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  • ABOUTExpand

    • Meet Kate

      Hi, I’m Kate. I’m a Duke professor, podcaster, and author with a single mission: giving you permission to feel human. After years of being told I was incurable, I was declared cancer-free. But there’s no going back. I am forever changed by what I discovered: life is so beautiful and life is so hard. For everyone.

      ABOUT KATE

      Get to Know Me

      HUMAN
      AUTHOR
      PODCAST HOST
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      How to Connect

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      Kate Bowler sitting in front of books

  • PODCASTExpand

    • Everything Happens.

      Are you living your best life now? Not always? This is a podcast for you. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is an expert in the stories we tell about success and failure, suffering and happiness. She had Stage IV cancer. Then she didn’t. And since then, all she wants to do is talk to funny and wise people about how to live with the knowledge that, well, everything happens. 

      See All Episodes
      Suleika Jaouad

      Survival Is a Creative Act

      Listen Now Survival Is a Creative Act
      Erin & Ben Napier

      Everyone’s From Somewhere

      Listen Now Everyone’s From Somewhere
      Stacey Heale

      The Aftermath of the Aftermath

      Listen Now The Aftermath of the Aftermath
      Kimberly Williams-Paisley

      Where The Light (Still) Gets In

      Listen Now Where The Light (Still) Gets In
  • BOOKSExpand

    • Books

      Let’s untangle our culture’s obsession with toxic positivity and self-help, shall we? Kate studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of seven books including three instant New York Times bestsellers.

      All Books

      Everything Happens for a Reason

      (And Other Lies I’ve Loved)

      Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!

      Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens

      No Cure for Being Human

      (And Other Truths I Need to Hear)

  • RESOURCESExpand

    • Resources

      Our goal with Everything Happens is to create rich language and vibrant community that sustains us when life comes apart. Below, you’ll find categories that may be good starting points for you. Inside are a mix of podcasts, blessings, support guides, and bonus resources that we hope will be useful.

      ALL RESOURCES

      Types

      BLESSINGS
      DEVOTIONALS
      SUPPORT GUIDES
      COURSES
      FREE DOWNLOADS
      Discussion Guides
      FOR MINISTRY

      Topics

      ILLNESS
      GRIEF
      WHAT NOT TO SAY
      RESILIENT FAITH
      INSPIRING LIVES

      NUANCED HOPE
      CARING AT HOME
      CARING AT WORK
      COMPLICATED FAMILIES
      MOVING FORWARD

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Discussion Questions

More Like This

Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon

Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant

Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

All BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Every week I usually forget most of the basics:
a) you are loved. b) life is absurd. c) it’s hard to be a human.

If you want some smart, kind, and funny encouragement to get you through your week, sign up for my newsletter. I’d love to be your reminder. 
 

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Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

I said what I said about iced coffee. ☕️🧊

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18073081330765282
I said what I said about iced coffee. ☕️🧊

Ok, I completely recognize that not all love stories (ok most) are like Edward and Bella BUT I have to know, do you believe in soulmates???

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17877034890246068
Ok, I completely recognize that not all love stories (ok most) are like Edward and Bella BUT I have to know, do you believe in soulmates???

It’s my birthday today.

How was 44?
A little of Column A. A little of Column B.

Beautiful and persistently terrible.
I traveled more than I thought I could (and loved it).
Met so many incredible people.
Had big conversations, quiet reckonings.

There were moments of wild joy—and others that punched me in the esophagus.
I found myself taking stock of this life I’m building: one marked (I hope) by honesty, belonging, and the kind of hope that doesn’t pretend everything’s fine. (Although I am probably best friends with Coach K now, so I feel pretty good about that.)

Here’s to another year of telling the truth.
Of laughing in the middle of the undoing.
Of holding joy and sorrow together, without rushing the ending.

Thanks for being here. And three cheers for 45, The Middle Ages.
xoxo ~ Kate

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18044731121627579
It’s my birthday today.How was 44? A little of Column A. A little of Column B.Beautiful and persistently terrible. I traveled more than I thought I could (and loved it). Met so many incredible people. Had big conversations, quiet reckonings.There were moments of wild joy—and others that punched me in the esophagus. I found myself taking stock of this life I’m building: one marked (I hope) by honesty, belonging, and the kind of hope that doesn’t pretend everything’s fine. (Although I am probably best friends with Coach K now, so I feel pretty good about that.)Here’s to another year of telling the truth. Of laughing in the middle of the undoing. Of holding joy and sorrow together, without rushing the ending.Thanks for being here. And three cheers for 45, The Middle Ages. xoxo ~ Kate

In a world where Everything Happens...

Bless the ones who answer our calls
no matter the time of day,
who try to fix it even if they don’t know how.

Happy Father`s Day. 💌

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18294580615217224
In a world where Everything Happens...Bless the ones who answer our calls no matter the time of day, who try to fix it even if they don’t know how.Happy Father's Day. 💌

Fear makes us feel small. But democracy needs people who stay big-hearted, clear-eyed, and curious, even when the world feels like it’s closing in. Historian Timothy Snyder shows us that the habits of tyranny are subtle, but so are the habits of courage.

Here are five ways to stay democratic on purpose, especially when you’re scared.

Because the stakes are high, and your voice still matters.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18101221336483370
Fear makes us feel small. But democracy needs people who stay big-hearted, clear-eyed, and curious, even when the world feels like it’s closing in. Historian Timothy Snyder shows us that the habits of tyranny are subtle, but so are the habits of courage.Here are five ways to stay democratic on purpose, especially when you’re scared.Because the stakes are high, and your voice still matters.

The way I wanted mushroom coffee to fix my entire life. 🍄☕️

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18072407800754643
The way I wanted mushroom coffee to fix my entire life. 🍄☕️

Well, I’m officially a Newfoundlander.

I have been “screeched in”, as they say. It was an official ceremony with a dozen witnesses and the storytelling genius of a man named Skipper Lukey. He took our $50 Canadian dollars but never our dignity, except for the part where:

1) We ate SPAM flambéed on a hot plate.
2) Downed a rum-adjacent shot of “Screech” (named for the sound people make after they drink it).
3) We violated all public health codes by kissing the same frozen cod pulled out of a garbage bag from the freezer.
4) On the cod’s mouth, I just want to revisit that.
5) Recited an oath.
6) Sang a song.

Newfoundland, you’re full of the funniest, story-spinniest, most generous people I’ve ever met. Take my $50, I’m yours.

P.S. Is SPAM called “Newfoundland steak”? It is.
P.P.S. When you get a food rec from @itsrickmercer about his home province, you take it. Leo’s has the best cod and fries (don’t forget the malt vinegar) in St. John’s.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18067303049081231
Well, I’m officially a Newfoundlander.I have been “screeched in”, as they say. It was an official ceremony with a dozen witnesses and the storytelling genius of a man named Skipper Lukey. He took our $50 Canadian dollars but never our dignity, except for the part where:1) We ate SPAM flambéed on a hot plate. 2) Downed a rum-adjacent shot of “Screech” (named for the sound people make after they drink it). 3) We violated all public health codes by kissing the same frozen cod pulled out of a garbage bag from the freezer. 4) On the cod’s mouth, I just want to revisit that. 5) Recited an oath. 6) Sang a song.Newfoundland, you’re full of the funniest, story-spinniest, most generous people I’ve ever met. Take my $50, I’m yours.P.S. Is SPAM called “Newfoundland steak”? It is. P.P.S. When you get a food rec from @itsrickmercer about his home province, you take it. Leo’s has the best cod and fries (don’t forget the malt vinegar) in St. John’s.

NON-SHINY PEOPLE, UNITE!!!!

#everythinghappens #summerthoughts #newseasonsameme

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18045179288544392
NON-SHINY PEOPLE, UNITE!!!!#everythinghappens #summerthoughts #newseasonsameme

 

If you are reading this you have great eyesight. But also, thanks for being a person with me. The world is strange and hard for soft-hearted humans, but I think you’re a delight.

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  • ABOUT

    • Meet Kate

      Hi, I’m Kate. I’m a Duke professor, podcaster, and author with a single mission: giving you permission to feel human. After years of being told I was incurable, I was declared cancer-free. But there’s no going back. I am forever changed by what I discovered: life is so beautiful and life is so hard. For everyone.

      ABOUT KATE

      Get to Know Me

      HUMAN
      AUTHOR
      PODCAST HOST
      SPEAKER

      How to Connect

      NEWSLETTER
      BOOKING
      EVENTS
      CONTACT
      PRESS
      Kate Bowler sitting in front of books

  • PODCAST

    • Everything Happens.

      Are you living your best life now? Not always? This is a podcast for you. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is an expert in the stories we tell about success and failure, suffering and happiness. She had Stage IV cancer. Then she didn’t. And since then, all she wants to do is talk to funny and wise people about how to live with the knowledge that, well, everything happens. 

      See All Episodes
      Suleika Jaouad

      Survival Is a Creative Act

      Listen Now Survival Is a Creative Act
      Erin & Ben Napier

      Everyone’s From Somewhere

      Listen Now Everyone’s From Somewhere
      Stacey Heale

      The Aftermath of the Aftermath

      Listen Now The Aftermath of the Aftermath
      Kimberly Williams-Paisley

      Where The Light (Still) Gets In

      Listen Now Where The Light (Still) Gets In
  • BOOKS

    • Books

      Let’s untangle our culture’s obsession with toxic positivity and self-help, shall we? Kate studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of seven books including three instant New York Times bestsellers.

      All Books

      Everything Happens for a Reason

      (And Other Lies I’ve Loved)

      Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!

      Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens

      No Cure for Being Human

      (And Other Truths I Need to Hear)

  • RESOURCES

    • Resources

      Our goal with Everything Happens is to create rich language and vibrant community that sustains us when life comes apart. Below, you’ll find categories that may be good starting points for you. Inside are a mix of podcasts, blessings, support guides, and bonus resources that we hope will be useful.

      ALL RESOURCES

      Types

      BLESSINGS
      DEVOTIONALS
      SUPPORT GUIDES
      COURSES
      FREE DOWNLOADS
      Discussion Guides
      FOR MINISTRY

      Topics

      ILLNESS
      GRIEF
      WHAT NOT TO SAY
      RESILIENT FAITH
      INSPIRING LIVES

      NUANCED HOPE
      CARING AT HOME
      CARING AT WORK
      COMPLICATED FAMILIES
      MOVING FORWARD