I don't feel guilty about the music I love. If you feel guilty

Host: The room felt relaxed, the soft flicker of the candlelight casting a gentle glow. Jack sat near the window, his gaze focused on the world outside, his thoughts drifting. Jeeny, across from him, was lounging in her chair, a cup of tea in her hands, her eyes quiet but thoughtful. The peace between them was comfortable, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity, a subtle sense that something deeper was about to be explored.

Host: Corey Taylor’s words filled the silence: “I don’t feel guilty about the music I love. If you feel guilty about something you dig, then you should stop feeling guilty about it. One of my favorite albums to this day is the 10th anniversary ensemble cast of 'Les Miserables,' the ultimate cast recording, and it is still something I love listening to top to bottom.” There was something refreshing in the confidence Taylor had in his tastes—no guilt, no shame, just appreciation for what he loved. Jack, always the one to dissect things, was the first to respond.

Jack: His voice was calm, almost with a touch of amusement: “I love that. The idea of guilt over what you enjoy—whether it’s music, movies, or any kind of art—seems so unnecessary. It’s not about what others think is ‘cool’ or ‘appropriate’; it’s about what resonates with you. Taylor’s saying we should just embrace what we love, no matter what anyone else thinks. And I get that—there’s something freeing about letting go of that judgment.”

Jeeny: She smiled, her voice gentle, but filled with understanding: “Exactly. We live in a world where people often feel like they have to justify their tastes, like there’s some right or wrong way to enjoy things. But music, art—it’s all so personal. What one person finds meaningful, another might not get at all. And that’s okay. What matters is that we embrace what speaks to us, without the need to apologize for it. Taylor’s right—if something moves you, you don’t need to feel guilty about it.”

Host: The conversation seemed to open up a space for acceptance, a realization that the things we love don’t have to fit anyone else’s idea of what’s “acceptable” or “cool.” Jack’s usual focus on logic and external standards seemed to soften as he reflected on how often people, himself included, feel the need to justify their choices when it comes to taste.

Jack: His voice was softer, almost revelatory: “Maybe that’s the problem. We get so caught up in external expectations—what’s considered ‘good’ or ‘worthy’—that we forget the personal side of things. It’s not about meeting some cultural standard, it’s about finding what resonates with you. The guilt shouldn’t even come into play. If you enjoy something, why should anyone else’s opinion matter?”

Jeeny: She smiled warmly, her voice reassuring: “Exactly. We’ve all been made to feel like certain tastes are somehow less than others, that there’s something wrong with enjoying something that doesn’t align with mainstream or popular opinion. But the truth is, art and music are about connection, not about fitting into some preconceived mold. When we let go of the guilt and embrace what we genuinely love, we’re letting ourselves be more authentic, more whole.”

Host: The room felt lighter now, as though the conversation had cleared away some of the weight we often place on ourselves when it comes to taste and preference. It wasn’t just about music, but about how we navigate the world with our individual likes and dislikes, and how often we allow external judgment to shape those preferences. Jack and Jeeny sat together, realizing that the freedom to enjoy something without guilt was a powerful gift—one that allowed for deeper self-acceptance and a more open connection with the world around them.

Jack: His voice, now calmer, seemed to reflect this newfound understanding: “Maybe that’s the key—to let go of the guilt and just embrace what we truly love. Whether it’s an album, a book, or a movie, if it speaks to us, it’s valid. There’s no need to justify it.”

Jeeny: She nodded, her smile filled with peace: “Exactly. Embrace the things that make you feel alive, that speak to you personally. Don’t let anyone else’s judgment take that away.”

Host: The evening continued, but the air between them felt different—a quiet understanding that the things we love, no matter how unconventional or unexpected, deserve to be celebrated, not justified. Jack and Jeeny sat together in the shared realization that there was no room for guilt in the things that truly matter to us. Enjoyment, at its purest, should always be free—without shame, without hesitation.