Plugged In Podcast

Episode 26 - Chicken Plus Jesus

Our March Fatness bracket finally crowns a champion as Chick-fil-A edges out Dunkin' by a mere three votes! We celebrate with a table full of fast food while dissecting what makes these chains so beloved. The secret to Chick-fil-A's success? Operational excellence, consistently delicious chicken, and a drive-thru system so efficient it should run our national elections. Meanwhile, Dunkin' has transcended being just a coffee shop to become a cultural identity marker in New England. The conversation reveals fascinating aspects of brand loyalty that go beyond product quality. We debate whether Five Guys gives too many fries (is that really a problem?), why Texas Roadhouse surprisingly dominated the sit-down category, and whether Dunkin coffee deserves its popularity. Most excitingly, Chick-fil-A actually responded to our social media post about their victory with "three cheers for chicken," launching a brief but thrilling conversation with the brand. After gorging ourselves on nuggets, fries, and milkshakes, we transition to weightier matters—Jesus' farewell message to his disciples in John 15-17. These chapters contain his final teaching before being betrayed and crucified, making them particularly significant. Central to Jesus's message is the command to "remain" or "abide" in him, like branches connected to a vine. In our distraction-filled world, the discipline of silence and solitude has become increasingly difficult yet vital for spiritual growth. As you enter the Easter season, we encourage you to read these powerful chapters and reflect on what it means to abide in Christ. How might prioritizing this relationship produce lasting fruit in your life? As Jesus himself promised just before facing the cross, "Take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Episode 25 - The YAM Special

The milestone 25th episode of the Plugged In Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of Youth Arts Ministry (YAM) in Massachusetts—a vibrant program where creativity, faith, and community intersect to develop the next generation of artistic leaders. As students prepare for their annual overnight event and finale performance, hosts Matt, Nate, and Loreita reflect on what makes YAM so special. From the digital communications class producing professional videos to the four-part harmony benediction that echoes through headquarters at the end of each gathering, YAM creates meaningful experiences that transcend typical music education. The episode highlights how this program has evolved while maintaining its core purpose of discipleship through artistic development. Particularly moving is the generational impact—former students now returning as faculty members, creating a beautiful cycle of mentorship. The hosts share lighthearted "superlative awards" for both students and faculty, revealing the deep personal connections formed throughout the season. But YAM isn't just about performances. The podcast celebrates the unseen contributions that make the program possible: divisional officers preparing homemade meals, volunteers handling setup and cleanup, and the community of support that surrounds each student. As one host reflects, "The journey is the reward"—while the finale concert provides a wonderful culmination, the real transformation happens in monthly gatherings where relationships are built and young people discover how their gifts can serve a greater purpose. Whether you're involved in arts ministry or simply curious about innovative approaches to youth development, this episode offers a heartwarming glimpse into a program that combines artistic excellence with spiritual formation. Listen now and discover why YAM has become such a beloved tradition in Massachusetts.

Episode 24 - Part 1 - Jesus' Farewell Message & Emily Mew, Director of Emergency Disaster Services

What drives someone to rush toward disasters while others flee? For Emily Mew, Director of Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, it's about creating order in chaos and offering compassion when it's needed most. Having spent over a decade with The Salvation Army and four years working with children in Nicaragua, Emily brings extraordinary perspective to disaster response. From her first deployment to Hurricane Harvey with less than 24 hours' notice to walking through earthquake-damaged communities in Puerto Rico where families slept in tents outside their homes for fear of aftershocks, Emily shares what happens behind the scenes when tragedy strikes. "You're not anticipating what re-entry is going to be like until it's happening to you," Emily explains, revealing the emotional complexity responders face when returning home after witnessing communities in crisis. This "ministry of presence" - simply being there in someone's darkest moment - forms the foundation of effective disaster response. The episode opens with a humorous yet relatable parenting challenge as co-host Nate discovers his young son has made nearly $60 in unauthorized Amazon in-app purchases, prompting nostalgic reflections on how technology and responsibility have evolved since the days of Tamagotchis. Whether you're curious about emergency response, considering disaster volunteer work, or simply want to understand how faith communities mobilize during crises, this conversation offers rare insights into the people who run toward trouble rather than away from it. Subscribe now and join our new segment exploring Jesus's farewell message in John 14-17.

Episode 24 - Part 2 - March Fatness & Jesus' Farewell Message

When disaster strikes, who's already on the ground providing hot meals, hydration, and a comforting presence? Emily Mew, Director of Emergency Disaster Services for the Salvation Army in Massachusetts, takes us behind the scenes of emergency response in this compelling conversation. Growing up watching her father serve as a firefighter and EMT, Emily developed a natural passion for helping others in crisis. Today, she orchestrates a network of mobile canteens strategically positioned across Massachusetts, ready to deploy at a moment's notice. These aren't just food trucks – they're command centers for hope when communities need it most. The reality of disaster work isn't what most people imagine. As Emily reveals, emergencies don't politely wait for convenient timing. They strike "all the time, anytime, in the middle of the night, on holidays," requiring responders to maintain constant readiness. This unpredictability shapes everything from family dynamics to self-care practices, with Emily noting that after days of grabbing quick snacks on deployment, she often craves simple nutrition – "I just need a salad." One of the most fascinating revelations is about "the bunker" in Framingham – an underground Cold War-era facility with curved entrance ramps designed to prevent gas penetration, massive steel doors, and even a morgue. This glimpse into disaster preparedness infrastructure highlights the decades of planning behind each emergency response. For those inspired to help, Emily explains how volunteers can easily register through the Salvation Army's database to receive training and credentials. Whether you're interested in serving meals from a canteen or supporting behind the scenes, your contribution matters to communities facing their darkest hours. Want to learn more about disaster response or get involved yourself? Visit the Salvation Army's website to discover how you can join Emily and her team in bringing practical help and emotional support when disaster strikes. Your hands could be the ones that make a difference when people need it most.

Episode 23 - March Fatness

What happens when three ministry leaders confront their own relationship with hurry? In this soul-searching episode, we wrap up our study of John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" while candidly sharing our struggles with traffic rage, creative burnout, and the pressure to constantly produce. The contrast couldn't be more striking—discussing slowness while planning our March Fatness bracket (a food establishment tournament that has us debating whether Chick-fil-A's Sabbath observance gives their chicken divine blessing). Yet this juxtaposition perfectly captures our modern dilemma: we understand the value of rest intellectually while struggling to embody it practically. Our exploration of Sabbath reveals how this biblical practice isn't just religious obligation but revolutionary resistance against the Pharaohs of our time—those forces driving us toward perpetual productivity. We unpack how simplicity creates both physical and mental space, with one host sharing how decluttering their home led to unexpected clarity and peace. The conversation peaks with twenty practical suggestions for slowing down, from driving in the slow lane to putting your phone "to bed" before you sleep. Most powerfully, we confront how difficult it is to untangle our identities from achievement, especially in ministry where work, faith, and relationships blend together. "I have blurred the line between what I think the Salvation Army expects of me and what I expect of myself," one host confesses, revealing how deeply internalized hurry becomes. Join us for this transformative conversation that might just help you recognize that life's greatest regret isn't lacking time—it's failing to be present in the time we have. How might your relationship with God change if you followed Jesus not just in what He did, but in how He lived?