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Episodes

April 27, 2023

Episode 179: When Yesteryear Offends, plus Are You There God?, It's Me, Margaret

As our culture becomes more progressive, certain entertainment classics no longer "fit" the current narrative. The Plugged In team looks back at a few movies and television shows--like Gone with the Wind, Friends, and Seinfe…
April 20, 2023

Episode 178: Learning to Love Reading in a Screen-Based World, plus The Flames of Hope

Screens are everywhere today. So how do we encourage our kids to turn away from those attention-grabbers and crack open a good book? The Plugged In team explores ways you can cultivate a love of reading with your child. Paul…
April 13, 2023

Episode 177: Thinking Through LGBT Issues in Entertainment, plus The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Over the years, you may have noticed an increase in LGBT messaging and representation in entertainment. Adam Holz of the Plugged In team talks with Jeff Johnston, an Issues Analyst for Focus on the Family, about how to navig…
April 6, 2023

Episode 176: If I Could Do It All Over Again, Plus On a Wing and a Prayer

Navigating entertainment and screen choices can be challenging! The Plugged In team looks at parenting choices they made and what they wish they could "do over". Adam Holz then talks with Paul Asay about the new Dennis Quaid…
March 30, 2023

Episode 175: Dungeons & Dragons Is Still a Thing!?

Dungeons and Dragons has been around for quite some time—the role-playing game, books, mentions in popular television shows, and a couple different movies. The latest film is about to hit theaters, so the Plugged In team tak…
March 23, 2023

Episode 174: ChatGTP and Deepfake—Tech and Trust, plus Got Questions? YouTube Channel

The new AI-driven search and content program ChatGPT can do things that were literally only science fiction a few years ago. It can do amazing things—from answering questions to writing podcast introductions! The Plugged In …
March 16, 2023

Episode 173: And the Oscar Goes To ... plus Southern Gospel

The 95th Academy Awards is in the books. The Plugged In team reflects on the winners, the losers, and the broadcast in general. Adam Holz then speaks with Emily Tsaio and the team about the new Christian movie Southern Gospe…
March 9, 2023

Episode 172: The 2023 Plugged In Movie Awards

The Golden Globes and Grammys are behind us, and the Oscars are just around the corner. But award season wouldn't be complete without the 2023 Plugged In Movie Awards! The Plugged In Team invites you to sit in on their delib…
March 2, 2023

Episode 171: The Thorn plus Creed III

Springtime brings us a selection of movies you may want to enjoy with your family, including a Fathom event that tells the Easter story in a powerful way. Paul Asay talks with John Bolin, creator of The Thorn, a new film abo…
Feb. 23, 2023

Episode 170: A Look at Jesus Revolution

The new Christian movie Jesus Revolution lands in theaters on Friday. The Plugged In team takes a look at this film and explains why it may be worth your time and money. Adam Holz then shares his Hollywood interviews with ac…
Feb. 23, 2023

Episode 170: A Look at Jesus Revolution

The new Christian movie Jesus Revolution lands in theaters on Friday. The Plugged In team takes a look at this film and explains why it may be worth your time and money. Adam Holz then shares his Hollywood interviews with ac…
Feb. 16, 2023

Episode 169: The Music Episode & Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Music remains a potent force when it comes to shaping kids’ worldview. The Plugged In team reflects on the 2023 Grammy Awards show and the impact music has on our lives. Adam Holz then talks with Emily Tsaio about the latest…
Feb. 9, 2023

Episode 168: Screens, Teens & Consumerism plus Miley Cyrus’s Flowers

We often discuss the various content dangers of screen use, but much of our interaction with screens is interwoven with links to buy something. The Plugged In team examines how consumerism can easily become a worldview and a…
Feb. 2, 2023

Episode 167: Plugged In Movie Award Misses & Granger Smith

With the release of the 2023 Plugged In Movie Award nominations, several movies came close, but didn't make the list. The Plugged In team has a spirited conversation about those films. Adam Holz then speaks with recording ar…
Jan. 26, 2023

Episode 166: Plugged In Movie Award Nominations & Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist

Award season is upon us…and that means it’s time for the Plugged In Movie Award nominations! The Plugged In team identifies five movies in four categories that might be worth considering for your family. Adam Holz then speak…
Jan. 19, 2023

Episode 165: What James Cameron Knows About the Human Heart & What’s Coming in 2023

With Avatar: The Way of Water making a big splash in the box office, director James Cameron has another hit on his hands. The Plugged In team explores Cameron’s success and why he continues to make films that touch the human…
Jan. 12, 2023

Episode 164: What Is Kidulting? Good or Bad? Plus, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Season 2

Twenty-five percent of toys these days are purchased by adults. Are you one of them? The Plugged In team looks at the concept of “kidulting”—enjoying kids’ toys and collectables as an adult and the good and bad involved. Ada…
Jan. 5, 2023

Episode 163: The State of Social Media 2023 Plus Women Talking

As the new year begins, what's happening with social media? The Plugged In team talks about TikTok's growth, what we know about social media's influence on young minds and hearts, and an overview of the new social media netw…
Dec. 29, 2022

Episode 162: Holiday Fun Roundup & Netflix’s Wednesday

The presents have been opened, the stockings emptied. But we still have quite a few days of Christmas break left…so what can we do with our kids when they are bored? The Plugged In Team has explores some games, activities an…
Dec. 22, 2022

Episode 161: What Makes a Christmas Movie ‘Classic’?

Some Christmas films stand out more than others. The Plugged In team examines the new Apple TV musical movie Spirited starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, as well as a few other Christmas classics. Merry Christmas from P…
Dec. 15, 2022

Episode 160: Lurching Toward Transcendence & Avatar: The Way Water

Marvel has gradually shifted from Earthling-sized stories to cosmic ones with gods and goddesses battling to shape all of reality. The Plugged In team examines the concept of power creep in the vast mulitverses of Marvel. Ad…
Dec. 8, 2022

Episode 159: Tech and Teen Motivation & Enola Holmes 2

Technology can be an incredible gift, but too much can affect a teen's motivation. The Plugged In team reflects on why tech can sometimes be a problem when it comes to motivation and how we might respond to that problem as p…
Dec. 1, 2022

Episode 158: The Wingfeather Saga and Disney+'s Willow

Fantasy stories allow us to explore spirituality in new and interesting ways. Paul Asay from the Plugged In team talks with the creator and producer of the Wingfeather Saga, a new crowd-funded animated show based on a novel …
Nov. 24, 2022

Episode 157: Plugged In Thanksgiving Special and A Look at Minno

You want to foster conversations that help your kids grow in their ability to think critically and biblically about the vast array of entertainment and technology. The Plugged In team offers a few conversation starters for y…