Episodes
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…
Nov. 17, 2022
Episode 156: Entertainment Conversation Starters and A Chat with Gloria Gaynor
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…
Nov. 10, 2022
Episode 155: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever & Taylor Swift
With the wildly anticipated release of Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, you may wonder if that's a good movie for your family's superhero fans. The Plugged In team discusses the film and what you need to know. Adam Holz the…
Nov. 3, 2022
Episode 154: Adventures in Odyssey and Family-Friendly Video Games
Focus on the Family's audio drama Adventures in Odyssey has been a place of wonder and imagination for many families over the years. The Plugged In team chats with the Adventures in Odyssey team to share what it's all about,…
Oct. 27, 2022
Episode 153: Should We Just Forget About Screen Time Limits? plus Black Adam
Some people suggest that we should be less concerned with how much screen time kids are getting and more concerned with the content that fills those screens. The Plugged In team discuss the merits and the consequences of suc…
Oct. 20, 2022
Episode 152: Monster Movies for Kids? and A Conversation with David A.R. White
This time of year brings spooky movies to streaming services, and this year, we're seeing many more targeting kids. The Plugged In team takes a look at a few of these movies and what you need to know for your family. Adam Ho…
Oct. 13, 2022
Episode 151: What Is a Worldview & Sam Smith’s “Unholy”
Various influences shape our perspective on the world and how we exist in it. The Plugged In team explores the impact entertainment and media have on your worldview. They then discuss recording artist Sam Smith's latest trac…
Oct. 6, 2022
Episode 150: The Skit Guys and Marcus Mumford
Laughter is good for us! Paul Asay speaks with the Christian comedy duo, The Skit Guys, about their friendship and their movie Family Camp. The Plugged In team then talks about Marcus Mumford's solo album. Get the book "Smel…
Sept. 29, 2022
Episode 149: Blonde, Heartbreak High and Andor
Every now and then, a controversial, edgy and explicit TV show or movie becomes the thing everyone is talking about. The Plugged In team takes a look at the new Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde on Netflix and explains why they w…
Sept. 22, 2022
Episode 148: Pinocchio Reloaded & Sandman
When a wooden puppet wants to become a real boy, you get a classic tale of trial and redemption. The Plugged In team looks at the new live-action version of Pinocchio on Disney+. They compare it to previous versions and disc…
Sept. 15, 2022
Episode 147: Scripture & Entertainment, Plus: Eminem’s Conversion?
This may surprise you, but the Bible actually has a lot to say about our entertainment choices. The Plugged In team explores some passages that guide the way they review movies, television, music, video games, and more. They…
Sept. 8, 2022
Episode 146: Amazon's Lord of the Rings and HBO's House of Dragon, plus Disney+'s Hamster & Gretel
Two new fantasy shows are now streaming—Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power and HBOMax’s Game of Thrones: House of Dragons. The Plugged In team examines these new shows and reveals the content concerns for families. T…
Sept. 1, 2022
Episode 145: The Kendrick Brothers, Kirk Cameron and Lifemark, plus She-Hulk
As the new Kendrick Brothers movie, Lifemark, hits theaters, you may be wondering what it's all about. Adam Holz talks to Alex and Stephen Kendrick and Kirk Cameron about the new film. The Plugged In team then discusses the …
Aug. 25, 2022
Episode 144: When Super Heroes Take a Break From Social Media & Secret Headquarters
Spider-Man star Tom Holland has decided to take a break from social media, and the Plugged In team will tell you why! They explore the pros and cons of social media and its effects on mental health. Adam Holz then talks with…
Aug. 18, 2022
Episode 143: Your Kid & YouTube Plus Out of My Heart
With over 800 million videos, YouTube is an entertainment monster. The Plugged In team discuss the way families and children are using YouTube and why it’s so popular. You’ll learn how to help your kids navigate their use an…
Aug. 11, 2022
Episode 142: A Conversation With Parents Television and Media Council’s Melissa Henson, and Strong F
With Disney+ now streaming R-rated content, you may be wondering if it's a good option for your family. Adam Holz speaks with Parents Television and Media Council Program Director, Melissa Henson, about this disturbing trend…
Aug. 4, 2022
Episode 141: Our Complicated Relationship With Christian Celebrities, and Fanfiction
Our culture loves celebrities, but when it comes to Christian celebrities, that love can a bit more complicated. The Plugged In team reflects on various well-known Christians in Hollywood and the role they play in our lives.…
July 28, 2022
Episode 140: I Kissed Instagram Goodbye & Top Pro-Life Movies
Have you ever caught yourself scrolling on social media and thought about deleting your account? Emily Clark with the Plugged In team did just that, and she shares with the team what that experience was like. They then discu…
July 21, 2022
Episode 139: Christian Values in Secular Movies and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Believe it or not, certain movies made outside the Christian moviemaking realm can be spiritually engaging! The Plugged In team examines several films that deliver a powerful message beyond their secular intent. Kristin Smit…
July 14, 2022
Episode 138: The Summer I Turned Pretty: Jenny Han’s YA Empire, Plus Where the Crawdads Sing
Jenny Han is cranking out young adult romance that instantly becomes streaming TV hits. The Plugged In team examines Han’s YA empire and the values she’s putting out there. Adam Holz then speaks with Marsella Evans about the…
July 13, 2022
Episode 137.5: The GentleMinion Phenomenon
A new TikTok challenge is erupting--and interrupting--in theaters across the country. On this bonus episode, Adam Holz and Paul Asay discuss the "GentleMinion" phenomenon surrounding the new Minions movie The Rise of Gru, wh…