Enlivening Work

In this episode, David Kim is joined by record producer Cason Cooley, whose work has shaped albums for artists across Nashville and beyond. Drawing from his recent experience in Goldenwood’s Red Vineyard cohort, Cason reflects on creativity, vocation, and the challenges of remaining spiritually grounded within the pressures of the music industry.Together, they explore how artistic work can move beyond performance, productivity, and constant consumption toward a deeper attentiveness to beauty, community, and the slow formation of the soul. From the role of silence and limitation in the creative process to the impact of technology and AI on modern music-making, this conversation considers what it means to cultivate human creativity in a fragmented and accelerated age.Cason invites us to imagine a way of working that resists disconnection and noise—recovering artistry not merely as output, but as a deeply relational and formative practice.

In this episode, Goldenwood Co-founder David Kim is joined by longtime friends and collaborators Makoto Fujimura, an internationally renowned visual artist and writer, and Haejin Shim Fujimura, a lawyer, entrepreneur, and justice advocate.In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore how beauty and justice are not separate callings, but deeply intertwined realities—shaping how we respond to trauma, cultivate culture, and participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. Together, they discuss their newly released book Beauty and Justice and reflect on how their distinct vocations in art and advocacy converge in a shared vision of hope. Mako and Haejin invite us to imagine a way of working that resists fragmentation and instead reflects the wholeness of God’s kingdom.

In this episode, Goldenwood CEO David Kim sits down with global development leader Afua Ofosu-Barko to reflect on navigating unexpected vocational transition in a moment of profound cultural and technological change.After years of work in international development and global health systems, Afua found herself entering a season of disruption and transition amid shifting institutions and uncertainty across the global job market. Drawing from her experience in Goldenwood’s Nautilus program, she shares how practices of rest, spiritual attentiveness, and communal discernment have helped her reframe this season not as a loss, but as an invitation to redefine work and cultivate deeper trust in God’s guidance. Together, they explore how seasons of uncertainty can open space for deeper grounding, renewed imagination, and a wisdom that responds to God's call in our lives.

In this episode, David Kim sits down with osteopathic family medicine doctor Brookshield Laurent, to reflect on her decade-long journey of hopeful imagination and generational work in the Mississippi Delta region.Together, they explore what it means to pursue healing in a deeply broken healthcare system shaped by systemic injustice, generational poverty, and spiritual need. Brook shares how imagination, community, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit have reshaped her approach to public health and leadership, moving beyond short-term solutions toward long-term obedience and a renewed vision for future generations.This conversation invites us to reconsider success not as mastery or immediacy, but as perseverance, fidelity, and hope held in tension—trusting that God is at work long before we arrive and is faithful to continue long after we may be gone.

This conversation between artist and Goldenwood Institute Dean of Nature Makoto Fujimura and historian of science Kerry Magruder was recorded live last month in Princeton at a Goldenwood event titled “Why Wonder in the History of Science Helps Us See Our World Anew.”Moderated by Goldenwood CEO David Kim, they explore how wonder and imagination are essential to both scientific discovery and artistic practice. Drawing on the lives and work of figures such as Kepler, Galileo, George MacDonald, Darwin, and C.S. Lewis, this wide-ranging conversation invites us to rediscover a deeper way of seeing—one that awakens hope, enlivens faith, and helps us reimagine our work and our world.

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.

In this special episode recorded live during Goldenwood's annual Fallow Retreat in Cambridge, England (May 2025), Goldenwood CEO David Kim is joined by three remarkable voices—Richard Leong, Bev Williams, and Wendy Nagle—all of whom participated in Goldenwood’s cornerstone program, Nautilus, during what they lovingly describe as the latter seasons of their lives. Together, they reflect on spiritual permanence, the dignity of elderhood, and the sacred rhythms that continue to shape them in a season often overlooked. This conversation is a powerful invitation and challenge to rediscover vision, rest, and calling—not as something left behind, but as something still unfolding. Whether you're entering your own new season or walking alongside those who are, this episode will awaken your imagination for what’s still possible.

In this episode, David Kim speaks with Thomas Keown, founder of Many Hopes, about his life shaped by the traumas of Northern Ireland and the transformative power of hope. Thomas shares how his childhood experiences amid political conflict led him to a calling: rescuing children from injustice and equipping them to become agents of change in their own communities. Together, David and Thomas explore the critical role of love in justice work, the power of survivor-led leadership, and how attentiveness to small moments can recalibrate a life.

In this episode, Goldenwood CEO David Kim speaks with Dr. Shann Ray, Poet and Professor of Leadership and Forgiveness Studies at Gonzaga University, about the childhood grasp of love starting a transformative journey from brokenness to redemption. Drawing from his personal story and academic research in forgiveness and reconciliation, Shann shares how love, faith, and poetic imagination can heal families, reorient leaders, and reshape communities. Together, they explore the spiritual and relational depths of leadership, the courage required to confront pain, and how the sacred heart of Christ calls us toward wholeness in our work and lives.

In this enlightening episode, David sits down with Dr. Gregory Lee to explore Augustine’s seminal work “City of God” and its enduring wisdom for those living as spiritual exiles. How do we sustain hope when our stability seems to crumble? How do we navigate the tension of aligning our vision with the heavenly city while laboring in the midst of the brokenness of this one? With insight and compassion, David and Greg reflect on the dangers of disordered love, the cost of faithful presence, and how hope becomes our compass in an age marked by dislocation and striving. Their conversation offers a pastoral and prophetic lens into Augustine’s vision, challenging us to love rightly and work faithfully—even when we feel displaced. 

What if facing mortality could help us live more fully? In this episode of Enlivening Work, David sits down with Eva Ting, founder of Here to Honor, to explore the transformative power of death education. From her unexpected journey into this work to the ways she’s cultivating community around end-of-life conversations, Eva shares how slowing down, honoring grief, and embracing our mortality can bring clarity, connection, and even joy.

In this episode, Amber Gentry and Dr. Chika Okoli of Re-Well join David and Amilee to discuss their holistic approach to health and wellness, and how it aligns with Goldenwood's vision of cultivating spiritually-attentive communities and reimagining the future of work. Amber and Chika share the story behind Re-Well and their passion for integrating physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Hear more about the Goldenwood x Re-Well collaborative quarterly retreat series offered this year to explore the importance of rhythms, imagination, and seasonal practices in nurturing whole-person health.

Artist Makoto Fujimura and Lawyer Haejin Shim Fujimura draw insights from nature, art, and their life experiences to discuss the power of seeing brokenness as a path to new creation and infusing love and justice into our work. This conversation with Goldenwood Co-Founder David Kim was recorded live from Goldenwood's annual Fallow Retreat in Cambridge, UK.

Singer-songwriter and longtime Goldenwood friend and collaborator Sandra McCracken discusses the importance of cultivating creativity and imagination in all people, and the gift of seeing how her music provides a space for people to process pain and find hope in this conversation with Goldenwood Co-Founders Amilee Watkins and David Kim. Recorded live from their annual Fallow Retreat in Cambridge, UK. 

Goldenwood Co-Founders David Kim and Amilee Watkins discuss the importance of cultivating spiritually attentive communities and a vision of work that is enlivened by hope and expresses the fullness of our humanity.