That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

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 Tu...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 th...

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 jus...

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 t...

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...

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. . . . . . http://a...

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 an...

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...

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.  . ....

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!)  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsou...

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!...

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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.co...

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...

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! . . . . . http:...

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 flamin...

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! Dav...

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 lo...

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 listene...

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. thewellsummit.com An...

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...

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 in...

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...