In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we are thrilled to welcome Leigh Anne Taylor, a recent graduate of the Institute for Conscious Being. Leigh Anne shares her journey as a Type 6, highlighting her experiences with fear, anxiety, and the importance of self-understanding. She reflects on her initial struggles to identify her Enneagram type, revealing how reading Joe Howell's book, Becoming Conscious, helped her feel seen and understood.

Leigh Anne discusses her role as an encourager in her professional life, serving clergy and churches in Virginia, and her passion for music and writing. She also opens up about her personal journey, including her co-authored memoir, Our Family Outing.

Throughout the conversation, we delve into the unique challenges and strengths of Type 6 individuals, particularly the balance between vulnerability and courage. Leigh Anne shares a poignant story from her childhood that illustrates her journey toward integration and healing, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and forgiveness.

As we explore the Enneagram's role in personal growth, Leigh Anne highlights the significance of community and the safe space provided by the Institute for Conscious Being. We conclude with reflections on how embracing our vulnerabilities can lead to greater strength and self-acceptance.

Join us for this insightful discussion that not only resonates with Type 6 listeners but also offers valuable lessons for everyone on the path to self-discovery and integration. Thank you for listening!

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we had the pleasure of turning the tables and welcoming our own Scott Smith as a guest. Scott, who is typically behind the scenes as our producer and editor, shared his personal journey with the Enneagram, particularly as a Type 5.

Scott recounted how he initially dismissed Dr. Joe Howell's book due to his narrow understanding of spirituality and his rationalistic worldview. However, after experiencing a significant period of suffering, he found himself drawn to both Joe's book, Becoming Conscious, and Philip Shepherd's Radical Wholeness. These readings opened him up to new perspectives on spirituality and self-understanding, leading him to embrace the Enneagram and TEPP (The Embodied Present Process) as tools for personal growth.

We delved into the virtues and holy ideas associated with Type 5, particularly focusing on the virtue of detachment and the holy ideas of omniscience and transparency. Dr. Joe Howell articulated how detachment is not about withdrawing, but about letting go of our attachments to ideas and concepts that can limit our understanding of reality.

Scott shared a profound experience he had during a retreat, where he practiced a meditation technique that allowed him to open to a deep sense of peace and connection to something greater than himself. This moment of grace highlighted the importance of being present and receptive, rather than chasing after spiritual experiences and ideas.

Throughout the episode, we emphasized that the qualities of peace, grace, and presence are available to everyone, regardless of their Enneagram type. We hope that Scott's journey and insights inspire our listeners to explore their own spiritual paths and recognize the potential for growth and connection in their lives.

Thank you for joining us today, and we encourage you to continue exploring the Enneagram and its transformative power. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends and family!

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we had the pleasure of welcoming Pavan Mudiam, a former student of the Institute for Conscious Being, to discuss his journey with the Enneagram and the significance of virtues and holy ideas in his life.

Pavan shared how he was introduced to the Enneagram through his mother, Nanette, and how his initial curiosity led him to attend a transformative ICB conference at Kanuga. We explored his experience of discovering his ego type as a Four, and how this understanding has shaped his emotional landscape, particularly in relation to his virtue of equanimity and holy idea of holy origin.

Throughout our conversation, Pavan reflected on the challenges he faced, including the profound impact of losing a close friend in college. This loss served as a pivotal moment in his life, pushing him to seek deeper meaning and authenticity. He articulated how pain can be a powerful teacher, guiding him toward personal growth and a clearer understanding of his purpose.

We also discussed Pavan's marriage to Chelsea, who is also a Four, and how they navigate their relationship by balancing each other's strengths and weaknesses. Parenthood has further grounded Pavan, as he learns to embody equanimity for the sake of their daughter, Raina.

As we wrapped up, we emphasized the importance of recognizing the ongoing journey of self-discovery and the role of the Enneagram as a tool for understanding ourselves and our relationships. Pavan's insights and experiences serve as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and we are grateful for his willingness to share his story with us.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode, and we hope you find inspiration in Pavan's journey as much as we did!

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we dive into the complexities of Type 3, the Winner, with our special guest, Reverend Barrett Owen, who is a dear friend of the Institute for Conscious Being. Barrett shares his journey as the senior pastor of First Baptist Wilmington, North Carolina, and reflects on his experiences with the Enneagram, which he first encountered during his college years.

Barrett discusses the unique challenges and motivations of being a Type 3, particularly the feelings of shame that often accompany the desire to impress others. He emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and how it has transformed his approach to leadership and communication within his church community. As we explore the holy ideas associated with Type 3, Barrett highlights the significance of holy harmony and the realization that we are not separate from the divine, which alleviates the pressure to constantly achieve.

Throughout the conversation, we touch on the interconnectedness of the Enneagram types, particularly how Barrett's experiences resonate with Nanette's as a Type 9 and Joe's as a Type 6. We reflect on the importance of self-awareness and the journey toward embracing our true selves, rather than the personas we often feel compelled to present.

Join us as we learn from Barrett's insights and experiences, and discover how embracing our authentic selves can lead to a more harmonious existence. Thank you for listening, and we hope you find inspiration in this episode!

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we had the pleasure of welcoming Beverly Casey, a graduate of the Scholars Program at the Institute for Conscious Being. Beverly, a mental health clinician from Cleburne County, shared her transformative journey with the Enneagram, which she began nearly 15 to 20 years ago.

As an Enneagram Type Two, Beverly discussed the challenges she faced before discovering the Enneagram, including feelings of chaos and the desperate need to please others. She candidly reflected on how her desire to help often stemmed from a place of need rather than genuine altruism, leading to burnout and strained relationships. However, through her work with Dr. Joe Howell and the Enneagram, she found a path to greater self-awareness and healing.

Beverly emphasized the importance of humility and grace in her life, noting how these virtues have allowed her to nurture her relationships without the expectation of receiving something in return. She also shared insights into how the Enneagram has positively impacted her marriage and family dynamics, providing a common language for understanding each other better.

In her professional role, Beverly has been able to guide other clinicians, fostering an environment of grace and calm in crisis situations. She highlighted the ripple effect of this work, as it not only benefits her colleagues but also the clients they serve.

Throughout our conversation, Beverly's passion for her community and her commitment to personal growth shone through. We discussed her creative pursuits, including writing and community theater, which have helped her reconnect with her joyful soul type.

As we wrapped up, it was clear that Beverly's journey exemplifies the profound impact of the Enneagram on personal and professional lives. We are grateful for her insights and the light she brings to her community. Thank you for joining us today, and we hope you found inspiration in Beverly's story.

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we kick off our series on the virtues and holy ideas associated with each Enneagram type. I, Nanette Mudiam, along with my co-host Dr. Joe Howell, am thrilled to welcome Dr. Renee Harmon, our first guest, who identifies as an Enneagram Type One.

Dr. Renee shares her journey as a family medicine physician and the profound impact of her late husband Harvey's diagnosis with younger onset Alzheimer's disease. We discuss how this life-altering experience shaped her understanding of herself and her Enneagram type. Dr. Renee reflects on her initial reluctance to embrace her identity as a Type One, often associated with perfectionism, and how she has come to appreciate the concept of "holy perfection" as wholeness rather than flawlessness.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of serenity in her life, especially in the face of challenges. Dr. Renee shares her love for hiking, which became a significant source of solace and connection to nature during her husband's illness and after his passing. We also touch on her advocacy work for Alzheimer's care, her writing endeavors, and her upcoming hiking challenge of Mount Kilimanjaro.

As we delve into the qualities of her soul child, Dr. Renee reveals how reconnecting with her inner joy and spontaneity has enriched her life. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, growth, and the beauty of embracing our true selves amidst life's complexities.

We hope you enjoy this enlightening discussion and find inspiration in Dr. Renee's journey. Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with your friends and family!

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

ICB adjunct faculty member Tom Miller-Price rejoins us to share another guided meditation he has written, this time on the subject of amalgamation.

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

ICB adjunct faculty member Tom Miller-Price joins us to share a guided meditation he has written on the subject of the soul child.

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

ICB faculty member Drexel Rayford joins Nanette and Dr. Joe to discuss his new album, "Nine Prayers of the Soul."

To listen to more of Drexel's music, including "Nine Prayers of the Soul," visit: vagrantschapel.com/music

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

Hi friends, Scott here with a brief update on The Real Enneagram podcast:

Our upcoming season, in which we’ll dive deeply into the virtues and holy ideas with a guest for each Enneagram type, is taking a little longer than we originally expected.  We’re now expecting it to be out this fall.

In the meantime, we have some bonus episodes for you!  This week, we have an episode in which ICB faculty member Drexel Rayford joined Nanette and Dr. Joe to discuss his new album, Nine Prayers of the Soul.  That episode is available now!

Next week, we’ll have two episodes featuring guided meditations by ICB adjunct faculty member Tom Miller-Price.

As always, to learn more about the ICB and its offerings, you can visit: theicb.info