"Marz and Zorn make a convincing link between humanity's modern obsession with the pursuit of dopamine and our addiction to noise. Through extensive research and engaging storytelling, they point the way to more clarity, expansiveness, and calm." - Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety
"Through the heartfelt stories of teachers like Jarvis Jay Masters, this book shows how to practice patience and compassion in times of fear and distraction. Golden explores why equanimity matters not just for our own resilience and joy but also for the social and ecological sustainability of this world that we love." - Pema Chodrön, Buddhist teacher and bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart
"Golden is a guide to getting out of the shallows and into the depths. It's a synthesis of many disciplines to chart a path toward a deeper, livelier, more aware, and more peaceful way of being in the world." - Rebecca Solnit, bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Hope in the Dark
"In a world where information overload has become the norm and indeed a badge of honor, Golden makes a radical claim: Unplugging andsavoring silence is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our world. Golden weaves a gorgeous thread from neuroscience to politics, from spirituality to business, showing usthe way to peace and renewal. I'm grateful for this profound yet practical exploration of silence and how to find it." - Arianna Huffington, New York Times bestselling author of Thrive
"Golden is an ode to the silence that can heal trauma and awaken creativity. In a plugged-in world of overwhelming noise and distractions, it's all too easy to dehumanize each other, losing our sense of connectedness to other people and nature. This book offers a much-needed antidote." - Rick Doblin, executive director at Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
"Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz offer us a powerful vision and valuable roadmap for how to repair our society: find more silence. We can do this not only as individuals but also as families, organizations, and even whole nations." - Tim Ryan, former Congressman from Ohio and author of A Mindful Nation
"Golden is an essential journey filled with a galaxy of relevant teachers. Elaborate, yet simple. A first step in finding balance. At its heart, the practice of listening, honestly told." - John Francis, PhD, author of Planetwalker and former UN Environment Program Goodwill Ambassador
Justin Talbot Zorn has served as both a policymaker and a meditation teacher in the U.S. Congress. A Harvard- and Oxford-trained specialist in the economics and psychology of well-being, Justin has written for the Washington Post, The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, Foreign Policy, and other publications. He is cofounder of Astrea Strategies, a consultancy that bridges contemplation and action, helping leaders and teams envision and communicate solutions to complex challenges. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife and three children.
Leigh Marz is a collaboration consultant and leadership coach for major universities, corporations, and federal agencies as well as a longtime student of pioneering researchers and practitioners of the ritualized use of psychedelic medicines in the West. In her professional work, she has led diverse initiatives, including a training program to promote an experimental mindset among teams at NASA and a decade-long cross-sector collaboration to reduce toxic chemicals in products, in partnership with Green Science Policy Institute, Harvard University, IKEA, Google, and Kaiser Permanente. She is the cofounder of Astrea Strategies. Leigh lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband and daughter.