Episodes
March 11, 2021
Episode 68: Are You Using Tech's Parental Controls?
Streaming apps, video game consoles, YouTube, and even your child's smart phone have ways to restrict harmful images and ideas. Are you taking advantage of parental controls? The Plugged In team examines why these barriers o…
March 4, 2021
Episode 67: What You Need to Know About Roblox
Kids love video games, and Roblox has many of them hooked! But it's a more than just a fun game; it's a whole series of games and a creation platform under the Roblox banner. The Plugged In team recalls the video games they …
Feb. 25, 2021
Episode 66: How Can Something That Feels So Right Be So Wrong?
Entertainment compels us to think deeply about the issues of our day and often drives us to make decisions based on feelings over more objective information or truth. The Plugged In team looks at the way our worldview can be…
Feb. 18, 2021
Episode 65: When Popular Entertainment Becomes Popular Psychology: How Does Hollywood Handle It?
While theaters and streaming services often promote the big Hollywood blockbusters, many other movies fly under the radar that touch on heart-wrenching topics like dementia, depression, and anxiety. The Plugged In team explo…
Feb. 11, 2021
Episode 64: What's the Deal With WandaVision, Anyway?
With blockbuster movies on COVID hiatus, we're engaging more with streaming services at home. Disney Plus' WandaVision is a breakout show that has drawn a lot of attention, delivering a unique mix of sitcoms and superheroes.…
Feb. 4, 2021
Episode 63: Brady. Mahomes. And ... Plugged In?
The biggest football game of the year is here! With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, the Plugged In team examines our culture's devotion to sports – an entertainment pursuit that we might not normally think in the same…
Jan. 28, 2021
Episode 62: The Book Was Way Better Than the Movie!
Stories – whether they're in print or on film – or both – can powerfully shape our imagination as well as the way that we see the world. The Plugged In team reflects on the stories that had an impact on them and explores the…
Jan. 21, 2021
Episode 61: Tech to Get You and Your Family Moving
With the new year, you may have made a resolution or goal to help your family get healthy. The Plugged In team explores a few of the tech options available to reach that goal. You'll learn about some fun apps and video games…
Jan. 14, 2021
Episode 60: What Are the Kids Listening To?
Thinking back to your teen years, you'll likely be able to construct the soundtrack of your favorite songs. The Plugged In team shares some of their teenage listening experiences and explores the current music landscape. As …
Jan. 7, 2021
Episode 59: My Kid Asked for a Facebook Account and You Won't BELIEVE What Happened Next!
You may see the new year as a chance to reset and have a fresh start, maybe including some of the habits you may have set in during the COVID lockdown. The Plugged In team recalls some of the tech boundaries they grew up wit…
Dec. 31, 2020
Episode 58: Soul and Onscreen Spirituality
With a year like 2020 behind us and a new year ahead, you may be pondering life's meaning and significance. And Disney/Pixar's newest release "Soul" is raising similar questions. The Plugged In team reflects on the movies th…
Dec. 24, 2020
Episode 57: Plugged In's Christmas Movies Extravaganza!
Christmas is full of memories, family ... and movies! The Plugged In team shares some of their favorite family traditions and movies they enjoy during the holiday season. You'll hear about some perennial favorites as well as…
Dec. 17, 2020
Episode 56: Franchises, Fans and Families
The world of entertainment is packed full of fan franchises. The Plugged In team shares their favorite franchises and explore the draw of these different universes. You'll get a glimpse into some of the most popular franchis…
Dec. 10, 2020
Episode 55: I'm (Not) Dreaming of a COVID Christmas
With Christmas on the horizon, family, traditions – and gift-giving – are likely on your mind. The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite holiday traditions and offers their Gift Giving – or Playing, or Streaming, or Lis…
Dec. 3, 2020
Episode 54: The Chosen and the State of Streaming Christian Content
The Chosen has been a huge streaming success. But there’s a lot more Christian content out there you might consider streaming. The Plugged In team explores other selections for redemptive streaming content. You’ll discover s…
Nov. 26, 2020
Episode 53: A New Video Game Lands … Among Us
The new video game Among Us is all the rage with tweens and teens. The Plugged In team unpacks this phenomenon and tells you everything you need to know about it. Because video games will continue to be a part of our familie…
Nov. 19, 2020
Episode 52: TV State of the Union
With all the television options available to us today, trying to figure out what’s worth watching is not for the feint-hearted. The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite television programming and discusses several popu…
Nov. 12, 2020
Episode 51: YouTube: Where the Kids Are
With handy tutorials, funny videos, and informative presentations, YouTube has grown increasingly popular with kids and adults alike. The Plugged In team explores the draw, the upside and the downside of this user-generated …
Nov. 5, 2020
Episode 50: When Good Content Goes Bad: Does Anyone Really Want to See Hobbits Without Clothes?
With Amazon’s scheduled 2021 release of its adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, controversy is already brewing. The Plugged In team explores why explicit content has found its way into mainstream entertainment.…
Oct. 29, 2020
Episode 49: Ask Plugged In!
Entertainment and media discernment is a top concern for Christian families, which is why Plugged In exists! On this episode, the Plugged In team discusses some of the questions they get most frequently from people who are c…
Oct. 22, 2020
Episode 48: Horror Movies: The Genre That Just Won’t Die
The month of October usually means an onslaught of horror movies. Even though movie theaters are just opening back up, streaming entertainment is full of the genre. Year after year, these movies remain one of Hollywood’s pre…
Oct. 15, 2020
Episode 47: The Fascinating Influence of Christian Rap
Over the last 20 years, rock’s cultural influence has given way to rap and hip-hop, giving us many of the biggest stars in the music world today. The Plugged In team explores the history of rap and how it influenced their pe…
Oct. 8, 2020
Episode 46: Examining The Social Dilemma and Our Interaction with Social Media
The new Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, has brought some interesting—and concerning—insights to our interaction with social media. The Plugged In team dives into the documentary and examines the repercussions we may…
Oct. 1, 2020
Our Favorite Movies of the COVID-19 Season
The last seven months have been unlike any we’ve ever known. The coronavirus has changed everything, including movie-watching! The Plugged In team explores some of their favorite “hidden gems” movies (and TV shows!) that you…