That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Y’all, we have spent an entire year talking about the impact of the seasons on our spiritual, emotional, and physical lives. A whole year working through things in our TSF Seasons Guidebook. Sooo many brilliant friends have joined us to mentor us through the winter, spring, summer, and fall and now we’ve circled all the way back. It’s cold outside again. The snow is on the ground again for some of you. The days are darker outside. And we’ve made it. On December 21st, winter begins and we will have officially finished our lap through all four seasons.  Today, there was only one person who could help us end what we started and that’s the pastor that made us all so curious about what God does in seasons. If you haven’t heard Episode 851 about the season God has you in with Pastor Banning Liebscher, I would love for you to go back and listen to that. It was the conversation that started this whole year doing a deep dive about seasons. Today, we’re going to talk about what we’ve seen God do across the world this year and the way He’s worked in seasons in our lives—the ones that passed quickly and the ones that lasted longer than we hoped. And then we’re going to talk about which spiritual discipline Banning thinks we need to lean into in 2026 as he looks at the state of the church right now. In your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 130, so get those note-taking pages ready.  Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love Episode 973 with Jon Tyson. . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: If you head to drinkag1.com/SOUNDSFUN you’ll get the welcome kit, a Morning Person hat, a bottle of Vitamin D3+K2, a AG1 Flavor Sampler and you’ll get to try their new sleep supplement AGZ for free. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.  Our Place:  Save up to 35% sitewide now through January 12th. Head to fromourplace.com/TSF. Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.  Mercy Ships: Please donate today at ⁠MercyShips.org/podcast⁠. Omaha Steaks: Visit ⁠OmahaSteaks.com⁠ for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide.  Wonder Project: Start your free trial and make sure to choose the annual subscription at watch.thewonderproject.com/thatsoundsfun. When you pick the annual plan, you save money and directly support their mission to bring more of these stories to the world.  NIV Application Bible: If you’re looking for a new Bible or know someone you’d like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠.  . . . . . 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. Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have absolutely no chill about today’s episode. I mean it…you might want to grab a notebook, a pen, maybe even two, because this is a full-on mind-blown episode. Rabbi Jason Sobel is a Jewish man who believes Jesus is the Messiah, and the way he connects the dots between the Old Testament and the New? Y’all… it’s like watching the story of Jesus go from regular definition to full-on high definition. We’re talking about his journey of faith, how we can better understand and connect with Jewish culture, the significance of the number eight (just wait for that part!), and he even gives us the cultural and historical context of the birth of Jesus in a way that will have you sitting there going, “How did I not know this?!” He has served as a spiritual advisor for The Chosen since its inception and you’re going to love getting to learn from him. His new book, Transformed By the Messiah, is absolutely beautiful.  In your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 129, so get those note-taking pages ready.  Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love episode 445 with Tim Mackie or episode 510 with Matt Maher. . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Mercy Ships: Please donate today at ⁠MercyShips.org/podcast⁠. Omaha Steaks: Visit ⁠OmahaSteaks.com⁠ for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use promo code FUN at checkout. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide.  Wonder Project: Start your free trial and make sure to choose the annual subscription at watch.thewonderproject.com/thatsoundsfun. When you pick the annual plan, you save money and directly support their mission to bring more of these stories to the world.  NIV Application Bible: If you’re looking for a new Bible or know someone you’d like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠.  . . . . . 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. Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your head’s starting to spin as you think about this year as a whole and turning the page to 2026, just hang on. We’re going to help take off the pressure to figure out and reflect on the whole year by the end of this month. It’s a process and we’re going to start by answering the question, “How do I find the next right thing for next year?” Today I get to talk to my friend and America’s favorite Spiritual Director, Emily P. Freeman. This is her 5th time here on That Sounds Fun which means she’s officially a member of the Hall of Fun. Today’s she helping us figure out: How we take the pressure off of January to have our whole year solved What steps we can take (and questions we can ask) to help us figure out how to process the season  The practice of caring without carrying  And the practice of releasing something everyday As you walk through Advent, you also will love her Advent Collection. You can find that on her Quiet Collection App! You’re going to need your notes for this one, so grab your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 128. 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! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: Don’t Rush Your Reset with Emily Ley- Episode 1003 Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Ritual: My friends get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠.  Shopify: Sign up for your free trial and start selling today at ⁠Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. NIV Application Bible: If you’re looking for a new Bible or know someone you’d like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Wonder Project: Start your free trial, and choose the annual subscription at watch.thewonderproject.com/thatsoundsfun. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Helix Sleep: Go to⁠ helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun⁠ for 20% off sitewide. Mercy Ships: Please donate today at MercyShips.org/podcast Omaha Steaks: Visit OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, usepromo code FUN at checkout. 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. #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am SO EXCITED to talk to Pastor Rich Villodas about Advent and the Christian calendar. Advent officially started yesterday and Rich is helping us better understand why the Christian calendar even matters and what Advent means to our relationship with God. We’re going to talk about what it looks like to wait well (which I don’t like to do!), and we unpack the reality of living in the middle of both pain and rejoicing. Advent is all of it, right?  If you’re looking for a study to go through this Advent, it’s not too late to start one. You can grab it today and jump right in. Our Stay Tuned series is available to download now at shopanniefdowns.com AND you’re going to love hearing about Rich’s Advent devotional, Waiting for Jesus, today. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, We’re on page 127. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . .  Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guest If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: Advent Makes Space for our Grief, but Christmas Makes Space for our Joy with Lanier Ivester- Episode 943 Episode 500: She Reads Truth + Advent . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: My friends get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Our Place is having their biggest sale of the year right now! Save up to 35% site-wide through December 2nd. Shop the Our Place Black Friday Sale right now, no code needed at ourplace.com. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. AG1: If you go to drinkag1.com/soundsfun you’ll get the welcome kit, a Morning Person hat, a bottle of Vitamin D3+K2, an AG1 Flavor Sampler, and you’ll get to try their new sleep supplement AGZ for free! WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide.  Wonder Project: Start your free trial and make sure to choose the annual subscription at watch.thewonderproject.com/thatsoundsfun. When you pick the annual plan, you save money and directly support their mission to bring more of these stories to the world.  NIV Application Bible: If you’re looking for a new Bible or know someone you’d like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠.  Mercy Ships: Please donate today at ⁠MercyShips.org/podcast⁠ Omaha Steaks: Visit ⁠OmahaSteaks.com⁠ for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, usepromo code FUN at checkout. 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. #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my friends here in the U.S. I hope you’re running turkey trots or watching the parade or serving at a food bank or seeing family you haven’t seen in a while. Today on the show, me and my pal Eddie do what we do best…we keep talking. In this Thanksgiving installment of Annie and Eddie Keep Talking, we talk about… A new thing my family is doing today for Thanksgiving Our thoughts on Costco and the day I sobbed my way down the aisles Eddie’s job update & his thoughts on the John Candy documentary (did you watch it too??) And then do not miss the end - because Eddie may have phoned a friend about the definition of a panini If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, you’ll find a note-taking on page 125. You can find all the info at 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!  . . . . .  Thank you to our sponsors! Antique Candle Co: Use code “thatsoundsfun” to get a free Gift Set on any order of $40 or more through Dec 15 at ⁠antiquecandleco.com⁠.  Capstone Wellness: Learn more at ⁠capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun⁠. Shopify: Sign up for your free trial and start selling today at ⁠Shopify.com/soundsfun⁠. NIV Application Bible: If you’re looking for a new Bible or know someone you’d like to gift a Bible to, I highly recommend the ⁠NIV Application Bible⁠! Our Place: Our Place is having their biggest sale of the year right now! Save up to 35% site-wide through December 2nd. Shop the Our Place Black Friday Sale right now, no code needed at ourplace.com. Helix Sleep: Go to⁠ helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun⁠ for 20% off sitewide. . . . . . ⁠Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email⁠ and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast 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