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The Show UP Dad

The Show UP Dad

Written by: Pastor David Mendonca
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This podcast is your essential resource for fathers seeking to deepen their connection with their children and embrace their God-given roles in parenting. We explore the blessings of children and provide practical examples on how to minister to your family through discipleship and discipline. Each episode is filled with scripture, thought-provoking questions, and biblical advice designed for parents who may not have had positive role models. Featuring guests from various backgrounds, this show offers hope and guidance for those striving to create a godly home. Join us on the Show up DadPastor David Mendonca Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • What Grief Taught Us About Faith, Family, and Letting Go
    Oct 19 2026

    The hardest grief is the kind that hits without warning - and leaves behind a lifetime of questions. Pastor David Mendoca and his sister Audrey Trujillo share the raw story of losing their brother Rico in the middle of a hunting trip, and the surprising, deeply personal ways God brought them comfort, clarity, and hope afterward.What begins as a heartbreaking account of shock, distance, bad weather, and impossible circumstances turns into something much bigger: a powerful reflection on mourning, faith, family, and what it means to keep living with purpose after loss. If you’ve ever wondered how people survive a sudden death, or how faith holds up when the worst happens, this conversation goes there honestly.You’ll discover:

    • What those first frantic phone calls felt like when no one knew what had happened
    • Why the drive to Reserve, New Mexico became part of the trauma and the memory
    • How COVID-era fear, pressure, and chaos shaped the experience around Rico’s death
    • What the family faced at the funeral and why an open casket was not possible
    • How grief played out differently for a brother and sister, and how support showed up in unexpected ways

    Audrey, a devoted wife, mother, believer, and founder of Sunrise Campaign Strategy, brings her perspective as a grieving sister and a woman who has walked through both personal loss and public life. Together, she and David talk candidly about the weight of unanswered questions, the temptation to replay every detail, and the one thing that makes mourning bearable: trusting God when life makes no sense.Rico’s own words also become a centerpiece of the episode. Before he died, he wrote a message about living fully, chasing Jesus, and remembering what really matters. That message becomes both a farewell and a challenge - to stop postponing the important things, honor the people you love, and live in a way that leaves a legacy.Essential listening if you need encouragement after loss, comfort in grief, or a reminder that even in the darkest season, God is still present, still sovereign, and still able to bring peace.

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    51 mins
  • Why Laughter Opens Hearts When Preaching Alone Cannot with Comedian Virginia Gonzales
    Oct 4 2026

    Laughter can open a heart faster than an argument, and Virginia Gonzalez proves it. In this powerful conversation, comedian and faith-filled storyteller Virginia shares how God used her humor, her pain, and her wildly unexpected life story to shape a ministry that reaches women, children, and families in a deeply memorable way.From a wild youth and a radical Easter Sunday conversion to nearly 19 years in children’s ministry, Virginia reveals how God turned her past into purpose. She and Pastor David Mendonca talk about identity in Christ, the Titus 2 calling, and why comedy can be one of the most effective tools for sharing truth without shutting people down.You'll discover:

    • How Virginia went from prison guard, teacher, and property manager to standup comic and ministry voice
    • Why laughter lowers defenses and creates real connection
    • What it means to live as a Titus woman in a culture obsessed with comparison
    • How she uses testimony, Scripture, and humor to reach people who might never listen to a sermon
    • Why modesty, dignity, and spiritual maturity still matter for women today

    Virginia also opens up about devastating loss, including the death of her son, the pain of abortion, and a long season of trials that tested her faith, marriage, and endurance. Through it all, she keeps coming back to the same truth: God is faithful, even when life is hard, and He is still transforming His people.David and Virginia also dig into marriage, submission, leadership, and what biblical partnership actually looks like when both spouses are committed to Christ. If you’ve ever wondered how joy, holiness, humor, and hard truth can live in the same conversation, this one will stay with you.Essential listening for women wanting to grow in faith, husbands who want to lead well, and anyone who needs a reminder that God can redeem every part of your story.Virginia Gonzalez is a standup comedian, Christian speaker, and ministry leader based in New Mexico, known for blending sharp wit with heartfelt testimony and biblical truth. She serves at Legacy Church in Albuquerque and brings years of experience in children’s ministry, education, and faith-based outreach.

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    57 mins
  • The Body Is a Temple - But Most Men Train It Like an Afterthought with Capt. David Frost
    Sep 21 2026

    What does it mean to honor God by caring for the body He has entrusted to us?

    Pastor David Mendonca sits down with retired Navy Captain, fitness coach, and author Dave Frost for a practical, faith-centered conversation about strength, health, purpose, and leadership. Together, they explore how movement, rest, nutrition, stress management, and self-awareness can help men show up more fully for their families, communities, and calling.From the value of restorative sleep and sustainable exercise to leading with humility at home, this episode is an encouraging reminder that caring for your physical health can be part of faithful stewardship.Whether you’re a husband, father, leader, veteran, or simply looking to build a healthier life with purpose, this conversation will challenge you to slow down, grow stronger, and keep showing up.

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    58 mins
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