That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

My friend (and former boss) Barrett Ward founded fashionABLE, a company that creates beautiful fashion pieces and employs women around the world to help them overcome. I'm ADDICTED to their leather bags and am headed out today to get a new pair of their jeans. Barrett and I talk about the start of the company, what they are doing that NO ONE else in the fashion industry is doing (yet), and why you have to drive a squirrel over a river. (Seriously.) I think you'll love this conversation and LOVE all things fashionABLE! http://livefashionable.com (And use the code ANNIE20 until the end of October 2017 for 20% off your purchase! HUZZAH!) http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

You guys. The Bethkes. THEY ARE JUST THE BEST. So funny and sweet and kind and awesome to hang with. You are so going to love this conversation between the three of us. We sing the praises of our favorite podcasts and pastors, we talk about Maui and Nashville and travel, and we deep dive into dating and relationships. Be sure to grab their new book Love That Lasts. It's good good good. https://lovethatlasts.co/book/ http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen. YOU ARE NOT EVEN READY for what Carlos Whittaker is about to bring to your ears. We laugh. We cry. He cusses. It's just all the things you've dreamed of for a podcast episode. Truly, this episode really did something good in my heart. I hope it does in yours too. And make sure you grab his new book, Kill The Spider, to continue the conversation this podcast starts. http://killthespider.com http://100daystobrave.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thanks to our friends at Talkspace for sponsoring this episode! Head to talkspace.com\downs and use the code: DOWNS for $30 off your first month! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Whittle and I have been friends for years, to the point that we barely know when it started. We're just glad it did. We cover all sorts of topics today, from family to church to her new book Put Your Warrior Boots On. I love her, respect her, and just think the world of her. I bet you will too. http://lisawhittle.com http://100daystobrave.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

If there is one tool that has helped me grow and flourish and better understand my friends as well as myself, it is the enneagram. I talk about it a lot on here (as you know), so today I invited my friend Beth McCord, an amazing enneagram coach, to come and lay out the basics for us of why we should learn about the enneagram, how to sort out your type, and a very short description of each number.  This is your enneagram primer. :) More to come in future episodes! (Beth has a ton of amazing enneagram resources on her website- be sure to check it out!)  http://yourenneagramcoach.com http://100daystobrave.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

This has been a long time coming (and often requested by y'all!) and I am so glad to have my friend Jon Acuff on this episode. We had a blast chatting about Nashville things and Atlanta things and church things and writing things. He kinda blew my mind a few times- I think you're gonna really appreciate his thoughts. Jon's new book Finish is worth the read. Hope you'll check it out. Acuff.me http://100daystobrave.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

No better way to kick off Season 3 of the That Sounds Fun Podcast than with one of my favorite friends and an amazing author Sophie Hudson. Y'all. This is such a fun episode. LAUGHS, people. LAUGHS. Her new devotional for teen girls- All In All- is such a great gift for the teenager in your life. So we're back. Back in action, friends. Missed you guys. Let's party. http://boomama.net http://100daystobrave.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

Chrystal Evans Hurst and I met this spring and hit it off immediately. She's one of those friends that you sit down with and twenty minutes later both of y'all have laughed and cried and plan to be friends forever. It was worth taking a break from a quiet August to chat with her about her new book, She's Still There.  Hope you enjoy our chat! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh y'all.  We had the absolute most fun at #TSFWeekend2017. Three days together, hanging out and making friends, eating delicious food, and hearing from incredible artists- exactly how I want to spend a weekend in July!  We recorded a live podcast with many of the folks you already know and love- Dave Barnes, Eddie Kaufholz, Kelleigh Bannen, Christy Nockels, and some new voices too, like Emmy Singer from Inner Light Yoga. We had the best time and I hope you'll feel like you were right there with us! 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 am beyond excited about this episode. Kevin Queen is the new pastor of my church in Nashville, Cross Point Church. The story of how he got here is legitimately miraculous. And because we've been friends for almost 20 years, I wanted to give him a place to tell the whole thing- start to finish- of what God has done and how Kevin and his family and our church have all responded. But even if you aren't in Nashville, this story will certainly speak to you about God's kindness, provision, and plan. It's pretty awesome.   http://www.crosspoint.tv/kevin 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

Tyler and I have been pals for almost 20 years and it has been an absolute blast watching him lead in a lot of different places, currently as the president of Catalyst. We sat down this week to talk about a whole bunch of things, including my new pastor, why Tyler keeps candy on his desk at all times, and women in leadership. He's a super funny dude- I think you're gonna dig this conversation. https://twitter.com/tylerreagin https://catalystleader.com (use the code FUN to get a $199 ticket to Catalyst Atlanta in October!) 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

A couple of years ago, Joy Eggerichs Reed sat me down at a table around Mexican food with a gorgeous blonde named Liz who had lots of excitement and words and ideas. I loved her on the spot and wanted to be her friend every day from then on. Liz Bohannon is the founder and CEO of Sseko Designs. She's a fireball with big dreams and miracle size prayers and I promise you're gonna fall head over heels in the next hour. What a gift Liz is to our planet. https://www.instagram.com/lizbohannon/ http://ssekodesigns.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

Me. Eliza. New Katie. Three microphones. Who in the world decided this would be a good idea? :) But seriously, we get so many questions about what office life is like at our company, who does what, and how in the world we survive this crazy story, so we thought it would be fun to chat together for the podcast. Eliza was in Nashville for a few short hours and New Katie was free, so it just felt right!  If this sparks more questions, send them to us! We love it! Hope you enjoy some conversations from inside Downs Books Inc!  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

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