That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

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.

Y'all this episode is so special to me. I've been a HUGE fan of Scott Harrison for years so to get to sit across the desk from him and talk about charity:water, New York City, and faith was so fun for me. And I loved the topics that arose that we could not have planned! I've started reading his new book Thirst and gracious is it good- revealing and inspiring and honest. Totally worth the read. I'm really excited to share this powerful conversation with you today! . . . . . By the way! My new book Remember God is 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.

It's so fun for me to have a friend like CJ Casciotta on the show today (and in my life). He's one of those dudes that celebrates you just for being you. He's wise and bright and awesome and you're gonna love him. His new book, Get Weird, just released. I gifted it to my cousin and have a list of friends I look forward to giving it to at Christmas. This guy and this book are such gifts to us in our world today. Can't wait for you to get it!  . . . . . My new book Remember God is available for pre-order and the first 5000 friends who pre-order the book will get the audiobook (read by me) for free weeks before the book comes out! All the details are on http://anniefdowns.com . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love this guy so much. Jonathan Merritt is a dear dear friend and a Georgia Bulldog fan and an incredibly gifted writer. He has more good stuff to say than we had minutes, and we usually talk for hours, but were were self-controlled and only gave y'all the best of us. :)  His new book, Learning to Speak God from Scratch, has changed me and given me words I didn't know I needed. Make sure you get a copy today. And by the way, you can hear me on Jonathan's podcast, Seekers & Speakers, as well!  . . . . . By the way! My new book Remember God is available for pre-order and the first 5000 friends who pre-order the book will get the audiobook (read by me) for free weeks before the book comes out! All the details are on http://anniefdowns.com . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HAPPY SEPTEMBER, FRIENDS! And there is no better way to kick off the fall than talking football with one of the coolest women we know. Samantha Ponder is one of the most respected women in sports broadcasting and definitely one the most recognized faces in football. But to me, she's also an amazing Jesus-loving woman who is one of my favorite instagram follows FOR SURE. Y'all are just gonna adore her. . . . . . By the way! My new book Remember God is available for pre-order and the first 5000 friends who pre-order the book will get the audiobook (read by me) for free weeks before the book comes out! All the details are on http://anniefdowns.com . . . . . #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YOU GUYS. I'm trying to play it cool but TEAM NO CHILL that we get to be friends with Payne Lindsey and talk all things Up and Vanished, podcast creation, and storytelling. If you'll recall from the episode with John Crist, we were both addicted to Season 1 of Up and Vanished and I am so pumped to have had this conversation with the creator of the show.  Season 1 is absolutely worth your time, but Season 2 is a brand new story (meaning you don't have to listen to Season 1 to jump into Season 2 with us today!). So after you're done with this convo between Payne and myself, get started on Up and Vanished Season 2 so we can all talk about it ASAP! https://upandvanished.com  http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Y'all called it. You've told me to have her on the show and legit the minute we sat down in my office we were laughing and then I was teary telling her the truth and OMG Melissa Radke is everything. Her new book Eat Cake. Be Brave. is already on many of your shelves (and in your hearts) but wow is it a special one. And so is she. And so is this conversation. Get ready to laugh- this woman BRINGS IT. https://www.melissaradke.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is with SO MUCH JOY that I put this conversation in your ears and put this organization in the front of your mind. What an honor for us to get to partner with Christian Appalachian Project to bring picture books to kids in three counties of Kentucky!  Listen in as Mike from Camp AJ and I chat about all things CAP, the importance of reading, and what it is like to love your neighbor well. Our goal this month is to raise $13,000 to provide Imagination Library for all 100 preschoolers in CAP's program in Rockcastle, Jackson, and McCreary counties for FIVE YEARS. If we each give ONE DOLLAR (for real), it's goal met and doubled. ONE DOLLAR today from each of us gives books to a lot of kids for FIVE YEARS. Wanna get in on this with us??? $1, $5, $100, or drop the whole $13K! :)  www.christianapp.org/anniefdowns (And we've got some super fun plans once we surpass the $13,000.... we'll keep you updated about that...) Let's gooooooo! This is gonna be SO FUN.   (FYI if you want some background... here's my f

Gosh I love Christy Wright. She's a ball of fun and compassion and smarts and you're going to see all those on display in today's episode. As I'm taking a few weeks off for vacation, I knew Christy was the businesswoman I wanted to talk with about how we rest well and run after our dreams and lead from a place of peace. Oh, and we also talked about our trip to Vegas. :)  If you think we're fun in a podcast, you ain't seen NOTHING yet! Come hang with us at Business Boutique in Nashville!  https://www.businessboutique.com (Use the code "bbdowns" to get 15% off!) http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The calmness of Aaron's voice is going to be what makes the truth bombs fall much lighter into your heart. :) I am such a fan of this guy- as a writer, friend, worship leader, experience creator, and family man. His new book, The Eternal Current, puts down on paper the way that Aaron has lived and led us for so long. I think you are going to love this conversation and this book.  https://www.aaronniequist.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have been so dying to get Jessica Honegger on the show! (And you guys have requested her like crazy too.) The founder and CEO of Noonday Collection, she is also the author of Imperfect Courage. This conversation with Jessica is enneagram 7 heavy :), so prepare your hearts for that. You know when you get two of us together, it's volume and laughter and tears and dreams. Don't say I didn't warn you. https://jessicahonegger.com Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YOU GUYS. Okay so I already loved her music I had no idea I WOULD FALL ALL THE WAY IN LOVE with Steffany Gretzinger. Like, immediate need to know her and be her friend forever kind of love. Her music and her worship leading have meant so much to me in the last few years, but gracious her wisdom and humor! I didn't know BUT NOW WE KNOW. If you haven't listened to her album Blackout, please do. Like soon and very soon. Hope you love this one! https://bethelmusic.com/artists/steffany-gretzinger/ Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode! Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh y'all. I so love this dude. Jeremy Courtney is truly one of my heroes- not just in what he does, but how he thinks and talks and leads. Jeremy and his wife Jessica run Preemptive Love, bringing relief and jobs and friendship to people in war-torn nations like Iraq and Syria. And not just for a season, but for the long haul. This conversation is so moving as Jeremy walks us through what their life in the middle east is like, the work they are doing, and why it all matters. Join me on the front lines. --> https://preemptivelove.org/donate/ https://twitter.com/jcourt Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm so excited to have Russ Ramsey back on the podcast to hang with us! We talk about all sorts of topics - prayer, Jesus, his new adventure in pastoring- have lots of laughs and a few tears (duh it's me).  He has three new books that released last week and I love them -- The Advent of the Lamb, The Passion of the King of Glory, and The Mission of the Body of Christ. (And you gotta listen to the show to hear why each book is the exact length that it is. RUSS IS BRILLIANT.)  http://russ-ramsey.com Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am such a huge fan of Ally Fallon. As my friend, as a writer, and as a woman who is living open and honest and telling the truth. I admire her so so much and I think you will too after this conversation. Pre-order her latest book Indestructible- it's such a beautiful story of pain and resilience and trust and hope. https://allisonfallon.com Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Prep Dish for sponsoring this episode! Head to prepdish.com/annie for a 2-week free trial! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's my birthday week so this podcast is just some of my favorite things! :)  First up, Dave Barnes and Aaron Chewning are back to talk us through the final 8 teams of the World Cup and who is gonna win this whole thing. Then, my friends and co-workers Maggie and Eliza bring some of the questions that you guys asked during the TSF Survey we put out in May. Friendship, God, singleness, church, Starbucks order. We only covered about 10 of the 3000 questions, but we got a good start. :)  Happy 4th of July week and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME week and Happy Summer, friends!  Join us August 2nd!! --> https://www.redjett.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Samaritan Ministries for sponsoring this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.