Bestselling novelist Ann Patchett knows how to walk right up to the edge with people she loves. She is the friend who sits with you during chemo, or lets you spill your secrets in the car. She shares what powerful lessons she learned early on about how to approach suffering with humility, knowing you can rarely change a life, but you can be there to witness and be amazed. In this episode, Kate and Ann discuss: Why no one cares what you write about (and why that should give you freedom)  How to bear witness to someone’s life—even when you can’t change their circumstances Why the question of the fullness of a life isn’t how long you live but something else entirely CW: addiction, death of friends, cancer *** Find Kate on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly email for bits of wisdom, prayers, free downloads, and more. No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) is now available wherever books are sold. Order your copy, today. Introducing, GOOD ENOUGH: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. Available wherever books are sold. Join us for Lent. Receive a free lenten reflection guide, here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices