The Road Back to You: Looking at Life Through the Lens of the Enneagram

Do you ever wonder how the Enneagram can help in your relationship with another person?

Maybe you work with someone who is on the opposite side of the personality spectrum, and you have a hard time connecting or relating to them.

Well, this week's podcast should be very helpful for you!

Ian and Suzanne interview Cindy Morgan (Enneagram 4) and Andrew Greer (Enneagram 2); two of Nashville's finest singer/songwriters who write, tour and sing together.

While they are both in the heart/feeling triad, Cindy, as an Enneagram 4 tends to focus inward while Andrew, an Enneagram 2, directs all his energy toward others. In their delightful conversation, you will begin to see how their two orientations help strengthen their bond and make them the incredibly creative and productive duo that they are today.

And if that wasn't enough, they will perform two songs, live in The Road Back To You studio.

And Join us next time as we continue our conversation with Cindy Morgan and Andrew Greer in The Enneagram and the Creative Process - Part 2

Do other people see you as a winner?  Are they compelled to follow you and are you excited to lead? Do you wake up with a plan for the day and a full schedule? Then there's a good chance you are a THREE.

Then there is a good chance you may be an Enneagram 3!

This week on The Road Back To You, Ian and Suzanne interview Darren Whitehead an Australian husband, father, pastor, and author living in America, who happens to be a healthy, integrated Enneagram 3.

In their conversation you will learn:

1. Why it's easy for you to connect with people.

Our hope is that all Enneagram 3's listening will begin to balance their abundant energy with a recognition of the importance of being instead of doing.

Over the past weeks on The Road Back To You podcast, we have discovered how the Enneagram can be a helpful tool in understanding ourselves and others.

But what happens when a married couple is the same Enneagram number? Especially when that Number is Enneagram 1 (The Perfectionist)?

Join Ian and Suzanne as they interview Christopher and Amanda Phillips, parents of two young children. Hear how they...

• Navigate their different areas of focus

If you struggle with resentment because you feel like you have to take the responsibility to fix everything,

If you are always struggling with perfection, but you feel it never arrives,

And, if you constantly hear voices that tell you that you could have done better,

Then sit back and listen to how this remarkable couple is learning to navigate the waters of The Perfectionist to a safe harbor of self-love and acceptance.

In our last program, we viewed politics and personality through the eyes of an Enneagram 4.

In this interview, Ian and Suzanne continue their exploration of the Enneagram 4 through the thoughts and stories of Don Chaffer, one of the singer/songwriters in the group Waterdeep. Also: producer, engineer, and, lately, musical theater composer/lyricist.

If you are a person who enjoys the unusual, the dramatic, and the textured side of life, then discover:

1. Why you take such comfort in sad songs, movies, and stories.

This episode is insightful, funny and it includes a live performance by Don of one of his original songs. You won't want to miss this one, regardless of your Enneagram number...Enjoy!

And, please join us next week as we interview caring parents of two small children who are both Enneagram 1's, as we explore the struggles and joy of sharing an Enneagram number and how it impacts their parenting.

Are you as anxious about the upcoming election and the polarization that has gripped our nation as we are? 

Given the troubled political climate, we decided to take a hiatus from our series exploring each of the nine types to talk politics through the lens of the Enneagram.

Ian and Suzanne's guest this week is Michael Wear. An Enneagram 4, Michael directed faith outreach for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. One of the youngest White House staffers in modern American history, he is an author and leading political strategist who examines the intersection of faith, politics and American public life. As you'll hear, "he's got game."

Questions on the show's docket this week include:

• What can we learn about politics when we look at them through the lens of the Enneagram?

Listen now as we recklessly plunge into a discussion on the two things you should never discuss at the dinner table, politics and spirituality. Bon Appetit!

Is setting boundaries in your life a problem? Are you more comfortable giving than receiving? Do you secure a place for everyone at the table but fail to save a seat for yourself?

Then there's a good chance you're an Enneagram 2 (The Helper)!

Join Ian and Suzanne on this week's episode of The Road Back To You as they interview Hunter Mobley, Executive Pastor at Christ Church Nashville and Adjunct Professor of Law at Belmont University. Hunter is a mature Enneagram 2 who talks openly about some of these complex questions:

• Why do I think about relationships 24/7?

Their discussion will help you understand how to look inward with kindness and ask, "What needs the most attention in my life right now."

For any listener who struggles with the constant need to feel valued and loved, Hunter is a terrific example of one who shares your pain and utilizes the Enneagram as a tool to find the path to a life that is balanced and productive.

NEXT WEEK! Join us as we take a break going through the numbers of the Enneagram and feature a very special episode on Politics and Personality. Our guest is Michael Wear, one of the youngest White House staffers in modern American History, who directed faith outreach for President Obama's  historic 2012 re-election campaign.

Have you ever felt like the wheels have fallen off the train of your life? How did you respond? Did you get angry, cower in a corner in the fetal position and suck your thumb, or did you get up and blaze a new trail?

On this week's episode of The Road Back To You, we welcome author, blogger, speaker, and Enneagram 6 (The Loyalist) Sarah Thebarge who when faced with a seemingly insurmountable crisis, pressed against her fear to embrace a new adventure. 

Ian, Suzanne and Sarah discuss practical ways you can:

• Overcome your tendency to doubt yourself

Sarah is a remarkable person with an inspiring story you won't want to miss. So let’s hear it for all those folks who overcome fear and courageously step into their future, particularly if they’re Enneagram 6’s!

P.S. Don't forget to listen to The Liturgist podcast on August 23 when Michale Gungor and Science Mike explore the Enneagram with Ian and Suzanne.  Also, spend a day with Ian and Suzanne learning more about the Enneagram click here for more information!

Have you ever felt like the wheels have fallen off the train of your life? How did you respond? Did you get angry, cower in a corner in the fetal position and suck your thumb, or did you get up and blaze a new trail?

On this week's episode of The Road Back To You, we welcome author, blogger, speaker, and Enneagram 6 (The Loyalist) Sarah Thebarge who when faced with a seemingly insurmountable crisis, pressed against her fear to embrace a new adventure. 

Ian, Suzanne and Sarah discuss practical ways you can:

• Overcome your tendency to doubt yourself
• Understand and manage your anxiety
• Begin the journey of finding your voice
• Find courage and faith when it doesn't come naturally to you

Sarah is a remarkable person with an inspiring story you won't want to miss. So let’s hear it for all those folks who overcome fear and courageously step into their future, particularly if they’re Enneagram 6’s!

P.S. Don't forget to listen to The Liturgist podcast on August 23 when Michale Gungor and Science Mike explore the Enneagram with Ian and Suzanne.  Also, spend a day with Ian and Suzanne learning more about the Enneagram click here for more information!

Has anyone ever described you as an "information junkie" or as a loner? Do you believe "thoughts" are more reliable than "feelings?" Are you more comfortable observing rather than participating in life? 

If so, you might be an Enneagram 5 (The Investigator)! 

This week celebrated singer-songwriter, author, a member of the musical collective Gungor, and co-host of The Liturgists Podcast Michael Gungor takes Ian and Suzanne on a rare private tour through the labyrinth-like mind of an Enneagram 5 (The Investigator). 

Listen as Michael explains:

• How Enneagram 5’s can't survive without setting aside time to be alone and refill.

If you think and see the world differently than others and sometimes worry you don’t have the inner resources to meet the demands of work and relationship (or know someone who does!), then this episode is for you! Even if you're not a 5 you'll enjoy listening to Michael describe how learning the Enneagram has helped him find his place in the world.