Epiphany 2025

Once a month this year, we'll have an essay from me with some thoughts and ideas I am processing in real time. This started when I first moved to New York, and we called them AFD in NYC, as I was real time learning what it was like to live here. One of the episodes that mattered a lot to you all (and to me) was AFD in NYC Episode 6: An Essay About My Body and how NYC was changing my body... well, how it was changing my mind about my body. And a truth that remains today is that my body thrives in New York more than other cities...  . . . . . TSF Seasons Guidebook is available for you over at anniefdowns.com/seasons that will lead you through this entire year as well. When you purchase it, you’ll get a download of all of the questions and prompts for the winter season, and then we’ll email the content for each new season as it begins.  . . . . . Want 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! . . . . . If you liked this episode, here's last month's: Always Annie: Where Can I Grieve?- Episode 960 . . . . . 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

Today on the show, we’re answering the question, “Why does the winter feel so long?”  You may know Cubbie Fink as one of the founding members of Foster the People, but he’s also an incredible producer and creative force. And joining him is his wife Rebecca St. James—Grammy and Dove Award-winning Christian artist, worship leader, author, and just all-around wonderful human.  I think we’re all feeling OVER THE WINTER at this point, so we’re going to talk about why it feels so long and how we handle it, AND we get to talk about Cubbie and Rebecca’s book about their life and marriage, called Lasting Ever.  If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 25. And as always, if you still want to get a Guidebook (especially because spring pages are coming soon, we’re emailing them out on March 17th!), you can find it at anniefdowns.com/seasons . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors!  BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Jolie: Head to jolieskinco.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to try it out for yourself with FREE shipping. Ritual: Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.  HiyaHealth: My friends receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. WayFair: Head over to Wayfair.com and find something that’s just your style today.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, you can go back and listen to these: Episode 374: Rebecca St. James + Kingdom Come Episode 372: For King and Country . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast. It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life. . . . . . 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

What better way to start the Lent season than with the guy who plays Jesus on The Chosen, right?! Jonathan Roumie and I talk about what this season holds and some really cool things the Hallow App has to offer during Lent. And I want to hear from you, what is your plan for Lent? How are you observing it this year? Hop over to @thatsoundsfunpodcast on instagram and tell us there. I’ve decided to watch one episode of The Chosen every weekday leading up to Easter (except for my Saturday Sabbaths), so if you want to join me in that you can download the Chosen App and find seasons 1-4 there or you can find them on Amazon Prime. We also have a PDF of the watch schedule you can download that’s available in the linked here! AND Part one of Season 5 hits theaters on March 28th, so mark your calendars, followed by Parts 2 and 3 releasing in theaters in April, so GET READY.  . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode 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! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like these: Episode 447: Jonathan Roumie on Surrendering to Jesus, Balancing a Public and Private Faith, and How His Catholic Background Influences His Work Episode 313: Dallas Jenkins from The Chosen 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. . . . . . Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review! You can do the same on Spotify as well. Your ratings and reviews help us spread the word to new friends! And your feedback lets me know how I can better serve you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show, we’re answering the question, “How do I pray in the winter?”John Eldredge is back and officially becomes a member of the Hall of Fun! His spiritual leadership and wisdom is so helpful and you’re going to want to take notes from this one for sure. He also has a new book releasing tomorrow called Experiencing Jesus. Really. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 23. And as always, if you still want to get a Guidebook, you can find it at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode 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 . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. Better Help: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Lumen: Go to lumen.me/TSF to get 20% off your Lumen. AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! "I Want to Trust You, But I Don't" Bible study: Learn more and watch Session 1 for free at HarperChristianResources.com/trust.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like these: Episode 499: Brooke Ligertwood on the Uniqueness of Worship on This Side of Heaven Episode 210: John Eldredge  Episode 281: John Eldredge + A Year of the Pandemic Episode 388: John Eldredge + Resilient Resting Well This Summer with John Eldredge – Episode 898 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

Savannah Guthrie is back! You know and love Savannah from the TODAY show. Last year, I got to talk with her about her New York Times bestselling book, Mostly What God Does. You can go back and listen to that one, it’s episode 863, and now she has a brand new kids’ book out this week called, Mostly What God Does is Love You. If you’re following along in the TSF Seasons Guidebook, there’s no notes pages for this one, because it’s a bonus episode! You’re welcome.  . . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life. . . . . . If you liked this conversation, you may also like these: 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

I showed up with a whole list to talk to Eddie about…including recapping the SNL 50th anniversary. Because duh. And Eddie also came rolling in asking for forgiveness about something he did and you’re going to love this story. If you’re following along in the TSF Seasons Guidebook, there are no note-taking pages for this one, but by all means, if you want to take notes, we’re not the boss of you. Go for it. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want 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! . . . . . Order Where Did TJ Go? Here . . . . . 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

Today on the show, Mattie Jackson is back to help us answer the question "Where is the hope of winter?” You may remember her from episode 345 and if not, you’re going to love her. She is an incredible author, speaker, and entrepreneur with a heart for helping others find hope in the midst of life’s hardest seasons.  Mattie so generously offers her wisdom and story as a friend who’s experienced tremendous grief after suddenly losing her husband at the age of 28. Her latest book: Through the Valley of Grief, is a 365-Day Devotional of Spiritual Practices for Hope in Suffering, and as we talk about trying to find hope when it feels like winter will never end, this devotional and Mattie’s heart is something I think you’re going to learn a lot from today. If you’re taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 21, And if you’re wanting a copy of the guidebook, you can find that at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life. If you liked this conversation, you may also like these: Episode 345: Mattie Selecman + Lemons on Friday Episode 477: Granger Smith on Country Music, Ministry, and How Loss Changes Your Whole Life Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Go to BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Daily Look: Head to DailyLook.com to take your style quiz and use code THATSOUNDSFUN for 50% off your first order. AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! WayFair: Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Thrive Causemetics: Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. . . . . . 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

Once a month this year, we'll have an essay from me with some thoughts and ideas I am processing in real time, and we call those Always Annie episodes because I am, in fact, Always Annie.  Last month, I told you how much Nashville means to me and how it feels to have my heart living in two cities right now. I am here today in New York City, the other city I call home and the other city that holds my heart. Two days ago, we released Where Did TJ Go?, a children’s book about grief and loss but more important to me, a book about my nephews Sam and TJ. TJ was born in June of 2022 and died later that summer. I already loved New York then, but it never crossed my mind to consider this city my home... . . . . . TSF Seasons Guidebook is available for you over at anniefdowns.com/seasons that will lead you through this entire year as well. When you purchase it, you’ll get a download of all of the questions and prompts for the winter season, and then we’ll email the content for each new season as it begins.  . . . . . Find the show notes here Want 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! . . . . . If you liked this episode, here's last month's: Always Annie: I Love Nashville – Episode 954 . . . . . 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

Today on the show, I get to introduce you to my sister, Tatum Green, and we’re also joined by David Thomas, whom you know and love from Daystar Counseling and the Raising Boys and Girls podcast. Together, we’re going to share with you the story of my nephew, TJ, and why we wanted to put this brand new book, Where Did TJ Go? in your hands. We keep saying this is a book we wish no one needed, but so many families do, and that was our reality as a family in 2022 when we realized we couldn’t find the right book to read to my nephew, Sam, about losing his baby brother. We absolutely have the hope of heaven, but grief and loss can make it feel like it’s always winter and it will never end, so if you’re taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 19, and we’ve given space to process today as you listen. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! HiyaHealth: My friends receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.  BetterHelp: Discover your relationship “green flags”, with BetterHelp.Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Our Place: Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code TSF at checkout to receive 10% off sitewide.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like So Happy to Know You! Behind the Scenes of Launching a Children’s Book! . . . . . 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

We’re big Popcast fans around here at AFD Inc, and I honestly can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get Erin on the show. If you aren’t already obsessed with our podcasting cousins over at the PMG, then let me tell you more about Erin. She’s a writer, podcaster, and storyteller. She is the Resident Bible Scholar and host of the Faith Adjacent podcast, and senior creative at Popcast Media Group and her very first book, I’ve Got Questions just came out!  Today we talk about it along with everything from aging and makeup to doing life with people we don’t always agree with.  If you’re taking notes in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 18. . . . . . Show notes Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Pre-order Annie's new children's book Where Did TJ Go? . . . . . Catch our special miniseries over on Annie’s miniBFF podcast for these weeks leading up to the release of Where Did TJ Go? It’s about Who We Are. Why We Are Here, and Where We Are Going. Be sure to subscribe for the miniBFFs in your life  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/soundsfun to get this offer! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Causemetics:  Right now, my friends can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF.  . . . . . If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . If you liked this episode you may also like: TSF Couples 2019: Knox McCoy + Jamie Golden from The Popcast  . . . . . 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