That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Jen Lilley, actress, producer, and author of Wake Up Your Faith, shares her journey from hearing a call to act to living a Spirit-led life. She discusses discernment versus judging, meekness, yielding to God, fasting as a spiritual practice, and how faith shows up on set and in ministry. Short, sincere, and faith-forward conversation.

Matt Smallbone, pastor of Church of the City’s downtown Nashville campus and author of The Prayer Experiment, shares how the Lord’s Prayer reshaped his prayer life. He recounts moving from music to ministry, wrestling with grief and returning to prayer, and practical rhythms like communal petitions, daily bread, forgiveness, fasting, and spiritual protection. Stories and pastoral wisdom pepper the conversation.

They wrestle with how to respond when the world feels overwhelming and debate when to speak up publicly versus acting quietly. A chaotic home disaster story about a collapsing ceiling and flood recovery brings humor and perspective. They trade advice on moving from thought to action, admit fear while holding hope, and finish with movie talk, tour dates, and nostalgic first-film memories.

Brad Nelson, former pastor and content director who helps shape practical prayer rhythms, and Brad Gray, leader at Walking the Text who uncovers Scripture’s original context, discuss their work on The Lord’s Prayer film, series, and book. They explore the prayer’s historic rhythms, how it steadies the disoriented, its role in unity and mission, and simple daily practices to make the prayer part of life.

Milo Ventimiglia, acclaimed actor (Gilmore Girls, This Is Us) who plays Tim Timmons and formed a deep bond with him while researching the role. Tim Timmons, Christian musician and speaker who lived through touring with MercyMe and a personal cancer journey. They talk about making I Can Only Imagine 2, the friendship that grew during filming, grief and gratitude on set, and Tim’s forthcoming book Waking Up Again.

Lauren Tomlin, a Christian prayer leader who teaches intercession and hearing God, joins for a heartfelt chat. They explore how to pray through overwhelm, discern God's voice, receive visions and inner healing, and pray for families, cities, and personal wounds. The conversation closes with a guided prayer to meet God and reshape identity.

Lauren Akins, author and humanitarian who leads Love One, and Thomas Rhett, country singer sharing family and faith, recount moving their family to Uganda and the messy realities that followed. They talk about malaria, medevac scares, powerful family prayers, sensing spiritual opposition, healings while ministering, and processing grief and obedience in hard places.

Lauren Akins, author and adoptive mother active in philanthropy, and Thomas Rhett, country singer-songwriter and family man, share a faith-driven story. They talk about sensing a call to live in Uganda, prayerful obedience amid confusion, timing and loss, and how those experiences intersect with family and a new pregnancy.

Pete Greig, NYT-bestselling author and founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement, shares from a three-month sabbatical that reshaped his prayer life and marriage. He talks sabbatical logistics for couples, simple daily prayer rhythms like Lectio 365, and how fasting, liturgies, and imaginative scripture reading deepen spiritual life. He also addresses lament and perseverance when prayers feel unanswered.

Eddie Kaufholz, comedian and longtime collaborator, co-announces The Buddies Tour and swaps hilarious stories. They riff on mice and nostalgia, debate LA28 Olympics tickets and Golden Globes moments. They tease tour VIPs, meet-and-greets, live-show vibes, and share plans for races and community fun.