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Kate Bowler

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
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
  
  Wilma Derksen
  Living With What You Cannot Change
  Listen Now Living With What You Cannot Change
  Parker Palmer
  Standing in the Gap
  Listen Now Standing in the Gap
  Charles Spencer
  Confronting the Past
  Listen Now Confronting the Past
  Tembi Locke
  Grief of the Almosts
  Listen Now Grief of the Almosts
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

Kate Bowler

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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Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

In addition to blessing the crap out of people, I really love gifting folks lil treats. One of my go-tos is toffee from @durhamtoffee . You may have even received some from me!

Rebecca, the owner and founder, was dear enough to invite my team into her delicious-smelling kitchen (seriously drool-inducing) to learn how everything gets made. And let me just say, you can tell a lot about a person by how quickly they spread melted sugar. IT’S A HIGH PRESSURE SITUATION PEOPLE.

Her sweet invite was a precious reminder that our communities are worth investing in and that real humans make our places so special.

And who knows? If this gig doesn’t work out - I think I might have a future in toffee making.

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In addition to blessing the crap out of people, I really love gifting folks lil treats. One of my go-tos is toffee from @durhamtoffee . You may have even received some from me!

Rebecca, the owner and founder, was dear enough to invite my team into her delicious-smelling kitchen (seriously drool-inducing) to learn how everything gets made. And let me just say, you can tell a lot about a person by how quickly they spread melted sugar. IT’S A HIGH PRESSURE SITUATION PEOPLE.

Her sweet invite was a precious reminder that our communities are worth investing in and that real humans make our places so special.

And who knows? If this gig doesn’t work out - I think I might have a future in toffee making.

Blessed are you who see the world as it truly is.

Terrible. Beautiful. Fragile.

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Blessed are you who see the world as it truly is.

Terrible. Beautiful. Fragile.

Goodness is all we need to reflect back.

Comment "GOOD," and I`ll send you a link to the episode. 🎧💕

#homeboyindustries #fathergregboyle

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Goodness is all we need to reflect back.

Comment "GOOD," and I'll send you a link to the episode. 🎧💕

#homeboyindustries #fathergregboyle

It feels impossible to know for certain how to navigate such uncertain times. But in my experience, I hear pastors, authors, poets, advocates, and public servants talk about what it means to be fully human, and it gives me unmatched hope - even now.

May our hearts break open and remember that we belong to each other.

Take what you need.

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It feels impossible to know for certain how to navigate such uncertain times. But in my experience, I hear pastors, authors, poets, advocates, and public servants talk about what it means to be fully human, and it gives me unmatched hope - even now.

May our hearts break open and remember that we belong to each other.

Take what you need.

When we can’t see the light or feel its warmth, may we be light for the people around us. For our neighbors, our families, and our communities.

Take good care today - of yourself and your people.

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When we can’t see the light or feel its warmth, may we be light for the people around us. For our neighbors, our families, and our communities.

Take good care today - of yourself and your people.

As we enter a day/week where anything could happen, may we hold steady in the uncertainty. In a season of sharp divides, may we remember to stay soft enough to listen and strong enough to show up again, and again, and again.

#electionday2024

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As we enter a day/week where anything could happen, may we hold steady in the uncertainty. In a season of sharp divides, may we remember to stay soft enough to listen and strong enough to show up again, and again, and again.

#electionday2024

I don`t know if you knew this or not, but today is election day. And if you want a guest who will make you feel both comforted and challenged today, this one is for you.

And I wanted to leave you with a couple of reminders from today`s incredible guest, Parker Palmer:

1. It`s possible to practice a love so large that your heart expands during difficult times rather than breaks into shards.
2. "You be a citizen of this democracy by engaging with others around shared concerns and the direction you want the country to take. Will you save the day? No. But no day has ever been saved by an individual act."

Comment LOVE for a link to listen to the full episode.

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I don't know if you knew this or not, but today is election day. And if you want a guest who will make you feel both comforted and challenged today, this one is for you.

And I wanted to leave you with a couple of reminders from today's incredible guest, Parker Palmer:

1. It's possible to practice a love so large that your heart expands during difficult times rather than breaks into shards.
2. "You be a citizen of this democracy by engaging with others around shared concerns and the direction you want the country to take. Will you save the day? No. But no day has ever been saved by an individual act."

Comment LOVE for a link to listen to the full episode.

Part of this wild ride we`re all on is learning that we are human. We fail, we try, we fail again.

I`m not telling you to settle for something you don`t like or stay somewhere you`re not wanted.

I am telling you that if you`re always so focused on changing your life in an epic way, you`ll miss the daily wins that make this existence meaningful.

Sometimes it is too late. And that`s okay.

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Part of this wild ride we're all on is learning that we are human. We fail, we try, we fail again.

I'm not telling you to settle for something you don't like or stay somewhere you're not wanted.

I am telling you that if you're always so focused on changing your life in an epic way, you'll miss the daily wins that make this existence meaningful.

Sometimes it is too late. And that's okay.

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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Blessings

Everything Happens.

Join us in this journey with our free 4-week daily devotional, The Weary World Rejoices.

Explore our Advent devotionals designed for every journey—whether you’re reflecting on your own, gathering with a group, or diving deeper in a Bible study or Sunday school setting.

sign up for advent

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
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
  
  Wilma Derksen
  Living With What You Cannot Change
  Listen Now Living With What You Cannot Change
  Parker Palmer
  Standing in the Gap
  Listen Now Standing in the Gap
  Charles Spencer
  Confronting the Past
  Listen Now Confronting the Past
  Tembi Locke
  Grief of the Almosts
  Listen Now Grief of the Almosts
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

Meet Kate

Get to Know Me

How to Connect

Everything Happens.

Books

Everything Happens for a Reason

Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!

No Cure for Being Human

Resources

Types

Topics

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.

Follow along on socials

Everything Happens.

Browse by topic

Join us in this journey with our free 4-week daily devotional, The Weary World Rejoices.

Meet Kate

Get to Know Me

How to Connect

Everything Happens.

Books

Everything Happens for a Reason

Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!

No Cure for Being Human

Resources

Types

Topics

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.