Plain Values Podcast

Plain Values
  • 4.9 (20)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1h ago

    Minute with Marlin EP #11 - Finding Joy in the Dirt Piles of Life

    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

  2. 4d ago

    EP #46 - Dawn and Carson on Faith, Food, Regulation, and Resilience

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

    EP #46 - Dawn and Carson on Faith, Food, Regulation, and Resilience

  3. Jul 7

    Minute with Marlin EP #10 - Love, Help, and Hope for the People Around Us

    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

  4. Jul 3

    EP #45 - Missions, Adoption, Loss, and God’s Faithfulness

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

    EP #45 - Missions, Adoption, Loss, and God’s Faithfulness

  5. Jul 1

    Minute with Marlin EP #9 - The Deep Gift of True Hospitality

    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

  6. Jun 26

    EP #44 - Regenerative Agriculture, Plant Immunity, and Faithful Stewardship

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

    EP #44 - Regenerative Agriculture, Plant Immunity, and Faithful Stewardship

  7. Jun 23

    Minute with Marlin EP #8 - A Mother’s Faith and the Child Who Wasn’t Supposed to Walk

    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

  8. Jun 19

    EP #43 - A Lifetime of Radio Broadcasting, Faith, and Family w/ Mark Zimmerman

    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

    EP #43 - A Lifetime of Radio Broadcasting, Faith, and Family w/ Mark Zimmerman
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4.9
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Plain Values
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Plain Values
  • Show Website
    Plain Values Podcast

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