Episodes
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...
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 spea...
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 In...
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 expl...
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 Plug...
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 Jonatha...
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 D...
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 M...
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 He...
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 Bar...
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 Ho...
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 wit...
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 to...
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 thoug...
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 ...