Always A Raven Podcast

In this episode of The Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz welcomes Jake '12 and Emily '13 Schmitz—Benedictine College alumni whose lives took a surprising turn from religious vocations to a shared vocation of marriage.   Once discerning paths as Father Jake and Sister Emily, the couple opens up about how faith, trust, and surrender led them to one another. Their story is both unexpected and...

In this episode of the Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz sits down with Pat Henneberry ’84—author, motivational speaker, and diamond industry executive with a career that’s taken her from Benedictine College to the mines of South Africa. Pat shares insights from her book, “My Soul Showed Up”, her journey through chronic pain and recovery, and how she now inspires others through her speakin...

In this episode of The Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz sits down with Chris Tabor ’93—NFL coach, former Raven player, and a powerful example of quiet leadership shaped by faith, discipline, and character. From his days as a student-athlete at Benedictine College to coaching on the biggest stage in football, Chris has remained grounded in the values he learned in Atchison. In this convers...

In this episode of The Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz sits down with Clare Hansen ’18—head coach of the Benedictine College women’s lacrosse team and one of the most unlikely success stories in Raven athletics. Clare arrived at Benedictine having never played lacrosse. But within just a few seasons, she became a standout player in the fledgling program. By 2021, she had stepped into the...

In this episode of The Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz sits down with Larry Wilcox '72—legendary coach, devoted alumnus, and one of the most accomplished figures in NAIA football history. Coach Wilcox reflects on his remarkable 41-year career leading the Benedictine Ravens, from his humble beginnings in 1979—when he juggled roles as head football and baseball coach, residence hall direct...

In this episode of The Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz welcomes Terry Gainer, Class of 1969—a proud Raven whose career has left a lasting mark on American law enforcement and public service. From his days on campus to his service as the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, Terry shares stories that are as gripping as they are inspiring. He opens up about the defining moments that shaped his pat...

In this episode of the Always A Raven podcast, host Janelle Menz sits down with President Steve and Amy Minnis to talk about their journey—from students at Benedictine College to becoming two of its most recognizable faces. They reflect on how they each ended up at Benedictine, how they met, and what really happened on that now-famous first date. They also share what life looked like in the years...