Episodes
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 th...
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 Wi...
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, th...
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 the...
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 tim...
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 what...
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 migh...
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. Ada...
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 talks...
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 tha...
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 Arl...
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 influencers...
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 Hol...
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 Hol...
June 6, 2024
Episode 237: Our Favorite Summer Blockbusters, plus Billie Eilish
Summer is officially here—and when you run out of things to do on those long, hot summer days, you might think, “We should watch a movie.” The Plugged In team reflects on some of their favorite Hollywood summer blockbusters a...
May 30, 2024
Episode 236: A Parents Guide to OnlyFans, plus: IF
OnlyFans might sound like a rather innocuous site, but it’s not. The Plugged In team shares what you need to know about OnlyFans— where creators charge a subscription fee for access to their photos and videos, most of which a...
May 23, 2024
235: Is Swift’s New Album Taylor-made for Trouble? Plus, We Look at Sight
Over the last year, we’ve seen a lot from Taylor Swift—earning more than $1 billion, launching her five-continent concert tour, releasing two “new-ish” albums, and going to the Super Bowl. The Plugged In team examines the new...
May 16, 2024
Don’t Know How to Talk with Your Kids About Entertainment? We Can Help! Plus, Kid-Friendly Games
Here at Plugged In, we encourage you to talk with your kids about entertainment…but do you know where to start? The Plugged In team offers some thoughts on what those conversations might look like. Paul Asay then speaks with ...
May 9, 2024
Episode 233: Summer Movie Preview, plus A Conversation with Great American Family President Bill Abbott
Description: With sunshine and summer coming our way, highly anticipated blockbusters start hitting the movie theaters. The Plugged In team discusses some of the biggest films your family may (or may not) want to see. Adam Ho...
May 2, 2024
Episode 232: The “Reinvention” of JoJo Siwa, plus Fallout
JoJo Siwa, the once spunky, vibrant child star from Dance Moms, recently revealed her “bad girl” side. The Plugged In team looks at JoJo’s transformation and how her influence in the culture might impact your family. Adam Hol...