About this episode

Kate Bowler discusses the difference between happiness and joy, sharing insights from her battle with cancer and parenting.

In this episode of Raising Boys and Girls, it features Sissy Goff and David Thomas in an in-person conversation with author and Duke professor Kate Bowler about her newest book, Joyful Anyway. Kate unpacks the difference between happiness (built from luck and circumstance) and joy (a surprising, embodied experience that can coexist with grief and hardship), drawing on her own journey through stage four cancer. She talks about letting go of the "professional happiness manager" role in parenting, how to be honest with kids about grief without burdening them, and how relinquishing control can open people up to deeper love and connection. Resources mentioned: Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler No Cure for Being Human: (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) by Kate Bowler Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie  Everything Happens with Kate Bowler The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld . . . . . .  Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sissy Goff, David Thomas

Guest: Kate Bowler

Topics covered

• joy
• grief
• parenting
• happiness
• connection
• personal journey

Keywords

• joy
• grief
• parenting
• Kate Bowler
• happiness
• connection
• personal growth

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Joyful Anyway, Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved, No Cure for Being Human: (And Other Truths I Need to Hear), Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection, The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days, Everything Happens with Kate Bowler, The Rabbit Listened

More episodes of Raising Boys & Girls

• Episode 409: Creating Community for Kids in Time of Grief with Toni Collier · September 10, 2026 · 40 min
• Episode 408: What Grief Looks Like at Different Ages with David and Sissy · September 8, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 406: What Grief Looks Like in Kids with David and Sissy · September 1, 2026 · 24 min
• Episode 405: Where Getting Outside and Homeschooling Meet Capability with Ginny Yurich · August 27, 2026 · 39 min
• Episode 404: Our 5 Favorite Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences · August 25, 2026 · 24 min
• Episode 403: The Importance of a Family Devotion with Michael and Melissa Kruger · August 20, 2026 · 36 min

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