That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

He's back, y'all! Jon McLaughlin swings through our Christmas party again this year and no one is mad about THAT. He's a favorite around here- you guys tell me all the time. So he's back, and he's got a new album to tell us about- Angst and Grace. It's so so good. Merry Christmas to us, getting to laugh with this dude and listen to some amazing new tunes. . . . . . Just a reminder that Advent started yesterday! Read alone with us at SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTruth. It's going to be a great Christmas season. . . . . . Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of you already feel the way I do about Ellie Holcomb: OBSESSED and IN LOVE. I know. She's wonderful. And there's no one better to walk into our Christmas party right after our SheReadsTruth friends than Ellie!  We talk about life and friendship and the holidays and her new book for kids- Who Sang the First Song?- that you DEFINITELY need in your life. (And if you aren't already a fan of her music, start with Red Sea Road. It's my faaaaaavorite.) . . . . . Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, you guys! No better way to officially kick off our Christmas Party than to have Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams from SheReadsTruth on to talk all about Advent- why we celebrate it, how to celebrate it, what it means, and why it is important. If you've been around for a Christmas Party before, you know these party animals are staples and always the first to arrive. MY KIND OF PEOPLE. Love these gals so much. Remember to use the code THATSOUNDSFUN to get 15% off all things Advent from shopshereadstruth.com through the end of December! Grab the study and let's spend December together. http://shereadstruth.com http://hereadstruth.com . . . . . Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.c

Why wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to kick off our party?!? Instead I'm going ALL IN and bringing back one of your (AND my) favorite guests- Danielle Walker! We're talking all about cooking for the holidays, all the times we'll be in the same place over the next few months, and how we feel about turkey (and her BIG TIP on how to make the most delicious one your people have ever known). Only one episode this Thanksgiving week- so I had to make it a good one.  Use that Black Friday deal and pre-order a copy of Danielle's new cookbook Eat What You Love... TRUST ME the biscuits and gravy are reason enough to own this one. Happy Thanksgiving, friends. So grateful for you.  . . . . . Thanks to Dave Barnes for making holiday music we all love! Make sure you've got his Christmas records in your listening rotation!  . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's so fun and such an honor to have Becca Stevens on the podcast today! Author. Speaker. Episcopal priest. Founder of Thistle Farms. Over the last 22 years, she has changed the face of justice work in Nashville and a LOT of lives in the process. This is a beautiful conversation about justice and kindness and rescuing women from poverty and the cycle of abuse (and how men can help!). What a hero and a legend. Y'all are going to love her. . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have a new house and there is no better woman to help me figure out how to decorate than my friend Myquillyn Smith. You probably know her as The Nester and she is just one of the best. Her wisdom, her style, the way her faith and love of family drive how she creates home, it's all so inspirational and so helpful. Her new book Cozy Minimalist Home just released and I am OBSESSED already. Grab a copy!  . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm such a huge fan of Good Grit Magazine and WHOA was I honored/surprised/happy when Laura Bento, the founder and CEO, asked me to help curate an issue and be the guest editor. I wrote a few original exclusive pieces, had my friends interviewed and featured, and got to fly to Scotland for the cover shoot! You guys are going to love getting to know Laura and hearing all about the behind-the-scenes making of a magazine. (And there is a super special guest that will bring tears to your eyes!) If you subscribe to Good Grit Magazine this month, you can still get my issue! Use the discount code "ANNIE" to get $10 off your subscription! . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hayley Morgan is a force for truth and light and standing on your own two feet. I've loved being friends with her for years and as always happens, when you stick around someone's life long enough, you see them grow and change. She's watched that in my story, and I've watched it in hers. And her new book Preach To Yourself is an absolute testimony to the power of truth and will call you higher in who you are. (And she's awesome and fun and you will just adore her. Amen.) . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Skeldon is one of the best dudes you'll meet. He's passionate about his city and his generation and being healthy body, mind, and spirit. We jumped right, catching up on something I had noticed on instagram but hadn't been able to ask Grant about yet. And I think you'll like where the conversation goes. Grab Grant's book The Passion Generation for yourself and some leaders in your life. . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a great way to start your week, friends! Two great men on the podcast today. We'll kick off with Tim Tebow, who most of you know as a football player, man of faith, author, commentator, and also baseball player! THIS GUY. His new book This is the Day just released and I loved chatting with him about it! Also on the show today is Max Lucado, bestselling author and pastor from San Antonio, Texas. His new book Unshakable Hope is an excellent resource right now for many of us who are looking for God's promises. . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With mid-term elections just around the corner, I called our favorite political voice, Michael Wear, to come on the show and tell us what we do not know. He gives us some important questions to ask, some wisdom about this particular election cycle, and some great direction in prayer.  His book Reclaiming Hope is a favorite of mine. I hope you'll grab it. . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan O'Neal, who makes music under the name Sleeping At Last, is one of the most creative and inspiring people I know. As many of you know, he has been creating a series of songs around the enneagram types. Just last week, the seven song released (which is the enneagram type I am!) and so I asked Ryan to join us today to talk about all the songs, his creating process, and songwriting in general.  Get ready to be inspired to make something. Anything. That's what Ryan does to us- makes us want to be better makers. . . . . . Our new background song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I met Andi Andrew about a year ago at a conference and have been adoring her ever since. Not only does she run the She Is Free Conference in New York, she's a pastor at Liberty Church, and the author of the new book Fake or Follower. But also she's a super friend and a hilarious guest and you are gonna LOVE her. . . . . . Our new song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a longtime Broadway fan, I cannot believe we get to hear from both Elphaba and Glinda from the touring cast of Wicked today. But they are more than just my favorite witches- these women have become dear friends to me. In two weeks, both Mary Kate Morrissey and Ginna Claire Mason Moffett will be leaving the cast, so I visited them in San Antonio last week to see them share the stage one more time and we sat on the dressing room floor with a microphone between us. Tears, laughs, beautiful thoughts on God and art and friendship. I love these girls so much. What a gift they are to me. I bet you'll feel the same about them after today's show. . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've had Luke Norsworthy on the show before, but today is extra special! We recorded in Austin, Texas in the Norsworthy house with his cute kiddos buzzing around and talked all about everything, including his new book God Over Good. . . . . . Our new song is Precipice by Creekmore, written as a companion piece to Remember God!  . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've been around here a while, you know I'm a little obsessed with the idea of finishing this race of life really well. I want to ask everyone who is even one minute older than me to help me walk this path to the end.  For many of us, Louie and Shelley Giglio have modeled that and taught us that for the last few decades. I'm so honored to have Shelley on the show today, giving us all sorts of wisdom and hope and heart. If you've been looking for a mentor, here's an hour with one of the best. And if you, like me, have major thanks to send to Louie and Shelley (or any other mentor in your life), do it today. Go tell them... Louie - https://twitter.com/louiegiglio Shelley - https://twitter.com/shelleygiglio . . . . . Remember God is out! Make sure you've grabbed a copy for yourself and maybe some for your friends! . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My new book Remember God just released this week! So while my assistant Eliza was in town, who lived the story and lived the writing of the book with me, we sat down with the microphones and talked about the behind-the-scenes moments and creation of Remember God.  And Pastor Kevin, newly named OFFICIAL PASTOR OF THE POD (he didn't agree to this and he doesn't get paid for it, so... ), stops by to read the foreword he wrote and pray for each reader of the book. . . . . . Grab a few copies of Remember God today for you and your friends!  http://bit.ly/RememberGod . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Ripp and I have been friends for years here in Nashville. He's an incredibly gifted musician and one of the most fun and relaxing dudes to be around. Last week we grabbed coffee and halfway though I told him he had to stop talking and we had to capture this conversation for you guys. If you have struggled with infertility, as the wife OR the husband, or if you are just waiting for God to do the thing you REALLY want Him to do, this one is for you. I was thinking of you when Andrew was talking to me. His new music is insane- you're going to love it. And here's the video for God Knows that we talked about in the conversation.  Share this one with friends you know are waiting, too. . . . . . Remember God releases tomorrow! EEK. Pray? Grab a few for you and your friends? Believe with me that God is going to do more than we could ask or imagine in the hearts of every reader. Grateful for y'all. . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omny

YOU GUYS. I've been SUCH a fan of Taylor Twellman for a lot of years, so when he was in Nashville last week, I just dang near begged him to be on the podcast to talk soccer. And we did. But we also talked about 1000 other things that I think you're gonna love. So no matter your sports feels, I think this whole episode is going to become a favorite. (And now he's stuck being friends with me you know how this goes...) Also, if you or your kid are into contact sports, I hope you'll take this concussion conversation seriously and check out ThinkTaylor.org as well as the #TTPledge. . . . . . This is the last week that my new book Remember God will be available for pre-order! All the details (and how to get a free audiobook!) are on http://anniefdowns.com . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This conversation with author Shannan Martin has been rolling through my head since we spoke last week. What does it really look like to love our neighbors? To be a part of where we live? To make our neighborhoods better by living gospel lives in our homes and streets and grocery stores? Shannan does it. And I'm learning so much from her. Her new book The Ministry of Ordinary Places, is a great peek into her life and some ways she has seen God and heard Him and been asked by Him to love the people she lives with. (It's beautiful.) . . . . . This is the last week that my new book Remember God will be available for pre-order! All the details (and how to get a free audiobook!) are on http://anniefdowns.com . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.