That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

I met Jennie Allen at a lunch in Nashville about five years ago. She had this idea, our friend Lindsey gathered a handful of us around a table to hear about Jennie's idea for this event for women. Who could have imagined IF:Gathering would grow to what it is now? Amazing. Jennie is a faithful friend, humble leader, and my first student in the School of Fun. :) (You'll understand when you listen.) She's just the best and I'm so honored to get to chat with her.  http://jennieallen.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.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

Kelleigh Bannen is quickly becoming one of my favorite humans. It's not just her incredible singing voice (that will legitimately blow your mind) or her humor (though it is there) or her songwriting skills (also there in droves). This girl's heart and love for God are going to be what makes you want to be lifelong friends with her as well. Her latest single is called Church Clothes and it will moooooove you. Wow it's a powerful song. Also, Kelleigh will be at our That Sounds Fun Weekend! So come join us! http://kelleighbannen.com http://thatsoundsfunweekend.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

Sadie Robertson reminds me of the best parts of summer- fun and bright and just plain warm to be around. You've probably seen her grow up on television, like I did, and the young woman she has become is pretty remarkable. You're going to love her and you're going to love her heart for the generation of women coming behind her.  http://liveoriginal.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

You guys. Chris McClarney is FUNNY. I mean, this dude cracked me up start to finish! And I know how much we love people who make us laugh around here, so I'm feeling pretty good about this convo. Local Nashville guy and AMAZING worship leader and songwriter, sitting down with Chris was a total highlight- you are gonna love being friends with him.  http://chrismcclarney.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

Man what a treat to spend some time in the good ol' podcast booth with my friends Lisa and Missy Harper. Lisa is one of my favorite authors and just brings a smile to my face on the regular. We spend a good amount of time today talking about our recent trip to Haiti, why Lisa and Missy are going back, and her new book The Sacrament of Happy. And happy you shall be after a laugh-y hour with me and Lisa and her absolutely adorable daughter Missy! http://lisaharper.net 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

Let's talk about the SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTurth summer reading plan- the book of Romans! Y'all know I'm not the world's biggest fan of Paul :), so I brought Amanda, Raechel Myers, and Russ Ramsey onto the show to tell me why I should love the book of Romans and why we should spend our summer reading it. (Spoiler alert: they convinced me. :) ) We also talked about cheese and New Kids on the Block, and toilets. So. A real well rounded episode for you. ALSO- just for YOU, if you go to shopshereadstruth.com between 5/25-6/25, use the code ANNIE10 to get 10% off anything you order. (They love you guys so much - I'm grateful.) shopshereadstruth.com shereadstruth.com hereadstruth.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

You know I love the UK. And I love my Nashville friends. So today's conversation combines two of my favorite things. Andrea Lucado is a dear friend and also has just released her first book, English Lessons, about her time in Oxford, England. We hadn't gotten to chat in a while, so this one really feels like two close friends getting to catch up, because it is! Such a dear friend, great writer, and wise woman! You'll love her. http://andrealucado.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

What an honor to have Steven Curtis Chapman on the podcast. His new book Between Heaven and the Real World is so worth your time to read. For a girl who grew up listening to Christian music, this was a really special interview- not many people have been a part of my life as long as Steven's music has. I'm grateful for the hour we got to spend together and I hope you'll love it too. http://stevencurtischapman.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 whole life has changed since my way of eating changed in 2013. Diagnosed with PCOS and a dairy allergy, to be the healthiest version of Annie meant it was time to change alllll my ways. And Danielle Walker, author of the New York Times Bestelling Against All Grain cookbooks and hugely popular website, was a true gift from God that year of learning (still is!). Not only are her recipes insanely delicious (her dairy-free ranch made me tear up), she's also an absolutely lovely human being and now one of my dearest friends. My bet is you know her, you follow her, and you love her (and her foods). But if by chance she is a new friend to you, I'm so glad to introduce y'all. :)  http://againstallgrain.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'm kicking off the season of writing a new book, and for the last few weeks y'all have been sending us questions about the process. So even though I don't know very much :), I attempted to answer a few of the questions with everyone's favorite assistant, Eliza!  (It's just the beginning of the process... we have so much more to discuss... so keep those questions coming!) So let's talk about writing books! 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 have been so excited to have this conversation with my friend Tsh Oxenreider. As I followed along with her family as they traveled the world last year, I could not wait to hear more and read her book At Home In The World. Amazing author, brilliant woman, faithful friend. You're going to adore her, her brain, her story.  Make sure you check out her books, blog, and podcast! http://theartofsimple.net 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

Lisa-Jo Baker is my favorite South African turned American turned author turned awesome. And knowing some of her story, it was really brave of her to write an entire book on the pains and joys of friendship called Never Unfriended. We talk about it, as well as our favorite television shows and Beauty and the Beast and the life of an author, amongst other things. Lisa-Jo is a joy. You're gonna love her. http://neverunfriended.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

John Mark Comer is one of my very very favorite authors and teachers in the church right now. I've long been a fan and am just now lucky enough to call him friend. I've loved all his books (and his preaching podcast), and his new book God Has A Name is an incredibly thought-provoking read that I think you will enjoy. Our conversation kicks off with enneagram (duh y'all know me) and circles through to modern day church life and the best coffee in Portland. Hope you'll enjoy hanging with us! https://johnmarkcomer.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

A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a church in Sioux Falls, SD. I had no idea that day that I would meet a lifelong friend and one of my favorite pastors in the nation. Adam Weber is one of the best and I am so so glad to get to introduce y'all to him. His new book Talking With God is all about prayer and talking with Adam about it has changed me and my prayer life. I think you're gonna love the book, the conversation, and this guy. http://adamweber.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

Since it began in 2009, I have been a fan, family member, and contributor at (in)courage. It's a beautiful corner of the internet for women to gather and make friends. I love that I got to be a part of their new book, Craving Connection. Fellow author, contributor, friend, and all around ball of fun Jennifer Dukes Lee joins me on this episode. We talk about, well, everything (you know how it goes around here, y'all). But we spend a good amount of time swapping book-writing stories. I think you're going to love this gal.   http://www.cravingconnectionbook.com http://jenniferdukeslee.com http://www.incourage.me 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

Russ Ramsey is one of my favorite pastor voices in Nashville. His new book Struck might just blow your mind a little bit. A real-time retelling of his life-threatening heart infection and surgery, this book is beautiful for anyone who has suffered, or is currently suffering, and trying to believe God. I love this dude and I think you will too.   http://russ-ramsey.com http://www.anniefdowns.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You hear her beautiful singing voice on every single episode. Now you get to hear her beautiful talking voice too as Ellie Holcomb and I sit down to discuss all sorts of things, including her new (and incredible) album Red Sea Road. We laughed. We cried. We told you the truth. I think you're gonna love this one. http://anniefdowns.com http://ellieholcomb.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amanda Bible Williams and Raechel Myers from SheReadsTruth are back to talk to us about Lent, the next season on the Christian calendar. If you've ever wondered about this 47 day journey, how and why we celebrate it, what it all means and how to participate, join us for this amazing conversation. I love these women and how they love Jesus and the Bible. And I love Lent! So fun to chat about it.   http://anniefdowns.com http://shereadstruth.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebekah Lyons is just one of those women that you want on your team. She's fun, she's honest, she loves God and loves her friends and gosh I could just go on and on. (And I kinda do in this podcast.) I'm so thankful that Rebekah and I got to sit down and talk about life and her kids (whom I adore) and her new book "You Are Free."  I've read it a lot. Trust me. You'll love this book. And you'll love this gal. And you'll love this podcast. (Valentine's week, y'all. So. We're still talking about love over here.) :) http://youarefreebook.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's kick off Valentine's week with our first ever married couple show! Mike and Molly Grayson are not only married (with a kid), they are also an AMAZING duo called Grayson|Reed. Their new EP "Walk" just released and it is on repeat at my house. Can't wait for y'all to meet them and fall in love with their story, their music, and the way they talk about each other. (IT IS THE BEST.) http://graysonreedmusic.com/ http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices