Lisa Bevere is one of those wise, mothering voices we all can learn from—strong and full of wisdom—and today we’re talking about being empowered women running after God. Her latest book The Fight for Female is out now so you’re going to hear all about it and hear why this was the book that was needed for our generation of women right now, in 2024. . . . .Other topics include miscarriage and infant loss, Heaven, mothering voices, and fasting.. . . .Find the show notes hereWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! . . . . .Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/adventJoin 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. Daily Look: Head to Dailylook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your order. KiwiCo:  Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN.Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide.Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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

Y’all get ready, because today I get to talk with my friend, Ellen Skrmetti—one of my favorite follows on Instagram. I bet you love her too…she makes those “Hey Jesus, it’s me,” videos…and she’s just as funny in person as she is online.Her southern humor is just spot on in the bless-your-heart kind of way and I laughed so much during this conversation. We did a real deep dive on how her comedy career got started, church potlucks, the speed of funerals, panty hose, a new sausage ball recipe… and we also got to talk about her brand new book, Hey Jesus, It’s Me. Y’all, hand to heaven, ask my coworkers, I laughed out loud multiple times reading this book. It is so funny and so good.. . . .Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! Find the show notes here!. . . . .Join our advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/adventJoin 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!WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday Deals.Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/soundsfun.Fatty15: You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/TSF and using code TSF at checkout. LiquidIV: Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to liqiudiv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout.Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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

Who else absolutely LOVED the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever growing up? It was one of my favorites and tomorrow it’s coming to the big screen, and we get to talk all about it today with Dallas Jenkins, who directed the movie, and his wife, Amanda. Y’all know them and love them already because Dallas is the director of The Chosen, but I’m telling you, I’ve cried BOTH times I’ve seen this screening of this movie. You’re going to LOVE it. Do not miss Dallas's story at the end of how he got to produce this amazing movie! . . . .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 advent study at https://www.anniefdowns.com/adventJoin 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.Factor: Head to factormeals.com/tsf50 and use code tsf50 to get 50% off your first box and 20% off your next month.Ritual: Go to ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for 25% off.Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide.Glorify App: Download the #1 Christian devotional app for free at glorify-app.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.Helix Sleep: Get 25% sitewide + 2 FREE dream pillows with any mattress purchase at helixsleep.com/ThatSoundsFun.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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

Bethany Joy Lenz, renowned for her role as Haley on One Tree Hill, shares her inspiring journey from escaping a cult to reclaiming her faith. She candidly discusses the manipulation she faced and the empowerment that followed. Her memoir, Dinner for Vampires, dives deeper into the destruction caused by narcissism. Lenz also highlights the complexities of recognizing red flags in faith-based contexts and the importance of emotional vulnerability in relationships. Her story is a powerful narrative of personal growth and rediscovery.

In case you haven’t been with us for a while, 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 2022... but what we actually do is talk about anything else. Today we talk big about the World Series and (mainly Shohei Ohtani), Lin-Manuel Miranda, AI, and water because why not. Also, let us know on Instagram what you would with 41 million dollars!!!. . . . .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 series, Stay Tuned! . . . . .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. KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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

Phil Manginelli, Lead Pastor of The Square Church and founder of Resistance and Renewal, shares insights on navigating faith in today's secular landscape. He discusses the misconceptions of freedom, emphasizing that true freedom involves wisdom and the ability to say no. The conversation delves into the emotional dynamics within church communities, highlighting the importance of accountability and support for single women. Manginelli offers valuable perspectives on the challenges church leaders face and the need for deeper spiritual connections amid cultural shifts.

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 help your pastor connect with the people who aren’t married in their church. . . . . .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! . . . . .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. Lumen:  Go to lumen.me/TSF to get 15% off your Lumen.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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.. . . . .If you liked THIS episode, you will LOVE this one:Singleness in the Church with David Platt- Episode 857 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 our Patreon community Single Purpose League as we tackle the question: What is my single purpose and what is my purpose while single?. . . . .#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 first purchase at drinkAG1.com/soundsfun.Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/soundsfun. Daily Look: Head to Dailylook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your order.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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 90s CCM lovers are in for another treat! Michael Tait (from DC Talk) and Adam Agee (from Audio Adrenaline) are here today and share how they became apart of Newsboys. With over 10 million records sold, I know you’re no stranger to Newsboys! I think we can really learn something about faithfulness and obedience through their long careers in Christian music. Part 1 of Newsboys latest album, World Wide Revival, is out now and part 2 comes out tomorrow! . . . . .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!#thatsoundsfunpodcast. . . . .Thank you to our sponsors!BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order at hiyahealth.com/thatsoundsfun.. . . . .If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form!. . . . .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.. . . . . Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review.It would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review! You can do the same on Spotify as well.Your ratings and reviews help us spread the word to new friends! And your feedback lets me know how I can better serve you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 series: https://www.anniefdowns.com/advent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices