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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
      Amy Griffin

      Some Warriors Weep

      Listen Now Some Warriors Weep
      Mike Krzyzewski

      Love in Winning, Love in Losing

      Listen Now Love in Winning, Love in Losing
      Katelyn Tarver

      The Hardest Part: A Lent for Real Life

      Listen Now The Hardest Part: A Lent for Real Life
      Vivek Murthy

      We Are Good Medicine

      Listen Now We Are Good Medicine
  • 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

hospital

Top 10 Gifts I Want in the Hospital
Uncategorized

Top 10 Gifts I Want in the Hospital

Bykatebowler October 2, 2017August 17, 2023

Spending days in a hospital bed can be downright miserable. Want to be an Awesome Hospital VisitorFriend™? Sneak one of these ten things through security.

Read More Top 10 Gifts I Want in the HospitalContinue

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

Lent is hard and I contain multitudes.

#lent2025 #thehardestpart #wecontainmultitudes

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Lent is hard and I contain multitudes. #lent2025 #thehardestpart #wecontainmultitudes

#CologuardPartner. Alright, friends. We need to talk. March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, which means, if you’re eligible, this is your official sign to schedule your colon cancer screening.

Not next year. Not next month. But RIGHT. NOW.

The Cologuard test is intended to screen adults 45 and older at average risk for colorectal cancer. Do not use a Cologuard test if you have had adenomas, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. False positives and false negatives can occur. Rx only.

#coloncancerawarenessmonth

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#CologuardPartner. Alright, friends. We need to talk. March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, which means, if you’re eligible, this is your official sign to schedule your colon cancer screening. Not next year. Not next month. But RIGHT. NOW. The Cologuard test is intended to screen adults 45 and older at average risk for colorectal cancer. Do not use a Cologuard test if you have had adenomas, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. False positives and false negatives can occur. Rx only. #coloncancerawarenessmonth

Life has a way of hardening our hearts. It`s not a terrible instinct, either. Sometimes, it is all you can do to heal from pain, suffering, or lessons we have learned the hard way.

BUT closing off hearts and keeping them stones forever isn`t the answer for everything - we are alive to risk our hearts.

Lent is the perfect time to practice staying soft as an act of strength. But let`s be honest; this practice applies to more than just a 40-day season.

#lentdevotional #lent2025 #keepyourheartsoft

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Life has a way of hardening our hearts. It's not a terrible instinct, either. Sometimes, it is all you can do to heal from pain, suffering, or lessons we have learned the hard way. BUT closing off hearts and keeping them stones forever isn't the answer for everything - we are alive to risk our hearts. Lent is the perfect time to practice staying soft as an act of strength. But let's be honest; this practice applies to more than just a 40-day season. #lentdevotional #lent2025 #keepyourheartsoft

I just need to say that @amygriffin is the ultimate "girl`s girl." Whether she`s investing in a woman-owned company, showing up for her friends hitting crazy milestones, or just simply telling me "You are wanted here" when I felt totally out of place - she loves supporting and championing the women in her life.

But, what happens when the person who spends all their time championing others realizes they need to tell their own story?

Today`s conversation on Everything Happens is a gorgeous testament to the surprising joy of telling the truth, even when it feels impossible.

Comment "TELL," or "☎️" and I`ll DM you a link to listen to our whole conversation. 🎧💕

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I just need to say that @amygriffin is the ultimate "girl's girl." Whether she's investing in a woman-owned company, showing up for her friends hitting crazy milestones, or just simply telling me "You are wanted here" when I felt totally out of place - she loves supporting and championing the women in her life. But, what happens when the person who spends all their time championing others realizes they need to tell their own story? Today's conversation on Everything Happens is a gorgeous testament to the surprising joy of telling the truth, even when it feels impossible. Comment "TELL," or "☎️" and I'll DM you a link to listen to our whole conversation. 🎧💕

Lent reminds us that two things can be true at once: 🌱💔

You are dust. You are loved.
Love will break your heart. Do it anyway.
Even in the drought, hope asks, “Can anything good grow here?”

Which one hits you most today?

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Lent reminds us that two things can be true at once: 🌱💔 You are dust. You are loved. Love will break your heart. Do it anyway. Even in the drought, hope asks, “Can anything good grow here?” Which one hits you most today?

There`s so much you simply can`t pause in life - work deadlines, people depending on you, and that endless list of worries (that you may or may not have created) spiraling around in your brain.

But today, could you give yourself a little permission not to have to do it all? Sink into what rest you can, little by little.

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There's so much you simply can't pause in life - work deadlines, people depending on you, and that endless list of worries (that you may or may not have created) spiraling around in your brain. But today, could you give yourself a little permission not to have to do it all? Sink into what rest you can, little by little.

Before you say, “I’m not a leader; this isn’t for me,” just hang on.

This week’s Lent theme reminds us (yet again) that things are not as they should be. Even when you think you have a solid plan, life has a way of careening off the rails. TRUST.

But if we take a page from Coach K (and honestly, why not?), the key is staying agile, adaptable, and accountable. That’s how we move forward—with our people, our families, and even our very tired, very over-it selves.

Never thought I’d be quoting sports strategy, but here we are.

#coachK #leadershipskills #leadershiptips

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Before you say, “I’m not a leader; this isn’t for me,” just hang on. This week’s Lent theme reminds us (yet again) that things are not as they should be. Even when you think you have a solid plan, life has a way of careening off the rails. TRUST. But if we take a page from Coach K (and honestly, why not?), the key is staying agile, adaptable, and accountable. That’s how we move forward—with our people, our families, and even our very tired, very over-it selves. Never thought I’d be quoting sports strategy, but here we are. #coachK #leadershipskills #leadershiptips

Consider this your gentle reminder to check in with yourself during this season. There can be a lot of pressure to do a spiritual practice (or any practice really) a certain way.

I promise you, there`s no secret "10,000 hours" formula here - we have to show up and practice holding things a little more loosely. Letting things go to make space for the good.

Because it`s on the way.

To take this conversation deeper, comment "CHAT," and I`ll send you a link to download your free Lent devotional.

#lent2025 #lentdevotional #hopeuponhope

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Consider this your gentle reminder to check in with yourself during this season. There can be a lot of pressure to do a spiritual practice (or any practice really) a certain way. I promise you, there's no secret "10,000 hours" formula here - we have to show up and practice holding things a little more loosely. Letting things go to make space for the good. Because it's on the way. To take this conversation deeper, comment "CHAT," and I'll send you a link to download your free Lent devotional. #lent2025 #lentdevotional #hopeuponhope

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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Join us in this journey with our free 40-day devotional, The Hardest Part.

Explore our Lent devotionals created for every journey—whether you’re reflecting on your own, gathering with a group, or leading a congregation through this sacred season.

sign up for Lent
  • 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
      Amy Griffin

      Some Warriors Weep

      Listen Now Some Warriors Weep
      Mike Krzyzewski

      Love in Winning, Love in Losing

      Listen Now Love in Winning, Love in Losing
      Katelyn Tarver

      The Hardest Part: A Lent for Real Life

      Listen Now The Hardest Part: A Lent for Real Life
      Vivek Murthy

      We Are Good Medicine

      Listen Now We Are Good Medicine
  • 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