1KHO 450: There is Good News Even in Sad Stories | Annie F. Downs, Where Did TJ Go?

The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Ginny Yurich

Parenting, Kids & Family

4.9 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 24 March 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich is joined by beloved author and speaker Annie F. Downs to talk about the tender intersections of grief, growth, and God’s goodness. With warmth and vulnerability, Annie shares the story behind her new children’s book Where Did TJ Go?, co-written with her sister Tatum after the loss of Tatum’s infant son. Together, they created the book they couldn’t find—one that speaks gospel truth into the deepest sorrow, reminding kids (and their parents) that even in our saddest stories, good news remains. Annie and Ginny also explore the theme of redemption through Annie’s past struggles with quitting, self-image, food addiction, and grief, showing how perseverance, community, and grace have reshaped her story. From Radnor Lake sunrises to Zumba classes and the sacredness of small beginnings, Annie opens up about how beauty and healing often arrive in unexpected ways. With Scripture as their compass, the conversation winds through Psalms and personal memories, always circling back to this truth: our tears are seeds, and in time, they bring songs of joy. This episode is a balm for the soul—an invitation to see our own lives as stories in progress, full of sorrow, yes, but also bursting with hope. ** Get your copy of Where Did TJ Go? here Get your copy of Looking for Lovely here Learn more about Annie and all the wonderful things she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	When I graduated high school, I was pretty set against going to traditional college.
0:04.0	I knew it was what I was supposed to do, but a lot of my peers were drowning in student debt
0:08.0	and signing their lives away to careers they weren't passionate about.
0:11.0	And that just didn't seem worth it.
0:13.0	A couple years later, I heard about Excel College, which was a completely different path to higher education.
0:18.0	With a debt-free promise and students earning degrees while gaining hands-on
0:21.3	experience in the marketplace, this path just made sense. Along with that, community and
0:26.1	discipleship are central aspects of life at Excel, and I knew I wanted to be part of a community
0:30.9	that would encourage my faith in the Lord. My name is Cassidy Solis, and I graduated debt-free
0:36.1	in 2023 with a degree focused in marketing.
0:39.0	And now I'm using my skills full-time.
0:41.3	More than that, I've grown deeply in my relationship with Jesus and his people.
0:45.0	I can honestly say that this new way of college has changed my life for the better.
0:48.6	To learn more about Excel's transformative debt-free education model,
0:52.1	visit the Excelcollege.com slash visit to sign up for an informational call.
0:56.0	That's theexcelcollecology.com slash visit.
0:58.8	Welcome for the 1,000 hours outside podcast.
1:01.1	My name is Ginny Hurt, and you're never going to believe it, but Annie F. Downs is here.
1:06.2	Welcome.
1:07.3	Ginny, you should believe it.
1:08.6	Of course we're getting to do this together.
1:10.0	I feel so lucky to be on here with you.
	...

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