the place that would shape his faith, friendships, work, and family life for years to come.

Nick reflects on the immediate fit he found at Benedictine — a campus rooted in community, sacraments, friendship, and formation — and the experiences that expanded his view of the world, from mission trips to El Salvador to prison ministry with Father Bruce. Those moments helped him see faith not as something confined to campus, but as something meant to be lived through service, relationships, and the way we encounter people in every walk of life.

Now working in the business world with Snap-on, Nick shares how Benedictine’s values continue to show up in unexpected ways — especially in sales, where integrity, authenticity, and long-term trust matter more than quick wins. His story is a reminder that being a Raven means carrying what is good, true, and beautiful into every corner of life — whether as a missionary, businessman, husband, father, friend, or as Nick puts it, a “Snap-on Raven.”

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Brian Carr, a 2003 Benedictine College graduate, decorated Army officer, aviator, attorney, and servant leader with more than 23 years of military service. As the nation approaches its 250th year, Brian reflects on the path that led him from Phoenix to Benedictine, from ROTC to aviation, and eventually into a career of leadership, law, and service to country.  

Brian shares how Benedictine helped shape his ability to think, lead, and serve with purpose — lessons that carried him through 9/11, combat deployments, law school while on active duty, and his work as a Judge Advocate. Through it all, he credits faith, family, and profession as the constants that have grounded his decisions, strengthened his resilience, and helped him lead others through pressure, adversity, and uncertainty.

Now preparing for a new role at the Pentagon as executive officer to the Army general counsel, Brian reflects on trust, patriotism, sacrifice, and the responsibility of forming the next generation of leaders. His story is a powerful reminder that being a Raven does not end at graduation, it continues through a life of service, integrity, courage, and answering the call to give back wherever God and country may lead.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann to reflect on a life of faithful leadership, from his earliest encounters with Benedictine College to his decades of service as a priest and bishop. With deep ties to the college and a long friendship with President Stephen Minnis, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann shares how Benedictine’s renewed Catholic mission, devotion to Mary, and commitment to forming students for cultural transformation have made it a beacon of hope in the Church.  

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann also opens up about his vocation story, shaped by his mother’s extraordinary faith after the tragic death of his father before he was born. From entering seminary after elementary school to experiencing a powerful encounter with God during an eight-day silent retreat, he recalls the moment he became convinced that the most important thing he could do with his life was help others encounter Jesus.

Across more than 50 years of priesthood, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann has served as a parish priest, pro-life leader, vicar general, auxiliary bishop, and Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, walking with people through joy, suffering, crisis, and renewal. His story is a reminder that Christ never promises an easy path, but He does promise His presence — and that places like Benedictine continue to give hope by forming young people, families, priests, religious, and leaders ready to serve the Church and transform the world.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Nina Gray, a 2024 Benedictine College graduate, to share her story of choosing Benedictine at the last possible moment, beginning college during the uncertainty of 2020, and discovering a community where faith was not confined to chapel, but woven into friendships, late-night conversations, service, and everyday life. 

Nina reflects on how Benedictine helped her see Catholicism as something truly universal — lived out in every vocation, every season, and every ordinary moment when people choose to show up for one another. From porch conversations and spontaneous invitations to adoration, to learning that community must be lived in person and not just talked about, she shares how her time on campus formed her courage to act, serve, and trust God more deeply.

Now living in Kansas City after graduation, Nina opens up about leaving the traditional work path to pursue a season of prayer, creativity, writing, and surrender — not because she has every answer, but because she refuses to live with the regret of never trying. Her story is a powerful reminder that being a Raven means remembering who you are, stepping into the world with faith and purpose, and trusting that God can work even in the half-baked, uncertain, and unfinished parts of the journey.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Father Meinrad Miller, a 1989 graduate of Benedictine College, to share his journey from discerning student to beloved priest and monk at Saint Benedict's Abbey — reflecting on how his time at Benedictine deepened his calling and set the foundation for a vocation rooted in prayer, community, and service.

Father Meinrad shares stories from a life well-lived in the Church — from celebrating sacraments and serving as state chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, to traveling with the Missionaries of Charity in Washington D.C. and Calcutta — offering candid wisdom that it doesn't take an hour of prayer to encounter God, just a willing heart and the faith of a mustard seed.

Beyond his travels and ministries, Father Meinrad's greatest joy remains right on campus, where he teaches Benedictine spirituality and witnesses students finding their way to Christ year after year — proof that the mission of Benedictine College lives on in the monks and mentors who never stopped believing in it.

On this special episode of Always a Raven, guest host Joe Wurtz turns the tables on the podcast's own creator, Janelle Menz, a 2006 Benedictine graduate, to celebrate one year of Always a Raven. Janelle shares the inspiration behind the podcast and how her time at Benedictine gave her the foundation to show up with integrity — even when it cost her everything.

Janelle takes us inside one of the most defining moments of her career: a dream event planning job that came with an impossible moral conflict. From tearful cubicles to a face-to-face conversation with the company president, her story of courage — shaped by faith, family, and Benedictine formation — is one that gets told to students year after year.

Now serving as Director of Stewardship and Donor Engagement at Benedictine, Janelle reflects on what a year of hosting Always a Raven has revealed about the Raven spirit across every generation and walk of life — and what it truly means to say once a Raven, always a Raven.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes Paul Suellentrop, a 1987 graduate of Benedictine College, to share his journey from student journalist to longtime voice in sports media. From his early days writing for The Circuit to decades in newspaper reporting, Paul reflects on how his time at Benedictine shaped both his career path and his perspective, laying the foundation for a life rooted in storytelling, curiosity, and community.

Paul dives into his career across multiple newsrooms, including stops in Oklahoma, St. Joseph, and a 17-year run at the Wichita Eagle, where he covered a dynamic era of Wichita State athletics. Along the way, he shares insights into how journalism has evolved—from traditional print to today’s fast-paced digital landscape—and offers candid advice on navigating an industry now driven by immediacy, versatility, and constant noise, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful reporting and staying grounded in the fundamentals.

Beyond the newsroom, Paul’s passion for preserving Raven history lives on through his “Ravens Fly On High” social media presence, where he uncovers stories that connect generations of Benedictine alumni. From mentoring students to opening his home to an international student pursuing her education, Paul’s story is a testament to what it means to carry the Raven spirit forward—proving that the bonds formed on campus extend far beyond graduation and continue to shape lives in meaningful, lasting ways.

On this week’s episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Jill Simons, Benedictine College Class of 2010, for a conversation rooted in purpose, discernment, and the power of understanding how you’re uniquely wired. As the founder and executive director of Many Parts Ministries, Jill shares how her work centers on helping people uncover their charisms—specific gifts given to build and serve others in meaningful ways.

Jill’s path to Benedictine was anything but conventional. Torn between pursuing musical theater and deepening her faith, she chose a place where she could fully wrestle with life’s biggest questions. That same curiosity carried through her time on campus—studying theology and English, performing in theater, studying abroad, and embracing a wide range of experiences that would later shape her work.

After graduation, Jill’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to build multiple successful businesses before ultimately pivoting toward ministry. What began as a personal interest in charism discernment evolved into a calling—one that now helps individuals and organizations find clarity, purpose, and direction in both their personal and professional lives.

At its core, this episode is about clarity, identity, and living with intention. Jill’s story is a reminder that when you understand the gifts you’ve been given, you can move through life with greater confidence, deeper purpose, and a clearer sense of how you’re meant to serve.