That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Melanie Shankle, a New York Times bestselling author and co-host of The Big Boo Cast, shares her inspiring journey of healing from generational trauma. She discusses the importance of navigating family dynamics and the impact of parental narratives, especially in light of childhood experiences. With honesty and humor, Melanie provides insights into parenting challenges, particularly dealing with 'mean girl' behavior, and encourages cultivating kindness and resilience in future generations. This heartfelt conversation is a blend of laughter and introspection.

Pastor Mike Kelsey returns to explore the essence of spring in our lives, emphasizing emotional and spiritual renewal. He discusses the significance of recognizing personal growth and seasonal transitions, weaving in themes of hope and the symbolism of Easter. The conversation touches on embracing life's complexities in friendship and the importance of gratitude. Mike also shares spiritual practices to reconnect with faith during this revitalizing season, encouraging listeners to open their hearts to new beginnings and opportunities.

We are so glad you’re loving this rhythm of walking through the seasons together this year on That Sounds Fun, and WE KNOW YOU’RE READY FOR SPRING. My gosh, we are too.We all feel it, right? The anticipation of a new thing. More light. More warmth. More color. The winter was both long AND full of purpose. It was both painful AND sacred, cold AND cozy.But we are ready for spring! Starting Monday, March 24th we officially kick off the spring on the podcast with none other than our pastor for this year in the seasons, Pastor Mike Kelsey. Y’all loved his insight on the winter and he’s returning to help us usher in this new season. He’s going to help us figure out what spring means spiritually and how we define it in our lives. And as the spring continues we’re bringing on some incredible guests to help us answer questions like:What do I do when spring still feels like winter?How do I transition seasons well?How do I identify when spring is here?And how do I process change in busy seasons?Spring is going to bring us opportunities to talk about resurrection and revival. It’s going to give us the chance to talk about resting in the midst of busy seasons and still feeling stuck in your own winter when everyone else is in the full bloom of spring. And we just might have another soundtrack for the season that we all get to listen to!Plus, YOU KNOW Eddie and I are going to keep talking once a month BECAUSE DUH WE LOVE IT, and you just never know when an Always Annie episode will get dropped in too.But here’s what I really love: we’ve had the chance to really journey together through the TSF Seasons Guidebook where we have pages for you to take notes, answer journal prompts, and process questions from each episode. So we have new spring pages for your Guidebook ready to go! If you already purchased the Guidebook in the winter, you should have received an email already with your spring pages.But if you don't have a copy yet, head over to anniefdowns.com/seasons to purchase yours and you’ll get both winter AND spring and then you’ll be emailed summer and fall pages as each of those seasons begin.God’s been working in big ways in the stillness of the winter, and I pray we see the fruit as we turn the page into spring. But in all of it, our hope is to help you get the most of every season. We don’t want to let it pass us by without acknowledging what God’s up to.. . . . .Want to watch this 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. . . . .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

Our friend Eddie Kaufholz and I keep talking and you know we’re getting into the hard hitting stuff like… the relationship between brain size and head size, talking animals, and opening day of baseball. But there’s 7 minutes of serious too, because we had to talk about shoes and financial security and being misunderstood. We’re going there today.Don’t forget to download your spring pages for your TSF Guidebook to be ready for Monday! If you purchased it already, those have been emailed to you… and if not, head to anniefdowns.com/seasons to buy yours.. . . . .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! . . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcast. . . . .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

Ellie Holcomb, a talented singer-songwriter and children's author, dives into the significance of shifting seasons. She emphasizes that winter doesn't have the final word, reminding listeners of the hope that comes with spring. The conversation highlights her new kids' book and album, "Spring Sings," ideal for Easter. They explore themes of resilience in the face of life's challenges, the importance of community and faith, and how personal growth can emerge from loss. Ellie shares her excitement about a concert tour and the joy of music as a source of connection.

The host reflects on the transformative experience of living in New York City compared to Nashville, highlighting personal growth and body confidence. As winter lingers, she shares her longing for the energy of spring. The journey through Lent is explored, emphasizing emotional renewal and healthy habits. Listeners are encouraged to engage via social media, creating a community around these impactful themes.

Rebecca St. James, a Grammy-winning Christian artist, and her husband Cubbie Fink, founding member of Foster the People, dive into the nuances of faith and love. They discuss the struggle of enduring long winters, exploring how life's seasons mirror personal growth. Their journey from misadventures in relationships to writing their book, 'Lasting Ever,' reflects on the beauty of vulnerability and hope. With laughter and insight, they highlight the importance of community, faith, and finding joy through challenges.

Join Jonathan Roumie, the talented actor famed for portraying Jesus in 'The Chosen,' as he delves into the profound journey of Lent. He shares insights on the significance of this season in strengthening one's faith and introduces the Hallow App's features to enrich your spiritual practices. Discussions about the transformative 40-day prayer challenge highlight personal growth through fasting and service. Roumie also invites listeners to embrace diverse perspectives on faith, enhancing empathy and preparation for Easter.

Join bestselling author John Eldredge, known for his insights on spiritual formation, as he dives deep into the nuances of prayer during life's 'winter' seasons. He explores the impact of distractions on our connection with God and the importance of nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus. Eldredge discusses how to recognize God's voice amidst chaos and emphasizes the joy found in genuine communion with the divine. His new book, *Experiencing Jesus: Really,* is also highlighted, offering fresh perspectives on spiritual resilience and connection.

Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the Today Show and bestselling author, returns to discuss her latest children's book, 'Mostly What God Does is Love You.' She shares insights into her transformative journey of writing, the emotional depth behind her work, and the importance of conveying God's love to children. Savannah also reflects on navigating change, embracing both fear and excitement, all while emphasizing the unchanging love of God through life's ups and downs. It's an inspiring and heartfelt conversation!