The Plugged In Show
The Plugged In Show
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 article…Social links:
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Episode 267: A Conversation with Mandy Majors, plus Netflix’s Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fow
Kids today have their eyes on their screens, and those screens are full of dangers. How can you protect them? Paul Asay speaks with author and screen expert Mandy Majors and her daughter Ella. They share some ways you can help your child learn healthy tech habits. Paul Asay then speaks with Bret Ec…
44:40
Episode 266: A Look Back at 2024: The Good, the Bad and the Icky
2024 was a big year in terms of entertainment and pop culture. As the year comes to a close, the Plugged In team looks back at some of the highlights and some of the low points. From YouTube to social media to the big and small screens, you’ll learn what you need to know for your family when it com…
40:35
Episode 265: What Makes a Christmas Movie Good? Plus, Mufasa: The Lion King
With so many Christmas movies out there, are there certain ingredients that make up a great one? And what makes a Christmas movie go bad? The Plugged In team reflects on some recent Christmas movies as well as some of their favorites. Paul Asay then speaks with Emily Tsiao about the new Disney movi…
42:06
Episode 264: Is Social Media Ruining Our Kids? Plus, Netflix’s ‘Mary’
Teens today have never known a world without social media—and that’s affecting kids in many different ways. The Plugged In team discusses the impact of social media and the new Hulu docu-series Social Studies. Paul Asay then speaks with Emily Tsiao about the new Netflix movie Mary. Get your cop…
42:33
Episode 263: All I Want For Christmas Is What TikTok Tells Me: Plus, Kevin Sorbo
It’s gift-giving season! What do you buy for your family, friends, and teens? TikTok wants to tell you. The Plugged In team examines the influence TikTok has on teens as consumers. Adam Holz then speaks with Hercules actor Kevin Sorbo. Get your copy of Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family today! Co…
47:30
Episode 262: Creating with AI: A Parents' Primer. Plus, Moana 2
Artificial intelligence gets a bad rap, but it can also help us create in ways we never thought possible. The Plugged In team looks at ways we can create using AI and things we may want to steer clear of. Paul Asay then talks with Emily Tsiao about the new Disney movie sequel Moana 2. Get your c…
41:16
Episode 261: Wicked and the World of Musicals. Plus, Plugged In’s New Tech Guide!
This week, the Broadway musical Wicked flies from the stage to the screen. The Plugged In team talks about the Wicked phenomenon as well as other movie musicals and the power of music woven into a story. Paul Asay then talks with Bret Eckelberry about the team’s new tech guide. Get your copy of …
39:18
Episode 260: When Should I Give My Kid a Cell Phone? Plus, Bonhoeffer
With Christmas coming, you may be considering a tech gift for your child…maybe even a cell phone. The Plugged In team shares insights and thoughts on the impact phones have had on younger generations and the best age to put a phone in their hands. Paul Asay then talks with Kennedy Unthank about the…
49:27
Episode 259: The Power and Peril of In-Game Sales, plus, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
You’re enjoying a fun online game, but then you’re hit with having to make a purchase to go any further. The Plugged In team looks at a variety of video games that employ in-game sales. Paul Asay then talks with producer Kevin Downes and director Dallas Jenkins about their new movie The Best Christ…
40:21
Episode 258: Entertainment Decisions and Kids’ Maturity, plus Chappell Roan
As your kids move into adolescence, you need to decide how much freedom you give them when it comes to entertainment and media. The Plugged In team offers some thoughts, sharing ways they succeeded and things they wish they could do differently. Adam Holz then talks with Paul Asay about the wildly …
44:25