Typology

We live in a world where productivity is a huge emphasis on the lives of lots of people. But as productivity guru, Mike Hyatt advocates, the point of productivity isn't to get more done, it's actually to get more done efficiently so you have more margin to do the things that are more life-giving and make you a more whole person. As children, Enneagram Threes pick up the message that they are only...

Each Enneagram type approaches feelings from a different angle.  Some types can be really in touch with their feelings, while others seem out of touch with their feelings. On today's episode, our guests Jon and Tristen Collins join Ian to talk about "Why Emotions Matter." As an Enneagram 5 and an Enneagram 2, you can imagine this married couple couldn't be more opposite when it comes to their emot...

If you had to boil it down, Enneagram Sevens have an underlying fear that when it comes to pain and suffering, they will be unsupported. But in order to satisfy their unmet longing for completeness, for solidness, for wholeness, Sevens need to be able to stick with their sadness and discomfort long enough to work through it with others to foster the types of relationships that stand the test of ti...

Enneagram Fours have a unique awareness of their feelings and are highly attuned to their environment. Their gift of connecting deeply with others allows them to see the beauty in all things and to give language to experiences for which others can't seem to find the words.  Today's guest, author Allison Fallon shares how merging the Enneagram with writing has not only helped her heal but has also...

Our guests today are hilarious, smart and up on the Enneagram.  Cohosts of the popular Popcast , Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden join Ian in a conversation about self-awareness, the dynamics of working together as an Enneagram 5 and 7, and how pop culture and personality play into each other. Knox McCoy loves laughing and making people laugh. Really anything that's laughter-adjacent, he's into. He's a...

Last week, speaking coach Mike Pacchione walked through the speaking, or the communication styles, of the first three Enneagram types and how each type can leverage their gift and what to watch out for. Tune in today for part 2, as Mike and Ian cover how to tap into the strengths and avoid the pitfalls for types four through nine. And, don't forget to download Mike's tips for public speaking by En...

Have you ever thought about what makes a great speech or presentation? Whether you're speaking to thousands this weekend, you're speaking to the Rotary Club, or you just want to be a better communicator in the workplace, your Enneagram type has a specific communication style that plays a part in your effectiveness or lack of effectiveness.  So how do you tap into those strengths and avoid the pitf...

Though we can't manufacture great conversations here on Typology, every now and then we do get to experience something deeply vulnerable and truly magical as we did in this episode with singer/songwriter, Ryan Stevenson.  On this episode, we really tackle the concept of owning your own narrative and challenge whether the interpretations of your own story are in fact true. And if they're not, the E...

With so many of our listeners asking about subtypes on a daily basis, we thought we'd celebrate the end of Season 2 with this replay of Aaron Niequist and Ian discussing instincts and subtypes and using them as another way to help hone in on your Enneagram type.  Aaron Niequist has served as a leader at some of the most influential churches in the country. In 2014, he launched a neo-liturgical, ec...

Others often perceive the interior world of the Enneagram Five, or The Observer, as mysterious.  Known to use the pursuit of knowledge as a defense against a world that seems unpredictable, The Observer can appear to not have or be in touch with their emotions. This is simply not the case.  In fact, The Observer is one of the most misunderstood Enneagram type in terms of emotions and relationships...

In part two of our interview with JOHNNYSWIM, Abner and Amanda's manager Jay King joins the conversation and shares how the Enneagram has impacted their personal and working relationship.   ABOUT JOHNNYSWIM As a unit, they face life's ups, downs, highs, lows, trials, tribulations, tragedies, triumphs, and everything in between. They change, learn, and grow as one. However, Los Angeles band JOHNNYS...

What does it sound like when an Enneagram 7 (The Enthusiast) feels safe enough to reveal his true vulnerability?  Tune in as Johnnyswim's Abner and Amanda explore their deeper side and talk with Ian about how the Enneagram has played a role in their relationship and their band.  This interview was so great we made it a two-part series, so don't miss next week, when their manager Jay King jumps int...

Last week we began our conversation on self-leadership with former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church, Carey Nieuwhof.  In part two, Carey and Ian continue their discussion with tips on how leaders can manage anxiety and avoid burnout. Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He's the author of several best-selling books, including his latest, Didn't See...

How can leaders understand themselves and the world in which they live so they can be optimal in their various roles?  One of the first steps is to strengthen self-leadership because you can't successfully lead others unless you can first lead yourself.   In this two-part episode, former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church, Carey Nieuwhof reveals the seven core challenges to leadership a...

Enneagram Nines, or The Peacemakers, are adaptable, caring, supportive, and easygoing. Their "go with the flow" attitude acts as the manifestation of their need for internal and external peace at all times. To keep this peace, Nines often over-accommodate others in a unconscious effort to avoid conflict, and end up "falling asleep" to their own needs. But today, Lysa Terkeurst, #1 New York Times b...

Chris Carneal, founder and CEO of Boosterthon (Enneagram 7) plans for adventure while his CFO, Stan Holcombe (Enneagram 6) plans for dis-adventure.  So how have these two leveraged their differences to balance each other and grow their company 800% over the past eight years?  They invest in the culture of their company. Today, Chris and Stan join Ian to talk about how helping their team understand...

How do you measure success?  What does it look like and feel like?  Often, we measure success by how we appear to others or by the things we accomplish. But for Enneagram Three, Michael Hyatt, success is defined as freedom – the freedom to focus, the freedom to be fully present, and the freedom to be spontaneous. Sounds great, right? But, how do we get there?  The first step is to develop self-awa...

Have you ever stopped to think about your travel personality? Or how the ideal vacation for your Enneagram type may be different than others?  We all look for different things when choosing our next vacation…and even the planning process can greatly vary.  With summer approaching and travel on our minds, we asked ourselves 'what would be the best vacation for each Enneagram type?' So, Typology pro...

One of the elements about the Enneagram that makes it different than other typologies is the principles behind working with Centers of Intelligence. The three centers of intelligence are the head, heart, and body. Each Enneagram type uses all three centers but approaches the world from one center more than the other two.  Where people often get in trouble is when they over-privilege or overuse one...

Drew and Ellie Holcomb return this week for part two of our two-part series. Today, Drew shares how he has learned to let go of his need to be in charge and is learning to lead from the heart, and Ellie gives us insight into what makes her feel really alive. Drew and Ellie Holcomb are a husband and wife Americana duo from Nashville, TN.  Shortly after their marriage in 2006, the couple began touri...

Enneagram Eights and Enneagram Sevens make a high-energy couple. Both types are strong-willed, independent, love adventure, and find happiness in the moment.  But Eights and Sevens manage their feelings in different ways.  Eights embrace a challenge and express anger easily which can clash with a Seven's tendency to avoid difficult or painful feelings by reframing things into a positive light. As...

In today's episode, we share a big announcement then replay Ian's interview with renowned Enneagram teacher, author, consultant, and Enneagram Two, Dr. Beatrice Chestnut Ph. D.  A student of the Enneagram system of personality since 1990, she is the author of Ian's all-time favorite Enneagram book, The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge. Enneagram Twos are far more complicated...

What do you need in a relationship? When it comes to relationships, how do you interact with and love other people? It's often in our most intimate relationships that our most true self shows up and we realize that our view of the world is not necessarily the same as others. That's where the Enneagram comes in.  The Enneagram helps us understand ourselves better, provides a platform for understand...

How does the Enneagram affect how you communicate with your spouse?  Each Enneagram type has a different communication style which impacts the power dynamic in every relationship – whether that's a relationship with a coworker, a friend, or a spouse.  The Enneagram helps us understand where others are coming from and creates space for appreciating and negotiating our differences.    In today's epi...

Enneagram Fives, or the Observers, operate from a withdrawing stance and value their privacy. Their unconscious strategy consists of collecting knowledge and information to defend against what feels like an overwhelming, unpredictable, chaotic world.  They build walls around themselves and retreat into their mental realm for a lot of internal processing.  And though they may appear detached there...