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.
- 57 minutes 32 secondsEpisode 300: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fun
As the Plugged In Show comes to its final episode, Paul Asay sits down with Adam Holz and Bob Smithouser (former host of the original Plugged In Podcast) to reminisce about hosting the show. The Plugged In team then gathers to offer some final encouragement on media discernment for your family. While this is the end of The Plugged In Show, the antics and conversations will continue, so be sure to follow the Plugged In team on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!
Click here to get your copy of the great book by the Plugged In team—Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family!
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Check out Plugged In on YouTube!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
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
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21 August 2025, 7:00 am - 52 minutes 21 secondsEpisode 299: Got Questions? We've Got Answers. Plus, Truth Rising and the Power of Documentaries
The Plugged In team often receives comments and questions from a variety of people. With The Plugged In Show coming to a close, the team pulls out some of those questions and comments to address them. They then take a look at Focus on the Family’s soon-to-be-released documentary Truth Rising and the power of the documentary genre. Then you’ll hear some of the silly, sometimes embarrassing bloopers from the team!
Click here to get your copy of the Plugged In team’s helpful book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family!
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
· Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
· 7 Bears
· Superman
· Smurfs
· Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
· The Plugged In Movie Awards 2025
· Americas Pastime: Six Great Movies about Baseball
· Christian Movie Madness 2025
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
We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.
If you enjoyed listening to The Plugged In Show, please give us your feedback.
14 August 2025, 7:00 am - 32 minutes 49 secondsEpisode 298: Great Bible-Based Entertainment for Your Kids. Plus, Sketch
As a mom or dad, it’s easy to look at today’s media and get pretty discouraged. But the Plugged In team says we are in a Golden Age of Bible-based entertainment. They discuss some great kid-friendly options you may want to consider for your family. Kristin Smith then talks with Paul Asay about the new movie from Angel Studios titled Sketch.
Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s excellent book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family!
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Learn more about Adventures in Odyssey:
Read the full review:
· Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids
· The Magic School Bus Rides Again: The Frizz Connection
· Bluey
· Sketch
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
· Focus Friday: Adventures in Odyssey: Not Just for Kids Anymore
· The Plugged In Show Episode 154: Adventures in Odyssey and Family-Friendly Video Games
· The Theology of The Chronicles of Narnia
· The Plugged In Show Episode 210: Social Media, Addiction and Self Esteem. Plus, a Look at Bentkey
· The Plugged In Show Episode 157: Plugged In Thanksgiving Special and A Look at Minno
· The Plugged In Show Episode 220: Navigating Children’s Television Landmines
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
We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.
If you enjoyed listening to The Plugged In Show, please give us your feedback.
7 August 2025, 7:00 am - 43 minutes 23 secondsEpisode 297: Is Chat GPT Making Us Dumber? Plus, The Bad Guys 2
Is Chat GPT making us “dumber”? The Plugged In team looks at a new study from MIT that reveals the impact of Chat GPT. Kennedy Unthank then speaks with Pierre Perifel, the director of the animated movie The Bad Guys and its new sequel and shares what you need to know before you take your family to see it!
Click here to get your copy of the Plugged In team’s terrific book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family!
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 174: ChatGPT: Tech and Trust; Plus Got Questions? YouTube Channel
· The Plugged In Show Episode 187: Our Romance with AI. Plus, ‘Elemental’
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 256: How AI is Changing Adolescence. Plus, ‘Agatha All Along’
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 262: Creating with AI – A Parents’ Primer. Plus, ‘Moana 2’
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 287: Lilo & Stitch. Plus, AI in Entertainment and Technology
· Your AI Companion Has Its Hand Outstretched. Do You?
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
We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.
If you enjoyed listening to The Plugged In Show, please give us your feedback.
31 July 2025, 7:00 am - 44 minutes 7 secondsEpisode 296: The Fantastic Four: It’s Nostalgia Time! Plus, Is It Time to Stop Talking to AI?
The new movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has been leaning hard into the sense of nostalgia. The Plugged In team looks at that movie and reflects on other films that are predicated on nostalgia. They then revisit ChatGPT and some of the latest changes that are making it maybe a little too chatty. And you don’t want to miss another round of Pop Rumble!
Click here to get your copy of the Plugged In teams great book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family today!
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
· Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
· The Fantastic Four: First Steps
· How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
· Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning (2025)
· Sinners
· 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
· Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
· Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
· Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
· WALL-E
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 174: ChatGPT: Tech and Trust; Plus Got Questions? YouTube Channel
· The Plugged In Show Episode 187: Our Romance with AI. Plus, ‘Elemental’
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 256: How AI is Changing Adolescence. Plus, ‘Agatha All Along’
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 262: Creating with AI – A Parents’ Primer. Plus, ‘Moana 2’
· The Plugged In Show: Episode 287: Lilo & Stitch. Plus, AI in Entertainment and Technology
· Your AI Companion Has Its Hand Outstretched. Do You?
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
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.
24 July 2025, 7:00 am - 30 minutes 5 secondsEpisode 295: Jesus Glow, plus The Smurfs
Social media influencers are shaping the way the broader culture thinks about Jesus—in both good ways and some that might seem a bit questionable. The Plugged In team looks at the TikTok trend “Jesus Glow” and how it may impact your family. Paul Asay then joins in to talk about the enduring appeal of The Smurfs and the latest reboot of the franchise.
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
· The Smurfs: The Lost Village
· Smurfs
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
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.
17 July 2025, 7:00 am - 41 minutes 55 secondsEpisode 294: Superman, Mario Kart, and a Super Important Announcement
With another Superman movie flying into theaters, the Plugged In team examines the Superman character, the phenomenon, and why this superhero has stood the test of time. They also talk a bit about Mario Kart World, a new/old favorite game that’s landed on Nintendo’s newest platform, the Switch 2. Then, they will reveal a little secret about The Plugged In Show.
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
· Superman
· Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
· Zack Snyder’s Justice League
· Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
· Captain America: The First Avenger
· Captain America: The Winter Soldier
· Captain America: Brave New World
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
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.
10 July 2025, 7:00 am - 40 minutes 26 secondsEpisode 293: Jurassic World: Rebirth. Plus, Phishing Scams on Social Media
The Jurassic World: Rebirth film is coming out. Does it look dino-riffic? The Plugged In team looks at the newest installment and the franchise as a whole, letting you in on what you need to know. The team then discusses online phishing scams and how you can be vigilant to protect your and your family.
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
· Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
· The Lost World: Jurassic Park
· Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
· On the Radar: Social Media Phishing Gender Gap with Teens and Tiktok Amber Alerts
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
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.
3 July 2025, 7:00 am - 32 minutes 52 secondsEpisode 292: Are Youth Finding Faith Again? Plus, Batman Begins Turns 20
We are seeing an increase in Gen-Zers seeking more answers to their faith questions. The Plugged In team explores this phenomenon and how technology and social media may be contributing to it. The team then reflects on Christopher Nolan’s 20-year old movie Batman Begins and the influence its had on superhero movies.
Click here to get your copy of the Plugged In teams terrific book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family!
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
Check out the Plugged In Blog:
· Building Faith Online: A Conversation with Redeemed Zoomer
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
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.
26 June 2025, 7:00 am - 44 minutes 7 secondsEpisode 291: Under the Skin - A Conversation about Nudity in Art and Entertainment. Plus, Elio!
Nudity is often seen in paintings and certain movies and television shows. The Plugged In team discusses the artistic (and gratuitous) use of nudity and offers thoughts on how your family can navigate that. Paul Asay then talks with Emily Tsiao about the new Pixar movie Elio. You’ll also hear some fun dad jokes!
Nudity is often seen in paintings and certain movies and television shows. The Plugged In team discusses the artistic (and gratuitous) use of nudity and offers thoughts on how your family can navigate that. Paul Asay then talks with Emily Tsiao about the new Pixar movie Elio. You’ll also hear some fun dad jokes!
Click here to get your copy of Plugged In’s outstanding book Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family!
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)
Read the full review:
· Up
· Cars
· Cars 2
· Cars 3
· Elio
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
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.
19 June 2025, 7:00 am - 42 minutes 59 secondsEpisode 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.
Connect with us!
EMAIL: [email protected]
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
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
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.
12 June 2025, 7:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App