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Train of Thought
Why Do We Fear Silence in Public?
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Why Do We Fear Silence in Public?

Season 2 Episode 56

Welcome aboard Train of Thought, your weekday companion for those quiet in-between moments — five-minute reflections meant to disrupt your autopilot and light a small philosophical spark in your day.

Today, we kick off the week with a question that’s simple on the surface but surprisingly tender underneath: Why do we fear silence in public?

It’s a strange kind of fear, isn’t it? We chase silence in our private lives — crave it, even. From meditation apps to weekend getaways, we idealize quiet as the antidote to burnout. And yet, when silence arrives uninvited — in an elevator, on a subway car, in a hushed waiting room — it somehow feels… wrong. Exposed. Awkward.

In this episode, our host explores what that discomfort might actually reveal: about how we perform ourselves in public, how noise acts as a shield, and how silence can suddenly make us visible in ways we don’t reasonably expect. With characteristic wit and warmth, the voice behind Train of Thought suggests something radical: maybe shared silence isn’t a social failure, but a kind of mutual recognition — a fleeting, neutral ground where we’re allowed to just be.

Whether you’re listening on your commute, your coffee break, or your walk around the block, this short episode is a reminder that not every quiet moment needs filling. Sometimes, the stillness says enough.

Listen now and try the small invitation tucked at the end — a gentle experiment in letting silence speak.

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Until next time, stay curious — and don’t be afraid of the hush.

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