Plain Values Podcast

3:00

Stories Worth Saving | Minute with Marlin – EP #23

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/10/06

In this episode of Minute with Marlin, Marlin traces the origins of the podcast all the way back to when his dad died, 15 years ago.A few months after Marlin’s dad passed, he, his brother, and his mom visited Arthur, IL for a large family reunion. Inevitably at some point, the stories of his dad began to flow, and Marlin wished the day would never end.Marlin’s vision when he began the podcast in 2025 was to recreate that day of storytelling and connection, so stories and moments like those

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61:19

EP #57 - Ben Garrett on Scary Stories, Materialism,...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/10/02

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast Marlin meets Ben Garrett, a woodworker (though he failed at that), pastor, writer, podcaster, and bigfoot researcher. Ben is the pastor at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, the co-host of the Haunted Cosmos podcast, and author of the book Killing Lust: Fighting for Purity in a Pornographic Age.Ben begins the episode talking about how he came to Utah and Refuge Church. They discuss childhood, family, and parenting. Then they jump into the deep end

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1:07

The Origins and Revelations of Plain Values | Minute...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/29

Where does the name “Plain Values” come from? The magazine was started 14 years ago within the Plain Community. Marlin himself was born Amish and still has many Amish family members. Though Marlin is no longer Amish, these “plain values” are rooted deeply within him and the brand he created. While reading in Romans, Marlin had a “light bulb” moment where he realized that God is always revealing to us new things and connecting new dots. Sometimes it just takes us a little while to see the

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61:18

EP #56 - Daniel Salatin on His Dad, Farming, & AI Vs....

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/25

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast Marlin finally sits down with Daniel Salatin—son of “the most famous farmer in America.” The conversation begins with Marlin asking Daniel about his childhood. Daniel reminisces of his very normal years on the farm, long before fame and documentaries placed his dad in the spotlight. His dad's love of literature, as well as his many roles in the massive chicken butchering operation, played a part in shaping Daniel's life. The conversation moves on

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1:02

Tell Me Your Story | Minute with Marlin – EP #21

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/22

Do you have a story to tell? A story of miraculous nature or of ordinary faithfulness? A story of life and love, of grief and pain? The Plain Values podcast is here for stories such as these. Stories from people who have been through it, and despite the odds come out grateful on the other side. If this story is yours, or if you know someone who Marlin should meet, please email us at reachout@plainvalues.com.Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹A great way to

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53:51

EP #55 - Joel Salatin on the World’s Narrative Vs....

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/18

In this episode of the Plain Values podcast, Marlin sits down a second time with Joel Salatin to discuss several cultural hot potatoes like Big Pharma, Big Ag, Big tech, and how Christians should think about these things. They also discuss several Christian mandates around business, animal care, the elderly, and how we should view death. They begin by discussing what Joel considers to be the biggest crisis in America–our tendency to accept without question the narratives that are fed to us

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1:37

Relationships are Better Than Trophies | Minute with...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/15

Marlin had never shot a deer before. His friend took him hunting for another chance at his luck. They were talking, laughing, and rattling some antlers to try to lure the deer in.They must have been doing more talking than hunting for they didn’t even notice when they had brought in a nice shooter buck. They only noticed when Marlin finally laughed a little too loud and the buck took notice of them. The buck spooked and ran away, and Marlin missed another chance at a nice buck.Marlin

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1:58

There’s Only One “You” | Minute with Marlin – EP #19

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/11

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1:58

On Books and the Library of Congress - Minute with...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/08

A tech company is scanning millions of old, rare books and then destroying them in the name of technological advancement.What happens when we destroy real things and replace them with digital versions? We will never again know the originals.Marlin shares of his love of books and the libraries that hold them. The Library of Congress is the biggest library in the world with 164 million items preserved in its walls.Marlin hopes to walk amongst those pages one day and would love to know which

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92:08

EP #54 - The Long and Beautiful Arc of Adoption...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/04

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin continues his conversation with Larry from Pure Gift of God. What began as a simple fundraising and mentoring effort in 2013 has grown into something far deeper… therapy services, TBRI training, family support groups, and practical help for adoptive and foster families who refuse to walk alone.Larry shares how the hard parts of adoption rarely end when the paperwork is signed. Ongoing struggles surface, and Pure Gift responded by building

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50:38

House Concert Series: Chris Slaten (Son of Laughter)...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/09/01

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, friends and neighbors gathered at Plain Values HQ in Winesburg for an intimate house concert with singer-songwriter Chris Slaten, known as “Son of Laughter.”The evening was intentionally small and cozy, the kind of night where the music feels personal and the stories land deeply. Chris filled the space with thoughtful, theologically rich songs that explore faith, redemption, longing, and the quiet beauty found in everyday life. With coffee and homemade treats

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114:41

EP #53 - Grace, Storytelling & the God Who Still...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/28

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with Chris Slaten (better known as Son of Laughter) a Chattanooga musician, English literature teacher, husband to Lindsay, and father of three. What unfolds is a rich, unhurried conversation about art, grace, storytelling, and the quiet work of faithfulness.Chris traces the origin of his stage name to Sally Lloyd-Jones’s Jesus Storybook Bible and the story of Isaac: the child born in spite of his parents’ cynical laughter, a

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0:45

Minute with Marlin EP #17 – Snowflake Bentley

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/25

Have you ever heard the phrase “no two snowflakes are alike”?Marlin shares the fascinating story of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, a self-educated farmer from Jericho, Vermont.In 1885, Bentley became the first person to successfully photograph a single snow crystal. He went on to take thousands of photographs of individual snowflakes and never found two that were exactly the same.His work was published in magazines and universities around the world, and he became known as Snowflake

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51:40

EP #52 - Ernie Hershberger: From Chicken House to The...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/21

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast… Some stories remind us that humble beginnings and faithful stewardship can lead to extraordinary places.Ernie Hershberger grew up the oldest of eight in Walnut Creek, Ohio. His dad was a mechanic, and Ernie followed him into the shop, learning the craft of building from raw lumber. In 1990, he and his wife Barb took a leap and opened a small furniture store in what used to be a chicken house in Mount Hope.What started as a simple desire to serve

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2:22

Minute with Marlin EP #16 – Forever Families

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/18

In 1976, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis declared an Adoption Week to promote awareness of the need for fostering and adoption. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan expanded it nationally.Marlin reflects on Reagan’s powerful words from that time, which still ring true today:“Families have always stood at the center of our society… At a time when many fear that the family is in decline, it is fitting that we give special recognition to those who are rebuilding families by promoting

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91:04

EP #51 - The Story Is Never Over (The Long View of...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/14

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin finishes his conversation with Kevin Hewitt, a longtime foster-care worker whose decades of walking alongside families have given him a deep well of stories… and an even deeper trust in God’s redemptive power.Kevin’s point is simple and profound: we often measure foster care (and life) by short timelines. God sees the long arc. He can redeem what looks impossible.The conversation turned personal as Kevin admits his own ongoing struggle to

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3:00

Minute with Marlin EP #15 – Uh-Oh Daddy, Bee

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/11

Marlin and his daughter Adelaide were sitting on a bench watching the birds when a tiny gnat started buzzing around.Adelaide, who has Down syndrome, suddenly stopped talking and with every ounce of her being looked at her dad with huge eyes and said, “Oh, daddy, bee!”Marlin lives for those sweet, simple moments.Life is full of big questions and struggles… feeling unworthy, comparing ourselves to others, wondering if we measure up, carrying guilt and shame.But real joy often comes in the

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58:43

EP #50 - The Healing Power of Art: Stories from...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/07

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, host Marlin Miller sits down with Roc Baker to trace a life forged in West Virginia hills, Ohio oil fields, and deep family roots. From his father’s hard-earned lessons in the tool-dressing days to raising six boys, Roc shares the gritty, grounded wisdom that shaped him.The talk flows naturally into the healing power of art. Roc recounts painting hospital walls and panels with patients, from a stroke survivor who suddenly spoke again to a

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2:45

Minute with Marlin EP #14 – 99% Is Not Good Enough

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/08/04

Marlin reflects on the powerful imagery Jesus used when talking about the shepherd and his sheep.He recently became a shepherd himself, and he’s seen firsthand how sheep know their shepherd’s voice. When the shepherd calls, the whole flock comes running.Jesus told the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost. Marlin notes how easy it is to read that passage without truly grasping the weight of it.Leaving 99 sheep is a lot. It’s risky. But the shepherd

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69:00

EP #49 - Conrad Fisher on Music, Faith, and the...

Plain Values Podcast ·

2026/07/31

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, host Marlin Miller sits down with Conrad Fisher, musician, producer, and founder of Ragamuffin Hall studio, for a rich conversation about creativity, faith, family, and the tension between art and conservative culture.Conrad shares his upbringing in a conservative Mennonite church where his parents, despite the setting, encouraged his musical gifts from a young age. His dad even bought him recording equipment when he was 14, allowing him space to

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