That Sounds Fun With Annie F. Downs

We're going there today! My friend Ryan Wekenman and I talk about how to help our churches and pastors understand how to serve the single people in their church. Ryan’s a pastor at Red Rocks Austin and he’s also the author of Single Today, which came out earlier this year. We also talk about finding contentment and being present in your current season, finding community, and permission to change your mind in big life choices. No matter your season or relationship status, I think you'll find this conversation really helpful.  If you’re single (or know someone who is), our open registration season for Single Purpose League is coming to a close next week (on Oct. 28th), and it won’t open again until the New Year, so make sure you come join us, especially because you’ll get to go through our Advent series, Stay Tuned, together. You can find all the details at singlepurposeleague.com. There's a resource that I want to give you, too, at anniefdowns.com/pastoringsingles. It's a short PDF that offers some ideas to

One of my BFFs, Danielle Walker, is back and this is her 5th time on That Sounds Fun, so you know what that means, right?! HALL OF FUN induction.  Her new cookbook is called Make It Easy: A Healthy Meal Prep and Menu Planning Guide and I’m telling you.. If you’re already building your Christmas wish list, put this on it. Especially those of you who like a meal prep plan. She’s got you covered. Y’all know I don’t cook much, but when I do… Danielle’s my girl for all the recipes. We also answer some of your questions you asked her on our AFD Week In Review!  Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! other topics we cover: Infant Loss Awareness Day, insecurities, New York Times Bestsellers, favorite New York restaurants, and Disneyland . . . . . Find the show notes here! Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join us for our Advent study this year at anniefdowns.com/advent! . . . . . Join

When the Advent season rolls around every year, the theme that always leads the way is waiting with anticipation. Waiting with excitement because the birth of Christ is near. But sometimes that’s hard because Advent is ANOTHER season of waiting for a lot of us. How do we level up excitement and joy around WAITING when it feels like waiting is our whole year? That’s why we’ve created Stay Tuned: An Advent Series For Those Already Waiting—a series designed for anyone struggling with unanswered prayers and hope that feels a bit worn out. Whether you’re single or simply navigating a tough season, this Advent, we’ll face the challenges of waiting together and discover the beauty and purpose in the midst of it. Join us for three weeks of devotionals (available in written form, audio, and video), prayers, and reflection questions on how to wrestle with the waiting, find hope in it all, and celebrate the faithfulness of God as we anticipate the arrival of our King. For all the Advent details and to purchase this s

Today we get to sit under the wisdom of a mothering voice who understands long obedience in the same direction. What a gift. If you don’t know her already, Darlene Zschech is a Christian music LEGEND. She's an acclaimed Australian composer, worship leader, pastor, author, and speaker who helped pioneer the modern worship movement in the Church from the 1990’s onwards. Her new album “Testament” marks the milestone 30-year anniversary of “Shout to the Lord,” her song that became an anthem for the church worldwide. Her voice and that song has absolutely shaped my faith, and I got to tell her today (yes, I cried). . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunp

This is Lysa Terkeurst’s 4th time here on the podcast and she’s that friend to all of us who just isn’t afraid to talk about the real and hard things that she’s walked through and what God’s taught her through it. Her brand new book came out this week… it’s called I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t… so we’re going in on broken trust and what to do with it. After several painful friendship breakups, the death of her marriage and other devastating betrayals, Lysa realized she was caught in a cycle of distrust and this book is the journey to figuring out how to move forward from it.  I have no doubt there’s someone who’s broken your trust before (and maybe even recently), so you’re going to learn a ton from this book and this friend. . . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign

Today on the show, I get to talk with my friend, Kendra Adachi or better known as The Lazy Genius. Y’all know Kendra has helped me Lazy Genius all the things.. my kitchen… basically my whole life. And y’all are going to LOOOVE her new book on time management called The Plan. She says, “you’re not starting something today, you are starting with where you are today.”  It doesn’t matter if you’re working full time or part time or managing your home or school work, this book is sooo helpful. I always love learning from Kendra and I think you will too. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank

Today on the show, I get to catch up with one of my favorite dudes, Mack Brock. This is Mack’s third time back with us, but his first time flying solo! He and his wife, Meredith, have been here twice for our couples series in 2019 and 2021. I have no doubt you’re already listening to Mack’s music and probably singing them at church, but don’t even realize he wrote them. Mack was one of the founding members of Elevation Worship, but we get to talk about his brand new full-length album that just released last week called This is Holy. Y’all. The lyrics. The music. The song his daughter got to be a part of. We’re going to talk about all of it.  . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD

Today on the show, America’s Favorite Government Teacher, Sharon McMahon, is here and we are all the better for it. Is there not a more perfect time than now for her to guide us through election season AND talk about her brand new book- The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement. We also talk about her 14 hour work days, how to navigate all the news sources, voting on policies or character, and why we vote. We are big Sharon fans around here and I know alot of you are too, so I can’t wait for you to hear this one. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions t

Our buddy Eddie Kaufholz is back! If you haven’t been around for a minute, once a month we’re recapping each of the last 10 years in honor of the 10th anniversary of That Sounds Fun, so this month, we’re recapping 2021... but more importantly wow discuss Eddie's college band, signing up for Saturday Night Live tickets, and we also invent a name for those close friends you'd wear no make up around and a 20 year old t-shirt and gym shorts.  . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Nutu

Y'ALL, get ready to laugh with my new friend, Leanne Morgan! You may know her and love her from her comedy special on Netflix or seeing her videos pop up on Instagram, but Leanne is here today and if you don’t already love her, you’re about to. She’s a comedian, actress, writer, producer, wife, mom, AND grandmama, and her brand new book, What In the World?!  releases tomorrow. You’re going to love this book and you’re going to love her. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Try AG1 and get a FREE bottle of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your fir

Today on the show, get ready to laugh. My longtime friend Lyndsay Rush is here, but you may know her better from her instagram accounts: rushbomb or maryoliversdrunkcousin. Lyndsay is hysterical and found herself writing poems on social media that eventually turned into a book deal, and this week, Lyndsay’s very first book of published poetry releases called, A Bit Much. We talk about getting older, moving, friendships changing, and the gift poetry gives you to think. Lyndsay and I became friends when she first moved to Nashville (over a decade ago) and it’s been so much fun to see her superpower gift of words and wit turn into a book we can hold and read. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to

Today on the show, my friend Alyssa Bethke is here and you’re in for a treat. Alyssa and her family recently moved to Nashville from MAUI, so we talked all about the transition and what that’s been like and then dug into her latest book, When Doing it All is Undoing You. Does anyone else get overwhelmed when fall rhythms start back?! We talk about trying to to do too much, holding everything together, managing and controlling our circumstances. What do we do when we start falling apart? I think you'll really like this one. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1:

A few days ago, I did a question box on my instagram about my dual citizenship between Nashville and New York City, particularly about being in New York since I currently am. One of the questions that was asked was “Have there been any surprising disappointments in this otherwise fun year?”  And while I was able to answer most of the submitted questions on the little one slide of an instagram story, this one deserves a whole episode. Because yes, while this has been a very fun experience, it has also been very very hard. And disappointing. If you have thoughts to share, there’s a great place for that on instagram… @thatsoundsfunpodcast. I’d love to hear anything that came up for you in this episode and any suggestions of topics you’d like to hear future episodes about. ..... Check out my instagram page @afdinnyc Listen to all AFD in NYC Episodes HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Whittaker...you know him and love him and he’s a Hall of Funner. We’re diving into the project he’s been working on the the past few years. If you don’t follow Carlos on social media and haven’t heard about this, you’re going to be fascinated. Carlos spent 7 weeks away from screens and spent time with monks and amish farmers to see how it would impact his life AND his brain. He’s written all about it in his brand new book, Reconnected AND he’s been working on a documentary of the whole thing. We’re going to talk about all of it today. Buckle up! . . . . . Other topics we cover in today's episode: Rwanda, African New Life, pickle ball, family, the Amish, monks . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . S

Today on the show, one of our favorites is back. Sophie Hudson, also known as Boo Mama, is here! Sophie’s latest book, A Fine Sight to See, comes out tomorrow and it’s all women embracing their role as leaders, so you KNOW we’re going to talk about it today. BUT ALSO College Football has started back, so we couldn't help but discuss that, too.  I think you'll really enjoy this conversation with Sophie who is an author, podcaster, and all around delight of a human. She’s the co-host of the Big Boo Cast with Melanie Shankle and if y’all aren’t listening to them tell the most ridiculous stories, you’re missing out!  . . . . . Other topics we cover in today's episode: college sports, sorority rush, Exodus, Moses, music, social media, the enneagram . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the quest

It’s election season here in the U.S, y’all, and we’re all trying to navigate the hot topics of the day and how to approach divisive conversations with grace…. and Ashlee Eiland’s latest book, Say Good: Speaking Across Hot Topics, Complex Relationships, and Tense Situations, is just what we need right now. The holidays are coming too, and I know that can stir up complicated feelings and family dynamics and all the things. Ashlee is going to be our guide into gracefully walking with people even when we don’t agree with them. This is such a needed conversation, and I think you’re really going to love this one. . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask ques

Today we’re talking about how the enneagram helps you self regulate to connect and grow in parenting, dating, and other relationships. Beth McCord, better known as Your Enneagram Coach, is here and her latest book, Enneagram for Moms, which released this summer. Its such a helpful tool for trying to better understand yourself and better understand how you interact with your children. Whether you’re raising your own kids, leading a classroom of them, loving on nieces and nephews, or being a spiritual mom to the miniBFFs in your life, I think you’re really going to find this one helpful.  If you didn’t catch our EnneaSummer 2024 series back in July, listen here! . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up

Today on the show, we’re talking all things 2020 with our friend, Eddie Kaufholz. I know y’all have been asking about a recap of the Ryman show with Eddie, but we’re saving that for that actual anniversary week of That Sounds Fun which is in November... although we couldn't help ourselves to talk about it a little bit! But Annie and Eddie Keep Talking got started in 2020, so you KNOW today we are chopping it up about the weird, sad, and nostalgic days that year. What a wild time.  . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN 

Today we’re talking about something we LOVE to dig into around here: unplugging from all of the noise. My friend Hannah Brencher is joining us and her latest book, The Unplugged Hours, comes out in September so we’re going to talk about how we do all of this well. We even recorded a little bonus conversation just for Single Purpose League to talk about the nuances of being single, but also needing to disconnect and unplug and how to feel safe and secure when we do that. I think you are going to find this convo really helpful!  . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors!

I loved getting to know Dr. Jackie Greene and what God has been doing in her and through her. Her brand new 90-day devotional, Remain in His Love, would be a perfect one for you to pick up as we establish some new rhythms this fall. I think you’ll really love the book and this conversation with Jackie. We talk all about the spiritual discipline of fasting, our role in the discipleship process, and the importance of journaling. You know I much I always LOVE getting to talk about prayer and fasting!  . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . Subscribe to Let's Read the Gospels with Annie F. Downs HERE. . . . . . Join our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single? . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Better Help: Visit BetterHelp