That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

If your head’s starting to spin as you think about this year as a whole and turning the page to 2026, just hang on. We’re going to help take off the pressure to figure out and reflect on the whole year by the end of this month. It’s a process and we’re going to start by answering the question, “How do I find the next right thing for next year?” Today I get to talk to my friend and America’s favorite Spiritual Director, Emily P. Freeman. This is her 5th time here on That Sounds Fun which means she’s officially a member of the Hall of Fun. Today’s she helping us figure out: How we take the pressure off of January to have our whole year solved What steps we can take (and questions we can ask) to help us figure out how to process the season  The practice of caring without carrying  And the practice of releasing something everyday As you walk through Advent, you also will love her Advent Collection. You can find that on her Quiet Collection App! You’re going to need your notes for this one, so gra

I am SO EXCITED to talk to Pastor Rich Villodas about Advent and the Christian calendar. Advent officially started yesterday and Rich is helping us better understand why the Christian calendar even matters and what Advent means to our relationship with God. We’re going to talk about what it looks like to wait well (which I don’t like to do!), and we unpack the reality of living in the middle of both pain and rejoicing. Advent is all of it, right?  If you’re looking for a study to go through this Advent, it’s not too late to start one. You can grab it today and jump right in. Our Stay Tuned series is available to download now at shopanniefdowns.com AND you’re going to love hearing about Rich’s Advent devotional, Waiting for Jesus, today. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, We’re on page 127. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . .  Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guest If

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my friends here in the U.S. I hope you’re running turkey trots or watching the parade or serving at a food bank or seeing family you haven’t seen in a while. Today on the show, me and my pal Eddie do what we do best…we keep talking. In this Thanksgiving installment of Annie and Eddie Keep Talking, we talk about… A new thing my family is doing today for Thanksgiving Our thoughts on Costco and the day I sobbed my way down the aisles Eddie’s job update & his thoughts on the John Candy documentary (did you watch it too??) And then do not miss the end - because Eddie may have phoned a friend about the definition of a panini If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, you’ll find a note-taking on page 125. You can find all the info at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . .  Thank you to our sponsor

Today I get to talk to one of my favorite worship artists, Jon Reddick! Jon is a worship pastor and songwriter, and has a heart for the church and the songs that pour out from congregations into the world. He's been a part of the CAIN tour with me this fall, and we recorded this one on the road a couple of weekends ago, so you’re in for a treat. But it also means your girl Annie was both your host AND your audio engineer... whoops! So this episode is only available in audio today! We talk about what it's like being a part of this tour together, being present where God has us, his meet-cute story with his wife... all the things! We also answer the question, “What if I don’t love the fall?”  His latest album, No Fear, is out now. You’ve got to listen to it if you haven’t heard it yet. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 124. The guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also lo

Today we’re answering the question, “How do I shape my life for a new year?”As we start to think about changing seasons and a new year ahead of us, we’ve got an incredible guest with us today to help us figure out how to do all of this well-- Jeff Henderson.  Jeff is an author, speaker, incredible leader and all-around wealth of wisdom, who’s going to help us think about our transition into the end of the year. How do we process and deal with change? When do we celebrate? What can we control and what can’t we control? And if you’re trying to make a decision about something right now, I think you’d also love Jeff’s book, What to Do Next. In your TSF Seasons Guidebook, We’re on page 123. The guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . . Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: Don’t Rush Your Reset with

Lysa TerKeurst is back for the *5th* time today, and we’re going to talk about how to walk through a season full of more loss than beauty. Her brand new book, Surviving An Unwanted Divorce releases tomorrow, and this book is such a helpful tool for those of you walking through a divorce or those of you that want to know how to help someone who is.   Whether you know you’re about to enter a winter season or one is thrust upon you, figuring out how to navigate the trauma, grief, and healing can be so overwhelming and Lysa’s experience and wisdom is SUCH a gift. I think this is one of those episodes you’re going to want to text to a friend. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 121. The date is different because we moved this one up, but the question is there for you. The guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons! View the show notes here If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also like to hear Episode 479 with Brandi Wilson when she also talks about findi

Today we wanted to bring you into a conversation we’re having with Single Purpose League about loneliness, but specifically the level of loneliness for women in leadership. Whether you’re single or married, I bet you can relate to this conversation. What we’ve noticed is that Single Purpose League consists of a LOT of leaders, and many of whom are leading in ministry. So, we recently started the SPL Leadership Mastermind, where our single friends in ministry have a place to be encouraged and talk about the complexities of it.  If Single Purpose League or the SPL Leadership Mastermind would serve you or a friend, head over to ⁠singlepurposeleague.com⁠ to learn more and sign up, PLUS our very first Lunch and Learn from Leadership Mastermind is happening tomorrow, November 5th at 12:30pm CT, so it’s a great time to get signed up today so you can join us for that tomorrow. Find the show notes here . . . . . Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or ⁠head on over to our YouTube Channel and be

Today I get to talk with my friends, Dallas and Amanda Jenkins. Dallas is the creator, director and producer of the tv show The Chosen, and Amanda writes Bible studies and content that goes along with the show. They just finished shooting Season 6 of The Chosen -- Jesus's crucifixion. I think you’re really going to love hearing what they are learning about Jesus and how we can find strength in Him in this season. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 119. You can order your copy–with all 4 seasons–at anniefdowns.com/seasons! . . . . . Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: Red Sea Moments Leading to a Dream of Producing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Movie with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins- Episode 935 Episode 447: Jonathan Roumie on Surrendering to Jesus, Balancing a Public and Private Faith, and How His Catholic Backgrou

In this month’s installment of Annie and Eddie Keep Talking, we talk about…what special day we are celebrating today, Eddie’s new preferred shirt, Annie's current life on tour with CAIN, paninis versus grilled cheese, and some things we’re going to research so we’re ready to keep talking about them in November! Eddie shared on the show about his love for Three Roots International and their work helping families in Ethiopia overcome poverty through education, health, and income programs. When you give, you’ll support that impact—and be entered to win a virtual call with Annie and Eddie!Give and enter to win today at TSF.threeroots.org. No donation necessary to enter. Email info@threeroots.org with “TSF Call” in the subject line by November 13, 2025. . . . . . If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, you’ll find a note-taking page for all the profound and life-changing things Eddie said on page 117. There’s a really fun Fall “This or That” activity on the next page…and I want to see your a

David Platt is here today, and I’m SO excited about this conversation. He recently got back from Brazil and shared some incredible stories from his time there, and we talk about the role we play in the Gospel reaching every nation, including unreached people groups. We were never meant to watch the harvest from the sidelines. We were created to experience life by leading others to life. The harvest isn’t just a mission—it’s an invitation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 116 (the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons).  Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love our last episode with David Platt, episode 857, where we talked about singleness and the Church. In fact, if you’re single today or you have a friend who is, we’d love to invite you to come be a part of Single Purpose League. It’s a community of women who are finding their single purpose and their purpose while single. The price goes up to $9/m

Fall is so packed full and it can be hard to prioritize our bodies. And what does it even mean to be a good steward of our bodies without obsessing over them? Jordan Lee Dooley is back to help us with that today! She’s in a totally new season of life — mom of three under three. She opens up about how so many of us wrestle with this idea that our bodies are failing us and this new understanding of what it really means to steward our bodies — not just like them or fix them, but truly honor them as part of the calling God’s given us. Her new book, Be Good to Your Body, dives deep into that idea. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 114. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons! Find the show notes here! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also like: Episode 303: Jess Connolly + Breaking Free From Body Shame Living Crunchy with Emily Morrow – Episode 897 . . . .

Today we’re re-airing a special conversation that I got to have with my sister, Tatum Green, and our friend and counselor, David Thomas. We first shared this conversation back in February when Where Did TJ Go? released, and it’s one that so many of you have told me has stayed with you. Today on October 15th — Infant Loss Awareness Day — we wanted to bring it back, to honor the families who have walked through loss, to hold space for your stories, and to remind you that you’re not alone. This is a tender and honest conversation — we talk about grief, faith, and what it looks like to keep trusting God when life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would. David offers such wise, gentle guidance, and I’m just so grateful for how he helped us put words to what can feel impossible to say. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, you’ll find note-taking pages for this episode back in the winter section, on page 19.  Find the show notes here . . . . . If you found this episode helpful or heali

What do I do with my fears in this season? Today I to talk to my friend Caroline Shankle and her mom, who you know already and LOVE, Melanie Shankle! So many of our friends are battling seasons of fear or seasons of anxiety, especially Caroline’s generation and her first book, written with her mom, is called The Lion and the Bear and comes out tomorrow. If you have a teenager or college girl and grab a copy for them to start during fall break or save it for a Christmas gift. This 100-day devotional would be a great way for your girls to start the new year. Today, Caroline gives advice for college students and to parents with kids in college, talks about what God is up to at Texas A&M, and of course we talk about SEC Football. We had this convo in early August and gave some predictions of how these teams would be doing!  If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 112. The guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons! Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoye

Today we’re answering the question, “How do I worship in every season?”  Chris Tomlin's songs are part of worship services all over pretty much every Sunday - from How Great is Our God to Holy Forever. He’s someone whose music has been a meaningful part of my life since college.  He is a GRAMMY Award Winning CCM artist, and his new album, 'The King Is Still The King' just released and it is just so beautiful. You're going to love this album and this conversation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, get those note-taking pages ready. We’re on page 111. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons . . . . . I'm on the road with CAIN for 40 shows this fall-- do you have your tickets?! Go to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates! . . . . . Find the show notes here⁠ Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive th

You hear him every time you turn on the pod and listen to our theme song... and now Ben Rector is in the building again today! We talk about the golden days with young kids, what it's like for creatives being online and keeping up with algorithms, excellence in building a set list, and the way writing music marks milestones and seasons in our lives. His album The Richest Man in the World came out a few months ago and it is SO good. You'll definitely want to listen, as it's also our soundtrack for the Fall season.  We're on Page 109 in our TSF Seasons Guidebook if you're following along with us!  And if you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love episode 407 with Dave Barnes.  . . . . . I'm on the road with CAIN for 40 shows this fall-- do you have your tickets?! They’re currently just $25 and I promise this is a night you can bring your whole family to. Head to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates! . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode? Wat

Tonight is the first night of the CAIN Live And In Color tour, so clearly we had to have my honorary siblings, Logan, Madison, and Taylor, from the band CAIN, come join us on the show as we kick off this tour! You’re going to get to hear some of the behind the scenes of planning and preparing for the tour, and they open up about their new song "I Made It"- a song has been special to them after a hard year. We’re on the road for 40 shows-- do you have your tickets?! They’re currently just $25 and I promise this is a night you can bring your whole family to. You don’t want to miss it! Head to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates and we’ll see you there! In your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 108 today. Don’t have one? You can always purchase and download yours at: anniefdowns.com/seasons Also, we also could use your input as we think about the podcast next year! Would you fill out our survey and help us as we build and dream for next year? We’re going to choose one of yo

If you’re trying to sort out some hard things this fall, if you’re trying to figure out what you need to store up for the winter, if you’re wanting to hang out to the changing leaves as long as possible before they die…. Well, I really think you’re going to love this one. Today we'll answer the question, “What is the fall and how do I define it in my life?” Pastor Mike Kelsey's wise voice is helping us think about the beauty we can find in the fall even when things feel like they’re changing so much. We’re starting to look at what things to store up for the winter and ultimately asking God what it looks like to flourish in every single season, including the fall. We’re on page 107 in your TSF Seasons Guidebook (You can order and download your copy at anniefdowns.com/seasons).  ALSO, we could use your input as we think about the podcast next year! Would you fill that out this survey today and help us as we build and dream for next year? We’re going to choose one of you to send a $150 gift card of your choic

When we get to this part of the year, I think we often look around and wonder how it came so fast. How is it that the leaves are about to change colors and we’re going to start talking about the holidays? Why did the winter feel eternal back in January and now we’re not sure how the year is almost over? But what I love about what we’ve been doing on That Sounds Fun this year is getting a chance to actually be present in each season and think about where we are today—to stop and define the realities of the shift in our own lives.  So what IS fall? What does it mean for our everyday lives? Our spiritual lives? Does it bring up stress for you because it’s marked with a lot of busyness? Does it spark idyllic dreams of lattes and pumpkin patches? Is there relief for you that you’re back in a routine after summer was more relaxed? Does it bring up fear because things are changing and moving so fast? On Monday, September 22nd, we’re starting our last season of 2025 together, here on That Sounds Fun as we step int

You never know what conversation Eddie and I are going to get into, and today is no different. If you want to hear the ideas we have about a Christmas episode, the instagram account I was so surprised Eddie was following, or the diabolical way Eddie transitions his wardrobe from summer to fall…well, just keep listening. As always, we have some note taking pages for you for this episode over in our TSF Seasons Guidebook, so you can find that on page 94, and if you need a copy of the guidebook, BECAUSE THE FALL SEASON STARTS ON MONDAY, then head over to anniefdowns.com/seasons! . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  B

Today on the show, we’re answering the question, “How do I prepare for the work of the fall?” I know the changing of a season can make us want to rush the transition, but this conversation today is going to help you think intentionally about not rushing your reset. If there’s anyone who knows how to set themselves up well for organization and a reset, it’s Emily Ley. Her Simplified Planner is my absolute favorite (she’s giving my friends 20% off in September when you use the code THATSOUNDSFUN).  We’re on page 93 in your TSF Seasons Guidebook! You can order and download your copy at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love:  Discernment and Decisions with Emily P. Freeman – Episode 869 . . . . . Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify App, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thats