The Plugged In Show

Adam Holz, Johnathan McKee, and Paul Asay

I'm (Not) Dreaming of a COVID Christmas

December 10, 2020

With Christmas on the horizon, family, traditions – and gift-giving – are likely on your mind. The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite holiday traditions and offers their Gift Giving – or Playing, or Streaming, or Listening – Guide. You'll get a solid reminder of why it's so important to exercise intentionality when it comes to any sort of entertainment or technological gift.

Get the book "Teen's Guide to Face-to-Face Connections in a Screen-to-Screen World": https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-plugged-in-2020-12-10?refcd=1027801

Get more episode resources: https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/the-plugged-in-show-episode-55/

If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/

Featured Offer

Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family: How to Navigate a Media-Saturated World--And Why We Should
How Do Christian Parents Keep Up with Their Children’s Screen Consumption? The expert media staff at Plugged In have compiled a must-read resource to help you understand the media your children consume. Years of researching and analyzing the latest media trends are compiled in Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family. Offering practical advice and strategies to help your children navigate the ever-changing landscape of pop culture, Becoming a Screen Savvy Family includes social media, music, streaming services, video games, movies, and more to help you dialogue with your children about the content that they are exposed to. The effects of technology and media consumption on children are far-reaching, impacting their mental health, sleep patterns, attention spans, and social skills. In Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family, you’ll learn - the effects on your children’s biology, behaviors, and beliefs; - traits of engaged parents, creating a game plan, and how to step in when needed; - how to screen those screens; and - practical strategies for limiting screen time and thinking critically about media. Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family will quickly become an essential tool to guide your family’s relationship with media and your child’s screen consumption.

Archives

The Chosen has been a huge streaming success. But there’s a lot more Christian content out there you might consider streaming. The Plugged In team explores other selections for redemptive streaming content. You’ll discover some hidden gems that you can enjoy with your family and learn some filtering options that might allow you to enjoy other choices.Burning Bush 2.0: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-plugged-in-2020-12-03?refcd=1027503Get More Episode Resources: https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/the-plugged-in-show-episode-54/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
December 3, 2020
The new video game Among Us is all the rage with tweens and teens. The Plugged In team unpacks this phenomenon and tells you everything you need to know about it. Because video games will continue to be a part of our families’ lives for a long time to come, you’ll want to know which ones are making waves and why you need to pay attention to them. You’ll learn how these games continue to evolve in their appeal and in the way kids interact with them.The Teen's Guide to Social Media... and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-plugged-in-2020-11-26?refcd=1021901Get More Episode Resources: https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/the-plugged-in-show-episode-53/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
November 26, 2020
With all the television options available to us today, trying to figure out what’s worth watching is not for the feint-hearted. The Plugged In team reflects on their favorite television programming and discusses several popular shows. They explain their review process for the medium. You’ll get a general survey of what people are watching and what choices might be navigable for your family.Burning Bush 2.0: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-plugged-in-2020-11-19?refcd=1020501Get More Episode Resources: https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/the-plugged-in-show-episode-52/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
November 19, 2020
With handy tutorials, funny videos, and informative presentations, YouTube has grown increasingly popular with kids and adults alike. The Plugged In team explores the draw, the upside and the downside of this user-generated video-sharing platform. Because YouTube’s influence is here to stay, you’ll want to check out Plugged In’s new review section of these channels to navigate this newer form of entertainment with your children.The Teen's Guide to Social Media... and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-plugged-in-2020-11-12?refcd=1020401Get More Episode Resources: If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
November 12, 2020
With Amazon’s scheduled 2021 release of its adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, controversy is already brewing. The Plugged In team explores why explicit content has found its way into mainstream entertainment. You’ll be clued in to this type of programming and learn how to navigate it with your family.Seven Traits of Effective Parenting: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-plugged-in-2020-11-05?refcd=1020301Get More Episode Resources:If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
November 5, 2020
Entertainment and media discernment is a top concern for Christian families, which is why Plugged In exists! On this episode, the Plugged In team discusses some of the questions they get most frequently from people who are curious about the inner workings of things. You’ll get a peek behind the curtain at what Plugged In does to bring you and your family reviews week in and week out.Seven Traits of Effective Parenting: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-plugged-in-2020-09-24#refcd=1009602Get More Episode Resources: https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/episode-49-the-plugged-in-show-ask-plugged-in/If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
October 29, 2020
The month of October usually means an onslaught of horror movies. Even though movie theaters are just opening back up, streaming entertainment is full of the genre. Year after year, these movies remain one of Hollywood’s predictably consistent money makers. The Plugged In team reflects on the chilling entertainment that have affected them over the years and explores the allure of scary movies. You’ll better understand why your children may be intrigued by this genre and how to help them navigate their entertainment choices.Burning Bush 2.0: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-plugged-in-2020-10-01#refcd=1008603Get More Episode Resources: the-plugged-in-show-episode-48-horror-movies-the-genre-that-just-wont-dieIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
October 22, 2020
Over the last 20 years, rock’s cultural influence has given way to rap and hip-hop, giving us many of the biggest stars in the music world today. The Plugged In team explores the history of rap and how it influenced their personal lives. You’ll learn about some of the Christian rap artists on the scene today, offering fresh, redemptive voices that can be a terrific alternative for your family.Burning Bush 2.0: https://store.focusonthefamily.com/singleitem/checkout/donation/item/don-plugged-in-2020-10-01#refcd=1008902Get More Episode Resources: the-plugged-in-show-episode-47-the-fascinating-influence-of-christian-rapIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
October 15, 2020
The new Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, has brought some interesting—and concerning—insights to our interaction with social media. The Plugged In team dives into the documentary and examines the repercussions we may face if we choose to use these platforms. You’ll gain better understanding of the lasting effects of social media and how to navigate those with your family.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
October 8, 2020
The last seven months have been unlike any we’ve ever known. The coronavirus has changed everything, including movie-watching! The Plugged In team explores some of their favorite “hidden gems” movies (and TV shows!) that you might have missed. With new entertainment streaming on so many platforms, you’ll discover some solid, fun choices for your family.If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey
October 1, 2020
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Featured Offer

Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family: How to Navigate a Media-Saturated World--And Why We Should
How Do Christian Parents Keep Up with Their Children’s Screen Consumption? The expert media staff at Plugged In have compiled a must-read resource to help you understand the media your children consume. Years of researching and analyzing the latest media trends are compiled in Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family. Offering practical advice and strategies to help your children navigate the ever-changing landscape of pop culture, Becoming a Screen Savvy Family includes social media, music, streaming services, video games, movies, and more to help you dialogue with your children about the content that they are exposed to. The effects of technology and media consumption on children are far-reaching, impacting their mental health, sleep patterns, attention spans, and social skills. In Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family, you’ll learn - the effects on your children’s biology, behaviors, and beliefs; - traits of engaged parents, creating a game plan, and how to step in when needed; - how to screen those screens; and - practical strategies for limiting screen time and thinking critically about media. Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family will quickly become an essential tool to guide your family’s relationship with media and your child’s screen consumption.

About The Plugged In Show

The Plugged In team, led by Focus on the Family’s Director of Media and Culture, Adam Holz, comes together with humor and heart to deliver weekly insight on current media choices and culture-related topics.  These media experts will shine a light on the world of popular entertainment and technology trends while giving you and your family the essential tools you need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which we live. You’ll be encouraged to engage with your children and dialogue about the media they are consuming, sparking intellectual thought and spiritual growth.

About Adam Holz, Johnathan McKee, and Paul Asay

Adam Holz After serving as an associate editor at NavPress' Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In's reviews along with hosting The Plugged In Show and the Plugged In Entertainment Review radio feature.  

Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books. He has over 20 years youth ministry experience and speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, He can be heard each week on the Plugged In Entertainment Review radio feature and The Plugged In Show. You can follow Jonathan on his blog, getting a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.

Contact The Plugged In Show with Adam Holz, Johnathan McKee, and Paul Asay

Mailing Address
Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 
80920-1051.
Toll-free Number
(800) A-FAMILY (232-6459)