Enneagram Fives are known as the Investigators, or the Observers. They see the world as intrusive, overwhelming and draining. They prefer to observe life from the sidelines rather than jumping in and participating in it. They value their privacy and freedom and can feel consumed, or drained, by prolonged involvement with other people or by having too many expectations placed on them. They monitor the amount of time they spend with others and hightail it back to the realm of the mind whenever possible to refuel.

But, Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. When it comes to doing their 'work', Fives have an advantage over the rest of us. Their love for solitude makes them natural contemplatives and their deep need to collect knowledge and information can lead to true self-awareness. These healthy Fives are likely to have depth in knowledge in several areas of their lives and they willingly share their findings with others.

And you'll hear that in action on today's episode. My guest Dr. Andrew Root proves he has done his work. Listen in as he opens up and shares how he navigates life through the lens of an Enneagram Five.

Andrew Root (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is the Carrie Olson Baalson Associate Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. A former Young Life staff worker, he has served in churches and social service agencies as a youth outreach associate and a gang prevention counselor. He writes and researches in areas of theology and youth ministry. His most recent books are Christopraxis (Fortress Press, 2014) and Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker (Baker, 2014) and The Grace of Dogs: A Boy, A Black Lab, and a Father's Search for the Canine Soul, released June 7, 2017.