Meet Janelle Menz: Iowa Catholic Radio's New Director of Mission Growth - 08/27/2026

Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Janelle Menz, Iowa Catholic Radio's new Director of Mission Growth, for her first appearance on the Catholic Morning Show since joining the team a little over a month and a half ago. Janelle grew up in Dubuque in eastern Iowa, graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and moved to central Iowa before a stint back near Benedictine — before most recently returning home to Iowa with her family. Janelle traces her connection to Iowa Catholic Radio back to her years as a listener, when Fr. John Riccardo's homilies helped carry her through difficult seasons, including job changes. She jumped straight into the deep end in her new role, helping lead the "Growing the Faith" tour featuring Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard through Spencer, Creston, and Pella — an experience she says confirmed how much communities outside Des Moines want the station to show up in person, not just over the airwaves. As Director of Mission Growth, Janelle's focus is building relationships with parishes and communities throughout the state — from the Iowa Great Lakes region to Mason City to southern Iowa — bringing speakers, events, and a stronger local presence to places Iowa Catholic Radio hasn't been able to reach as consistently. She closes by reflecting on how becoming a wife and mother has deepened her understanding that a fruitful faith life starts with giving ourselves to God rather than simply asking what we get out of it. Listeners with an event or community interested in connecting with Iowa Catholic Radio can reach Janelle directly at [email protected]. Watch for her at the Christ Our Life Conference this September (ChristOurLifeIowa.com) and at her home parish, St. Pius X, in Des Moines. Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com. #JanelleMenz #IowaCatholicRadio #DirectorOfMissionGrowth #MeetTheTeam #CatholicRadio #CatholicEvangelization #GrowingTheFaith #CatholicPodcast Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.