Christian author and speaker Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, restaurants, travel stories, musicians not to miss, interviews with friends. Pretty much, if it sounds fun to Annie, you’re gonna hear about it.
We seem to have fallen into a pretty cool theme of prayer lately, and today is going to help us with that for sure. Whether you are new to prayer or have spent lots of time doing it already, Jarrett Stevens has some amazing thoughts and challenges for us. This one conversation has already pretty massively affected my prayer life. His new book Praying Through would be a great resource for anyone thinking of growing or changing their prayer habits.
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You guys. Welcome Anthony ONeal, our newest best friend, and I think y'all are going to fall in love with him as quick as I did. He is passionate about helping young adults learn how to make smart decisions with their money, relationships and education in order to live a well-balanced life. His book Debt-Free Degree is such a helpful resource- I hope you'll grab a copy. Buckle up- this conversation goes every single way and it's the most fun.
Don't forget you can watch some of my conversation with Anthony over on my YouTube page!
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One of my favorite parts of this pod life is sharing music that I absolutely love, and Tauren Wells is at the tip top of that list. I love that his new song Citizen of Heaven is our intro and outro music and the album by the same name is coming out next week. Chatting with Tauren about theology and friendship and marriage and how to read the Bible... gracious this one is gold from start to finish. Make sure you grab a copy of his new album to play as quick as possible!
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I'm so excited to be headed out on tour with Jonathan Pokluda, Mike Grayson, and Cheryl Stark. We were in the office planning for the tour and I said, "you guys, let's just go sit down in the podcast studio and record this!" So that's what we've got for you- the conversation we were having around the table eating barbecue. What it means for us to love better, why we want to tour together, and dating thoughts... we've got lots of them. :)
We'd love to have you join us on the tour- grab your tickets here!
Here's our Love Better Tour Playlist if you want a sneak listen to the songs we will be singing!
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This conversation is another breath of fresh air for us. Aundi Kolber came into the podcast studio and was a gift from minute one, and I think you will agree. Aundi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MA LPC), writer, and speaker in Castle Rock, Colorado. She specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. Her new book Try Softer just released and it is going to help you in a million ways. (She's pretty brilliant, y'all.)
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Another year and we are here together and I am so grateful. And why not kick it off with an incredibly vulnerable and personal episode? LOL. Seth Haines joins us to talk about all the facets of sobriety, how to face your desires, what to do next, and it all is just a step towards who we want to be in the next decade. His new book The Book of Waking Up is a beautiful, helpful, and life-giving read.
Hope you're joining us for #100DaysToBrave2020! It's not too late- grab a copy of 100 Days To Brave and jump in with us!
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What choice did we have but to have Eddie Kaufholz back on the podcast to help us wrap up 2019? We talk down all the big topics that matter and don't matter and pretty much sort out everything about the last decade as we head into the next one. Always grateful for when Eddie makes me laugh AND cry.
(We also have a little drop in from our buddy Andy Barron... so that's a special year end treat!)
Happy New Year, friends!
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Everyone's favorite big guy is back on the show today, ready to really process through the day after Christmas, his biggest and most important work day. What an honor to have Santa Claus land the sleigh here at the That Sounds Fun Studio at Downs Books HQ.
And remember to check out my youtube page for a follow up question with Santa!
Totally unrelated: http://davebarnes.com
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We finish this year's 12 Days of Christmas with my parents! They always show up at my parties and I'm so glad.
Enjoy the Christmas stories from a lot lot lot of our 2019 guests!
Have a very Merry Christmas, friends. Thankful for you!
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Molly Reed Grayson is by far my favorite instagram baking follow! Every week with her #SundayBakes shows she entertains and teaches and I absolutely love it. As you are preparing for time in the kitchen the next few days, this episode will help you do it well! (And definitely stick around to the end... we have a moment that has NEVER HAPPENED before on the show! And I totally cried and it's awesome.)
Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Raechel Myers, Amanda Bible Williams, Jeff Henderson, and Jaci Velasquez.
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What a gift to have the pastor of the pod back with us today! Kevin Queen talks to us about transitions, prayer, church life around Christmas, and how to pray for your city.
Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Bianca Oltoff, Mark Batterson, and Heather Land.
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This may be one of my favorite episodes this year. Melinda Doolittle is every bit as fun as she sounds from start to finish. She is kind and hilarious and thoughtful AND A CHRISTMAS TREE UP YEAR ROUND? Yeah, we need her. And now we can't WAIT for her Christmas album in 2020!
Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Clay Scroggins, Hillary Scott, and Dustin Nickerson.
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Victoria Duerstock and I jumped RIGHT ON IN to friendship as soon as she walked into the podcast studio. I love love love having someone at our Christmas party that talks about holiday decor- and this conversation combines the importance of purpose behind your decorating, staying on budget, and why it all matters. Her latest book Heart & Home for Christmas- is such a sweet read with daily devotionals combined with beautiful home decor. Such a great gift.
Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests the Bethkes, the Dickersons, and Louie Giglio!
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Ted Dekker is the first guest EVER on this podcast (he's really the reason I started podcasting in the first place!), so it's such a joy to have him and his daughter Rachelle Dekker on the podcast today! I'm devouring their new book The Girl Behind The Red Rope- it's a novel I think you'll enjoy!
Can't wait for you to hear the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Casey J, Mike Donehey, and Jess Connolly.
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Y'all request Food Network star Aarti Sequeira ALL THE TIME and MERRY CHRISTMAS she came to the party! I just adore Aarti and have loved her every minute since we met on the set of Hallmark Home and Family!
Today, Aarti gets very honest about God and the holidays and family transitions. What a gift she has given us today.
Also enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Benjamin Watson, Kristen Strong, and Kevin & Rea Queen.
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As we recorded EnneaSummer2019 episodes (which you can go back to June 2019 and listen to), I asked each enneagram pair to tell us about what they'd like for Christmas.
Today, my three lifelong best friends- Molly, Misti, and Enneagram Coach Haley Watkins- sit down in the studio with me and we talk through each of the nine types of the enneagram and what they each would like for Christmas!
Enjoy these Christmas stories from 2019 guests Andrew Peterson, Trudy Cathy White, and Brian Dixon.
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It has been far too long since Sarah Bessey and I caught up and it's most definitely time for her to be on the show! Her calm presence and kind voice felt just perfect for our Christmas party. So many topics, not enough time, but gracious and I grateful for her honesty and stories and heart.
Make sure you grab a copy of her latest book Miracles and Other Reasonable Things!
Stick around for Christmas stories from our 2019 guests John Mark Comer, Chris Rice, and the Roses from the Peach Truck!
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Our Christmas party continues today, the third Sunday of Advent. Pastor Alex Seeley joins us to talk all about her new book The Opposite Life and the best parts (and the hardest parts) of the holiday season. What a gift to think through how to celebrate and grieve during these weeks- I'm so thankful for Pastor Alex talking us through this.
Stick around for Christmas stories from 2019 guests Drew Hill, the Roloffs, and David Crowder!
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The most requested and waited for show every year- Jami and Jenn are here to talk all about this year's brand new batch of Hallmark Christmas movies!
And yes- we talk loooong about our day at Dollywood as extras in Hallmark Christmas movie "Christmas at Dollywood." And yes, we still have the highest hopes that someday we'll get Dolly Parton on the podcast!
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I fangirl SO HARD in this episode, y'all. Phil Wickham is one of my very favorite artists and I am beyond grateful that he let us use music from his new album, Christmas, for the whole month of December! Make sure you grab a copy of the album- it's one of my very favorites.
Can't wait for you to hear Christmas stories from 2019 guests Amena Brown, Knox McCoy, and Jordan Lee Dooley!
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I've been so hoping we could get Jeff Henderson on the podcast and YES HERE HE IS. One of my favorite pastors (you'll hear why in the show- I also cry SORRY BUT YOU KNOW ME), Jeff and his wife and daughter join us to discuss pastoring and running a business, raising kids to love the church, what it looks like to be FOR your community, and disappointing people (ouch). This guy is just one of the best- make sure you grab a copy of Know What You're FOR... one of my favorite books this year.
Today's episode includes super great Christmas stories from our 2019 guests Sarah Mae, Jeremy Cowart, and Emily Chapman Richards!
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I just finished listening to this episode with Liz Bohannon and I feel like I have more air in my lungs than I did before hearing it. She's just the absolute embodiment of INSPIRING. Her new book Beginner's Pluck is a must read for all of us.
With Christmas stories from past 2019 guests Andrew Osenga, Julie Roberts, and Ryan Hall!
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Gracious I thought this conversation with Clay Scroggins was equal parts helpful and incredibly fun. For all of us who are leading (spoiler: we all are!), the conversation about what can distract us (spoiler: it's not just your phone!) may help you shape 2020 in some really important ways.
His new book How to Lead in a World of Distraction is an excellent read that I think you'll enjoy.
And surprise ending! We've been collecting Christmas stories from EVERY GUEST ALL YEAR! You'll hear a handful every show for the rest of 2019- today we hear from Lauren Diagle, Scott Sauls, and Anne Bogel!
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I mean. I figured we would like Zach Williams, I had no idea we would like him THIS MUCH. His music is absolutely great, his story is so unique, and I just like him to pieces. Make sure you're listening to his album Rescue Story- it is SO. GOOD. Y'ALL.
And who is gonna connect us to interview Kanye? :)
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Amena Brown is such a special friend, my word I love her. WE go to a lot of places today, some that are not so easy. But it felt like the perfect episode for Thanksgiving- gives us lots to think about and talk about with our people. From dating to church to racism to writing and podcasting, we cover it all.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Grateful for you each!
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I absolutely always LOVE have Eddie Kaufholz on the podcast, and y'all do too! Today we're talking all things The New Activist- how Eddie got all of us started in our love for Christian Appalachian Project, why he got involved with IJM in the first place, and all about his brand new series (that is INCREDIBLE) about the life of a young child in slavery in Ghana, Esther.
Here are the links to all the things:
(To continue to give towards children receiving Imagination Library books, select "educational programs" in the giving dropdown menu.)
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I have been a fan of ABLE since literally day 1, and Barrett and Jordan are absolutely two of my favorite friends, so this made today's show one of the best. We talk all about fair living wages for people working in fashion, who works at ABLE and what all they create, and where the company is going next and where fashion is going next.
ALSO.
Before Black Friday deals even kick off, they are giving y'all 25% off everything AND free shipping using the code "thatsoundsfun25" online or in the flagship store in Nashville! (Only good until the end of Cyber Monday, y'all! So get to shopping!)
https://www.livefashionable.com
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Just a quick little drop in show to tell you THANK YOU for being the best pod-friends a girl could ever ask for, tell you a bit about where the podcast is going, and tell you as much as I can about the new book (AND HOW YOU CAN BE IN IT)!!
Here is the link:
Remember the first 700 people who tell us what sounds fun to them get to be in the book!
Y'all are the very best. Thank you so much.
Y'all have been asking to have her on the show and she and I have been trying our darnedest to get our schedules to align and FINALLY! HUZZAH! Here she is! Jordan Lee Dooley is such a joy and absolutely brilliant but also kind and thoughtful and I just am a little obsessed with her, okay? Her book Own Your Everyday should be FRONT AND CENTER on your Christmas buying list.
(Just a reminder as I mentioned in the show- Saturday is our podcast birthday! Make sure you listen to that short episode dropping this weekend so you get to be IN MY NEW BOOK! EEEK!)
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I love having Jeremy Courtney on the podcast. His voice is so important and powerful. He's smart and funny and incredibly kind and I'm just the biggest fan of his. I love hearing from voices that teach us new things, open our minds to new ideas that we may or may not agree with, and hear perspectives that aren't our own all the time. Today we talk about what is happening right now in Syria and Turkey and the middle east, Preemptive Love and the desire to end war, and his new book (that I really liked) called Love Anyway. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one.
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Oh y'all. This is a special one. You know we love to kick off the holidays with a good convo with our friends Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers from SheReadsTruth-- they tell THE TRUTH about what's going on in their own lives and why the Advent season leading up to Christmas means so much to them this year particularly. I'm so ready for December 1!
And don't forget that you get 15% off all the Advent goods at shopshereadstruth.com using the code "TSFAdvent"!!
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Thinking today about how grateful we are as Americans for our veterans- those who have served our country through a branch of the military, those who are serving now, those who are serving by being at home while their loved one is abroad.
The perfect guest for today is my sweet friend Kristen Strong. As a wife to an Air Force Veteran, Kristen understands so much and speaks with such kindness and authority. We talk about all sorts of things that you are going to love. Her new book Back Roads to Belonging is perfect for you! You're gonna love it.
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One of our all time favorites is back today! I love (and y'all love) when Jefferson Bethke comes and hangs out with us and teaches us all the things we do not know. One of the smartest dudes we get to have on the show, Jeff and I get to chat a lot today about Sabbath, rest, work, family, and the way Western culture is doing it right and doing it wrong. Lots to learn, lots of laughs, sure to be one of your new top episodes.
Jeff's new book To Hell With the Hustle is a must read for all of us. Grab it today.
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Y'all just get ready to fall ALL THE WAY IN LOVE with Emily Ley. You probably already adore her products that help keep us all organized, but her friendship is next level, as is her newest book When Less Becomes More. As we continue this un-planned fall theme of slowing down and being intentional, Emily comes right along and helps us not only know why to do it, but how. Cannot wait to hear your thoughts on this one!
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This one made all of us tear up behind the scenes, so consider that an endorsement and a warning. :) Andrew Peterson is profoundly interesting and tells us some of my new favorite stories about family, writing, creativity, being a person of faith and just human. Not only is he celebrating 20 years of Behold The Lamb of God, but he also has a new book Adorning the Dark that you ALL are going to just loooooove. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one.
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We're already big fans of John Mark Comer here at the pod, but his new book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and this conversation are both next level good. We have a brand new (and super excellent) conversation about the enneagram, talk about parenting our phones, and the power of slowing down and eliminating hurry.
Grab his new book (well, grab all of them) and make sure you tell your friends to listen to this episode!
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If you listened to Christian music in the 90s, no way is this name new to you. Jaci Velasquez is an award winning Christian artist with an INCREDIBLE voice and a powerful story. I loved sitting down with her and hearing all that God has been up to in her life, her family, her marriage, her parenting. We talk all about her son's autism, her life as a Mexican American, her history with God and where He is taking her next. It's a good one, y'all. Make sure you grab a copy of her new boo When God Rescripts Your Life.
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Y'all. Just get ready. This episode is unlike any we have ever had before. Dr. Matthew Sleeth tells us all about the importance of trees in our world and in our Bible- his new book Reforesting Faith is such an interesting read and SO. IS. THIS. CONVERSATION. The last fifteen minutes? Yep. I was in tears. I think you're going to love this one and love this guy and love this book.
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My gracious I enjoyed this interview. Getting to sit down with one of my favorite pastors, Mark Batterson, was an absolute podcasty highlight. Mark's work as an author and a pastor has impacted me greatly and getting to chat with him is such an honor. This convo is full of laughs and wise moments and quotable lines. I think you're gonna love it.
His new book Double Blessing is such a great read and I think every one of us will benefit from reading it. Yay for great pastors who love their church and love their readers and love their families and love God this much. What a good dude.
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One of my favorite things about Kelly Minter is her garden. (Yes, duh I love her Bible teaching and I love her friendship and I love her nonprofit work, and we talk about ALL of that.) But her garden is something special. The way Kelly tends to her vegetables and focuses on their growth is how she is in every relationship as well. I admire her so much.
Her newest book, A Place at the Table, is one I've been WAITING for. A cookbook with memoir moments, this one is a must have.
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Wow. That's my main feeling after this episode- Latasha Morrison is just WOW and her wisdom is WOW and her friendship is WOW. She's one of a kind and I feel so lucky to know her. Her new book Be The Bridge is such a gift- walking us all through how to better engage in racial reconciliation and make space at the table for all sorts of friends. Tasha has done it for me, and I'm really grateful.
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I think Brian Dixon is one of the smartest and most authentic friends we have. His growth and kindness and wisdom all come together in this episode and it really encouraged me and taught me. I hope it will do the same for you. His new book Start With Your People is so so good- grab a copy today!
(And here's how you can sign up to read Tyler's DudeNotes!)
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Dustin Nickerson has quickly become one of my favorite friends. In the year we've known each other, I have been so grateful for his wisdom, his jokes, and his deep love for God and other people and making fun of me in public. :)
Don't forget you can use the code "THATSOUNDSFUN" to get $5 off your ticket to see him headline this month- I'm looking at YOU, Dallas and Houston and Tampa and Atlanta!
https://www.dustinnickerson.com/shows
He's just one of the best and I know you're gonna love him.
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Our dear friend Rebekah Lyons is back on the podcast today talking all about adoption, their new daughter Joy, Rhythms of Renewal, and all the ways she has found freedom and life and Joy (literally!) in the last few years. I love love love this woman and her family- I think you will too!
Her new book Rhythms of Renewal releases this week! Make sure you grab a copy!
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I have always hoped Mandisa and I would get along, but when she showed up in my office with a glitter backpack and hot pink shoes, I KNEW IT. Our conversation jumped from here to there to everywhere and I would do it all over again- it was THAT GOOD. She is exactly who you would hope- honest, kind, hilarious. And the depth of her truth-telling was so moving to me. Cannot wait to hear your thoughts on this one!
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Okay I only say this if I totally mean it. Y'ALL GET READY TO TAKE NOTES. Jess Connolly is absolutely one of my favorite leaders and voices right now- she is writing and speaking and coaching women towards exactly what God has for them. You will laugh, you may cry, but I promise by the time you're done listening, you'll be ready to go after your thing- You Are The Girl For The Job!
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Oh y'all. This one is special. I didn't know much of Sarah Mae's history- we've been friends for a while but haven't dug into some of the things we learn today- and this entire conversation moved me to tears.
Her newest book A Complicated Heart is a deep dive into one of the most important relationships that each of us has. I think it will speak to you in a deep deep way.
And yes. The pink flamingo made the move with me to my new office.
(Little warning for your littles, and your own heart: this conversation has some complicated and painful mother/daughter relationship parts, so know going into it. Wouldn't want you to be surprised.)
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We've got another one of my favorite Georgia Bulldogs for the podcast today. David Platt is a bestselling author and well known (very gifted!) preacher and pastor. Today we're gonna talk all about Jesus, what the Gospel really means, the power one life can have in the lives of many others, and rollercoasters and airplanes and sports... and a special pop-in from Pastor Kevin, pastor of the pod!
David's new book Something Needs To Change is one of my top three favorite reads in the last year. Please buy it. I think you'll be moved by what you read.
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I played it much cooler than I felt when Melissa d'Arabian sat down at the podcast table. I watched her on Food Network any chance I got and have continued to follow her career. Her new book Tasting Grace is healing and generous and important. I think it will matter to you, too.
This conversation is so fun- I felt so honored to sit and talk to someone I've admired through the television. If you loved her before, like me, you're gonna just implode with joy hearing her talk about faith and food and life. She's just the best.
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I have been such a huge fan of Ruth Chou Simons for so long. Her art is extraordinary (I've given her pieces as gifts a million times), but her writing is also amazing. Make sure you grab a copy of her new book Beholding and Becoming. We talk all about our social media use (and how to stay healthy in it), traveling to Europe, creating, and on and on and on. She's just so wise, I could have listened forever.
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I have been DYING to get Jenn Jett, one of my absolute besties, on the show. She is one of the bravest and best women I know. She's an enneagram teacher, a dream defender, a coach, a great friend, an awesome wife, and the woman behind Camp Well (which you're gonna hear all about).
AND DO NOT FORGET! If you want to go to Camp Well, use the code "THATSOUNDSFUN" and get $100 off.
And make sure you check out Come To The Table Tour and come hang with Angie Smith, Danielle Walker, and I at the end of September!
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I really love listening to anything Sharon Hodde Miller says... from a stage or a book or like today, on the other side of a microphone. She is wise and kind and a truth teller. Her newest book Nice: Why We Love to Be Liked and How God Calls Us To More is a strong read that I think you'll love.
(UGH YOU GUYS. ALSO. This episode was recorded the same day at Drew Holcomb and Sheri Lynn which means I SCREWED UP RECORDING IT just like those two. Sheesh. I'm so sorry. So lean in and listen because the sound is a little off but the content is *spot* *on*.)
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I am so so happy to have Bianca Juarez Olthoff back on the podcast today! She's one of my very favorite friends and someone I trust to tell me the truth in just about every area of my life. And you will hear her do that today! Her new book How To Have Your Life Not Suck just released this week and my mom still doesn't like it when we use the word "suck" but luckily this book does not suck, it's incredibly good, so no worries there. I think you're going to love this conversation about leadership and the church, the book of Ruth and church planting, and a good bit about dating in 2019.
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Such an honor to have Priscilla Shirer on the podcast today from her home in Texas! I loved getting to talk with her- to hear her thoughts on boundaries, raising the next generation, helping all people feel safe in our churches, and just plain catching up!
She is in the new movie Overcomer and her new book Radiant just released! Check them both out and make sure you hear Priscilla teach soon- she's absolutely amazing.
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I have been so so excited about having this conversation- so many of us know and love Jennifer Rothschild from her work and interviews on television and hearing her speak on stages, but this is so personal and special for us. As you will hear, she is every bit as kind and lovely and wise and fun as I thought she was from afar. Her Psalm 23 Bible Study is really excellent and her book Lessons I Learned in the Dark is a great place to start in her library of work!
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There are so many things I love about hosting this show, but one of my favorites is getting to introduce you to some of the best music. And today Drew Holcomb is with us, talking all about his new album Dragons (that I've listened to about three times a day since it came out), his favorite fan story, the loss of his brother and why he hasn't talked about it until now, and about fifty other topics.
Also, I'm so grateful to Drew for letting us use music from Dragons for the show this fall! Make sure you grab a copy of the whole album- I think you'll love it. I SERIOUSLY CANNOT QUIT IT.
(Also Drew is the dearest and best friend for recording this show with me TWICE since I messed up when we were behind the microphones the first time. And for real, trust us, this conversation is better than the first one we did. So everyone wins!)
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After an incredibly fun couple of weeks talking about the enneagram, you guys submitted a LOT of questions about your own enneagram journey. One of my favorite experts, Seth Abram, joins us to go through your list of questions and give us an Enneagram 201 next level class. Your brain is gonna love this. And remember- this is a journey for all of us. Give yourself time to learn and search out your own number, wing, etc.
You can follow Seth and learn tons at @integratedenneagram.
All the books and resources listed by Seth are available on my website- head to the podcast tab and search for this show!
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Sherri Lynn and I met a few months ago at an event and I liked her a TON immediately and I wanted y'all to meet her! So she flew to Nashville and we sat in my office and chatted for a good long time and this conversation is super special.
AND. Your friend Annie majorly screwed up in the recording. (UGH YOU GUYS. I AM SO SORRY.) So Producer Chad worked incredibly hard to make this one sound good enough for y'all to hear- and he did a magical job. Sherri and I both listened to the quality of this and while it isn't the best (again, 100% my fault), it is too good a conversation to not share it.
Good thing she is a comedienne and can laugh off dealing with my mistakes. Make sure you grab a copy of her book I Want To Punch You In The Face But I Love Jesus. :) It's legit funny.
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Y'all just buckle up. Lauren Daigle is here with stories and preaching and heart and SINGING and she is kinder to us than we deserve. Her writing and her music have changed so many of our lives, today's in depth convo behind the words and music will do the same, I think. Her latest album Look Up Child is an absolute smash and she's headed out on a world tour, playing in some of the coolest arenas and venues.
Make sure you check out her new video for Rescue! It's unreal.
And if you get a chance today, maybe remind Lauren via social media how much her music, her life, and this conversation meant to you. Let's flood her with reminders that her work matters.
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I've been a longtime fan of Tenth Avenue North and Mike Donehey's singing, but so stoked to actually get to listen to Mike talk! This guy showed up AND SHOWED UP. I laughed, I cried, I said OKAY YOU BETTER PREACH more than once. This dude is amazing. His new book Finding God's Life for My Will: His Presence Is The Plan is really great- you should grab a copy. It's like this conversation but way more words and way less interrupting by yours truly. :) Also please stick around to hear the Irish and Scottish accents that Mike can do FLAWLESSLY.
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I could barely listen to the edit of this episode because I sound like such a super fan, y'all. :) LOL SORRY. But literally I have been cheering for Benjamin Watson for almost twenty years now- as a Georgia Bulldog and as he continued into the NFL. Not only is he an outstanding football player, he's an incredible family man, dedicated man of faith, and smart smart thinker. I am so so excited for y'all to hear this conversation about family and faith and race and leading well and with highest integrity.
Benjamin's book Under Our Skin is a really excellent read, I hope you'll check it out. (And he has a dad book too!) And also I can't believe I'm saying this as a Falcons fan :), but I'm excited to cheer for the New England Patriots this year.... well, for ONE Patriot at least. :)
Grateful for you, Benjamin!
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Heather Avis is absolutely one of the most inspiring and strong voices that I follow. When I heard her speak a few years ago, I was blown away and so grateful for her story and her passion. I've been DYING to chat with her for the show, so I'm just so happy it worked out today!
Her new book Scoot Over And Make Some Room is almost anthemic in it's storytelling and direction and we will all benefit from reading with it. I think you'll love it.
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Chris Rice is one of the friends in Nashville I have known the longest (and no, I don't mean back to when I would listen to his songs in middle school, I mean since I moved to town). And he is just as brilliant and kind and thoughtful and fun and you would have hoped he would be as a fan of his music.
He's also full of wise words and beautiful music and just one of the best men I know. I know you already probably know him, but I hope today's conversation makes him feel like a new friend. Make sure you go listen to his new album Untitled Hymn... it is just beautiful.
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I just absolutely love when a friend shows up in the podcast studio and seeing Lisa Jo Baker just about made me tear up. I just love her. We jumped right in and totally went to all the places (and then some) and talked a ton about her new book The Middle Matters. It's fantastic. She is such a gift and if you don't love her yet, get ready! She's just the best.
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FAN GIRL ALERT. You guys. I have loved Robin Jones Gunn's writing for over twenty years. One of her main characters in over 50 of her novels- Christy Miller- felt like one of my best friends in middle school and high school. Robin has been a mentor from a distance for years and a friend that I do not deserve and I am so so honored she would take time and join us on the show today.
While you may know her name from Father Christmas books (and Hallmark Christmas movies!) but her newest novel Becoming Us was a favorite vacation read for me this summer.
Make sure you grab Becoming Us and really any and all of Robin's novels. You guys have got to meet Christy. She's the best. :)
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My friend Andrew Osenga mentioned Casey J to me a few months ago, asking if we were friends. I LOVE her music, but we had never met. But as soon as he told me we were both Georgia Bulldogs, I knew this friendship was meant to be. So last month when she was passing through Nashville, we sat down and made it happen! We go deep into a lot of topics, including her new album The Gathering, and I think you are going to love this conversation (and this woman and her music)!
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Summertime is only complete for me when the peaches come in and they get ripe and the smell fills my life. Leaving Georgia meant leaving the best peaches until The Peach Truck came along. Stephen and Jessica Rose have created the best company- Georgia peaches delivered all over. Their new cookbook just released and it is absolutely full of recipes that will do the best by every peach you bring into your kitchen. I adore adore adore these friends and I’m so happy to introduce them to you!
This one is a special one. Hillary Scott was one of the first friends I met when I moved to Nashville eleven years ago. To watch her career grow and build, as part of Lady Antebellum and also the music she makes with her family, has been a joy. Y'all have requested her and there is no better friend to walk with me, on the very first day, into a new year of my life than Hill.
Make sure you check out Lady A's new song and tell me what you think! It's a tear jerker FOR SURESIES.
(And just in case you missed it- make sure you listen to yesterday's special Sunday episode- lots of cool updates!!)
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We never do Sunday shows but here is the thing: TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY and it's OUR 200TH EPISODE (or it just was and the numbers don't match and etc etc etc just forgive me and let's move forward) and we have some VERY FUN UPDATES INDEED.
So get ready to hear from Andrew Ripp, Ginna Claire Mason Moffett, my friend Kelli, and Tina from Christian Appalachian Project.
http://christianapp.org/anniefdowns
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I am SUCH a super fan of Shannon Sedgwick Davis and having her on the show today, on Independence Day, felt just absolutely right. She has spent her life making freedom a reality for so many others. Shannon's book, To Stop A Warlord, is moving and shocking and will call you to action in your own life. What a read.
When you think today of the freedom we have as Americans, I hope it reminds you to think and pray and act on behalf of those- in our own country and around the world- who are not free.
Happy 4th of July, friends!
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With the US Women's National Team through to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup, let's talk about soccer! This is a super fun time to jump into enjoying the sport as we cheer for our women as they make a run at repeating their 2015 World Cup Championship!
Today's guest- Lauren Holiday- was a major part of that team in 2015 and a major part of the history of women's soccer in the USA. She tells us her story today and gets us ready for the rest of the World Cup tournament. I think you're going to love her- an incredible story of highs and lows and what nearness to God looked like in all of it. (And tons of soccer talk. YES AND AMEN.)
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I won't say we saved the best for last because this whole series has been extraordinary because each set of guests has been extraordinary. But Sonnie and Jason, our enneagram 9 friends, have finished this EnneaSummer2019 so well. I've long loved nines, but this invitation into their minds and hearts brought (many) tears to my eyes.
Oh enneagram 9 friends, thank y'all for how selflessly you live and love. You think of the rest of us so much. Thank you thank you thank you. May God remind you how much your presence matters in our lives- not for what you do, but for who you are.
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Q&A EPISODE COMING SOON!
Have a question you want answered by an enneagram expert (not me!)? Email us! podcast@anniefdowns.com
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Expert words from Beth McCord :
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Strong hearts and soft hearts. That's what you are going to experience today in our Enneagram 8 episode. Patrick and Annie let us in to a deeper understanding of what it is like to challenge, to battle, to walk with justice at the front of your mind. I am so thankful for these two friends and what they offer to those that they love- protection, truth, vulnerability, loyalty.
Enneagram 8s, thank you for being strong when it isn't always easy. Thank you for leading and serving, often at the same time. Here's to all the ways you care for the rest of us and all the ways we can care for you.
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Well DON'T YOU KNOW I've been waiting on this one. :) As your resident enneagram 7, I feel like y'all know this number pretty well because you put up with me every episode. But having Drew and Cait in the room around microphones with me made for triple the fun.
I love the way this conversation went- yes to lots of laughs, but also lots of honesty about our fears, anxiety, and the power of perseverance in our lives. I learned a lot in this episode and I'm grateful for how honest everyone was. (And YAY I GOT TO ANSWER THE FUN QUESTION. LOL.)
Grateful for these two 7s and how they bring FUN and JOY to my life.
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You guys. I got SUPER into Food Network's Spring Baking Championship a few months ago. Like SUPER into it. I watched every episode, DVRed it when I was on the road, cared DEEPLY about the winner, and then proceeded to tweet the winner and beg him to be on my podcast.
Meet Chef Cory Barrett. :) ... the chef your friend Annie stalked to be on her podcast and also (more importantly) the WINNER of Food Network's 2019 Spring Baking Championship! If you've wondered about the behind the scenes of these shows, how Cory got on it in the first place, where they film (you won't believe it), when they film (also surprising), and lots and lots of other great stories about baking and life- today's show is for you.
Y'all are gonna absolutely love this guy! Congrats again on the win, Chef Cory!
https://www.facebook.com/chefcorybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/chef_cory_barrett/
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We are about to learn next level safety tips from our enneagram 6 friends. :) JUST KIDDING. But yes- we are about to talk a lot about feeling safe yourself and creating safe environments for the people you love. Kate and Josh kindly invite us into the minds of the loyalist- their fight against anxiety, managing fears, and trusting God.
Also Kate gives THE MOST EXCELLENT tip to enneagram 6s. Seems incredibly helpful for us all, actually! (And you know how I feel about journaling anyways...) :)
Thank God for enneagram 6 friends who fight the fear, step out in courage, and make us all feel more cared for and safe.
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Gracious this episode with our enneagram 5s is special. People with this personality type usually doesn't like to be the center of attention, so Emily and Goose really took one for the team this week being on the show. I am so so grateful for them- they both helped me to fall more in love with the 5s in my life and see them for who they really are (even if Goose doesn't *totally* love the enneagram.) :)
Enneagram 5s, thanks for all you learn and know and research so that we can all grow. I'm thankful for your thoughtfulness and kindness and the ways you collect information for the good of others.
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I didn't want to miss the chance to celebrate Father's Day in the middle of #EnneaSummer2019, so my friend Kevin Madsen, one of the HeyDad podcast hosts, stopped in the office and we did a little deep dive on dad-ing.
I'm not a dad (duh), but gosh this convo made me laugh and moved me to tears. If you love a father, you're gonna love this show.
And don't forget to grab your favorite dad a Father's Day gift and get 20% off the HeyDad subscription box when you use the code ANNIE.
And thanks to my dear friend (and one of my favorite dads) Harry for calling from Scotland right as the show was ending! :) That sounds fun to me.
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Grab tissues because you KNOW these fours are going to make you tear up! Matt and Marissa (a different Marissa that the enneagram 3 obviously) join me today as we talk about life in a world where it may be true that no one really gets you and what that experience is like. To be seen and known is what our four friends are looking for, and my hope is that today you will gain new insight into this super special and very important enneagram type. Matt and Marissa are two of the best- and this show is extra cool because they are already friends! (You're gonna love what they say about each other!)
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Let me lead with this: I owe threes an apology. I haven't been thoughtful about their pain and struggles because of my own experience with men in leadership who self-identified as threes. I've been working towards loving them better, but this conversation changed me. I see threes so differently now, and I'm so thankful for Marisa and Nick sitting down with me, opening their hearts and stories, and letting us see what it is really like to be a three, on your best and worst days. Thank God for threes and what they build and create and how they honor the rest of us by helping us dream and succeed.
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I am SUCH A FAN of enneagram twos (and have A LOT to learn about them as you will hear here). And I'm particularly partial to the twos I get to introduce you to today. Nate and Jenn are two of the very best humans and serve with their whole hearts. I hope this episode helps you fall in love with twos in a way that helps you help them to help well. :)
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Time to fall in love with the enneagram ones in our lives! Lee and Jami are here to tell us their experiences from their own point of view. I ask them all sorts of questions, fail them by not giving them the questions ahead of time, and find myself teary at the end because we are just so lucky to have enneagram ones in our lives.
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Friends. Get ready to spend the next few weeks learning about the enneagram! We kick it all off with one of my very favorite (and one of the very smartest) enneagram experts, Suzanne Stabile! This is the episode that will get you ready for the focus this whole month- answering your questions about how you start to journey toward your own number, where the enneagram came from, what we can learn from studying all the numbers (not just our own), and
https://www.theenneagramjourney.org
We'll be using #EnneaSummer2019 as our hashtag this month, so as you discover your number and dig in deeper- include the hashtag so we can learn along with you!
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Y'all.
Why are comedians the VERY BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD? Every time we get lucky enough to have one stop by the office to record a show, I am better for it. Heather Land is no exception- this one will be a great travel companion for you this weekend and anytime you are laying by the pool and need a laugh. And make sure you grab a copy of her new book I Ain't Doin It!!
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We are a people who LOVE to talk about books, so today I brought the expert in to talk to us about what we should be reading this summer. Anne Bogel, many of you know her as Modern Mrs. Darcy, talks reading and books better than any other friend I've got. Her latest book, I'd Rather Be Reading, is just one of the most fun and inspiring books I've read in a while (if you want to be inspired to open up more books). She has two book-centric podcasts of her own that I think you'll love.
I can't wait to hear what you are going to read this summer and what book clubs you have joined!
If you want to read along with me, I'm starting this summer reading The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay.
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Y'all I cannot tell you what an honor it was to sit down with Louie Giglio, a man who has been pastoring me through his teachings and books for twenty years. (I worked real hard to be appreciative but not "Between Two Ferns" level fandom, so forgive me if I got weird at any point.) We dive in on perseverance, leadership, influence, family, and La Croix. Obviously. :) His new book Not Forsaken: Finding Freedom as Sons & Daughters of a Perfect Father has just released and it is a powerful piece of work that I think you will love.
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It is ABOUT TIME we had Margaret Feinberg on the show! She's a long time friend, an incredible author, a writing coach to many, and just one of the all around best people. Her latest book Taste and See is a journey though the foods of the Bible and the book, and this episode, will just make your mouth water.
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As many of our friends graduate this month, I thought it would be fun to bring on an expert in transitions. (So this show isn't JUST for people finishing school- it's for all of us as we figure out how to go from HERE to THERE.) Andrew Osenga hosts The Pivot podcast, all stories of people who have had a transition in their life and how they have maneuvered it. After you listen to this show, share it with your favorite graduate and make sure you've subscribed to The Pivot!
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Who better to share her wisdom about being a mom than Pam Tebow?!? RIGHT? You know we love her son Tim around here, but now we get to hear from her! I've never been more inspired to memorize scripture and notice where I'm affecting others. This one is so so inspirational! Her new book Ripple Effects is out now- so make sure you grab a copy for yourself and your favorite mom!
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My friend Heather saw Ryan Hall's new book on my desk- Run The Mile You Are In- and after she told me about him for a few minutes, I thought, "yep, that's our kind of guy" and I knew I wanted to have him on the show. I'm so glad, too. HE IS AWESOME. Y'all are going to love this conversation all about health, wellness, PERSEVERANCE (which you know I LOVE) and the power of God in our every day lives.
I'm so glad we get tto call Ryan a friend now AND don't you KNOW we'll be cheering for Sara Hall like crazy as she tries out for the 2020 Olympics!
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Endless summer. Essential winter. This is a conversation I will not soon forget. Amanda Cook is an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter and worship leader. Her songs have been a soundtrack to much of my healing and growth in my relationship with God, particularly in the last four years. Her newest album House On A Hill is VERY VERY GOOD, y'all.
While sometimes I tell you to be ready to take notes, today I'd encourage you to be outside while you listen, go on a walk or sit on your porch or just be in a place where you can let these words fall on you. It's special.
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As a long fan of the Bachelor series, I'm really excited for y'all to hear this conversation with Ben Higgins. For those of us who have watched the show, I think you're going to love the MORE of who Ben is. Honest, kind, smart, funny, and full full full of wisdom. But whether you've been a fan of his for a while or this is a first introduction, you're welcome! He's awesome! (This may be one where you scribble down some notes- don't say I didn't warn ya.)
Make sure you check out Generous Coffee too!
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This may be a tear-jerker YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. If you are moved by talk of family, adoptions, orphans, and the love and grace of God, this one may get ya. My friend Emily Chapman Richards is the newly appointed executive director of ShowHope and I think she's just one of the best and brightest and most inspiring women I know.
If you'd like to know more about ShowHope, just head to their website!
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I'm so so happy to have Jeremy Cowart back on the show! We have lots of topics to cover (as you will see) including an update on The Purpose Hotel and his new amazing book I'm Possible. We also spend some time on Santa Claus and and adoption and chronic pain so yeah, we're something special. :)
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It all started when one of you sweet friends handed me a novel by Charles Martin. Then I saw I had another on my book shelf from my mom. Then I read them both and now I'm a massive fan and I pretty much begged Charles Martin to come be on the show because FAN GIRL STATUS IS REAL.
His new book, What If It Is True?, is my companion for the next week as we walk towards Easter. (This episode will tell you why and why you should join me!)
(Quick reminder: we are taking next week off the show to celebrate Holy Week. I hope you will take the time you usually spend here with us and use it to read, listen, and learn about why Easter week changed everything for us.)
Happy Easter, friends. He is risen indeed. See you Monday April 22nd!
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This episode is like a little love letter to us all! Jeremy and Audrey Roloff are as amazing and kind and fun to be around as you would guess based on watching their family's hit reality show Little People, Big World. We talk a lot about enneagram and relationships and soccer so what I'm saying is this may be the apex show of my life. :) Their new book A Love Letter Life is already getting incredible feedback - I think you'll love it too.
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Emily P. Freeman is so dear to me. Getting to talk to her, listen to her, learn from her, it's quite a gift. I'm so honored to have her on the show today, to get to share her with you. Her newest book just released this week- The Next Right Thing- and along with her podcast, this work is just totally changing me.
I bet it will change you too.
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I do not like April Fools so this is no joke: you guys have been BEGGING me to have Ben Rector on the show and we finally made it happen today! He shows up in a million ways- in humor, in kindness, in wisdom. He's a great musician but an even better man.
His latest album Magic is an absolute favorite and if you get a chance to see him on tour, TAKE IT. His live show is so so good.
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I love being friends with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She is every bit as genuine and kind and truth-telling as you expect her to be. You'll hear in this conversation all about her prayer life, her family life, her television life, and her author life. Her new book Point of View just released this week and I think you will really love it.
Get your journal out, there are nuggets galore in this one.
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I've been a fan of David Crowder for about as long as I've been buying music. He is one of my favorite musicians, one of my favorite writers (y'all have GOT to read some of his prose), and now one of my favorite dudes. This conversation was incredibly fun and entertaining for me across the table, I cannot wait to hear how you feel about it too!
Crowder's newest album I Know A Ghost is a really good one. Father, Son, Holy Spirit- that part of this convo stuck with me. What a genius. I think you're going to love this one!
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You probably recognize Trudy's maiden name- Cathy. Like Truett Cathy. Like CHICK-FIL-A.
Trudy Cathy White is way more than fried chicken, though. Over the last few years as I have gotten to know her, she has taught me faithfulness, joy, long obedience in the same direction. Every conversation moves me to be better. Her new book Climb Every Mountain will walk you through the harder days. It's so so beautiful.
Enjoy this convo and tell me your favorite Chick-fil-A order! :)
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Gracious I love Lysa TerKeurst. What an honor and a joy to have her on the podcast. If you haven't heard her speak live, GO DO IT. If you haven't read her books yet, WHY NOT. If you haven't heard a conversation with her recorded with you in mind, you're welcome. :) Make sure you grab a copy of her new book It's Not Supposed To Be This Way. It is so moving and inspiring and I'm sure you will connect with it in your own way, just like I did.
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One of my favorite things in the whole world is introducing my friends to my friends. I bet many of you already know Trey Kennedy from his comedy and videos and killer voice- he's the best. But hearing more about his life and spiritual disciplines and faith experience is going to be the best part of your day. Trey is one of my friends that I look forward to living life with over the next few decades to see how his discipline and heart and talent shape his life. Three cheers for great (and FUNNY) humans like Trey Kennedy!
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MY GIRL MERE!
I've been WAITING to get her onto the podcast. Meredith Andrews has been dear to me for years- it's been long overdue to bring her to meet you. Her new live worship album Faith & Wonder just released last week and it is on repeat nonstop in my house. I think you're gonna love it, too. And Mere. She is a GIFT.
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For 30 days in 2019, over 400 churches in the greater Nashville area prayed and fasted together for revival in our city.
Pastor Dave Clayton from Ethos Church and Cross Point Pastor Kevin Queen (pastor of the pod, duh) came into my office to chat about Awaken Nashville- answer questions about why/how it got started, tell stories about what we've seen so far, and talk about what the first steps are for you to start this in your city.
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I only know how to play three songs on the guitar, and Julie Roberts's song "Break Down Here" is one of them. I've never met her before but WOW am I glad to have met her. This conversation- about growing up, country music, marriage, and an MS diagnosis- runs the full gamut.
Her new book Beauty in the Breakdown is an amazing and inspiring read. You're gonna love this woman and this book!
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It's a special day here on the podcast as we welcome Jonathan Pitts- pastor, author, and husband to my friend, the late Wynter Pitts.
The very day she passed away, Jonathan and Wynter turned in a book on marriage called Emptied. I thought talking about this book, and Wynter, and Jonathan's transition to Nashville, would be great at the end of TSF Couples 2019.
Hope you'll enjoy this very moving and honest conversation with Jonathan.
(We love you, Wynter. You are missed here.)
https://twitter.com/PittsTimes6
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To finish out our couples month on the podcast, I got two of my favorites around the microphones... Pastor Kevin Queen and his wife Rea! It's right to end the month with a seasoned couple (married 19 years!) who can walk us through some of the hard seasons of marriage. So many of my questions are answered in this one. I'm so grateful.
This one is for you, husbands. (Kevin gives the best piece of advice I've maybe ever heard to men.)
This one is for you, wives. (Rea shares some deeply important ideas.)
This one is for you, friends who want to be married someday. (Their dating advice to me has stayed with me.)
Hope you love this one as much as I do!
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Andrew East is an NFL long snapper.
Shawn Johnson East is an Olympic gold medalist gymnast.
POWER ATHLETE COUPLE FOR REAL.
Together they are one of my very favorite couples (in real life and on instagram). I have loved watching their marriage grow and change via the internet, and this conversation is a special one - about how to meet the right person, how to persevere in your dreams, and how to make patterns and decisions that will make you who you want to be in the long run of life. Y'all are gonna love these people.
https://www.instagram.com/andrewdeast/
https://www.instagram.com/shawnjohnson/
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The stars of Flip or Flop Atlanta, Ken and Anita Corsini have an incredible story of God opening doors for them, how He ordered their steps, and how He sustained them when their son had cancer. This is far more than a story of HGTV celebs (though they are that too!)- it's deep and beautiful. We've been friends since college- over 20 years- and this is one of my favorite conversations with them ever.
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I'm a little without description on this one, I'm just so happy about it. Mack and Meredith Brock are two strong leaders who have found home in each other. The depth of their communication and relationship is so dang inspiring to me (and wait until you hear how they talk about fasting and praying!).
Mack Brock's most recent album Greater Things is an ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. Make sure you grab it!
Grateful for these two. The fact they are also HILARIOUS seems borderline unfair- people shouldn't be this all around awesome. Makes the rest of us look bad. ;)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... hashtag along with us!
It wouldn't be TSF Couples month here in Nashville without a country music super-couple! So here we are with Russell Dickerson and his amazing wife Kailey. I only cry once in this one... it's just so special, y'all.
Make sure you check out Russell's music- truly one of my favorite voices in the country space right now. Even if you aren't totally a country fan (yet!), he might be the one to win you over.
(PS- I love TSF Couples month SO SO MUCH. I hope y'all are enjoying it too!!)
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I know this is one of your favorite "couples" that come on our show- MINE TOO! This episode is perfect combination of a friendship we want to get to know AND the start of Lent season leading towards Easter!
The SheReadsTruth girls and I talk all about healthy friendship with women, but we also talk about the next reading plans- four weeks of Job and four weeks of the Easter story (then Revelation eek).
https://www.shopshereadstruth.com
Remember to use the code "thatsoundsfun" to get 15% off your Job and Easter studies- Hes, Shes, and Kids! (Because of the limited run on the linen cover, that one isn't included in the 15% off, but hurry and get one before they sell out!)
Thankful for a chance to hear the heart behind these studies, to hear an update on Amanda's son Toby, and just to get to know Amanda and Raechel better. Hope y'all will join us in these studies!
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TSF Couples Month continues with Jeff and Alyssa Bethke. These are two of my favorite friends to follow on socials and keep up with as their marriage and family grows and changes and strengthens. And they live in Maui so who wouldn't want to see that life on the regular? :)
This episode brings up some important practices and disciplines to survive those young toddler years (three under five? THESE PEOPLE ARE BRAVE!) and these two are so honest about their joys and struggles. For many of you right in the middle of that place, these are your people. (For the rest of us- good news! Jeff and Alyssa are our people too.) :)
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TSF Couples Month REALLY kicks off today with these two adorable and amazing humans- newlyweds Jessica Mack and Dre Plackis. Jess and I have known each other for a while here in Nashville, she's a gifted singer/songwriter and one of the cast members of CMT's Music City, a reality show based here in town.
Dre and Jess met between the two seasons of Music City (you're gonna hear the whole story and IT IS AWESOME) and their wedding was featured in the last two episodes of Season 2 of Music City!
I hadn't heard the story first-hand of how they met and fell and love and Y'ALL just hearing how God orchestrated every step is so so cool and encouraging for all of us... singles, moms, friends. All the ways you are waiting, I think this episode will remind you that GOD IS AT WORK.
Pretty fun, huh?
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No better way to kick off our month of couples than with these two (who are actually, in fact, not a romantic couple). Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden are the hosts of The Popcast and Bible Binge, as well as some very very fun side shows they offer their Patron community.
You can find everything you want to know about them over at KnoxandJamie.com!
We fling from here to there in this convo and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've been DYING to be friends with these two and now they are so totally stuck with me for all our days. I adore them. I think you will too.
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I am just so excited to have my longtime friend Lisa Leonard on the podcast. I have been wearing her jewelry for almost a decade, and reading her words on her blog, but her book is a whole new thing. (It's amazing.) Lisa is so creative and wise and honest. Her new book Brave Love is just beautiful. You're gonna love it.
We had some tech difficulties so we didn't get to talk as long as I wanted to, but I think you will love what we got!
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I love love love having pastors on the show- they just always have some nuggets for us that will lead to good growth and change. Scott Sauls is one of those pastors to me- he is an expert on faith and culture and where those meet, as well as just a kind, generous, and thoughtful human. I'm grateful for where this conversation went as we talked all about struggles and faith life and changes and HOPE.
His new book Irresistible Faith released this week. Make sure you grab a copy- it's so so good.
(And, as we promised, let's continue to keep Scott in our prayers as he sorts out the insomnia issue.)
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My girl Hollyn is on the show today and y'all just aren't even going to believe this story. What I thought was a simple, "update me on life" question led to a whole episode of how God writes stories that are unlike anything we could do for ourselves.
To finish up the Next Gen series, another expert from inside the Next Gen camp, reminding us that God is at work in all of our lives, no matter your age, and if you seek Him you WILL find Him.
Pretty fun one. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.
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Y'all.
This one surprised me.
I called a couple of my favorite gals- Camden (13), Raleigh (15), and Katie Marie (19)- to see if we could talk all about being a teenager. Because all of our experts this month have been experts BUT who knows teens better than teens.
And these young women BLEW MY MIND.
Buckle up for an incredibly beautiful and profound conversation.
(Also dear adults, here's a spoiler: we still don't need to be on snapchat- teens think that is weird, but we need to understand it.)
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I also have a new book releasing this week for young women- A Life of Lovely- a younger version of Looking For Lovely, specifically edited and specifically re-written with younger gals in mind. I will be reading you a few pages from this book today on the podcast as well.
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Pretty often, JP Pokluda's name crosses in front of me, so I've known of him for a long time. But this was our first time getting to be friends. But I knew when I was gathering up experts on the next generation, he was one of the dudes I wanted to speak into this series.
So far our experts have been talking to us about middle and high schoolers (mostly), but JP is here to talk college (mostly). :) We're also gonna hit a few other topics I think you will love- like hearing God, accountability, and JP's next steps.
His new book Welcome to Adulting: Navigating Faith, Friendship, Finances, and the Future is SUCH a gift for anyone walking through that young adult life phase.
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Fifteen years ago, Drew Hill and I served in the same student ministry. He and his wife Natalie moved to Athens, Georgia and became the leaders of the student ministry where I was volunteering. I learned so so much from him the year we served together. Impacted me forever.
Drew has been committed to investing in the next generation for twenty years and he's finally (literally FINALLY) written a book called Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel. When I think of who loves teens well, and shows them the Gospel life, it's Drew.
Grab this book for yourself, for your youth pastor, and for every parent you know.
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We are taking a few episodes to talk about the next generation- what it looks like to invest in them, how to care for them, and how to love them well. When I think about who speaks teenage the best and can teach us a whole lot, it is Amy Byrd.
She is the director of girls ministry at Hunter Street Baptist Church and also an absolutely brilliant writer, gifted speaker, and excellent friend. I think you're just gonna love her and her thoughts.
Whether you are friends with a teenager, raising a teenager, leading teenagers, or just surrounded by them on this planet, I think this conversation will open up your eyes and thoughts to some new things.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR, friends!
So glad to be kicking off another season with you. We have some fun plans in the next few weeks, and I wanted to start the year by having a conversation with Carey Nieuwhof. Pastor, teacher, author, podcast host, leadership expert, Carey has a lot of right answers for the questions we are asking right now about how to start 2019 in a way that leads us to the healthiest year yet. His newest book, Didn't See It Coming, is helping me to navigate some important things this season- I think it will help you too!
Let's jump into 2019!!
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There was no other way to end the year than having our old pal Eddie Kaufholz back on the show. We talk about 2018 like it can't hear us- the things we loved and hated, the ways it surprised us, Eddie's big changes this year (and he parents his daughters a few times), and we dive deep into plans for 2019.
This is a thinker and an LOLer. Of course it is.
Thanks for an amazingly fun year, you guys. I wouldn't do this without you. Over 5 million downloads and 70+ shows in 2018, and still the best part is when you come up to me at a restaurant or airport and tell me your favorite episode. So THANK YOU SO MUCH. Y'all are better friends than I deserve.
Here's to 2019- a year full of great shows (we already mostly know the first three months and it's LEGIT) and lots of new friends and having more fun than we did in any year before. That's my goal for us, at least. :)
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Quick reminders:
1. No new show on New Years Eve but we'll be back on January 3!
2. We are reading 100 Days to Brave together starting January 1! Join us!! All the details on my instagram.
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I've never gotten to do a Christmas Eve show until this year, AND I AM SO THRILLED ABOUT IT. I imagine this being the episode you listen to as you drive home, or cook for your people, or out on a walk with your pup to get a little break from family time, or driving to and from the golf course. Or maybe y'all turn on the tree and gather around, old school style, and listen together.
Loads of people on this one- the Downs Books team, lots of my #miniBFFs, Pastor Kevin, AND MY MOM AND DAD. This is a fun one. A little gift from me to you.
Merry Christmas, friend.
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My friend Nicolle Galyon throws incredible parties. Never stressful, never stuffy, always welcoming and incredibly fun. So when we planned our Hallmark Movie watching party for Saturday night (remember we're all watching Jingle Around The Clock on 12/22 at 8pm/7pmCT), I knew I wanted Nicolle to come and teach me how to throw a party like she does!
Also. I should mention. She is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning songwriter with five number one hits. CASUAL, NICOLLE. (Here is the playlist of the songs she's written.) And she's a wife. And a great friend. And a strong business woman. And a mama.
You are about to fall in love with your new pal Nicolle. And throw the best girl party of your life on Saturday. :)
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We've had some huge stars on the podcast this year, but today exceeds them all.
Santa Claus is here.
Parents- I *think* it's okay for your kids to hear this one, we didn't say anything that would lead to heartbreak, except for Santa's dislike for mall Santas. But just heads up that I know some of my pals who listen are under the age of 12 and I wouldn't want you to proceed without a tiny warning that, well, Santa tells us some behind the scenes of the North Pole and we hear from an angry elf.
(Also. Total side note. VERY unrelated. I'm a huge fan of Dave Barnes and Aaron Chewning. Just wanted you to know.)
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2 things to remember!
1. We are tracking our time this week using Jessica Turner's Stretched Too Thin Time Log. Download it here and join us from yesterday (Dec 16) to Saturday (Dec 22)!
2. We are all gonna gather with friends and watch Jingle Around The Clock on Hallmark on Saturday (Dec 22) and 8pm/7pmCT. Join us!
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I cannot keep up with my lists and calendars and THINGS TO DO before 2019. I don't want to miss the beauty of this season because of the crazy I feel in my schedule. So Jessica Turner was just the woman to call upon to help us all find a little mores space and balance.
Jess juggles a million things- family, full time job, author life, speaking, blogger, THE LIST KEEPS GOING. And somehow she still gets so much done and has a great spirit about her. I think you're gonna love some of her tips and ways that she has prioritized certain things to make space for other things. Already feels like my Christmas is getting less stressful.
Here is the Stretched Too Thing Time Log that we talked about in the show. If you want to do it with us, start on Sunday (Dec 16)! And make sure you grab Jess's new book Stretched Too Thin to gift to the women on your Christmas list.
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Epic may be the right word for this particular episode- in length as well as in content. :) Y'all know I love a Hallmark Christmas movie and talking about the 2018 offerings was bound to happen.
This show comes to you in four parts.
Part 1. My gals Jami and Jenn are back to tell you their thoughts on the new movies for 2018.
Part 2. Candace Cameron Bure joins us to talk about her new movie A Shoe Addict's Christmas, getting out of the Christian bubble, and the enneagram (and I PROMISE she brought it up not me!).
Part 3. My buddy Drew tells us his thoughts on the ONE Hallmark Christmas movie he's watched from start to finish, Let It Snow.
Part 4. Jami and Jenn are back to complete a Hallmark Christmas mad-lib. :)
It's a doozie, but that's what Christmas parties so fun- sometimes you get into the party and you planned to leave after an hour but you're having such a good time you're still there an hour and a half later! hahahaha! I love this episode. Hope you will too.
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BUCKLE UP, PEOPLE.
This is that thing that happens at a Christmas Party where you and a dear friend pull to the side, maybe punch cups in hand, and GO DEEP. You talk about the real stuff, even while the hubbub keeps going around you. Banning Liebscher, founding pastor of Jesus Culture, is just that convo. I was moved to tears multiple times recording this one. Take notes. Tear up. Whatever you need. His book Rooted is absolutely one of my favorites- grab a few to gift this year!
If Christmas ever feels hard for you, or if you just need a reminder of who Jesus really is, phew. This is the one. Stick around for the prayer at the end- it's a doozie.
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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!
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He's back, y'all! Jon McLaughlin swings through our Christmas party again this year and no one is mad about THAT. He's a favorite around here- you guys tell me all the time. So he's back, and he's got a new album to tell us about- Angst and Grace. It's so so good. Merry Christmas to us, getting to laugh with this dude and listen to some amazing new tunes.
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Just a reminder that Advent started yesterday! Read alone with us at SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTruth. It's going to be a great Christmas season.
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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!
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Many of you already feel the way I do about Ellie Holcomb: OBSESSED and IN LOVE. I know. She's wonderful. And there's no one better to walk into our Christmas party right after our SheReadsTruth friends than Ellie!
We talk about life and friendship and the holidays and her new book for kids- Who Sang the First Song?- that you DEFINITELY need in your life. (And if you aren't already a fan of her music, start with Red Sea Road. It's my faaaaaavorite.)
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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
It's the most wonderful time of the year, you guys! No better way to officially kick off our Christmas Party than to have Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams from SheReadsTruth on to talk all about Advent- why we celebrate it, how to celebrate it, what it means, and why it is important.
If you've been around for a Christmas Party before, you know these party animals are staples and always the first to arrive. MY KIND OF PEOPLE. Love these gals so much.
Remember to use the code THATSOUNDSFUN to get 15% off all things Advent from shopshereadstruth.com through the end of December! Grab the study and let's spend December together.
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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Why wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to kick off our party?!? Instead I'm going ALL IN and bringing back one of your (AND my) favorite guests- Danielle Walker! We're talking all about cooking for the holidays, all the times we'll be in the same place over the next few months, and how we feel about turkey (and her BIG TIP on how to make the most delicious one your people have ever known). Only one episode this Thanksgiving week- so I had to make it a good one.
Use that Black Friday deal and pre-order a copy of Danielle's new cookbook Eat What You Love... TRUST ME the biscuits and gravy are reason enough to own this one.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends. So grateful for you.
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Thanks to Dave Barnes for making holiday music we all love! Make sure you've got his Christmas records in your listening rotation!
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It's so fun and such an honor to have Becca Stevens on the podcast today! Author. Speaker. Episcopal priest. Founder of Thistle Farms. Over the last 22 years, she has changed the face of justice work in Nashville and a LOT of lives in the process. This is a beautiful conversation about justice and kindness and rescuing women from poverty and the cycle of abuse (and how men can help!). What a hero and a legend. Y'all are going to love her.
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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I have a new house and there is no better woman to help me figure out how to decorate than my friend Myquillyn Smith. You probably know her as The Nester and she is just one of the best. Her wisdom, her style, the way her faith and love of family drive how she creates home, it's all so inspirational and so helpful.
Her new book Cozy Minimalist Home just released and I am OBSESSED already. Grab a copy!
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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I'm such a huge fan of Good Grit Magazine and WHOA was I honored/surprised/happy when Laura Bento, the founder and CEO, asked me to help curate an issue and be the guest editor. I wrote a few original exclusive pieces, had my friends interviewed and featured, and got to fly to Scotland for the cover shoot! You guys are going to love getting to know Laura and hearing all about the behind-the-scenes making of a magazine. (And there is a super special guest that will bring tears to your eyes!)
If you subscribe to Good Grit Magazine this month, you can still get my issue! Use the discount code "ANNIE" to get $10 off your subscription!
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Hayley Morgan is a force for truth and light and standing on your own two feet. I've loved being friends with her for years and as always happens, when you stick around someone's life long enough, you see them grow and change. She's watched that in my story, and I've watched it in hers. And her new book Preach To Yourself is an absolute testimony to the power of truth and will call you higher in who you are. (And she's awesome and fun and you will just adore her. Amen.)
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Grant Skeldon is one of the best dudes you'll meet. He's passionate about his city and his generation and being healthy body, mind, and spirit. We jumped right, catching up on something I had noticed on instagram but hadn't been able to ask Grant about yet. And I think you'll like where the conversation goes.
Grab Grant's book The Passion Generation for yourself and some leaders in your life.
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Here's a great way to start your week, friends! Two great men on the podcast today.
We'll kick off with Tim Tebow, who most of you know as a football player, man of faith, author, commentator, and also baseball player! THIS GUY. His new book This is the Day just released and I loved chatting with him about it!
Also on the show today is Max Lucado, bestselling author and pastor from San Antonio, Texas. His new book Unshakable Hope is an excellent resource right now for many of us who are looking for God's promises.
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
With mid-term elections just around the corner, I called our favorite political voice, Michael Wear, to come on the show and tell us what we do not know. He gives us some important questions to ask, some wisdom about this particular election cycle, and some great direction in prayer.
His book Reclaiming Hope is a favorite of mine. I hope you'll grab it.
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Ryan O'Neal, who makes music under the name Sleeping At Last, is one of the most creative and inspiring people I know. As many of you know, he has been creating a series of songs around the enneagram types. Just last week, the seven song released (which is the enneagram type I am!) and so I asked Ryan to join us today to talk about all the songs, his creating process, and songwriting in general.
Get ready to be inspired to make something. Anything. That's what Ryan does to us- makes us want to be better makers.
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Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
I met Andi Andrew about a year ago at a conference and have been adoring her ever since. Not only does she run the She Is Free Conference in New York, she's a pastor at Liberty Church, and the author of the new book Fake or Follower. But also she's a super friend and a hilarious guest and you are gonna LOVE her.
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Our new song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
As a longtime Broadway fan, I cannot believe we get to hear from both Elphaba and Glinda from the touring cast of Wicked today. But they are more than just my favorite witches- these women have become dear friends to me.
In two weeks, both Mary Kate Morrissey and Ginna Claire Mason Moffett will be leaving the cast, so I visited them in San Antonio last week to see them share the stage one more time and we sat on the dressing room floor with a microphone between us. Tears, laughs, beautiful thoughts on God and art and friendship.
I love these girls so much. What a gift they are to me. I bet you'll feel the same about them after today's show.
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
We've had Luke Norsworthy on the show before, but today is extra special! We recorded in Austin, Texas in the Norsworthy house with his cute kiddos buzzing around and talked all about everything, including his new book God Over Good.
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Our new song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
If you've been around here a while, you know I'm a little obsessed with the idea of finishing this race of life really well. I want to ask everyone who is even one minute older than me to help me walk this path to the end.
For many of us, Louie and Shelley Giglio have modeled that and taught us that for the last few decades. I'm so honored to have Shelley on the show today, giving us all sorts of wisdom and hope and heart. If you've been looking for a mentor, here's an hour with one of the best.
And if you, like me, have major thanks to send to Louie and Shelley (or any other mentor in your life), do it today. Go tell them...
Louie - https://twitter.com/louiegiglio
Shelley - https://twitter.com/shelleygiglio
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Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends!
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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
My new book Remember God just released this week! So while my assistant Eliza was in town, who lived the story and lived the writing of the book with me, we sat down with the microphones and talked about the behind-the-scenes moments and creation of Remember God.
And Pastor Kevin, newly named OFFICIAL PASTOR OF THE POD (he didn't agree to this and he doesn't get paid for it, so... ), stops by to read the foreword he wrote and pray for each reader of the book.
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Grab a few copies of Remember God today for you and your friends!
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Andrew Ripp and I have been friends for years here in Nashville. He's an incredibly gifted musician and one of the most fun and relaxing dudes to be around. Last week we grabbed coffee and halfway though I told him he had to stop talking and we had to capture this conversation for you guys.
If you have struggled with infertility, as the wife OR the husband, or if you are just waiting for God to do the thing you REALLY want Him to do, this one is for you. I was thinking of you when Andrew was talking to me.
His new music is insane- you're going to love it. And here's the video for God Knows that we talked about in the conversation.
Share this one with friends you know are waiting, too.
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Remember God releases tomorrow! EEK. Pray? Grab a few for you and your friends? Believe with me that God is going to do more than we could ask or imagine in the hearts of every reader. Grateful for y'all.
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YOU GUYS. I've been SUCH a fan of Taylor Twellman for a lot of years, so when he was in Nashville last week, I just dang near begged him to be on the podcast to talk soccer. And we did. But we also talked about 1000 other things that I think you're gonna love. So no matter your sports feels, I think this whole episode is going to become a favorite. (And now he's stuck being friends with me you know how this goes...)
Also, if you or your kid are into contact sports, I hope you'll take this concussion conversation seriously and check out ThinkTaylor.org as well as the #TTPledge.
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This is the last week that my new book Remember God will be available for pre-order! All the details (and how to get a free audiobook!) are on http://anniefdowns.com
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This conversation with author Shannan Martin has been rolling through my head since we spoke last week. What does it really look like to love our neighbors? To be a part of where we live? To make our neighborhoods better by living gospel lives in our homes and streets and grocery stores? Shannan does it. And I'm learning so much from her.
Her new book The Ministry of Ordinary Places, is a great peek into her life and some ways she has seen God and heard Him and been asked by Him to love the people she lives with. (It's beautiful.)
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This is the last week that my new book Remember God will be available for pre-order! All the details (and how to get a free audiobook!) are on http://anniefdowns.com
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Y'all this episode is so special to me. I've been a HUGE fan of Scott Harrison for years so to get to sit across the desk from him and talk about charity:water, New York City, and faith was so fun for me. And I loved the topics that arose that we could not have planned! I've started reading his new book Thirst and gracious is it good- revealing and inspiring and honest. Totally worth the read. I'm really excited to share this powerful conversation with you today!
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By the way! My new book Remember God is available for pre-order! All the details (and how to get a free audiobook!) are on http://anniefdowns.com
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It's so fun for me to have a friend like CJ Casciotta on the show today (and in my life). He's one of those dudes that celebrates you just for being you. He's wise and bright and awesome and you're gonna love him.
His new book, Get Weird, just released. I gifted it to my cousin and have a list of friends I look forward to giving it to at Christmas. This guy and this book are such gifts to us in our world today. Can't wait for you to get it!
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My new book Remember God is available for pre-order and the first 5000 friends who pre-order the book will get the audiobook (read by me) for free weeks before the book comes out! All the details are on http://anniefdowns.com
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I love this guy so much. Jonathan Merritt is a dear dear friend and a Georgia Bulldog fan and an incredibly gifted writer. He has more good stuff to say than we had minutes, and we usually talk for hours, but were were self-controlled and only gave y'all the best of us. :)
His new book, Learning to Speak God from Scratch, has changed me and given me words I didn't know I needed. Make sure you get a copy today. And by the way, you can hear me on Jonathan's podcast, Seekers & Speakers, as well!
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By the way! My new book Remember God is available for pre-order and the first 5000 friends who pre-order the book will get the audiobook (read by me) for free weeks before the book comes out! All the details are on http://anniefdowns.com
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HAPPY SEPTEMBER, FRIENDS!
And there is no better way to kick off the fall than talking football with one of the coolest women we know. Samantha Ponder is one of the most respected women in sports broadcasting and definitely one the most recognized faces in football. But to me, she's also an amazing Jesus-loving woman who is one of my favorite instagram follows FOR SURE. Y'all are just gonna adore her.
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By the way! My new book Remember God is available for pre-order and the first 5000 friends who pre-order the book will get the audiobook (read by me) for free weeks before the book comes out! All the details are on http://anniefdowns.com
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YOU GUYS. I'm trying to play it cool but TEAM NO CHILL that we get to be friends with Payne Lindsey and talk all things Up and Vanished, podcast creation, and storytelling. If you'll recall from the episode with John Crist, we were both addicted to Season 1 of Up and Vanished and I am so pumped to have had this conversation with the creator of the show.
Season 1 is absolutely worth your time, but Season 2 is a brand new story (meaning you don't have to listen to Season 1 to jump into Season 2 with us today!). So after you're done with this convo between Payne and myself, get started on Up and Vanished Season 2 so we can all talk about it ASAP!
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Y'all called it. You've told me to have her on the show and legit the minute we sat down in my office we were laughing and then I was teary telling her the truth and OMG Melissa Radke is everything.
Her new book Eat Cake. Be Brave. is already on many of your shelves (and in your hearts) but wow is it a special one. And so is she. And so is this conversation. Get ready to laugh- this woman BRINGS IT.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
It is with SO MUCH JOY that I put this conversation in your ears and put this organization in the front of your mind. What an honor for us to get to partner with Christian Appalachian Project to bring picture books to kids in three counties of Kentucky!
Listen in as Mike from Camp AJ and I chat about all things CAP, the importance of reading, and what it is like to love your neighbor well.
Our goal this month is to raise $13,000 to provide Imagination Library for all 100 preschoolers in CAP's program in Rockcastle, Jackson, and McCreary counties for FIVE YEARS.
If we each give ONE DOLLAR (for real), it's goal met and doubled. ONE DOLLAR today from each of us gives books to a lot of kids for FIVE YEARS. Wanna get in on this with us??? $1, $5, $100, or drop the whole $13K! :)
www.christianapp.org/anniefdowns
(And we've got some super fun plans once we surpass the $13,000.... we'll keep you updated about that...)
Let's gooooooo! This is gonna be SO FUN.
(FYI if you want some background... here's my first conversation on The New Activist with CAP's president Guy Adams.)
Gosh I love Christy Wright. She's a ball of fun and compassion and smarts and you're going to see all those on display in today's episode. As I'm taking a few weeks off for vacation, I knew Christy was the businesswoman I wanted to talk with about how we rest well and run after our dreams and lead from a place of peace. Oh, and we also talked about our trip to Vegas. :)
If you think we're fun in a podcast, you ain't seen NOTHING yet! Come hang with us at Business Boutique in Nashville!
https://www.businessboutique.com
(Use the code "bbdowns" to get 15% off!)
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The calmness of Aaron's voice is going to be what makes the truth bombs fall much lighter into your heart. :) I am such a fan of this guy- as a writer, friend, worship leader, experience creator, and family man. His new book, The Eternal Current, puts down on paper the way that Aaron has lived and led us for so long. I think you are going to love this conversation and this book.
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I have been so dying to get Jessica Honegger on the show! (And you guys have requested her like crazy too.) The founder and CEO of Noonday Collection, she is also the author of Imperfect Courage. This conversation with Jessica is enneagram 7 heavy :), so prepare your hearts for that. You know when you get two of us together, it's volume and laughter and tears and dreams. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com
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YOU GUYS. Okay so I already loved her music I had no idea I WOULD FALL ALL THE WAY IN LOVE with Steffany Gretzinger. Like, immediate need to know her and be her friend forever kind of love. Her music and her worship leading have meant so much to me in the last few years, but gracious her wisdom and humor! I didn't know BUT NOW WE KNOW. If you haven't listened to her album Blackout, please do. Like soon and very soon. Hope you love this one!
https://bethelmusic.com/artists/steffany-gretzinger/
Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
Oh y'all. I so love this dude. Jeremy Courtney is truly one of my heroes- not just in what he does, but how he thinks and talks and leads. Jeremy and his wife Jessica run Preemptive Love, bringing relief and jobs and friendship to people in war-torn nations like Iraq and Syria. And not just for a season, but for the long haul. This conversation is so moving as Jeremy walks us through what their life in the middle east is like, the work they are doing, and why it all matters.
Join me on the front lines. --> https://preemptivelove.org/donate/
Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
I'm so excited to have Russ Ramsey back on the podcast to hang with us! We talk about all sorts of topics - prayer, Jesus, his new adventure in pastoring- have lots of laughs and a few tears (duh it's me).
He has three new books that released last week and I love them -- The Advent of the Lamb, The Passion of the King of Glory, and The Mission of the Body of Christ.
(And you gotta listen to the show to hear why each book is the exact length that it is. RUSS IS BRILLIANT.)
Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com
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I am such a huge fan of Ally Fallon. As my friend, as a writer, and as a woman who is living open and honest and telling the truth. I admire her so so much and I think you will too after this conversation. Pre-order her latest book Indestructible- it's such a beautiful story of pain and resilience and trust and hope.
Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
It's my birthday week so this podcast is just some of my favorite things! :)
First up, Dave Barnes and Aaron Chewning are back to talk us through the final 8 teams of the World Cup and who is gonna win this whole thing.
Then, my friends and co-workers Maggie and Eliza bring some of the questions that you guys asked during the TSF Survey we put out in May. Friendship, God, singleness, church, Starbucks order. We only covered about 10 of the 3000 questions, but we got a good start. :)
Happy 4th of July week and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME week and Happy Summer, friends!
Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode!
As my college pastor at UGA's Wesley Foundation and my pastor for a season at RiverStone Church, Tom Tanner is one of the most influential voices in my life. Tom and Melissa are on a short list, after my own parents, of people who have had the most impact in my life and growth. And I think that is true for hundreds of my friends, including some that you know- like Tyler Reagin from Catalyst and my pastor Kevin Queen.
We are living in a world where people walk away from their faith and the church fairly often, and sometimes people fall so deep into their own sin it costs them their ministry all together. I wanted to know how to do this faith life for the long haul and TOM AND MELISSA DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
Settle in for a conversation that just may change some things for you... and give you a reason to make a phone call to someone who has influenced your life, too.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
What a joy to have such a strong, insightful, and fun woman on the podcast with us today! Kate Bowler is a brilliant writer and communicator and we really dig into some of the hard things going on in her life right now. This conversation is special. For sure. She's honest and kind and a real joy to hang out with. Her new book, Everything Happens For A Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved, really moved me and is worth the read. You're gonna love being friends with Kate.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
Here's the thing. I saw Black Panther and I loved it. Then I saw Avengers: Infinity War and I loved it. So you know what sounded fun to ME? Learning more about these superheroes that most of y'all already know and love. And my buddy Tyler Huckabee is just the guy to teach us.... well, me.
So stick around for some incredible thoughts on writing, faith, and superheroes, and where all those worlds collide.
Want more? Check out Tyler's podcast Capetown.
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Possibly the most creative person I have ever known, Andrew Peterson is a songwriter, singer, author, filmmaker, farmer, and pretty much a billion other things. He's just significantly cooler than me, which you'll know soon enough.
If you've been around here for a while, we've been talking for a long time about one of Andrew's songs- The Sower's Song- the one that got me going about myrtle a few months. And we talk about it today on the show- along with writing fiction, Nashville, gardening, songwriting, and the massive role Andrew played ten years ago in my writing career.
His Resurrections Letters albums are just brilliant. I think you are going to love them.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this episode!
https://www.andrew-peterson.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode!
Christine Caine is one of my favorite voices. She's an incredible preacher, a strong activist against slavery, and just one of a kind. The thing about Chris is she is SO FULLY CHRIS and SO FULLY given over to the work of the Gospel and the love of Christ. It's awesome to watch and massively inspiring. Her new book, Unexpected, just released and it's the power punch you've been waiting to read. This conversation is fun and challenging and convicting and grace-filled. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
You know I have two real dreams for my friends listening- that you would love the enneagram and international soccer.
The Men's World Cup, the biggest worldwide soccer tournament, begins next week and this summer is the best time for you to jump on board and learn to love the sport. (I hope. I hope so hard.)
So I grabbed two of my favorite dudes and soccer (and comedy) experts- Aaron Chewning and Dave Barnes- and we went DEEEEP into soccer. Stick with us, friends. Lots to learn, lots of soccer player name drops, lots of laughs, and maybe one of my favorite episodes ever.
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YOU GUYS WE DID IT.
100 episodes.
And you're still here. (Thanks for that!)
This one is ridiculous and fun and a sprinkling of stuff that matters and lots of Royal Wedding and a promise about Christmas that you don't want to forget (because I'm never talking about it ever again). Just 100 hot takes.
Y'all have made my life so much more fun. Thank you.
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Make sure you follow Eddie and listen to The New Activist! (And if you want to hear Eddie and I and some of our other best pals do this mess every week, check out the Relevant Podcast!)
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Y'all know we love talking about Sabbath around here, and with summer kicking off this week, let's talk a bit about slowing down and what rest can look like (I bet it's different than you think). Curtis Zackery, or CZ as we friends call him, has written a new book called Soul Rest all about it. We knock into a lot of topics- church leadership, race, miscarriage, just to name a few- and you're going to love and respect this pastor, leader, author, and friend by the time we're done.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Harvest and I have been friends for years and I've watched her grow as a worship leader and as a woman of God in amazing (and pain-filled) ways. Buckle up for a conversation about pain and worship and the book of Revelation... and movie pass. :) Her new album Preachers will be a gift to be played over and over in your life.
Podcast survey: http://bit.ly/2018TSFsurvey
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Thanks to PrepDish for sponsoring this episode!
You can get 2 weeks free trial today! YUM FOR REAL.
Dropping another surprise Monday episode in here because y'all are awesome and I want you to hear my new favorite song! Right Now is a song written for our local church but I am BEYOND HAPPY that you can hear it now too. Krissy Nordhoff, Zach Kale, and Mike Grayson wrote it together and it has been SUCH a gift to our church for the last few months. Can't wait for you to hear it and hear the heart behind the writers.
HAPPY MONDAY, FRIENDS! :)
https://www.crosspoint.tv/rightnow/
Podcast survey: http://bit.ly/2018TSFsurvey
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My gracious I love these people. If you are a church person, you probably have been singing Passion Music songs for years. And I bet you already know Kristian Stanfill, Melodie Malone, and Brett Younker. But today we sit down and have one of my favorite conversations with all three of them. (And we call on the power of Shelley Giglio a few times too... mainly to get us La Croix endorsements.) Passion Music just released a new album, Whole Heart, that you are going to totally love.
https://www.instagram.com/kpstanfill/
https://www.instagram.com/melodiedanae
https://www.instagram.com/brettyounker/
Podcast survey: http://bit.ly/2018TSFsurvey
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Here's what.
I just have some things I want to tell you (some fun and exciting things!) and some questions I have for you and the only real way I know to communicate with you is to talk to you. So pretend we are sitting down at my favorite coffee shop in Nashville just having a conversation about this little corner of the podcast universe we call the That Sounds Fun Podcast. And then let me know what you think!
Please please please pop over to my website and fill out the survey? HELP A SISTER OUT. Please? :)
You're the very best always and forever and I love you to pieces. Amen.
I am so so happy to have a sweet mama on the show this week to help kick off your Mother's Day Weekend celebrating! Hilary Yancey has a unique, hard, and beautiful story of her growing family that I think will connect with you and change you. Her first book, Forgiving God: A Story of Faith is moving and powerful and yet intensely vulnerable and kind. You've gonna love it and you're gonna love her.
Happy Mother's Day to all you women who birthed, adopted, raised, cared for, and hugged children. Whether they are yours or they are someone else's but loved by you, you are doing good work. Keep it up. I'm proud to be your friend.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
It's a strong women kind of week around here. And you know how much I love when my friends become friends- so that's my hope with today's episode! Candace Cameron Bure has a new book out- Kind Is The New Classy- and she's a Hallmark movie star AND she is DJ Tanner. So for all the reasons, I was so so happy to get to chat with her! And then I grabbed my gal Mo Isom to come and hang with us, too. Mo has been on the show before, but her new book Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot is amazing and I was DYING to get her here to talk with us.
And now all my dreams are coming true because it's just like we all sat down at the same table over coffee (or chai) and got to be friends. :)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode!
We used some wizardly tricks to get today's podcast together for you! Ginna Claire Mason is currently starring as Glinda in the touring cast of Wicked. It is probably my favorite musical and Ginna Claire is FOR SURE my favorite witch. :) So while the show was in Nashville, we sat down and talked about Broadway life and Nashville life and faith life and how twitter made us friends. I'm excited to introduce you to our new favorite Broadway star.
https://twitter.com/GinnaClaire
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I am so grateful to be friends with Alex Seeley. One of the pastors of The Belonging Co in Nashville, Alex is a strong and kind voice of leadership in our city and around the world. And she's Australian, so her accent will bless your soul today. Her new book, Tailor Made, is a deep dive into identity and how to move forward in your life with Christ. (IT IS AWESOME.)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
After the podcast episode with John Crist, y'all wanted to hear more about Onsite Workshops. Ask and you shall receive, my friends. CEO and owner of Onsite, Miles Adcox, joins us today to talk about his journey to mental and emotional health, answers some good nuts and bolts questions about Onsite, and makes me talk too much (SORRY). If you or someone you love is looking to dig deeper into your own story, I hope this conversation about Onsite helps give you some direction and clarity.
https://www.onsiteworkshops.com
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I've never met anyone like Bob Goff. He makes you feel like the most important person in the room, even if you aren't. He listens like what you are saying really matters, even if it doesn't. :) He's really good at friendship and a really wise voice for us all. His new book Everybody, Always is challenging and important and everything you love about Bob- funny, whimsical, a little crazy, kind. This conversation, hopefully, is all those things as well.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode!
Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial!
I am so excited to finally have Alli Worthington on the show. Amazing business woman, enneagram 7, and author of multiple books, including Fierce Faith, Alli is one of my favorite women. She brings the HEAT on this episode- about fear, leadership, hearing God, and why I should not have gone to the movies with a burrito in my purse. Hope you enjoy this conversation and share it with someone you know would be encouraged by Alli's wisdom!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode!
Let's play ball! Today is Opening Day for Major League Baseball so it was about time to get my friend/brother/favorite Atlanta Brave Dansby Swanson.
I met Dansby at church in Nashville when he was at Vanderbilt and just couldn't be more proud of the man he is and the player he is. (You're gonna be so impressed with his wisdom and heart. For real.) And he loves the Atlanta Falcons which is just exactly how to stay in my life forever. I'm betting you will join the unofficial Dansby Fan Club after you hear this conversation.
Check out his stats!: Dansby Swanson
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This one is about to get up in your business. Tauren Wells, one of my favorite artists I've ever toured with, comes on the show and BRINGS THE FIRE over and over. I took notes. For real.
Make sure you check out Tauren's new album Hills and Valleys. It's fun and meaningful and lyrically super sound.
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I'm so proud to call Brandon Heath my friend and so grateful he took time to come be on the podcast. He brings such wisdom and truth and honesty- it's really moving. His latest album Faith Hope Love Repeat is a special one, and you'll hear why in this episode. Enjoy it, friends!
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I am a longtime fan of Cory Asbury and you're about to be too (if you aren't already). Awesome worship leader, full of wisdom, and pretty funny too, I'm so so glad he was able to carve out some time to chat. Make sure you check out his new album Reckless Love and go see him on tour when he's near you!
https://bethelmusic.com/artists/cory-asbury/
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at ThirdLove, Daily Harvest, and Baker Publishing Group 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!
Jo Saxton is absolutely one of my favorite co-workers. We get to speak at the same conferences a few times a year, which is always an automatic yes to me if I know Jo will be there too.
She is wise and fun and loves God in such a deep and profound way. Her new book The Dream of You is one of my favorite recent reads. I think you're going to love her and her writing.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode!
Winston and Rachel Cruze are two of my dearest friends and two of the wisest and smartest people I know. This is an incredibly fun conversation all about money and marriage and chai and about 43 other topics that randomly arose.
Make sure you check out Rachel's show, The Rachel Cruze Show, as well as her resources (they are AMAZING and so helpful).
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I'm still not totally sure how to put words around this conversation. It was just so so good. And fun (of course). Comedian John Crist and I, as you will hear, have been sharing event posters for years, but this is our first opportunity to be friends. But when you guys request a guest OVER AND OVER, I do my best to get them on the show!
I knew John would be funny, we all knew he'd be funny, but I had no idea how profound and honest and kind he would be. What a good dude... he may be restoring my faith in male enneagram 3s. :) If you weren't a fan of John before, you will be now. Make sure you follow him on social media, head to his shows when he's in your town, and buy up all his swag. :)
#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!
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!
#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!
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode!
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.
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Thanks to our friends at ThirdLove for sponsoring this episode!
Head to thirdlove.com/soundsfun for 15% off your first order!
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. :)
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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.
#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!
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
#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!
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.)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!)
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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
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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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!
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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!
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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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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)!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#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!
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!
(And use the code ANNIE20 until the end of October 2017 for 20% off your purchase! HUZZAH!)
#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!
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/
#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!
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.
#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!
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
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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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!
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!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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
(use the code FUN to get a $199 ticket to Catalyst Atlanta in October!)
http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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://thatsoundsfunweekend.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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://thatsoundsfunweekend.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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://thatsoundsfunweekend.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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. :)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Barnabas Piper and I sit down this week and y'all, this dude is smart. It was so fun to hear his thoughts on enneagram, Israel, FaceTime, Nashville, "quiet times", and curiosity. And you're gonna LOVE his answer to our favorite question at the end! Check out his new book The Curious Christian if you connect with the thoughts he shares in our conversation. (And if you love the dude, he's got a few of his own podcasts you should check out!)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
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.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
John Mark Comer is one of my very very favorite authors and teachers in the church right now. I've long been a fan and am just now lucky enough to call him friend. I've loved all his books (and his preaching podcast), and his new book God Has A Name is an incredibly thought-provoking read that I think you will enjoy. Our conversation kicks off with enneagram (duh y'all know me) and circles through to modern day church life and the best coffee in Portland. Hope you'll enjoy hanging with us!
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A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a church in Sioux Falls, SD. I had no idea that day that I would meet a lifelong friend and one of my favorite pastors in the nation. Adam Weber is one of the best and I am so so glad to get to introduce y'all to him. His new book Talking With God is all about prayer and talking with Adam about it has changed me and my prayer life. I think you're gonna love the book, the conversation, and this guy.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Since it began in 2009, I have been a fan, family member, and contributor at (in)courage. It's a beautiful corner of the internet for women to gather and make friends. I love that I got to be a part of their new book, Craving Connection. Fellow author, contributor, friend, and all around ball of fun Jennifer Dukes Lee joins me on this episode. We talk about, well, everything (you know how it goes around here, y'all). But we spend a good amount of time swapping book-writing stories. I think you're going to love this gal.
http://www.cravingconnectionbook.com
#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)
Russ Ramsey is one of my favorite pastor voices in Nashville. His new book Struck might just blow your mind a little bit. A real-time retelling of his life-threatening heart infection and surgery, this book is beautiful for anyone who has suffered, or is currently suffering, and trying to believe God. I love this dude and I think you will too.
You hear her beautiful singing voice on every single episode. Now you get to hear her beautiful talking voice too as Ellie Holcomb and I sit down to discuss all sorts of things, including her new (and incredible) album Red Sea Road.
We laughed. We cried. We told you the truth. I think you're gonna love this one.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers from SheReadsTruth are back to talk to us about Lent, the next season on the Christian calendar. If you've ever wondered about this 47 day journey, how and why we celebrate it, what it all means and how to participate, join us for this amazing conversation.
I love these women and how they love Jesus and the Bible. And I love Lent! So fun to chat about it.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Rebekah Lyons is just one of those women that you want on your team. She's fun, she's honest, she loves God and loves her friends and gosh I could just go on and on. (And I kinda do in this podcast.) I'm so thankful that Rebekah and I got to sit down and talk about life and her kids (whom I adore) and her new book "You Are Free."
I've read it a lot. Trust me. You'll love this book. And you'll love this gal. And you'll love this podcast. (Valentine's week, y'all. So. We're still talking about love over here.) :)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Let's kick off Valentine's week with our first ever married couple show! Mike and Molly Grayson are not only married (with a kid), they are also an AMAZING duo called Grayson|Reed. Their new EP "Walk" just released and it is on repeat at my house. Can't wait for y'all to meet them and fall in love with their story, their music, and the way they talk about each other. (IT IS THE BEST.)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Michael Wear may be one of the smartest men I know. He spent four years in the White House with President Obama working on faith initiatives. His new book "Reclaiming Hope" is about that season of his life, where faith and politics meet, and what hope looks like going forward. And also? He sings like a crooner on snapchat. So. You have THAT to look forward to. You're gonna love this guy.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
You know the best way to end a Christmas party is standing around laughing with your favorite people, and that is why we have Eddie Kaufholz back with us today. With Christmas just around the corner, I definitely needed to get Eddie's opinion on some very important holiday topics. But obviously, we ended up talking about 73 other things as well.
Hope you enjoy the end of the party and we'll see you in 2017!
(Thank you for listening, friends. I love hanging with you here. <3)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
She's been singing to my heart (and my ears) for almost twenty years, so I have a lot (read: ALL) of Christy Nockels's music. But her new Christmas album, A Thrill of Hope, is on repeat over at the Downs Books Inc office these days.
The Christmas party continues with a good long chat with Christy about music and Franklin, TN and raising children and finding a church and Christmas and how I embarrassed us all the first time I met her.
This party is full of the very best people, isn't it?
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Ann Voskamp joins us for the third week of our #thatsoundsfunpodcast Christmas party! With lots of wisdom and wit and patience (with me, mostly), Ann will be a breath of fresh air and a calming conversation amidst the crazy of this holiday season. Her new book The Broken Way is a great addition to any woman's stocking.
Ann is so smart and funny and great to be around, making this officially the best Christmas party I've ever attended! :)
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers from SheReadsTruth join us for our second week of our That Sounds Fun Christmas party and we talk all about what Advent is, what it looks like in our families and lives, and how it can change us to really celebrate the season, not just December 25th.
Pretty much, we go to church in this episode. It brought tears to my eyes when we recorded and when I listened again.
So welcome to the longest Christmas party you've ever attended! :) The episode with Landyn was for your home, this one is for your heart.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Landyn Hutchinson, better known as writer and blogger Living With Landyn, is one of the best and most creative decorators I know and one of my favorites to follow on every corner of the internet.
So the best way to kick off a Christmas party is to make sure you've got your recipes cooking, Christmas cards printing, and home decorated without blowing your budget. Landyn is your girl!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Scott Sauls, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN is one of my newer friends in town. But after we met about a year ago, I decided he was totally stuck with me. :) I asked Scott to join me on the podcast to talk about his new book, Befriend, and to talk about community in general. The conversation that came out was different and better than I could have ever expected.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
I hope you're ready for a rabbit trail or twelve, because Eddie Kaufholz and I found them and ran down them. Luckily, we managed to hit some important topics, including his new podcast through IJM, The New Activist. But mostly? We talked about everything.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Two hometown girls turned authors getting together over a pair of microphones... that's what you've got today, people. Mo Isom's New York Times Bestselling book Wreck My Life is one of my favorites from this year and I think you're going to love it too! Such a fun conversation.... I'm glad you'll be joining us.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
A conversation that started out light and breezy got serious and profound pretty quick. I loved getting to chat with Brad Lomenick- leadership consultant, speaker, founder of BLINC, and author of The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership. So he's lots of fancy things, but best of all he's smart and funny and I love being his friend. I think you will too.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
My longtime friend Bianca Oltoff is releasing her first book, Play With Fire. We discuss her new amazing book, but also some of the most important things in life- like how Bianca changed my mascara life with one simple tip. She's a hero and mentor like that, y'all.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Celebrity photographer (and my former boss) Jeremy Cowart tells us all about his amazing new idea, The Purpose Hotel, and how you and I can be a part of building a hotel chain that does good and helps people. CRAZY COOL.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
An illusionist, a writer, a filmmaker, and now the guy running Story Conference? Harris III is amazing (and so is his wife who showed up to the studio on the back of his motorcycle). So this episode is a two-for-one with Harris III and his wife Kate!
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Stay tuned while former NFL star Tim Shaw makes me laugh and cry and coaches me on dating. And life. He's a hero.
Twitter: tshawstruth
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Me and my dear friend (and amazing author) Christa Black Gifford sit down to discuss all things heart. Christa's new book, Heart Made Whole, deeply impacted my life and I wanted Christa to tell y'all all about it.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Maybe the only person as loud as me, Matt Wertz and I sit down and talk about the best and weirdest and most hilarious things. Also, I spend some time gushing about his new album GunShy because, well, it's amazing.
#thatsoundsfunpodcast
Christy Wright has launched a unique event for women who dream of creating a business, have started a business, or are in the thick of running their own business. Today we'll talk about the Business Boutique, how we met, give lots of cred to author Jenni Catron, and laugh loudly and often.
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For launch week of the Looking For Lovely Bible studies, Annie and Angie Smith sit down and talk all about what it is like to write Bible studies and about forty-five other random topics... including our million dollar twix bar idea.
http://lifeway.com/lookingforlovely
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Annie returns with plans for the future of That Sounds Fun and a sneak peek into the world of launching a new book- where Looking For Lovely came from, how it's doing, and Annie reads the first chapter!
http://bit.ly/lookingforlovely
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Season 2 of the podcast kicks off with Emily P. Freeman and covers the finer points of inviting yourself over, Emily's new book Simply Tuesday, and all the other important things, like float night at the pool.
http://emilypfreeman.com/about/
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Annie chats with author Shauna Niequist about her new book Savor as well as many other important things like the best dessert in Chicago.
https://www.shaunaniequist.com
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Annie talks with Detroit Tigers minor league baseball player (and former Downs Books intern) Connor Harrell about life and faith as a professional athlete. And, they make plans for a donut eating contest. Obviously.
Twitter: ConnorHD20
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The second part of Annie's conversation with musician Dave Barnes about music and comedy and how to be funny.
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Musician Dave Barnes sits down with Annie and they discuss the ins and outs of being hilarious. They also discuss Dave's most recent album, Hymns for Her.
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Annie chats with her friend author and blogger Jessica Turner about how to find fringe hours in any kind of busy life. Also? American Girl dolls.
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Annie sits down with Matt Niehoff (@experiencenash), an expert on all things Nashville, to discuss the best local restaurants for every meal of the day and on any budget.
http://experiencenash.blogspot.com
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Annie and her assistant Sarah talk about the one word they are each picking for 2015 and how to incorporate it into their daily lives for the whole year.
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In Part 2 of Annie's interview with New York Times Best Selling Author Ted Dekker, they discuss writing and process and the power of story. (And Annie apologizes for those volume problems in episode 1.)
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Author and speaker Annie F. Downs kicks off her brand new podcast interviewing New York Times Best Selling Author Ted Dekker about his newest novel AD 30.
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