From Addiction and Shame to Radically Restored with Stephen McWhirter- Episode 1087

Stephen McWhirter is here today and we’re talking about what it looks like to worship even when shame is telling you that you don’t belong in the room. Stephen has a story of radical restoration. He went from hating Jesus, battling addiction, and feeling completely beyond saving to becoming a worship leader, songwriter, and someone who now gets to tell people all over the world that Jesus is real. He’s also the author of Radically Restored and the songwriter behind a song you probably hear often: “Come Jesus Come.” I think Stephen’s story is going to remind you that worship isn’t something we earn the right to do. It’s a response to the grace we’ve already been given.  Find the show notes here . . . . Order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. The Subtext Podcast: Search for The Subtext wherever you get your podcasts. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. 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

Today on the show, Eddie and I get to keep talking about ALL the things. We’re chatting about: Pillar Annie's Wedding The release of Don’t Let That Hold You Back A new TV show called Totally '90s House The Emmys SNL, briefly We need to know - do you take your wedding rings off when you go to bed or do you sleep with them on? We need you over in the comments on @thatsoundsfunpodcast’s instagram. Find the show notes here . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Good Ranchers: Just visit GoodRanchers.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to claim your free Ground Beef Bundle. Plus, when you start a plan, you’ll get free meat with every order. AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Essentials at DRINKAG1.com/SOUNDSFUN. Brodo: Head to Brodo.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for 20% off your first subscription order and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for an additional $10 off.  Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. The Subtext Podcast: Search for The Subtext wherever you get your podcasts. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. 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

Hosanna Wong is here to help us start a multi-episode mini series on our next spiritual rhythm: worship.  She has been on this really beautiful journey of trying to uncomplicate worship and uncomplicate spiritual rhythms. As she researched for her latest book, Uncomplicate It, she actually asked 1,000 people all over the world two questions:  1. What stands in the way of you connecting with God? 2. What’s a unique way you’ve been able to connect with God? From those conversations, she discovered seven different worship personalities—or, as she calls them, “praise-analities.” And I LOVE this because the point isn't to put you in a box or tell you, This is the one right way you worship God. It’s actually meant to set you free to worship God in the way you’re naturally wired—or in the way that makes sense for the season you’re in. Take the quiz to see what your Praise-o-nality is at hosannawong.com/quiz! Find the show notes here . . . . We’re unpacking the conversation even more over at SpirituallyStronger.com - it’s just like my old blogging days over there and I love it. . . . . Order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  OurPlace: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide.  Ritual: Save 25% on your first month at Ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Essentials at DRINKAG1.com/SOUNDSFUN.  BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. The Subtext Podcast: Search for The Subtext wherever you get your podcasts. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. 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

Today on the launch of Don’t Let That Hold You Back, I’m honored to get to sit down with a woman who’s paved a way for other authors and teachers like me…truly not held back by anything. One of our spiritual mothers in the faith, AND one of my book launch day twins, Joyce Meyer is here! Joyce is 83 and while she’s authored over 150 books, she’s releasing her memoir for the very first time today. It is called My Battlefieldand it’s just beautiful. The life she’s lived has not been without pain and suffering, but you will hear her say today why it mattered to her to tell this story. I will warn you, that as we talk about her upbringing, we get into some conversation about sexual abuse, so please be gentle with yourself if that’s something you’ve also walked through and parents, this may be an episode you’d rather have your headphones in for if you’re around my miniBFFs. Find the show notes here . . . . Order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! Here's a list of all the books that released today! We’ve got 3 more stops for the Don’t Let That Hold You Back book tour this week, so Southlake, TX we’ll see you Thursday with my friend Kailey Dickerson, Houston on Friday with Melanie Shankle, and then our virtual book stop is Saturday night with our pal and yours, Eddie Kaufholz. It’s not too late to grab a ticket - at DontLetThatHoldYouBack.com. . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  The Subtext Podcast: Search for The Subtext wherever you get your podcasts. 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'm so happy to be here with you…the day before Don’t Let That Hold You Back officially releases to the world! I can’t wait for you to get it in your hands, so we can all start talking about how and why you’ve been held back and what we’re going to do about it. Honestly, this episode was basically as if Jess Connolly and I sat down for breakfast to just catch up, but turned on the microphone. So, this is your invitation to pull up a chair and join us at the table. Jess has a book coming out in October called You Can’t Be Brave Until You’re Scared so she basically fear coached me about book launch week for half of this episode. We realized as we recorded that we both are releasing our 7th trade books this year, which is wild, so we both did a little coaching for each other and I’m just so grateful for Jess’ friendship to all of us. She’s SUCH a cheerleader and just a treasure. Find her Cortisol Reset Guide here Find the show notes here . . . . Order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! [pre- order gifts available dontletthatholdyouback.com] . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Good Ranchers: For a limited time, you can get a free Ground Beef bundle with your first Good Ranchers order. Visit GoodRanchers.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to claim. Plus, when you start a plan, you’ll get free meat with every order. CreaTone: Get started with 20% off your first order. Visit TONETODAY.com… Promo Code TSF. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. The Subtext Podcast: Search for The Subtext wherever you get your podcasts. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun.  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 LOVED getting to sit down with Stasi Eldredge because it just feels like she’s a mentor to all of us. She knows Jesus intimately and wants us to know Him on that level and know the power we have to push back against the enemy, too. Her new book, Ladder of Love, includes a masterclass on spiritual warfare - and as we’ve been talking about the way the enemy’s stolen, killed, or destroyed our dreams, Stasi’s equipping us to fight back. Head’s up - we talk about her story which includes some really heavy and sensitive topics, so you may want to listen to this before my miniBFFs. We continue the conversation with us over on SpirituallyStronger.com. It’s my favorite place to write, and we love reading your comments there. Find the show notes here . . . . I’m hitting the road this week for BOOK TOUR - Don’t Let That Hold You back comes out next Tuesday, but book tour starts this Wednesday in my hometown with my dad, Mr. F. Downs, taking over the mic and interviewing me. I can’t wait to be with y’all and there’s still time to grab a ticket to any of our 6 stops, including our virtual night one with our pal Eddie.  All of the details, cities, and links to get your tickets are at DontLetThatHoldYouBack.com. Every ticket includes a copy of the book! . . . . Pre-order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! [pre- order gifts available dontletthatholdyouback.com] . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Essentials at DRINKAG1.com/SOUNDSFUN. Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com or shop the Wayfair app for all things home. Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide.  Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. The Subtext Podcast: Search for The Subtext wherever you get your podcasts. SEEDS: Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun.  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

My new book, Don’t Let That Hold You Back, comes out September 15th, and today I get to read a short portion of it to you! This book is about THAT thing. You know the thing. Maybe it’s fear or doubt or lack of faith. I wrote this book because I want us to get curious about what’s actually holding us back, and then figure out what it looks like to take a step forward anyway. The entire book will be available to you in hardback, ebook, and audiobook format on Tuesday, September 15th which is coming SO SOON, so as you listen, go ahead and pre-order your copy! Plus, we’ve got 4 free downloads for you over at DontLetThatHoldYouBack.com - 1) You can go ahead download the first 2 chapters! 2) I have a message about falling in love with your life that’s not available anywhere else that you can listen to or read 3) I recorded a podcast episode with Sam Gibson from Church of the City in New York and Y’ALL - truly this is just for you and I need you to hear this episode about spiritual warfare 4) We have a BONUS chapter coming your way! There’s a password in the back of the book that you’ll get emailed on release day so you can unlock the new chapter. Isn’t that fun?! All of that is at DontLetThatHoldYouBack.com if you pre-order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we talk about taking steps toward doing the thing you’ve been dreaming about doing, I’ve been interviewing friends I’ve seen exemplify this, and I’m sooo excited for you to hear today’s conversation. Last week, I got to interview Pastor Tim Ross about the ways the enemy has stolen, killed, or destroyed our ability to dream or kept us stuck. It’s one the whole first half of Don’t Let That Hold You Back is about…we get to really deep dive into the ways you’ve truly been held back. But in the second half of the book, we talk about how we’re going to ask, seek, and knock so we can take some practical steps towards the life you’ve always wanted. And Franni Cash was an absolute delight to have this conversation with! She’s been on this really interesting journey in her music career of transitioning from being in a band with family to now pursuing a solo career. It’s been really beautiful to watch her do it. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and I can’t wait for you to hear her new album… it’s called Here I Am and it’s out September 18th. Find the show notes here . . . . Pre-order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! [pre- order gifts available dontletthatholdyouback.com] . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun.  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

Today on the show, Eddie and I get to keep talking about ALL the things. We’re chatting about:  Eddie’s fig tree Dairy Cryogenics Burping honey and garlic Canning Setting goals Family Ties And the fact that maybe Eddie isn’t bald afterall As always, we need you to weigh in on ALL of this. We need you over in the comments on @thatsoundsfunpodcast’s instagram and tell us if a TV character ever made you think, “So this is what being a teenager is going to be like”? Find the show notes here . . . . . Pre-order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! [pre- order gifts available dontletthatholdyouback.com] . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Visit DRINKAG1.com/SOUNDSFUN and get a FREE AG1 Flavor Sampler and a FREE bottle of Vitamin D3 + K2 in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun. 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

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Steal, kill, and destroy-- they're all really different. They're all really unique. There's different things to do for yourself when they happen, and I think it's a really important conversation for us to have. In Don't Let That Hold You Back, I really deep dive into each of these things, but for this week and into the next couple of weeks, I wanted to have conversations with friends of mine who I thought really exemplified and understood and could teach these concepts deeper. What has been holding you back? What has been stolen, killed, or destroyed in your life and what can you do? I'll talk about all of that with today with my friend, Tim Ross. Find the show notes here . . . . Pre-order your copy of Don’t Let That Hold You Back wherever you love to buy books! [pre- order gifts available dontletthatholdyouback.com] . . . . Thank you to our sponsors:  Good Ranchers: Visit GoodRanchers.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get $50 off anything on their site. CreaTone: Let me get you started with 20% off your first order visit TONETODAY.com… Promo Code TSF. OurPlace: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. Helix: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Hearing Jesus: Visit rachaelgroll.com/book to explore the book, download free resources, and get your copy of Hearing Jesus.  Boll and Branch: Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/thatsoundsfun with code thatsoundsfun.  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