

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

Sep 5, 2024 • 38min
Episode 250: Resetting Screentime for School, plus Are Movies Like Beetlejuice Bad?
Your kids are heading back to school, and after a summer filled with screens, you may struggle to get back to normal. The Plugged In team offers some thoughts on how to reset your family’s tech use and balance home screen time with school screen time. They then talk what you can expect in sequel to the Tim Burton movie Beetlejuice and how to navigate movies with spiritual themes (even dark ones!). And to celebrate our 250th episode, you’ll get to hear some of our silliest times in the studio! Get your copy of the terrific 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: · Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Check out the Plugged In Blog: · Six Inspirational Movies for Kids Headed Back to School · The Plugged In Show Episode 245: Screens and Anxiety, plus: Adventures in Odyssey Celebrates 1000 Episodes 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.

Aug 29, 2024 • 42min
Episode 249: Looking at The Rings of Power and Reagan
With Amazon Prime taking on Tolkien's beloved The Lord of the Rings stories, you may want to know if it's family-friendly. The Plugged In team discusses The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and what you need to know for your family. Paul Asay then talks with Adam Holz about the new Dennis Quaid biopic Reagan. Get your copy of the Plugged In team’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: · The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power · The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring · Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers · The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King · Book: The Fellowship of the Ring · Book: The Two Towers · Book: The Return of the King · Reagan · Soul Surfer · Miracle Season · The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance · Charlie and the Chocolate Factory · Bridge to Terabithia Check out the Plugged In Blog: · The Theology of the Lord of the Rings 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.

Aug 22, 2024 • 36min
Episode 248: A Conversation with the Kendrick Brothers
As Christians, God sometimes calls us to tell stories in a unique way. Paul Asay of the Plugged In team talks with Christian filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick about their movies, zeroing in on their latest movie The Forge. You’ll hear Alex and Stephen’s hearts on why they make faith-friendly movies to reach others. Get your copy of the Plugged In book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family today! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook on Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Facing the Giants · Fireproof · Courageous · War Room · Overcomer · Show Me the Father · Lifemark · The Forge · Chariots of Fire · Jesus Revolution · I Can Only Imagine Check out the Plugged In Blog: · Show Me the Father’s Alex Kendrick Talks to Plugged In 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.

Aug 15, 2024 • 44min
Episode 247: Understanding the Allure of Bad Content, plus My Penguin Friend
Sometimes, racy and non-family-friendly content lurks in entertainment that might look like kids’ programming. The Plugged In team discusses two streaming animated shows—Exploding Kittens and Sausage Party: Foodtopia and what you need to know to protect your family, especially teens. Adam Holz then speaks with Bob Hoose about the new movie My Penguin Friend. Get Your Copy of 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: · In a Violent Nature · Battlefield Earth · Moonfall · Morbius · Paul · The Boys · Exploding Kittens · Sausage Party · Sausage Party: Foodtopia · Deadpool and Wolverine · My Penguin Friend · Duma 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.

Aug 8, 2024 • 41min
Episode 246: Do Old Movies Still Matter? Plus: Spotify Goes Social
Do old movies hold up in our fast-paced culture? The Plugged In team looks back at three black-and-white movies they've recently reviewed - To Kill a Mockingbird, The Many who Shot Liberty Valance, and Seven Samurai. You might be surprised what messages your family can take away from these older films! Paul Asay then speak with Emily Tsiao about Spotify's move into a social media set-up. Get Your Copy of 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: · To Kill a Mockingbird · The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance · Seven Samurai · Joker · Batman: Arkham Asylum · Batman: Arkham City · Batman: Arkham Knight Check out the Plugged In Blog: · On the Radar 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.

Aug 1, 2024 • 53min
Episode 245: Screens and Anxiety, plus: Adventures in Odyssey Celebrates 1000 Episodes
In this discussion, Jonathan Haidt, an insightful author, reveals how screens are significantly linked to rising anxiety levels in children. He emphasizes the need for balanced parenting in a digital world to foster genuine connections and essential life skills. Bob Hoose contributes to the conversation by celebrating the landmark of 1000 episodes of 'Adventures in Odyssey,' a cherished family audio drama. Together, they highlight the power of storytelling in shaping values amidst growing tech anxieties.

Jul 25, 2024 • 49min
Episode 244: Plugged In Dives into the Summer Olympics, plus “Deadpool & Wolverine”
The Summer Olympics are about to start! The Plugged In team reflects on the draw of these games, highlights a few content concerns, and encourages you to look at the Olympics with a different perspective. Adam Holz then talks with Emily Tsiao about the latest anticipated action flick, Deadpool and Wolverine. Get Your Copy of 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: https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/deadpool-2016/ https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/deadpool-2/ https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/once-upon-a-deadpool-2018/ https://www.pluggedin.com/game-reviews/deadpool/ https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/deadpool-and-wolverine-2024/ Check out the Plugged In blog: https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/is-a-pg-13-deadpool-movie-a-good-thing/ 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.

Jul 18, 2024 • 44min
Episode 243: What Are Dark Patterns? plus: A Conversation with Sing Sing Director Greg Kwedar
Our world is full of things we should know about, but maybe we don’t. The Plugged In team examines dark patterns online—deceptive practices and tactics that get you to sign up for things you don’t want or spend more money than you intend to. They’ll encourage you to keep your eyes open so you can protect your family. Then Paul Asay talks with Greg Kwedar, the director of the new movie Sing Sing. Get your copy of 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: · I Am Legend · Cobra Kai · Star Wars: Hunters · Beekeeper Check out Kennedy’s blog post: · Identifying Dark Patterns and Protecting Your Kids Against Them 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.

Jul 11, 2024 • 48min
Episode 242: A Conversation With Arlene Pellicane, plus Luke Combs ‘Fathers and Sons’
Raising kids in our world today can feel pretty challenging, especially when it comes to how we navigate the minefields of screens and entertainment. Adam Holz, director for the Plugged In team, speaks with mom and author Arlene Pellicane about her book Screen Kids. The team then looks at Luke Combs’ latest album Father and Sons. Get Your Copy of Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family! Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459) Read the full review: · Luke Combs: Fathers and Sons 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.

Jul 4, 2024 • 47min
Episode 241: Despicable Me 4 and Illumination, plus Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
The long-awaited follow-up to the Despicable Me films has finally arrived! The Plugged In team reveals all you need to know about Gru and his antics before your family heads to the theater. They also look at the Illumination franchise and those adorable Minions. Paul Asay and Adam Holz then discuss the new Christian movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot. Get your copy of 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: The Secret Life of Pets Sing Sing 2 Seuss’ The Grinch Super Mario Bros. Movie Migration The Iron Giant The LEGO Movie Megamind How to Train Your Dragon Road to El Dorado Road to Perdition Despicable Me Despicable Me 2 Despicable Me 3 Elf Inside Out 2 Despicable Me 4 Inside Out Up Transformers Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot Sound of Freedom Kubo and the Two Strings Ready Player One Who Framed Roger Rabbit? How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Explore the Plugged In Tech Guide 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.


