That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

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

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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/month starting November 1st, but if you join this week, you’ll lock in our OG price of $7/month (or it’s 10% off if you pay for a full year). This community is so special and we’d love to have you!

We've also just announced a brand new level of Single Purpose League that’s specifically for single, Christian women in ministry. It’s called the SPL Leadership Mastermind and we’re so pumped about this! It includes a monthly zoom call with me and Katy and our first one is next week. You can find all the information you need at singlepurposeleague.com.

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Thank you to our sponsors!

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

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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.

#thatsoundsfunpodcast

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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!

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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

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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!

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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 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

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If you found this episode helpful or healing, you might try Episode 1002- Kate Edwards shares her story of losing her adult son and the hope she’s been able to find again through the grief.

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Thank you to our sponsors!

If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!

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

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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.

#thatsoundsfunpodcast

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

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

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

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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!

. . . . .

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!

. . . . .

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

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!

. . . . .

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!

. . . . .

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

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!

. . . . .

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!

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

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

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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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!

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

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!

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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! 

. . . . .

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

#thatsoundsfunpodcast

. . . . .

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