This Whole Life

Ep59 The Temperament God Gave You w/ Art & Laraine Bennett


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"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:10

Why do I react the way that I do?
How much of my personality can I change?
How does my temperament impact my relationships, my work, and my faith?

Join Kenna and Pat as they dive into the fascinating world of temperaments with Art and Laraine Bennett, renowned authors of "The Temperament God Gave You." In this enriching episode, discover how understanding temperaments can lead to personal and spiritual growth, enhancing relationships and helping us to be more like Christ. The Bennetts explore the strengths and challenges of each temperament — choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic — and offer practical tools for navigating personal and interpersonal dynamics. Listen in as they discuss the importance of self-awareness, the power of community, and how temperaments can promote freedom and growth in holiness and virtue. This is a fantastic conversation that you don't want to miss.

Art Bennett has a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in counseling psychology from Santa Clara University. He has co-authored three books on temperament and 6 books with Laraine and is a licensed (California and Virginia) Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 35 years of clinical experience. Laraine Bennett has a B.A. in philosophy from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She created the game, Know Thyself! The Game of Temperaments (Sophia Institute Press, 2022) and has written two solo books. Art and Laraine are frequent speakers on marriage and family issues, both nationally and internationally. They have four adult children and eleven grandchildren.

Episode 59 Show Notes

Discover your temperament!

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
12:41: Uncovering & sharing the temperaments
18:25: Temperaments: the science of reactions
28:42: What are the four temperaments?
41:17: What's the point of understanding the temperaments?
51:17: Can my temperament change over time?
1:03:36: Challenge By Choice

Reflection Questions:

  1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
  2. What is your temperament? How does your temperament affect your reactions?
  3. How might knowing your temperament help you grow in holiness & virtue?
  4. What do you understand about th

Send us a text. We can't respond directly, but we're excited to hear what's on your mind!

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Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.

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This Whole LifeBy Pat & Kenna Millea

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