Today, I'm answering a few carryover questions from our monthly Typology Institute Membership Town Hall.   Each month I host a live Town Hall for members where we go beyond Q&A; because members get to ask their questions live and the answers end up facilitating great follow up conversations that we just can’t do on this show.  It's truly a great time!  So, I pulled a few questions to share with you this week to give you a peek. If you’d like to join the next Town Hall, just visit typologyinstitute.com/membership to sign up. We’ll send you the link.

Special Mailbag Episode: Ian answers your Enneagram questions

Who are we? Why do we act, think and feel the way we do? How can we become our best, most authentic selves? Welcome to Typology, a podcast that explores the mystery of the human personality and how we can use the Enneagram typing system as a tool to become our best, most authentic selves. Hosted by author, speaker and counselor, Ian Morgan Cron, Typology features interviews with thought leaders from every sphere of life, including renowned Enneagram authors and teachers, psychologists, theologians, artists, business leaders, neuroscientists, philosophers, and more. In other words, we’ll be talking with people who are trying to become the best version of themselves in the world.

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Have you ever wondered how the Enneagram intersects with the entertainment industry? Do casting directors and writers use the Enneagram in developing your favorite show or movie? Whether it’s Parks and Recreation, Modern Family or Les Misérables, sometimes you can see the archetypes play themselves out on screen. This week, we sit down with multi-award-winning producer, writer and director Gary Wheeler for an illuminating conversation about film and the Enneagram. As an Enneagram 9, Gary shares his experience with asserting himself on set, dealing with conflict, and writing scripts from the voice of each character. As Gary states, “My strengths as a writer tend to be in dialogue […] and here’s why…because I’m a nine, I can see all perspectives. […] it’s easy for me to hear their voices.” With almost 30 years of experience in the film industry, Gary has made more than 40 motion picture and TV productions seen by millions of viewers on platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Redbox, Fox Nation, INSP and many more. His works include #1 box office hit War Room, Emmy-nominated The Heart of Christmas, 20th Century’s The Trial, and the award-winning western Far Haven.  His new television series Blue Ridge starring Johnathon Schaech, Sarah Lancaster and A Martinez released on April 7, 2024.

Using the Enneagram in the Entertainment Industry, feat. Gary Wheeler (Enneagram 9)

Get ready for a fun interview with HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous stars, Jenny and Dave Marrs! We started the show thinking Dave and Jenny were both Enthusiasts, but when Jenny radiates a different energy than Dave, the conversation takes a turn.  We kick off with an exploration of Type 7 characteristics, including their enthusiasm, future orientation, and tendency to avoid pain and discomfort.  Then, we get into a pseudo typing interview to figure out what personality traits resonate with Jenny, covering her energy level as compared to Daves and how she feels about conflict and decision-making.    About Jenny and Dave Marrs: Jenny and Dave have been restoring and renovating historic homes since 2004. Now as stars of HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous," they showcase their work in their beautiful hometown and surrounding area of Bentonville, Arkansas, to millions of viewers while staying true to their renovation philosophy: a home should reflect the personality of the ones who live there. Their spinoff series, "Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano," kicked off in March 2024 and Jenny released her book "House + Love = Home: Creating Warm, Intentional Spaces for a Beautiful Life" in November 2023.  You can find Jenny and Dave on Instagram and Facebook, or visit their website.     

Fixer to Fabulous' Jenny and Dave Marrs Explore Their Enneagram Types

Dr. Carol Tanksley joins Typology to discuss her journey of self-discovery and the powerful impact learning to see her emotions as knowledge has had on her life. As Dr. Tanksley explains, “When I finally started to understand that it was not knowledge that I needed to quote ‘fix me,’ then I started to make progress. […] Things started to change in my life. I started to come to terms with the emotional and feeling part of me, hence the wing four. I had all kinds of feelings. They were there all the time.” Learning to befriend our feelings opens the door to wholeness and true connection. In this episode, you’ll learn:  How Dr. Tanksley discovered her Enneagram type A few practices to help fives connect with their feelings Importance of understanding emotions as information    Dr. Carol Tanksley Resources  www.DrCarolMinistries.com  Instagram | X: | Facebook  YouTube  Podcast: Relationship Prescriptions with Dr. Carol Sexpectations: reframing your good and not-so-good stories about God, love, and relationships

Befriending feelings to find wholeness, feat. Dr. Carol Tanksley (Enneagram 5)

In this week’s episode, Molly Stillman, the author of the book "If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry: How Death, Debt, and Comedy Led to a Life of Faith, Farming, and Forgetting What I Came into This Room For," opens up about her struggles with grief and learning to face hard truths and tough emotions head-on. We explore the complexities of being an Enneagram Two, the importance of genuine vulnerability, and learning to share her story as a powerful tool for healing, connecting with others, and sharing the human experience.  Highlighting the importance of self-reflection and the power of storytelling, Molly’s journey serves as an inspiration for others to embrace their own vulnerabilities and seek healing.    

A Journey of Healing and Vulnerability, with Molly Stillman (Enneagram 2)

The statistics for loneliness are startling, not just for children but for the human population in general. According to recent research, 61% of Americans report often feeling lonely. The fact of the matter is that loneliness is a universally felt emotion that doesn’t discriminate. It starts young…and it’s growing.  Today, we welcome esteemed bestselling author Max Lucado for a timely discussion about the epidemic of loneliness in today’s connected age and the impact on human connection. We explore what was on Max’s heart when he wrote his new children's book, “Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone,” and delve into how different Enneagram types might experience and cope with loneliness, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, community, and seeking honest feedback as a tool for true closeness.

Special Mailbag Episode: Ian answers your Enneagram questions

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