In this emotionally stirring episode of “Passion Struck” with John R. Miles, we delve into the heart of human resilience with the remarkable Dr. Kate Bowler. As an author, professor, and guiding light of hope, Dr. Bowler shares her profound journey through the trials of a stage IV colon cancer diagnosis, questioning the cliché that “everything happens for a reason.”
In a world that often glosses over the messiness of life with superficial platitudes, Dr. Bowler brings a raw, unfiltered perspective on dealing with life’s harshest realities. Kate is the author of Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved and No Cure for Being Human. She opens up about her search for meaning in the chaos of life and her courageous battle against the false narrative of a perfect life promoted by a culture obsessed with relentless positivity.
“I do think the problem for a lot of us is that we’re like completely lead footed on that gas pedal and then we wonder why we feel scared, fearful, and overwhelmed.”
Dr. Kate Bowler
Life Unfiltered: Kate Bowler’s Rollercoaster Ride through Reality on Passion Struck
Join John R. Miles on “Passion Struck” as he converses with the inspiring Dr. Kate Bowler, a New York Times bestselling author and a beacon of hope in understanding the complexities of the human spirit. In a world that often glosses over the messiness of life with superficial platitudes, Dr. Bowler brings a raw, unfiltered perspective on dealing with life’s harshest realities.
From confronting a dire cancer diagnosis to questioning the ingrained belief that ‘everything happens for a reason,’ this episode is an exploration of authenticity, the power of vulnerability, and the relentless quest for true meaning beyond the facade of a perfect life. Tune in for a heartfelt dialogue that promises to move you and offer a new lens through which to view life’s inevitable challenges.
In this episode, you’ll be able to:
- Explore Authenticity: Dr. Kate Bowler shares her unfiltered perspective on navigating life’s complexities and challenges, urging us to embrace authenticity.
- Challenge Beliefs: From questioning the conventional wisdom of ‘everything happens for a reason’ to redefining our understanding of purpose, delve into thought-provoking conversations.
- Navigate Harsh Realities: Join the dialogue on facing harsh realities, including Dr. Bowler’s personal journey through a challenging cancer diagnosis, offering insights on resilience and hope.
- Embrace Vulnerability: Discover the transformative power of vulnerability as Dr. Bowler opens up about her own struggles and triumphs, inviting you to find strength in embracing imperfections.
- Reevaluate Meaning: Gain a fresh perspective on the relentless quest for meaning beyond societal expectations and the pursuit of a perfect life.
Tune in for a whimsical and heartfelt conversation that challenges norms and invites you to ride the rollercoaster of life unfiltered.
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Flawsome Living with Kate Bowler: Navigating Life’s Beautiful Mess
In this episode, we plunge into the fascinating realm of belief systems, dissecting the intricate connections between spirituality, mindset, and societal expectations. Dr. Kate Bowler, with her expertise in the prosperity gospel and American religious history, provides a thought-provoking perspective on the evolution of beliefs, especially in the context of the prosperity gospel.
Kate navigates through the terrain of American religions, shedding light on the intriguing paradoxes within belief structures. The statistics she mentions, like the significant percentage of people who believe that God wants them to be happy, underscore the pervasive influence of certain fundamental beliefs.
The notion that God’s love and goodness should translate into a life filled with blessings poses a complex challenge. Kate invites us to question the assumption that all good things are rewards for being the “right” kind of person, emphasizing the disparity between this cultural expectation and the Christian narrative, which includes suffering and martyrdom.
A riveting aspect of Kate’s exploration is her journey into the history of the prosperity gospel, unraveling its roots in the late 1970s. The rise of prosperity churches, even in seemingly unlikely places like Canada, reflects a shift in societal attitudes toward success, health, and wealth. Kate shares an anecdote about a large church in Manitoba, predominantly attended by Mennonites, challenging the stereotype of their frugal lifestyle.
Delving deeper into the conversation, we touch upon the influence of 19th-century beliefs in mind over matter, particularly in movements like New Thought. Kate connects these historical perspectives to the prosperity gospel, highlighting the enduring American belief in the power of positive thought and the mind’s ability to shape reality.
Shifting gears, we explore the intersection of myths and religious beliefs, drawing inspiration from Joseph Campbell’s “The Power of Myth.” Kate expounds on the common myths woven into the American religious fabric, emphasizing the faith in righteous individuals, the power of the mind, and the trajectory toward unlimited progress and resources.
As our conversation unfolds, Kate intriguingly points out the ongoing creation of new religions, anticipating a surge in religious forms centered around artificial intelligence. This prompts contemplation on the ever-evolving nature of belief systems and their adaptation to societal shifts.
Thanks, Dr. Kate Bowler
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Resources From The Show With Kate Bowler
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- Website: https://katebowler.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katecbowler/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/katecbowler/?_rdc=1&_rdr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatecBowler
- Buy ‘Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved’
- Buy ‘No Cure for Being Human’
- Listen to ‘Everything Happens’ Podcast with Kate Bowler: https://katebowler.com/podcasts/
- Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
- Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
- Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.
- Want to learn the 12 philosophies that the most successful people use to create a limitless life? Pre-order John R. Miles’s new book, Passion Struck, which will be released on February 6, 2024.
My solo episode on Why We All Crave To Matter: Exploring The Power Of Mattering: https://passionstruck.com/exploring-the-power-of-mattering/
Watch my interview with Katie Horwitch On How You Shift The Narrative Of Negative Self-Talk: https://passionstruck.com/katie-horwitch-shift-the-narrative-of-self-talk/
Catch my interview with Louie Schwartzberg On The Incredible Journey Of Gratitude: https://passionstruck.com/louie-schwartzberg-on-the-journey-of-gratitude/
My solo episode on The 6 Key Steps To Bold Risk-Taking For Personal Growth: https://passionstruck.com/6-key-steps-to-bold-risk-taking/
About Today’s Guest, Dr. Kate Bowler
Kate Bowler, Ph.D., is a prominent figure—a 3x New York Times bestselling author, acclaimed podcast host, and respected professor at Duke University. Renowned for exploring cultural narratives around success and suffering, Kate authored the definitive history of the American prosperity gospel, unraveling the belief in divine bestowals of health, wealth, and happiness.
Her personal narrative took an unexpected turn with a stage IV cancer diagnosis at 35, leading to the creation of two bestselling memoirs: “Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved)” and “No Cure For Being Human (and Other Truths I Need to Hear).” Beyond the pages, Kate emerged triumphant, declaring herself cancer-free but forever changed.
Kate’s commitment to a more compassionate world unfolds through her podcast, “Everything Happens,” where she engages in insightful conversations with figures like Malcolm Gladwell and Tig Notaro. With seven books, including “Good Enough” and “Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!” Kate resides in Durham, North Carolina, balancing family life with her role at Duke Divinity School. Her journey epitomizes resilience, compassion, and a profound understanding of the human experience.
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