Jan Doering, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto explores the complex relationship between sound, behavior, and social conflict, unpacking the social, cultural, and neurological dimensions of sound, and discussing how we can move toward a more considerate coexistence in our shared environments.

Sound that delights one person can deeply distress another. Clare and Jan explore how our appreciation of sound is deeply subjective and why this gap often turns into tension in urban life. Through examples from everyday environments, they discuss how noise reflects culture, how it can become a form of power and resistance, and why some people respond to it with frustration or even aggression.

The conversation challenges policymakers, urban planners, and designers to take sound seriously as an issue of well-being issue and accessibility, highlighting how neurological safety and collective responsibility can help create more peaceful and inclusive soundscapes.

Clare and Jan also reflect on the deeper psychological and emotional layers behind how we relate to sound, revealing that finding peace in a noisy world might start with changing how we listen.

Jan Doering is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto. His research explores social control and conflict in urban neighborhoods, as well as how individuals experience and respond to discrimination. He has received research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Commission, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Councils.

His first book, “Us Versus Them: Race, Crime, and Gentrification in Chicago Neighborhoods” (Oxford University Press, 2020), examines the dynamics of community conflict and identity during the era of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.

Key Takeaways

• Hearing is a sense we cannot turn off, making sound a constant, shared experience.
• Noise is not just about volume - there are more elements to consider 
• Urban “vibrancy” often comes at the expense of rest and recovery, highlighting a policy blind spot.
• Municipalities, designers, and leaders can promote neurological safety by designing environments that support well-being and reduce sensory stress.

CHAPTERS

03:00 Introduction

06:05 Tension Around Noise

09:10 Defining Noise and Perception

12:16 Reframing Noise Experiences

18:05 Joy in Noise: Machines and Gender

22:18 Noise and Cultural Responsibility

29:08 Government and Policy Failures

36:50 Consequences of Noise Stress

45:50 Allergic to Peace?

51:31 Sadism, Pleasure, and Noise-Making Behavior

58:45 Emotional vs. Intellectual Arguments for Quiet

01:04:40 Density, Well-being, and Cultural Vision

01:08:00 Creative Solutions and Happy Spaces

Sources

• Clamor by Chris Berdik — https://www.chrisberdik.com
• Golden: The Power of Silence in a World Full of Noise by Justin Zorn & Leigh Marz — https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Power-Silence-World-Noise/dp/0063027607
• Just Think: The Challenges of the Disengaged Mind – Wilson, T.D. et al., Science (2014) — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4330241
• Epstein, M. J. (2020). Sound and noise: A listener's guide to everyday life. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51941863-sound-and-noise
• “The Traffic Mimes of Colombia” — Atlas Obscura, by Eric Grundhauser, published March 23, 2016 — https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/traffic-mimes-of-colombia

Want to help create better soundscapes? Download your FREE listener gift

Grab the “Sensory Preference Worksheet: Sound” to help create more hospitable soundscapes, where everyone can make their richest contributions.

The worksheet includes:

• a bit of background on sound 
• reflection on noise
• articulation of your idea soundscapes
• identification of your Sensitivity Action Style
• design considerations.

Ideal for designers or users of any space to gain insight into sound preferences as design parameters.

Take ten quiet minutes. Reflect. Notice. Articulate.

Use with your team, your clients, family or community.

Download the worksheet here and begin shaping soundscapes and cultures where everyone can thrive.

Images

Barcelona’s City Campaign: Clare Kumar

Connect with Guest

Website: Jan Doering - University of Toronto - https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/sociology/people/jan-doering

LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-doering-33a836/

Connect with Clare

Website - https://www.clarekumar.com

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarekumar/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/clarekumar/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/clarekumar

Museletter - https://clarekumar.kartra.com/page/MuseletterOptin

😀😃😄😁😆

About Clare

Clare Kumar explores the intersection of performance and inclusion in her mission to help stop the unintentional squandering of human potential. She collaborates with design, management, and user experience professionals to incorporate neuroinclusive design into spaces, cultures, and experiences ensuring that everyone has the chance to make their richest contribution. 

Clare encourages the creation of “neurological safety”, the conditions that invite us to “keep calm and carry on”. Every organization wants their customers and employees to be able to move forward with ease but without this level of safety, too often people are unintentionally designed out.

Clare continues to experience this. She brings not only her keen noticing but also her sense of social justice to advocate for greater inclusion.

Clare also serves as the Canadian Regional Director of the 🌻Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, bettering daily life for those with non-visible challenges.

Tune into the 🙂Happy Space® podcast for conversations with leading voices working towards a more hospitable world and subscribe to the museletter podcast for the latest in related news, media & events.

😀😃😄😁😆

Show Options

Believing that #ProductivityIsPersonal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube. And look for the Shorts playlist for clips. If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

We’d love a review

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast.  Invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world with everyone designed in.

For the latest, follow Clare on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Because, as you know, everyone deserves a Happy Space. 😊

PRODUCTION  

• Production Assistant: Ana Quintero
• Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi  / wataboi  
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Music promoted by FDL Music  • Cali - Wataboi · [Copyright-free M