

The Plugged In Show
Focus on the Family
Join Focus on the Family's media and culture analysts for lighthearted reviews for parents and conversation about entertainment, pop culture and technology. Through this 30-minute podcast from Focus on the Family, you'll hear practical information from a Biblical worldview to help guide decisions about what to watch, listen and visit. And connect to a ton of related Christian resources and articles.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 12, 2025 • 43min
Episode 290: How to Train Your Dragon. Plus, Bad Influencers
The Dreamworks’ classic How to Train Your Dragon returns to the big screen in a new live-action version. Kennedy Unthank of the Plugged In team talks with the movie’s director, Dean DeBlois to get some insider secrets on Toothless and Hiccup. The team then discusses the Netflix docu-series Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, giving insight on the content as well as what it reveals about young influencers. Click here to get your copy of Jonathan McKee’s great book The Teen's Guide to Face-To-Face Connections in a Screen-To-Screen World: 40 Tips to Meaningful Communication! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: Up Bolt Avatar How to Train Your Dragon How to Train Your Dragon (2025) Youtube Reviews Outdoor Boys Check out the Plugged In Blog: Bad Influence and Devil in the Family: The Truth about Influencing The Plugged In Show: Episode 240 - The Dark Side of the Influencer World. Plus, a Conversation with Director Andrew Erwin The Plugged In Show: Episode 134 - Of Influencers and Dinosaurs Netflix’s The Social Dilemma Paints a Sober Portrait of Tech’s Influence The Plugged In Show: Episode 46 – Examining the Social Dilemma and Our Interaction with Social Media The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Jun 5, 2025 • 42min
Episode 289: The Power of Music in Movies, plus, the Switch 2
Music can be powerful. It can shape us, inspire us, terrify us. And when it’s paired with a movie, we might not even notice how manipulative it can be. The Plugged In team reflects on cinematic songs and soundtracks and the impact they can have. Paul Asay speaks with Bob Hoose about the Nintendo Switch 2 and its new features. Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Sinners · Star Wars: The Force Awakens · Star Wars: The Last Jedi · Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker · Dunkirk · Dark Knight · Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring · Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers · Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King · Lost The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

May 29, 2025 • 50min
Episode 288: The Scary Science of Screen Time. Plus, Bono’s Stories of Surrender
As parents, we want to help our kids develop healthy tech habits. But where do we start? Paul Asay of the Plugged In team speaks with Melanie Hempe, founder of ScreenStrong, and Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President of Focus on the Family’s Parenting department, about the dangers of too much screen time and ways you can help your family step back and reconnect. Paul then speaks with Adam Holz about recording artist Bono’s new documentary Stories of Surrender. Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Stories of Surrender Check out the Plugged In Blog: · ScreenStrong.org · Practice Makes Parent podcast · Seven Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

May 22, 2025 • 43min
Episode 287: AI in Entertainment & Technology, plus Lilo & Stitch
AI is infiltrating entertainment and technology. The Plugged In team examines the potential impacts and what they could mean for your family. Bret Eckelberry then talks with Emily Tsiao about the new live action Disney movie Lilo & Stitch. Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Lilo and Stitch · Lilo and Stitch (2025) Check out the Plugged In Blog: · My AI: The Snapchat Friend You Never Added · Want Lunch? Call My AI Agent The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

May 15, 2025 • 50min
Episode 286: Does Summertime Mean Screentime? Plus, Christian YouTubers
As school releases and summertime approaches, kids have a lot more free time. But does that mean more screentime? The Plugged In team says no and offers some thoughts on how to keep your child engaged without being on a screen. Paul Asay then speaks with Kennedy Unthank about Christian YouTubers that your family may enjoy watching. Click here to get your copy of Jonathan McKee’s terrific book Parenting Generation Screen! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Ryan Trahan · Dude Perfect · CoryxKenshin · Redeemed Zoomer · Testify · Apologia Studios · The Beat by Allen Parr · Mike Winger · YouTube Reviews Check out the Plugged In Blog: · Building Faith Online: A Conversation with Redeemed Zoomer The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

May 8, 2025 • 46min
Episode 285: Of Handmaids’ Tales and Hunger Games: The Downside of Dystopian Dramas
The dystopian genre has taken our culture by storm with its dark and twisted look at our imagined future. The Plugged In team explores the unique markers of this genre and the impact it can have on our everyday lives. Paul Asay then talks with Bob Hoose about the latest book in the Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping. Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s great book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Black Mirror · The Last of Us · The Handmaid’s Tale · Sunrise on the Reaping · The Hunger Games Book Series · The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Book · The Hunger Games · The Hunger Games: Catching Fire · The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 · The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 · The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes · Blade Runner · Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow · The Wizard of Oz · Zombieland · Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West · Wicked: Part One · A Quiet Place The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

May 1, 2025 • 46min
Episode 284: Thunderbolts and What Makes a Hero. Plus, the Rise of AI Agents
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is back with its new blockbuster Thunderbolts. The Plugged In team discusses the latest installment of superhero movies as well as the qualities it takes to make a hero. They then talk about AI agents, what that means, and what role they may play in our lives. Click here to get your copy of the amazing Plugged In book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Thunderbolts · Guardians of the Galaxy · The Wolf of Wall Street · Risen · Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King · Avengers: Endgame · Tully · Roma · Black Mirror Check out the Plugged In Blog: · Want Lunch? Call My AI Agent The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Apr 24, 2025 • 52min
Episode 283: What Makes a Good Family Movie? Plus Andor
Your family likely enjoys a great movie…but what makes it great for your family? The Plugged In team explores various criteria for family-friendly movies and how you can discern what is appropriate for your family. Bret Eckelberry then talks with Paul Asay and Adam Holz about the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor. Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: The Princess Bride The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King The Incredibles Toy Story Monsters Inc. Inside Out 2 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 The Wild Robot Up Andor Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Flow Encanto Cheaper by the Dozen Cheaper by the Dozen 2022 The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Apr 17, 2025 • 41min
Episode 282: The Best Christian Movie Ever (?). Plus, Journey to You
What’s the best Christian movie ever? The Plugged In team reveals the winner of their Christian Movie Madness bracket and why they think that movie resonated with viewers. Paul Asay then speaks with Kennedy Unthank about the new Hallmark movie Journey to You. Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s insightful book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family today! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) See the Christian Movie Madness Bracket Christian Movie Madness Read the full review: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/journey-to-you-2025/ The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Apr 10, 2025 • 45min
Episode 281: The King of Kings. Plus, Are Teens Turning Off Tech?
The Easter season always brings new Christian movies. The Plugged In team looks at the new animated movie The King of Kings and tells you what you need to know for your family. They then talk about how teens are proving to be skeptical of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence. Get your copy of Plugged In’s terrific book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family today! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Unbreakable Boy · No Address · The Last Supper · The Chosen: Last Supper Part One · The King of Kings · The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe · The Horse and His Boy · The Silver Chair The Plugged In Tech Guide Focus on the Family with Jim Daly Episode: How Your Family Can Manage Technology Well Part 1 How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Donate Now! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.


