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Listening Changes Everything

We asked participants from across the country: “How has your experience with Goldenwood expanded your vision for your work or changed your approach to your calling?”  What we heard was that listening changes everything.  “Through contemplative community that repeatedly and steadily centers its gaze on me and my journey, Goldenwood has profoundly helped me to discern and steward my deepest and truest self, fostered the courage I’ve needed to bring forth that… Read More »Listening Changes Everything

Celebrating 2023: A Year-in-Review

What a full and inspiring year it has been at Goldenwood!  Enjoy this visual review of the people and programs that animate our mission of cultivating a new vision for work. Did you know? Program fees cover only 20% of Goldenwood’s operating costs. This work is made possible by the unwavering commitment of generous individuals who want to see our innovative offerings extended to hundreds of others, transforming work for… Read More »Celebrating 2023: A Year-in-Review

A beautifully lit room, filled with community, feasting and listening together

Institute Peek Recap: An Audacious Vision for Work Revived by Love

Last month, we gathered from around the country to experience a sneak peek of the Goldenwood Institute. The day was filled with enlivening community and stimulating conversation, setting forth a bold and expansive vision for how the gospel can transform the future of work. The Goldenwood Institute envisions a world where work is not just a means of earning a living, but a creative and fulfilling expression of our humanity.… Read More »Institute Peek Recap: An Audacious Vision for Work Revived by Love

Waiting for the Ripening

A deeply meaningful Listening Retreat with the Goldenwood team in May this year preceded my becoming part of the Dream Forum. At the retreat, I learned of the sublime power of listening to God with intentionality in a community. I returned from the retreat renewed with the “spiritual garden” of my soul, richly nourished in a time of profound workplace anxiety. I became committed to enjoying grace in my work… Read More »Waiting for the Ripening

Man in city park surrounded by Pigeons

Dreaming with God

I don’t remember when this dream took root in my heart. Neither do I remember its first inception. But it has stayed with me and taken on different colors and contours. This audacious idea to bring together the body of Christ to possibly “solve” homelessness and eradicate poverty. It embarrassed me to share the idea. It felt so naïve and idealistic. And as I learned in film school, they will… Read More »Dreaming with God

A sketched image of the exterior of a Brooklyn brownstone

Learning to Follow

I’ve had some form of this dream for over 10 years and it has morphed in so many ways since then.  Being an introvert and Enneagram 5, I am driven most by my need to feel competent, which means I lean on my own understanding and ability.  And so when God showed me this dream, I naturally leaned into trying to take the matter into my own hands, solving the problem… Read More »Learning to Follow

train rail between green trees

A Freight Train Fueled by Uncertainty

At the beginning of 2023, I finally decided to do what others had been encouraging me to do for years: Start my own thing. I registered a web domain, applied for an L3C with the Illinois Secretary of State, and began telling family and friends about my plans to start a mediation and restorative justice practice to address sexual harm. And, suddenly, after five years of thinking, planning, learning, and–to… Read More »A Freight Train Fueled by Uncertainty

Diverse women conversing and supporting each other

An Invitation Into Adventure

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Women experience collective trauma when they live and operate in systems–parenting, corporate, legal–that were not built by them. There is a journey each woman must take through frustration and pain to forgiveness, healing, agency and re-capturing creativity. Much of the latter part of the journey takes place in a community of witness and recognition, and there is usually no better person to walk them through this journey than someone who… Read More »An Invitation Into Adventure

Woman sitting on the edge of a body of water at sunset, featuring bold jewelry she is wearing

Freed, Surprised, Empowered

Dream Forum! What a gift it was for me! God in His sovereignty brought it into my life when I needed it most, when I was looking for ways to be true to my gifts and abilities that He gave me, when I needed a creative outlet to go through a very difficult time in my life. God showed up in a quiet way and told me, “I got you!”… Read More »Freed, Surprised, Empowered

hands in the center holding a pile of dirt from which a single green plant sprouts

Leaning Into God

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My co-founder and I met by God’s divine providence less than a year ago. Since our meeting, it has been a continuous journey requiring us to lean on Him. Since joining Goldenwood’s Dream Forum, the last five months have been a pivotal time of our journey with God and with this dream. We were so grateful to be selected to participate in the Dream Forum right when we were starting… Read More »Leaning Into God