That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

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. https://www.josaxton.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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). https://www.rachelcruze.com http://100daystobrave.com 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'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. :) http://johncristcomedy.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! http://davebarnes.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. https://jamieivey.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. http://shereadstruth.com http://hereadstruth.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. :) https://www.simonikigweba.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. https://johnmarkcomer.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.) http://www.eddiekaufholz.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. http://www.jonmcl.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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!) http://100daystobrave.com 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

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 http://100daystobrave.com 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 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. http://thebigmamablog.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. https://sheworships.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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! http://shereadstruth.com http://hereadstruth.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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! http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. https://loveandrespect.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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)! http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. https://www.dancestandrun.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! http://livefashionable.com (And use the code ANNIE20 until the end of October 2017 for 20% off your purchase! HUZZAH!) http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. http://killthespider.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. http://lisawhittle.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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!) http://yourenneagramcoach.com http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. Acuff.me http://100daystobrave.com 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

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. http://boomama.net http://100daystobrave.com 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

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! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! 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 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 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

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 https://catalystleader.com (use the code FUN to get a $199 ticket to Catalyst Atlanta in October!) http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com 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

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://ssekodesigns.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com 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

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 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 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://jennieallen.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com 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

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://kelleighbannen.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.com 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

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. http://liveoriginal.com 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

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. http://chrismcclarney.com 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

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! http://lisaharper.net 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

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.) shopshereadstruth.com shereadstruth.com hereadstruth.com 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

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. http://andrealucado.com 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

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 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

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. :) http://againstallgrain.com 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'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! 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 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! http://theartofsimple.net 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

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. http://neverunfriended.com 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

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! https://johnmarkcomer.com 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

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. http://adamweber.com 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

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 http://jenniferdukeslee.com http://www.incourage.me 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

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. http://russ-ramsey.com http://www.anniefdowns.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. http://anniefdowns.com http://ellieholcomb.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices