That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

This episode is like a little love letter to us all! Jeremy and Audrey Roloff are as amazing and kind and fun to be around as you would guess based on watching their family's hit reality show Little People, Big World. We talk a lot about enneagram and relationships and soccer so what I'm saying is this may be the apex show of my life. :) Their new book A Love Letter Life is already getting incredible feedback - I think you'll love it too. . . . . 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

Emily P. Freeman is so dear to me. Getting to talk to her, listen to her, learn from her, it's quite a gift. I'm so honored to have her on the show today, to get to share her with you. Her newest book just released this week- The Next Right Thing- and along with her podcast, this work is just totally changing me.  I bet it will change you too.  . . . . . 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 do not like April Fools so this is no joke: you guys have been BEGGING me to have Ben Rector on the show and we finally made it happen today! He shows up in a million ways- in humor, in kindness, in wisdom. He's a great musician but an even better man. His latest album Magic is an absolute favorite and if you get a chance to see him on tour, TAKE IT. His live show is so so good.  . . . . . 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 love being friends with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She is every bit as genuine and kind and truth-telling as you expect her to be. You'll hear in this conversation all about her prayer life, her family life, her television life, and her author life. Her new book Point of View just released this week and I think you will really love it. Get your journal out, there are nuggets galore in this one. . . . . . 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've been a fan of David Crowder for about as long as I've been buying music. He is one of my favorite musicians, one of my favorite writers (y'all have GOT to read some of his prose), and now one of my favorite dudes. This conversation was incredibly fun and entertaining for me across the table, I cannot wait to hear how you feel about it too! Crowder's newest album I Know A Ghost is a really good one. Father, Son, Holy Spirit- that part of this convo stuck with me. What a genius. I think you're going to love this one! . . . . . 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

You probably recognize Trudy's maiden name- Cathy. Like Truett Cathy. Like CHICK-FIL-A. Trudy Cathy White is way more than fried chicken, though. Over the last few years as I have gotten to know her, she has taught me faithfulness, joy, long obedience in the same direction. Every conversation moves me to be better. Her new book Climb Every Mountain will walk you through the harder days. It's so so beautiful.  Enjoy this convo and tell me your favorite Chick-fil-A order! :)  . . . . . 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

Gracious I love Lysa TerKeurst. What an honor and a joy to have her on the podcast. If you haven't heard her speak live, GO DO IT. If you haven't read her books yet, WHY NOT. If you haven't heard a conversation with her recorded with you in mind, you're welcome. :) Make sure you grab a copy of her new book It's Not Supposed To Be This Way. It is so moving and inspiring and I'm sure you will connect with it in your own way, just like I did. . . . . . 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

One of my favorite things in the whole world is introducing my friends to my friends. I bet many of you already know Trey Kennedy from his comedy and videos and killer voice- he's the best. But hearing more about his life and spiritual disciplines and faith experience is going to be the best part of your day. Trey is one of my friends that I look forward to living life with over the next few decades to see how his discipline and heart and talent shape his life. Three cheers for great (and FUNNY) humans like Trey Kennedy! https://shop.treykennedy.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

MY GIRL MERE! I've been WAITING to get her onto the podcast. Meredith Andrews has been dear to me for years- it's been long overdue to bring her to meet you. Her new live worship album Faith & Wonder just released last week and it is on repeat nonstop in my house. I think you're gonna love it, too. And Mere. She is a GIFT. . . . . . 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

For 30 days in 2019, over 400 churches in the greater Nashville area prayed and fasted together for revival in our city.  Pastor Dave Clayton from Ethos Church and Cross Point Pastor Kevin Queen (pastor of the pod, duh) came into my office to chat about Awaken Nashville- answer questions about why/how it got started, tell stories about what we've seen so far, and talk about what the first steps are for you to start this in your city. http://awakennashville.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

I only know how to play three songs on the guitar, and Julie Roberts's song "Break Down Here" is one of them. I've never met her before but WOW am I glad to have met her. This conversation- about growing up, country music, marriage, and an MS diagnosis- runs the full gamut. Her new book Beauty in the Breakdown is an amazing and inspiring read. You're gonna love this woman and this book!  . . . . . 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's a special day here on the podcast as we welcome Jonathan Pitts- pastor, author, and husband to my friend, the late Wynter Pitts.  The very day she passed away, Jonathan and Wynter turned in a book on marriage called Emptied. I thought talking about this book, and Wynter, and Jonathan's transition to Nashville, would be great at the end of TSF Couples 2019. Hope you'll enjoy this very moving and honest conversation with Jonathan. (We love you, Wynter. You are missed here.) https://twitter.com/PittsTimes6 https://forgirlslikeyou.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

To finish out our couples month on the podcast, I got two of my favorites around the microphones... Pastor Kevin Queen and his wife Rea! It's right to end the month with a seasoned couple (married 19 years!) who can walk us through some of the hard seasons of marriage. So many of my questions are answered in this one. I'm so grateful. This one is for you, husbands. (Kevin gives the best piece of advice I've maybe ever heard to men.) This one is for you, wives. (Rea shares some deeply important ideas.) This one is for you, friends who want to be married someday. (Their dating advice to me has stayed with me.) Hope you love this one as much as I do! . . . . . 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

Andrew East is an NFL long snapper. Shawn Johnson East is an Olympic gold medalist gymnast. POWER ATHLETE COUPLE FOR REAL. Together they are one of my very favorite couples (in real life and on instagram). I have loved watching their marriage grow and change via the internet, and this conversation is a special one - about how to meet the right person, how to persevere in your dreams, and how to make patterns and decisions that will make you who you want to be in the long run of life. Y'all are gonna love these people. https://www.instagram.com/andrewdeast/ https://www.instagram.com/shawnjohnson/ . . . . . 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 stars of Flip or Flop Atlanta, Ken and Anita Corsini have an incredible story of God opening doors for them, how He ordered their steps, and how He sustained them when their son had cancer. This is far more than a story of HGTV celebs (though they are that too!)- it's deep and beautiful. We've been friends since college- over 20 years- and this is one of my favorite conversations with them ever.  . . . . . 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'm a little without description on this one, I'm just so happy about it. Mack and Meredith Brock are two strong leaders who have found home in each other. The depth of their communication and relationship is so dang inspiring to me (and wait until you hear how they talk about fasting and praying!). Mack Brock's most recent album Greater Things is an ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. Make sure you grab it! Grateful for these two. The fact they are also HILARIOUS seems borderline unfair- people shouldn't be this all around awesome. Makes the rest of us look bad. ;) http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... hashtag along with us!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It wouldn't be TSF Couples month here in Nashville without a country music super-couple! So here we are with Russell Dickerson and his amazing wife Kailey. I only cry once in this one... it's just so special, y'all. Make sure you check out Russell's music- truly one of my favorite voices in the country space right now. Even if you aren't totally a country fan (yet!), he might be the one to win you over. https://russelldickerson.com (PS- I love TSF Couples month SO SO MUCH. I hope y'all are enjoying it too!!) . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... hashtag along with us!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know this is one of your favorite "couples" that come on our show- MINE TOO! This episode is perfect combination of a friendship we want to get to know AND the start of Lent season leading towards Easter! The SheReadsTruth girls and I talk all about healthy friendship with women, but we also talk about the next reading plans- four weeks of Job and four weeks of the Easter story (then Revelation eek). https://www.shopshereadstruth.com Remember to use the code "thatsoundsfun" to get 15% off your Job and Easter studies- Hes, Shes, and Kids! (Because of the limited run on the linen cover, that one isn't included in the 15% off, but hurry and get one before they sell out!) Thankful for a chance to hear the heart behind these studies, to hear an update on Amanda's son Toby, and just to get to know Amanda and Raechel better.  Hope y'all will join us in these studies!  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)    See omnystudio.com

TSF Couples Month continues with Jeff and Alyssa Bethke. These are two of my favorite friends to follow on socials and keep up with as their marriage and family grows and changes and strengthens. And they live in Maui so who wouldn't want to see that life on the regular? :) This episode brings up some important practices and disciplines to survive those young toddler years (three under five? THESE PEOPLE ARE BRAVE!) and these two are so honest about their joys and struggles. For many of you right in the middle of that place, these are your people. (For the rest of us- good news! Jeff and Alyssa are our people too.) :)  . . . . . 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

TSF Couples Month REALLY kicks off today with these two adorable and amazing humans- newlyweds Jessica Mack and Dre Plackis. Jess and I have known each other for a while here in Nashville, she's a gifted singer/songwriter and one of the cast members of CMT's Music City, a reality show based here in town. Dre and Jess met between the two seasons of Music City (you're gonna hear the whole story and IT IS AWESOME) and their wedding was featured in the last two episodes of Season 2 of Music City! I hadn't heard the story first-hand of how they met and fell and love and Y'ALL just hearing how God orchestrated every step is so so cool and encouraging for all of us... singles, moms, friends. All the ways you are waiting, I think this episode will remind you that GOD IS AT WORK. Pretty fun, huh?  . . . . . 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 meg