Plain Values Podcast

In this episode of the Plain Values podcast, Dawn Combs joins Marlin for a conversation covering all the Big Corps–Big Ag, Big Food, Big Pharma, Big Chemical, Big Tech and beyond.
Being practically neighbors with Scott’s and Nestlè corps, Dawn says she lives “ in the belly of the beast.” Then, just on the other side of Columbus sits Licking County which has drawn the attention of Big Tech. Data Centers drink up to 50 million gallons of water a day and the large aquifers there have them drooling for the land. Dawn’s husband Carson happens to be the sitting City Planning Director within Licking County. Being a Christian man and advocate for holistic, regenerative ag and stewarding creation, Carson believes he has an opportunity to show the world how we can move forward alongside technology in a responsible way.

Ethnobotany is where folklore and science meet. It’s the study of how certain cultures made use of the indigenous plants in each region, with the aspect of understanding the science behind why it worked. Due to its pagan nature, it’s not a subject many christians find themselves in, but Dawn has been drawn to it all her life, seeking the truth within the lore.

Marlin and Dawn dive deep into the subject of the western infertility world which Dawn experienced for three years before she fired her doctors and diagnosed herself. Treating herself with herbs and teas, she went on to naturally have two children. Not only did she heal herself, but she healed a broken generational pattern within her family. Dawn explains, “Our best healing remedies mimic God’s design… in the western mindset it’s all about controlling the body and making it do what you want it to.” They continue discussing western medicine and processed foods and the “treadmill” these keep us running on.
Big Ag and Big Fertility are essentially doing the same thing. They are forcing infertile soil to produce life beyond its capacity. They are bypassing God’s design and forcing their will upon it, without any thoughts of the repercussions. Dawn says there’s a better way, and she’s dedicated her life to discovering it.
Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of Minute with Marlin, Marlin traces the origins of the podcast all the way back to when his dad died, 15 years ago.

A few months after Marlin’s dad passed, he, his brother, and his mom visited Arthur, IL for a large family reunion. Inevitably at some point, the stories of his dad began to flow, and Marlin wished the day would never end.
Marlin’s vision when he began the podcast in 2025 was to recreate that day of storytelling and connection, so stories and moments like those could live on. It became wildly clear how real that vision was soon after he sat down in the studio with his uncle “Monk” along with some cousins to record a four-hour conversation. Unexpectedly, just three weeks later, they lowered Monk into the ground and said goodbye.

This is why the Plain Values Podcast exists. Capturing the stories for the next generations. If you have a story worth capturing, send us an email at reachout@plainvalues.com.
Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com

In this episode of the Plain Values Podcast Marlin meets Ben Garrett, a woodworker (though he failed at that), pastor, writer, podcaster, and bigfoot researcher. Ben is the pastor at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, the co-host of the Haunted Cosmos podcast, and author of the book Killing Lust: Fighting for Purity in a Pornographic Age.

Ben begins the episode talking about how he came to Utah and Refuge Church. They discuss childhood, family, and parenting. Then they jump into the deep end discussing the spiritual realm, Bigfoot, mythology, scary stories, and what these should mean to us today. 

What do we gain by talking about scary stories? Ben answers this question first by cautioning against an unhealthy fascination with the ugly. He goes on to say, “When you (in a measured and sober minded way) are exposed to the ugly, it gives you a greater appreciation for the beautiful. When you make adequate eye contact with the terrible lie, it gives you a much greater appreciation for the truth.” 
Ben talks about “the cababasis of man.” The descent of man into death or the underworld, and the ascent out. In stories the character grows and learns something that could only come through that descent. Ben and Marlin also discuss materialism, AI, and Ben’s newest book, Killing Lust. 
This book was written to be worked through alongside a mentor. Not an “accountability partner” or group of guys on the same level of maturity as the addict, but someone further along the journey who can call them out when needed. Anyone who struggles with lust, if they are in church, already has all the tools they need to overcome this sin. This book reminds us of those tools.
They close in discussing Milton’s Adam in Paradise Lost and how even after his sin, he may have been the most joyful man who ever lived because he saw Christ and tasted salvific grace.

Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com
🔵 Where to find Ben:
@tompawnbadil (X)
newchristendompress.com/killinglust
thehauntedcosmos.com
Ben is the senior writer at New Christendom Press, Co-host of the Haunted Cosmos podcast, and Pastor at Refuge Church in Ogden, UT.
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🤝THIS EPISODE’S PREMIERE SPONSOR: Rustic Strength

Rustic 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/

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🤝THIS EPISODE’S FEATURED SPONSOR: Azure Standard

Our 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
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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/
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🎵 Hold My Hand - Sam Burchfield
Recorded Live - Plain Values - Winesburg, OH
Learn more about Sam: https://www.samburchfield.com/
🎵 Other music - Soundstripe

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

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

The conversation moves on to some of the different programs Polyface has each year. Their Steward program brings many interesting people from all walks of life (including Veterans) to the farm, creating plenty of memorable stories. 

Daniel’s favorite routine farming work happens in the cattle corral. He loves to see how certain farming methods, like the low stress technique and others, have been scientifically proven to bring about health and healing. 
Daniel is a farmer and doesn’t think a whole lot about Artificial Intelligence, but he says, "You can't Google experience." AI gives facts but cannot give you the context of "talking story," which largely affects those facts.
Daniel and Joel ask for prayer for the legacy of Polyface Farm. Not for the Salatin name but for the practices of healing and restoration of the land.

Learn more about Plain Values at https://plainvalues.com
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🤝THIS EPISODE’S PREMIERE SPONSOR: Rustic Strength
Rustic 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 Standard

Our 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

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🤝THIS EPISODE’S FEATURED SPONSOR: Invited: Collection 001

If 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://plainvalues.com/invited
🔷🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹🔷
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/
🔷🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹🔷
🎵 Hold My Hand - Sam Burchfield
Recorded Live - Plain Values - Winesburg, OH
Learn more about Sam: https://www.samburchfield.com/
🎵 Other music - Soundstripe