Plain Values Podcast

Plain Values
  • 4.9 (21)
  • 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. 1d ago

    EP #53 - Grace, Storytelling & the God Who Still Writes | Plain Values

    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

    EP #53 - Grace, Storytelling & the God Who Still Writes | Plain Values

  2. 3d ago

    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

  3. Aug 21

    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.

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

  4. Aug 18

    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

  5. Aug 14

    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

    EP #51 - The Story Is Never Over (The Long View of Foster Care)

  6. Aug 11

    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.

  7. Aug 7

    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

    EP #50 - The Healing Power of Art: Stories from Inside the Hospital Walls | Roc Baker

  8. Aug 4

    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.

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4.9
out of 5
21 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
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Plain Values
  • Show Website
    Plain Values Podcast

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