I don't know if it is just me, but it seems like english speakers have to spell out stuff a lot more than other languages (or at least my native language). I have never heard anyone having to spell out anything in f.ex a podcast in my native language, but it happens quite regular in english speaking shows. Is english more prone to have muted sounds/letters?
Yes, yes it is. My understanding is that it used to be spoken in a way closer to the written form, but it has drifted. And then there are all the loan words that retain at least some of their original pronunciation.
Here's a fun clip about it, focusing on British place names: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYNzqgU7na4