Welcome to the very first episode of what we’re calling AFD’s Friday Faves! I have a playlist on Spotify called AFD’s Friday Faves where I’ll update it from time to time with music I’m listening to or songs I think you’ll love, and now we’re bringing it to the podcast.  These shorter episodes won’t happen every Friday, but we wanted to make space to tell you stories and introduce you to friends who are creating incredible music, so AFD’s Friday Faves will pop up in your feed from time to time, and there is no better way to kick this off than with Amy Grant. Today her brand-new record, The Me That Remains releases. It is the kind of record that makes you want to sit on your porch and listen all the way through. Amy said, “I hope this album feels easy to be with,” and I thought… yes. That’s exactly it. Because that’s true of Amy too. She is easy to be with, but she always brings important things with her. So whether you’re on your porch, in your car, on a walk, or just trying to make it through your day, I think you’re going to love this conversation. . . . . Eddie Kaufholz and I are hitting the road in May and June for The Buddies Tour and we want to see you there! We’re heading to 6 different cities and y’all this is going to be a night of just pure fun. Get your tickets at thebuddiestour.com. . . . . Thank you to our sponsors: Capstone Wellness: Learn more at capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun. Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that we’ve covered 2 different spiritual disciplines, prayer and fasting, we wanted to zoom out for a minute and talk about the practical side of our rhythms. Do we have to start our mornings with a quiet time? What if you’re a busy parent or a single mom? What does time with God in the morning look like? We’re talking about all of it today with Jennifer Dukes Lee! I really think you’re going to love her new book, How to Love Your Morning. Honestly, if you’re looking for a gift idea for a mom, this would be a great one.  Morning person or not, let’s figure out how to start our day from a place of surrender with God. It doesn’t have to be quiet and it doesn’t have to be hours long. Join us on Substack at spirituallystronger.com! View the show notes here . . . . Eddie Kaufholz and I are hitting the road in May and June for The Buddies Tour and we want to see you there! We’re heading to 6 different cities and y’all this is going to be a night of just pure fun. Get your tickets at thebuddiestour.com. . . . . Thank you to our sponsors: AG1: Visit drinkag1.com/SOUNDSFUN to get a FREE AG1 Flavor Sampler and a bottle of Vitamin D3+K2 in your AG1 Welcome Kit when you first subscribe, a $72 value. OurPlace: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide.  WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun. Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holy Week Bible Reading: Thursday Matthew 26:17-46 Mark 14:12-42 Luke 22:7-46 John 13-17:26 (Read from the Christian Standard Bible Version) . . . . . #TSFHolyWeek #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I showed up with a whole list to talk to Eddie about…including recapping the SNL 50th anniversary. Because duh. And Eddie also came rolling in asking for forgiveness about something he did and you’re going to love this story. If you’re following along in the TSF Seasons Guidebook, there are no note-taking pages for this one, but by all means, if you want to take notes, we’re not the boss of you. Go for it. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . Order Where Did TJ Go? Here . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He's our current intro and outro music and he's one of our favorite friends. Dave Barnes popped into the studio today and when I told instastory the day we recorded, you guys FREAKED OUT. I mean, I knew you loved him, I did not know how deep that love ran! He's funny and gifted and an incredibly good singer/songwriter. His new album Who Knew It Would Be So Hard To Be Myself, released this week and it is so so good and now on repeat in my house for always. Remember you can use the code ANNIE to get 20% off anything in Dave's store from 2/8-2/15/2018! Definitely grab the new album and anything else that catches your eye!  http://davebarnes.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Daily Harvest for sponsoring this episode! Head to dailyharvest.com and use the code: SOUNDSFUN for 3 free cups! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know I know. It is ABOUT TIME. Jamie Ivey is one of my very favorite podcast hosts and one of my very favorite friends. But gracious, her wisdom blew me away on this episode. As we have gone through these rhythms this month, hearing Jamie walk through the right times to say yes and say no was SO valuable to me. Her first book, If You Only Knew, just released and I am SUCH a fan of it- totally worth your time to read. You will be so glad you did. Also. SHE HAS A TINY HOUSE and I love everything she said about it.   https://jamieivey.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The church has had rhythms since the start, and no one helps me learn and love the church calendar (and the Bible!) more than Raechel Myers, Amanda Bible Williams, and Russ Ramsey from SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTruth. Lent is the next season on the church calendar- starting February 14 until Easter on April 1. SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTruth have created an incredible reading plan- going through the book of Exodus- to help us celebrate and understand the season. This episode is inspiring and moving and brought me to tears.  http://shereadstruth.com http://hereadstruth.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at ThirdLove for sponsoring this episode! Head to thirdlove.com/soundsfun for 15% off your first order! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To continue in our theme of small important rhythms we can add to our lives, chef to the Nashville stars, Simoni Kigweba, came on the show to talk about food. Not dieting. Not shoulds and should nots. But what would it look like for us to just eat better food? To have a knife and a pan and a pot and know what we are eating? Simoni is a dear friend and probably my favorite chef in this town- and how he ended up cooking in Nashville was a story I had never heard and it moved me to tears. Once you hear the episode, I'd love to know more about your island. :)  https://www.simonikigweba.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another important rhythm I want to get my mind around even better in 2018 is the discipline of Sabbath and rest. And in my collection of friends, no one is more of a scholar and expert than John Mark Comer. His book Garden City really started me on a journey towards Sabbath. On this episode, John Mark answers some of your questions about Sabbath and seriously brings the heat and the wisdom about adding this rhythm to our lives. https://johnmarkcomer.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    Thanks to our friends at ThirdLove and Daily Harvest for sponsoring this episode! Head to thirdlove.com/soundsfun for 15% off your first order! And to dailyharvest.com and use the code: SOUNDSFUN for 3 free cups! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're gonna spend a few weeks going through some new rhythms for 2018... things that I want to solidify in my life and things y'all are asking about when it comes up in podcast convos. First up, my friend Nichole Nordeman is on the show talking about her new book Slow Down and the power of recording God's faithfulness through journaling. (Y'all KNOW I'm a journaler, so duh we're starting here.) Check our her book and her music and fall in love with one of the best writers I know. http://www.nicholenordeman.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at ThirdLove for sponsoring this episode! Head to thirdlove.com/soundsfun for 15% off your first order! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You guys. What other way would I want to end the year than circling around with our bestie Eddie Kaufholz. We laughed, we got serious (him more than me), we talked about the highs and the lows and the weirds of 2017, with a purposeful lack of politics because you'll get PLENTY of that elsewhere. Pardon us as we finish 2017 with a little sarcasm and a lot of humor and some really good moments of friendship. (Love you guys. Thanks for an amazing year.) http://www.eddiekaufholz.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've been the luckiest to have Jon McLaughlin singing to us every week of the 2017 Christmas Party. Today we get to talk to him! One of my dearest real life friends, I'm shocked at how much I learned about Jon, less shocked at how hilarious he was from start to finish because DUH I KNEW THAT. His Christmas EP, Red and Green, has been on constant repeat around my house. You're gonna love it too. http://www.jonmcl.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y'all know I have so much love for the enneagram. So you KNOW I'm talking about it at every Christmas party I'm going to in real life, so obviously we needed to talk about at THIS party too. My friend Seth Abram is one of the smartest dudes I know, and he's particularly put a lot of time in the last few years into the study of the enneagram. HIS KNOWLEDGE GOES DEEEP, Y'ALL. So I asked him to come on the show and help us sort out Christmas gifts for our friends based on their enneagram number. Get ready, whether you know a little or a lot, this episode is going to blow your mind a bit. It's awesome. https://twitter.com/sethabrammusic https://www.instagram.com/sethabram/ (Remember he wants to answer your questions! Don't be shy!) http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask and you shall receive, friends! An entire episode about our favorite Hallmark Christmas movies, past and present, with a few of my best friends who happen to be legit experts on the subject. (Like, way more expert than I was even expecting.) And a surprise INCREDIBLY fun special guest appearance by Alicia Witt, amazing actress and star of my VERY FAVORITE OF ALL TIME Hallmark Christmas movie, A Very Merry Mixup. This may end up being your very favorite episode. It kinda is mine. :)  http://www.hallmarkchannel.com http://www.aliciawittmusic.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show, Mattie Jackson is back to help us answer the question "Where is the hope of winter?” You may remember her from episode 345 and if not, you’re going to love her. She is an incredible author, speaker, and entrepreneur with a heart for helping others find hope in the midst of life’s hardest seasons.  Mattie so generously offers her wisdom and story as a friend who’s experienced tremendous grief after suddenly losing her husband at the age of 28. Her latest book: Through the Valley of Grief, is a 365-Day Devotional of Spiritual Practices for Hope in Suffering, and as we talk about trying to find hope when it feels like winter will never end, this devotional and Mattie’s heart is something I think you’re going to learn a lot from today. If you’re taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 21, And if you’re wanting a copy of the guidebook, you can find that at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life. If you liked this conversation, you may also like these: Episode 345: Mattie Selecman + Lemons on Friday Episode 477: Granger Smith on Country Music, Ministry, and How Loss Changes Your Whole Life Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Go to BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! WayFair: Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Thrive Causemetics: Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have been dyyyyyyying to get Melanie Shankle on the podcast, and there's no better time than during this year's Christmas party! Mel's new book, Church of the Small Things, was one of my favorite reads this year. Get ready to laugh, learn, and wish you had a whole bunch more time with Mel. She's just the best.  http://thebigmamablog.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharon Hodde Miller joins us today as we continue our 2017 Christmas party! We talk all manner of things including her family Christmas traditions, what I didn't know about the day we met, and her new book Free Of Me. She's just the kind of friend you want to bump into at a big party, pull over to the side, and chat for a good long time. https://sheworships.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to kick off our 2017 Christmas party (a day early because I LOVE TO PARTY)! And who shows up at the door first but our faithful friends from SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTruth, ready to talk all things Advent! There's so much more to this season than December 25th. I'm so so excited about it. Remember to use the code ANNIE15 to get 15% off your order from shopshereadstruth.com between now and December 3!  http://shereadstruth.com http://hereadstruth.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Lee, guitar player in the amazing band Third Day, is also now a published author of Hurt Road (a book I've read and really enjoyed). SO MANY TALENTS I AM FULL ON JEALOUS. I grew up in the town where Mark lives, we've known each other for decades, and I'm such a huge fan of him as an artist and a human.  And don't you know he brought up the enneagram SO WE WENT THERE. :) You're gonna love this conversation and this dude! http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is one of the wisest guests we've ever had on the podcast. We talk a lot about communication, specifically about his new book Before You Hit Send, but also dive deep into the theology of God's kindness and the power of asking God "why?" and singleness and the whole episode feels like a good long talk around the table with a father-figure. I'm so thankful for this conversation. https://loveandrespect.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My pal Luke and I continue the conversation we started on his podcast episode... we jump in all about church leadership and giving gifts to friends and Austin vs. Nashville and podcasting and how to get Luke to come on a trip. (It's too easy.) For the first half of this conversation, head to Newsworthy with Norsworthy .... and once you've listened through BOTH, tweet us (@lukenorsworthy and @anniefdowns) between now and December 1 and we'll get a little prize to you (until we run out)! http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jess Connolly and I have been friends for years. Like, heart friends. Like, see each other barely but dive RIGHT IN THE DEEP when we do. And you cannot imagine how excited we were to learn that our new books released out into the world on the same day.  So to celebrate Dance Stand Run and 100 Days To Brave, we decided we needed to laugh and cry and talk about everything and then record it. :)  Make sure you pick of Jess's book- it is a real gift to any woman in your life.  https://www.dancestandrun.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friend (and former boss) Barrett Ward founded fashionABLE, a company that creates beautiful fashion pieces and employs women around the world to help them overcome. I'm ADDICTED to their leather bags and am headed out today to get a new pair of their jeans. Barrett and I talk about the start of the company, what they are doing that NO ONE else in the fashion industry is doing (yet), and why you have to drive a squirrel over a river. (Seriously.) I think you'll love this conversation and LOVE all things fashionABLE! http://livefashionable.com (And use the code ANNIE20 until the end of October 2017 for 20% off your purchase! HUZZAH!) http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You guys. The Bethkes. THEY ARE JUST THE BEST. So funny and sweet and kind and awesome to hang with. You are so going to love this conversation between the three of us. We sing the praises of our favorite podcasts and pastors, we talk about Maui and Nashville and travel, and we deep dive into dating and relationships. Be sure to grab their new book Love That Lasts. It's good good good. https://lovethatlasts.co/book/ http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen. YOU ARE NOT EVEN READY for what Carlos Whittaker is about to bring to your ears. We laugh. We cry. He cusses. It's just all the things you've dreamed of for a podcast episode. Truly, this episode really did something good in my heart. I hope it does in yours too. And make sure you grab his new book, Kill The Spider, to continue the conversation this podcast starts. http://killthespider.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once a month this year, we'll have an essay from me with some thoughts and ideas I am processing in real time, and we call those Always Annie episodes because I am, in fact, Always Annie.  Last month, I told you how much Nashville means to me and how it feels to have my heart living in two cities right now. I am here today in New York City, the other city I call home and the other city that holds my heart. Two days ago, we released Where Did TJ Go?, a children’s book about grief and loss but more important to me, a book about my nephews Sam and TJ. TJ was born in June of 2022 and died later that summer. I already loved New York then, but it never crossed my mind to consider this city my home... . . . . . TSF Seasons Guidebook is available for you over at anniefdowns.com/seasons that will lead you through this entire year as well. When you purchase it, you’ll get a download of all of the questions and prompts for the winter season, and then we’ll email the content for each new season as it begins.  . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode, here's last month's: Always Annie: I Love Nashville – Episode 954 . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Whittle and I have been friends for years, to the point that we barely know when it started. We're just glad it did. We cover all sorts of topics today, from family to church to her new book Put Your Warrior Boots On. I love her, respect her, and just think the world of her. I bet you will too. http://lisawhittle.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there is one tool that has helped me grow and flourish and better understand my friends as well as myself, it is the enneagram. I talk about it a lot on here (as you know), so today I invited my friend Beth McCord, an amazing enneagram coach, to come and lay out the basics for us of why we should learn about the enneagram, how to sort out your type, and a very short description of each number.  This is your enneagram primer. :) More to come in future episodes! (Beth has a ton of amazing enneagram resources on her website- be sure to check it out!)  http://yourenneagramcoach.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This has been a long time coming (and often requested by y'all!) and I am so glad to have my friend Jon Acuff on this episode. We had a blast chatting about Nashville things and Atlanta things and church things and writing things. He kinda blew my mind a few times- I think you're gonna really appreciate his thoughts. Jon's new book Finish is worth the read. Hope you'll check it out. Acuff.me http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No better way to kick off Season 3 of the That Sounds Fun Podcast than with one of my favorite friends and an amazing author Sophie Hudson. Y'all. This is such a fun episode. LAUGHS, people. LAUGHS. Her new devotional for teen girls- All In All- is such a great gift for the teenager in your life. So we're back. Back in action, friends. Missed you guys. Let's party. http://boomama.net http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chrystal Evans Hurst and I met this spring and hit it off immediately. She's one of those friends that you sit down with and twenty minutes later both of y'all have laughed and cried and plan to be friends forever. It was worth taking a break from a quiet August to chat with her about her new book, She's Still There.  Hope you enjoy our chat! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh y'all.  We had the absolute most fun at #TSFWeekend2017. Three days together, hanging out and making friends, eating delicious food, and hearing from incredible artists- exactly how I want to spend a weekend in July!  We recorded a live podcast with many of the folks you already know and love- Dave Barnes, Eddie Kaufholz, Kelleigh Bannen, Christy Nockels, and some new voices too, like Emmy Singer from Inner Light Yoga. We had the best time and I hope you'll feel like you were right there with us! http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am beyond excited about this episode. Kevin Queen is the new pastor of my church in Nashville, Cross Point Church. The story of how he got here is legitimately miraculous. And because we've been friends for almost 20 years, I wanted to give him a place to tell the whole thing- start to finish- of what God has done and how Kevin and his family and our church have all responded. But even if you aren't in Nashville, this story will certainly speak to you about God's kindness, provision, and plan. It's pretty awesome.   http://www.crosspoint.tv/kevin http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler and I have been pals for almost 20 years and it has been an absolute blast watching him lead in a lot of different places, currently as the president of Catalyst. We sat down this week to talk about a whole bunch of things, including my new pastor, why Tyler keeps candy on his desk at all times, and women in leadership. He's a super funny dude- I think you're gonna dig this conversation. https://twitter.com/tylerreagin https://catalystleader.com (use the code FUN to get a $199 ticket to Catalyst Atlanta in October!) http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A couple of years ago, Joy Eggerichs Reed sat me down at a table around Mexican food with a gorgeous blonde named Liz who had lots of excitement and words and ideas. I loved her on the spot and wanted to be her friend every day from then on. Liz Bohannon is the founder and CEO of Sseko Designs. She's a fireball with big dreams and miracle size prayers and I promise you're gonna fall head over heels in the next hour. What a gift Liz is to our planet. https://www.instagram.com/lizbohannon/ http://ssekodesigns.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Me. Eliza. New Katie. Three microphones. Who in the world decided this would be a good idea? :) But seriously, we get so many questions about what office life is like at our company, who does what, and how in the world we survive this crazy story, so we thought it would be fun to chat together for the podcast. Eliza was in Nashville for a few short hours and New Katie was free, so it just felt right!  If this sparks more questions, send them to us! We love it! Hope you enjoy some conversations from inside Downs Books Inc!  http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show, I get to introduce you to my sister, Tatum Green, and we’re also joined by David Thomas, whom you know and love from Daystar Counseling and the Raising Boys and Girls podcast. Together, we’re going to share with you the story of my nephew, TJ, and why we wanted to put this brand new book, Where Did TJ Go? in your hands. We keep saying this is a book we wish no one needed, but so many families do, and that was our reality as a family in 2022 when we realized we couldn’t find the right book to read to my nephew, Sam, about losing his baby brother. We absolutely have the hope of heaven, but grief and loss can make it feel like it’s always winter and it will never end, so if you’re taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 19, and we’ve given space to process today as you listen. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! HiyaHealth: My friends receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.  BetterHelp: Discover your relationship “green flags”, with BetterHelp.Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like So Happy to Know You! Behind the Scenes of Launching a Children’s Book! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I met Jennie Allen at a lunch in Nashville about five years ago. She had this idea, our friend Lindsey gathered a handful of us around a table to hear about Jennie's idea for this event for women. Who could have imagined IF:Gathering would grow to what it is now? Amazing. Jennie is a faithful friend, humble leader, and my first student in the School of Fun. :) (You'll understand when you listen.) She's just the best and I'm so honored to get to chat with her.  http://jennieallen.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelleigh Bannen is quickly becoming one of my favorite humans. It's not just her incredible singing voice (that will legitimately blow your mind) or her humor (though it is there) or her songwriting skills (also there in droves). This girl's heart and love for God are going to be what makes you want to be lifelong friends with her as well. Her latest single is called Church Clothes and it will moooooove you. Wow it's a powerful song. Also, Kelleigh will be at our That Sounds Fun Weekend! So come join us! http://kelleighbannen.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sadie Robertson reminds me of the best parts of summer- fun and bright and just plain warm to be around. You've probably seen her grow up on television, like I did, and the young woman she has become is pretty remarkable. You're going to love her and you're going to love her heart for the generation of women coming behind her.  http://liveoriginal.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You guys. Chris McClarney is FUNNY. I mean, this dude cracked me up start to finish! And I know how much we love people who make us laugh around here, so I'm feeling pretty good about this convo. Local Nashville guy and AMAZING worship leader and songwriter, sitting down with Chris was a total highlight- you are gonna love being friends with him.  http://chrismcclarney.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Man what a treat to spend some time in the good ol' podcast booth with my friends Lisa and Missy Harper. Lisa is one of my favorite authors and just brings a smile to my face on the regular. We spend a good amount of time today talking about our recent trip to Haiti, why Lisa and Missy are going back, and her new book The Sacrament of Happy. And happy you shall be after a laugh-y hour with me and Lisa and her absolutely adorable daughter Missy! http://lisaharper.net http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's talk about the SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTurth summer reading plan- the book of Romans! Y'all know I'm not the world's biggest fan of Paul :), so I brought Amanda, Raechel Myers, and Russ Ramsey onto the show to tell me why I should love the book of Romans and why we should spend our summer reading it. (Spoiler alert: they convinced me. :) ) We also talked about cheese and New Kids on the Block, and toilets. So. A real well rounded episode for you. ALSO- just for YOU, if you go to shopshereadstruth.com between 5/25-6/25, use the code ANNIE10 to get 10% off anything you order. (They love you guys so much - I'm grateful.) shopshereadstruth.com shereadstruth.com hereadstruth.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know I love the UK. And I love my Nashville friends. So today's conversation combines two of my favorite things. Andrea Lucado is a dear friend and also has just released her first book, English Lessons, about her time in Oxford, England. We hadn't gotten to chat in a while, so this one really feels like two close friends getting to catch up, because it is! Such a dear friend, great writer, and wise woman! You'll love her. http://andrealucado.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What an honor to have Steven Curtis Chapman on the podcast. His new book Between Heaven and the Real World is so worth your time to read. For a girl who grew up listening to Christian music, this was a really special interview- not many people have been a part of my life as long as Steven's music has. I'm grateful for the hour we got to spend together and I hope you'll love it too. http://stevencurtischapman.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My whole life has changed since my way of eating changed in 2013. Diagnosed with PCOS and a dairy allergy, to be the healthiest version of Annie meant it was time to change alllll my ways. And Danielle Walker, author of the New York Times Bestelling Against All Grain cookbooks and hugely popular website, was a true gift from God that year of learning (still is!). Not only are her recipes insanely delicious (her dairy-free ranch made me tear up), she's also an absolutely lovely human being and now one of my dearest friends. My bet is you know her, you follow her, and you love her (and her foods). But if by chance she is a new friend to you, I'm so glad to introduce y'all. :)  http://againstallgrain.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm kicking off the season of writing a new book, and for the last few weeks y'all have been sending us questions about the process. So even though I don't know very much :), I attempted to answer a few of the questions with everyone's favorite assistant, Eliza!  (It's just the beginning of the process... we have so much more to discuss... so keep those questions coming!) So let's talk about writing books! http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re big Popcast fans around here at AFD Inc, and I honestly can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get Erin on the show. If you aren’t already obsessed with our podcasting cousins over at the PMG, then let me tell you more about Erin. She’s a writer, podcaster, and storyteller. She is the Resident Bible Scholar and host of the Faith Adjacent podcast, and senior creative at Popcast Media Group and her very first book, I’ve Got Questions just came out!  Today we talk about it along with everything from aging and makeup to doing life with people we don’t always agree with.  If you’re taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 18. . . . . . Show notes Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Pre-order Annie's new children's book Where Did TJ Go? . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Causemetics:  Right now, my friends can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like: TSF Couples 2019: Knox McCoy + Jamie Golden from The Popcast  . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have been so excited to have this conversation with my friend Tsh Oxenreider. As I followed along with her family as they traveled the world last year, I could not wait to hear more and read her book At Home In The World. Amazing author, brilliant woman, faithful friend. You're going to adore her, her brain, her story.  Make sure you check out her books, blog, and podcast! http://theartofsimple.net http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa-Jo Baker is my favorite South African turned American turned author turned awesome. And knowing some of her story, it was really brave of her to write an entire book on the pains and joys of friendship called Never Unfriended. We talk about it, as well as our favorite television shows and Beauty and the Beast and the life of an author, amongst other things. Lisa-Jo is a joy. You're gonna love her. http://neverunfriended.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices