That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

There’s something really profound to be said about the changing of a season—winter, spring, summer, fall—but even more so—there’s something profound about actually realizing which season you’re in emotionally, physically, and spiritually. To pay attention to your season raises some important questions... Where is the hope in the winter? What’s blooming in and around us in the spring? What kind of fun are we chasing in the summer? And what’s being harvested in the fall? These are the themes that will be the center of the That Sounds Fun Podcast in 2025. We’re going to spend the entire year talking about the spiritual impact of all four seasons in our lives. We’ll use questions about the seasons we find ourselves in as guides for the conversations on the podcast and we’ll also have some episodes that are just me processing with you. We’ve created a TSF Seasons Guidebook as a companion to walk through this year with you. It includes space for you to take notes and capture your reflections on the podcast episodes, some fun activities and recipes to try, scripture to reflect on, and journal prompts to respond to. We’ll deliver additional pages at the beginning of each season so that, by the end of the year as we’ve walked through all four seasons together, we’ll be able to look back at all God has taught us and what we’ve seen Him do for us, in us, with us. We are really looking forward to this year and hope you'll join us. Find the guidebook here: www.anniefdowns.com/seasons . . . . . Want to watch this trailer on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast in 2025, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friend Matthew West is here and I loved this conversation! We catch up about work, life, and his new book, Come Home for Christmas. I love that we get to continue our Advent conversations with friends we trust like Matthew and I’m grateful we get to walk into Christmas with the help of his pastoring voice.  . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp:  Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 10% off your first month. Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter our code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off site wide. Lumen: Go to lumen.me/TSF to get 15% off your Lumen.  Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/thatsoundsfun. Aura Frames: Save on the perfect gift by visiting AuraFrames.com to get $35-off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code FUN at checkout.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony O'Neal is a financial expert, but today he’s not only helping us think through the vision of how to use our resources, but really the big vision of who’s around us to help us get where we want to be spiritually, relationally, and financially. I love that we’re ending the year here, because it really sets us up well as we think about what kind of 2025 we want to have. Single Purpose League, you’re especially going to love this one too, because Anthony’s single and also navigating the dating world while continuing to work on being the healthiest version of himself right now.  His brand new book, Take Your Seat at the Table comes out January 14th and is an incredible resource to help us start the new year well! . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll also love our Build Your Board series and the guidebook would be a great way to help you start the new year. You can find everything at anniefdowns.com/buildyourboard. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1:  AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! Thrive Causemetics: Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/soundsfun. Daily Look: Head to Dailylook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your order. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friend, Danielle Kartes is here and she’s bringing us the Christmas season food tips (and just all around fun) that we need. We talk about her journey from selling make up to becoming a regular on the Kelly Clarkson show. Her story is full of hard work and hope, and you do not want to miss her hilarious story at the end about... a cherry tomato.  Danielle is an author, recipe genius, and entrepreneur living near Seattle. She and her husband run their boutique food, lifestyle, and commercial photography business, Rustic Joyful Food.  She has written and published four cookbooks, seven children’s books, and one devotional memoir, and she is a regular culinary contributor to The Kelly Clarkson Show and The TODAY Show. . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . If you liked this episode, you'll love these!  2019 Christmas Party Episode 6: Aarti Sequeira Episode 495: Aarti Sequeira on What Praying Before You Cook Can Do . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.ccom/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. StoryWorth: Go to StoryWorth.com/thatsoundsfun and save $10 on your first purchase!  Aura Frames: Save on the perfect gift by visiting AuraFrames.com to get $35-off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code FUN at checkout.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friends, Jen and Jami are here and we’re reviewing Great American Family Christmas movies! Did we create our own rating system?! YES, YES WE DID.  If you want to watch these too, check your local listings for Great American Family or download the Pure Flix app to stream them. You can find all the info at pureflix.com. And don’t forget, we created a bingo board for you to fill out while you watch! . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify: Go to shopify.com/soundsfun to upgrade your selling today. LiquidIV: Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to liquidiv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout. Thrive Causemetics: Get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to get your home holiday ready. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show, I get to talk with the king of whimsy himself, Bob Goff. This is his third time back to That Sounds Fun and he’s always a good friend to us and a really wise voice we can learn from. His new book Catching Whimsy is a 365 day devotional challenging us to intentionally live a life full of kindness and wonder and, of course, some whimsy too. He shares stories of visiting prisons in a Santa Claus suit, building a giraffe habitat, and encourages us to get curious about other people. I think you'll really like this one.  . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.  Aura Frames: Save on the perfect gift by visiting AuraFrames.com to get $35-off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code FUN at checkout. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/thatsoundsfun. Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter our code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide. Ritual: Get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show, I get to talk with my long-time friend Lanier Ivester. I’ve known her for 30 years and I don’t think I’ve talked publicly much about my grandmother’s book store, but Lanier worked there growing up, so this conversation was so sacred to me—to relive some of those memories, to get to talk about my grandmother AND THEN get to talk about the Advent & Christmastide season, which y’all know is sacred to me too. Lanier’s very first book, Glad and Golden Hours: A Companion for Advent and Christmastide, is out now and it's so good. She has walked through great grief in infertility, losing her parents, and a house fire. I think you’re really going to love getting to know her story and her heart.  We also recorded a little bonus for Single Purpose League too. . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. Go to DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, December 1st, kicks off Advent, and you know how I feel about ADVENT! I have absolutely zero chill that we finally get to start our Advent series with a ton of you today. We truly have been talking about this one and planning for this one for a long time.  Today is the only day we’re going to share our Advent series here on the That Sounds Fun feed, but if you listen along and decide you want to join us for this series, you can jump in anytime! You’ll find the links to purchase the digital bundle over at anniefdowns.com/advent. Once you download it, you get to choose if you want to listen to each day’s devotion, read them, or watch them on video. Whether you’re starting your day, running errands, cooking a meal, or working out, I hope these 9 minutes offer you an invitation to not let this Advent season pass you by without acknowledging where your hope is and where you can find it. Join us for the rest of the series here: anniefdowns.com/advent . . . . . Advent Facebook Group . . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.  #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Name a better way to spend Thanksgiving than listening to a conversation with our pal Eddie Kaufolz. We’ve been recapping each year of the past 10 years with Eddie and can you believe we’ve made it to recapping 2023? LAST year?! Except we barely mention it... we mainly just catch up, talk Thanksgiving traditions and food, invent the term "travel robes" LOL, and you don't want to miss where you can potentially see Eddie TODAY on TV.... and no its not the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (hint: woof woof).  . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.  Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sadie Robertson Huff and I talk about what it looks like to figure out a next step forward when you feel stuck, Her lifestyle devotional called, The Next Step, released last week and y’all are going to love it! This would be such a great gift for a girl in your life who’s trying to navigate a “next thing,” whether that be a new semester at school, figuring a job change, or taking steps towards something they’ve been dreaming about. Plus, you know Sadie’s like a little sister to me, so it’s always the best to just catch up about life. We talked about all the things happening with her podcast and Live Original (or LO, as you’ll hear us call it), family traditions around the holidays, and her balancing working and being a mom. I love just love her and work she’s doing for the kingdom. . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Lumen: if you want to stay on track with your health this holiday season, go to lumen.me/TSF to get 15% off your Lumen.  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I also think you’ll also love any of these previous episodes! How to Share Your Faith with Willie Robertson – Episode 894 Episode 362: Sadie Robertson Huff That Sounds Fun Podcast Episode 42: Sadie Robertson TSF Couples 2020: Sadie Robertson Huff + Christian Huff . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is the official birthday of That Sounds Fun. Ten years ago today, the first episode released. Yes, of course we’ve been celebrating all year, but I couldn’t let the actual day of the start come and go without pausing and giving thanks, for you and with you.  This podcast also opened the door for my first ever show at the Ryman Auditorium- truly a dream come true. Over 2,000 of you were in the room with us, but that’s just a fraction of the friends listening today. So I thought it would be fun to grab our old pal Eddie for a few minutes, who was an integral part of the night, and recap it for you here. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Little Women’s Christmas is a contemporary retelling of the beloved classic novel, and it follows the lives and loves of the March sisters in a small Tennessee town at Christmas. It was filmed here in Franklin, TN and your girl AFD got a small cameo in it! I can’t for you to see. Today, we’re sitting down with 3 of the cast members: Laura Osnes who plays Beth March, Julia Reilly who plays Amy March, and Jesse Hutch who plays John. The movie premieres this Saturday, November 23rd at 8pm ET/7pm CT on Great American Family and Pure Flix (pureflix.com), so you’re going to want to check your local listings to see if you get Great American Family or head to pureflix.com and start their free 7-day trial so you’re ready to watch on Saturday. Invite your friends, put on your comfy clothes and let’s watch this adorable movie together. . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Ritual: Get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.  Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter our code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide.  Story Worth: Go to StoryWorth.com/thatsoundsfun and save $10 on your first purchase! Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/thatsoundsfun. Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strahan Coleman is a teacher at Practicing the Way, founder of the ministry Commoners Communion, AND he’s an award-winning musician. He lives in New Zealand with his wife and three young boys and in his latest book, Thirsting, Strahan poetically explores how to rediscover and fulfill our deepest desire through communion with God. We talk about how his chronic illness and losing his ability to sing lead him into a deeper friendship and closeness with God, the depths of God being like the dark ocean, the time it takes for a tree to produce fruit, and more. I hope this conversation leaves you thirsting for more of God.  . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Every week of November, AG1 will be running a special Black Friday offer for a free gift with your first subscription, in addition to the Welcome Kit with Vitamin D3+K2. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to see what gift you can get this week! Thrive Causemetics: Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/soundsfun. Go Bible: The Go Bible is available wherever Bibles are sold online, as well as KidsGoBible.com or at your favorite local bookstore! Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Bevere is one of those wise, mothering voices we all can learn from—strong and full of wisdom—and today we’re talking about being empowered women running after God. Her latest book The Fight for Female is out now so you’re going to hear all about it and hear why this was the book that was needed for our generation of women right now, in 2024.  . . . . Other topics include miscarriage and infant loss, Heaven, mothering voices, and fasting. . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.  Daily Look: Head to Dailylook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your order.  KiwiCo:  Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide. Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y’all get ready, because today I get to talk with my friend, Ellen Skrmetti—one of my favorite follows on Instagram. I bet you love her too…she makes those “Hey Jesus, it’s me,” videos…and she’s just as funny in person as she is online. Her southern humor is just spot on in the bless-your-heart kind of way and I laughed so much during this conversation. We did a real deep dive on how her comedy career got started, church potlucks, the speed of funerals, panty hose, a new sausage ball recipe… and we also got to talk about her brand new book, Hey Jesus, It’s Me. Y’all, hand to heaven, ask my coworkers, I laughed out loud multiple times reading this book. It is so funny and so good. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  Find the show notes here! . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday Deals. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Fatty15: You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/TSF and using code TSF at checkout.  LiquidIV: Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to liqiudiv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout. Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who else absolutely LOVED the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever growing up? It was one of my favorites and tomorrow it’s coming to the big screen, and we get to talk all about it today with Dallas Jenkins, who directed the movie, and his wife, Amanda. Y’all know them and love them already because Dallas is the director of The Chosen, but I’m telling you, I’ve cried BOTH times I’ve seen this screening of this movie. You’re going to LOVE it. Do not miss Dallas's story at the end of how he got to produce this amazing movie!  . . . . Find the show notes here! . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Factor: Head to factormeals.com/tsf50 and use code tsf50 to get 50% off your first box and 20% off your next month. Ritual: Go to ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for 25% off. Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide. Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may remember Bethany Joy Lenz from One Tree Hill (she was Haley James Scott on the show), but today she is being generous with her story of faith and freedom and identity, as she talks about the journey of finding herself in a cult, the manipulation she experienced, and the empowerment she found to break way from it all. She shares even more of this story and the destruction narcissism can cause in her brand new memoir, Dinner for Vampires, which, y’all, I seriously couldn't put down. . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Every week of November, AG1 will be running a special Black Friday offer for a free gift with your first subscription, in addition to the Welcome Kit with Vitamin D3+K2. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to see what gift you can get this week! Great American Family: For all the Great American Family goodness, go to pureflix.com to start your free trial! Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In case you haven’t been with us for a while, once a month we’re recapping each of the last 10 years in honor of the 10th anniversary of That Sounds Fun, so this month, we’re recapping 2022... but what we actually do is talk about anything else. Today we talk big about the World Series and (mainly Shohei Ohtani), Lin-Manuel Miranda, AI, and water because why not.  Also, let us know on Instagram what you would with 41 million dollars!!! . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . .  Join us for our Advent series, Stay Tuned!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.  KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learning how to be a person of faith in 2024 seems very challenging and the center of a lot of conversations these days. Today felt like the perfect time to talk to my friend Phil Manginelli about what's going on in the world, in the US, in our faith, and where those all meet. Phil equips churches and organizations teaching internationally on navigating the cultural landscape of a post-Christian world and following Jesus in a secular age, and serves as the Lead Pastor of The Square in Smyrna, GA. I think you all will love this conversation and his new book You Are Not Alone: A Guide To Following Jesus In A Secular Age.  . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Try AG1 and get a FREE bottle of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/soundsfun. Thrive Causemetics:  get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. Orgain: Go to orgain.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for 20% off and make sure you use my promo code, THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/TSF and using code TSF at checkout.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. . . . . . Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review! You can do the same on Spotify as well. Your ratings and reviews help us spread the word to new friends! And your feedback lets me know how I can better serve you. . . . . . If you liked THIS episode, you will LOVE this one: The Spiritual and Cultural War on Men with Jon Tyson – Episode 887 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're going there today! My friend Ryan Wekenman and I talk about how to help our churches and pastors understand how to serve the single people in their church. Ryan’s a pastor at Red Rocks Austin and he’s also the author of Single Today, which came out earlier this year. We also talk about finding contentment and being present in your current season, finding community, and permission to change your mind in big life choices. No matter your season or relationship status, I think you'll find this conversation really helpful.  If you’re single (or know someone who is), our open registration season for Single Purpose League is coming to a close next week (on Oct. 28th), and it won’t open again until the New Year, so make sure you come join us, especially because you’ll get to go through our Advent series, Stay Tuned, together. You can find all the details at singlepurposeleague.com. There's a resource that I want to give you, too, at anniefdowns.com/pastoringsingles. It's a short PDF that offers some ideas to help your pastor connect with the people who aren’t married in their church.  . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.  Lumen:  Go to lumen.me/TSF to get 15% off your Lumen. . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. . . . . . If you liked THIS episode, you will LOVE this one: Singleness in the Church with David Platt- Episode 857 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices