If you’ve been feeling stuck lately or every conversation or thing around you just feels hard, we’re going to talk about it today. Ann Voskamp going to help us figure out how to find some gifts in the middle of suffering as we answer the question, “What are the gifts of summer I should take into the fall?” Go grab a copy of her 40-Day devotional Loved to Life and join me on Sept 10th (or sooner!). And also if you have never read One Thousand Gifts, I highly recommend getting a copy of that too! If you're following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we switched the date of this episode around, and we’re skipping ahead to page 91. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons. Find the show notes here . . . . . In September, we’re reading the Gospels together over on the Let’s Read the Gospels podcast and we’re using the Chronological Bible. So if hearing Ann talking about going through John chronologically sparked interest in you, we’d love for you to join us! We’ll start reading that version on September 1, so make sure you’re subscribed! . . . . . If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’d also these: Winter Never Gets the Final Word; Spring is Coming with Ellie Holcomb- Episode 968 Hope In the Valley of Grief and Suffering with Mattie Jackson- Episode 961 . . . . . 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. WayFair: Get organized, refreshed, and back to routine for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. AG1: Go to drinkAG1.com/soundsfun my friends will get a FREE Welcome Kit worth $76 when you subscribe, including 5 AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker, canister, and scoop! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Thrive Market: Head over 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. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! 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

My COO Ashley Warren is joining me and we’re going through all of the questions you’ve sent in over the past few months about our work here at AFD Inc or the That Sounds Fun Network… or general questions about running a business or leading a team. Ashley and I have done a few of these Q&A episodes over the years and love getting to do them, (plus, you’re getting to hear Ashley’s wisdom and brilliance that I get to work with everyday) so I can’t wait to hear what you think or what additional questions this episode may spark. If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’ll also love these: Leading by Learning with David Novak – Episode 891 Is it Time For a Business Coach? (With Kelli Haywood and Chris Weinberg) – Build Your Board Series . . . . . 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! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Thrive Market: Head over 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

If you’ve been wondering how to maneuver the season you are in, if you’ve got questions about the next right thing to do in your marriage, or if you are single and wondering what you can be doing right now to be the person you want to be in marriage, I am really excited to introduce you to our guests as we talk through all of this and answer the question, “How does the summer prepare us for the next season?”  George and Tondra Gregory are NFL chaplains, marriage coaches, and authors of the bestselling book, The Marriage Game Plan, and their ministry has had a massive impact on a lot of marriages across the country. And my single friends who are dating or want to be married, this is for you too. I’m telling you, there are so many helpful things in their book and in this conversation that we can put into practice now…not later.  You can also find more resources from them at journeyforlifenow.org. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 85. The guidebook is available for you 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, go back and listen to: The Fight for a Wholehearted Marriage with Rebekah and Gabe Lyons- Episode 992 Do My Relationships Need a Coach? (with Janice & EJ Gaines) – Build Your Board Series . . . . . 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. Thrive Causemetics: Go to thrivecausemetics.com/TSF for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. With a hundred-day risk-free trial, free shipping and returns, you can experience this game-changing cookware with zero risk. Brave Books: Head to BRAVEBooks.com/TSF and use code TSF for 20% off your first order. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Thrive Market: Head over to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift. NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been wondering WHAT is going on with the next generation, if you’ve been hearing some of the same rumblings of God doing new things around the world, if you’re confused about teenagers (me too) and want some help understanding them… this is the episode for you. Dan Blythe lives in the UK and is the Global Youth Director for Alpha, and as we get closer to fall and think about what God’s up to around the world, he’s helping us understand how to prepare for the harvest. How do we pray for the next generation? How do we recognize the harvest?  If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 84. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons! . . . . . Show notes 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. AG1: Go to drinkAG1.com/soundsfun my friends will get a FREE Welcome Kit worth $76 when you subscribe, including 5 AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker, canister, and scoop! KiwiCo: Get up to 50% off your first crate at kiwico.com, promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Ritual: Get 25% off your first month, only at ritual.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 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Thrive Market: Head over to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift. NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re answering the question, “How does nature teach us about the seasons?" I get to talk with my new friend, Rachel G. Jordan. She is a marine biologist and spiritual guide and using the ocean as a lens, she points us to the way God is revealed in biology AND IT IS SO COOL. We’re talking about the coral reef, all that we don’t know about the ocean, the intelligence of sea creatures, and you’re not even ready for the insight she has about Moses crossing the Red Sea. I’m telling you, mind blowing. Rachel has a new book out called If The Ocean Has a Soul, so when this came across my desk you know I was all in. *I also want to note that we had some tech issues in the middle of recording this, so we picked back up on another day because we HAD to finish this conversation* So if you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 83. As always, the guidebook is available for you at anniefdowns.com/seasons.. . . . . If you like this episode, we think you’ll love these: Episode 178 with Dr. Matthew Sleeth where we talk about faith and trees  Episode 202 with Beth Moore where we talked about vines when her book Chasing Vines released . . . . . Show notes 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 . . . . . BetterHelp: Our friends get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. 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. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Thrive Causemetics: New customers can get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Head over to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift.  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. Thank you to our sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Back miniBFFs! Guess what? For the first time ever on Annie’s miniBFF Podcast, we have a guest reader. Actually we have a whole band guest reading for us! The band, CAIN will be joining us to share about their kids book, I’m So Blessed, and a story from… THE BIBLE!  Don’t worry. I will be there too. But I am so excited to share my friends, Taylor, Logan and Madison with you guys. Along with meeting them you will also get to meet their character from ⁠I’m So Blessed⁠: Tay Tay Tangerine, Maddie Melon, and Logo Lemon. Did I mention they are all fruit in the book? Because they are and I am obsessed!  I explain all you need to know in the trailer but here are the links you will need to make this series the best one yet.   ⁠I’m So Blessed by CAIN⁠  ⁠So Happy to Know You by Annie F. Downs ⁠ - Autographed Copy ⁠HERE⁠ ⁠Live And In Color Tour⁠ - Grab you tickets ⁠HERE⁠! (MINIBFF APPROVED SHOW)  Follow along with ⁠@miniBFFclub⁠, ⁠@Anniefdowns⁠ and ⁠@CAIN⁠ Learn more about miniBFF Club - ⁠HERE⁠ PS: Get ready for our next season on the podcast by grabbing your own copy of ⁠100 Days to Brave for Kids⁠! If you want an autographed copy, buy it ⁠HERE⁠!  (Parents there is a grownup version called 100 Days to Brave you can grab ⁠HERE⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today our pal Eddie Kaufholz and I keep talking about our summer, Eddie’s new tattoo, and what it’s like to go on a cruise. We also need to know the perfect time of a day for soft serve ice cream. I would love to know your answer. . . . . . 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 . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Head over to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift. 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. #thatsoundsfunpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We knew we had to have a conversation about rest this summer. Y’all know how much Sabbath and rest is priority for me and I know y’all love talking about it too, so of course, we called John Mark Comer. His work on this topic has had a massive impact on a ton of us. If you’ve never read Garden City or The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I highly recommend adding those to your summer reading list.  And if you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 80. It’s never too late to join us-you can find it at anniefdowns.com/seasons! . . . . . Find show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . If you liked this episode, you may like Resting Well This Summer with John Eldredge – Episode 898. 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. WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to explore a HUGE outdoor selection.  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Head over 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

We knew we had to have a conversation about rest this summer. Y’all know how much Sabbath and rest is priority for me and I know y’all love talking about it too, so of course, we called John Mark Comer. His work on this topic has had a massive impact on a ton of us. If you’ve never read Garden City or The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I highly recommend adding those to your summer reading list.  And if you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 80. It’s never too late to join us-you can find it at anniefdowns.com/seasons! . . . . . Find show notes here Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . If you liked this episode, you may like Resting Well This Summer with John Eldredge – Episode 898. 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. WayFair: Head to Wayfair.com right now to explore a HUGE outdoor selection.  Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Head over 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

My friends Gabe and Rebekah Lyons are here to help us answer the question, “How do I identify seasons of my marriage?” This spring they released their first book they’ve written together called The Fight For Us. We’re going to talk about how to define summer in your marriage (their answer was surprising), how to prepare for marriage, how to approach conflict, emotional and physical intimacy, and what it means to have a wholehearted marriage. Parents, you will want to listen to this one on your own instead of with my miniBFFs as we get into some “adult” conversation. If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 79. The guidebook is available for you 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!  . . . . . If you liked this episode, you may like these from our past couples series! TSF Couples 2021: Nathan + Christy Nockels TSF Couples 2020: Katherine and Jay Wolf 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. AG1: Head to drinkag1.com/soundsfun to subscribe for less than $3 a day. If you use our link, you’ll also get a free welcome kit with a shaker bottle, 5 AG1 travel packs and more with your first purchase. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Causemetics: New customers can get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. Helix Sleep: Go to helixsleep.com/thatsoundsfun for 20% off sitewide. Make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! NIV Application Bible: Save an additional 10% on any NIV Application Bible and NIV Application Commentary Resources by visiting faithgateway.com/NIVAB and use promo code THATSOUNDSFUN. Thrive Market: Head over to ThriveMarket.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift.  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