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.