Episodes
Sept. 16, 2021
Episode 95: Anime & Manga 101: Everything You Need to Know
Anime and manga – Japanese animated storytelling genres – are growing in popularity with kids and teens, even though the target audience is adult. The Plugged In team discusses the history of these artforms and the allure be…
Sept. 9, 2021
Episode 94: A Conversation With Alex Kendrick and Unveiling Amazon's "Cinderella"
As the Kendricks' Brothers latest movie "Show Me the Father" hits theaters, the Plugged In team's Adam Holz talks with Alex Kendrick about this new documentary. They discuss the "why" behind the film and the heart that is re…
Sept. 2, 2021
Episode 93: A Look at Shang-Chi and Exploring the Metaverse
Marvel's latest superhero to hit the big screen – "Shang-Chi" – has some unique offerings, and the Plugged In team wants to share those with you. They will also explore a new trend in virtual reality known as the metaverse a…
Aug. 26, 2021
Episode 92: This is Your Brain on Screens
Between cell phones, computer gaming, and television and movie viewing, you may be concerned about too much screen time in your family. The Plugged In team talks with Focus on the Family's Vice President of Parenting Dr. Dan…
Aug. 19, 2021
Episode 91: Ted Lasso and The Kissing Booth
Popular streaming services Apple TV and Netflix are promoting some of their new content, and as a parent, you'll want to know about it. The Plugged In team takes a deep dive into Apple TV's "Ted Lasso" and the charm behind t…
Aug. 12, 2021
Episode 90: Vivo, "Parenting Generation Screen," and a Culture Countdown
To close out the summer, the Plugged In team examines a new Netflix release Vivo and Jonathan McKee's latest book "Parenting Generation Screen." They also run through a quick culture survey, highlighting things you need to k…
Aug. 5, 2021
Episode 89: When Books for Teens Turn Into R-Rated Entertainment
When books written for teens hit streaming services, they seem to 'grow up' quite a bit. The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite books versus the companion movies/television shows, then discuss Netflix's new take on R…
July 29, 2021
Episode 88: Plugged In Goes to the Olympics
The Olympics give us a global opportunity to celebrate excellence and competition every four (or five years), to see the remarkable things that athletes can accomplish in their single-minded devotion to their sport. The Plug…
July 22, 2021
Episode 87: A Look at "Space Jam" and a Conversation With an American Idol
As "Space Jam: A New Legacy" hits movie theaters, the Plugged In team recounts some of their favorite moments from the original and compares it to the reboot. Host Adam Holz then sits down with former American Idol star Phil…
July 15, 2021
Episode 86: Fathers, Orphans and Entertainment
One of the biggest stereotypes in Hollywood is the "doofus dad." But every now and then, a movie or TV show challenges that stereotype. This week, the Plugged In team examines two such movies – "Blue Miracle" and "12 Mighty …
July 8, 2021
Episode 85: Black Widow & The State of the Superhero Union
As the blockbuster movie "Black Widow" hits theaters this week, the Plugged In team reflects on their favorite superheroes and the impact these fictional characters have had on their lives. They’ also dive into the movie, of…
July 1, 2021
Episode 84: Fat Monica and The Rest of Us
The Plugged In team explores how certain actors have been impacted by the roles they’ve played, resulting in some pretty major twists and changes in their lives. You’ll be encouraged to equip your kids to deal with this real…
June 24, 2021
Episode 83: When Antiheroes Become Our Heroes
With the new Marvel series "Loki" hitting Disney+, the Plugged In team unpacks the trend toward embracing anti-heroes onscreen. As these stories seemingly seek to generate sympathy for characters that we used to consider pur…
June 17, 2021
Episode 82: What's the Draw With Dystopian Fantasy?
Jumping from hit novels to hit TV shows and movies, the dystopian genre has taken the entertainment world by storm. The Plugged In team explores some these dark stories, particularly Hulu’s "The Handmaid’s Tale," discussing …
June 10, 2021
Episode 81: Emotional Intelligence Goes to Hollywood
The Plugged In team explores some of the movies and programs that romanticize broken, unhealthy relationships, and why we embrace them without a second thought. You’ll be encouraged to set emotion aside, think critically, an…
June 3, 2021
Episode 80: Our Formative Pop Culture Influences
Whether we like it or not, our culture influences us. And the Plugged In team is no exception. They examine how certain popular culture phenomena have affected them, motivated some of their habits, and informed their emotion…
May 27, 2021
Episode 79: Cruella & Disney’s Darker Turn
Disney’s "Cruella" screeches into theaters this Memorial Day weekend, exploring the origin story of "101 Dalmatians’" Cruella de Vil. The Plugged In team takes a look at Disney villains as a whole and examines how the new mo…
May 20, 2021
Episode 78: Instagram for Kids? Experts Say, 'No Way!'
Plenty of kids under the age of 13 use Instagram, and big tech is trying to make it even easier for young users to get started on social media. The Plugged In team explains why this is a bad idea and equip you with what you …
May 13, 2021
Episode 77: Billie Eilish: The Worldview of Self-Expression
Pop stars come and go. But sometimes their unique stories, behaviors, and cultural influences can leave a lasting impact. The Plugged In team explores the rise of recording artist Billie Eilish and some of her more recent ch…
May 6, 2021
Episode 76: What Hollywood Says About Family and Parenting
Hollywood significantly influences how we see things in our culture, including family and parenting. The Plugged In team explores the way movies and television reflect our daily lives, spinning stories with both drama and co…
April 29, 2021
Episode 75: A Journey into Nomadland
The drama "Nomadland" just took the Oscar for best picture. Adam and Paul of the Plugged In team dig into the film and examine the themes relevant to the family. You’ll see that while some stories like "Nomadland" may challe…
April 22, 2021
Episode 74: Screen Time: A Conversation with Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane
If your child has a screen, you’re likely facing an uphill battle with the amount of time spent with that digital device. Adam Holz, director of the Plugged In team, talks about screen time with Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene P…
April 15, 2021
Episode 73: The Dark Allure of True Crime Stories
Some of the most popular television series and podcasts include dark, gritty, grisly stories of true crime. From serial killers to cold cases, the Plugged In team explores this genre and why we're drawn to it. While these re…
April 8, 2021
Episode 72: Bigfoot vs. Big Oil: A Movie Worldview Case Study
Entertainment can influence your attitudes, outlook and beliefs, and oftentimes, that influence is rather abstract. The Plugged In team examines a real-world case study that will help you see what cultural and worldview infl…