Not My Will but Yours: When the Story Hurts but God Is Still Good with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins- Episode 1014

Today I get to talk with my friends, Dallas and Amanda Jenkins. Dallas is the creator, director and producer of the tv show The Chosen, and Amanda writes Bible studies and content that goes along with the show. They just finished shooting Season 6 of The Chosen -- Jesus's crucifixion. I think you’re really going to love hearing what they are learning about Jesus and how we can find strength in Him in this season. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 119. You can order your copy–with all 4 seasons–at anniefdowns.com/seasons! . . . . . 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: Red Sea Moments Leading to a Dream of Producing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Movie with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins- Episode 935 Episode 447: Jonathan Roumie on Surrendering to Jesus, Balancing a Public and Private Faith, and How His Catholic Background Influences His Work . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! . . . . . 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. WayFair: Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals. Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday deals for up to 70% off. Our Place: Save up to 35% sitewide now through December 2nd. Head to fromourplace.com to see why more than a million people have made the switch to Our Place kitchenware. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. 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

In this month’s installment of Annie and Eddie Keep Talking, we talk about…what special day we are celebrating today, Eddie’s new preferred shirt, Annie's current life on tour with CAIN, paninis versus grilled cheese, and some things we’re going to research so we’re ready to keep talking about them in November! Eddie shared on the show about his love for Three Roots International and their work helping families in Ethiopia overcome poverty through education, health, and income programs. When you give, you’ll support that impact—and be entered to win a virtual call with Annie and Eddie!Give and enter to win today at TSF.threeroots.org. No donation necessary to enter. Email [email protected] with “TSF Call” in the subject line by November 13, 2025. . . . . . If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, you’ll find a note-taking page for all the profound and life-changing things Eddie said on page 117. There’s a really fun Fall “This or That” activity on the next page…and I want to see your answers to that one! Take a pic and tag @thatsoundsfunpodcast on IG once you fill it out! 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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide! 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. 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

David Platt is here today, and I’m SO excited about this conversation. He recently got back from Brazil and shared some incredible stories from his time there, and we talk about the role we play in the Gospel reaching every nation, including unreached people groups. We were never meant to watch the harvest from the sidelines. We were created to experience life by leading others to life. The harvest isn’t just a mission—it’s an invitation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 116 (the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons).  Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love our last episode with David Platt, episode 857, where we talked about singleness and the Church. In fact, if you’re single today or you have a friend who is, we’d love to invite you to come be a part of Single Purpose League. It’s a community of women who are finding their single purpose and their purpose while single. The price goes up to $9/month starting November 1st, but if you join this week, you’ll lock in our OG price of $7/month (or it’s 10% off if you pay for a full year). This community is so special and we’d love to have you! We've also just announced a brand new level of Single Purpose League that’s specifically for single, Christian women in ministry. It’s called the SPL Leadership Mastermind and we’re so pumped about this! It includes a monthly zoom call with me and Katy and our first one is next week. You can find all the information you need at singlepurposeleague.com. . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Ritual: My friends get early access to their Black Friday sale for 40% off your first month at Ritual.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide! 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! . . . . . 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

Fall is so packed full and it can be hard to prioritize our bodies. And what does it even mean to be a good steward of our bodies without obsessing over them? Jordan Lee Dooley is back to help us with that today! She’s in a totally new season of life — mom of three under three. She opens up about how so many of us wrestle with this idea that our bodies are failing us and this new understanding of what it really means to steward our bodies — not just like them or fix them, but truly honor them as part of the calling God’s given us. Her new book, Be Good to Your Body, dives deep into that idea. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 114. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons! Find the show notes here! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also like: Episode 303: Jess Connolly + Breaking Free From Body Shame Living Crunchy with Emily Morrow – Episode 897 . . . . . 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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. AG1: If you’re ready to turn down the stress, and focus on the rest, head to drinkag1.com/soundsfun to get a FREE Frother with your first purchase of AGZ. Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. WayFair: Get organized, refreshed, and ready for the holidays for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. Helix Sleep: 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. 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 we’re re-airing a special conversation that I got to have with my sister, Tatum Green, and our friend and counselor, David Thomas. We first shared this conversation back in February when Where Did TJ Go? released, and it’s one that so many of you have told me has stayed with you. Today on October 15th — Infant Loss Awareness Day — we wanted to bring it back, to honor the families who have walked through loss, to hold space for your stories, and to remind you that you’re not alone. This is a tender and honest conversation — we talk about grief, faith, and what it looks like to keep trusting God when life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would. David offers such wise, gentle guidance, and I’m just so grateful for how he helped us put words to what can feel impossible to say. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, you’ll find note-taking pages for this episode back in the winter section, on page 19.  Find the show notes here . . . . . If you found this episode helpful or healing, you might try Episode 1002- Kate Edwards shares her story of losing her adult son and the hope she’s been able to find again through the grief. . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! 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! Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. If you’d like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . ⁠Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email⁠ and ask questions to future guests! . . . . . 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

What do I do with my fears in this season? Today I to talk to my friend Caroline Shankle and her mom, who you know already and LOVE, Melanie Shankle! So many of our friends are battling seasons of fear or seasons of anxiety, especially Caroline’s generation and her first book, written with her mom, is called The Lion and the Bear and comes out tomorrow. If you have a teenager or college girl and grab a copy for them to start during fall break or save it for a Christmas gift. This 100-day devotional would be a great way for your girls to start the new year. Today, Caroline gives advice for college students and to parents with kids in college, talks about what God is up to at Texas A&M, and of course we talk about SEC Football. We had this convo in early August and gave some predictions of how these teams would be doing!  If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 112. The guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons! Find the show notes here . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love: Healing from Generational Trauma and Mean Girls with Melanie Shankle- Episode 971 Women Embracing Their Roles As Leaders with Sophie Hudson- Episode 918 . . . . . I'm on the road with CAIN for 40 shows this fall-- do you have your tickets?! Go to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates! . . . . . 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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. AG1: If you’re ready to turn down the stress, and focus on the rest, head to drinkag1.com/soundsfun to get a FREE Frother with your first purchase of AGZ. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN.  Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide! Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal, my friends must go to hiyahealth.com/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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re answering the question, “How do I worship in every season?”  Chris Tomlin's songs are part of worship services all over pretty much every Sunday - from How Great is Our God to Holy Forever. He’s someone whose music has been a meaningful part of my life since college.  He is a GRAMMY Award Winning CCM artist, and his new album, 'The King Is Still The King' just released and it is just so beautiful. You're going to love this album and this conversation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, get those note-taking pages ready. We’re on page 111. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons . . . . . I'm on the road with CAIN for 40 shows this fall-- do you have your tickets?! Go to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates! . . . . . 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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal, my friends must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide! Brave Books: Head to Bravebooks.com/TSF and use the code TSF for 20% off your first order. 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. . . . . . 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

You hear him every time you turn on the pod and listen to our theme song... and now Ben Rector is in the building again today! We talk about the golden days with young kids, what it's like for creatives being online and keeping up with algorithms, excellence in building a set list, and the way writing music marks milestones and seasons in our lives. His album The Richest Man in the World came out a few months ago and it is SO good. You'll definitely want to listen, as it's also our soundtrack for the Fall season.  We're on Page 109 in our TSF Seasons Guidebook if you're following along with us!  And if you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love episode 407 with Dave Barnes.  . . . . . I'm on the road with CAIN for 40 shows this fall-- do you have your tickets?! They’re currently just $25 and I promise this is a night you can bring your whole family to. Head to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates! . . . . . 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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN.  AG1: Head to drinkag1.com/soundsfun to get a FREE frother with your first purchase of AGZ. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide! Boll and Branch: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. 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

Tonight is the first night of the CAIN Live And In Color tour, so clearly we had to have my honorary siblings, Logan, Madison, and Taylor, from the band CAIN, come join us on the show as we kick off this tour! You’re going to get to hear some of the behind the scenes of planning and preparing for the tour, and they open up about their new song "I Made It"- a song has been special to them after a hard year. We’re on the road for 40 shows-- do you have your tickets?! They’re currently just $25 and I promise this is a night you can bring your whole family to. You don’t want to miss it! Head to anniefdowns.com/events to find a list of all of the cities and dates and we’ll see you there! In your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 108 today. Don’t have one? You can always purchase and download yours at: anniefdowns.com/seasons Also, we also could use your input as we think about the podcast next year! Would you fill out our survey and help us as we build and dream for next year? We’re going to choose one of you to send a $150 gift card of your choice as a thank you.. . . . .If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also love Episode 925 with Mack Brock or Episode 979 with Christy Nockels.. . . . . 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!. . . . .Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests!#thatsoundsfunpodcast. . . . .Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: If you’re ready to turn down the stress, and focus on the rest, head to drinkag1.com/soundsfun to get a FREE Frother with your first purchase of AGZ. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide! Boll and Branch: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. 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! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. 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

If you’re trying to sort out some hard things this fall, if you’re trying to figure out what you need to store up for the winter, if you’re wanting to hang out to the changing leaves as long as possible before they die…. Well, I really think you’re going to love this one. Today we'll answer the question, “What is the fall and how do I define it in my life?” Pastor Mike Kelsey's wise voice is helping us think about the beauty we can find in the fall even when things feel like they’re changing so much. We’re starting to look at what things to store up for the winter and ultimately asking God what it looks like to flourish in every single season, including the fall. We’re on page 107 in your TSF Seasons Guidebook (You can order and download your copy at anniefdowns.com/seasons).  ALSO, we could use your input as we think about the podcast next year! Would you fill that out this survey today and help us as we build and dream for next year? We’re going to choose one of you to send a $150 gift card of your choice as a thank you! . . . . . 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!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Our friends get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide.  Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Boll and Branch: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 27% off sitewide! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month 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! Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift. 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