That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

We seem to have fallen into a pretty cool theme of prayer lately, and today is going to help us with that for sure. Whether you are new to prayer or have spent lots of time doing it already, Jarrett Stevens has some amazing thoughts and challenges for us. This one conversation has already pretty massively affected my prayer life. His new book Praying Through would be a great resource for anyone thinking of growing or changing their prayer habits. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors! Stamps.com: Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in SOUNDSFUN. You'll get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale. Grove Collaborative: For a limited time, when my listeners go to grove.co/soundsfun , you will get a FREE FIVE PIECE Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer and Grove – a THIRTY DOLLAR value! See omnystudio.com/listener for privac

You guys. Welcome Anthony ONeal, our newest best friend, and I think y'all are going to fall in love with him as quick as I did. He is passionate about helping young adults learn how to make smart decisions with their money, relationships and education in order to live a well-balanced life. His book Debt-Free Degree is such a helpful resource- I hope you'll grab a copy. Buckle up- this conversation goes every single way and it's the most fun. Don't forget you can watch some of my conversation with Anthony over on my YouTube page!  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors! Imperfect Foods: go to Imperfectfoods.com/soundsfun and enter the code “soundsfun” at checkout through 2/16/20 to get $10 off your next four boxes! Ritual: Go to ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 10% off during your first three months! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

One of my favorite parts of this pod life is sharing music that I absolutely love, and Tauren Wells is at the tip top of that list. I love that his new song Citizen of Heaven is our intro and outro music and the album by the same name is coming out next week. Chatting with Tauren about theology and friendship and marriage and how to read the Bible... gracious this one is gold from start to finish. Make sure you grab a copy of his new album to play as quick as possible! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! Flamingo: Try the Flamingo Shave Set for just $16 + FREE shipping when you visit shopflamingo.com/annie Liquid IV: Get 25% off when you go to liquid-iv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm so excited to be headed out on tour with Jonathan Pokluda, Mike Grayson, and Cheryl Stark. We were in the office planning for the tour and I said, "you guys, let's just go sit down in the podcast studio and record this!" So that's what we've got for you- the conversation we were having around the table eating barbecue. What it means for us to love better, why we want to tour together, and dating thoughts... we've got lots of them. :)  We'd love to have you join us on the tour- grab your tickets here! Here's our Love Better Tour Playlist if you want a sneak listen to the songs we will be singing! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to Rothy’s for sponsoring this episode! Go to rothys.com/soundsfun for your new favorite flats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This conversation is another breath of fresh air for us. Aundi Kolber came into the podcast studio and was a gift from minute one, and I think you will agree. Aundi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MA LPC), writer, and speaker in Castle Rock, Colorado. She specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. Her new book Try Softer just released and it is going to help you in a million ways. (She's pretty brilliant, y'all.) . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to Third Love for sponsoring this episode! Go to thirdlove.com/soundsfun for 15% off your first purchase. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another year and we are here together and I am so grateful. And why not kick it off with an incredibly vulnerable and personal episode? LOL. Seth Haines joins us to talk about all the facets of sobriety, how to face your desires, what to do next, and it all is just a step towards who we want to be in the next decade. His new book The Book of Waking Up is a beautiful, helpful, and life-giving read. Hope you're joining us for #100DaysToBrave2020! It's not too late- grab a copy of 100 Days To Brave and jump in with us! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! Class Pass: Go to classpass.com/newyears for your first month free! Prep Dish: Text the word “mealplan” to 33777 to get a free week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What choice did we have but to have Eddie Kaufholz back on the podcast to help us wrap up 2019? We talk down all the big topics that matter and don't matter and pretty much sort out everything about the last decade as we head into the next one. Always grateful for when Eddie makes me laugh AND cry.  (We also have a little drop in from our buddy Andy Barron... so that's a special year end treat!) Happy New Year, friends!  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to Ritual for sponsoring this episode! Get 10% off during your first three months at ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone's favorite big guy is back on the show today, ready to really process through the day after Christmas, his biggest and most important work day. What an honor to have Santa Claus land the sleigh here at the That Sounds Fun Studio at Downs Books HQ. And remember to check out my youtube page for a follow up question with Santa! Totally unrelated: http://davebarnes.com . . . . . 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 finish this year's 12 Days of Christmas with my parents! They always show up at my parties and I'm so glad.  Enjoy the Christmas stories from a lot lot lot of our 2019 guests! Have a very Merry Christmas, friends. Thankful for you! . . . . . 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

Molly Reed Grayson is by far my favorite instagram baking follow! Every week with her #SundayBakes shows she entertains and teaches and I absolutely love it. As you are preparing for time in the kitchen the next few days, this episode will help you do it well! (And definitely stick around to the end... we have a moment that has NEVER HAPPENED before on the show! And I totally cried and it's awesome.) Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Raechel Myers, Amanda Bible Williams, Jeff Henderson, and Jaci Velasquez. . . . . . 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

What a gift to have the pastor of the pod back with us today! Kevin Queen talks to us about transitions, prayer, church life around Christmas, and how to pray for your city. Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Bianca Oltoff, Mark Batterson, and Heather Land.  . . . . . 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

This may be one of my favorite episodes this year. Melinda Doolittle is every bit as fun as she sounds from start to finish. She is kind and hilarious and thoughtful AND A CHRISTMAS TREE UP YEAR ROUND? Yeah, we need her. And now we can't WAIT for her Christmas album in 2020! Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Clay Scroggins, Hillary Scott, and Dustin Nickerson. . . . . . 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

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