Silence in Order to Listen

In our last episode, listeners share some big and small changes that they have made. Plus, Jeffrey Rosen, filmmaker Ken Burns, and scholar Robert P. George explore Benjamin Franklin’s virtue of silence, which he defines as “speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”

Watch the full performance of the Pursuit of Happiness: Song Cycles by Jeffrey Rosen.

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Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness is produced by PRX Productions for the National Constitution Center. It is made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.

Episode 12: Silence in Order to Listen is hosted by Jeffrey Rosen, featuring Robert P. George and Ken Burns.

© 2025 National Constitution Center. All Rights Reserved.

From PRX Productions: Genevieve Sponsler, Courtney Fleurantin, David Newtown, Sandra Lopez-Monsalve, Tommy Bazarian, Pedro Rafael Rosado, and Jocelyn Gonzalez

From the National Constitution Center: Annie Stone, Griffin Richie, and Bill Pollock

The Golden Mean: Songs for the Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen. Arrangements by Greg Strohman. Featuring James Martin, Jennifer Blyth, and Greg Strohman.

© ℗ 2025 Jeffrey Rosen. All Rights Reserved.