That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

I am so so happy to have Bianca Juarez Olthoff back on the podcast today! She's one of my very favorite friends and someone I trust to tell me the truth in just about every area of my life. And you will hear her do that today! Her new book How To Have Your Life Not Suck just released this week and my mom still doesn't like it when we use the word "suck" but luckily this book does not suck, it's incredibly good, so no worries there. I think you're going to love this conversation about leadership and the church, the book of Ruth and church planting, and a good bit about dating in 2019.  . . . . . 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

Such an honor to have Priscilla Shirer on the podcast today from her home in Texas! I loved getting to talk with her- to hear her thoughts on boundaries, raising the next generation, helping all people feel safe in our churches, and just plain catching up!  She is in the new movie Overcomer and her new book Radiant just released! Check them both out and make sure you hear Priscilla teach soon- she's absolutely amazing. . . . . . 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 so excited about having this conversation- so many of us know and love Jennifer Rothschild from her work and interviews on television and hearing her speak on stages, but this is so personal and special for us. As you will hear, she is every bit as kind and lovely and wise and fun as I thought she was from afar. Her Psalm 23 Bible Study is really excellent and her book Lessons I Learned in the Dark is a great place to start in her library of work!  . . . . . 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

There are so many things I love about hosting this show, but one of my favorites is getting to introduce you to some of the best music. And today Drew Holcomb is with us, talking all about his new album Dragons (that I've listened to about three times a day since it came out), his favorite fan story, the loss of his brother and why he hasn't talked about it until now, and about fifty other topics.  Also, I'm so grateful to Drew for letting us use music from Dragons for the show this fall! Make sure you grab a copy of the whole album- I think you'll love it. I SERIOUSLY CANNOT QUIT IT. (Also Drew is the dearest and best friend for recording this show with me TWICE since I messed up when we were behind the microphones the first time. And for real, trust us, this conversation is better than the first one we did. So everyone wins!)  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn

After an incredibly fun couple of weeks talking about the enneagram, you guys submitted a LOT of questions about your own enneagram journey. One of my favorite experts, Seth Abram, joins us to go through your list of questions and give us an Enneagram 201 next level class. Your brain is gonna love this. And remember- this is a journey for all of us. Give yourself time to learn and search out your own number, wing, etc.  You can follow Seth and learn tons at @integratedenneagram. All the books and resources listed by Seth are available on my website- head to the podcast tab and search for this show! . . . . . 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

Sherri Lynn and I met a few months ago at an event and I liked her a TON immediately and I wanted y'all to meet her! So she flew to Nashville and we sat in my office and chatted for a good long time and this conversation is super special. AND. Your friend Annie majorly screwed up in the recording. (UGH YOU GUYS. I AM SO SORRY.) So Producer Chad worked incredibly hard to make this one sound good enough for y'all to hear- and he did a magical job. Sherri and I both listened to the quality of this and while it isn't the best (again, 100% my fault), it is too good a conversation to not share it. Good thing she is a comedienne and can laugh off dealing with my mistakes. Make sure you grab a copy of her book I Want To Punch You In The Face But I Love Jesus. :) It's legit funny. . . . . . 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 just buckle up. Lauren Daigle is here with stories and preaching and heart and SINGING and she is kinder to us than we deserve. Her writing and her music have changed so many of our lives, today's in depth convo behind the words and music will do the same, I think. Her latest album Look Up Child is an absolute smash and she's headed out on a world tour, playing in some of the coolest arenas and venues. Make sure you check out her new video for Rescue! It's unreal. And if you get a chance today, maybe remind Lauren via social media how much her music, her life, and this conversation meant to you. Let's flood her with reminders that her work matters. . . . . . 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 a longtime fan of Tenth Avenue North and Mike Donehey's singing, but so stoked to actually get to listen to Mike talk! This guy showed up AND SHOWED UP. I laughed, I cried, I said OKAY YOU BETTER PREACH more than once. This dude is amazing. His new book Finding God's Life for My Will: His Presence Is The Plan is really great- you should grab a copy. It's like this conversation but way more words and way less interrupting by yours truly. :) Also please stick around to hear the Irish and Scottish accents that Mike can do FLAWLESSLY. . . . . . 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 could barely listen to the edit of this episode because I sound like such a super fan, y'all. :) LOL SORRY. But literally I have been cheering for Benjamin Watson for almost twenty years now- as a Georgia Bulldog and as he continued into the NFL. Not only is he an outstanding football player, he's an incredible family man, dedicated man of faith, and smart smart thinker. I am so so excited for y'all to hear this conversation about family and faith and race and leading well and with highest integrity. Benjamin's book Under Our Skin is a really excellent read, I hope you'll check it out. (And he has a dad book too!) And also I can't believe I'm saying this as a Falcons fan :), but I'm excited to cheer for the New England Patriots this year.... well, for ONE Patriot at least. :)  Grateful for you, Benjamin! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choi

Heather Avis is absolutely one of the most inspiring and strong voices that I follow. When I heard her speak a few years ago, I was blown away and so grateful for her story and her passion. I've been DYING to chat with her for the show, so I'm just so happy it worked out today! Her new book Scoot Over And Make Some Room is almost anthemic in it's storytelling and direction and we will all benefit from reading with it. I think you'll 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

Chris Rice is one of the friends in Nashville I have known the longest (and no, I don't mean back to when I would listen to his songs in middle school, I mean since I moved to town). And he is just as brilliant and kind and thoughtful and fun and you would have hoped he would be as a fan of his music. He's also full of wise words and beautiful music and just one of the best men I know. I know you already probably know him, but I hope today's conversation makes him feel like a new friend. Make sure you go listen to his new album Untitled Hymn... it is just beautiful. . . . . . 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 just absolutely love when a friend shows up in the podcast studio and seeing Lisa Jo Baker just about made me tear up. I just love her. We jumped right in and totally went to all the places (and then some) and talked a ton about her new book The Middle Matters. It's fantastic. She is such a gift and if you don't love her yet, get ready! She's just the best. . . . . . 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

FAN GIRL ALERT. You guys. I have loved Robin Jones Gunn's writing for over twenty years. One of her main characters in over 50 of her novels- Christy Miller- felt like one of my best friends in middle school and high school. Robin has been a mentor from a distance for years and a friend that I do not deserve and I am so so honored she would take time and join us on the show today.  While you may know her name from Father Christmas books (and Hallmark Christmas movies!) but her newest novel Becoming Us was a favorite vacation read for me this summer. Make sure you grab Becoming Us and really any and all of Robin's novels. You guys have got to meet Christy. She's the best. :)  . . . . 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 friend Andrew Osenga mentioned Casey J to me a few months ago, asking if we were friends. I LOVE her music, but we had never met. But as soon as he told me we were both Georgia Bulldogs, I knew this friendship was meant to be. So last month when she was passing through Nashville, we sat down and made it happen! We go deep into a lot of topics, including her new album The Gathering, and I think you are going to love this conversation (and this woman and her music)!  . . . . 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

Summertime is only complete for me when the peaches come in and they get ripe and the smell fills my life. Leaving Georgia meant leaving the best peaches until The Peach Truck came along. Stephen and Jessica Rose have created the best company- Georgia peaches delivered all over. Their new cookbook just released and it is absolutely full of recipes that will do the best by every peach you bring into your kitchen. I adore adore adore these friends and I’m so happy to introduce them to you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one is a special one. Hillary Scott was one of the first friends I met when I moved to Nashville eleven years ago. To watch her career grow and build, as part of Lady Antebellum and also the music she makes with her family, has been a joy. Y'all have requested her and there is no better friend to walk with me, on the very first day, into a new year of my life than Hill. Make sure you check out Lady A's new song and tell me what you think! It's a tear jerker FOR SURESIES. (And just in case you missed it- make sure you listen to yesterday's special Sunday episode- lots of cool updates!!) . . . . 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 never do Sunday shows but here is the thing: TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY and it's OUR 200TH EPISODE (or it just was and the numbers don't match and etc etc etc just forgive me and let's move forward) and we have some VERY FUN UPDATES INDEED. So get ready to hear from Andrew Ripp, Ginna Claire Mason Moffett, my friend Kelli, and Tina from Christian Appalachian Project. http://christianapp.org/anniefdowns . . . . 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 SUCH a super fan of Shannon Sedgwick Davis and having her on the show today, on Independence Day, felt just absolutely right. She has spent her life making freedom a reality for so many others. Shannon's book, To Stop A Warlord, is moving and shocking and will call you to action in your own life. What a read.  When you think today of the freedom we have as Americans, I hope it reminds you to think and pray and act on behalf of those- in our own country and around the world- who are not free. Happy 4th of July, friends! . . . . 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

With the US Women's National Team through to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup, let's talk about soccer! This is a super fun time to jump into enjoying the sport as we cheer for our women as they make a run at repeating their 2015 World Cup Championship! Today's guest- Lauren Holiday- was a major part of that team in 2015 and a major part of the history of women's soccer in the USA. She tells us her story today and gets us ready for the rest of the World Cup tournament. I think you're going to love her- an incredible story of highs and lows and what nearness to God looked like in all of it. (And tons of soccer talk. YES AND AMEN.) . . . . 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 won't say we saved the best for last because this whole series has been extraordinary because each set of guests has been extraordinary. But Sonnie and Jason, our enneagram 9 friends, have finished this EnneaSummer2019 so well. I've long loved nines, but this invitation into their minds and hearts brought (many) tears to my eyes.  Oh enneagram 9 friends, thank y'all for how selflessly you live and love. You think of the rest of us so much. Thank you thank you thank you. May God remind you how much your presence matters in our lives- not for what you do, but for who you are. . . . . . Q&A EPISODE COMING SOON! Have a question you want answered by an enneagram expert (not me!)? Email us! podcast@anniefdowns.com . . . . . Music from Ryan O'Neal :  http://www.sleepingatlast.com Expert words from Beth McCord : http://yourenneagramcoach.com Our hashtags : #EnneaSummer2019 #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com See omnystu