I go by instinct - I don't worry about experience.

Host: The room is quiet, the soft glow of a nearby lamp casting a warm light as the evening settles in. Outside, the city continues its rhythmic hum, but inside, the space feels still, filled with the quiet anticipation of an unfolding thought. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers tracing the edge of her mug, her gaze distant, as though reflecting on something meaningful. Jack stands near the window, arms folded, lost in his own thoughts.

Jeeny: (her voice soft, yet thoughtful) “You ever wonder if we rely too much on experience to guide us? We’re taught to trust what we know, what we’ve done before, but sometimes I think we forget the power of instinct.”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Instinct over experience? That’s an interesting choice. I mean, we’re always told to rely on our experience, right? Isn’t it supposed to help us make smarter decisions?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her smile small but knowing) “That’s what we’re told, but I was reading something Barbra Streisand said, and it made me think differently. She said, ‘I go by instinct—I don’t worry about experience.’ It really got me thinking about how we can be so focused on our past that we forget to trust the gut feeling, the part of us that knows what feels right in the moment.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully, then shifts his stance) “So, she’s saying that experience isn’t always the best guide? That sometimes our instincts, that feeling you get when something just clicks, is more important than what we’ve learned through experience?”

Jeeny: (smiling gently, her voice steady as she continues) “Exactly. Experience is valuable, but sometimes, it can hold us back. We rely on what we’ve done before and what’s worked in the past, and that can make us hesitant to take risks. But instinct is fresh, it’s in the moment, and it’s not limited by what we’ve already learned. It’s about trusting yourself, trusting what you feel in your bones.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to resonate in the air, creating a subtle shift between them. Jack stands still, his gaze softening as the idea takes root. The world outside continues, but the room feels stiller now, the weight of the conversation hanging between them.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost contemplative) “So, you’re saying that by focusing too much on past experience, we might be missing opportunities to trust ourselves in new ways? That instinct can be a more powerful guide than just relying on what we already know?”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet conviction) “Yes, exactly. Sometimes we need to let go of what we think we know and listen to that inner voice. That gut feeling—whether it’s about a decision, a choice, or even a moment in life. It’s not about disregarding experience completely; it’s about not letting it limit you. Instinct can push you to step outside the box and try something new, to take chances and break free from the past.”

Jack: (pauses, his posture softening as he reflects on her words) “I think I get it now. It’s about balance, isn’t it? Experience is important, but so is the willingness to listen to what feels right in the moment. Maybe we don’t need to overthink everything—sometimes, our instinct is the best compass we have.”

Jeeny: (smiling gently, her eyes steady with understanding) “Exactly. Trusting your instincts means trusting yourself, and that’s the key. Experience has its place, but it’s in the moments where you listen to what you feel that you find the courage to do something extraordinary.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into something deeper, more empowering. Jack stands by the window, his gaze turned inward, reflecting on the power of instinct over experience. Jeeny watches him, her smile quiet but knowing, content in the realization that sometimes the greatest decisions come from within—guided not by what we know, but by what we feel. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation has opened a new perspective on how we navigate life, relying not just on experience, but on the quiet wisdom of our own instincts.