It’s the same scene every time with this poor kid in the "hallway incident", but when you put nine different Enneagram types in the role of the person stepping in to help, you get nine completely different reasons for doing so.

In this episode, Sandy will walk you through a story that brings the Enneagram motivations to life. Because the Enneagram is all about motivation, not behavior. This is why it can be challenging to land on your type - and why we do NOT ever want to type others!

You’ll see how the same action can be fueled by very different motivations, and why:

Whether you’re new to the Enneagram or you’ve been studying it for years, this episode will give you a practical way to understand why people (including yourself) do what they do.

About your host:

🔹Hi! I'm Sandy, Professional Certified Coach (ICF-PCC), National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and self-proclaimed Enneagram nerd.🤓
🔹I’m a holistic communication and relationship coach (some clients call me a "people whisperer"), and I'm dedicated to helping you understand yourself and others more deeply so you can communicate with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
🔹I’m also a mentor coach and love helping brand-new coaches with their coaching skills.
🔹 My coaching philosophy:  You don't need to be fixed, you need to be found. 

🏳️‍🌈 Proud to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities 🏳️‍🌈

___

Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication

Why You’re Still Stuck — and How to Finally Move Forward.

Whether it’s work, relationships, life transitions, or decision overload, “stuckness” shows up in sneaky and stubborn ways. And most of the time, we try to solve it with more information. But what if that’s not the answer?

In this episode, Sandy shares what she sees every day as a holistic communication and relationship coach: that getting unstuck isn’t about doing more — it’s about listening to your inner experience.

She’ll explore:

Why your body might be holding the clue to your next step

How trusting your gut can short-circuit analysis paralysis

The surprising power of naps (yes, naps!)

Why internal motivation always wins over external pressure

How your heart might have something to say, if you’re brave enough to ask

And what your Enneagram type might say about your “why”

Sandy also shares some personal stories, client reflections, and a few practical ways to pause, check in, and make meaningful shifts, with or without a coach.
____

About your host:

🔹Hi! I'm Sandy, Professional Certified Coach (ICF-PCC), National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and self-proclaimed Enneagram nerd.🤓
🔹I’m a holistic communication and relationship coach (some clients call me a "people whisperer"), and I'm dedicated to helping you understand yourself and others more deeply so you can communicate with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
🔹I’m also a mentor coach and love helping brand-new coaches with their coaching skills.
🔹 My coaching philosophy:  You don't need to be fixed, you need to be found. 

🏳️‍🌈 Proud to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities 🏳️‍🌈

___

Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication

The Deeper Layer Behind Why You React the Way You Do - Through the Lens of the Enneagram

Ever wonder why you retreat when things get tough? Or why your friend always talks through everything out loud? Or why some people seem to barrel forward like a freight train?

In this episode, we're diving into the three stances of the Enneagram—Withdrawing, Dependent (or Responsive), and Independent (or Assertive). These stances shape how each type moves through the world, handles stress, and interacts with others.

You’ll learn:

Why some types retreat into their inner world, while others think out loud or steamroll ahead

What might be behind your default stress response

How understanding these patterns can improve your relationships, parenting, coaching, and self-compassion

What to say (and not say) when interacting with each of these energetic styles

If you're stuck trying to figure out your type, or you're a coach or leader who wants to communicate more effectively, this episode will help you recognize core energetic patterns that run underneath the surface.

_______________________

About your host:

🔹Hi! I'm Sandy, Professional Certified Coach (ICF-PCC), National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and self-proclaimed Enneagram nerd.🤓
🔹I’m a holistic communication and relationship coach (some clients call me a "people whisperer"), and I'm dedicated to helping you understand yourself and others more deeply so you can communicate with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
🔹I’m also a mentor coach and love helping brand-new coaches with their coaching skills.
🔹 My coaching philosophy:  You don't need to be fixed, you need to be found. 

🏳️‍🌈 Proud to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities 🏳️‍🌈

___

Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication

Struggling to stick with your goals — or even know where to start? In this episode, certified coach Sandy Swanson shares a holistic, down-to-earth approach to goal-setting that actually works in real life.

You’ll learn:

The 8 most common goal-setting mistakes (and how to avoid them)

How to create realistic, values-aligned goals that support your mind, body, and life

How the Enneagram personality framework can reveal the hidden challenges each type faces when trying to make change

Why goal overwhelm, perfectionism, and emotional roadblocks keep so many people stuck — and what to do instead

Practical tips to build confidence, clarity, and accountability (without burnout or hustle)

This episode is for you if you’ve ever set a goal with the best intentions… only to lose momentum, get stuck, or beat yourself up in the process.

___

Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication

What’s your real superpower—your body, your heart, or your head?

In this episode, we’re breaking down the Enneagram’s 3 Centers of Intelligence—and how each one shapes the way you move through the world.

Certified holistic coach Sandy Swanson shares how these centers—Body, Heart, and Head—act like filters for how we take in information, respond to life, and connect with others.

You’ll learn:

You’ll also hear how each Enneagram type (1–9) connects to the centers—and why so many people mistype themselves in today’s head-centric world.

Whether you’re new to the Enneagram or deep in your type journey, this is a foundational tool that’ll change how you see yourself—and everyone else.

FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do!

WANT TO GO DEEPER? If you're navigating conflict, facing big life decisions, or just feeling stuck and want to break free, I'd love to work with you! Learn more at swansoncoaching.com and discover what opens up when you stop running from yourself—and start understanding yourself instead.

Want to feel happier but anxiety keeps crashing the party? Whether you’re dreaming of reading more books, hitting up cool events, or finally shaking those stubborn habits, anxiety can be a real buzzkill.

In this episode, Sandy will share how creating a sense of emotional safety is the secret sauce to kicking anxiety to the curb and unlocking your creative, joyful self.

Inspired by wisdom from Gretchen Rubin and Martha Beck, she shares a personal story about battling performance anxiety as a classical musician (yes, even musicians freak out!). She'll also walk you through how tuning into your body, asking three simple questions, and feeling like you truly belong helped me turn my “what if” freakouts into “heck yeah” moments—and how you can too.

Bonus: Sandy will guide you through an easy grounding practice to calm your nervous system, hush those pesky “what ifs,” and bring you back to a peaceful, present vibe.

Whether anxiety shows up as stress, creative blocks, or just plain overwhelm, these tools are here to help you feel safe, centered, and grounded as you go about your day - on or off the "concert stage".

FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do!

WANT TO GO DEEPER? If you're navigating conflict, facing big life decisions, or just feeling stuck and want to break free, I'd love to work with you! Learn more at swansoncoaching.com and discover what opens up when you stop running from yourself—and start understanding yourself instead.

Do you ever feel like you're speaking a completely different language from the people closest to you? Understanding the 9 Enneagram personality types can change everything about how you communicate, connect, and show up in your relationships.

In this episode, we're breaking down all 9 Enneagram energies — what makes each type tick, what they need to feel heard, and exactly how to meet them where they are.

Whether you're navigating a relationship with a bold Type 8, a peacemaking Type 9, or anything in between, you'll walk away with practical, compassionate tools you can use immediately.

In this episode, you'll discover:

This episode is based on Sandy's free guide, 9 Ways to Communicate — grab your copy below and use it alongside this episode!

___

Enneagram Typing Interviews - learn more here:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/typinginterview

9 Ways to Communicate PDF:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication

___

FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do!

___

Enneagram, Enneagram types, personal growth, relationships, communication

If you’ve ever looked at the Enneagram symbol and thought, “What is this spiky circle thing that looks like it belongs in a wizard's notebook?”—you’re not alone.

In this episode, Sandy shares her take on the circle (spoiler: you already belong), the triangle (there’s always a third option!), and that funky zig-zag line (hello, personal growth spiral). Learn how it can help you stop competing, start flowing, and maybe even chill out for once. If you've ever felt stuck, scattered, and want to feel more whole, less reactive, and a lot more human, this one’s for you.

Interested in discovering your Enneagram Type?  Learn more about Typing Interviews here.

FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do!

WANT TO GO DEEPER? If you're navigating conflict, facing big life decisions, or just feeling stuck and want to break free, I'd love to work with you! Learn more at swansoncoaching.com and discover what opens up when you stop running from yourself—and start understanding yourself instead.

Can you create your own "aha" moments? In this episode, Sandy shares a simple but powerful 3-step self-coaching process inspired by psychologist Ken Sheldon’s insight that “we are self-programming organisms”—but most of us were never taught how to ask the right questions to guide our own growth.

You'll learn how to shift from confusion to clarity by getting curious, tuning into your subconscious, and learning to listen deeply to your own needs. Sandy will also share how this exact process helped her find clarity during a pivotal moment in her marriage.

Whether you're feeling stuck or simply ready for change, this episode offers a roadmap for breakthrough—even without a coach.

FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do!

WANT TO GO DEEPER? If you're navigating conflict, facing big life decisions, or just feeling stuck and want to break free, I'd love to work with you! Learn more at swansoncoaching.com and discover what opens up when you stop running from yourself—and start understanding yourself instead.

Why do we keep getting stuck in the same patterns and keep making the same choices—even when we know better?

In this kickoff episode of Beyond the Type, we’re diving into the Enneagram—what it really is (hint: not just another personality test), how it reveals your core motivations, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and communication.

You’ll also hear why Sandy thinks the “Golden Rule” needs a makeover—and how discovering your own “shade of blue” can open the door to more choice, compassion, and confidence in how you show up in the world.

Whether you're new to the Enneagram, feeling stuck, or simply craving more clarity and connection, this podcast is your go-to for real talk, practical insight, and transformational tools you can actually use.

FOLLOW AND SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on personality, communication, healing habits, and Enneagram insights for everyday life. And don’t forget to share this episode with a friend who’s curious about why they do what THEY do!

WANT TO GO DEEPER? If you're navigating conflict, facing big life decisions, or just feeling stuck and want to break free, I'd love to work with you! Learn more at swansoncoaching.com and discover what opens up when you stop running from yourself—and start understanding yourself instead.