Being & Belonging
June 3-13, 2027 • Patmos, Greece
A Journey Through Music, Food, & Story
What happens when we dismantle the boundaries between the songs that move us, the food we love, and the stories we remember? GoodWorld Journeys invites you to an intimate, ten-day conversation Salon on the radiant Greek island of Patmos, exploring the universal geography of artistic craft and the human journey.
We’re bringing together a constellation of contemporary creators and kindred spirits: culinary icon Samin Nosrat, master audio storyteller and musician Hrishikesh Hirway, acclaimed poet and critic Hanif Abdurraqib, and visionary roots musicians Allison Russell and JT Nero. These five artists share gifts that span borders, bring people together, elevate the good, and enrich our inner lives.
Nurturing Our Creative Souls
Over ten spacious days, we will sit at the intersection of rhythm, flavor, language, and memory to pull back the curtain on the creative process and honor the vulnerable pathways that shape a lifetime of making.
Our goal is to build a common table of empathy. Each Guest Artist possesses a singular genius for translating raw human experience into creative practice and communal sanctuary:
- Samin teaches us that the foundational elements of cooking are also the elements of home.
- Hrishikesh reveals how dissecting a single song can lay bare the architecture of the human soul.
- Hanif weaves cultural criticism with personal history, transforming rhythm and prose into a mirror for our collective experiences.
- Allison and JT craft sonic landscapes where survival is sung as a shared liturgy.
Deepening Your Inner Life
Together, we will explore the ingredients of craft during morning Salon sessions: how a dish is balanced, how a narrative is paced, and how a harmony heals. During evening Salon sessions, Guest Artists will interview one another, mapping the detours, inspirations, and the seismic shifts that define a life committed to truth-telling. We’ll benefit from gathering in community, far from digital distractions, where true being & belonging can be seeded and sustained.
We’ll consider timeless and essential questions for us today, such as:
- How does a piece of poetry or prose, a song, or a prepared meal bring us closer to others?
- How do we document and think about our own lives and our evolution as artists and storytellers?
- Where do we give our time and attention these days to live a joyful and meaningful life?
- At this rare gathering, music and poetry will lift us, words and reflections will deepen us, and the communal power of performance and food will nurture us all for the journey ahead.
Who Is This Journey For?
Whether you are a writer, poet, singer, songwriter, or chef—or someone who simply appreciates the power of good storytelling, a well-prepared meal, and the transcendence of music—this gathering offers a space to deepen your creative life in conversation and communion with others.
No professional credentials are required, only openness, curiosity, and a willingness to participate in a shared exploration of what it means to make art and a difference in the world.
Participation is by application only. With just 60 places available, we invite those who feel called to this unique creative pilgrimage to apply early. Join us for what will undoubtedly be a memorable Salon experience!
Meet Our Salon Guest Artists
Samin Nosrat
Samin Nosrat is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Salt Fat Acid Heat and Good Things. She is the co-host (with Hrishikesh Hirway) of the Home Cooking podcast, a former columnist at The New York Times Magazine, and the host of the Netflix original documentary series based on Salt Fat Acid Heat. As an undergraduate studying English at UC Berkeley, Samin Nosrat took a detour into the kitchen at Chez Panisse restaurant that happily determined the course of her life and career. Since 2000, she pursued her twin passions of food and words with equal vigor, aiming to create work that inspires, creates community, and raises cultural, social and environmental awareness.
Hrishikesh Hirway
Hrishikesh Hirway is a singer/songwriter, podcast creator, and composer. He’s the host of Song Exploder, an award-winning podcast where musicians break down the creative process behind their songs. It was adapted into an Netflix original documentary series. He has released five albums, including his newest, In the Last Hour of Light, in 2026. As a composer, Hirway scored the films Companion, Our Nixon, and Save the Date, as well as the Netflix television show Everything Sucks. Hrishikesh produced and co-hosted the acclaimed podcasts Home Cooking, with chef and author Samin Nosrat; and The West Wing Weekly, with actor Joshua Malina. He has been a TED Speaker, an advisor to the Library of Congress, and a contributor to Bitter Southerner and The New York Times.
Hanif Abdurraqib
Hanif Abdurraqib is an award-winning poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio. His newest release, There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension (Random House, 2024) was a New York Times Bestseller and longlisted for the National Book Award in nonfiction and the winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism. His previous book, A Little Devil In America (Random House, 2021) was a winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal and the Gordon Burn Prize. In 2021, Abdurraqib was named a MacArthur Fellow, and in 2024 was named a Windham-Campbell Prize recipient. He is a graduate of Beechcroft High School.
JT Nero
JT Nero is a songwriter, singer, poet, and producer based in Nashville, TN. Nero first came to national attention as one-half of the Americana duo, Birds of Chicago, along with Allison Russell. Nero went on to co-write Russell’s three critically acclaimed solo albums — 2021’s Outside Child, 2023’s The Returner, and 2026’s In the Hour of Chaos, which he also co-produced. The Returner received four nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, winning in the Best American Roots Performance category for the song Eve Was Black. As a songwriter, Nero has had songs cut by a diverse array of artists, including Tanya Tucker, Orville Peck, Robert Randolph and the Be Good Tanyas. Along with his brother, Drew Lindsay, Nero is also one-half of Dim Star, a production and writing team. Dim Star will release music of its own in 2027. Nero’s own new album — recorded at Good Wishes in Nashville with Dan Knobler — is also scheduled for release in 2027.
Step Inside the Journey
Hear from past participants as they reflect on the Salon experience
The Goodworld Experience
Learn more about what to expect, see a sample schedule, and more.
10-Night Island
Stay & Program
Standard Package: $5,950 USD per person
Includes shared accommodations in a standard double-occupancy room.
Optional Room Upgrades
- Private Room: Add $1,950 USD for single occupancy.
- Premium Sea-View Room: Add $450 USD per person for a room with a direct sea view.
*Room upgrades are subject to availability and may be combined.
Discounts & Special Rates
- Shared Room Discount: Save $150 USD per person when sharing with a participating friend or partner.
Non-Participant Package Rate (limited number): Non-participating spouses or partners may share a room for $2,450 (see FAQs below for what is included).
Room preferences are requested during the application process. All upgrades are subject to availability and confirmed upon acceptance. For additional information about pricing and accommodations, please visit this Salon’s FAQs.
Application Process
We seek to curate a diverse and creative mix of Salon participants, and attendance is by application only. Once you submit your application, you’ll be notified of your acceptance decision within 10–30 days. Learn more about the application process in our FAQs below. GoodWorld Journey Salons typically sell out, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Includes:
10-Night hotel stay (with breakfast)
Opening Welcome Reception & Dinner
6 Morning Salons
5 Evening Salons
Dance party under the Stars
Day boat excursion to nearby isle
Guided tour of the Patmos
Monastery & Cave
Closing Farewell Reception & Dinner
Transport to Salon events & excursions
Does Not Include:
Airfare and transport to/from Patmos
Tips to staff
Dinners/lunch off-site
Taxis/buses into town on free time
FAqs
What are the accommodation options, and how much do they cost?
All participants stay at the same seaside 3-star hotel where the Salon sessions take place. Additional details about the hotel will be shared upon acceptance.
Standard Package: $5,950 USD per person
Includes accommodations in a standard double room (garden or partial sea view) shared with another Salon participant.
Optional Room Upgrades
- Private Room: Add $1,950 USD for single occupancy.
- Premium Sea-View Room: Add $450 USD per person for a room with a direct sea view.
Both upgrades are subject to limited availability and may be combined.
Discounts & Special Rates
- Shared Room Discount: Participants sharing a room with a participating friend or partner each receive a $150 USD discount.
- Non-Participant Rate: A limited number of packages are available for non-participating spouses or partners at a fee of $2,450 USD per person. This includes shared accommodations with the participating spouse or partner at the Salon hotel, daily breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners, and a guided excursion to the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse.
Package Pricing at a Glance
| Room type | Price per person |
| Standard shared room (garden or partial sea view) | $5,950 |
| Premium shared sea-view room | $6,400 |
| Standard private room | $7,900 |
| Premium private sea-view room | $8,350 |
Room preferences are requested during the application process. All room upgrades are subject to limited availability, and your room type will be confirmed upon acceptance. If your preferred accommodations are unavailable, we may contact you to discuss alternative options before making an acceptance decision.
My partner/spouse wants to come but doesn’t wish to participate in the Salon programming. Is this allowed?
Yes, non-participating partners or spouses are welcome to join you, space permitting. A non-participant fee of $2,450 USD applies (in addition to your double room share rate). This fee includes sharing your room at the Salon hotel, enjoying the daily hotel breakfast, participating in the welcome and farewell dinners, and joining the guided excursion to the Monastery of St. John and the Cave of the Apocalypse.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes—payment options depend on when you’re accepted and whether you receive a scholarship.
If you’re accepted on or before January 15, 2027:
- You may pay in two installments:
- A $1,450 deposit is due within 10 days of acceptance.
- The remaining balance is due by February 1, 2027.
If you’re accepted after January 15, 2027:
- The full payment is due within 10 days of acceptance.
If you receive a scholarship:
- Installment payments are available. Details about your payment timeline will be included in your scholarship acceptance email.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer a limited number of partial scholarships for each Salon, awarded based on both need and merit. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 USD and apply only to the Salon program fee. They do not cover international travel to or from Greece.
When completing your Salon application, you’ll be asked if your attendance is dependent upon scholarship assistance. If eligible, you may receive a separate scholarship application form via email after the initial review of your materials. Supplementary scholarship applications are due by January 15, 2027.
How many participants will be attending?
Salons typically include 40-60 participants, with a maximum cap of 60.
We’ve found this size enables the ideal balance: intimate enough to foster meaningful connection and community, yet large enough to offer a rich shared experience.
Can I arrive early/stay late?
Yes, you’re welcome to arrive in Patmos before or after the Salon program dates. However, you’ll be responsible for arranging and covering the cost of your accommodations for any extended stay.
Additional nights at the Salon hotel may be possible based on availability. If you’re interested, please let the GoodWorld Journeys staff know your plans in advance—we’ll do our best to help you:
- Access discounted room rates, if available
- Stay in the same room assigned to you during the Salon
How do I get to Patmos?
Since Patmos does not have an airport, travel to the island requires a combination of transportation—usually involving a ferry or connecting boat. Your route can be tailored to your budget, schedule, and comfort preferences.
Once you’re accepted into the Salon and the summer ferry schedules are released, we’ll send detailed travel guidance to help you plan.
In general, there are two main ways to reach Patmos:
Option 1: Ferry from Athens
Take a large ferry from Athens to Patmos. Shared and private cabins with ensuite bathrooms are available, depending on your preference.
Option 2: Flight + Catamaran
Fly from Athens to a nearby island—Kos is usually the best choice, as it offers the most frequent boat connections to Patmos. From Kos, take a catamaran or large ferry to Patmos.
If you’re arriving from elsewhere in Europe, you may also find direct flights from major European hubs to Kos or Leros, both of which have good boat connections to Patmos.