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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
      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
  • 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

healing

Winning the Tragedy Contest
Uncategorized

Winning the Tragedy Contest

Bykatebowler January 8, 2018August 17, 2023

Going through something terrible makes you want to become the “perspective police,” to command everyone to shut their pieholes until they fully recognize how horrible things are for you. What can you do when you’re trying to win the tragedy contest?

Read More Winning the Tragedy ContestContinue

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

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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Open
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
      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
      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