Plain Values Podcast

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 of his listeners have already been.Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

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 a therapy center and bringing in trusted practitioners.Larry explains how trauma rewires a child’s brain and why traditional discipline often fails. The work is not about fixing kids with a magic tool. It is about helping parents understand the need behind the behavior, lower unrealistic expectations, and raise their acceptance. He is honest: even those who know the principles still only get it right part of the time. Grace is required on every side.They talk about the loneliness many families feel, the weight on marriages, and the simple ways the wider community can show up (meals, respite, laundry, presence) without waiting to be asked. Larry’s dream is larger still: more space, educator training, and a community strong enough that fewer children age out without a family.The work is hard. The timeline is long. But the God who provides is still working on our behalf.Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.comTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction3:55 - Relying on God's Provision12:26 - Funding the Mission16:27 - What is TBRI?23:50 - All Behavior is Explained With Enough Information36:54 - Larry's Favorite Story50:55 - Finding Healing by Lowering the Mask1:03:07 - Remove the Pedestal1:09:37 - The Fall Festival at Walnut Creek🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🤝THIS EPISODE’S PREMIERE SPONSOR: Rustic StrengthRustic Strength is the real deal. This hardworking family-owned company in Missouri makes high-quality, non-toxic laundry, home, and body care products in small batches… completely free from harsh chemicals, dyes, and synthetic junk you don’t want around your family.Learn more: https://rusticstrength.com/🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🤝THIS EPISODE’S FEATURED SPONSOR: Azure StandardOur friends at Azure Standard have been quietly setting the standard for clean, wholesome food since the 1970s. Family-owned and values-driven, they make it simple to fill your pantry with organic, non-GMO groceries, bulk staples, and household essentials delivered straight to your door or a convenient local drop point.Learn more: https://www.azurestandard.com🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🤝THIS EPISODE’S FEATURED SPONSOR: Invited: Collection 001If you're craving stories that restore faith in hard times, Invited: Collection 001 is a handpicked "best of" from Plain Values magazine… uplifting accounts of triumph, simple joys, adoption beauty, homesteading wisdom, and gospel-centered living.Learn more: https://homesteadliving.com/invited-collection-001/🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹A great way to show support is to hit LIKE / SUBSCRIBE on this video, and most importantly, join the conversation in the COMMENTS below. We’d love to hear from you.👉We have a beautiful magazine called Plain Values, sent quarterly ($49/year): https://plainvalues.com/pv-magazine-yt👉To receive our FREE Plain Values emails: https://plainvalues.com/👉To find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plainvalues/👉To find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plainvalues/🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹In 2023, we joined forces with Homestead Living. There’s some pretty cool stuff going on there, as well.👉To subscribe to our stunning Homestead Living magazine ($49/year): https://hmln.co/hlm-pvp-yt👉To receive our FREE Homestead Living emails: https://homesteadliving.com/👉To find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesteadlivingmagazine/👉To find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homesteadlivingmagazine🎵All music by Sam Burchfield (intro)Sam Burchfield - Hold My HandRecorded Live - Plain Values - Winesburg, OHLearn more about Sam: https://www.samburchfield.com/T0ZPMSFJ7VLMSCN8

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 ready, and the Black Willow food truck serving before the doors opened at 6:00, the room settled into the kind of shared stillness that makes these nights special. By the end of the evening, the songs had done what they do best: connected hearts, reminded us of the ache and hope of being human, and left people encouraged and refreshed.Even if you missed the live event, you can watch the whole thing right here.This concert captures exactly what we hope to cultivate with the Plain Values Podcast and our house concert series: telling stories that matter and bringing us closer together at the table.If this evening filled your coffee cup, we’d be grateful if you’d leave a thoughtful comment, hit Like, and Subscribe so more friends can find these gatherings. We’re always looking for more friends.Looking forward to the next one…

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 pattern that runs throughout Scripture of God creating beauty and new life out of human doubt. That same tension fuels his music. Christian artists, he notes, get to work on the broadest possible palette… more cynical about the human condition than Quentin Tarantino, yet more hopeful than Walt Disney.The conversation ranges widely: the slow, repetitive craft of songwriting; the joy of discovering intricate patterns in literature (and in Genesis) with high-school students; the humility of realizing how little we know; and the invitation to rest in a God who sees us in secret. Chris shares about a long-gestating musical on the life of Jacob, a character whose depths and heights perfectly embody the complicated canvas of grace.Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, an artist, or simply someone carrying more than you can manage, this episode offers the steady reminder that the story is not over. The day’s demands are for bigger hands. The God who sings over His people is still writing, and still inviting us into the secret meeting under the blanket of His attention.Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.comLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

A friend shared a powerful story with Marlin.He told him about a soldier-turned-missionary who was recruiting people to join him in one of the hardest, most dangerous places imaginable.When some expressed hesitation, the missionary looked at them and said, “Oh, I get it. You’re afraid to die.”Needless to say, they went.Marlin reflects on how that bold response hits home. Most of us have a thousand and one reasons to play it safe, to protect ourselves and our families from harm.Yet there’s also a deep longing inside us to be part of a story much bigger than our own comfort.We have eternity ahead, a place where we can rest and enjoy God forever. So why not take a risk now? Why not step into something that matters?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

In this deeply personal episode of the Plain Values Podcast, John Moody joins Marlin to share his remarkable story of redemption, resilience, and resistance.John grew up in Youngstown, Ohio during the devastating collapse of the Rust Belt. His family was shattered by divorce, alcoholism, and hardship. As a latchkey kid, life was chaotic. When his mother was diagnosed with cancer during his junior year of high school, everything changed. A dedicated guidance counselor, Mrs. Leone, saw potential in John and fought tirelessly to get him accepted into the University Scholars program at Youngstown State University… even when the program initially rejected him due to his family situation. Her quiet advocacy changed the course of his life.While in seminary, John faced a life-threatening health crisis with severe duodenal ulcers. Doctors proposed strong medication and potentially removing parts of his digestive system. Instead, John began questioning the conventional approach and turned to real, clean food. Within a year, he fully healed, an experience that opened his eyes to the power of how food is grown and prepared.In 2006, John and his wife Jessica started a local food buying club to help families access nutrient-dense, farm-fresh food. What began as a simple effort grew into a thriving community resource. In 2011, their club became the first in the country to be raided by the state health department over raw milk. They received cease and desist and quarantine orders. Rather than backing down, John rallied over 130 families. Together, they stood firm on their rights and ultimately prevailed, a powerful testimony of community courage and peaceful resistance.John and Jessica have been married for 21 years and have six children. John emphasizes that the real difference in his life isn’t his own strength, but “Christ in me.” He speaks passionately about stewardship, food freedom, and the need for Christians to thoughtfully engage when government overreach threatens the ability of families to care for one another.This episode is full of hard-won wisdom, redemption, and a clear call to live faithfully and courageously in uncertain times. John’s story reminds us that one person (supported by community and anchored in Christ) can make a real difference.Whether you care about real food, parental rights, or standing firm in faith, you won’t want to miss this conversation.Learn more about Josh Troyer at https://www.youtube.com/@gospelhavenchurchLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

Grief is the price of love.That line, shared from the pulpit at a funeral, made Marlin pause and reflect.It caused him to consider how often we hold back from deep relationships out of fear of getting hurt.We were built for genuine connection, Marlin reminds us. Yet most of our daily interactions stay surface-level (“I’m fine,” “Everything’s great”) because going deeper means risking vulnerability and exposing our true selves.But the few people who ask “How are you?” and truly mean it, who create a safe, judgment-free space, become the rare and treasured friendships we all need.When Marlin looks around at the immense pain, grief, and brokenness in the world—from violence and trafficking to everyday hurts—it can feel overwhelming. But our Creator doesn’t turn away.He cares deeply. And He calls us to be His hands and feet, to be a safe, loving presence for those 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.

In this moving episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with Josh Troyer to share his remarkable journey of faith, resilience, and finding true identity in Christ.Born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, Josh was missing his right femur bone. At just two years old, he underwent rotationplasty, a radical surgery in which doctors amputated his leg at the hip, rotated it 180 degrees, and reattached it so his foot could function as a knee joint. At four, he endured another painful surgery with an Ilizarov device to lengthen his bones, a process that involved metal pins through his bones and months of discomfort.As a child and teen, Josh wrestled deeply with his identity. He hated being known as “the cripple boy,” struggled with self-pity, and tried to hide his prosthesis. Through it all, his parents sought wisdom and trusted God’s plan. Josh shares how God spoke to him, reminding him that his true identity is not in his leg or his abilities, but in Christ. He began renewing his mind with Scripture, especially Psalm 139 and Ephesians 1, replacing lies like “I am unlovable” and “I am a victim” with God’s truth.Today, Josh is a pilot, a pastor, and a father of three energetic boys. He credits his challenges with shaping his compassion and gratitude. He reminds listeners that God is the author of our stories, using every hardship to make them beautiful if we respond with trust.This episode is honest, inspiring, and full of hope for anyone wrestling with their own limitations or identity. Josh’s story beautifully illustrates that our greatest challenges often become the very things God uses for His glory.Learn more about Josh Troyer at https://www.youtube.com/@gospelhavenchurchLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

When Marlin and his brother were boys, they lived for the dirt pile… the “strip mine” in their mother’s garden.Armed with toy Caterpillar dozers and loaders, they dug huge holes and built towering piles of dirt. To them, those small mounds were massive and larger than life.Their dad would sometimes take them to real strip mines where they got to ride in ginormous equipment. It was genuinely larger than life.Marlin reflects on how our concept of work is changing so dramatically today. Many call work a bummer, something you just do to get by.With the wave of artificial intelligence and rapid change, the future feels uncertain.But Marlin knows this: the people who understand why God put them here, and what work they were built to do, find the most purpose and joy in their labor.God doesn’t look at us and say, “You have to go to work.”He says, “You get to go to work.”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

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with Dawn and Carson of Soda Farm to discuss their 20+ year journey of homesteading, natural health, and standing firm in their convictions.What began as a small beekeeping and herbal honey operation at Mockingbird Meadows evolved into functional sodas and a commitment to real food made from God’s creation. Dawn explains her deep concern that many believers focus on spiritual health while ignoring how the food and substances we consume literally build our physical bodies, and how man-made, processed ingredients can harden us spiritually and physically, making it harder to hear God’s voice.Their story includes repeated clashes with regulators. After an inspector suggested using bleach on herbs for “safety,” Dawn asked pointedly if they wanted her to make her products less safe for customers. That moment opened years of scrutiny, demands for commercial kitchen compliance, and later threats during COVID when they refused to compromise on bodily autonomy and free will.Despite deplatforming, website issues, and government pressure, they continued prioritizing real ingredients, family involvement, and speaking truth. Dawn shares how they’ve had to repeatedly rebrand and adapt (from Mockingbird Meadows to Soda Farm and Family Health Steward) while protecting their message and their children.Now in a season of sabbatical and rest, they’re focusing on abiding, slowing down, and rebuilding with peace. Their story is a testament to faithfulness under pressure, the importance of stewarding our bodies as temples, and trusting God through trials.This episode is honest, thought-provoking, and full of encouragement for anyone walking out their convictions in the face of opposition.Learn more about Aaron and Katie at http://aaronandkatie.comLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

Marlin will never forget the first time he saw homeless people.He was 20 or 21, skating under a bridge in Portland, Oregon with his brother. Across the way were a handful of men with everything they owned in shopping carts. It was a scary and sad scene, one that left young Marlin feeling uncertain.Should he do something? Should he stay away? Should he be scared?Even today, he admits he doesn’t have all the answers.But he knows this: God created a beautiful system where He loves us, helps us, and gives us hope. And He asks us to do the same for the people around us.Marlin’s gentle challenge is simple yet profound: Let’s be that love, help, and hope for others… all through Christ.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

In this deeply moving episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin Miller sits down for the second time with Aaron and Katie Ficker, who share their powerful journey of missionary life in Guatemala, profound loss, adoption, and God’s unwavering faithfulness through it all.Aaron and Katie moved to Guatemala as newlyweds, where Aaron helped build an aviation program and Katie worked as a nurse. They built a life serving others through medical clinics, a nursing school, and community outreach. But their path included immense hardship: a high-risk twin pregnancy that ended in the loss of their children Gabriel and Ella, a terrifying medical emergency that nearly took Katie’s life, and the emotional toll of raising children amid uncertainty.Despite the pain, they leaned into faith, adopting Genesis and later Moses, and experienced the Lord’s presence in miraculous ways, from answered prayers during crisis to community support that carried them through. They speak honestly about the complexities of immigration, family separation, human trafficking at the borders, and the spiritual battle involved in stewarding broken situations with hope.Now back in the U.S., they continue serving through aviation maintenance, fostering connections, and encouraging others in adoption and missions. Their story is a powerful reminder that God meets us in desperation, redeems loss, and uses ordinary families for eternal impact.This episode is raw, honest, and filled with encouragement for anyone walking through grief, called to adoption, or stepping into hard places with faith. You’ll be challenged, comforted, and inspired by their dependence on the Lord.Learn more about Aaron and Katie at http://aaronandkatie.comLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

The concept of hospitality is simple on the surface: invite people over, share a meal, and talk.But Marlin believes it goes much deeper.Our Creator has placed within us a profound desire to truly know others and to be known ourselves.A tiny lady many years ago, known for her incredible gift of hospitality, once told Marlin and his wife a story. She had hosted two families, and as they were leaving, she overheard one husband ask his wife: “Have you ever experienced anything like that?”We all long for that kind of genuine, safe, and rich connection.Marlin reminds us that this is exactly what God offers us, an invitation into deep, authentic community inside His own Spirit.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

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin Miller sits down with John Kempf, founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. John shares his remarkable journey from a young boy observing plants on his family’s produce farm in Ohio to leading a global regenerative agriculture movement that now spans over 5 million acres.John explains how close observation of plant health led him to foundational discoveries about plant immunity. Through nutritional balance and microbiome management, he has seen plants achieve 100% resistance to diseases and insects, results that challenge conventional thinking. He describes the Plant Health Pyramid and how healthy plants produce powerful compounds that naturally protect them.The conversation goes deeper than agronomy. John ties regenerative practices to biblical stewardship, questioning modern farming systems that treat the earth as cursed rather than a gift to nurture. He emphasizes asking the right questions, developing personal convictions, and recognizing that agriculture is ultimately a spiritual endeavor.John also addresses real-world challenges: endocrine disruptors in our food system, generational impacts on health, and the power of small, consistent changes. He stresses that true solutions come from working with God’s design rather than against it.This episode is filled with hope, practical wisdom, and a call to better stewardship,  whether on large farms or backyard homesteads. John’s story reminds us that asking better questions and caring for creation can lead to remarkable transformation.Learn more about John Kempf at https://advancingecoag.comLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In a village in India, a mother was told by her own family to take her deformed baby boy to the trash heap and leave him there to die.The little boy, they said, would never walk properly.But this mother couldn’t do it. She brought him back.Enraged, her family kicked her out. She was now on her own.Then she met a man who shared the gospel with her. She got saved and began reading the Scriptures. She learned about the Great Physician, the Healer.Every day she massaged her son’s body with oil and prayed.Slowly, the little boy began to crawl.Then he began to walk.Then…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

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin Miller sits down with longtime broadcaster Mark Zimmerman to explore his journey from growing up in Northeast Ohio to a rich career in radio and storytelling.Mark spent his early years in Cleveland Heights before moving at age six to Geauga County in Amish country. At Bowling Green State University, he became the university mascot Freddie Falcon his junior year, an experience that taught him perseverance, work ethic, and leadership. He co-created the popular “Insomniac Half Hour” radio show, which grew into a live hour-long production, helping launch his broadcasting path.Mark spent many years hosting the beloved Children’s Radio Funhouse on WCRF, bringing joy, music, and encouragement to families every Saturday morning. He also worked in advertising and did play-by-play for baseball and hockey. He shares how mentors shaped him and reflects on the lessons learned from both successes and challenges.Now transitioning from daily morning drive radio, Mark looks forward to more time with his wife Wendy, their daughters, and grandchildren. He has already published a novel titled Eli, a story set during the 1946 baseball season, and is working on his next book, Fifth String.Throughout the conversation, Mark’s warmth, humor, and gratitude for God’s faithfulness shine through. His life reminds us that our gifts, whether on the air or in everyday service, can be used in beautiful ways when placed in God’s hands.This conversation encapsulates what we hope to do here with the Plain Values Podcast, telling stories that matter and bring us closer to the table.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

We’ve been printing and mailing Plain Values for a long time using the postal system… and Marlin loves it.It’s expensive, but it’s great.In this charming Minute with Marlin, he shares a fascinating bit of postal history: the system began in 1775, before the Revolutionary War. Back then, the recipient paid the one-penny postage, not the sender. There was also an 11-pound weight limit.People took full advantage of that limit in creative (and sometimes hilarious) ways— including documented cases of parents mailing their children to grandparents!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

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast, Marlin Miller sits down with Jed Johnson, founder of Wide Awake International, to hear how God led one ordinary family from Alaska to the front lines of caring for boys with disabilities in Ukraine.Jed grew up as a pastor’s kid in Alaska. When he was six, his father suffered a devastating double stroke. Life changed dramatically.  The strong, adventurous dad became someone who had to relearn almost everything. The family moved to Montana, faced financial hardship, and leaned deeply on faith. Those early years taught Jed resilience, compassion, and the reality that God is present even when life is hard.As an adult, Jed met his wife Kim, a nurse whose childhood dream was to care for orphans. Together they became foster parents to medically fragile babies while serving in their local church. Then God began stirring their hearts toward Ukraine. What started as an adoption attempt in 2010 eventually led them to move their entire family there in 2013, right before the revolution.Jed and Kim have walked alongside boys like Boris, Anton, and Ruslan… young men who came from institutions carrying deep trauma. The work has been incredibly difficult: sleepless nights, aggression, medical needs, and the daily challenge of replacing years of harm with consistent love and safety. Through it all, Jed emphasizes one simple strategy God gave him: “Put one foot in front of the other and say yes to the next thing.”Today their homestead outside Kiev includes a garden, horses for therapy, and a growing community of Ukrainians carrying the work forward. Jed’s story is a beautiful reminder that obedience often looks like small, faithful steps into the unknown… and God meets us there.This conversation encapsulates what we hope to do here with the Plain Values Podcast, telling stories that matter and bring us closer to the table.If this conversation filled your coffee cup, we would humbly invite you to leave a thoughtful comment below and please, don’t be sh … the Like and Subscribe buttons help more friends find this episode. We’re always looking for more friends.Find out more about Jed at: https://wideawakeinternational.orgLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In 1929, at the very beginning of the Great Depression, a man named Albert Brumley sat down in the northwest corner of Arkansas and wrote a song called “I’ll Fly Away.”It wasn’t published until 1932, but that simple hymn has since become the most recorded gospel song in history.Brumley went on to write over 800 songs, yet “I’ll Fly Away” remains one of the most beloved of all time.Marlin shares that it is easily one of his top one or two favorite hymns. When his time comes to fly home, he’s asked his wife to make sure one thing happens at his funeral.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

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast… Sophia Eng shares her family’s journey from Vietnamese refugee roots to a thriving 40-acre regenerative homestead in East Tennessee. With a military husband and two daughters, Sophia’s parents (boat people who fled Saigon) lived with them, creating a multi-generational home rich in tradition, work ethic, and faith.When lockdowns hit California in 2020, Sophia’s intuition (shaped by her parents’ stories of curfews and uncertainty) told her it was time to leave. They sold everything, loaded their animals (including three $300 egg-laying hens bought in a moment of urgency), and followed a leading to Tennessee, where green grass and community awaited.Today their homestead includes dairy and beef cattle, sheep, poultry, and gardens. Sophia’s books preserve family recipes and traditional fermentation while teaching soil health, Korean natural farming, and biochar. Sophia reflects on the pressure of Asian-American success metrics and how she and her husband chose a different path, one of soil, community, and faithfulness. Through every challenge, they return to the truth that God provides and that hard things often produce the sweetest fruit.A beautiful reminder that legacy isn’t built in boardrooms but in backyard gardens, kitchen ferments, and multi-generational tables.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

There are seasons when life brings deep, hard things … the loss of a spouse, the burial of a child, a long-term disability, or seasons of uncertainty and anxiety where God feels distant and silent.In this moving episode, Marlin shares the power of an old hymn written by William Cowper in 1779, “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.” The lyrics speak straight to the heart:“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform…Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.”Marlin reminds us that even when we cannot see or understand what God is doing, we can trust His sovereign, never-failing skill. 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

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast …Some people build businesses. Others build lives that point to something greater.In this powerful conversation, Derek and Lisa Guyer share the raw, beautiful story of their journey; from financial brokenness and a tiny two-bedroom home with six kids in one room, to owning and transforming Kentucky Lumber into a place of integrity, character, and genuine care.Derek openly talks about the early failures, the lessons learned from his parents, and the deliberate choice to create a company culture where employees feel safe, customers are treated like family, and tough love meets real respect.At the center of it all is their deep commitment to fostering and adopting children from hard places. Derek describes the chaos, the screaming, the fear… and the unwavering decision to be the safe place these kids desperately need.Through every trial, financial stress, loss, and the daily grind, they return to the same truth: generosity matters most when it’s hardest.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

Marlin has always loved the simple, sensory pleasure of holding a real book or magazine; the feel of the paper, the weight in his hands. In this episode, he reflects on how rare and precious books once were in the Middle Ages, when monks painstakingly copied them by hand. Then Gutenberg’s printing press changed everything by giving “wings to truth.”He beautifully connects this to God’s own design: trees become paper, language becomes Scripture, and the written word allows divine truth to spread across generations.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

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast …Some stories remind us that God still does the impossible.On a seemingly normal Monday morning in 2013, Becky Mast collapsed at home. Within minutes she had no heartbeat. For the next 35 minutes she received no oxygen to her brain. She was clinically dead.What followed was a cascade of miracles.Paramedics worked on her relentlessly. After six shocks and heroic CPR, her heart finally restarted. Doctors at multiple hospitals gave grim prognoses, massive brain damage was expected. They prepared Jimmy for the possibility of bringing his wife home in a wheelchair, or worse.Instead, after being anointed with oil according to James 5, Becky began showing signs of life. She responded to her favorite worship song. She spoke. She walked. She came home just 15 days later.Jimmy and Becky share their story with raw honesty; the fear, the prayers, the friends who carried them, and the undeniable hand of God that defied every medical expectation.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

As a young boy, Marlin watched a powerful storm roll through with tornadoes touching down nearby. A funnel cloud spun just 100 yards behind their house, hovering above the treetops. While the rest of the family took shelter in the basement, his dad stood outside, calmly watching in awe of nature’s raw power.Marlin was terrified, yet deeply moved by his father’s fearless wonder. That moment stayed with 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.Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with his good friend Larry Yoder for a conversation about God’s incredible redeeming grace.Larry shares his remarkable journey of growing up Amish, leaving the church as a teenager, and spiraling into a life of heavy drug use, partying, and bad choices. From smoking weed at 11 to nearly overdosing multiple times, Larry openly talks about how he was searching for something to fill the void but kept running from the very thing he needed most: Jesus.Then came the turning point. Sitting at a pizza shop with friends who simply shared how Jesus had changed their lives, Larry surrendered everything. What followed was radical transformation… quitting drugs cold turkey, moving to Baltimore to serve in an inner-city ministry, meeting his wife Amanda, and eventually stepping into the work he does today with Pure Gift of God.Now, Larry and his team work tirelessly to support foster care and adoption, helping children find loving homes and walking alongside families through the hard, beautiful work of building forever families. His story is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for God’s grace, and that our past pain can become the very platform God uses to bring hope to others.If you’ve ever wondered whether God can truly redeem the messiest parts of our stories, or if you want to be encouraged by a testimony of radical transformation, this episode is for you.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 Larry Yoder’s work at https://puregiftofgod.orgLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

It was a bitterly cold December day in 2016 (just 5 or 10 degrees) when Marlin, his brother, and a friend headed north to fly fish for steelhead. Marlin had years of experience and was excited to show off a little.But pride has a way of humbling us. While demonstrating how it’s done, Marlin stepped in a deep hole and fell face-first upstream. His waders instantly filled with freezing river water. Soaked, freezing, and embarrassed, he had to trudge back to the truck while his brother and friend enjoyed a great day catching fish.Marlin didn’t get to fish at all that day, but he walked away with a memorable lesson.These short, heartfelt Minutes with Marlin deliver quick doses 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

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with his longtime friend and former pastor, Marlin Beachy, for a raw and honest conversation about life, ministry, and the unimaginable pain of losing a child.Marlin shares his journey from growing up Amish, leaving the church at age eight after his father’s powerful conversion, to pastoring in Alaska for 30 years. But at the heart of this episode is the heartbreaking story of losing their son Ryan in a tragic motorcycle accident when a moose stepped into his path. Marlin doesn’t sugarcoat the shock, the grief, or the long road of learning to live with a pain that never fully goes away.Together, they wrestle with hard questions: How do you trust God’s sovereignty when your world is shattered? What does it really mean to grieve with hope? And how do you keep walking forward when the wound is still fresh years later?This isn’t a polished sermon… it’s a heartfelt, vulnerable dialogue between two men who love the Lord and have walked through deep valleys. If you’ve ever experienced loss, known someone walking through grief, or simply need to be reminded that God is still good even when life hurts most, this episode will meet you right where you are.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

Things don’t always go according to plan.In this very first Minute with Marlin episode, Marlin Miller shares a memorable winter day when he and Lisa were trying to take their family to a little cabin for a much-needed getaway. What they didn’t plan on was waking up to a foot and a half of beautiful but heavy, powdery snow.After getting the tractor stuck while trying to clear the steep driveway, Marlin hooked a chain to their Subaru Outback to pull it out… only to bury the car as well. Hours behind schedule and frustrated, they finally got on the road.As they passed their elderly widow neighbor shoveling her sidewalk, Marlin pulled over. Despite being late and the chaos of the morning, they stopped to help her. A small act of kindness in the middle of their own struggle.Marlin’s gentle reminder is simple yet powerful: A small act of kindness can go a long way.These short, heartfelt Minutes with Marlin are quick moments of wisdom, faith, humility, and encouragement—perfect for busy homestead days when you need a reminder of what really matters.Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with his longtime friend and neighbor, Jerry Miller.Jerry shares his life on the family farm in Holmes County, 173 acres that have been in his wife Gloria’s family since the late 1800s. He talks about raising five boys and now enjoying five grandchildren, milking 60–70 Jersey cows, and operating a certified organic, grass-fed dairy.The conversation turns to the deep grief Jerry’s family has walked through. Jerry was the youngest of 11 children when his father died by suicide when Jerry was only four. He reflects on his mother’s strength and the way she never spoke harshly about his dad, protecting her children from bitterness. Years later, Jerry and Gloria lost their oldest son Kevin in a farm accident at age 15. Jerry also shares the ongoing health challenges their daughter Lisa and son Micah face.Through it all, Jerry emphasizes the power of community, the hands and feet of Jesus shown by neighbors who stepped in during their hardest days, and the importance of allowing God to deal with the roots of bitterness so that healing and fruitfulness can come.He speaks honestly about the need for believers to move beyond simply believing to actively doing… serving, showing up, and carrying one another’s burdens in tangible ways.This heartfelt conversation is filled with hard-won wisdom, deep faith, and a quiet call to live as true doers of the Word.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with Aaron and Katie Ficker for the first of several conversations.Aaron, the oldest of eight, shares what it was like growing up as his family followed the Lord’s call from Illinois to Guatemala. His dad, a corporate pilot, gave up a successful career, bought an old school bus, rebuilt it, and drove the family through Mexico to answer what they believed was God’s direction. Aaron describes the adventure, the challenges, and the faith that carried them through a spiritually dark and difficult time in a war-torn area.Katie shares how she first went to Guatemala on a short-term trip while in nursing school, fell in love with the people and the work, and decided to stay. She talks about the clinics they helped run, the deep needs they saw, and the way the Lord used their obedience in hard places.The conversation touches on the realities of serving in a remote area during the tail end of civil war… the poverty, the spiritual darkness, the broken family structures, and the hope that slowly grew as trust was built over time. Aaron and Katie reflect on how their parents’ radical obedience shaped their own lives and how they continue to seek the Lord’s leading as they raise their own family.This honest and encouraging discussion is filled with stories of faith, sacrifice, and the quiet ways God works through ordinary people who say yes to His call.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Marlin sits down with his neighbor and friend, retired judge Linda Kate.Linda shares her journey from a small-town Catholic upbringing in Tuscarawas County to becoming one of the youngest judges ever elected in Ohio. She reflects on the weight of responsibility she felt the day she was sworn in, the exhausting good days and excruciating bad days in juvenile court, and how she learned to lean heavily on prayer and the support of fellow judges and staff.The conversation touches on the deep impact of seeing the worst of human nature… and the hope that still remains when someone steps in to protect a child. Linda opens up about the spiritual moments that confirmed her calling, including a powerful sense from God that this was the work He had for her.She also talks about her marriage to Kevin, raising their family, and the many mission trips they’ve taken together, especially to Haiti, where she witnessed both heartbreaking suffering and profound moments of human connection and compassion.Throughout the episode, Linda’s quiet faith, steady wisdom, and deep compassion shine through. From the courtroom to the mission field, her life has been marked by a willingness to show up, serve, and trust God in the hardest places.This honest conversation offers encouragement for anyone walking through difficult seasons or seeking to live out their faith with integrity and courage.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … Marlin invites listeners into a warm, wide-ranging conversation with his friend Brian Dahlen.Brian spent 17 years hosting live radio for Moody Radio in Cleveland and Chicago. Known for his quick thinking and kind presence behind the microphone, he joins Marlin for breakfast and shares stories from his life … from growing up in Minnesota, teaching high school social studies, to the unexpected journey that led him into radio.The two friends talk about everything from European travels and Renaissance art to the challenges of family life, raising children (including a daughter serving in the 82nd Airborne), and the deep questions of faith, manhood, and what it means to follow Christ in a complicated world.Brian opens up about the spiritual tension of live radio, the beauty and brokenness of family relationships, and the importance of humility and honest conversation in the Christian life. The discussion touches on pain as God’s invitation to grow, the reality of human depravity, and the freedom found in surrendering our own ideas to Scripture.Whether you’ve ever felt the pull between city life and a quieter calling, wrestled with big theological questions, or simply enjoyed thoughtful dialogue between friends, this episode offers encouragement and reflection.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 Brian Dahlen at https://www.clevelandministrycollective.orgLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast… Some stories remind us that God writes better endings than we ever could.Tom and Ferree Hardy both lost their spouses in 2000. Two hearts shattered by grief, hundreds of miles apart, each raising children and learning to breathe again in a world that suddenly felt empty.Then, in 2002, their paths crossed. What began as a simple connection grew into a marriage that has now spanned more than two decades of blending families, navigating job changes, multiple moves, and discovering God’s faithfulness in the most unexpected places… including a few backyard chickens along the way.Ferree, author of Postcards from the Widow’s Path, has spent years walking alongside other widows through her writing. Tom, with his steady presence and quiet strength, has been right beside her in that calling.In this tender, honest conversation, you’ll hear real talk about the long road of grief, the surprising joy of a second chapter, and the everyday faithfulness that carries a family through both the hard and the holy.Whether you’ve walked through loss yourself, love someone who has, or simply need to be reminded that God redeems even the deepest valleys, this episode will meet you right where you are.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 Tom and Ferree Hardy at https://widowschristianpath.comLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … Kristen Smith never planned on becoming an herbalist. As the oldest of three, she grew up surrounded by farmland in northwest Ohio, helping grandparents with conventional crops and meat chickens. But life shifted after marriage, college, and her first baby. A routine blood test at 22 revealed severe hypothyroidism. The doctor offered medication for life with little explanation. That moment sparked questions: Why did this happen? Could food help?With no home internet and young kids, Kristen loaded her children into a stroller and walked miles to the library, checking out every book on nutrition and health she could find. Changes came slowly… first toothpaste and deodorant, then deeper shifts toward whole foods and away from processed items. Her thyroid still requires medication, but the journey opened a world of natural remedies.Years (and nine children) later, Kristen turned her one-acre yard into a “backyard medicine cabinet.” She grows medicinal plants, keeps chickens, and experiments with herbs. Her faith anchors everything. With a large family on limited land, she relies on God’s strength daily. Kristen’s story shows how one health crisis, met with curiosity and grace, can grow into a life of stewardship, healing, and passing natural wisdom to the next generation.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 Kristen’s work at https://abetterwaytothrive.comLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … Some stories don’t just inspire you, they quietly rebuild your hope.That’s what happened the moment I sat down with Zach and Katie Miller.Zach, a former Air Force pilot and commercial airline captain, lost his first wife Kaley to cancer after a seven-year battle.Left to raise three young children, he found himself in the kind of darkness that makes a man question everything. But instead of staying there, Zach chose the hard road of redemption.Through deep faith, and relentless perseverance, he emerged with a burning conviction: to raise boys into real men who know how to lead, protect, and serve.That conviction became Arrow School for Men, a hands-on program in the mountains of Colorado where young men learn far more than survival skills. They learn character, brotherhood, and what it truly means to walk with the Lord.Then came Katie… Amish-raised, steady and strong, with a heart for family, animals, and building something beautiful from the ground up. Together, they’re blending two very different worlds into one: raising Zach’s children, starting a homestead at 7,500 feet, and creating a legacy of faith and resilience.In this conversation, you’ll hear raw honesty about grief, manhood, and second chances. You’ll hear an Amish preacher speak wisdom into a pilot’s pain. And you’ll walk away reminded that God doesn’t waste anything, not even our deepest valleys.If you’re a father, a husband, or anyone who longs to see the next generation raised with purpose, this episode is for you.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 Zach and Katie Miller at https://arrowschoolformen.com/Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … Joni Eareckson Tada was 17 when a diving accident in 1967 left her quadriplegic. What followed was not defeat. She learned to paint holding a brush in her mouth, shared her testimony with millions alongside Billy Graham, and turned letters of despair into a ministry born at her kitchen table.That ministry (Joni and Friends) now reaches families living with disability through family retreats, respite events, church training, and Wheels for the World.Wheels for the World collects used manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and crutches. You spot them at thrift stores or yard sales for $10–20. Prison partners restore them to like-new. Teams ship them overseas, fit each person individually, and pair the gift with a Bible in their language and the gospel message. Many come to Christ simply because someone sent help they never expected.Wally Ziolo’s own path from aviation to caregiving, then full-time ministry, shows how God redirects lives for purpose. Volunteers return year after year; some shift careers. Families find hope, baptism, and belonging.Upcoming Ohio retreats offer respite: June 15–19 in West Portsmouth, July 13–17 in Berlin, August 3–7 for adults. International Wheels for the World trips head to Argentina (May) and El Salvador (October).The ask is simple: pray for churches to open doors and hearts. The work is clear … love people as image-bearers, make disciples of all, and watch lives turn.Listen to the full episode. It’s worth every minute.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … Most of us have felt it… that quiet exhaustion when the body is running on empty and the spirit feels even emptier. Chris Zimmerman lived it for seven long months. Successful on paper, hollow inside, he reached a point where getting out of bed felt impossible.Then he found cold water.Not as a gimmick. As a last resort. What started as brutal cold showers became daily ice baths, and something profound shifted. The constant noise in his head went silent. Trauma he didn’t even know he was carrying began to release. Energy returned. Purpose returned. And with it, a fire to help others escape the same trap.Today, Chris owns a former hospital in Amish country in Ohio. But he’s not running it like every other hospital. He’s building something different… a place where patient choice actually means something. Where metabolic health, real food, and honest stewardship come first. Where the 70–90% of ER visits driven by preventable chronic illness might finally start to drop.This conversation is raw, hopeful, and long overdue. If you’re tired of feeling stuck (in your body, in the system, or in the daily grind), this one’s for you.You might just find the spark you’ve been praying for.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 Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … It was in his hometown church where Ryan Wolfe grew up and was drawn early to adults with intellectual disabilities who prayed, cross-stitched, and taught him more about friendship than any textbook. From coaching Challenger baseball with his young family to building a field when no one else would, he asked one question, “How can we be a blessing, no strings attached?”That simple obedience birthed Shine Ministry, guardianship programs, Jesus Proms that draw hundreds, and a faith-based adult day program funded by Medicaid. Now leading Ability Ministry, Ryan equips churches nationwide to welcome every gifted image-bearer. Because the overlooked are often the greatest treasures.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 Ryan Wolfe’s work at https://abilityministry.com/Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast … Melissa Brown never planned to lead Ohio’s largest faith-based residential home for teen survivors of sex trafficking. A Catalyst conference umbrella moment in 2013 shattered her world … kids sold for sex, hidden in plain sight. She surrendered her “yes” to God anyway.Today, Safe Harbor’s 30-acre campus offers everything on-site: medical care, school, chapel, gym, cottages with private rooms. Girls arrive broken, often by someone they knew. Melissa plants seeds of truth, hope, love … replacing lies with God’s worth.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 Melissa Brown’s work at https://www.safeharborohio.org/Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of The Plain Values Podcast, Bekah Hilty, executive director of the Pregnancy Care Center of Wayne County (in Ohio), shares her unexpected path into ministry. From a health education background and personal miscarriage to leading a center that offers free ultrasounds, parenting classes, and newborn support, she emphasizes affirming women's worth in Christ.She details the risks of abortion pills (often obtained online without medical oversight) complications, reversals, how clients sometimes seek help post-decision, and how heartbeat ultrasounds change minds.Bekah highlights joys amid heartbreak, the post-Roe fight in Ohio, and the need for prayer for nurses on the front lines.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 Bekah Hilty’s work at https://supportpccwayneoh.orgLearn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this raw and unforgettable episode of The Plain Values Podcast, photographer Eric Brown opens his studio in rural Eastern NC and his life. He talks with Marlin about his time in Nashville, family, and the six miraculous years with his daughter Pearl … born with holoprosencephaly, doctors called incompatible with life.Eric shares the gut-punch diagnosis, the choice to welcome siblings into the room, the relentless care, and the beauty that flooded their home like Kodachrome. Pearl's death in 2018 left a void: his theology cracked, the darkness crept in, and alcohol numbed.But in the end, Christ alone held everything together.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 Eric Brown at https://www.ericbrownphoto.com/Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com.