That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

Today is such a special show as we look towards Father's Day weekend. I get to sit down and talk to my friends Charles and Cassie Kelley. You all know Charles from the AMAZING country trio, Lady A. Charles has recently been on a journey to sobriety and he and Cassie were kind enough to share their story. I so appreciate Charles' honesty and transparency and Cassie's strength and generosity in this conversation. Whether Father’s Day brings about a ton of joy for you or it brings up some pain, I hope this conversation gives you a glimpse of what redemption, grace, and healing can do. Be sure to check out Charles' break-up song with alcohol As Far As You Could, it will blow you away! (And FYI we jump into a pretty deep conversation about addiction. This topic may be tender to you, so I wanted you to know before you listened so you could care for yourself well. And, for our #miniBFFs, you may what to listen to this conversation before their little ears do.) If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction,

Today on the show is a thoughtful conversation around sex and dating with Kait and JJ Tomlin, hosts of The Heart of Dating Podcast. Navigating sexual desire and healthy boundaries when you are a single person of faith can be really challenging. It's also a really important part of being a human. We tackle some of your most asked questions like, how far is too far, is sex still just for marriage in 2023, and how do we handle shame for what we've done and/or what we haven't done? So many of us feel pain, shame, worry, frustration, and disconnect when it comes to our sexual lives. Our deepest hope is that today's episode will bring you hope and will start a conversation between you and your close people about how you are navigating your sexual life. Be kind to yourself as you are listening. And, for our #miniBFFs, this show may be a bit grown-up for their little ears. For more resources from Kait and JJ and our other Summer Lovin' experts, check out anniefdowns.com/dating. . . . . After listening to the series,

It's one of our most requested topics in general, but especially when it comes to dating. My dear friend, Jess Connolly is here to talk all things friendship! Listen in our our conversation with my friends, Lani, and John David, as we talk about how to be friends with the opposite sex in a healthy way even if they're married, what our married friends need to know about being friends with single people (and vice versa!), and what it looks like to be single in church. This is a conversation we can ALL benefit from: single, married, dating. This one's for all of us! For more resources from Jess and our other Summer Lovin' experts, check out anniefdowns.com/dating. . . . . After listening to the series, do you have follow up questions? Submit them HERE for a Q&A episode in the fall! . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with An

Y'all KNOW how much I loved this conversation! Jackie Brewster is a certified Enneagram coach and our expert for this Summer Lovin' episode. We're joined by my pals, Tobi and Kelley as we talk about being compatible (or not compatible?) with different numbers, having curiosity around your own self-awareness and longings, and what we can learn about other numbers that can help us love them better. For more resources from Jackie and our other Summer Lovin' experts, check out anniefdowns.com/dating. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your June Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information

First of all, this is SUCH a good conversation you guys!! Secondly, I am so excited to finally have on the show,  Debra Fileta, a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in dating, marriage, and relationship issues. She was the exact right person to join us for this episode along with my friends, Bekah and Lucas! As we continue on through our Summer Lovin' series, today's conversation is all about how dating culture has changed, unhealthy mindsets, and the desire to be married (and sometimes the shame that comes with that). For more resources from Debra and our other Summer Lovin' experts, check out anniefdowns.com/dating. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your June Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Fin

Y'all...I am BESIDE MYSELF with excitement. We are literally DAYS away from leaving on a tour bus headed to our first stop on the Here For You Tour (brought to you by our friends at Africa New Life!) with my pal, Carlos Whittaker. Since I've actually never been a guest on Carlos' Human Hope Podcast, we thought it was FOR SURE about time to remedy that! Since this conversation is about tour and alllll the fun that's on the agenda, Carlos and I thought it only made sense to release this episode on That Sounds Fun Podcast as well. It's a Human Hope/That Sounds Fun collab!! Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets NOW! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anni

TODAY we kick off Summer Lovin', a That Sounds Fun podcast series in which we want to restore hope in dating and bridge y’all to helpful conversations, practical resources, and amazing experts, so that you see changes in your dating life—starting with you. I could not be more excited to talk to my friend, Pastor Ben Stuart, about some of the most asked questions about dating. “Where are all the single godly men/women?” "Can women initiate in dating?"  “Why is dating so different (and hard!) in 2023?" I am so thankful for Ben's wisdom and voice that he brings to the table. For more resources from Ben and our other Summer Lovin' experts, check out anniefdowns.com/dating. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your June Reading Plan

Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . .  Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your June Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YOU GUYS! What a way to celebrate this Memorial Day with the MOST fun dude, Drew Holcomb! I'm so grateful for him and his music! Drew's full length studio album Strangers No More releases June 7 and I truly think it's the perfect summer soundtrack.  Here's the link to @ksrhoads Instagram account that both Drew and I love! . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information and to sign up for the AFD Book of the Month. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank

I've been wanting to sit down and chat with Pastor Kyle Idleman for a while now and I'm so glad we finally got the chance! Today, we talk about how to know when to persevere versus when to say this isn't working anymore, defining the stages of anger, and how connection and confession are tied together. This conversation was so helpful for me! I really appreciate Pastor Kyle and his new book When Your Way Isn't Working. Make sure to grab a copy to read this summer! . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information and to sign up for the AFD Book o

Coming THIS June...a That Sounds Fun podcast series in which we want to restore hope in dating and bridge y’all to helpful conversations, practical resources, and amazing experts, so that you see changes in your dating life—starting with you. Make sure you are subscribed to That Sounds Fun wherever you usually listen to podcasts and share with your friends! If you're single or you have single friends, this series is for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love this conversation so much! Next Gen pastor and my friend, Eli Bonilla Jr is here to talk about supporting the next generation with proximity and presence, and how to start listening to our third culture community friends. I adore Eli. And I've never read a book like Eli's new book Mixed. I think it will really matter to you and I was honored to get to read it.  . . . . For 100 days this summer, I want to invite you to Chase the Fun! Sign up HERE and make sure you've got a copy of Chase the Fun. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more informa

Buckle up. Y'all are in for a TREAT! Kim Gravel and I go WAY back and I just love her! She's hilarious and her new book Collecting Confidence is so good! We talk all about not letting the enemy steal your confidence and how a calling is not what you do, it's who you are. Y'all are going to LOVE her and this conversation! . . . . Are you single? Are you dating? Are you wanting to date? Submit your email address HERE because I want to send you a personal email! . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information and to sign up for the AFD Book of the

Oh friends, today's show is a good one. Shane Claiborne is a champion for grace and I am PUMPED to get to chat with him on what it looks like to be driven by love and concerned about life, what love requires of us when it comes to violence and hot-button political topics, and what it looks like to be a champion for life without exceptions. Shane's newest book Rethinking Life is incredibly moving and timely. I'm so grateful for a friend like Shane who makes space for conversations like this...chances to keep thinking and learning and growing together. Due to the nature of the topics we cover in this episode (gun violence, sexual abuse, abortion, etc.), this conversation may be tender to you so I wanted you to know before you listened so you could care for yourself and your heart well. And, for our #miniBFFs, this show may be a bit grown-up for their little ears. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events

A SUNDAY drop in episode?! OK MA'AM! First of all, happy Mother's Day to all the moms and mothering voices out there who mean so much to us and our miniBFFs! I'm incredibly grateful for the women around me who are mothering in SO many ways. We recently got to talk to our friend, Dr. Nijay Gupta back on Episode 464 (be sure to go back and listen if you haven't heard it yet!). And since we talked about women all throughout the Bible, we wanted to save our conversation about Mary, the mother of Jesus for TODAY! I can't say this enough, but I highly recommend Dr. Gupta's book Tell Her Story. I learned SO much from it! . . . . . Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun thi

This is such a special conversation that I'm so excited I get to share with y'all. I truly will remember it forever. My friend, Christine Caine, is back on the podcast talking about her brand new book, Don't Hold Back. This book BLEW MY MIND! I am deeply humbled by this conversation with Chris and the kindness of the Lord in this chance to tell her some special news in person... . . . . . Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information and to sign up for the AFD Book of the Month. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask quest

I am so honored to cohost the Live in Love Podcast with my friend Lauren Akins and I am OVER THE MOON that we are back for SEASON 3!! The first episode releases TODAY and is available right now- just head over and subscribe to Live in Love with Lauren Akins HERE! (This is a great show to share with your friends! Invite your people to listen along with you!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pastor J.D. Greear and I came in HOT talking all about Paul, why it's important to teach on the book of Romans, and how drawing near to Jesus refines our belief system. This is such a helpful conversation and I think you're going to like this one. J.D.'s book Essential Christianity is so good! I'm so thankful for J.D. and his leadership. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information and to sign up for the AFD Book of the Month. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast

My girl, Rebekah Lyons, is here today to talk about ALL the themes we've been chatting about lately - resiliency, confession, AND aging! Let's goooo! We also got to talk about walking through weathering seasons of our lives, asking God for the truth instead of believe our own lies, and finding beauty even in the hard days. I'm so thankful for the way Rebekah teaches and leads us through the honesty of her book Building a Resilient Life. It's a good one, y'all! . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information and to sign up for the AFD Book of th

Y'all. I am BESIDE myself with excitement over this episode! I'm so honored to have the one and only CeCe Winans on the podcast! We get to chat about how the Lord called CeCe and her husband to be pastors, the preciousness of the Holy Spirit, and how to honor the generations before us. CeCe has been such a faithful voice pointing us to God for many years and I am so grateful for her. Be sure to grab your livestream ticket to the Generations LIVE Conference and a copy of CeCe's book Believe for It. . . . .  Go to hereforyoutour.com to get your tickets to our upcoming tour this June! Want to gift a ticket to a friend? Go to anniefdowns.com/events for a printable Here For You gift ticket. . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. Go to https://anniefdowns.com/gospels to purchase your May Reading Plan or Let’s Read the Gospels Guidebook. . . . . Find more fun things on this episode by going to anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun. . . . . . Head to anniefdowns.com/books for more information a