
Why We Fast and What It Changes with Lisa Bevere- Episode 1039
Episode · 57 min · March 16, 2026
About this episode
It’s time to talk about fasting. Lisa Bevere is a spiritual mom to a lot of us and was the exact right person to help us kick off this conversation. What I love about this conversation is how Lisa reframes fasting not as punishment or performance — but as invitation. As a way of intentionally making space for God to
move in us and through us. We talk about what fasting actually is — and what it isn’t. We talk about motives, about hunger (the physical and the spiritual kind), and about how fasting, when paired with prayer, can sharpen our awareness of God’s presence in everyday life. It’s practical and deeply spiritual at the same time. If fasting is something you’ve been curious about but never tried, we talk about some simple ways to start. Head over to spirituallystronger.com after you listen as we process this together and give some questions to think through this week. Remember, this year we’re saying give us one hour a week listening to this episode and 10 minutes a day going through the Substack questions. We have loved this rhythm and love reading your comments each week! Find the show notes here . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! This show is sponsored by BetterHelp: Sign up and my friends get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/thatsoundsfun. ELIC: To learn more, visit elic.org/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. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/soundsfun. Capstone Wellness: Learn more at capstonewellness.com/thatsoundsfun. 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
More from That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs
View all- 1Episode 1: Ted Dekker and AD30Author and speaker Annie F. Downs kicks off her brand new podcast interviewing New York Times Best Selling Author Ted Dekker about his newest novel AD 30. https://www.teddekker.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2Episode 2: Ted Dekker and WritingIn Part 2 of Annie's interview with New York Times Best Selling Author Ted Dekker, they discuss writing and process and the power of story. (And Annie apologizes for those volume problems in episode 1.) https://www.teddekker.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3Episode 3: Your Word for 2015Annie and her assistant Sarah talk about the one word they are each picking for 2015 and how to incorporate it into their daily lives for the whole year. http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 4Episode 4: Nashville's Best EatsAnnie sits down with Matt Niehoff (@experiencenash), an expert on all things Nashville, to discuss the best local restaurants for every meal of the day and on any budget. http://experiencenash.blogspot.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 5Episode 5: Jessica Turner and The Fringe HoursAnnie chats with her friend author and blogger Jessica Turner about how to find fringe hours in any kind of busy life. Also? American Girl dolls. http://fringehours.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 6Episode 6a: Dave Barnes Is FunnyMusician Dave Barnes sits down with Annie and they discuss the ins and outs of being hilarious. They also discuss Dave's most recent album, Hymns for Her. http://www.davebarnes.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 7Episode 6b: Dave Barnes is Funny... Again.The second part of Annie's conversation with musician Dave Barnes about music and comedy and how to be funny. http://www.davebarnes.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 8Episode 7: Connor Harrell and Professional BaseballAnnie talks with Detroit Tigers minor league baseball player (and former Downs Books intern) Connor Harrell about life and faith as a professional athlete. And, they make plans for a donut eating contest. Obviously. Twitter: ConnorHD20 http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 9Episode 8: Shauna NiequistAnnie chats with author Shauna Niequist about her new book Savor as well as many other important things like the best dessert in Chicago. https://www.shaunaniequist.com http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 10Episode 9: Emily P. FreemanSeason 2 of the podcast kicks off with Emily P. Freeman and covers the finer points of inviting yourself over, Emily's new book Simply Tuesday, and all the other important things, like float night at the pool. http://emilypfreeman.com/about/ http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 11Episode 10: Looking For LovelyAnnie returns with plans for the future of That Sounds Fun and a sneak peek into the world of launching a new book- where Looking For Lovely came from, how it's doing, and Annie reads the first chapter! http://bit.ly/lookingforlovely http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 12Episode 11: Angie SmithFor launch week of the Looking For Lovely Bible studies, Annie and Angie Smith sit down and talk all about what it is like to write Bible studies and about forty-five other random topics... including our million dollar twix bar idea. http://lifeway.com/lookingforlovely http://anniefdowns.com #thatsoundsfunpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get the Pray app
Follow Annie F. Downs and keep listening on your phone.