Sandra McCracken on Community, Renewal, and the Future of Songwriting

In this episode, David enjoys sitting down with Goldenwood friend and collaborator, Sandra McCracken—Nashville-based singer-songwriter and Goldenwood Institute Dean—to discuss the formation of Red Vineyard, a unique formative space for artists to experience rest and renewal, enlivening not only their own craft but also inspiring the broader creative community towards a new way of making. Sandra reflects on the challenges of an industry often marked by transaction and commodification, and the surprising ways God is cultivating a depth of trusted relationships among artists. From collaborative songwriting rooted in Scripture to practices of listening and presence, this conversation invites us to imagine a different kind of artistry—one that multiplies generosity, nurtures the roots of vocation, and bears fruit for the Church and the world. This was recorded live during Goldenwood’s Fallow Retreat in May 2025 at Jesus College in Cambridge, England.