Kate Bowler: Lessons I’ve Learned Living With Incurable Cancer | Amanpour and Company

Duke Professor Kate Bowler’s relationship with God was put to the test when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer at the age of 35. Now the bestselling author is out with a new memoir, "No Cure for Being Human," in which she confronts what she calls the absurdity of the self-help industry and encourages us to find comfort instead in our limitations. She speaks with Michel Martin about all this and more.
Originally aired on October 4, 2021.
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@kathya1321]

She’s so young & eloquent in the description of her situation. I understand completely and agree with her view.. as a caregiver to my sister who lived with terminal lung cancer she grappled with many of these issues. My sister accepted her fate, yet lived each day and fought for her dignity to live her end of life on her terms. I lived each moment with her. She had no illusions. Her courage stunned me. She chose to live her best each and every day. We laughed, cried, lived. This young woman touches my heart profoundly. Thank you for sharing her message. We are human in life as in death. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Cathy-xi8cb]

We all will die. Some of us sooner than we thought. If you are living with certainty about your health and safety, then you aren't realizing how vulnerable you really are. Dying isn't failure, health isn't triumph, and too many people would like to believe otherwise. The self-help industry is making money off of fear and hubris. In physical rehab, we know that disability and dying don't make people saints, and recovery doesn't mean thriving.

[@alanchanmusic]

"...our focus on positivity really has become a tremendous burden..." Wow! I want to read her book!

[@mjones2564]

This beautiful and inspiring conversation reminded me of what "John Keats" (among the greatest of the Romantic poets) said as he was approaching his own death from tuberculosis at the young age of 25 about his fiancee, Fanny Brawne, whom he loved very deeply: "I can bear to die, but I cannot bear to leave you."

[@Bailey2006a]

One of the best interviews on this kind of issue I have ever witnessed. Ennobling and heartbreaking all at once and , for me, transformational. Thank you

[@user-cv2df5cr8i]

We have no formula for life but live. Thank you so much for sharing your most powerful thoughts. ✨❤️✨

[@pamelamercer1124]

I'm in my 6th year living with stage 4 cancer. Post chemo. Looking forward to reading this book.

[@recoverykonie407]

How are you doing Pamela?

[@pamelamercer1124]

@@recoverykonie407 I've relapsed and am back in chemo therapy. Inoperable again.

[@recoverykonie407]

Oh...I'm sorry Pamela. Thank you for sharing. I do hope your treatments are successful.

[@ramosiul]

Your courage is inspiring. My deepest respect to you Kate.

[@blacksmith67]

So much incredible intelligence and insight shared so openly and honestly in this interview. Seldom am I awash with the impact of a single epiphany, yet this landed on me in multiple waves of profundity. Both interviewer and interviewee are-superlatives seem inadequate-simply great. I am looking forward to reading Kate’s books. Thank you, Michel, for one of the best interviews, like watching an intimate sharing of personal connection, far more than mere questions and responses.

[@kathya1321]

Beautiful conversation. ❤️

[@176103cw]

OMGOSH...Thank you!!! I don't want to sound synical, but so much is out of our control...Like my mother's suicide when I was 10. I have gone on to do great things for myself and my life ,with a lot of help from loved ones......but I have stumbled so many times.

[@jacquelinepeoples379]

The problem is the church is not HONEST about reality. Well said, Amen!

[@roenabarbre4156]

Thank you for sharing

[@jessicahansen2938]

Incredible. What a gift….

[@marlenemaymay128]

The Buddha taught Emptiness, that nothing exist inherently. All phenomena are like dreams in that they do not exist from their own side. Phenomena depends on causes and conditions that are impermanent- continually changing. This helps us to see things in a real way. We live with gratitude, kindness, compassion and wisdom. We live with acceptance. Not passive acceptance- we do what we can to make our lives and the lives of others by giving material things, love, compassion, empathy, kindness. We know that anything can happen to any of us at anytime. It could be me or you. If it’s me I practice patient acceptance and if it’s you I help you in any way that I can always guided by compassion and wisdom of knowing that there is no inherent existence.

[@kathya1321]

What is her diagnosis ? No mention of this? It should be part of the story just for reference ..

[@janicewolk6492]

I believe there is no quid pro quo. I could be Mother Theresa and God owes me nothing. We have already been gifted with life and this miraculous earth. What wonder is this universe and the favor of setting your own values in accordance with your vision of eternity.

[@cathyruiz73]

💕💕💕💕🙏

[@recoverykonie407]

A beautiful ache

[@Melinamiu007]

I grew up very poor with a verbally abusive parent. Actually rewiring my beliefs and undergoing personal growth is the reason I built a better life from which I came. I get where she’s coming from but I think she’s coming from a “my life was perfect and now it’s not.” Versus thinking about those that had to pick up the pieces since we were children. You literally have to climb out of the mud to overcome that and that’s where people like Joel Olstein help us realign our perspectives. She said all we have is hope and I think that that’s all people like him are offering, so where’s the fault in that?

[@DrDonnyTheBookofYou]

Yea, it's how you use the message, not just that the message is simplistic. But still, compassion is soooooooooo lacking in our culture.

[@DrDonnyTheBookofYou]

Speaking of white, how does race fit into this. Many black people use the "live your best life" mantra as a way to overcome the racism and struggles we face.