Justin Talbot Zorn is an author, policymaker, and coalition-builder. He has served as Legislative Director for three members of the US Congress, as an adviser to leading tech startups, and as a writer on economics, environment, technology, international affairs, and psychology for Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, The Guardian, The LA Times, Wired, Fast Company, The Nation, The New Republic, Foreign Policy, Folha de São Paulo, CNN, and other publications.
His first book, published with HarperCollins in the US and Penguin in the UK, is printed in 14 languages globally and topped Audible bestsellers lists in diverse categories including philosophy, meditation, and business.
Justin is a Senior Adviser to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a Truman National Security Fellow, and co-founder of a first-of-its-kind talent pipeline for Congressional staffers. He serves as a partner to a variety of mission-driven companies, think tanks, foundations, and advocacy groups. Justin has worked to organize ideologically diverse coalitions in business and government to drive policy reforms in energy, environment, health, elections, science research, government accountability, and financial markets. He has been a guest on more than 70 podcasts and has lectured on public policy and communications in Congress, leading universities, think tanks, and private sector firms.
Justin helped to launch and lead a pioneering mindfulness program in the US House of Representatives, bringing together people from across the political spectrum to do the work of finding greater calm and clarity. A former Fulbright Scholar, Justin received graduate degrees in international relations and public policy from Oxford and Harvard. He lives in Santa Fe, NM with his wife, Meredy, and three young children, Tierra, Saraya, and Jai.
Praise for Justin Zorn’s Writing and Work
"In a world when information overload has become the norm and indeed a badge of honor, Golden makes a radical claim: Unplugging and savoring 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 us the 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
“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 Chödrön, Buddhist teacher and bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart
“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, M.D., Ph.D. New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety
“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 of the 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.”
U.S. Representative Tim Ryan: Member of Congress from Ohio, and author of A Mindful Nation
“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, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, and Wanderlust