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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
      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

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. 
 

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@katecbowler

Camera crumbs. 🍪

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17901536295214087
Camera crumbs. 🍪

Like so many of you, my heart is heavy for Texas and my neighbors here in North Carolina. The images feel surreal, and like the suffering just never ends. When the waters rise, literally and figuratively, it`s the helpers, the neighbors, and the doers who remind us that we belong to each other.

When I feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, I often think about what @sharonsaysso and @andy_stanley remind us - that we should do for one person what we wish we could do for all.

It reminds me that small acts of care still matter, that love scaled down is still love.

Here are some organizations and ways to help if you`re able.

DONATE (in Texas)
- @convoyofhope
- @wckitchen
- @hpumcdallas
- @austinpetsalive
- @cftexashillcountry
- @southernoakschurch

DONATE (in North Carolina)
- @americanredcross
- NCCF Disaster Relief Fund
- NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD)

DO
- Donate blood: Hospitals often face urgent needs for blood following large-scale emergencies.
- Volunteer: Local shelters, food banks, or cleanup crews may need extra hands.
- Offer Housing or Transportation: If you`re in a nearby area, consider opening your home or offering rides to those displaced.
- Organize Supply Drives: Collect and distribute essentials like toiletries, diapers, and nonperishables.
- Reach Out: Sometimes the most overlooked gift is presence. Reach out to neighbors, especially the elderly or isolated.

If I`ve left anything out, please drop any other ways to help in the comments.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17855959563464673
Like so many of you, my heart is heavy for Texas and my neighbors here in North Carolina. The images feel surreal, and like the suffering just never ends. When the waters rise, literally and figuratively, it's the helpers, the neighbors, and the doers who remind us that we belong to each other.When I feel overwhelmed by the state of the world, I often think about what @sharonsaysso and @andy_stanley remind us - that we should do for one person what we wish we could do for all.It reminds me that small acts of care still matter, that love scaled down is still love.Here are some organizations and ways to help if you're able.DONATE (in Texas) - @convoyofhope - @wckitchen - @hpumcdallas - @austinpetsalive - @cftexashillcountry - @southernoakschurchDONATE (in North Carolina) - @americanredcross - NCCF Disaster Relief Fund - NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD)DO - Donate blood: Hospitals often face urgent needs for blood following large-scale emergencies. - Volunteer: Local shelters, food banks, or cleanup crews may need extra hands. - Offer Housing or Transportation: If you're in a nearby area, consider opening your home or offering rides to those displaced. - Organize Supply Drives: Collect and distribute essentials like toiletries, diapers, and nonperishables. - Reach Out: Sometimes the most overlooked gift is presence. Reach out to neighbors, especially the elderly or isolated.If I've left anything out, please drop any other ways to help in the comments.

Well, that`s a wrap. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Aspen Ideas Festival and the spirit of optimistic humanism it represents. Partnering with @aspenideas since 2018 (and particularly #AspenIdeasHealth) has been nothing short of an honor and privilege.

Aspen Ideas is a special place to ask questions I`ve been researching and writing about much of my adult life: how do we live into courageous realism? How do we manage the cost of caring, and do better for all those who walk around with invisible pains like grief, caregiving, burnout, and chronic "doing" in a world that demands productivity and perfection?

Being able to record episodes for my podcast, Everything Happens in collaboration with Aspen Ideas, has allowed me to share conversations with doctors, caregivers, therapists, storytellers, innovators, and more who are at the forefront of what they do.

Their minds are spent so graciously on us, to help us live a life in which we are not just surviving, but doing the deep work of living honestly in bodies that break.

In minds that ache.
Spirits that still hope.

(And troll for friends that want to go on vacation with me.)

Cheers to you, Aspen Ideas. Thank you for letting me dig deeper, ask the big questions, and always, always feel supported.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18059027528033166
Well, that's a wrap. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Aspen Ideas Festival and the spirit of optimistic humanism it represents. Partnering with @aspenideas since 2018 (and particularly #AspenIdeasHealth) has been nothing short of an honor and privilege.Aspen Ideas is a special place to ask questions I've been researching and writing about much of my adult life: how do we live into courageous realism? How do we manage the cost of caring, and do better for all those who walk around with invisible pains like grief, caregiving, burnout, and chronic "doing" in a world that demands productivity and perfection?Being able to record episodes for my podcast, Everything Happens in collaboration with Aspen Ideas, has allowed me to share conversations with doctors, caregivers, therapists, storytellers, innovators, and more who are at the forefront of what they do.Their minds are spent so graciously on us, to help us live a life in which we are not just surviving, but doing the deep work of living honestly in bodies that break.In minds that ache. Spirits that still hope.(And troll for friends that want to go on vacation with me.)Cheers to you, Aspen Ideas. Thank you for letting me dig deeper, ask the big questions, and always, always feel supported.

In a world where Everything Happens...

There is absolutely no cure for being human. But for each other, we are all good medicine.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17852806464477058
In a world where Everything Happens...There is absolutely no cure for being human. But for each other, we are all good medicine.

Here`s a woman who makes me very proud to be a Canadian right now.

@sophiegregoiretrudeau believes with all her heart that health -- mental, emotional, physical -- is a human right. And that truly regulated people are *better citizens.* I loved her big laugh, big heart, and forceful compassion for all of us who wonder how to stay grounded in this age of light apocalypse. She`s a fierce advocate for mental health, a gifted author, and the only person who could make me do breathing exercises on the main stage at @aspenideas in front of everyone.

Stay tuned for a podcast conversation with her about the relationship between wellness and democracy, and how to double down on our own peace. But also, she will make you *laugh* and then try a calming exercise because WHO DOESN`T NEED THAT RIGHT NOW?!

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 17968786394929914
Here's a woman who makes me very proud to be a Canadian right now.@sophiegregoiretrudeau believes with all her heart that health -- mental, emotional, physical -- is a human right. And that truly regulated people are *better citizens.* I loved her big laugh, big heart, and forceful compassion for all of us who wonder how to stay grounded in this age of light apocalypse. She's a fierce advocate for mental health, a gifted author, and the only person who could make me do breathing exercises on the main stage at @aspenideas in front of everyone.Stay tuned for a podcast conversation with her about the relationship between wellness and democracy, and how to double down on our own peace. But also, she will make you *laugh* and then try a calming exercise because WHO DOESN'T NEED THAT RIGHT NOW?!

Mosquito bites and humidity are “out” for all of summer.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18302336968169198
Mosquito bites and humidity are “out” for all of summer.

On this blessed Canada Day, I wanted to share its beauty, clarify things for cartographers, and just generally show off this gorgeous country.

(This is also a PSA for safety. No one is getting attacked by a moose on my watch.)

Time spent here is always a gift. Zach gets to hang out with his grandparents, and I get to experience mitten temps and then sudden tank top weather in June, so it’s pretty much a win all the way around.

If you’re ever on Fogo Island, the @fogoislandinn is a MUST. I can’t stress enough that I would live there. Forever.

So here’s to rocky coastlines, kind strangers, and the kind of beauty that makes you pause mid-sentence.

Grateful for the land, the people, and the quiet miracle of belonging—no matter how far you’ve wandered. 🍁

Happy Canada Day, friends. Come for the views, stay for very hot water.

#canadaday

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18390710464189682
On this blessed Canada Day, I wanted to share its beauty, clarify things for cartographers, and just generally show off this gorgeous country.(This is also a PSA for safety. No one is getting attacked by a moose on my watch.)Time spent here is always a gift. Zach gets to hang out with his grandparents, and I get to experience mitten temps and then sudden tank top weather in June, so it’s pretty much a win all the way around.If you’re ever on Fogo Island, the @fogoislandinn is a MUST. I can’t stress enough that I would live there. Forever.So here’s to rocky coastlines, kind strangers, and the kind of beauty that makes you pause mid-sentence.Grateful for the land, the people, and the quiet miracle of belonging—no matter how far you’ve wandered. 🍁Happy Canada Day, friends. Come for the views, stay for very hot water.#canadaday

I`m not entirely sure I did it right, but this little tart was delicious.

Happy Monday.

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Open post by katecbowler with ID 18024793562700692
I'm not entirely sure I did it right, but this little tart was delicious.Happy Monday.

 

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