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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
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
  Atul Gawande
  What Makes Life Worth Living?
  Listen Now What Makes Life Worth Living?
  Kate Bowler
  How to Change (But Not Overnight)
  Listen Now How to Change (But Not Overnight)
  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
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

The grief of losing my husband to cancer after endless rounds of chemo, radiation, life-changing surgery and a clinical trial.

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

What makes life meaningful—especially at the end?

This week on Everything Happens (we’re SO BACK), Dr. @atul.gawande reflects on why that question is at the heart of caregiving. In medicine and in families, knowing what matters most can shape every decision, every conversation, every act of care.

Whether you’re a clinician, a caregiver, or someone navigating these questions for yourself, this is a conversation about humanity and living well all the way to the end.

Comment “BACK” and I’ll send you a link to watch the whole episode. 📺👀🎙️

p.s. To make it even easier to find pod content, be sure to follow @everythinghappens on Instagram!
p.p.s A huge thank you to @aspenideas for collaborating to make this conversation possible.

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What makes life meaningful—especially at the end?This week on Everything Happens (we’re SO BACK), Dr. @atul.gawande reflects on why that question is at the heart of caregiving. In medicine and in families, knowing what matters most can shape every decision, every conversation, every act of care.Whether you’re a clinician, a caregiver, or someone navigating these questions for yourself, this is a conversation about humanity and living well all the way to the end.Comment “BACK” and I’ll send you a link to watch the whole episode. 📺👀🎙️p.s. To make it even easier to find pod content, be sure to follow @everythinghappens on Instagram!
p.p.s A huge thank you to @aspenideas for collaborating to make this conversation possible.

If you are feeling *it all*, you aren`t alone. You are probably just paying attention.

Here`s a little reworking of the Beatitudes for a world where Everything Happens.

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If you are feeling *it all*, you aren't alone. You are probably just paying attention.Here's a little reworking of the Beatitudes for a world where Everything Happens.

On this #GriefAwarenessDay, just a gentle nudge: grief doesn’t follow a tidy timeline. It’s unpredictable. Untamed. It crashes in and lingers long after the world moves on.

Whatever shape your sorrow takes today—that’s okay. There’s no wrong way to grieve. I swear.

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On this #GriefAwarenessDay, just a gentle nudge: grief doesn’t follow a tidy timeline. It’s unpredictable. Untamed. It crashes in and lingers long after the world moves on.Whatever shape your sorrow takes today—that’s okay. There’s no wrong way to grieve. I swear.

Well, we finally did it. Everything Happens has her own Instagram now.

Same heartbreak. Same hope. Just a little more room to bless...well, everything.

Follow @everythinghappens for big feelings, small miracles, and spiritual pep talks from people who don’t believe everything happens for a reason—but still want to live like it matters.

Because we`re not meant to do this alone, especially in a world in which Everything Happens.

p.s. Our new season drops Tuesday, September 2nd!!🎧🎙️

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Well, we finally did it. Everything Happens has her own Instagram now.Same heartbreak. Same hope. Just a little more room to bless...well, everything.Follow @everythinghappens for big feelings, small miracles, and spiritual pep talks from people who don’t believe everything happens for a reason—but still want to live like it matters.Because we're not meant to do this alone, especially in a world in which Everything Happens.p.s. Our new season drops Tuesday, September 2nd!!🎧🎙️

Blessed are we who let reality in, though our bodies shudder.

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Blessed are we who let reality in, though our bodies shudder.

What do Jayne Mansfield, sharks (specifically their hearts), and @humansofny all have in common???

They`re all mentioned in this week`s Substack essay! A curated round-up of things to watch, listen to, cry over...you get the drift.

Comment "SHARK" and I`ll send over the link.

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What do Jayne Mansfield, sharks (specifically their hearts), and @humansofny all have in common???They're all mentioned in this week's Substack essay! A curated round-up of things to watch, listen to, cry over...you get the drift.Comment "SHARK" and I'll send over the link.

I`m FAR FROM PERFECT AT THIS, but there are a few questions I try to ask myself before jumping in with an immediate "yes" to any request.

Also, if you`ve seen me crying in my car, no you haven`t.

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I'm FAR FROM PERFECT AT THIS, but there are a few questions I try to ask myself before jumping in with an immediate "yes" to any request.Also, if you've seen me crying in my car, no you haven't.

Welcome to part three of myth-busting a “purpose-driven” life.

Today’s myth? Your life only counts if it’s capital-I Important.

What if meaning isn’t in the mountaintop moments—but in the sandwich you made, the email you answered, the backyard hole you dug because… it just felt right?

It doesn’t have to be impressive to be sacred.
(It just has to be yours.)

Follow for more cultural myth-ruining and gentle truth-telling. We’re just getting started.

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Welcome to part three of myth-busting a “purpose-driven” life.Today’s myth? Your life only counts if it’s capital-I Important.What if meaning isn’t in the mountaintop moments—but in the sandwich you made, the email you answered, the backyard hole you dug because… it just felt right?It doesn’t have to be impressive to be sacred.
(It just has to be yours.)Follow for more cultural myth-ruining and gentle truth-telling. We’re just getting started.

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
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
  Atul Gawande
  What Makes Life Worth Living?
  Listen Now What Makes Life Worth Living?
  Kate Bowler
  How to Change (But Not Overnight)
  Listen Now How to Change (But Not Overnight)
  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
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