Show Notes
On this episode of Captivated, Stasi invites the delightful Annie F. Downs into the studio for an honest conversation about walking with Jesus and how deeply we are held by Him—every season of our lives. They explore rhythms of rest, the gift of Sabbath, and the invitation to trust God’s timing even when it’s difficult to see the full picture. From winter’s waiting to summer’s work, they share about the beauty of every season and the joy of partnering with Christ. If you’re feeling stuck, longing for rest, or simply needing encouragement, join us as we lean into God’s goodness together.
….. SHOW NOTES: …..
VERSES: Romans 14:8 (NIV) – If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Psalm 100:3 (NIV) – Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) – Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Psalm 16:6 (NIV) – The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
John 10:3–4 (NIV) – The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:27 (NIV) – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Revelation 19:11–16 (NIV) – (here, v.11) I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. Genesis 2:2–3 (NIV) – By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Mark 2:27 (NIV) – Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
….. ANNIE F. DOWNS
Website: www.anniefdowns.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniefdowns Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniefdowns YouTube: https://wahe.art/4ilzU6H That Sounds Like Fun Podcast: https://www.anniefdowns.com/thatsoundsfun/
ANNIE F. DOWNS BIO Annie F. Downs is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville, TN. Known for her engaging and honest style, Annie makes readers and listeners feel like long-time friends. She is the co-founder of the That Sounds Fun Network, home to her flagship podcast with over 100 million downloads, That Sounds Fun and creator of Single Purpose League, a community for single women to discover friendship, hope, and a life of purpose. With over one million books sold, Annie’s catalog includes bestselling That Sounds Fun, 100 Days to Brave, and Remember God. She invites listeners and readers alike to experience fulfilled lives with a God who made them on purpose and loves them deeply. Learn more at www.anniefdowns.com.
ANNIE’S BOOKS: Where Did TJ Go by Annie F. Downs and Tatum Green https://wheredidtjgo.com/
Find all of Annie’s books, here: https://www.anniefdowns.com/books/
….. RESOURCES
Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer https://amzn.to/4j0SWiL
24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life by Dr. Matthew Sleeth https://amzn.to/41KEPac
Sabbath: The Ancient Practices by Dr. Dan B. Allender https://amzn.to/4hHXyt3
….. Don’t Miss Out on the Next Episode—Subscribe for Free Subscribe using your favorite podcast app: YouTube: https://wahe.art/4jFlAXu Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOip Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – ht
More from Captivated
What if our thirst for more is an invitation to come closer to Jesus? In this special episode, Stasi shares chapter 1 of her new book The Ladder of Love; A Pathway to Emotional Healing and Spiritual Intimacy with Jesus. The chapter “Why a Ladder?”, explores the joy of knowing Jesus and being known by him, even in the places we may hesitate to bring near. Stasi ends with a guided Selah prayer, allowing room for us to pause in his presence and respond to his gentle invitation: come close.
What if we could know God more deeply, beyond what we know about him? In this episode, Stacey Burton turns the tables and interviews Stasi about what she is so passionate about - the message of her new book, The Ladder of Love: A Pathway to Emotional Healing and Spiritual Intimacy with Jesus, releasing October 6th! Together they explore how God draws us closer, rung by rung, from being clay in our Potter's hands to enjoying friendship with Jesus to, well, endlessly upward! Wherever you are on the journey, God is always inviting you closer to his heart.
What if the places where trust feels hardest are the very places Jesus longs to meet us? Stasi welcomes Susie Larson to talk about her new book, “More Than You Can Imagine”, and how God meets us in disappointment, suffering, and fear. With compassion and hard-won wisdom, Susie invites us to know God more deeply, trust his goodness, and open our hearts to the healing and freedom he offers.
What if the ache within us is not something to push through alone, but an invitation toward healing? Stasi welcomes her son, counselor Sam Eldredge, for a tender conversation about loneliness, vulnerability, relationships, and the courage to face our stories honestly. Wherever we feel stuck or alone, Jesus is near—gently inviting us to open our hearts, receive the care we need, and follow him into freedom, restoration, and more life than we imagined possible.
Continuing their listener Q&A conversation, John and Stasi respond to questions on topics such as discernment, spiritual warfare, and what it means to mature in our walk with Jesus and caring for our souls in a demanding world. With honesty, and wisdom, they explore how Jesus meets us in the realities of everyday life—inviting us beyond fear, pressure, and striving into greater freedom, maturity, and intimacy with Him. Wherever you find yourself today, may this conversation awaken fresh hope and draw you further into the presence, Love, and Hope of Jesus.