Episodes
April 25, 2024
Episode 231: How Entertainment Shapes Our Beliefs, plus Netflix’s Testament: The Story of Moses
We live in a world full of competing ideas, narratives and worldviews, and that’s especially true in the world of entertainment. The Plugged In team explores how media and technology shape what we believe. Adam Holz then spe…
April 18, 2024
Episode 230: Let’s Talk About Technology! plus A Conversation with For King + Country
Technology comes with its ups and downs. The Plugged In team looks at the way technology has shaped our lives and how best to navigate the ever-changing world of tech. Adam Holz then speaks with Joel and Luke Smallbone, lead…
April 11, 2024
Episode 229: Why Popular YouTubers are Retiring, plus Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Once upon a time, kids wanted to be firefighters, astronauts, pro athletes, doctors, or lawyers. But in our connected social media world these days, the allure of becoming an “online content creator” is strong. The Plugged I…
April 4, 2024
Episode 228: How Entertainment Shapes Us. Plus: A Conversation with Rebecca St. James
When it comes to entertainment and its potential influence on our kids, you may think screentime is the issue. But the reality is that different forms of entertainment can affect us in different ways. The Plugged In team exp…
March 28, 2024
Episode 227: A Conversation with Karen Kingsbury, plus Boundary Basics—The When, What and Where of Screens
Story is an important part of our culture and our heritage! Adam Holz speaks with beloved Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury about her Baxter family series and how it has translated into a new Amazon Prime show. Then the Plu…
March 21, 2024
Episode 226: Introducing Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family, plus Navigating Non-Christian Worldviews in Entertainment
Media discernment is one of the main missions of Plugged In...so much so, that the team has written a new book! Adam Holz and Paul Asay share some highlights from Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family. Then Kristin Smith and Jonath…
March 14, 2024
Episode 225: Reflecting on the Oscars, plus Dee & Friends in Oz
The Oscars always create newsworthy buzz. The Plugged In team reflects on the illustrious awards show, from expected winners to upsets and surprises. Adam Holz then talks with Kristin Smith about the new animated kids’ show …
March 7, 2024
Episode 224: The 2024 Plugged In Movie Awards Special
It’s that time of year again—the Plugged In Movie Awards are here! In a spirited conversation, the Plugged In team reveals their votes for Best Movie for Adults, Best Movie for Teens, Best Movie for Kids, and Best Christian …
Feb. 29, 2024
Episode 223: Beyonce, the Grammys, and Dune: Part Two
If you pay attention to the music scene, you may have heard that Beyonce has gone country. The Plugged In team chats about this genre shift as well as the 2024 Grammy awards. Adam Holz then talks with Paul Asay about Frank H…
Feb. 22, 2024
Episode 222: Plugged In Movie Award Noms, The Sound of Barbenheimer, and an Interview with Ordinary Angels Director Jon Gunn
The awards season in the entertainment world is upon us! And that means the Plugged In Movie Awards are on the horizon. The Plugged In team looks at some of their favorite (and not-so-favorite) movies from 2023, including Ba…
Feb. 15, 2024
Episode 221: How Romcoms Influence Teens, Singles and Married Couples, plus Why Is Plugged In Reviewing Old Movies?
Relationship movies often turn up in early February. The Plugged In team and Lisa Anderson from The Boundless Show look at some of their favorite rom-coms and how they impact us by setting up unrealistic expectations. Adam H…
Feb. 8, 2024
Episode 220: Navigating Children’s Television Landmines. Plus: Introducing On the Radar
Children’s programming today is very different than it used to be. The Plugged In team discusses the messages and landmines found in television shows, movies, and other media targeting young children. Adam Holz then chats wi…
Feb. 1, 2024
Episode 219: The Finals & the State of Fortnite-like Shooters, plus Gracie Abrams
When it comes to video games, first-person shooters are quite popular. The Plugged In team looks at the game The Finals and the genre as a whole—what players will encounter, what the draw is, and what issues you might want t…
Jan. 25, 2024
Episode 218: Help! I Hate My Kids’ Music Choices! plus Navigating New Threats in the Multiverse
You’ve probably grown up with music in your life…and maybe even as part of your identity. But when you become a parent, you may find your kids’ musical interests far different from yours. The Plugged In team offers some thou…
Jan. 18, 2024
Episode 217: Mean Girls Yesterday and Today: How Bullying Is Changing for Today's Adolescents, plus
Twenty years ago, the movie Mean Girls opened our eyes to "girl world", and now, a new musical version is hitting the big screen. The Plugged In team examines the original and the new as well as the concept of bullying. Adam…
Jan. 11, 2024
Episode 216: How Movies Challenge Our Indifference, plus Sigmund Freud Meets C.S. Lewis
Here at the beginning of the year, blockbusters ride the final crest of holiday glory and little-known Oscar hopefuls and deep-thinking indie movies take center stage. The Plugged In team examines a couple of these films—The…
Jan. 4, 2024
Episode 215: The Tech and Entertainment Reset
With Christmas and 2023 behind us, it's time to start thinking about new habits to take into 2024. The Plugged In team talks about some concrete ways to embrace a tech and entertainment reset in your family. You’ll pick up s…
Dec. 28, 2023
Episode 214: Our Favorite Reviews of 2023, plus CoComelon Lane
Plugged In chronicles a lot of content in pop culture so that you can know what you’re getting into ahead of time. The team recalls their favorite reviews of 2023. Adam Holz then asks Kristin Smith about the Netflix children…
Dec. 21, 2023
Episode 213: Christmas Classics Revisited, plus The Boys in the Boat
You probably have a classic Christmas movie that you love. And believe it or not, there are some holiday films the Plugged In team haven’t seen…until now. As promised on previous episodes, Adam Holz has watched It’s a Wonder…
Dec. 14, 2023
Episode 212: Wonka & The Worldview of Roald Dahl, plus Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Roald Dahl’s stories have impacted generations of children and families. The Plugged In team talks about the fantasy worlds of Roald Dahl and the new origin story movie Wonka. Adam Holz then speaks with Paul Asay about the s…
Dec. 7, 2023
Episode 211: Why Scrooge Still Haunts Christmases Past, Present and Future, plus Disney's Grasp on Hulu
Since Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol back in 1843, Ebenezer Scrooge has become an indispensable part of the holidays. The Plugged In team explores some of the film adaptations and why the story is still so popular. …
Nov. 30, 2023
Episode 210: Social Media, Addiction, and Self-Esteem, plus a Look at Bentkey
You’ve probably heard social media can negatively impact our mental health. The Plugged In team examines some of the studies that point to the harmful effects on tweens' and teens' self-esteem and mental health. Adam Holz th…
Nov. 23, 2023
Episode 209: The Thanksgiving Movie Episode
Thanksgiving weekend traditionally marks the beginning of Hollywood’s second-most important blockbuster season. The Plugged In team looks at a few of the big movie releases—including Disney’s Wish and The Hunger Games: The B…
Nov. 16, 2023
Episode 208: The Marvels & Female Heroes in Action Movies, plus Trolls Band Together
When it comes to action movies and TV shows these days, you’re just as likely to see a woman in a lead role as a man. The Plugged In team examines the latest MCU movie, The Marvels and how women are empowered to lead the act…