Well, this is a very special day.

My name is Kate Bowler, and this is Everything Happens.

About six years ago, right at this time, I had just started this podcast and I had not a single living clue what I was doing.

If you go back, you listen to some of those first few

episodes you can probably hear just my nerves exploding through your earphones. I

really knew what I wanted. What I wanted was not to feel so lonely in my illness. I really wanted to feel like I could connect with people. I guess what I really was hoping for was community and better language for what happens when life comes undone. And frankly I was tired of thinking about my own problems.

I wanted to hear about someone else's. I wanted to learn from someone else's and as it turns out I didn't

want to stop learning. Since then we have had over 160 episodes. How is that even possible? That's 160 conversations with

wise and funny and kind people who really get it.

And I thought just to celebrate this big milestone

six birthday of everything happens,

I wanted to bring back one of my very first guests.

And lucky for me, he is chock full of wisdom and wit, and there's just so much

to learn from this incredible person.

But before we get to the conversation, which you will love, let me take a quick break to tell

you about some of the sponsors of the show that will continue to make everything happen here and

everything happens.

We'll be right back.

Alan Alda is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and podcast host.

You probably know and love him as Hawkeye on Nash and Senator Arnie Vinnick on the West Wing, or his

incredible films like The Aviator or Crimes and Misdemeanors.

He has been nominated for everything, just everything.

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