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."

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.

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.

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 street 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.

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?

Merry...Christmas...everyone. We know, we know. It's March! Join us for the ride as we release a hidden Plugged In Podcast episode that never made it to air.

Ever had your hot water heater die while single parenting for a week? Matt shares his chaotic experience managing kids, household emergencies, and a child who needs "some space" in a public bathroom. The struggle is real, and sometimes only a little blue Australian dog named Bluey can save the day.

As we dive into the Christmas season, our hosts share their most memorable Red Kettle stories – from electric wheelchairs getting stranded in the Wendy's drive-thru to family traditions of playing instruments outside Walmart on Black Friday mornings. We learn about Nate's viral kettle video that's amassed nearly 70 million views, possibly making him the generational face of The Salvation Army for the TikTok generation!

Beyond the holiday humor, we continue our exploration of John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," focusing on silence and solitude as essential spiritual disciplines. In our constantly connected world, we've lost natural moments of boredom that once created space for spiritual reflection. The conversation turns deeply personal as the hosts reflect on how Jesus intentionally withdrew to quiet places when his life was busiest – a counterintuitive but vital practice for spiritual formation.

As always, thanks for listening to the Plugged In Podcast! Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel @samassmusic and share our episodes in whatever medium you consume them.

Merry... Christmas... !

Ever wondered what makes Chris Molinaro from The Salvation Army Massachusetts Music Department burst into laughter? Well, join us for a ride filled with dog videos and Hollywood casting dreams! Chris shares his love for camp life and his entertaining choices for movie portrayals, sparking a hilarious game of "Which celebrity would play you?" With laughter echoing through our conversation, we also explore the charming chaos of Thanksgiving, ranking those cringe-worthy moments that every family gathering seems to have. From clogged toilets to nosy questions about marriage, we recount our most amusing holiday stories that remind us why we love—and sometimes endure—Thanksgiving.

But it’s not all fun and games; we take a reflective turn discussing the powerful role of music in our spiritual journeys. Music isn't just for entertainment—it's a conduit for worship and personal growth. Through personal anecdotes, we dive into how certain songs can spark profound spiritual insights, challenging us to view musical performances as acts of worship. We delve into the beauty of embracing our God-given talents and the importance of intention behind every note played. It’s a journey of rediscovering faith through melodies that reach deep into the soul and uplift our spirits.

As the episode unfolds, we are inspired by insights from John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," urging us to embrace our limitations as part of a meaningful life. The discussion shifts to living with intentionality and the "unforced rhythms of grace" that Jesus offers. We explore how recognizing our human limitations can be a pathway to spiritual growth and a fuller presence in God's world. Through Chris’s stories and our reflections, discover how to slow down, embrace life’s imperfections, and find divine purpose in the everyday hustle.

Have you ever wondered how the unpredictable weather in New England could spice up your Halloween? Our latest episode kicks off with a humorous and lively conversation about just that, peppered with a charming tale of Mackenzie and her newfound obsession with the "happy birthday fart song." We touch on the serious matter of the upcoming election, discussing the importance of peace and unity amidst political differences and the church's role as a beacon of compassion and grace.

We're thrilled to welcome our special guest, Chris Molinaro from the Massachusetts Music Department of The Salvation Army. Chris shares insights from his journey into the music community, adding depth to our discussion with his unique experiences and perspective.

Our exploration of vibrant music and youth programs showcases the dedication and achievements of young talents like Mason and Meadow from Fall River. We celebrate the flourishing initiatives in Haverhill and Fall River, highlighting personal connections and the unique impact of The Salvation Army’s programs tailored to each community. With stories of personal growth, community engagement, and the joy of music, this episode is sure to leave you inspired and grateful for the meaningful relationships that enrich our lives.

Stay tuned for PART TWO with Chris Molinaro!