That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

It's the week of Mother's Day, so let's talk about being grounded, making time for yourself, and being close to God- whether this Mother's Day is your best yet or a heartbreaking thought. Gretchen Saffles, author of The Well-Watered Woman, is here to talk to us through this season and the importance of being in the Word of God on a daily basis.. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Curology: Go to Curology.com/thatsoundsfun for a free 30-day trial, just pay for shipping and handling. Indeed: Get started with a FREE $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/SOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dear friends, today we have a conversation about suicide. I want you to know that up front, so that you can listen without miniBFFs and know going into it what the topic is. One of your (and my!) favorite guests, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, is back today talking all about his new book Hope Always (it releases May 4, but go ahead and order today so it shows up for you next week!) and about how to be a force for life in a culture of suicide. This is an important conversation and one I think it very hope-filled. Listen and share it widely- let's be a part of saving lives!. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners of the show!  Thistle Farms: Go to thistlefarms.org and use the code "thatsoundsfun" for 15% off!  Brooklinen: Go to brooklinen.com and use promo code "thatsoundsfun" to get $20 off any purchase of $100 or more. Modern Fertility: Modern Fertility is offering our friends $20 off the test when you go to Modernfertility.com/thatsoundsfun. Ancient Nutrition: Get 20% off your first order when you go to AncientNutrition.com and enter promo code "thatsoundsfun" at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've seen the instagram account, but it's time to meet Ben Kirby, the guy behind PreachersNSneakers! He's funny and wise and one of YOUR questions gets us both teary! His new book releases tomorrow, his new baby was just born, and this is a really fun conversation! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun.  ThirdLove: Go to thirdlove.com/soundsfun to get 20% off your first purchase!  Rothy's: Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/SOUNDSFUN. Green Chef: Go to https://GreenChef.com/90thatsoundsfun and use code 90thatsoundsfun to get $90 off including free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us have found Every Moment Holy to be a profoundly helpful resource in our own lives. Volume 2 has just released with a focus on grief and today the author, Douglas McKelvey, joins us for an honest conversation about the power of written down prayers, the need for prayer in grief, and how to create something that will outlast you. This is a beautiful conversation that I think you will love.. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners! Enneapath: To become a member of Enneapath, just go to www.yourenneapath.com/join. It’s only $14.99 per month at to join or $9.99/month for founding members who join the week of April 19th! KiwiCo: Get 30% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code THATSOUNDSFUN at kiwico.com. Thrive Market: Join Thrive Market today to get 25% off your first order AND an exclusive FREE gift! Go to Thrivemarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When word got around that Harry Connick Jr had a faith-inspired album releasing, my ears and my interviewing heart both perked up. What an absolute HONOR to have him on the podcast, to talk about his new about Alone In My Faith, and to learn so much about his faith and family and now I for sure want to get his dad on the podcast! (You'll hear why and totally agree with me!) Can't wait to hear your thoughts!. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners!  Enneapath: To become a member of Enneapath for just $14.99 a month, just go to yourenneapath.com/join. OR its $9.99/month for founding members who join the week of April 19th! Liquid IV: Get 25% off when you go to liquid-iv.com and use code THATSOUNDSFUN at checkout. Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair quiz and get 15% off your first order today! Go to Prose.com/thatsoundsfun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a legit joy to release a book twin with Laura Tremaine! We have been DYING to get on the pod together so it's finally the day! I learn a lot from her, and her book Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First, about friendship and hope and how to do life really well. I can't wait for y'all to join in this conversation with us! . . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners!  BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Raycon: Go to buyraycon.com/thatsoundsfun for 15% off your order!  StitchFix: Get started today at StitchFix.com/thatsoundsfun and you’ll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is a spiritual experience and I think you'll be as grateful for it as I am! Pastor Francis Chan is an absolute hero and a legend in our faith. Our conversation changed how I think about love and how I think about the church and my neighbors. His new book Until Unity is so timely and important- I hope you'll grab a copy today.. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners! Feetures: Get $10 Off Your First Pair of Feetures when you go to feetures.com/SOUNDSFUN. Flamingo: Get the shave set today for $16 plus FREE shipping! Get yours today at shopflamingo.com/ANNIE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the soundtracks you are hearing in your mind? My good pal Jon Acuff is back today, talking about what you hear in your head, how to change it, how to use the soundtracks in your mind to shape your life, your family, and your work. THIS ONE, y'all. THIS ONE is an absolute pile of quotable moments, so plan to take notes! And grab a copy of Soundtracks today!. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners!  ThirdLove: Go to thirdlove.com/SOUNDSFUN now to find your perfect-fitting bra... and get 20% off your first purchase! Brooklinen: Go to Brooklinen.com and use promo code "thatsoundsfun" to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh let us get ready to LAUGH, my friends! Mike Goodwin is here with us for the first time (but as you'll hear in the show, it is the EXACT BEST TIME!), but gosh he feels like an old friend, doesn't he? Mike is one of the good guys, y'all. You're going to love him!!. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our partners! BetterHelp: As one of my friends, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Ritual: Ritual is offering my friends 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to start your Ritual today. Rothy's: Check out all the amazing shoes, bags and masks available right now at Rothys.com/SOUNDSFUN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like an actual embodiment of spring time, Sally Lloyd-Jones joins us today and the whole conversation is such a gift. She has written a literal library worth of children's books, including the Jesus Storybook Bible, and her latest- Near- is about Psalm 139. Also make sure you've listened to John Eldredge and Lauren Daigle this week too.... unknowingly to any of them, God definitely has a theme for us this week. Wow.(Just a reminder, we will not have episodes next week as we celebrate Holy Week and look forward to Easter! He is risen indeed!). . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcastThank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month by visiting BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. KiwiCo: Get 30% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code THATSOUNDSFUN at kiwico.com.  Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair quiz and get 15% off your first order today! Go to Prose.com/thatsoundsfun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices