That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

It's the week of Mother's Day, so let's talk about being grounded, making time for yourself, and being close to God- whether this Mother's Day is your best yet or a heartbreaking thought. Gretchen Saffles, author of The Well-Watered Woman, is here to talk to us through this season and the importance of being in the Word of God on a daily basis. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Curology: Go to Curology.com/thatsoundsfun for a free 30-day trial, just pay for shipping and handling. Indeed: Get started with a FREE $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/SOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear friends, today we have a conversation about suicide. I want you to know that up front, so that you can listen without miniBFFs and know going into it what the topic is. One of your (and my!) favorite guests, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, is back today talking all about his new book Hope Always (it releases May 4, but go ahead and order today so it shows up for you next week!) and about how to be a force for life in a culture of suicide. This is an important conversation and one I think it very hope-filled. Listen and share it widely- let's be a part of saving lives! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners of the show!  Thistle Farms: Go to thistlefarms.org and use the code "thatsoundsfun" for 15% off!  Brooklinen: Go to brooklinen.com and use promo code "thatsoundsfun" to get $20 off any purchase of $100 or more. Modern Fertility: Modern Fertility is offering our friends $20 off the test when you go to Modernfe

You've seen the instagram account, but it's time to meet Ben Kirby, the guy behind PreachersNSneakers! He's funny and wise and one of YOUR questions gets us both teary! His new book releases tomorrow, his new baby was just born, and this is a really fun conversation! Can't wait to hear your thoughts! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun.  ThirdLove: Go to thirdlove.com/soundsfun to get 20% off your first purchase!  Rothy's: Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/SOUNDSFUN. Green Chef: Go to https://GreenChef.com/90thatsoundsfun and use code 90thatsoundsfun to get $90 off including free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us have found Every Moment Holy to be a profoundly helpful resource in our own lives. Volume 2 has just released with a focus on grief and today the author, Douglas McKelvey, joins us for an honest conversation about the power of written down prayers, the need for prayer in grief, and how to create something that will outlast you. This is a beautiful conversation that I think you will love. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! Enneapath: To become a member of Enneapath, just go to www.yourenneapath.com/join. It’s only $14.99 per month at to join or $9.99/month for founding members who join the week of April 19th! KiwiCo: Get 30% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code THATSOUNDSFUN at kiwico.com. Thrive Market: Join Thrive Market today to get 25% off your first order AND an exclusive FREE gift! Go to Thrivemarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices.

When word got around that Harry Connick Jr had a faith-inspired album releasing, my ears and my interviewing heart both perked up. What an absolute HONOR to have him on the podcast, to talk about his new about Alone In My Faith, and to learn so much about his faith and family and now I for sure want to get his dad on the podcast! (You'll hear why and totally agree with me!) Can't wait to hear your thoughts! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  Enneapath: To become a member of Enneapath for just $14.99 a month, just go to yourenneapath.com/join. OR its $9.99/month for founding members who join the week of April 19th! Liquid IV: Get 25% off when you go to liquid-iv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout. Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair quiz and get 15% off your first order today! Go to Prose.com/thatsoundsfun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a legit joy to release a book twin with Laura Tremaine! We have been DYING to get on the pod together so it's finally the day! I learn a lot from her, and her book Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First, about friendship and hope and how to do life really well. I can't wait for y'all to join in this conversation with us!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Raycon: Go to buyraycon.com/thatsoundsfun for 15% off your order!  StitchFix: Get started today at StitchFix.com/thatsoundsfun and you’ll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is a spiritual experience and I think you'll be as grateful for it as I am! Pastor Francis Chan is an absolute hero and a legend in our faith. Our conversation changed how I think about love and how I think about the church and my neighbors. His new book Until Unity is so timely and important- I hope you'll grab a copy today. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! Feetures: Get $10 Off Your First Pair of Feetures when you go to feetures.com/SOUNDSFUN. Flamingo: Get the shave set today for $16 plus FREE shipping! Get yours today at shopflamingo.com/ANNIE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the soundtracks you are hearing in your mind? My good pal Jon Acuff is back today, talking about what you hear in your head, how to change it, how to use the soundtracks in your mind to shape your life, your family, and your work. THIS ONE, y'all. THIS ONE is an absolute pile of quotable moments, so plan to take notes! And grab a copy of Soundtracks today! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  ThirdLove: Go to thirdlove.com/SOUNDSFUN now to find your perfect-fitting bra... and get 20% off your first purchase! Brooklinen: Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code "thatsoundsfun" to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh let us get ready to LAUGH, my friends! Mike Goodwin is here with us for the first time (but as you'll hear in the show, it is the EXACT BEST TIME!), but gosh he feels like an old friend, doesn't he? Mike is one of the good guys, y'all. You're going to love him!! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Ritual: Ritual is offering my friends 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to start your Ritual today. Rothy's: Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/SOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like an actual embodiment of spring time, Sally Lloyd-Jones joins us today and the whole conversation is such a gift. She has written a literal library worth of children's books, including the Jesus Storybook Bible, and her latest- Near- is about Psalm 139. Also make sure you've listened to John Eldredge and Lauren Daigle this week too.... unknowingly to any of them, God definitely has a theme for us this week. Wow. (Just a reminder, we will not have episodes next week as we celebrate Holy Week and look forward to Easter! He is risen indeed!) . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. KiwiCo: Get 30% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code THATSOUNDSFUN at kiwico.com.  Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair quiz and get 15% off your first order today! Go to Prose.com/thatsoundsfun. Learn more about

MY GRACIOUS HOW MUCH DO I LOVE LAUREN DAIGLE. From her family's land in Louisiana, Lauren checks in with us, tells us what she learned in the last year, how it has changed her for good, why she almost quit music, and we have a great Taylor Swift Side Bar. Make sure you check out her new song Hold On To Me. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our sponsor! Ritual: Get 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to start your Ritual today!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right before things shut down last year, John Eldredge came on the podcast and told us how to get our lives back, how to slow down, how to love beauty and rest. And then, COVID-19. So today, as we pass a year anniversary, John is back to talk to us about how this particular pandemic has affected men and women differently, how the One Minute Pause App is changing lives, and what we can do to be healthy coming out of this. His popular book Wild at Heart is expanded and rereleasing- grab a copy! And make sure you check out the Wild at Heart Experience and the Captivating Experience! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! Flamingo: Get the Flamingo Shave Set with everything you need for a luxurious, smooth shave at shopflamingo.com/ANNIE Liquid-IV: Get 25% off when you go to liquid-iv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout. Indeed: Get a FREE $75 CREDIT to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/SOUNDSFUN.

I am SO HAPPY to have my dear friend Emily Ley back on the podcast today, talking invisalign (we are not great at it LOL) and perseverance and lots of insider talk about building a business and how to run it well. (I learn so much from Emily!) Her new book Growing Boldly is an excellent read as you are continuing on the path of becoming who God made you to be!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun Brooklinen: Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code "thatsoundsfun" to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping. Thrive Market: Join Thrive Market today to get 25% off your first order AND an exclusive FREE gift! The ONLY way to get this offer is by going to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our good friend Angie Smith is back on the podcast and she came in HOT with stories and thoughts and pleads for a new best friend named Hill (LOLOL). Angie is literally one of the easiest people to love. Her new book Woven is going to be your new favorite read and resource. I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on this episode!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! Kencko: Go to kencko.com/thatsoundsfun, pick out your flexible monthly plan and the FIRST 100 friends will get 25% OFF your first order. ThirdLove: Go to thirdlove.com/soundsfun and get 20% off your first purchase! Rothy's: Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/SOUNDSFUN.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YES THAT JENNIFER GARNER. You guys. We got to chat for a just a few minutes this week and I cannot wait to share this conversation with you. Jenn (SHE TOLD ME TO CALL HER JENN) has a new movie out today on Netflix called YES DAY. It is really good- family friendly, great message, pretty funny. I think y'all will really love it. (Surprise Friday episode! YAY!) . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am a fan of talking about healthy things, and what it looks like for us to be our healthiest selves. I've really enjoyed following Dr. Josh Axe on social media and taking the tips of his that feel the healthiest for me in my life and adding them to my day. His new book Ancient Remedies is full of fascinating ideas about food and supplements and how we can care for our bodies. This convo was so fun!  (TW: This is a conversation about food and health. If that isn't a conversation you enjoy thinking about or hearing, I totally get it. Just wanted you to have all the info up front. Do what is healthiest for you today. Much love.) . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun.  Flamingo: Get Flamingo’s award-winning Shave Set for just $16 at shopflamingo.com/ANNIE.  Indeed: Get a FREE $75 DOLLAR CREDIT a

Gosh I love how musicians are often poets and some of my favorite people to talk with. Marc Scibilia fits that bill times a million. His newest album, Seed of Joy, will have a huge re-release in the next few weeks and y'all are gonna love it! Stick around for the QUOTE OF THE YEAR from Marc towards the end of this conversation... I'm still thinking about it. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our sponsors! Curology: Go to Curology.com/thatsoundsfun for a free 30-day trial, just pay for shipping and handling! Ritual: Get 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to start your Ritual today. Feetures: Get $10 Off your first pair when you go to feetures.com/SOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's start here: what's a podcast network? Well, the That Sounds Fun Network is an amusement park of podcasts created to entertain, impact, help and bless you and the people you love. So if you love TSF the show, we think and hope you'll love all the shows on the TSF Network. Today we get to welcome our NINTH show to the network- Human Hope with Carlos Whittaker! Carlos is an all-time favorite around here and we have been DYING for his podcast to come to life! He is a hope guy, a teacher, a preacher, a writer, a farmer, a dad, a husband, a justice advocate- and we'll hear ALL these topics on his new podcast! Go subscribe today! New episodes start dropping TODAY and continue every Thursday! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Raycon: Go to buyraycon.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 15% off your entire Raycon order!  StitchFix: Get started today at StitchFix.com/thatsoundsfun and

Okay times for the nuts and bolts of dating. For my married friends, listen close for how you can love and support your single friends and hear the ins and outs of dating in 2021. And to my single friends, LETS TALK ABOUT IT! Jonathan Pokluda is the right dude for this conversation and I can't wait for you to hear this conversation! His new book Outdated is a MUST READ for all of us. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! Prep Dish: Go to PrepDish.com/Thatsoundsfun for your first 2 weeks, FREE!  Nutrafol: Go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code "TSF" to save 20% OFF your first month’s subscription!  Indeed: Get a FREE $75 dollar credit to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/SOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A football player turned farmer? A family with EIGHT KIDDOS? This is quite a story and the perfect way to end Couples month! Jason and Tay Brown are new friends but I am VERY EXCITED to visit the farm and continue to get to know them! His new book, Centered, just released! Make sure you grab a copy! . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Thank you to our partners! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun!  Liquid IV: Get 25% off when you go to liquid-iv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout. Brooklinen: Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code thatsoundsfun to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices