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While It Was Yet Dark: Seven Weeks Through Easter

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Kate Bowler

  • 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
      Melinda French Gates

      That Clearing in Between

      Listen Now That Clearing in Between
      Sarah Bessey

      Faith That Survives

      Listen Now Faith That Survives
      Simone Gorrindo

      The Cost of Love and Duty

      Listen Now The Cost of Love and Duty
      Jeff Chu

      Good Soil

      Listen Now Good Soil
  • 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

      Topics

      ILLNESS
      GRIEF
      WHAT NOT TO SAY
      RESILIENT FAITH
      INSPIRING LIVES

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

Kate Bowler

Raising a Rare Girl by Heather Lanier

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. 
 

Name
I’m also interested in church/ministry resources sent monthly.

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

Welcome to Shelf Discovery — our ode to the bookshops where the lighting is moody, the conversation is meaningful, and the recommendations are made by humans who have felt things.

Today`s feature is from Jenny Lawson (@thebloggess) proprietress of @nowherebookshop. This funky and colorful shop is located in San Antonio and is a wonderfully weird place for everyone to gather. Jenny`s recommendation is dark, full of love, serial killers, and body snatchers - WHAT MORE DOES ONE NEED IN A STORY???

To win two copies of this book (one for you and one for a friend!) follow both:
-@nowherebookshop
-@katecbowler
and tag a friend in the comments.

These shops aren’t just retail. They’re cathedrals of curiosity—sanctuaries for the overthinkers and quietly unraveling.

Literature is still sacred. And community? Even more so.

#indiebookstorelove #BookstoreSanctuary #DarkAcademiaReads #nowherebookshop

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Welcome to Shelf Discovery — our ode to the bookshops where the lighting is moody, the conversation is meaningful, and the recommendations are made by humans who have felt things. Today's feature is from Jenny Lawson (@thebloggess) proprietress of @nowherebookshop. This funky and colorful shop is located in San Antonio and is a wonderfully weird place for everyone to gather. Jenny's recommendation is dark, full of love, serial killers, and body snatchers - WHAT MORE DOES ONE NEED IN A STORY??? To win two copies of this book (one for you and one for a friend!) follow both: -@nowherebookshop -@katecbowler and tag a friend in the comments. These shops aren’t just retail. They’re cathedrals of curiosity—sanctuaries for the overthinkers and quietly unraveling. Literature is still sacred. And community? Even more so. #indiebookstorelove #BookstoreSanctuary #DarkAcademiaReads #nowherebookshop

I know we don`t believe in trite platitudes and sayings around here, but I guess what they say is true about change, it`s the only consistent thing about life. BOO.

Here are five things to remember when you`re going through changes both big and small, from the ever wise @melindafrenchgates.

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I know we don't believe in trite platitudes and sayings around here, but I guess what they say is true about change, it's the only consistent thing about life. BOO. Here are five things to remember when you're going through changes both big and small, from the ever wise @melindafrenchgates.

What gets us through the hard stuff?
Melinda French Gates says: each other.

In my conversation with this iconic champion of generosity, we chat about the connections that hold us in transitions, suffering, and in the moments where we don’t know who we’re becoming…yet.

Because we were never meant to do this alone. 💕

Do you ask for help when you need it most?

#melindafrenchgates #everythinghappens #communityovercompetiton

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What gets us through the hard stuff? Melinda French Gates says: each other. In my conversation with this iconic champion of generosity, we chat about the connections that hold us in transitions, suffering, and in the moments where we don’t know who we’re becoming…yet. Because we were never meant to do this alone. 💕 Do you ask for help when you need it most? #melindafrenchgates #everythinghappens #communityovercompetiton

Welcome to the next installment of "Shelf Discovery" - a series where I feature independent bookshops and their booksellers because these places aren’t just where you grab a latte and pretend to read the back of the book.

They’re real, sacred spaces full of people who know their stuff — and who just might hand you the story you didn’t know you needed.

Today`s recommendation comes from Maggie Robe at @flyleafbooks. Located in Chapel Hill, this sweet shop has been a pillar of this college town for 15 years.

Enter to win two copies of "Tilt" (one for you and one for a friend!) by following both:
- @flyleafbooks
-@katecbowler
and tagging a friend in the comments.

Consider this your invitation to log off your "recommended list" and go where the recommendations are warm and wildly human.

#indiebookstorelove #SupportIndieBookstores #bookstorelove

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Welcome to the next installment of "Shelf Discovery" - a series where I feature independent bookshops and their booksellers because these places aren’t just where you grab a latte and pretend to read the back of the book. They’re real, sacred spaces full of people who know their stuff — and who just might hand you the story you didn’t know you needed. Today's recommendation comes from Maggie Robe at @flyleafbooks. Located in Chapel Hill, this sweet shop has been a pillar of this college town for 15 years. Enter to win two copies of "Tilt" (one for you and one for a friend!) by following both: - @flyleafbooks -@katecbowler and tagging a friend in the comments. Consider this your invitation to log off your "recommended list" and go where the recommendations are warm and wildly human. #indiebookstorelove #SupportIndieBookstores #bookstorelove

I really wanted @melindafrenchgates to tell me there is an easy way to get through a transitional period.

SPOILER: There isn`t one. (You can see the disappointment on my face.)

Here are her two words of advice for anyone facing a transition of any kind.

The in-between is uncomfortable. It’s not where you were, not quite where you’re going. But as Melinda reminds us, there’s growth there.

Today, this generous champion of courage is my guest on Everything Happens. We chat about being "good enough" parents, what it means to be in a truth council, and learning how to sit in the clearing.

Comment "CHANGE," and I`ll send you a link to listen to the full episode. 🎧🎙️

#melindafrenchgates #everythinghappens #thenextday

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I really wanted @melindafrenchgates to tell me there is an easy way to get through a transitional period. SPOILER: There isn't one. (You can see the disappointment on my face.) Here are her two words of advice for anyone facing a transition of any kind. The in-between is uncomfortable. It’s not where you were, not quite where you’re going. But as Melinda reminds us, there’s growth there. Today, this generous champion of courage is my guest on Everything Happens. We chat about being "good enough" parents, what it means to be in a truth council, and learning how to sit in the clearing. Comment "CHANGE," and I'll send you a link to listen to the full episode. 🎧🎙️ #melindafrenchgates #everythinghappens #thenextday

We believe that some of the best stories start not between the pages, but across a bookstore counter — where a bookseller listens and says, “You know what you need to read?”

Welcome to my new series, “Shelf Discovery.” Inspired by @indiebookstoreday (which is THIS Saturday!), I wanted to highlight some of my favorite indie bookstores and their booksellers because algorithms are fine, but people? People are better.

This new series is a love letter to the indie bookstore and I’m kicking it off with @wildgeesebookshop. I got a chance to visit this sweet shop last summer and immediately fell in love with not only the place but the owner, Tiffany.

Each post in this series will feature a brilliant bookseller, their shop, and a hand-picked title they think you’ll love. PLUS, each post will feature a giveaway of two copies of the book (one for you and one for a friend!) that’s recommended.

All you have to do to enter is make sure you’re following both:
-@katecbowler
-@wildgeesebookshop
and tag a friend in the comments!

Let’s celebrate the places and the people who still believe in stories. 🖤

#indiebookstorelove #BookstoreLove #KateBowlerCommunity #wildgeesebookshop #booksthatheal

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We believe that some of the best stories start not between the pages, but across a bookstore counter — where a bookseller listens and says, “You know what you need to read?” Welcome to my new series, “Shelf Discovery.” Inspired by @indiebookstoreday (which is THIS Saturday!), I wanted to highlight some of my favorite indie bookstores and their booksellers because algorithms are fine, but people? People are better. This new series is a love letter to the indie bookstore and I’m kicking it off with @wildgeesebookshop. I got a chance to visit this sweet shop last summer and immediately fell in love with not only the place but the owner, Tiffany. Each post in this series will feature a brilliant bookseller, their shop, and a hand-picked title they think you’ll love. PLUS, each post will feature a giveaway of two copies of the book (one for you and one for a friend!) that’s recommended. All you have to do to enter is make sure you’re following both: -@katecbowler -@wildgeesebookshop and tag a friend in the comments! Let’s celebrate the places and the people who still believe in stories. 🖤 #indiebookstorelove #BookstoreLove #KateBowlerCommunity #wildgeesebookshop #booksthatheal

"This is what makes us Easter people:
carrying the hope of the Resurrected One,
singing alleluias great and small,
while it is still dark."

Happy Easter. 💕

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"This is what makes us Easter people: carrying the hope of the Resurrected One, singing alleluias great and small, while it is still dark." Happy Easter. 💕

Beyond the grief, the sorrow, the silence, love stays.

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Beyond the grief, the sorrow, the silence, love stays.

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 Kate Bowler
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
      Melinda French Gates

      That Clearing in Between

      Listen Now That Clearing in Between
      Sarah Bessey

      Faith That Survives

      Listen Now Faith That Survives
      Simone Gorrindo

      The Cost of Love and Duty

      Listen Now The Cost of Love and Duty
      Jeff Chu

      Good Soil

      Listen Now Good Soil
  • 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

      Topics

      ILLNESS
      GRIEF
      WHAT NOT TO SAY
      RESILIENT FAITH
      INSPIRING LIVES

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