

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

Apr 3, 2025 • 48min
Episode 280: The Minecraft Movie, plus the Best Entertainment to Watch Before Easter
The Minecraft game franchise has a new block-buster hitting movie theaters as a live action story. The Plugged In team looks at why Hollywood makes live action versions of beloved video games and the potential things you may need to know before you take you family to see it. They then look at some positive entertainment you may want to enjoy with your family as Easter approaches. 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: · Borderlands · Super Mario Bros Movie · The Last of Us · Minecraft · A Minecraft Movie · The LEGO Movie · Sonic the Hedgehog · Sonic the Hedgehog 2 · Sonic the Hedgehog 3 · The Passion of the Christ · The Chosen · The Chosen: The Last Supper – Part One · The Jesus Film · Ben Hur · Amistad 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.

Mar 27, 2025 • 43min
Episode 279: A Look at The Chosen: The Last Supper
The Chosen has given us an extrabiblical glimpse of the life and ministry of Jesus, and it is wildly popular with fans! And now, the latest installment, The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1, is hitting theaters to kick off the Easter season. Paul Asay speaks with Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, and Jonathan Roumie who plays Jesus. The Plugged In team then reflects on the popularity of this series and what it means to them. Click here to get your boxed set of The Chosen novelizations Books 1-3 for a gift of any amount! 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 Chosen · Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers · Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night · The Chosen: Last Supper: Part One Check out the Plugged In Blog! · Plugged In Goes on Set with The Chosen · Plugged In Pick: The Chosen · An Interview with Dallas Jenkins, Creator of The Chosen · The Plugged In Show: Episode 106: Christmas with "The Chosen: The Messengers" and a Conversation with Jesus and Mary 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.

Mar 20, 2025 • 46min
Episode 278: How to Have a Family Movie Night. Plus, Christian March Movie Mayhem!
Your family may love a good movie night together…so how can you get the most out of it? The Plugged In team offers some tips on choosing the right movie, starting great conversations, and even shining a light on God’s truth. Paul Asay then speaks with Bret Eckelberry about the fun Plugged In event Christian March Movie Mayhem! Click here to get your copy of the great Plugged In book Beoming 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: Million Dollar Baby Check out the Plugged In Blog! Presenting Plugged In’s Family Movie Nights Discussion Guide Vote in the Christian Movie Madness Bracket! Christian Movie Madness 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.

Mar 13, 2025 • 46min
Episode 277: House of David. Plus, an After Screen Fast Strategy
Amazon Prime’s new show House of David portrays the life of this larger-than-life king! The Plugged In team’s Kennedy Unthank interviews Michael Iskander and Martyn Ford, the actors who play David and Goliath, as well as the creator and executive producer of the series, Jon Erwin. Paul Asay then chats with Emily Tsiao and Jonathan McKee about ways to curb your family’s screen time. 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: · House of David Check out the Plugged In Blog: · The Bible Goes to Hollywood: Seven Movies and Shows Based on Biblical Stories 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.

Mar 6, 2025 • 37min
Episode 276: Screen Fast 2025, plus Wicked the Book
Lent is a season of fasting, which makes it a perfect time to participate in the Plugged In 2025 Screen Fast! The Plugged In team encourages you to look at your family's screen habits and see where you might be able to cut back. Paul Asay then speaks with Bob Hoose about the non-family-friendly book version of Wicked on which the popular musical is based. Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s terrific 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: · Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Sign Up for the 2025 Screen Fast: · Join us for the Plugged In Screen Fast! 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.

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
Episode 275: The 2025 Plugged In Movie Awards!
Every spring brings entertainment award season, which means it’s time for the Plugged In Movie Awards! The Plugged In team reveals their 2025 picks for last year’s movies in four different categories: Kids, Teens, Adults, and Christian. You’ll discover some great movies your family may enjoy together! 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: · Out of My Mind · Juror #2 · Everything Everywhere All at Once · Deadpool and Wolverine · Nosferatu · Sing Sing Check out the Plugged In Blog and the Plugged In Movie Award Categories: · Best Movies for Kids 2025 · Best Movies for Teens 2025 · Best Movies for Adults 2025 · Best Christian Movies 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.

Feb 20, 2025 • 44min
Episode 274: Biopics and The Unbreakable Boy
Biographical movies – also known as biopics – comprise a unique genre in the film industry. The Plugged In team looks at what makes these movies so compelling and how they sometimes take artistic liberties with the facts. Adam Holz then speaks with Paul Asay about the new based-on-a-true-story movie The Unbreakable Boy. Click here to get your copy of the great Plugged In 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: · A Beautiful Mind · Remember the Titans · Heroes · Better Man · Hidden Figures · The Imitation Game · Selma · Reagan · Oppenheimer · Bonhoeffer · Hamilton · Shazam · American Underdog · Wonder · The Unbreakable Boy 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.

Feb 13, 2025 • 36min
Episode 273: Paddington in Peru. Plus, It’s Time to Deal With Those Screens. (No, Really.)
The beloved bear Paddington is back on the big screen—this time going to Peru! Paul Asay and Emily Tsiao give you a peek at this new movie. And between work, school, fun, and entertainment, your family probably spends a lot of time on screens. The Plugged In team looks at screen habits—both good and bad—and encourages you to consider joining Plugged In’s Screen Fast 2025. Get your copy of Plugged In’s helpful 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: · Paddington · Paddington 2 · Paddington in Peru Check out the Plugged In Blog! · Live It Quiz: Technology Addiction Assessment · Screen Fast 2025 · Live It 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.

Feb 6, 2025 • 45min
Episode 272: Combating Hollywood’s Intimacy Influence. Plus, 2025’s Most Anticipated Games
Movies and the entertainment industry often portray intimacy in reckless and unbiblical ways. The Plugged In team discusses how Hollywood deals with sex and how you as a parent can springboard from that to teach the truth about God’s design. They then look at 2025’s upcoming video games and what your family needs to know about them. Get your copy of Plugged In’s helpful 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: · Civilization Revolution · Civilization Revolution 2 · Civilization Beyond Earth · Sid Meier’s Civilization VI · Civilization V · Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Rise and Fall · My Sims · Sims 2 · Sims 3 · Sims 4 · Sims Medieval · Grand Theft Auto IV · Grand Theft Auto V · Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City · Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas · Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars · Fable · Fable II · Fable III · Fable: The Journey Check out the Plugged In Blog! · Living in a Sims-ulation · GTA’s Nasty Hidden Hot Coffee is Back…Why Should Parents Care · Grand Theft Agony 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.

Jan 30, 2025 • 52min
Episode 271: The Oscar Nominations and Green and Gold
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have released their award nominations for 2025. As we look toward Oscar time, the Plugged In team discusses the nominees and how they fare in family-friendliness. Adam Holz then talks with Bret Eckelberry about the new Christian-adjacent movie Green and Gold. 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: · Anora · The Brutalist · A Complete Unknown · Conclave · Dune: Part Two · Emilia Pérez · I’m Still Here · Nickel Boys · The Substance · Wicked: Part 1 · Green and Gold Check out the Plugged In blog! · The Plugged In Movie Awards 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.


