What does it mean to live with a faith that feels real in the middle of life’s messiness? This week we sit down with pastor, father of five, and director of discipleship at Pillar Media, Chad Mondragon. Chad shares about his family story, his journey through church ministry into media, and the launch of The Jesus Table—a platform designed to meet people where they are with honest discipleship.

Together we talk about:

• Why the bravest thing men can do is take the risk of vulnerability

• How the epidemic of loneliness is shaping faith and masculinity today

• What real connection looks like at home, at church, and with friends

• The role of questions, doubts, and honesty in a faith that feels real

• Why family dinners, small groups, and even workouts can be places of healing
  

Chad reminds us that courage in manhood isn’t just scaling mountains—it’s opening up to safe people, risking vulnerability, and discovering that we’re more deeply loved than we fear.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Chad’s work: thejesustable.com

• Follow The Jesus Table on Instagram

• Fathered by God by John Eldredge
  

Chapters

(00:00) – Introducing Chad Mondragon

(04:00) – Family, youth ministry, and the value of dinner table conversations

(13:00) – From planting churches to discipleship in media

(20:00) – The loneliness epidemic & men’s need for connection

(27:00) – Faith that feels real: questions, doubts, and vulnerability

(39:00) – Risking love through honesty

(54:00) – The Jesus Table project

Keywords:

Chad Mondragon, The Jesus Table, loneliness epidemic, faith that feels real, vulnerability, holistic masculinity, discipleship, family, John Eldredge, Fathered by God, men’s ministry, F3, connection, Pillar Media