On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz welcomes DeMaria Walters, a 2018 graduate from Oklahoma City, to share his inspiring journey from student-athlete to nonprofit founder and youth mentor.

DeMaria opens up about his college experience at Benedictine College, transferring sight unseen, navigating football, academics, and building lifelong friendships. He reflects on how mentors like Coach Papa George and Charlie Gardmeyer shaped his values, encouraged personal growth, and inspired him to embrace community leadership.

After graduation, DeMaria’s path took him from professional football in Istanbul, Turkey, to coaching and creating his own nonprofit, the Young Achievers Youth Organization. Over five years, his program has mentored and supported more than 127 students across seven states, helping them access athletic opportunities, scholarships, and life guidance.

In this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Carol Shomin ’71 to reflect on a lifetime of connection, leadership, and service to Benedictine College. Carol shares how the community and hospitality she first encountered as a student became the foundation for a lifelong commitment to the Mount and the mission it represents.

She opens up about the friendships, simplicity, and spirit that defined her student years, from walking everywhere on campus to learning alongside women from all over the country. From studying chemistry to beginning a career in early computer programming at AT&T, Carol’s story offers a thoughtful look at how Benedictine formed both her intellect and her sense of purpose.

As the first female chair of the Board of Directors, Carol reflects with Janelle on stepping into leadership during one of the most challenging seasons in the college’s history, the generosity and courage of those who showed up when it mattered most, and what it meant to help guide Benedictine through a time of uncertainty into renewal.

Carol also shares why giving back has always been central to her story — from honoring the help she received as a student to ensuring that future generations have the same opportunity to discover community, vocation, and belonging at Benedictine.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Durell Anthony, Benedictine College Class of 2008 and acclaimed musician, to explore his inspiring journey from small-town Atchison to the national stage of The Voice.

Durell shares how his time at Benedictine College shaped his confidence, work ethic, and creative spirit that helped him transform physically, personally, and artistically. From late-night jam sessions at The Roost to his first CD and eventual move to California, he reflects on the formative experiences that prepared him for a career in music.

Listeners will hear about Durell’s leap of faith into the music industry, the pivotal role of family and community, and his unforgettable experience competing on The Voice. Beyond the spotlight, Durell discusses the importance of staying grounded, serving others through his music, and pursuing passion with purpose.

Learn More About Durell’s Music: Durell Anthony | Official Website

In this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Eduardo Godinez ’12 to explore the winding, cross-cultural path that shaped his faith, identity, and vocation. Eduardo shares how moving from Mexico to the U.S. as a teenager launched a search for belonging that carried him through loneliness, culture shock, and a deep hunger for meaning.

He opens up about drifting from the Church, chasing a version of life that left him empty, and the joyful witness of his fellow Ravens that slowly drew him back. From heartbreak and broken friendships to a last-minute admission to Benedictine that changed everything, Eduardo’s story offers an honest, moving look at how God patiently reshapes a life from within.

Now a husband, father, and founder of Emmaus Pilgrimages, Eduardo reflects with Janelle on rediscovering his faith after college, the healing power of community and mentorship, and how pilgrimages became a way of helping others encounter Christ along the way.

Eduardo also shares how honoring his family, especially through journeys to Our Lady of Guadalupe, has become a central part of his mission — and how being a Raven continues to shape the way he lives, leads, and serves.

In this episode of the Always a Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz welcomes Shelly Buhler ’87, the first female president of Hayden High School in Topeka, Kansas, and a lifelong Raven whose journey exemplifies service, leadership, and perseverance.

Shelly’s path to education leadership was anything but direct. From serving two terms as mayor of her small town to three terms as Shawnee County Commissioner, she has dedicated her career to giving back to her community in meaningful ways. Along the way, Shelly’s experiences—shaped by her Benedictine education, family legacy, and deep sense of service—prepared her to lead with empathy, purpose, and impact.

Throughout the conversation, Shelly shares stories of her time at Benedictine College, the mentors and experiences that shaped her worldview, and her passion for empowering young women at Hayden High School to realize their potential. Her philosophy, “Don’t be intimidated. Be motivated,” guides her leadership and inspires students, colleagues, and fellow Ravens alike.

Shelly’s story is a testament to the power of faith, community, and service, and a vivid reminder of how the Benedictine experience continues to shape lives for generations.

On this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Mark Brandenburg, Benedictine College Class of 1996, to explore an extraordinary career built on faith, grit, and public service. From his days protecting the football field at Benedictine to protecting presidents on Air Force One, Mark shares how the lessons of teamwork, perseverance, and humility from football shaped his path as a police officer and ultimately as a U.S. Secret Service agent.

Mark opens up about his journey from growing up in Texas, adjusting to college life at Benedictine, and finding his calling in law enforcement. Listeners will hear firsthand stories of high-stakes pursuits, presidential security details under Obama and Pence, and the intense preparation and teamwork that go into protecting the highest office in the nation.

Through it all, Mark emphasizes the role of faith, character, and community in staying grounded and effective in his work. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into a life of service, the parallels between sports and public protection, and the enduring impact of Benedictine College on its alumni.

In this episode of Always a Raven, host Janelle Menz sits down with Deacon Dave DiNuzzo ’04 to explore the remarkable, full-circle path that shaped his faith and vocation. Dave shares how a deep but often misdirected desire for God carried him from youthful pride and spiritual self-reliance into a hard-won humility formed through grace.

He opens up about the years he stepped away from the Church, the intellectual and spiritual wrestling that challenged his assumptions, and the joyful witness of his fellow Ravens that ultimately drew him back. From a career-ending injury to profound questions of identity and purpose, Dave’s story offers an honest, moving look at how God patiently reshapes a life from within.

Now a newly ordained deacon, Dave reflects with Janelle on the surprising joys of ministry, the beauty of offering blessings, and the long discernment that prepared him for both marriage and Holy Orders.

Dave also shares insights from his new book, The Steep Upward Climb: Practical Knowledge about Virtue and Becoming a Saint, giving listeners a deeper look at the path of holiness and the virtues that shaped his journey.

In this episode of the Always a Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz welcomes Denise Pratt ’94, a devoted alumna whose journey from Benedictine College to a 25-year career at Boys Town demonstrates the power of faith, community, and purpose.

Denise shares how her path—from discovering Benedictine through a Presidential Scholarship to embracing the lessons of her small, tight-knit college community—prepared her for a life dedicated to service. At Boys Town, she has helped transform the lives of countless children, carrying forward the legacy of Father Flanagan and the mission to “Teach Love” through evidence-based care, mentorship, and unwavering compassion.

Through reflections on the parallels between Benedictine and Boys Town, the importance of intentional community, and the power of nurturing hearts and minds, Denise’s story offers a moving testament to resilience, mentorship, and the enduring impact of faith-driven institutions.

This conversation is a reminder of how places rooted in purpose and values can shape not only careers but lives, leaving a generational legacy of hope and service.