It's Friday, which means Adam Holtz from Plugged In is back to help you figure out what's actually worth watching — and what to skip. This week: Remarkably Bright Creatures, a quiet, thoughtful drama starring Sally Field as a grieving cleaning woman whose best confidant is a sentient, dying octopus named Marcellus. It's warm, it's mostly clean, and it is absolutely not a kids movie despite the talking sea creature. Then Adam breaks down In the Gray, the new Guy Ritchie thriller with Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and approximately 60 profanities — which prompts a genuinely useful conversation about how Plugged In thinks about relative versus absolute content standards, and why counting swear words actually matters. Plus a preview of what's coming to the big screen this summer, including the Mandalorian film on the horizon. Find full reviews and parental guides for everything at pluggedin.com.

It's Friday, which means Adam Holtz from Plugged In is back to help you figure out what's actually worth watching &mdash; and what to skip. This week: Remarkably Bright Creatures, a quiet, thoughtful drama starring Sally Field as a grieving cleaning woman whose best confidant is a sentient, dying octopus named Marcellus. It's warm, it's mostly clean, and it is absolutely not a kids movie despite the talking sea creature. Then Adam breaks down In the Gray, the new Guy Ritchie thriller with Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and approximately 60 profanities &mdash; which prompts a genuinely useful conversation about how Plugged In thinks about relative versus absolute content standards, and why counting swear words actually matters. Plus a preview of what's coming to the big screen this summer, including the Mandalorian film on the horizon. Find full reviews and parental guides for everything at pluggedin.com.

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Talking Octopus & 60 F-Bombs with Adam Holtz of Plugged In

What do non-denominational and Pentecostal churches have in common — and why are they the only two categories of American Christianity consistently growing right now? Brian From digs into new data that points to something deeper than style or structure: a widespread hunger for experiential, Spirit-filled faith in an age where everything feels artificial. Then: Christian nationalism is becoming a household term, and Brian makes the case that the real danger isn't patriotism — it's when Jesus gets used as a lever for political power rather than worshiped as King. A practical word on evangelism that might actually help: forget the clipboard approach and start asking better questions. Three lighter stories — a woman in Alabama who shot her husband for being annoying, a donor who paid off student loans at commencement, and data showing high-powered dads are finally spending more time with their kids. The doctrine of perseverance unpacked: why you'll still be a Christian tomorrow, and it has nothing to do with your strength. And a genuinely clarifying look at what "pray without ceasing" actually means — hint, it's less about bowing your head and more about living in constant communion. Happy birthday, Carrie.

What do non-denominational and Pentecostal churches have in common &mdash; and why are they the only two categories of American Christianity consistently growing right now? Brian From digs into new data that points to something deeper than style or structure: a widespread hunger for experiential, Spirit-filled faith in an age where everything feels artificial. Then: Christian nationalism is becoming a household term, and Brian makes the case that the real danger isn't patriotism &mdash; it's when Jesus gets used as a lever for political power rather than worshiped as King. A practical word on evangelism that might actually help: forget the clipboard approach and start asking better questions. Three lighter stories &mdash; a woman in Alabama who shot her husband for being annoying, a donor who paid off student loans at commencement, and data showing high-powered dads are finally spending more time with their kids. The doctrine of perseverance unpacked: why you'll still be a Christian tomorrow, and it has nothing to do with your strength. And a genuinely clarifying look at what "pray without ceasing" actually means &mdash; hint, it's less about bowing your head and more about living in constant communion. Happy birthday, Carrie.

Two Kinds of Churches Actually Growing in America

David Pollack was a first-round NFL draft pick living his childhood dream when a broken neck in his second season ended everything — and he says it was the best thing that ever happened to his faith. The forced stillness he'd never allowed himself finally let him hear from God. Then in 2025, his wife Lindsay was diagnosed with brain cancer, and Pollack discovered that watching someone you love suffer is a completely different test than suffering yourself. He joins Brian From to talk about his new book Every Day Counts, what football taught him about failing forward in faith, and the three R's — reflect, repent, repurpose — that transformed his prayer life from awkward obligation to actual conversation. He also makes a point that lands hard: you have to be selfish in the morning so you can be selfless the rest of the day. If God matters, get up earlier. Plus a college football bonus — David weighs in on Michigan, Illinois, Bryce Underwood, and what he's watching heading into the season. A genuinely fun, genuinely convicting hour.

David Pollack was a first-round NFL draft pick living his childhood dream when a broken neck in his second season ended everything &mdash; and he says it was the best thing that ever happened to his faith. The forced stillness he'd never allowed himself finally let him hear from God. Then in 2025, his wife Lindsay was diagnosed with brain cancer, and Pollack discovered that watching someone you love suffer is a completely different test than suffering yourself. He joins Brian From to talk about his new book Every Day Counts, what football taught him about failing forward in faith, and the three R's &mdash; reflect, repent, repurpose &mdash; that transformed his prayer life from awkward obligation to actual conversation. He also makes a point that lands hard: you have to be selfish in the morning so you can be selfless the rest of the day. If God matters, get up earlier. Plus a college football bonus &mdash; David weighs in on Michigan, Illinois, Bryce Underwood, and what he's watching heading into the season. A genuinely fun, genuinely convicting hour.

Broken Necks, Brain Cancer & Finding God in the Hard with David Pollack

Over two-thirds of Netflix shows rated for young children contain LGBT characters, themes, or storylines — and the age rating system parents have trusted since 1996 was never designed to flag any of it. Emily Washburn, issues analyst and writer for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family, joins Brian From to break down what the FCC is currently investigating, why the board responsible for overseeing TV ratings is stacked almost exclusively with media industry insiders, and what parents can do right now to make their voices heard. The comment process is open, it's simple, and it matters. Emily also points parents toward Plugged In — the most-asked-about topic in their inbox is exactly this one — as a practical resource for navigating what's actually in the movies, shows, and games your kids are consuming. And her closing advice is surprisingly simple: go back to the shows you loved as a kid. They're all on streaming, and your kids might love them too. Visit thedailycitizen.org and fcc.gov to learn more.

Over two-thirds of Netflix shows rated for young children contain LGBT characters, themes, or storylines &mdash; and the age rating system parents have trusted since 1996 was never designed to flag any of it. Emily Washburn, issues analyst and writer for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family, joins Brian From to break down what the FCC is currently investigating, why the board responsible for overseeing TV ratings is stacked almost exclusively with media industry insiders, and what parents can do right now to make their voices heard. The comment process is open, it's simple, and it matters. Emily also points parents toward Plugged In &mdash; the most-asked-about topic in their inbox is exactly this one &mdash; as a practical resource for navigating what's actually in the movies, shows, and games your kids are consuming. And her closing advice is surprisingly simple: go back to the shows you loved as a kid. They're all on streaming, and your kids might love them too. Visit thedailycitizen.org and fcc.gov to learn more.

Talking Octopus & 60 F-Bombs with Adam Holtz of Plugged In

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