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Catch up on Season 13 episodes

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

chaplaincy

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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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I’m also interested in church/ministry resources sent monthly.

I’m also interested in church/ministry resources sent monthly.

I want to receive newsletters once a month

Follow along on socials

@katecbowler

Are you also a Small Talk Survivor™️ ? (Who has time for small talk at this moment in time!?)

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Are you also a Small Talk Survivor™️ ? (Who has time for small talk at this moment in time!?)

This is not meant to induce holiday panic, but I do want you to know that Advent starts December 1st, and I`d love to stumble through the season together.

We`re not approaching Advent with delighted certainty of what`s to come. We`re approaching this season by waiting - tired waiting. Waiting for test results. Waiting for your family to be better. Waiting for your life to make sense. It`s exhausting, isn`t it? We`re weary.

But this season is special. This is a time where we get to reflect on Advent`s promises of truth, compassion, restoration, and justice. These promises that pull us toward a future we can only glimpse.

Comment WEARY and I`ll send you the link to the guides. We`ll get through this season together, no matter what it looks like.

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This is not meant to induce holiday panic, but I do want you to know that Advent starts December 1st, and I'd love to stumble through the season together.

We're not approaching Advent with delighted certainty of what's to come. We're approaching this season by waiting - tired waiting. Waiting for test results. Waiting for your family to be better. Waiting for your life to make sense. It's exhausting, isn't it? We're weary.

But this season is special. This is a time where we get to reflect on Advent's promises of truth, compassion, restoration, and justice. These promises that pull us toward a future we can only glimpse.

Comment WEARY and I'll send you the link to the guides. We'll get through this season together, no matter what it looks like.

In 1984, Wilma Derksen endured an unspeakable tragedy. Every parent`s worst nightmare *actually* happened to her.

In the years that followed, between court cases, grief, anger, and heartache, Wilma learned to forgive in a way most of us will never experience. There`s bravery and courage in Wilma`s words and a freedom in accepting that there are just some realities we`ll never get over.

Listen or watch at the link in my bio. 🎧🎙️

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In 1984, Wilma Derksen endured an unspeakable tragedy. Every parent's worst nightmare *actually* happened to her.

In the years that followed, between court cases, grief, anger, and heartache, Wilma learned to forgive in a way most of us will never experience. There's bravery and courage in Wilma's words and a freedom in accepting that there are just some realities we'll never get over.

Listen or watch at the link in my bio. 🎧🎙️

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.

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.

© 2024 Kate Bowler
Development by Penner Web Design

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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