That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

Victoria Duerstock and I jumped RIGHT ON IN to friendship as soon as she walked into the podcast studio. I love love love having someone at our Christmas party that talks about holiday decor- and this conversation combines the importance of purpose behind your decorating, staying on budget, and why it all matters. Her latest book Heart & Home for Christmas- is such a sweet read with daily devotionals combined with beautiful home decor. Such a great gift. Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests the Bethkes, the Dickersons, and Louie Giglio!  . . . . . 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

Ted Dekker is the first guest EVER on this podcast (he's really the reason I started podcasting in the first place!), so it's such a joy to have him and his daughter Rachelle Dekker on the podcast today! I'm devouring their new book The Girl Behind The Red Rope- it's a novel I think you'll enjoy! Can't wait for you to hear the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Casey J, Mike Donehey, and Jess Connolly. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! Literati Books: Go to literatibooks.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for $20 off your first box. Plus, kids three and up get a special blacklight pen. Samaritan Ministries See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y'all request Food Network star Aarti Sequeira ALL THE TIME and MERRY CHRISTMAS she came to the party! I just adore Aarti and have loved her every minute since we met on the set of Hallmark Home and Family! Today, Aarti gets very honest about God and the holidays and family transitions. What a gift she has given us today. Also enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Benjamin Watson, Kristen Strong, and Kevin & Rea Queen. . . . . . 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

As we recorded EnneaSummer2019 episodes (which you can go back to June 2019 and listen to), I asked each enneagram pair to tell us about what they'd like for Christmas.  Today, my three lifelong best friends- Molly, Misti, and Enneagram Coach Haley Watkins- sit down in the studio with me and we talk through each of the nine types of the enneagram and what they each would like for Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas stories from 2019 guests Andrew Peterson, Trudy Cathy White, and Brian Dixon. . . . . . 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 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

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

I have been a fan of ABLE since literally day 1, and Barrett and Jordan are absolutely two of my favorite friends, so this made today's show one of the best. We talk all about fair living wages for people working in fashion, who works at ABLE and what all they create, and where the company is going next and where fashion is going next.  ALSO. Before Black Friday deals even kick off, they are giving y'all 25% off everything AND free shipping using the code "thatsoundsfun25" online or in the flagship store in Nashville! (Only good until the end of Cyber Monday, y'all! So get to shopping!) https://www.livefashionable.com . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsor of this podcast: Scan Digital: Go to scandigital.com/FUN for 50% off!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a quick little drop in show to tell you THANK YOU for being the best pod-friends a girl could ever ask for, tell you a bit about where the podcast is going, and tell you as much as I can about the new book (AND HOW YOU CAN BE IN IT)!! Here is the link: http://bit.ly/TSFbooksurvey Remember the first 700 people who tell us what sounds fun to them get to be in the book! Y'all are the very best. Thank you so much.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y'all have been asking to have her on the show and she and I have been trying our darnedest to get our schedules to align and FINALLY! HUZZAH! Here she is! Jordan Lee Dooley is such a joy and absolutely brilliant but also kind and thoughtful and I just am a little obsessed with her, okay? Her book Own Your Everyday should be FRONT AND CENTER on your Christmas buying list. (Just a reminder as I mentioned in the show- Saturday is our podcast birthday! Make sure you listen to that short episode dropping this weekend so you get to be IN MY NEW BOOK! EEEK!) . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode: Free Day Popcorn: Visit freedaypopcorn.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout for 20% off your purchase through December 19, 2019. #FabFitFunPartner: Use coupon code SOUNDSFUN for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more a

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 Turkey and the middle east, Preemptive Love and the desire to end war, and his new book (that I really liked) called Love Anyway. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of today’s podcast! Ritual: Get 10% off during your first three months at ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN 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.f

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 the Advent goods at shopshereadstruth.com using the code "TSFAdvent"!! . . . . . 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

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 authority. We talk about all sorts of things that you are going to love. Her new book Back Roads to Belonging is perfect for you! You're gonna love it. . . . . . 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