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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
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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
      Kate Bowler

      The Summer of Too Much

      Listen Now The Summer of Too Much
      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
  • 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

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

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

The Cure for Sorrow by Jan Richardson

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. 
 

Name

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

Cheered on the unstoppable @lindseyvonn at her Red Bull bash. 20 years! She has been charging into the unknown for two decades.

I was also tricked onto rollercoasters at Universal Studios by the man declared to be "more than reasonably funny." (@tmcleod)

Then I reveled in the kind calm of one of my absolute favorite people to eat with and complain at (@shiza). What a gift to have friends who are charting their own paths and are more fun than anyone has a right to be.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18046777229264928
Cheered on the unstoppable @lindseyvonn at her Red Bull bash. 20 years! She has been charging into the unknown for two decades.I was also tricked onto rollercoasters at Universal Studios by the man declared to be "more than reasonably funny." (@tmcleod)Then I reveled in the kind calm of one of my absolute favorite people to eat with and complain at (@shiza). What a gift to have friends who are charting their own paths and are more fun than anyone has a right to be.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this season of “too much”. The too-muchness of what summer becomes—all that humidity and expectation and self-applied pressure.

This is just a little reminder that tiny, simple, dumb acts count as summer, too.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17858151603462802
I’ve been thinking a lot about this season of “too much”. The too-muchness of what summer becomes—all that humidity and expectation and self-applied pressure.This is just a little reminder that tiny, simple, dumb acts count as summer, too.

I was invited to spend the afternoon at @assiniboineparkzoo and in a shocking twist, I’ve found my emotional twin—and it’s Bubbles the tortoise. 🐢✨

This zoo is no ordinary place. For over ONE CENTURY, they have been educating adults and children alike on the importance of protecting and celebrating Manitoba’s and the world’s biodiversity.

They have indoor and outdoor exhibits, event venues, and so many different ways to interact with over 130 kinds of animals. IT`S SO MANY ANIMALS.

Thank you to the team for letting me meet creatures who take life slowly, carry their homes with them, and still somehow radiate joy.

If you`re ever in Winnipeg - you HAVE to make this special place a stop. And say hi to Bubbles for me :)

#EverythingHappens #TortoiseWisdom #ZooDay #ManitobaMagic

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18106382209526484
I was invited to spend the afternoon at @assiniboineparkzoo and in a shocking twist, I’ve found my emotional twin—and it’s Bubbles the tortoise. 🐢✨This zoo is no ordinary place. For over ONE CENTURY, they have been educating adults and children alike on the importance of protecting and celebrating Manitoba’s and the world’s biodiversity.They have indoor and outdoor exhibits, event venues, and so many different ways to interact with over 130 kinds of animals. IT'S SO MANY ANIMALS.Thank you to the team for letting me meet creatures who take life slowly, carry their homes with them, and still somehow radiate joy.If you're ever in Winnipeg - you HAVE to make this special place a stop. And say hi to Bubbles for me :)#EverythingHappens #TortoiseWisdom #ZooDay #ManitobaMagic

Forget "hot-girl summer" we`re going full "medium-sad girl summer" - here`s everything you need to get started.

How many of these do you already own?? (There is no correct answer here, folks.)

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17939737443019333
Forget "hot-girl summer" we're going full "medium-sad girl summer" - here's everything you need to get started.How many of these do you already own?? (There is no correct answer here, folks.)

In a world where Everything Happens...

Remember that you are not a project to be optimized.
You are a person.

A beloved one.

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In a world where Everything Happens...Remember that you are not a project to be optimized. You are a person.A beloved one.

Thrilled to be on @substack. I’ve been lurking in the comments, and it’s been such a treat watching you all interact with each other. COMMENTS! ENCOURAGEMENT! COMMUNITY!

It’s the best.

Tell me some of your favorite folks to follow on Substack. I’m still new around here and would love some introductions. 🤝

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18044773175643428
Thrilled to be on @substack. I’ve been lurking in the comments, and it’s been such a treat watching you all interact with each other. COMMENTS! ENCOURAGEMENT! COMMUNITY!It’s the best.Tell me some of your favorite folks to follow on Substack. I’m still new around here and would love some introductions. 🤝

If asking yourself, "WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH YOUR ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE?" usually ends with you in an anxiety spiral on the floor, this one is for you.

I find it`s helpful to focus on the small and the ordinary.

Folding laundry to a favorite song.
Lighting a candle before emails.
Drinking coffee sitting down, like a whole human being.

As @suleikajaouad says, “it all goes by in a blink.” Take a moment, even if it’s just one quiet cup.

*No shade to St. Mary Oliver. She really wanted us to lay in grass and stare at trees.🌳

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17897825097251421
If asking yourself, "WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH YOUR ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE?" usually ends with you in an anxiety spiral on the floor, this one is for you.I find it's helpful to focus on the small and the ordinary.Folding laundry to a favorite song. Lighting a candle before emails. Drinking coffee sitting down, like a whole human being.As @suleikajaouad says, “it all goes by in a blink.” Take a moment, even if it’s just one quiet cup.*No shade to St. Mary Oliver. She really wanted us to lay in grass and stare at trees.🌳

Pull up a seat—let’s talk about the language of purpose. Somewhere along the way, we started believing that every moment has to be meaningful, every choice strategic, every step part of a master plan. But what if that’s too much pressure for a human life?

Meaning, more often than not, is something we discover in hindsight. The ordinary moments—the ones that feel forgettable—are quietly stitching together a life. A sacred one.

So maybe purpose doesn’t have to be grand to be good. Maybe it just has to be faithful.

If you want to watch the full video about purpose, comment "SEAT," and I`ll send you a link to watch the full thing on YouTube.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18048867926201148
Pull up a seat—let’s talk about the language of purpose. Somewhere along the way, we started believing that every moment has to be meaningful, every choice strategic, every step part of a master plan. But what if that’s too much pressure for a human life?Meaning, more often than not, is something we discover in hindsight. The ordinary moments—the ones that feel forgettable—are quietly stitching together a life. A sacred one.So maybe purpose doesn’t have to be grand to be good. Maybe it just has to be faithful.If you want to watch the full video about purpose, comment "SEAT," and I'll send you a link to watch the full thing on YouTube.

 

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

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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
      Kate Bowler

      The Summer of Too Much

      Listen Now The Summer of Too Much
      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
  • 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