Skip to content

While It Was Yet Dark: Seven Weeks Through Easter

join us here!
  • 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
      Amanda Doyle

      When Fixing Isn’t Loving

      Listen Now When Fixing Isn’t Loving
      Lisa Damour

      How to Talk to Teenagers

      Listen Now How to Talk to Teenagers
      Father Ron Rolheiser

      The Ache That Makes Us Human

      Listen Now The Ache That Makes Us Human
      Melinda French Gates

      That Clearing in Between

      Listen Now That Clearing in Between
  • 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

soundtrack

Sonic Soup of Vulnerability
Uncategorized

Sonic Soup of Vulnerability

Bykatebowler January 29, 2018August 17, 2023

This book is a way to faithfully stare down the darkness together.

Read More Sonic Soup of VulnerabilityContinue

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

Take yourself off the hook.

You’re not meant to fix it all. 💕

It feels so hard, I know, because the sheer magnitude of everything feels like simply too much. But as the great @sharonsaysso reminds us, “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.”

5 2
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18084396613733911
Take yourself off the hook. You’re not meant to fix it all. 💕 It feels so hard, I know, because the sheer magnitude of everything feels like simply too much. But as the great @sharonsaysso reminds us, “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.”

May we all keep swimming out into life, whether our feet find a rock or not.

820 4
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18065123669492990
May we all keep swimming out into life, whether our feet find a rock or not.

👋 Hi, I’m Kate. I’m not here to help you live your best life. I’m here to help you live your real one.

I’m a Duke professor, podcaster, and author who was once told I was incurable. Now I’m cancer-free. But there’s no going “back to normal” after that.

What I know now?

Life is so beautiful. Life is so hard. For everyone.

If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine - you’re not alone here.

7 0
Open post by katecbowler with ID 17973026807728065
👋 Hi, I’m Kate. I’m not here to help you live your best life. I’m here to help you live your real one. I’m a Duke professor, podcaster, and author who was once told I was incurable. Now I’m cancer-free. But there’s no going “back to normal” after that. What I know now? Life is so beautiful. Life is so hard. For everyone. If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine - you’re not alone here.

No one gets through life alone.

It`s true that we all need a village, but there will be unique times when we get to BE the village for someone else.

This post is full of ways to show up for others and to say "thank you" to those who already have.

Because hope? It’s a group project.

9508 116
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18081293470740074
No one gets through life alone. It's true that we all need a village, but there will be unique times when we get to BE the village for someone else. This post is full of ways to show up for others and to say "thank you" to those who already have. Because hope? It’s a group project.

Raise your hand if you’re “the fixer.” The one who holds everything together. Makes the plans. Predicts every outcome (and acts accordingly). Carries the weight, emotionally and physically. 🙋‍♀️

But what happens when that strength becomes a shield? One that protects you from yourself?

In today’s episode of Everything Happens with Amanda Doyle of the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast, we talk about the pitfalls of fixing so hard it feels like control, cancer, parenting, and literally everything in between.

Comment “SHIELD” or and I’ll send you a link to listen to the full conversation. 🎙️

#amandadoyle #wecandohardthings #everythinghappens

1390 504
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18057422978331610
Raise your hand if you’re “the fixer.” The one who holds everything together. Makes the plans. Predicts every outcome (and acts accordingly). Carries the weight, emotionally and physically. 🙋‍♀️ But what happens when that strength becomes a shield? One that protects you from yourself? In today’s episode of Everything Happens with Amanda Doyle of the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast, we talk about the pitfalls of fixing so hard it feels like control, cancer, parenting, and literally everything in between. Comment “SHIELD” or and I’ll send you a link to listen to the full conversation. 🎙️ #amandadoyle #wecandohardthings #everythinghappens

Seasons of transition stir up ALL. THE. FEELINGS. Go easy on yourself and try to let go of something small today.

SPOILER: That thing you put down? It’ll probably be there tomorrow, too. So give yourself today.

1916 15
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18343330645081989
Seasons of transition stir up ALL. THE. FEELINGS. Go easy on yourself and try to let go of something small today. SPOILER: That thing you put down? It’ll probably be there tomorrow, too. So give yourself today.

"And may love - real, honest, ordinary love - be what finds you.

Today and every day after."

Happy Mother`s Day. 💕

8491 79
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18058179475957891
"And may love - real, honest, ordinary love - be what finds you. Today and every day after." Happy Mother's Day. 💕

It feels like many headlines about teenagers are big, confusing, and scary. And while those can undoubtedly be true, we`re living in crazy times, the "Patron Saint of Teenagers" @lisa.damour, wants to remind us that today`s teens are SO INTERESTING.

They`re leading creative and complex lives - but how do we talk to them?! Here are five things Dr. Damour says to keep in mind when engaging with the teens in your life.

p.s. If you`re a parent or caregiver of teens or someone who walks alongside teens, and would like a little extra guidance, comment "TEENS" and I`ll send you our new curriculum, "Loving Teenagers Well."

It`s a six-week series full of discussion questions, videos, scripture, and blessings designed to be discussed with other people (either in person or group text!). There are no perfect versions here. Just real people doing their best to love and guide wholehearted, hopeful kids in an overwhelming world.

4763 1494
Open post by katecbowler with ID 18116816608461353
It feels like many headlines about teenagers are big, confusing, and scary. And while those can undoubtedly be true, we're living in crazy times, the "Patron Saint of Teenagers" @lisa.damour, wants to remind us that today's teens are SO INTERESTING. They're leading creative and complex lives - but how do we talk to them?! Here are five things Dr. Damour says to keep in mind when engaging with the teens in your life. p.s. If you're a parent or caregiver of teens or someone who walks alongside teens, and would like a little extra guidance, comment "TEENS" and I'll send you our new curriculum, "Loving Teenagers Well." It's a six-week series full of discussion questions, videos, scripture, and blessings designed to be discussed with other people (either in person or group text!). There are no perfect versions here. Just real people doing their best to love and guide wholehearted, hopeful kids in an overwhelming world.

 

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.

Sign up below to receive a weekly email from Kate Bowler every Wednesday.

Name
Other emails we have available:
  • 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
      Amanda Doyle

      When Fixing Isn’t Loving

      Listen Now When Fixing Isn’t Loving
      Lisa Damour

      How to Talk to Teenagers

      Listen Now How to Talk to Teenagers
      Father Ron Rolheiser

      The Ache That Makes Us Human

      Listen Now The Ache That Makes Us Human
      Melinda French Gates

      That Clearing in Between

      Listen Now That Clearing in Between
  • 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