When life gets hectic, silence is the answer. That’s the idea behind a new app launched by Chattanooga author, artist, and poet N'nako Kandé.

Silent Hour is a mindfulness tool that helps people slow down and reconnect with themselves, no matter where they are. We chatted with Kandé to find out how it all started.

Editor’s note: Quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.

What inspired you to create Silent Hour?

I was a stay-at-home mom with four kids, and I would go and spend time in nature; it could be by the river, it could be in the forest, and I would ground myself and be like, “Breathe. Just breathe. You got this.” I learned that nobody is going to offer you peace unless you go claim it for yourself, and I realized if I need this, there’s got to be other people who need it.

How did Chattanooga’s natural spaces shape the app?

Silent Hour was born at Audubon Acres, and when you go to the app, you can choose between three immersive modes: Forest, Urban, and Indoor. For Forest mode, I did incorporate nature photos from Chattanooga because I had so many pictures.

What can people expect when they use the app?

Each mode has a five‑phase ceremonial structure: Arrival, Attunement, Stillness, Reflection, and Return. Users can choose to move through all five phases or select only the phase they need at the moment. Session length is flexible — it can be five minutes or an hour — and the app automatically adjusts the pacing of each phase to match the duration. There’s also a Breathwork Playlist designed to support regulation throughout the day.

What can people learn from using it?

We have this intelligence in our system. The human body is phenomenal. When we finally take the time to slow down and connect with ourselves, it's amazing what our bodies, spirits, and emotions will reveal to us. The more you breathe, the more you realize, "I don't have to be afraid of this thing I'm dealing with. I can handle this.”

“Chattanooga’s nature healed me — Silent Hour is my way of giving that healing back to the city.” | Photo via N’nako Kandé

Silent Hour is available on the App Store and Google Play. Many features are free to use, while a premium subscription costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 annually.

Beyond the app, Kandé is also the author of the book “Silent Hour” and regularly leads Silent Hikes at Audubon Acres that combine movement, breathwork, and quiet reflection in nature.