That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Chris Tomlin, a Grammy-winning contemporary Christian music artist, joins to discuss his new album, 'The King Is Still The King.' He shares insights on worship and how it serves to reorient the soul toward God. Tomlin emphasizes the importance of engaging with worship music actively and describes how he captures spontaneous musical moments. They dive into the meaning behind the album title and the impact of his earlier songs on different generations. The conversation also touches on maintaining faith amidst life's challenges.

Ben Rector, an acclaimed singer-songwriter, unwinds the creative journey behind his latest album, *The Richest Man in the World*. He shares insights on how music captures life's milestones, reflecting on the golden days of parenthood. Ben opens up about the challenge of balancing creativity with social media demands and discusses the art of crafting engaging set lists. With a healthier touring model, he emphasizes being present for family while savoring simple moments in life. It's a heartfelt conversation about music, family, and friendship.

Logan, Madison, and Taylor from the sibling band CAIN join to share their vibrant experiences on the CAIN Live And In Color tour. They discuss the challenges of balancing family life with touring, including managing kids and logistics on the road. The emotional depth behind their new song 'I Made It' is revealed, highlighting themes of healing and community. The trio also reflects on the spiritual significance of their performances, creating moments for worship and authentic connections during shows.

Mike Kelsey, a pastor known for his insights on spiritual growth, joins to explore the meaning of fall in our lives. He encourages listeners to embrace the beauty and loss of this season, reflecting on the importance of trusting God's goodness during change. The discussion delves into distinguishing healthy growth from unhealthy, emphasizing the need for spiritual rhythms and community support. Mike also shares tips on storing up resources during times of flourishing to prepare for future challenges, promoting a mindset of resilience and hope.

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

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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Boll and Branch: Go to bollandbranch.com/thatsoundsfun for 15% off and free shipping! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! 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

Emily Ley, founder of Simplified, shares her expertise on embracing seasonal transitions with grace. She emphasizes the importance of personal resets as fall approaches, providing insights on organization and self-care. The conversation touches on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, particularly her legal battle over tariffs. Ley also discusses the value of realistic expectations in education, the joy of small changes, and savoring the current season rather than rushing into the next. Tune in for inspiration on intentional living!

Kate Edwards, a registered nurse and grieving mother, shares her profound journey of loss after her adult son's tragic death. In a heartfelt conversation, she emphasizes the importance of honoring grief while still embracing joy. Kate reflects on the unexpected compassion she received from healthcare workers and discusses the transformative power of community in healing. She also explores the deep connection between grief and faith, offering insight into navigating such a personal journey and supporting others through their own pain.

Kate Strickler, known as Naptime Kitchen, is an internet personality and author of the recently launched 'I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen.' In this engaging talk, she discusses how to make kitchens seasonal reflections and shares her culinary journey, including a hilarious cinnamon roll hack using King's Hawaiian rolls. Kate dives into embracing life's imperfections, the significance of gratitude, and the challenges of adult friendships and marriage. With humor and warmth, she reminds us that joy can be found in the chaos of family life.

Eddie Kaufholz joins for a lively celebration of reaching 1000 podcast milestones! They dive into their nostalgic road trip adventures, complete with humorous encounters with traffic officers. Expect laughter as they debate favorite breakfast spots and share quirky stories about party outfits. Music also takes the spotlight, with reflections on playlists and podcasts as meaningful connections. The conversation blends personal anecdotes with fun pop culture tidbits, making this episode a delightful companion for any listener!