Skip to content
  • 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
      SPEAKER

      How to Connect

      NEWSLETTER
      BOOKING
      EVENTS
      CONTACT
      PRESS
      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

Here’s Your Free Download

We also sent it to your email, if that’s easier.

May these words offer you a bit of courage to live inside of your life… just as it is.

Imperfect. Often heartbreaking. And still, somehow, beautiful.

Download

You might also like these conversations:

That Clearing in Between

Listen That Clearing in Between

In the Name of Belonging

Listen In the Name of Belonging

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. 
 

Name

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

TGI(almost)F AM I RIGHT?!

Which medium sad gnome are you?

2591 63
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18052817366105247
TGI(almost)F AM I RIGHT?!Which medium sad gnome are you?

It’s just June.

I may or may not have responded to a work email with “Love you!”

You’re doing great. ✨

Drop an emoji for how your brain feels right now. Please and thank you.

920 116
Open post by katecbowler with ID 17976864470852732
It’s just June.I may or may not have responded to a work email with “Love you!”You’re doing great. ✨Drop an emoji for how your brain feels right now. Please and thank you.

The world feels shaky, like it might tip over. But here are some recent saves full of reminders to be brave, create (literally anything), and take small stabs at hope—because even now, fear and creativity can ride tandem, and trying still counts.

1. @prest.works/@jonacuff
2. @iuliastration
3. @lobsterandpearls/@backtomotherpearl
4. @poetryrise
5. @tinypricksproject and @kellycorrigan
6. @mytherapistsays

4775 39
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18069945992001392
The world feels shaky, like it might tip over. But here are some recent saves full of reminders to be brave, create (literally anything), and take small stabs at hope—because even now, fear and creativity can ride tandem, and trying still counts.1. @prest.works/@jonacuff 2. @iuliastration 3. @lobsterandpearls/@backtomotherpearl 4. @poetryrise 5. @tinypricksproject and @kellycorrigan 6. @mytherapistsays

If you do only one thing today, dig the hole.

(Metaphorically speaking, of course…unless diminishing your property value is what makes you happy.)

3208 117
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18031494593460921
If you do only one thing today, dig the hole.(Metaphorically speaking, of course…unless diminishing your property value is what makes you happy.)

In a world where Everything Happens...

Blessed are you who make things: the doodlers, the thinkers, the “I-have-an-idea-at-2am” scribblers. The ones who bring beauty and chaos and weirdly specific playlists into the world.

May you have the courage to keep creating even when the algorithm ignores you, your inner critic is loud, and your desire to quit feels stronger than your desire to make.

4908 114
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18060691292228906
In a world where Everything Happens...Blessed are you who make things: the doodlers, the thinkers, the “I-have-an-idea-at-2am” scribblers. The ones who bring beauty and chaos and weirdly specific playlists into the world.May you have the courage to keep creating even when the algorithm ignores you, your inner critic is loud, and your desire to quit feels stronger than your desire to make.

It`s been a heavy week, and part of this work is constantly holding tension between what is beautiful and terrible.

This carousel is for those who want to understand how harmful ideologies take root, not to despair, but to become people who live differently.

Who nurture what is good.
Who protect what is sacred.
Who love their neighbors on purpose.

Because when the world feels tilted towards control, educating ourselves allows us to be more compassionate in a world that so desperately needs it.

4200 77
Open post by katecbowler with ID 17866412055406148
It's been a heavy week, and part of this work is constantly holding tension between what is beautiful and terrible.This carousel is for those who want to understand how harmful ideologies take root, not to despair, but to become people who live differently.Who nurture what is good. Who protect what is sacred. Who love their neighbors on purpose.Because when the world feels tilted towards control, educating ourselves allows us to be more compassionate in a world that so desperately needs it.

I said what I said about iced coffee. ☕️🧊

420 14
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???

636 31
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???

 

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.

© 2025
Development by Penner Web Design

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Goodreads iconTikTok Pinterest
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Podcasts
  • Books
  • Mural
  • Upcoming Events
  • Newsletter
  • Blessings

Everything Happens.

Browse by topic
Complicated Families
grief
resilient faith
what not to say
moving forward
Illness
nuanced hope
caring at home
inspiring lives
caring at work

Make your inbox a little more human.

Sign up below to receive a weekly email from Kate Bowler every Wednesday.

Name
  • 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