Enneagram and Marriage

Just in time for Mother's Day, this special episode features Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jessica Turner sharing hard-earned wisdom about rebuilding when life veers dramatically off-script. Whether you didn't get to have kids, your marriage is different than what you wanted, or like Jessica, your marriage took a turn in a different direction, Jessica discusses how to navigate heartache,...

In this illuminating mini-episode for anyone who finds themselves in a reactive Enneagram Eight space, Christa unveils tools for finding and accessing the hidden vulnerability healthily beneath the Eight armor. Whether you're an Eight, have an Eight wing or arrow connection, or love someone with Eight energy, this episode offers crucial insights into navigating those critical moments when an Eight...

In this stance episode, Christa helps you to explore how our emotional regulation patterns impact our closest relationships through the lens of stances. This episode dives into the three stress stances—moving against, moving away, and moving toward—and how understanding these unconscious reactions can transform your marriage. Whether you're caught in criticism-defensiveness cycles or pursuer-dista...

It's all been done. I can't start until it's perfect. What if the critics come? In this episode, Christa talks with Mary Marantz, Enneagram 4, about her journey from growing up in a trailer in rural West Virginia to becoming a Yale Law graduate, successful entrepreneur, and author, only to learn she was still underestimating herself. This empowering conversation explores how to overcome self-doubt...

Ever wonder why personal growth seems to follow predictable patterns of progress and plateau? In this illuminating episode, we dive into one of the Enneagram's most fascinating but rarely discussed aspects: moving around the whole Enneagram system. Learn how this powerful concept applies to everything from skill-building to relationship development, and why certain growth points require conscious...

In this illuminating episode of the Enneagram and Marriage Podcast, we welcome Philip Nation, Vice-President/Publisher of Thomas Nelson Bibles and acclaimed author (Enneagram 4) to explore the powerful intersection of faith, scripture study, and marital connection. Philip shares his expertise on making the Bible accessible in relationships, offering practical wisdom for individual study as well as...

In this special mid-week mini episode, Christa explores the ancient practice of biblical lament as a pathway to deeper intimacy with God and our spouses. Discover why expressing honest sorrow and questions to God isn't just permitted but modeled throughout scripture—from the Psalms to Jesus himself on the cross. Learn how each Enneagram type bypasses lament or grief differently, and how understand...

In this engaging episode, Brad and Sarah Johnson, Triad Partners, reveal how life as an entrepreneurial couple (Brad is the co-founder of Triad Partners) creates both unique challenges and extraordinary strengths in their marriage, family, and business. Brad and Sarah (types 7 and 6 pairing) share candidly about their journey and deep dive with us to the dark night of the soul moment of their marr...

In this heartfelt episode, discover the transformative power of "holding vigil" for your spouse through prayer and presence in a way that costs, but also really gives, both to you and your spouse. Learn both general tips and how each Enneagram type uniquely supports their partner during difficult times, and what challenges they face in staying present. Drawing from literary examples like Frodo and...

Who can get in a sexy state of mind when they're dealing with the triple threat of emotional load, cognitive load, and the physical demands of partnership and parenting, too? Mental load inequity is now recognized as the leading source of relationship tension through research, but what can we do about that when not one but both partners feel equally burdened? In this enlightening conversation, we...

When your personality seems to straddle multiple Enneagram types, it can feel confusing or even invalidating. In this illuminating episode, we explore what it means when you identify strongly with two or more Enneagram patterns, referencing insights from Dr. Dan Siegel's previous conversation on the show. Discover why this "multi-type resonance" isn't a flaw in the system but potentially a more nu...

Is a clean house a spiritual obligation? In this liberating conversation, Dana K. White, author of the brand new book, "Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Messy House," challenges the shame and spiritual baggage many attach to home management. This book is for you, no matter how competent you feel in other parts of your life, you still feel overwhelmed and defeated by your messy home. While it’s true t...

How does your Enneagram type influence your experience of anxiety? In this insightful episode, we explore the unique ways each type encounters, processes, and responds to fear. Discover why Head types (5,6,7) intellectualize anxiety, Heart types (2,3,4) emotionalize it, and Body types (8,9,1) somaticize it—creating entirely different anxiety experiences. Learn how your type's core fears amplify sp...

In this compelling conversation, bestselling author Ian Cron discusses his new book "The Fix," revealing how addiction in its many forms affects us all. Ian moves beyond stereotypical views of addiction to show how everyone struggles with attachments that promise fulfillment but ultimately leave us empty. With wisdom and compassion, he explains how isolation fuels our addictive cycles, while genui...

In this transformative and quick episode, we walk together through several powerful practices to develop genuine internal validation. If you constantly seek others' approval or question your decisions, this episode is for you! Learn practical techniques to strengthen your self-trust and break the cycle of external validation right here. YouTube the episode here! Here we explore: Deliberate Self-Ac...

In this captivating episode, we're joined by Jim Zartman (Type 8) and Joel Hubbard (Type 7), creators of the groundbreaking Hunters, Farmers, and Teamers framework and book. This innovative lens reveals our survival instincts as well as helps us adapt in them, speaking of how our core drives shape everything from our leadership styles to our marriages. Discover whether you're primarily a Hunter (s...

Many couples avoid "relationship check-ins" because they feel awkward or turn into criticism sessions. This episode offers a completely different approach - a structured 30-minute blueprint that creates safety, deepens understanding, and builds practical solutions together that Christa shares both here and in this mini-episode. You'll learn: The reminder that research backs how healthy addressing...

What happens when we make our partners the center of our emotional universe? In this insightful episode with Christa walking us through the concept of decentralization, we explore the delicate art of "decentralizing" your partner—a powerful practice that counterintuitively strengthens intimate connections. Through the lens of marriage theory, including but not limited to the Enneagram, we discover...

What happens when we open our hearts and homes to others? Craig and Laura Cooper join us to share their extraordinary journey of faith and generosity that inspired MercyMe's song and Walker Hayes' music video "Craig." The Coopers discuss how their Type 3w4 and Type 9 Enneagram dynamics shape their approach to hospitality, and how a simple act of giving a minivan to a family in need sparked a profo...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Justin and Trisha Davis about breaking the cycles that hurt our relationships. From navigating infidelity to rebuilding trust, they share how understanding their Enneagram dynamic as an 8w7 and 3w2 couple has transformed their marriage and ministry. Discover practical wisdom for breaking free from shame, resentment, and fear while creating new patterns of c...

Join Christa and award-winning writer and professor Kimberly Phinney for a tender yet powerful conversation about navigating suffering in marriage. Through her own journey with critical illness and her work as a poet and literature scholar, Kimberly shares how pain can become a doorway to deeper connection. Discover how writing becomes medicine, how presence matters more than perfection, and how t...

Join us for this powerful conversation with Julie Menanno, LMFT (@TheSecureRelationship), whose work has helped millions transform their attachment patterns. From her national bestseller, Secure Love: Create a Relationship That Lasts a Lifetime, to her viral Instagram insights, Julie brings practical wisdom about creating lasting security in relationships via the attachment lens and her emotionall...

Ever wonder why your partner acts completely different under stress? Join Christa as we explore the Enneagram arrows - your map to understanding relationship patterns in both stress and growth, as we move expansively from just your main type to see other typical moves we can expect from each Enneagram pattern. Whether you're navigating challenges or building connection, discover how these natural...

Join us for a powerful must-listen conversation with bestselling author Sheila Rae Gregoire, 8, about creating true partnership in marriage. Using evidence-based research and biblical wisdom, Sheila and her team challenge outdated stereotypes while offering practical paths to genuine intimacy! Whether you're seeking a deeper connection or wanting to build a stronger team approach with your spouse,...

Join Christa as we explore the transformative power of letting your partner be exactly who they are as we pair Mel Robbins' "Let Them" theory with the Enneagram. Discover how releasing the need to fix, change, or perfect your spouse creates a deeper connection and authentic love. Whether you're learning to release control or seeking to understand differences, this episode offers practical wisdom f...