In Episode 45 of Words of the Wise, host Lexie Manor revisits a conversation with Marilyn Culler. Marilyn’s life story is one of unexpected turns, deep faith, and steady kindness.

She recalls her idyllic childhood exploring the mountains and streams of eastern Pennsylvania, often saying: “Growing up in nature and being surrounded by such beauty has really stuck with me my whole life.”

Her career path is full of surprises—working as a freelance photographer, training law enforcement officers in photography, and eventually finding her calling at DePauw University. As she says: “I feel like I’ve followed breadcrumbs, and they’ve worked out.”

Throughout the episode, Marilyn reflects on what it means to guide young people, describing it as a high calling: “When parents entrust their children to us, I take that very seriously. Everything else falls in line behind that.”

She offers wisdom for both students and listeners alike:

This re-release is a celebration of Marilyn’s legacy at DePauw, her impact on generations of students, and the reminder that often the little things in life are the most important.