Kate Bowler

We love the theologian Kate Bowler's allergy to every platitude and her wisdom and wit about the strange and messy fullness of what it means to be in a human body. She's best known for her 2018 book Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I've Loved) — a poetic and powerful reflection on learning at age 35 that she had Stage IV colon cancer. From a reset on how to think about aging, to the new reality in our time of living with cancer as a chronic illness, to the telling of truths to our young, this beautiful conversation is full of the vividly whole humanity that Kate Bowler singularly embodies. (Also, as you'll hear, if she hadn't become a theologian, she might have been a stand-up comedian.)Krista and Kate spoke as part of the 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival.Kate Bowler's beloved books include Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) and most recently, The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. She is an associate professor at Duke Divinity School and made an early name in her field of American religious history with her 2013 book Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel. She also hosts the podcast Everything Happens.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org._____Sign up for The Pause — a Saturday morning companion to the podcast season.

In this engaging conversation, Kate Bowler, a Duke professor and bestselling author living with stage four colon cancer, shares her insights on embracing uncertainty and the messiness of life. She emphasizes the importance of truth-telling with children, steering clear of toxic positivity. Kate discusses transforming pain into purpose, navigating the challenges children face, and fostering genuine connections. With personal anecdotes, she highlights the balance between validating emotions and encouraging resilience in parenting.

An irreverent conversation about hope between journalist Wajahat Ali and theologian Kate Bowler. They speak to this moment we’re in through the friendship they found on the edge of life and death that is cancer — Wajahat through his young daughter; and Kate with a stage 4 diagnosis at the age of 35 that she’s chronicled in a beloved memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved). Their conversation is rich with practical wisdom for facing uncertainty and mortality, losses we did not foresee, and new beginnings we would not have chosen.This is the first in a new series, The Future of Hope — a beautiful array of voices, former guests on this show, having the conversations they want to be hearing in this time.Wajahat Ali is a columnist at The Daily Beast and his essays, interviews, and reporting have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. He also is a Senior Fellow at the Western States Center and Auburn Seminary. He wrote the celebrated play, The Domestic Crusaders. His first book, Go Back To Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American, will be published in early 2022. Kate Bowler is an associate professor of the history of Christianity in North America at Duke Divinity School. She’s the author of, Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel and the New York Times best-selling memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved). She also hosts the podcast Everything Happens. Her new book is No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear).Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Bestselling author Kate Bowler, renowned for her memoirs exploring life's unpredictability, joins the conversation. She shares her humorous yet candid insights on the writing process, discussing how it's often easier to express truths on the page than in person. Kate delves into the emotional journey of writing about hardship and how chronic illness reshapes identity and relationships. She emphasizes the power of storytelling in navigating personal struggles and the importance of embracing uncertainty while celebrating life’s ordinary moments.

Historian and author Kate Bowler, who has personally experienced grief and suffering, joins Russell Moore to discuss her new book and explore the vulnerability of being human. They delve into the theology of suffering, the impact of the prosperity gospel, and the power of acts of kindness in times of trial.

Beloved author and associate professor Kate Bowler talks about finding hope and assurance in the midst of uncertainty after experiencing a life-altering event.

Get ready for a new season of On Being with guests such as Kerry Washington, Kate Bowler, Reid Hoffman, Latanya Sweeney, Nick Cave, and Baratunde Thurston. They will explore topics like loss, love, AI, truth, and acting in this upcoming season starting on September 21st.

Renowned author and professor Kate Bowler discusses faith, resilience, and misconceptions of positive thinking amidst battling stage four cancer. They explore the dichotomy of American Christian traditions, the complexities of suffering, and the deep struggles that accompany a life of faith. A heartfelt conversation filled with wisdom, humor, and authenticity.

Professor of religious history at Duke, Kate Bowler, discusses the influence of the prosperity gospel on today's wellness industry. She shares her personal story of being diagnosed with cancer at age 35, challenging the idea of self-improvement. The podcast explores the origins of the prosperity gospel, the power of positive thinking, and the parallels between performing religion and performing health. It also emphasizes the importance of congregational community in navigating challenges and maintaining faith.

In this engaging discussion, bestselling author and Duke Divinity professor Kate Bowler, a recovering stage 4 cancer patient, tackles societal views on fairness and self-help myths. Joined by Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks, an expert in happiness research, they explore the intertwined nature of love, fear, and emotional courage. They delve into the impact of mortality on happiness and the vital role of human connections, challenging listeners to embrace the full spectrum of emotions as they navigate life's complexities.