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

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

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. 

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

SAY IT WITH ME: YOU ARE NOT YOUR TO-DO LIST.

451 5
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18034506578470467
SAY IT WITH ME: YOU ARE NOT YOUR TO-DO LIST.

Welcome to part ✌️ of myth-busting a "purpose-driven" life.

Here’s what they don’t tell you when you’re 22 and full of ambition-flavored LaCroix:
Your job doesn’t have to be your calling.

Sometimes it’s just… your job.
(And that’s not failure. That’s rent.)

Make sure you`re following me for part three, and feel free to drop any comments/questions/concerns below.

p.s. If your job IS your calling, that`s wonderful. Seriously. NO shade to you. In fact, that`s so cool.

6325 126
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18304441729222829
Welcome to part ✌️ of myth-busting a "purpose-driven" life.Here’s what they don’t tell you when you’re 22 and full of ambition-flavored LaCroix: Your job doesn’t have to be your calling.Sometimes it’s just… your job. (And that’s not failure. That’s rent.)Make sure you're following me for part three, and feel free to drop any comments/questions/concerns below.p.s. If your job IS your calling, that's wonderful. Seriously. NO shade to you. In fact, that's so cool.

My beloved overachievers: bless you for trying to slow down. For attempting presence. For putting down that book you secretly hate (yes, even if it won a Pulitzer).

Unposted memories still count in a world where Everything Happens.

3908 39
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18054063023161490
My beloved overachievers: bless you for trying to slow down. For attempting presence. For putting down that book you secretly hate (yes, even if it won a Pulitzer).Unposted memories still count in a world where Everything Happens.

The summer I tried to poke holes in the idea of the purpose-driven life.

Welcome to Part One of a series I`m loosely titling, "a purpose-driven life doesn`t always give us the meaning we crave." We`ll explore "purpose-monsters," how we got here, and what we can do instead to ease the pressure of finding the ONE THING that is supposed to guide our life`s actions, decisions, and meaning.

Make sure you`re following for Part ✌️ and drop any questions/comments/concerns you have below!

7493 157
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18147144967402763
The summer I tried to poke holes in the idea of the purpose-driven life.Welcome to Part One of a series I'm loosely titling, "a purpose-driven life doesn't always give us the meaning we crave." We'll explore "purpose-monsters," how we got here, and what we can do instead to ease the pressure of finding the ONE THING that is supposed to guide our life's actions, decisions, and meaning.Make sure you're following for Part ✌️ and drop any questions/comments/concerns you have below!

Did I want an excuse to try a new potato chip flavor? Yes, obviously. BUT I really just think some things don`t need to be side-hustled into meaning.

That`s all.

1430 32
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18072779521850930
Did I want an excuse to try a new potato chip flavor? Yes, obviously. BUT I really just think some things don't need to be side-hustled into meaning.That's all.

Here`s what I would say if I were your friend and not afraid of hurting your feelings: "Your life isn`t inherently more meaningful if you`re busy all the time."

Busy DOES NOT equal meaning.

Today’s @substack essay is for anyone stuck somewhere between being present and redoing their to-do list for the third time. A love letter to the overthinkers, the under-nappers, and anyone trying (and failing) to chill. (Also, preaching to myself.)

Comment "🐝" and I`ll send you a link to the essay.

8957 859
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18056011271608129
Here's what I would say if I were your friend and not afraid of hurting your feelings: "Your life isn't inherently more meaningful if you're busy all the time."Busy DOES NOT equal meaning.Today’s @substack essay is for anyone stuck somewhere between being present and redoing their to-do list for the third time. A love letter to the overthinkers, the under-nappers, and anyone trying (and failing) to chill. (Also, preaching to myself.)Comment "🐝" and I'll send you a link to the essay.

A little work. A little play. A lot of Zach yelling at fish to “bite” (with his trusty bait: a chicken nugget tied to a piece of trash. No fishing pole in sight.)

@lakesideohio — thank you for having me.

Lakeside is more than a summer stop. It’s part of the historic Chautauqua tradition—a movement that began in the 1870s with the simple goal of training Sunday school teachers by the lake. But it grew into something bigger: a vision for lifelong learning, beauty, and belonging. A place where lectures and concerts, worship and porch chats, all lived side by side.

It’s a place that still believes in the sacred possibility of gathering. That our hearts and minds deserve tending, not just our calendars.

The opportunity to spend a week on the shores of Lake Erie, meeting so many of you, has filled me up in a way I didn`t know I needed.

I even met someone who knew my uncle from the Sahara desert. It’s a long story, but TRUST ME—I’m basically a legend now at family reunions.

#lakesideohio #lovelakeside

2221 23
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18513139468016760
A little work. A little play. A lot of Zach yelling at fish to “bite” (with his trusty bait: a chicken nugget tied to a piece of trash. No fishing pole in sight.)@lakesideohio — thank you for having me.Lakeside is more than a summer stop. It’s part of the historic Chautauqua tradition—a movement that began in the 1870s with the simple goal of training Sunday school teachers by the lake. But it grew into something bigger: a vision for lifelong learning, beauty, and belonging. A place where lectures and concerts, worship and porch chats, all lived side by side.It’s a place that still believes in the sacred possibility of gathering. That our hearts and minds deserve tending, not just our calendars.The opportunity to spend a week on the shores of Lake Erie, meeting so many of you, has filled me up in a way I didn't know I needed.I even met someone who knew my uncle from the Sahara desert. It’s a long story, but TRUST ME—I’m basically a legend now at family reunions.#lakesideohio #lovelakeside

Because obviously, true happiness, purpose, and alignment have always been just four(ish) easy steps away.

Follow me for more cultural myth-busting.

2343 59
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18083010433892905
Because obviously, true happiness, purpose, and alignment have always been just four(ish) easy steps away.Follow me for more cultural myth-busting.

 

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