That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

Another year and we are here together and I am so grateful. And why not kick it off with an incredibly vulnerable and personal episode? LOL. Seth Haines joins us to talk about all the facets of sobriety, how to face your desires, what to do next, and it all is just a step towards who we want to be in the next decade. His new book The Book of Waking Up is a beautiful, helpful, and life-giving read. Hope you're joining us for #100DaysToBrave2020! It's not too late- grab a copy of 100 Days To Brave and jump in with us! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! Class Pass: Go to classpass.com/newyears for your first month free! Prep Dish: Text the word “mealplan” to 33777 to get a free week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What choice did we have but to have Eddie Kaufholz back on the podcast to help us wrap up 2019? We talk down all the big topics that matter and don't matter and pretty much sort out everything about the last decade as we head into the next one. Always grateful for when Eddie makes me laugh AND cry.  (We also have a little drop in from our buddy Andy Barron... so that's a special year end treat!) Happy New Year, friends!  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to Ritual for sponsoring this episode! Get 10% off during your first three months at ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone's favorite big guy is back on the show today, ready to really process through the day after Christmas, his biggest and most important work day. What an honor to have Santa Claus land the sleigh here at the That Sounds Fun Studio at Downs Books HQ. And remember to check out my youtube page for a follow up question with Santa! Totally unrelated: http://davebarnes.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

We finish this year's 12 Days of Christmas with my parents! They always show up at my parties and I'm so glad.  Enjoy the Christmas stories from a lot lot lot of our 2019 guests! Have a very Merry Christmas, friends. Thankful for you! . . . . . 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

Molly Reed Grayson is by far my favorite instagram baking follow! Every week with her #SundayBakes shows she entertains and teaches and I absolutely love it. As you are preparing for time in the kitchen the next few days, this episode will help you do it well! (And definitely stick around to the end... we have a moment that has NEVER HAPPENED before on the show! And I totally cried and it's awesome.) Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Raechel Myers, Amanda Bible Williams, Jeff Henderson, and Jaci Velasquez. . . . . . 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 a gift to have the pastor of the pod back with us today! Kevin Queen talks to us about transitions, prayer, church life around Christmas, and how to pray for your city. Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Bianca Oltoff, Mark Batterson, and Heather Land.  . . . . . 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 may be one of my favorite episodes this year. Melinda Doolittle is every bit as fun as she sounds from start to finish. She is kind and hilarious and thoughtful AND A CHRISTMAS TREE UP YEAR ROUND? Yeah, we need her. And now we can't WAIT for her Christmas album in 2020! Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Clay Scroggins, Hillary Scott, and Dustin Nickerson. . . . . . 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

Victoria Duerstock and I jumped RIGHT ON IN to friendship as soon as she walked into the podcast studio. I love love love having someone at our Christmas party that talks about holiday decor- and this conversation combines the importance of purpose behind your decorating, staying on budget, and why it all matters. Her latest book Heart & Home for Christmas- is such a sweet read with daily devotionals combined with beautiful home decor. Such a great gift. Enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests the Bethkes, the Dickersons, and Louie Giglio!  . . . . . 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

Ted Dekker is the first guest EVER on this podcast (he's really the reason I started podcasting in the first place!), so it's such a joy to have him and his daughter Rachelle Dekker on the podcast today! I'm devouring their new book The Girl Behind The Red Rope- it's a novel I think you'll enjoy! Can't wait for you to hear the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Casey J, Mike Donehey, and Jess Connolly. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! Literati Books: Go to literatibooks.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for $20 off your first box. Plus, kids three and up get a special blacklight pen. Samaritan Ministries See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y'all request Food Network star Aarti Sequeira ALL THE TIME and MERRY CHRISTMAS she came to the party! I just adore Aarti and have loved her every minute since we met on the set of Hallmark Home and Family! Today, Aarti gets very honest about God and the holidays and family transitions. What a gift she has given us today. Also enjoy the Christmas stories from 2019 guests Benjamin Watson, Kristen Strong, and Kevin & Rea Queen. . . . . . 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

As we recorded EnneaSummer2019 episodes (which you can go back to June 2019 and listen to), I asked each enneagram pair to tell us about what they'd like for Christmas.  Today, my three lifelong best friends- Molly, Misti, and Enneagram Coach Haley Watkins- sit down in the studio with me and we talk through each of the nine types of the enneagram and what they each would like for Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas stories from 2019 guests Andrew Peterson, Trudy Cathy White, and Brian Dixon. . . . . . 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 has been far too long since Sarah Bessey and I caught up and it's most definitely time for her to be on the show! Her calm presence and kind voice felt just perfect for our Christmas party. So many topics, not enough time, but gracious and I grateful for her honesty and stories and heart. Make sure you grab a copy of her latest book Miracles and Other Reasonable Things! Stick around for Christmas stories from our 2019 guests John Mark Comer, Chris Rice, and the Roses from the Peach Truck! . . . . . 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

Our Christmas party continues today, the third Sunday of Advent. Pastor Alex Seeley joins us to talk all about her new book The Opposite Life and the best parts (and the hardest parts) of the holiday season. What a gift to think through how to celebrate and grieve during these weeks- I'm so thankful for Pastor Alex talking us through this. Stick around for Christmas stories from 2019 guests Drew Hill, the Roloffs, and David Crowder! . . . . . 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 most requested and waited for show every year- Jami and Jenn are here to talk all about this year's brand new batch of Hallmark Christmas movies!  And yes- we talk loooong about our day at Dollywood as extras in Hallmark Christmas movie "Christmas at Dollywood." And yes, we still have the highest hopes that someday we'll get Dolly Parton on the podcast!   . . . . . 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 fangirl SO HARD in this episode, y'all. Phil Wickham is one of my very favorite artists and I am beyond grateful that he let us use music from his new album, Christmas, for the whole month of December! Make sure you grab a copy of the album- it's one of my very favorites. Can't wait for you to hear Christmas stories from 2019 guests Amena Brown, Knox McCoy, and Jordan Lee Dooley! . . . . . 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 so hoping we could get Jeff Henderson on the podcast and YES HERE HE IS. One of my favorite pastors (you'll hear why  in the show- I also cry SORRY BUT YOU KNOW ME), Jeff and his wife and daughter join us to discuss pastoring and running a business, raising kids to love the church, what it looks like to be FOR your community, and disappointing people (ouch). This guy is just one of the best- make sure you grab a copy of Know What You're FOR... one of my favorite books this year. Today's episode includes super great Christmas stories from our 2019 guests Sarah Mae, Jeremy Cowart, and Emily Chapman Richards! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to the sponsors of this episode! Prep Dish: Want to give Prep Dish a try? Text “mealplan” to 33777 for a free week! Function of Beauty: Listeners will receive 20% off their first shampoo/conditioner set. To redeem, head to functionofbeauty.com/THATSOUNDSFUN and

I just finished listening to this episode with Liz Bohannon and I feel like I have more air in my lungs than I did before hearing it. She's just the absolute embodiment of INSPIRING. Her new book Beginner's Pluck is a must read for all of us. With Christmas stories from past 2019 guests Andrew Osenga, Julie Roberts, and Ryan Hall!  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this episode! #FabFitFunpartner: Use coupon code “SOUNDSFUN” for $10 off your first box at www.fabfitfun.com. Rothys: Check out all the amazing styles available right now and give the gift of comfort, style, and sustainability by going to Rothys.com/soundsfun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gracious I thought this conversation with Clay Scroggins was equal parts helpful and incredibly fun. For all of us who are leading (spoiler: we all are!), the conversation about what can distract us (spoiler: it's not just your phone!) may help you shape 2020 in some really important ways. His new book How to Lead in a World of Distraction is an excellent read that I think you'll enjoy. And surprise ending! We've been collecting Christmas stories from EVERY GUEST ALL YEAR! You'll hear a handful every show for the rest of 2019- today we hear from Lauren Diagle, Scott Sauls, and Anne Bogel! . . . . . 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 mean. I figured we would like Zach Williams, I had no idea we would like him THIS MUCH. His music is absolutely great, his story is so unique, and I just like him to pieces. Make sure you're listening to his album Rescue Story- it is SO. GOOD. Y'ALL. And who is gonna connect us to interview Kanye? :)  . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to our sponsors of this podcast! Flamingo: Get your Flamingo Shave Set for just $16 with FREE shipping today when you visit shopflamingo.com/annie Uncommon Goods: Go to UncommonGoods.com/thatsoundsfun to receive $5 off your first purchase! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amena Brown is such a special friend, my word I love her. WE go to a lot of places today, some that are not so easy. But it felt like the perfect episode for Thanksgiving- gives us lots to think about and talk about with our people. From dating to church to racism to writing and podcasting, we cover it all.  Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Grateful for you each! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :)  Thank you to Function of Beauty for sponsoring this podcast! Get 20% your first shampoo/ conditioner set. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices