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

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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!

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NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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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.

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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!

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NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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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 you to send a $150 gift card of your choice as a thank you.
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If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love Episode 925 with Mack Brock or Episode 979 with Christy Nockels.
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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!
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Thank you to our sponsors!

NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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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 choice as a thank you!

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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! 

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NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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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 into the fall, and we’re going to talk about all of it. We’re going to explore what the harvest looks like and how we can be a part of it. We’re going to talk about how to be the healthiest versions of ourselves even when we start running out of steam at the end of the year. We’re going to talk about how to prepare for the next right thing.

We’ve got some really incredible guests coming to help us finish the last 3 months of the year really well. Guests we’ve hand picked for this specific season—many you know and love—because we knew we’d need them to help us with some intentional steps this fall.

And, as always, Eddie and I are going to keep talking once a month BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

The fall pages in our TSF Seasons Guidebook have everything you need to take notes and process questions from each episode. And we’ve thrown in a gratitude journaling page, fun fall recipes, and some sabbath and self-care ideas to help you make space for rest in the middle of all the busyness.

If you don't have a copy yet this year, head over to anniefdowns.com/seasons to purchase yours and you’ll get the full guidebook including all four seasons from the podcast this year.

Pastor Mike Kelsey, our Pastor of the Pod this year, will help us kick off the fall on Monday, September 22nd so make sure you’re subscribed to That Sounds Fun so you don’t miss a single episode. We’ll see you then.

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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! 

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NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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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

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If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: 

Discernment and Decisions with Emily P. Freeman – Episode 869

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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! 

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Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!

#thatsoundsfunpodcast

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Thank you to our sponsors!

NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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So many of us have walked through unexpected seasons of grief and loss. When those seasons hit, it feels impossible to know how to put one foot in front of the other or we don’t know how to best support our friends through it. Today we answer, “What do I do when my season suddenly shifts?”

Kate and I met a couple of months ago when I was on the road for a speaking event. She has walked through the tragic death of her adult son and has SO generously agreed to share with us what she wished someone had shared with her when that pain was fresh. Whether you’ve dealt with a similar situation or you’re close to someone who has, I encourage you to lean in to the perspective and encouragement Kate shares with us about what it looks like to honor and grieve and keep living and keep loving even when we don’t think we have it in us.

If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 92 (*we moved this date*). The guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons.

Similar episodes you may find helpful:

When Winter is Breaking Your Heart with Lindsay Sherbondy- Episode 952

Trusting God with Open and Closed Doors with Craig Thompson- Episode 986

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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! 

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Join us in reading the Gospels together this month over on the Let’s Read the Gospels podcast!

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Thank you to our sponsors!

NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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Today on the show, we’re asking the question, “How can my kitchen reflect the seasons?” Kate Strickler, also known as Naptime Kitchen, is just a delight. Her book came out last week called: I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen. We’re going to talk about why we struggle with what we don’t have, how to learn to love what we do, finding friends as adults, AND you’re going to hear the best hack for cinnamon rolls.

If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 90.

Find the show notes here

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If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love episode 897 with Emily Morrow from Really Very Crunchy or episode 946 with Danielle Kartes from Rustic Joyful Food. 

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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! 

. . . . .

In September, join us in reading the Gospels together over on the Let’s Read the Gospels podcast!

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Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!

#thatsoundsfunpodcast

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Thank you to our sponsors!

NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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How else would we mark the 1000th episode than with the person we’ve talked to the most: our pal Eddie Kaufholz! And I just want to tell you now, so you can make the switch if you need to…this is an episode I think you’ll want to watch on your Spotify App or YouTube, and also watch the whole thing. Just trust me, this is a fun one. 

Things we also talk about include BUT NOT LIMITED TO The Gilded Age, Marcus Mumford, Billy Joel, Perkins, and colonoscopies.

We have some note taking pages for you for this episode over in our TSF Seasons Guidebook on page 88. If you need a copy of the guidebook, 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

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Thank you to our sponsors!

NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices