Episodes
Nov. 21, 2024
Episode 261: Wicked and the World of Musicals. Plus, Plugged In’s New Tech Guide!
This week, the Broadway musical Wicked flies from the stage to the screen. The Plugged In team talks about the Wicked phenomenon as well as other movie musicals and the power of music woven into a story. Paul Asay then talks…
Nov. 14, 2024
Episode 260: When Should I Give My Kid a Cell Phone? Plus, Bonhoeffer
With Christmas coming, you may be considering a tech gift for your child…maybe even a cell phone. The Plugged In team shares insights and thoughts on the impact phones have had on younger generations and the best age to put …
Nov. 7, 2024
Episode 259: The Power and Peril of In-Game Sales, plus, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
You’re enjoying a fun online game, but then you’re hit with having to make a purchase to go any further. The Plugged In team looks at a variety of video games that employ in-game sales. Paul Asay then talks with producer Kev…
Oct. 31, 2024
Episode 258: Entertainment Decisions and Kids’ Maturity, plus Chappell Roan
As your kids move into adolescence, you need to decide how much freedom you give them when it comes to entertainment and media. The Plugged In team offers some thoughts, sharing ways they succeeded and things they wish they …
Oct. 24, 2024
Episode 257: Unexpected Scares in Family Movies, plus Exhibiting Forgiveness
We may be in the midst of “scary season”, but sometimes scares creep up on us from nowhere. The Plugged In team shares movies and television shows that once freaked them out and offers a few tips on how to navigate those une…
Oct. 17, 2024
Episode 256: How AI is Changing Adolescence, plus Agatha All Along
Kids have been finding ways to cheat since schools themselves have been a thing. But the rise of artificial intelligence is a game-changer in the classroom. The Plugged In team looks at the rise of artificial intelligence, h…
Oct. 10, 2024
Episode 255: The Legend of Lara Croft and the Growing Influence of Gaming in Entertainment
Some video game characters have a special place in our hearts…and on the big screen. The Plugged In team reveals their favorite digital personalities, then explores the new animated show on Netflix Tomb Raider: The Legend of…
Oct. 3, 2024
Episode 254: Beauty and the Bird
Hollywood often reinforces unhealthy beauty ideals and can undermine self-esteem in the process. But a couple recent movies—Uglies and A Different Man—are taking a different twist on the topic. The Plugged In team explores t…
Sept. 26, 2024
Episode 253: An Interview With Wild Robot Director Chris Sanders, Plus Navigating Sad (But Good) Mov
The best kids’ movies usually prompt a lot of emotion. And many adults are often just as taken with these stories as their children. Paul Asay talks with Chris Sanders, the director of the new Dreamworks animated movie The W…
Sept. 19, 2024
Episode 252: Is It Harder to Be a Teen Today? Plus: Transformers One
With cultural influences, technology, and social media, being a teen can be a challenge. The Plugged In team reflects on their own teen years and how things have changed. In looking at recent research and personal stories, t…
Sept. 12, 2024
Episode 251: God on the Gridiron, plus, A Look at God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust
Football season is getting into swing! The Plugged In team tackles some thoughts on the beloved sport—looking at the game itself and players who profess a strong faith in Christ. Paul Asay then speaks with Adam Holz about th…
Sept. 5, 2024
Episode 250: Resetting Screentime for School, plus Are Movies Like Beetlejuice Bad?
Your kids are heading back to school, and after a summer filled with screens, you may struggle to get back to normal. The Plugged In team offers some thoughts on how to reset your family’s tech use and balance home screen ti…
Aug. 29, 2024
Episode 249: Looking at The Rings of Power and Reagan
With Amazon Prime taking on Tolkien's beloved The Lord of the Rings stories, you may want to know if it's family-friendly. The Plugged In team discusses The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and what you need to know for…
Aug. 22, 2024
Episode 248: A Conversation with the Kendrick Brothers
As Christians, God sometimes calls us to tell stories in a unique way. Paul Asay of the Plugged In team talks with Christian filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick about their movies, zeroing in on their latest movie The Forge…
Aug. 15, 2024
Episode 247: Understanding the Allure of Bad Content, plus My Penguin Friend
Sometimes, racy and non-family-friendly content lurks in entertainment that might look like kids’ programming. The Plugged In team discusses two streaming animated shows—Exploding Kittens and Sausage Party: Foodtopia and wha…
Aug. 8, 2024
Episode 246: Do Old Movies Still Matter? Plus: Spotify Goes Social
Do old movies hold up in our fast-paced culture? The Plugged In team looks back at three black-and-white movies they've recently reviewed - To Kill a Mockingbird, The Many who Shot Liberty Valance, and Seven Samurai. You mig…
Aug. 1, 2024
Episode 245: Screens and Anxiety, plus: Adventures in Odyssey Celebrates 1000 Episodes
Research shows screens contribute powerfully to the anxiety kids experience. The Plugged In team looks at the book, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and the impact of screens on the mental health of our children. Ad…
July 25, 2024
Episode 244: Plugged In Dives into the Summer Olympics, plus “Deadpool & Wolverine”
The Summer Olympics are about to start! The Plugged In team reflects on the draw of these games, highlights a few content concerns, and encourages you to look at the Olympics with a different perspective. Adam Holz then talk…
July 18, 2024
Episode 243: What Are Dark Patterns? plus: A Conversation with Sing Sing Director Greg Kwedar
Our world is full of things we should know about, but maybe we don’t. The Plugged In team examines dark patterns online—deceptive practices and tactics that get you to sign up for things you don’t want or spend more money th…
July 11, 2024
Episode 242: A Conversation With Arlene Pellicane, plus Luke Combs ‘Fathers and Sons’
Raising kids in our world today can feel pretty challenging, especially when it comes to how we navigate the minefields of screens and entertainment. Adam Holz, director for the Plugged In team, speaks with mom and author Ar…
July 4, 2024
Episode 241: Despicable Me 4 and Illumination, plus Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
The long-awaited follow-up to the Despicable Me films has finally arrived! The Plugged In team reveals all you need to know about Gru and his antics before your family heads to the theater. They also look at the Illumination…
June 27, 2024
Episode 240: The Dark Side of the Influencer World, Plus a Conversation with Andrew Erwin
Social media and other online platforms seem harmless, but there are some real dangers out there. The Plugged In team reflects on a new Wall Street Journal article that reveals the unsettling fact that most online influencer…
June 20, 2024
Episode 239: A Look at Inside Out 2, plus Screens and Our Brains
Pixar’s beloved Inside Out characters have returned to theaters, bringing along some new ones. The Plugged In team examines the new sequel and shares everything you need to know before you take your family to see it. Adam Ho…
June 13, 2024
Episode 238: Star Wars: The Acolyte and the Theology of Star Wars, plus An Interview with Judas and John from The Chosen
With the release of Disney+’s new Star Wars series, The Acolyte , the beloved saga is once more in the news. The Plugged In team examines the show and the franchise, including the more spiritual aspects of the Force. Adam Ho…