A New Momentum: Quiet Breakthroughs with Founder Josh Adler - LA Weekly

In startup culture, noise is often equated with success, but some founders and entrepreneurs are discovering the transformative power of silent retreats. Individuals like Josh Adler and Lorenzo Tencati have found that stepping away from constant communication and distractions can lead to greater clarity and innovation. Silent retreats offer a break from decision fatigue and constant urgency, allowing participants to reset mentally and gain new strategic insights. Josh Adler experienced significant personal and professional growth after spending time in silence and isolation in Thailand, while Lorenzo Tencati found deeper concentration and strategic clarity after a ten-day Vipassana meditation in the Sierra Nevadas.

Despite the challenges of adapting to an environment devoid of modern distractions and communication, this form of intentional silence has been shown to transform brain functioning, enhancing focus, memory, and decision-making. Entrepreneurs like Charles Hoskinson discovered that even brief experiences in darkness retreats can lead to profound personal insights, despite initial discomfort. The silence helps calm the brain's stress response, fostering neuroplasticity and a sense of renewal.

Ultimately, silent retreats serve as a powerful leadership renewal strategy, allowing participants to pause and reevaluate their approaches to business problems. As Josh Adler suggests, insight often emerges in moments of stillness rather than through constant activity, highlighting that sometimes moving faster requires sitting quieter.