Hey friends, welcome to the very first episode of The Urgency of Slowing Down! I’m excited to kick off this journey with one of my absolute favorites–Annie F. Downs. If you don’t already know Annie (though I bet you do!), she’s a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and host of the That Sounds Fun podcast. Her charm, honesty, and wit make you feel like you’ve been friends for ages.

In this episode, Annie and I dive deep into the practice of Sabbath—what it means, how it looks in our current culture, and why it’s so important. Annie shares how her journey with Sabbath began in 2015 after experiencing a Shabbat in Israel. Since then, her practice has evolved, adapting to her schedule and commitments, but always with the same focus—rest, celebration, and worship.

We discuss the challenges and gifts of setting aside time for intentional rest. Sabbath doesn’t have to look the same for everyone–in fact it probably won’t. 

Annie beautifully explains how you can find a Sabbath rhythm that is restful for your soul. Annie also chats about her yearly month long Sabbath–you’ll definitely want to listen for details of how that works.

Some key takeaways from this conversation:

- Sabbath is a gift from God

- Sabbath is all about intentionality. You need to find what works for you.

- Rest, celebration, and worship are at the heart of Sabbath.

- You don’t have to start big. Find small ways to incorporate Sabbath into your life, then gradually build from there.

- Community matters! Having support makes practicing Sabbath more sustainable.

Annie is a wealth of wisdom and joy, and I know you’ll love this conversation as much as I did. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply craving rest, this episode is for you!

Annie is a bestselling author of “Chase the Fun,” “That Sounds Fun,” and “100 Days to Brave.” She’s also a popular speaker and podcast host based in Nashville. Annie will shoot straight with you, remind you that God is good, and make you laugh along the way.

Links from today’s episode:

Annie F. Downs Website  Instagram  Sabbath resources Advent study

John Mark Comer’s books Garden City, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry & Practicing the Way 

An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling 24/6 by Matthew Sleet

Laura L. Smith  Website Instagram   The Urgency of Slowing Down