Kate Bowler - On Being in a Body

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 (@aspeninstitute).
Animation by: Neon Zoo, @weareneonzoo
ABOUT THE ON BEING PROJECT
An adventure in the mystery and the art of living
A home for shaping your presence in a tender, tumultuous world
A companion to the pleasure in thinking deeply with others
A calling to be part of the generative story of our time
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Twenty years of culture-shifting classics: Mary Oliver, Desmond Tutu, Thich Nhat Hanh, and many many more.
We can be found in ears, and in conversations that matter, around the world.
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[@ericolander8755]

The Beatitudes as a concentric ladder is what God puts there for us who bottom out . Come be blessed as poor in spirit. (In the body) you (if you've truly come forth) mourn this you. Then we are back in the world meekly... Grounded in the inheritance of being human. And the hunger and thirst for righteousness is informed by this mercy, pure heart...

[@user-ek6nn4cj9s]

Wow. Just wow. This is such a powerful, deep conversation ending with a profoundly beautiful blessing. Thank you.

[@kirsten-movingforward]

I so needed to hear this, especially the blessing at the end; so many heartfelt thanks.

[@cjmoreorless]

This conversation was a much needed listen. Thank you, looking forward to this new season.

[@bridgedynamics]

Love this! "Aging is a privilege." Indeed. Needed to hear that. Funny. Sober. Honest. And, having lived in Winnipeg for 16 years, I could relate a bit and know of the church!

[@maggie2036]

Thank you for this deeply moving and inspiring interview

[@annpatrykus3637]

Thank you.

[@suzannecrone5897]

Thank you. So lovely, and I will make a bunny out of the kleenexes I teared into. Really good. Grateful.