That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!   . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I 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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to the sponsors of this episode! Prep Dish: Want to give Prep Dish a try? Text “mealplan” to 33777 for a free week! Function of Beauty: Listeners will receive 20% off their first shampoo/conditioner set. To redeem, head to functionofbeauty.com/THATSOUNDSFUN and take the hair quiz. NIV Beautiful World Bible: Now through December 31st, 2019, our listeners can save an additional 10% off the Beautiful Word Bible by visiting faithgateway.com/beautiful and using promo code SOUNDSFUN at checkout! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! #FabFitFunpartner: Use coupon code “SOUNDSFUN” for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com. Rothys: Check out all the amazing styles available right now and give the gift of comfort, style, and sustainability by going to Rothys.com/soundsfun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I 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? :)  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this podcast! Flamingo: Get your Flamingo Shave Set for just $16 with FREE shipping today when you visit shopflamingo.com/annie Uncommon Goods: Go to UncommonGoods.com/thatsoundsfun to receive $5 off your first purchase! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to Function of Beauty for sponsoring this podcast! Get 20% your first shampoo/ conditioner set.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: The New Activist Supporting IJM CAP video Supporting CAP (To continue to give towards children receiving Imagination Library books, select "educational programs" in the giving dropdown menu.) . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices