Typology

Each of us digests or metabolizes grief in separate ways. It's important to understand how differently people grieve and allow others the space to grieve in the way that is appropriate to their architecture. Author, speaker, and executive pastor at Church of the City, Jonathan Pitts shares his journey through grieving the unexpected loss of his wife, learning to carve out space for joy, and findin...

Relationships are extremely important to Enneagram Twos.  They are the most interpersonal number on the Enneagram.  They are other referencing -- focusing their attention outside of themselves.  But when you mix the passion of the Two (pride) with their subtypes, Enneagram Twos not only present in very different ways but their transformational path also varies.     Psychotherapist, coach, business...

The journey of self-understanding isn't easy. Each of us are deep, mysterious, and complex beings who don't fit into one specific box.  Those complexities can sometimes make the process of uncovering your true self difficult. Today's guest thought he was an Enneagram Seven for a long time but when he realized he was actually a dominant Six with a heavy Seven wing things changed.  Front man of the...

We've got another great interview today.  An entrepreneur, actor, musician, singer-songwriter, and music executive...hip-hop artist Lecrae joins me in a personal conversation about shame and grief.  We get really honest about his life, where he came from, what influenced his Threeness, a real identity crisis that he hit at the height of his fame, and what role therapy has played in his healing and...

What mud do you bring into your relationships?  Though we're often unaware of them until we can no longer ignore them, each of us carries hidden beliefs adopted in childhood into every relationship. And until we bring that mud, those self-limiting beliefs, to the surface they're going to work against us as adults.  This week, Toni and Carey Nieuwhof, join me to talk about the unconscious messages...

Enneagram Nines have an innate ability to foster peace with those around them.  With their intuitive wisdom and great skill in listening to differences and understanding multiple perspectives, Nines seem to have a leg up on the rest of us when it comes to spirituality.  Artist and multiple Dove award nominee, Audrey Assad beautifully gives us an honest look into the importance of spiritual communi...

How do you do the things within your control without falling under the illusion that you are in control?  Control is a big theme in all of our lives...it just shows up in different ways. No matter your type, we all try to control others with the suite of behaviors that go with our type.  In fact, we train people to respond to us and interact with us in a certain way based on our type. So, how does...

As we navigate the current climate it's easy to become disconnected. But as humans, we're actually wired for connection.  We must look for opportunities to connect with each other.  Connection is fuel for the soul. And who better to explain the beauty of connection, of togetherness, than Morgan Harper Nichols. For Enneagram Fives who may already isolate, and be comfortable there, Morgan's words il...

I often get emails from our listeners asking how the Enneagram can help their marriage.  And usually, the email is asking for advice on a specific type-combination.  That can be difficult to answer because there are so many variants with the Enneagram. But, when you understand the Enneagram--and not just your own type--it can be an invaluable tool for communication and support in any relationship,...

I'm often asked how trauma affects your Enneagram type.  The answer is: it's complicated.  Trauma is the result of an extraordinarily stressful event that shatters your sense of security and safety and makes you feel isolated and helpless in the world.  It can be a one-time event or ongoing, complex trauma.  Your response to trauma largely determines the type toward which you gravitate as a little...

We often think of Enneagram Eights as powerful, charismatic, and natural leaders.  They make great mentors with an uncanny ability to inspire and uplift people.  Our guest today is a wonderful example of a healthy Eight leader who understands how to balance the power of her personality with self-restraint and vulnerability while motivating others.   Dr. Sasha Shillcutt shares what drives her as an...

At their best, Enneagram Twos truly radiate the unconditional, altruistic love of God. They just sort of signal love out into the world in a way that no other type can. But they also have a hard time being able to stop meeting the needs of others which can empty their tanks and lead to resentment.   This episode resonated so well with a lot of our Two listeners. So, take another listen as Lisa-Jo...

Decision making takes courage. But sometimes the commitment to find the  best option  consumes an enormous amount of mental energy and can leave any of us exhausted and stuck. However, when you learn to stop overthinking you can start spending time on things that bring more peace, love, and joy into your life. Today, we're revisiting my interview with Anne Bogel on getting decisive.  Though we foc...

What is right and what is wrong? What is good? What is not good? We all tend to believe we know, but each one of us would answer these questions differently. Enneagram Ones, in particular, tend to be pretty black and white when it comes to right and wrong. Typically, it's harder for Ones to see the gray. So, learning to see the fundamental perfection, or goodness, at the core of all things is an i...

This week I continue the conversation with Leeann and Michelle. Blending humor, motherhood, and the Enneagram, Leeann and Michelle show how they approach self-awareness and personal growth with lightheartedness and compassion towards themselves and others. Tune in through the end of the show to hear the advice they each share for processing big emotions. With backgrounds in commercial acting, tele...

What happens when two comedians who love the Enneagram get together to make YouTube videos?  You get over 50 amusing Enneagram-related videos to entertain you. With backgrounds in commercial acting, television news and comedy, Leeann Dearing and Michelle Fortin are a firehouse duo who create great comedy in many mediums: parodies, sketch humor and live shows.  You can catch their "Enneagram Funnie...

Enneagram Sevens typically appear confident, optimistic, and sunny.  They're experts at finding the silver lining in any given situation in an attempt to avoid psychological and emotional or even sometimes circumstantial discomfort or distress. But what people don't understand about Sevens is if you scratch the paint just a little bit you'll find a lot of anxiety and unattended sorrow, unattended...

The Enneagram is a wonderful instrument that helps us develop self-awareness and self-knowledge that allows us to move through the world more intelligently, with more love and compassion, but it doesn't define us.  It helps us develop an internal witness who can stand back and observe when we need to make a different choice or action.  So, when life throws you a curveball, as it did for our guest,...

I'm often asked what it's like for specific type-pairings to be in a relationship?  I believe that any type can have a successful partnership as long as they are healthy in their type.  That doesn't mean there won't be challenges along the way, but when you're self-aware and also understand how your partner sees the world, it allows for more grace and compassion towards each other. Today, Lee and...

We know that Enneagram Ones have a strong inner critic, but they're not alone.  Just how loud is that inner critic for an Enneagram Four?  What does it sound like?  Tune in this week as former Bachelor, Ben Higgins talks about his inner critic, the healing journey of getting over his "Self," and the role the Enneagram has played in finding true compassion and connection among all of his relationsh...

Enneagram Eights are charismatic individuals who lead through strength, competence, stability, and control. When self-aware, they learn to balance their intensity with a strategic approach and bring community leaders together to execute big changes. Today's guest, one of our country's top voices on community partnerships, Joshua Dubois, joins me in a discussion about the Enneagram and how it has m...

One of my favorite quotes by M. Scott Peck is, "Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths." Once you accept that life is hard, and the sooner that you accept it, the better off you'll be. With all the craziness of 2020, it's important to remember that life is full of struggles and we all have to live with a certain amount of pain. If we let it, our negative thoughts can...

When trying to figure out your Enneagram type it's important to know all nine types. If you think you know your type and just read up on that type, you may actually do confirmation bias and just automatically assume, "That sounds like me."  But when you know all 9 types, you can really dig into the underlying motivation of each type to see which one resonates strongest for you. So, when Ken Colema...

There's no question that we're living in a time where a lot of unprecedented decisions are being made all around us. In our current climate, it couldn't be more evident that we all approach decision-making in different ways — even our responses to decisions other people make vary. Last week, host of The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, founder of North Point Ministries, and author of Better Decisi...

How do you make decisions?  Does your initial response come from the head, heart, or gut?  Our natural tendency is to think that everyone makes decisions the same way that we do.  But the reality is that each Enneagram type takes information in through a different lens which impacts the decisions we make on a daily basis.   This week we've got a special treat for you. Host of The Andy Stanley Lead...