Carly Patterson was just 16 when she won Olympic gold - then suddenly had to figure out who she was without gymnastics.

In our first episode of Season 3: This Is My Story, Carly shares the rarely told story after the medals:

The identity crisis that followed peak success

The pressure to live up to “gold” for the rest of her life

Her unexpected faith journey when control slipped away

A painful season of infertility—and learning to release outcomes

How purpose looks different when the spotlight fades

This isn’t a story about gymnastics.

If you’ve ever:

Reached a milestone and still felt unfulfilled

Struggled with identity after a major life transition

Tried to control an outcome that wouldn’t budge

Carly’s journey will meet you right where you are—and remind you that your worth was never tied to your achievement.

🎧 Listen now to hear how faith, surrender, and resilience reshaped life after Olympic gold.

In this powerful season finale of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden sits in the guest chair—interviewed by creative pastor and longtime friend Allison Harrell. Together, they explore Paul’s personal journey as an Enneagram Type 1 (The Reformer) and how understanding his type has shaped his spiritual life, leadership, and relationships.

With honesty, humor, and deep self-reflection, Paul shares how childhood experiences formed his worldview, why he mistyped himself as a Two for years, how spiritual direction and counseling transformed him, and how he’s learning to distinguish his inner critic from the voice of the Holy Spirit.

This episode also addresses big questions Christians often ask about the Enneagram:

Paul offers thoughtful, pastorally grounded responses while weaving in Scripture—especially Romans 8—to show how the Enneagram can be a tool for spiritual formation when held in the right way.

This episode takes a second, deeper look at the Enneagram Type 9—this time through the voices of two leaders on the Preston Trail staff: Ryan and Cody. With humor, vulnerability, and relatable honesty, they explore what it means to lead, parent, partner, and grow as Nines in a church setting.

Ryan and Cody share openly about their experiences as Nines working closely together, leading teams, raising young families, and seeking emotional and spiritual health in a fast-paced ministry environment.

Together, they unpack hallmark traits of the Type 9—harmony-seeking, calm presence, empathy, stubbornness, avoidance, and the quiet strength that emerges when a Nine steps into healthy leadership. You’ll hear real stories, vulnerable insights, and practical reflections on marriage, parenting, ministry, spiritual formation, and how the Enneagram helps them better follow Jesus.

Whether you identify as an Enneagram 9, love a Nine, or lead alongside one, this conversation offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement for your everyday life and relationships.

This episode explores the Enneagram Type 9: The Peacemaker, featuring two authentic and engaging voices—Robin Johnson and Denise Basden. Both share openly about their upbringing, personality patterns, life as pastor’s wives, and their unique journeys toward emotional and spiritual maturity. Their stories highlight why Type 9s are often called “the sweethearts of the Enneagram.”

Drawing from real stories of marriage, motherhood, life, and church leadership, Robin and Denise unpack the core motivations and struggles of the Enneagram 9: the longing for peace, the fear of conflict, the tendency to avoid decisions, and the quiet strength of loyalty, empathy, and steadiness.

Listeners will hear how Type Nines navigate relationships with strong personality types (like Enneagram 1s and 8s), how they manage emotional overwhelm, and how their calm, grounding presence becomes a gift to families, churches, and communities.

Perfect for anyone interested in:

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do: Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden interviews longtime friend and co–senior pastor Jim Johnson for an in-depth, engaging, and heartfelt look at the Enneagram Type 8 personality—the Challenger.

Jim shares his moving family story, including the life-altering accident that shaped his parents’ faith and filled his childhood with unconditional love. From leadership in the church to marriage and parenting, Jim offers real-life examples of how Type 8 traits show up in daily life.

Listeners will learn:

What drives an Enneagram 8

How Type 8s lead, love, work, and relate

Why Eights value independence, justice, and honesty

The common fears and anxieties of Type 8s

What healthy vs. unhealthy Type 8 behavior looks like

How the Eight’s passion for strength and protection can mirror the heart of Jesus

This conversation is rich with wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways for anyone who is a Type 8, loves a Type 8, or leads with a Type 8. If you're exploring personal growth, spiritual formation, or Enneagram wisdom, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and a deeper appreciation for the powerful, justice-oriented Enneagram Eight.

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do?, we explore the vibrant, possibility-driven world of the Enneagram Type 7—The Enthusiast. Host Paul Basden interviews Natalie Wells, Parent Communications Director at Preston Trail Community Church, who shares how the Seven’s love of fun, spontaneity, and freedom shapes her family life, marriage to an Enneagram One, and her spiritual walk.

Natalie opens up about her upbeat “YOLO” mindset, her legendary costume carpool line, and the challenge Sevens face in sitting with sadness—especially through the loss of her father. She also shares practical ways she’s learned to pause, savor, and stay present.

If you're an Enneagram 7 (or love one), this episode offers relatable stories, faith-based insight, and a deeper look at the unique gifts and struggles of The Enthusiast.

What defines an Enneagram 7

Strengths and shadow sides of The Enthusiast

How Sevens navigate marriage with an Enneagram One

The role of spontaneity, FOMO, and planning the next adventure

How Sevens avoid sadness—and how Natalie learned to face it

The spiritual journey of an Enneagram 7: joy, gratitude, and open-handed living

Natalie’s famous “costume carpool line” tradition

Scripture that resonates with Type 7s: John 10:10, Ecclesiastes 8:15

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul Basden sits down with Tara Wedemeyer — licensed professional counselor, artist, wife, mom of two boys, and Enneagram Type Four — for a raw, honest, and beautifully nuanced look at what it means to live as The Individualist.

Enneagram Fours are known for their creativity, emotional depth, and desire to live with authenticity. Tara shares how this plays out in real life: in her marriage, parenting two teenage boys, co-owning a counseling practice, and navigating her own inner world with compassion and curiosity. She opens up about the gifts of being a Four — empathy, creativity, intuition — as well as the challenges, like the pull toward melancholy, the longing to feel “unique,” and the inner critic that sometimes gets too loud.

In this conversation you’ll hear Tara discuss:

The tension between creativity and vulnerability

Why emotional depth is not the same as depression

How she navigates the “inner critic” and practices self-compassion

The power of boundaries and emotional safety in relationships

How knowing her Enneagram type shapes her faith, counseling, and motherhood

Paul also unpacks what makes Fours distinct: a desire to be authentic and unique, comfort with the full range of emotions, and the belief that something significant is missing — both in them and in life. Tara responds with honesty, reflection, and humor, offering listeners a look inside the emotional landscape of a Four and demonstrating how this type brings beauty and depth to the world. 

Whether you are a Four, love a Four, or struggle to understand a Four, this episode offers validation, clarity, and a reminder that our deepest emotions can be invitations to connection — not isolation.

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul sits down with two dynamic leaders from Preston Trail Community Church—Angel Hadley (Engagement Pastor) and Rick Wisner (Discipleship Pastor)—to explore the drive, discipline, and heart of the Enneagram Type 3: The Achiever.

Known for their energy, focus, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Threes are natural leaders who inspire others to reach new goals—but they also face unique challenges beneath the surface. Together, Angel and Rick offer an honest, faith-centered look at how the Achiever’s desire for success, validation, and admiration can both fuel impact and create exhaustion.

You’ll hear:

How Threes balance ambition and authenticity in ministry, family, and daily life.

The shadow side of achievement—perfectionism, image management, and burnout.

How self-awareness and faith can transform performance into purpose.

Practical ways to slow down, celebrate small wins, and lead with grace instead of striving.

With humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, Angel and Rick share how they’ve learned to root their identity not in performance, but in Christ. This episode offers a refreshing reminder that true success isn’t about achieving more—it’s about becoming more like Jesus.