Bob Waliszewski is director of Focus on the Family’s Plugged In department, which features the Plugged In Online website, PluggedIn.com. The site and its various smart phone apps provide up-to-date reviews of new movie releases and information on the hottest music, television, DVDs and video games impacting popular youth culture. Waliszewski reaches more than 700 radio stations and internet outlets weekly with his syndicated “Plugged In Movie Review” feature. The audio version of the review was nominated for a National Religious Broadcaster’s award in 2011.
As the specialist for Plugged In, Waliszewski has been interviewed extensively by media outlets such as CNN, CNBC, Daystar Television, MSNBC’s “Scarborough Country,” Fox News Radio Network’s “The Alan Colmes Show,” the Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times and The New York Times in which he most often tackles the controversial entertainment issues that confront families. He was also featured on CBN’s 700 Club, FamilyNet’s At Home Live!, Focus on the Family’s Mind over Media video, a History Channel special entitled The Passion: Films, Faith & Fury and Shine TV New Zealand. Waliszewski regularly speaks to teens and parents on popular culture, and was called to testify before a subcommittee of California legislators on the subject of violent lyrics.
Waliszewski has written articles for several Focus on the Family publications (Citizen, LifeWise and Breakaway). In May 1997, Waliszewski was presented with an Evangelical Press Association “Higher Goals” award for an article on gangs written for Teachers in Focus magazine. Waliszewski co-authored Chart Watch, a book that includes more than 400 album reviews from a biblical perspective, and chapters on media discernment, and Plugged In Parenting: How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids with Love, Not War, released in July 2011.
A former youth pastor, Waliszewski joined the Focus on the Family team in September 1991. He is married to Leesa, and they have two adult children. Waliszewski enjoys snow- and water-skiing and an occasional half-marathon.
