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Plain Values Podcast

Plain Values

The most inspiring and heartfelt podcasts you’ll ever listen to. Hosted by Plain Values magazine Publisher Marlin Miller, he regularly interviews the people with the stories, wisdom, and advice we all need to hear.

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28 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 39 min
English

Episodes 28

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S1 · E69
August 25 · 45 sec
Minute with Marlin EP #17 – Snowflake Bentley
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 Bentley. Marlin wonders: What beautiful things can we discover if we slow down and take a closer look at the world around us? These short, heartfelt Minutes with Marlin deliver quick moments of wisdom, faith, humility, and encouragement… perfect for busy homestead days when we need a gentle reminder of what really matters. Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com
S1 · E68
August 21 · 51 min
EP #52 - Ernie Hershberger: From Chicken House to The Met
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 customers well soon grew into something much larger. Today, Homestead Furniture is known for building truly custom, American-made pieces, while Abner Henry has taken Ernie’s work into the world of high-end design, including a major collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ernie opens up about the long, sometimes brutal journey of learning to lead a team, the spiritual discipline of letting go of self, and why he doesn’t believe in setting goals. He shares how he’s learned to create “data compartments” in his day (protecting time for family, church, and rest) and how the same principles of stewardship and servant leadership apply to business, family, and faith. Whether you’re running a business, raising a family, or simply trying to live with purpose, Ernie’s quiet wisdom offers a powerful reminder: success isn’t about reaching a finish line… it’s about faithfully stewarding the talent God has given you, one faithful step at a time. If this conversation filled your coffee cup, we would humbly invite you to leave a thoughtful comment below and please, don’t be shy … the Like and Subscribe buttons help more friends find this episode. We’re always looking for more friends. Learn more about Ernie Hershberger at homesteadfurniture.com. Learn more about Plain Values at plainvalues.com.
S1 · E67
August 18 · 2 min
Minute with Marlin EP #16 – Forever Families
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 adoption.” Reagan emphasized that more children with permanent homes mean fewer children with permanent problems. Marlin encourages us to be mindful during Adoption Awareness Month of the millions of children who need loving forever families. Each of those kids has their own story. What they really need at the core is a family to love them. These short, heartfelt Minutes with Marlin deliver quick moments of wisdom, faith, humility, and encouragement… perfect for busy homestead days when we need a gentle reminder of what really matters. Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com
S1 · E66
August 14 · 1 hr 31 min
EP #51 - The Story Is Never Over (The Long View of Foster Care)
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 rest in God’s love rather than constantly measuring himself as a winner or loser. He points to Zephaniah 3:17, where the Creator of the universe sings over His people like a mighty warrior. Whether you foster, adopt, or simply need hope that the story isn’t finished, this episode offers quiet, hard-won encouragement. The work is hard. The timeline is long. But the God who sings over us is still writing. Listen now and be reminded: the story is not over… Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com
S1 · E65
August 11 · 3 min
Minute with Marlin EP #15 – Uh-Oh Daddy, Bee
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 small, authentic moments: sitting with a friend, sharing struggles, and knowing we are loved anyway. Marlin hopes that one day, authenticity and joy will be remembered about him. These short, heartfelt Minutes with Marlin deliver quick moments of wisdom, faith, humility, and encouragement… perfect for busy homestead days when we need a gentle reminder of what really matters.
S1 · E64
August 7 · 58 min
EP #50 - The Healing Power of Art: Stories from Inside the Hospital Walls | Roc Baker
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 troubled teen in Greece who softened with every brushstroke. The process, not the product, builds connection and brings peace. “The pain goes away when they paint,” he says. Music enters too… late-blooming guitars and the joy of learning alongside grandchildren. Roc reflects on grandparenting as the chance to slow down and pass on what matters: birdhouses, whittling, real conversation. He weighs today’s changes (AI, quantum computing, cultural shifts) with steady realism. Energy demands, common sense, and protecting what’s entrusted to us all surface as quiet concerns. Yet his anchor remains clear: gratitude, generosity, and daily prayer for wisdom. Warm, candid, and full of lived truth, this episode reminds us that real wealth lives in relationships, creativity, and the steady pursuit of happiness. Perfect for anyone craving perspective from a life well-rooted. Whether you’re a musician, a creative, or simply someone who appreciates honest conversations about faith and culture, this episode offers encouragement to pursue your gifts while keeping family and integrity first. Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com
S1 · E63
August 4 · 2 min
Minute with Marlin EP #14 – 99% Is Not Good Enough
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 cares so deeply about that one lost sheep that he goes after it anyway. Marlin is thankful that our Good Shepherd doesn’t say “95% is good enough.” He cares about every single one. These short, heartfelt Minutes with Marlin deliver quick moments of wisdom, faith, humility, and encouragement… perfect for busy homestead days when we need a gentle reminder of what really matters.
S1 · E62
July 31 · 1 hr 9 min
EP #49 - Conrad Fisher on Music, Faith, and the Creative Life
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 develop his talent. He moved to Tennessee on New Year’s Day 2018 to sharpen his songwriting and eventually built Ragamuffin Hall, a studio where he works with artists from many backgrounds. Conrad reflects on the challenges of balancing a growing career with being present for his wife and three young children, and the difficulty of saying “no” when opportunities arise. He also opens up about a painful experience with church leadership over a song choice, and the healing moment years later when the bishop sought him out to apologize. The conversation touches on the church’s relationship with the arts, the value of authenticity, and the importance of creating space for people who feel on the fringes. Whether you’re a musician, a creative, or simply someone who appreciates honest conversations about faith and culture, this episode offers encouragement to pursue your gifts while keeping family and integrity first. Learn more about Conrad Fisher at https://conradfishermusic.com Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

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