That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

I've been a longtime fan of Tenth Avenue North and Mike Donehey's singing, but so stoked to actually get to listen to Mike talk! This guy showed up AND SHOWED UP. I laughed, I cried, I said OKAY YOU BETTER PREACH more than once. This dude is amazing. His new book Finding God's Life for My Will: His Presence Is The Plan is really great- you should grab a copy. It's like this conversation but way more words and way less interrupting by yours truly. :) Also please stick around to hear the Irish and Scottish accents that Mike can do FLAWLESSLY. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I could barely listen to the edit of this episode because I sound like such a super fan, y'all. :) LOL SORRY. But literally I have been cheering for Benjamin Watson for almost twenty years now- as a Georgia Bulldog and as he continued into the NFL. Not only is he an outstanding football player, he's an incredible family man, dedicated man of faith, and smart smart thinker. I am so so excited for y'all to hear this conversation about family and faith and race and leading well and with highest integrity. Benjamin's book Under Our Skin is a really excellent read, I hope you'll check it out. (And he has a dad book too!) And also I can't believe I'm saying this as a Falcons fan :), but I'm excited to cheer for the New England Patriots this year.... well, for ONE Patriot at least. :)  Grateful for you, Benjamin! . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather Avis is absolutely one of the most inspiring and strong voices that I follow. When I heard her speak a few years ago, I was blown away and so grateful for her story and her passion. I've been DYING to chat with her for the show, so I'm just so happy it worked out today! Her new book Scoot Over And Make Some Room is almost anthemic in it's storytelling and direction and we will all benefit from reading with it. I think you'll love it. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Rice is one of the friends in Nashville I have known the longest (and no, I don't mean back to when I would listen to his songs in middle school, I mean since I moved to town). And he is just as brilliant and kind and thoughtful and fun and you would have hoped he would be as a fan of his music. He's also full of wise words and beautiful music and just one of the best men I know. I know you already probably know him, but I hope today's conversation makes him feel like a new friend. Make sure you go listen to his new album Untitled Hymn... it is just beautiful. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just absolutely love when a friend shows up in the podcast studio and seeing Lisa Jo Baker just about made me tear up. I just love her. We jumped right in and totally went to all the places (and then some) and talked a ton about her new book The Middle Matters. It's fantastic. She is such a gift and if you don't love her yet, get ready! She's just the best. . . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FAN GIRL ALERT. You guys. I have loved Robin Jones Gunn's writing for over twenty years. One of her main characters in over 50 of her novels- Christy Miller- felt like one of my best friends in middle school and high school. Robin has been a mentor from a distance for years and a friend that I do not deserve and I am so so honored she would take time and join us on the show today.  While you may know her name from Father Christmas books (and Hallmark Christmas movies!) but her newest novel Becoming Us was a favorite vacation read for me this summer. Make sure you grab Becoming Us and really any and all of Robin's novels. You guys have got to meet Christy. She's the best. :)  . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My friend Andrew Osenga mentioned Casey J to me a few months ago, asking if we were friends. I LOVE her music, but we had never met. But as soon as he told me we were both Georgia Bulldogs, I knew this friendship was meant to be. So last month when she was passing through Nashville, we sat down and made it happen! We go deep into a lot of topics, including her new album The Gathering, and I think you are going to love this conversation (and this woman and her music)!  . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summertime is only complete for me when the peaches come in and they get ripe and the smell fills my life. Leaving Georgia meant leaving the best peaches until The Peach Truck came along. Stephen and Jessica Rose have created the best company- Georgia peaches delivered all over. Their new cookbook just released and it is absolutely full of recipes that will do the best by every peach you bring into your kitchen. I adore adore adore these friends and I’m so happy to introduce them to you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one is a special one. Hillary Scott was one of the first friends I met when I moved to Nashville eleven years ago. To watch her career grow and build, as part of Lady Antebellum and also the music she makes with her family, has been a joy. Y'all have requested her and there is no better friend to walk with me, on the very first day, into a new year of my life than Hill. Make sure you check out Lady A's new song and tell me what you think! It's a tear jerker FOR SURESIES. (And just in case you missed it- make sure you listen to yesterday's special Sunday episode- lots of cool updates!!) . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We never do Sunday shows but here is the thing: TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY and it's OUR 200TH EPISODE (or it just was and the numbers don't match and etc etc etc just forgive me and let's move forward) and we have some VERY FUN UPDATES INDEED. So get ready to hear from Andrew Ripp, Ginna Claire Mason Moffett, my friend Kelli, and Tina from Christian Appalachian Project. http://christianapp.org/anniefdowns . . . . http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices