Episodes
Nov. 11, 2021
Episode 103: Paranormal TV & Clifford the Big Red Dog
Shows dealing with the paranormal themes have been around forever. But these days, you have entire networks devoted to ghost-hunting, Bigfoot stalking and UFO chasing. The Plugged In team discuss the allure of these programs ...
Nov. 4, 2021
Episode 102: Dune, The Eternals & Sci-Fi Spirituality
As we inch closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hollywood is loading up some of its big guns for our holiday enjoyment. Two of the biggest, "Dune" and "The Eternals" have recently landed in theaters to prime the pump. The Pl...
Oct. 28, 2021
Episode 101: Why We Review the Way We Do & Christmas Tech Trends
Ever wonder why Plugged In reviews cover so much ground? The Plugged In team opens up about their review process and how they help you and your family make wise entertainment choices. Adam and Jonathan then examine upcoming t...
Oct. 21, 2021
Episode 100: The Addams Family, Monster Movies & Superman's Coming Out
As the calendar drifts toward late October, Hollywood has one thing on its mind – monsters. And monster movies for kids are hitting theaters and streaming services everywhere. The Plugged In team talks about "The Addams Famil...
Oct. 14, 2021
Episode 99: Fall TV & What Instagram Knows About Its Influence
The arrival of Fall ushers in a new television season with lots of new shows on both network and streaming services. The Plugged In team examines these new offerings with recommendations for programs to enjoy and to avoid. Ad...
Oct. 7, 2021
Episode 98: "Dear Evan Hansen" and the Reprise of the Movie Musical
We've seen a resurgence of musical movies hit streaming networks and the big screen. The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite musicals, what you need to know about the new movie "Dear Evan Hansen," and why this style of...
Sept. 30, 2021
Episode 97: A Look at the "God's Not Dead" Franchise and a Conversation With Francesca Battistelli
The fourth installment of the "God's Not Dead" film franchise is about to hit theaters. The Plugged In team examines these movies and unpacks what you need to know about "God's Not Dead: We the People." Adam Holz then speaks ...
Sept. 23, 2021
Episode 96: Is Rock Dead? No One Told Skillet ... or Switchfoot ... or Imagine Dragons
With little rock music on the charts, you might think rock is dead ... but it's not! The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite rock song and examines the work of bands like Skillet, Switchfoot, and Imagine Dragons. Adam ...
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 beh...
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 rev...
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 an...
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. Dani...
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 th...
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 kn...
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 Plugg...
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 O...
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, off...
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 reali...
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 pure...
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 t...
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, and...
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 emotions...