Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

Kate Bowler, a Duke professor and bestselling author from Canada, kicks off a new season by diving into the complexities of life, happiness, and suffering. She candidly explores the lack of a magic formula for navigating these themes. With humor and honesty, Bowler invites listeners to seek deeper understanding beyond surface-level platitudes, promising engaging conversations with brilliant minds. Join her on this journey to uncover truths about joy and hardship in our everyday lives.

Rob Delaney, a comedian and writer known for his poignant memoir on loss, opens up about the raw realities of grief. He discusses the importance of finding genuine connections with others who understand your pain and shares insights on what not to say to grieving parents. The conversation highlights how tragic loss can alienate individuals while also transforming them into more empathetic beings. Delaney emphasizes that even amid sorrow, the heart continues to beat strong with love and truth.

There is this quote by writer and theologian Frederick Buechner. He writes, “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” …But I always sort of wanted to amend his original words. Because the more honest truth is: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Be a little afraid.” Life is so beautiful. And life is so hard. For everyone. Sometimes at the same time. That is the premise behind my latest book of meditations called Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! Perhaps these reflections on hope and fear in the midst of our real lives resonate with whatever it is you’re facing today. Pick up a copy (or listen on audio) wherever books are sold. Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter)—@katecbowler. Links to social pages and more available at linktr.ee/katecbowler.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Leder, a bestselling author and rabbi known for his compassionate approach to grief, shares profound insights on navigating loss. He emphasizes the importance of simply showing up for those in pain and how beauty can coexist with suffering. Discussing the complexities of life and death, he highlights the significance of honoring complicated lives honestly. Leder's wisdom suggests that while life's lessons emerge from hardship, the lessons are never worth the pain, urging us to emerge from our struggles with meaning.

This is the story of one young doctor’s race against the clock as he searches for a cure for his own rare disease. In this conversation, Kate and David Fajgenbaum discuss: how love can turn hope into action what limited agency means how small steps can lead to big change This episode originally aired in 2020. Stay tuned to the end to hear an incredible update from David and the work he is up to now. He has expanded from finding the cure for his own incurable disease to developing an organization that does the same for others. Incredible.   Watch clips from this conversation, read the full transcript, and access discussion questions by clicking here or visiting katebowler.com/podcasts. Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter)—@katecbowler. Links to social pages and more available at linktr.ee/katecbowler.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Lisa Damour, author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, shares insights on parenting teens post-pandemic. Discusses the importance of managing emotions effectively, being a steady presence, and breaking gender stereotypes in emotional communication. Offers practical advice for parents navigating the challenges of adolescence.

Thomas Lynch, a thoughtful and funny funeral director, discusses the habits of love in grief, elements of a good funeral, and how the deceased continue to know our love. The podcast explores the significance of honesty in grief, insights into funeral director roles, cultural perspectives on grief, and the importance of presence in times of crisis.

Bestselling author and poet, Kwame Alexander, discusses navigating grief, parental love, and sharing past experiences with kids. Exploring the complexities of relationships and expressing love in different ways, this heartfelt conversation delves into the beauty and challenges of love.

Bestselling writer Suleika Jaouad and Kate Bowler discuss the challenges of being a cancer patient, creating better economies of love, and the toll illness takes on loved ones. They explore feelings of guilt, shame, and mercy, along with the importance of support in difficult times. The conversation delves into maintaining boundaries, managing relationships post-illness, and finding beauty and gratitude in vulnerability.

Are some people more empathetic than others? By studying those on the opposite end of the compassion spectrum–those with psychopathy–researcher Dr. Abigail Marsh discovered something surprising.  In this conversation, Kate and Abigail discuss:  The usefulness of fear What it means to be “brave” How we can all learn to belong to one another The power of empathy (and why it actually feels good to give to others) This conversation originally aired in 2020, but is one we return to again and again as we think about how empathy expands our capacity for others. Listen for an update from Abigail on what her recent research is exploring.   Watch clips from this conversation, read the full transcript, and access discussion questions by clicking here or visiting katebowler.com/podcasts. Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter)—@katecbowler. Links to social pages and more available at linktr.ee/katecbowler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.