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
      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

Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor

Discussion Questions

More Like This

Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon

Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

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. 

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

I asked, you answered—and wow, did you deliver. This week’s Substack roundup is a crowd-curated guide to what’s worth your time: shows involving beautiful people doing bad things, books you’ll want to underline to death, and a playlist that makes you want to roll the windows down and turn the volume up.

Comment “CROWD” and I’ll send you a link to read. 📘🏠🎵

1158 547
Open post by katecbowler with ID 17903023488220541
I asked, you answered—and wow, did you deliver. This week’s Substack roundup is a crowd-curated guide to what’s worth your time: shows involving beautiful people doing bad things, books you’ll want to underline to death, and a playlist that makes you want to roll the windows down and turn the volume up.Comment “CROWD” and I’ll send you a link to read. 📘🏠🎵

In the year of our Lord 2025, I am reclaiming the phrase "basic b!*ch."

That`s all.

Thank you.

3025 98
Open post by katecbowler with ID 17850260883478264
In the year of our Lord 2025, I am reclaiming the phrase "basic b!*ch."That's all.Thank you.

If you`re in a season of "too much-ness," I see you. And I have drafted some possible responses to folks who insist on pointing out that you look exhausted.

1. Me
2. @worry__lines
3.@weareajourneyhome
4.@richardscarrylove
5.@djpatticakeofficial
6. @commonroomph
7.@mytherapistsays / @infinitesimull

p.s. I wrote about how the freedom of summer feels like false advertising and how it all feels like too much over on Substack. I`ve linked it in stories if you want to check it out.

6295 85
Open post by katecbowler with ID 17969244668776276
If you're in a season of "too much-ness," I see you. And I have drafted some possible responses to folks who insist on pointing out that you look exhausted.1. Me 2. @worry__lines 3.@weareajourneyhome 4.@richardscarrylove 5.@djpatticakeofficial 6. @commonroomph 7.@mytherapistsays / @infinitesimullp.s. I wrote about how the freedom of summer feels like false advertising and how it all feels like too much over on Substack. I've linked it in stories if you want to check it out.

REPEAT AFTER ME: You are good enough.

1315 26
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18024300092510268
REPEAT AFTER ME: You are good enough.

Bless you, who have been trying so hard to fix what was never yours to fix—carrying burdens that were never meant for you, holding together pieces that weren`t yours to mend (in a world where Everything Happens).

2394 24
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18039146966342535
Bless you, who have been trying so hard to fix what was never yours to fix—carrying burdens that were never meant for you, holding together pieces that weren't yours to mend (in a world where Everything Happens).

UPDATE: This event is now SOLD OUT! Wow, thank you for your overwhelming response!! Cannot wait to be together soon.

———

Come laugh, cry, and feel deeply human with us. On Monday, Oct 13 at 7 PM, at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, North Carolina, I’ll be sitting down with the wise, hilarious, and profoundly real ANNE LAMOTT for a live taping of the Everything Happens Podcast.

It’s gonna be funny. It’s gonna be honest. It’s gonna be full of grace and truth, with a little bit of holy chaos mixed in—just the way Anne likes it.

Bring your beautiful contradictions (and a friend too!)— we’re making space for it all. Can’t wait to see you there.

Tickets on sale now at the link in my bio.🎟️🍿🎭

3071 97
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18013026617771658
UPDATE: This event is now SOLD OUT! Wow, thank you for your overwhelming response!! Cannot wait to be together soon.———Come laugh, cry, and feel deeply human with us. On Monday, Oct 13 at 7 PM, at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, North Carolina, I’ll be sitting down with the wise, hilarious, and profoundly real ANNE LAMOTT for a live taping of the Everything Happens Podcast. It’s gonna be funny. It’s gonna be honest. It’s gonna be full of grace and truth, with a little bit of holy chaos mixed in—just the way Anne likes it. Bring your beautiful contradictions (and a friend too!)— we’re making space for it all. Can’t wait to see you there. Tickets on sale now at the link in my bio.🎟️🍿🎭

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.

1508 14
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.

3921 74
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.

 

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.

  • 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