Typology

Enneagram Twos are some of the most caring, kind, supportive, upbeat, and tenderhearted people on God's good green earth. Three of my closest friends are Twos, and together they radiate enough love and generosity of spirit to heat a metroplex. In Enneagram-speak they're called The Helpers.

On today's episode, I'm joined by renowned Enneagram teacher, author, consultant, and Enneagram Two, Dr. Beatrice Chestnut Ph.D. A student of the Enneagram system of personality since 1990, she is the author of my all-time favorite Enneagram book, The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge.

Enneagram Twos are far more complicated than they appear at first glance. Who better to describe what it's like to be a Helper than a Black-belt Enneagram expert and teacher. Beatrice was so good we decided to record two shows with her! Whether you're a Two or not, this show contains so much insight into the Enneagram it will blow your mind!

Beatrice has taught at Northwestern University and was trained in group facilitation at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. She served as President of the International Enneagram Association from 2006-2007 and teaches workshops on the Enneagram internationally, focusing on using it as a tool for leadership development and personal transformation.

Books and Resources for Enneagram Twos

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No-To Take Control of Your Life, Dr. Henry Cloud

How to Love (Mindful Essentials), Thich Nhat Hanh

Enneagram Twos are some of the most caring, kind, supportive, upbeat, and tenderhearted people on God’s good green earth. Three of my closest friends are Twos, and together they radiate enough love and generosity of spirit to heat a metroplex. In Enneagram-speak they’re called The Helpers.

On today’s episode, I’m joined by renowned Enneagram teacher, author, consultant, and Enneagram Two, Dr. Beatrice Chestnut Ph.D.  A student of the Enneagram system of personality since 1990, she is the author of my all-time favorite Enneagram book, The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge.

Enneagram Twos are far more complicated than they appear at first glance. Who better to describe what it’s like to be a Helper than a Black-belt Enneagram expert and teacher. Beatrice was so good we decided to record two shows with her! Whether you’re a Two or not, this show contains so much insight into the Enneagram it will blow your mind!

Beatrice has taught at Northwestern University and was trained in group facilitation at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. She served as President of the International Enneagram Association from 2006-2007 and teaches workshops on the Enneagram internationally, focusing on using it as a tool for leadership development and personal transformation.

Books and Resources for Enneagram Twos

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No-To Take Control of Your Life, Dr. Henry Cloud

How to Love (Mindful Essentials), Thich Nhat Hanh

In 1991, tennis superstar Andre Agassi appeared in a television ad for a camera called the Canon Rebel. On the set, the fashionably dressed Agassi steps out of a white Lamborghini sports car, lowers his ray bans halfway down the bridge of his nose, gazes cockily into the camera, and says, "Image is everything."

I watched that old commercial on YouTube the other day and thought to myself, "Wow, that guy's a poster child for all the not very self-aware Enneagram Threes in the world."

Enneagram Threes are called The Performers. These folks are success-oriented, image conscious, and wired for productivity. They are motivated by a compulsive need to succeed or to appear successful, and to avoid failure at all costs.

Performers see a world that values people more for their accomplishments, for what they do, not for who they are. Driven by the need for approval and admiration, Threes focus all their energies on winning and looking good doing it.

As you listen to today's show, you'll realize that there's a lot to love about Threes when they're healthy, and my guest Jeff Goins proves my case. He's doing all the necessary work (or dare I say 'successfully' doing the work) to become his most authentic self.

Jeff is an award-winning blogger, sought after speaker, and best-selling author of five books. He teaches online courses and is pretty sure he makes the world's best guacamole. He lives with his family here in Nashville, and more importantly, he's my friend.

SUGGESTED READINGS:

Becoming Who you Are, by James Martin, SJ

Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self, by Richard Rohr

Abba's Child: The Cry of the Human Heart for Belonging, by Brennan Manning

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular Age, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

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To download a PDF of a chapter from Ian's book called Finding Your Type, visit TypologyPodcast.com. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And if you like the show, we'd love for you to go over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. It helps us know what you think, and it helps others find out about the show.

In 1991, tennis superstar Andre Agassi appeared in a television ad for a camera called the Canon Rebel. On the set, the fashionably dressed Agassi steps out of a white Lamborghini sports car, lowers his ray bans halfway down the bridge of his nose, gazes cockily into the camera, and says, “Image is everything.”  

I watched that old commercial on YouTube the other day and thought to myself, “Wow, that guy’s a poster child for all the not very self-aware Enneagram Threes in the world.”

Enneagram Threes are called The Performers. These folks are success-oriented, image conscious, and wired for productivity. They are motivated by a compulsive need to succeed or to appear successful, and to avoid failure at all costs.

Performers see a world that values people more for their accomplishments, for what they do, not for who they are. Driven by the need for approval and admiration, Threes focus all their energies on winning and looking good doing it.  

As you listen to today’s show, you’ll realize that there’s a lot to love about Threes when they’re healthy, and my guest Jeff Goins proves my case. He's doing all the necessary work (or dare I say ‘successfully’ doing the work) to become his most authentic self.

Jeff is an award-winning blogger, sought after speaker, and best-selling author of five books. He teaches online courses and is pretty sure he makes the world’s best guacamole. He lives with his family here in Nashville, and more importantly, he’s my friend.

SUGGESTED READINGS:

Becoming Who you Are, by James Martin, SJ

Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self, by Richard Rohr

Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Human Heart for Belonging, by Brennan Manning

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular Age, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

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To download a PDF of a chapter from Ian's book called Finding Your Type, visit TypologyPodcast.com. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And if you like the show, we’d love for you to go over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. It helps us know what you think, and it helps others find out about the show.

I'm not kidding when I say Enneagram Nines (The Peacemakers) are well represented in my universe of relationships. My wife Anne is a Nine. My daughter Maddie is a Nine, and as you'll soon learn, a disproportionate number of my friends are Nines as well.

On this week's show we decided to try something new. We invited not one but a panel of FOUR Enneagram Nines into the studio to describe what it's like to be members of the Peacemaker tribe. Why host a panel?

In my experience, people learn more about different Enneagram types when they hear people who self-identify as that type talk about their lives. Why listen to me talk about a type when you can hear from folks who live it everyday?

This week you'll meet four of my closest friends—Singer-songwriter Andy Gullahorn, guitarist, businessman, (and five time Grammy nominee) Randy Williams, Sobriety Coach and counselor David Hampton, and Chris Gonzalez, PhD, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and Director of the MFT program at Lipscomb University.

We honestly didn't know what would happen when we stuffed me, my guest co-host Rabbi Evan Moffic, my producer Chad Michael Snavely, and four others guys into our tiny recording studio with a six pack of beer but as you'll soon hear -- it was magic. This is one of the most entertaining and enlightening shows I've ever been a part of.

My panel today happens to be all men, but we've already scheduled a panel of four women to be on the show in the next few weeks and a mixed gender panel as well, so keep your eyes and ears open for those shows!

​​Suggested Readings for Enneagram Nines:

- Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want, by Michael Hyatt

- The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life with Everyday Courage, by Mel Robbins

Be sure to listen to Episode 24 of The Road Back to You Podcast with Enneagram Nine Chris Gonzalez. My wife, Anne, is a Nine and she's listening to it!

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To download a PDF of a chapter from Ian's book called Finding Your Type, visit TypologyPodcast.com. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And if you like the show, we'd love for you to go over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. It helps us know what you think, and it helps others find out about the show.

I’m not kidding when I say Enneagram Nines (The Peacemakers) are well represented in my universe of relationships. My wife Anne is a Nine. My daughter Maddie is a Nine, and as you’ll soon learn, a disproportionate number of my friends are Nines as well.

On this week’s show we decided to try something new. We invited not one but a panel of FOUR Enneagram Nines into the studio to describe what it’s like to be members of the Peacemaker tribe. Why host a panel?

In my experience, people learn more about different Enneagram types when they hear people who self-identify as that type talk about their lives. Why listen to me talk about a type when you can hear from folks who live it everyday?

This week you’ll meet four of my closest friends—Singer-songwriter Andy Gullahorn, guitarist, businessman, (and five time Grammy nominee) Randy Williams, Sobriety Coach and counselor David Hampton, and Chris Gonzalez, PhD, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and Director of the MFT program at Lipscomb University.

We honestly didn’t know what would happen when we stuffed me, my guest co-host Rabbi Evan Moffic, my producer Chad Michael Snavely, and four others guys into our tiny recording studio with a six pack of beer but as you’ll soon hear -- it was magic. This is one of the most entertaining and enlightening shows I’ve ever been a part of.

My panel today happens to be all men, but we’ve already scheduled a panel of four women to be on the show in the next few weeks and a mixed gender panel as well, so keep your eyes and ears open for those shows!

​​Suggested Readings for Enneagram Nines:

- Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want, by Michael Hyatt

- The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life with Everyday Courage, by Mel Robbins

Be sure to listen to Episode 24 of The Road Back to You Podcast with Enneagram Nine Chris Gonzalez. My wife, Anne, is a Nine and she’s listening to it!

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To download a PDF of a chapter from Ian's book called Finding Your Type, visit TypologyPodcast.com. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And if you like the show, we’d love for you to go over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. It helps us know what you think, and it helps others find out about the show.

Enneagram Eights (The Challengers) are hard driving, tough, decisive, innovative, and resourceful people who make things happen. They're larger than life presence and boundless energy instills confidence in others, and people follow them. As long as they're a man, that is.

Our culture reveres male Eights. People admire men who "kick ass and take names." Sadly, we all know the word folks use to describe a woman who takes charge, stands up for what she believes, refuses to take crap from people and gets the job done. I don't need to spell it out for you, right? All to say, emale Eights are arguably the most misunderstood and unfairly treated number on the Enneagram.

On today's episode of Typology, I talk with pastor, activist, musical artist, and Enneagram Eight, Melissa Greene. Affectionately called the 'The Velvet Hammer' by her friends and fans, Melissa is true to her type. In our conversation, Melissa shares her challenging but often humorous journey as a female ight who grew up and still lives in the American South--a culture in which women are expected to be sweet and gentee...ot made of steel.

You can find more of Melissa's current work through Hope Curator for Timothy's Gift (http://timothysgift.com/) hich curates concert tours with other artists designed to entertain and uplift those in maximum security prisons. Melissa is also the Cofounder of Imaginarium (www.imaginarium.life)—a fresh expression of a spiritual community in Nashville.

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To download a PDF of a chapter from Ian's book called Finding Your Type, visit TypologyPodcast.com. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And if you like the show, we'd love for you to go over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. It helps us know what you think, and it helps others find out about the show.

Enneagram Eights (The Challengers) are hard driving, tough, decisive, innovative, and resourceful people who make things happen. They’re larger than life presence and boundless energy instills confidence in others, and people follow them. As long as they’re a man, that is.

Our culture reveres male Eights. People admire men who “kick ass and take names.” Sadly, we all know the word folks use to describe a woman who takes charge, stands up for what she believes, refuses to take crap from people and gets the job done. I don’t need to spell it out for you, right? All to say, emale Eights are arguably the most misunderstood and unfairly treated number on the Enneagram.

On today’s episode of Typology, I talk with pastor, activist, musical artist, and Enneagram Eight, Melissa Greene. Affectionately called the ‘The Velvet Hammer’ by her friends and fans, Melissa is true to her type. In our conversation, Melissa shares her challenging but often humorous journey as a female ight who grew up and still lives in the American South--a culture in which women are expected to be sweet and gentee...ot made of steel.

You can find more of Melissa’s current work through Hope Curator for Timothy’s Gift (http://timothysgift.com/) hich curates concert tours with other artists designed to entertain and uplift those in maximum security prisons. Melissa is also the Cofounder of Imaginarium (www.imaginarium.life)—a fresh expression of a spiritual community in Nashville.

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To download a PDF of a chapter from Ian's book called Finding Your Type, visit TypologyPodcast.com. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And if you like the show, we’d love for you to go over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. It helps us know what you think, and it helps others find out about the show.

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people," writes author Anne Lamott in her beautiful book, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Whether you struggle with perfectionism in general, or in just one or two areas of your life, you know how draining and torturous it can be. Are there ways to overcome the tyranny of perfectionism? Is it possible to quiet or tame the negative self-commentary of our inner critic? How can we stop harshly judging ourselves and others, awaken self-compassion, and find peace in our "perfectly imperfect world?" No one's more qualified to discuss the perils and perks of being a perfectionist quite like a mature Enneagram One, a.k.a. The Perfectionist. On today's episode, my dear friend and wise Enneagram One Dr. Lee Camp shares how everything changes for the better when we live by the wise motto "progress, not perfection." If you're looking for a book to go along with the theme of today's episode, start here: The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are—Brené Brown Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life—Byron Katie And then don't forget to check out our guest Lee Camp's book, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World. Be sure and check out what Lee's doing with the Token Show at TokensShow.com. ----

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people,” writes author Anne Lamott in her beautiful book, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Whether you struggle with perfectionism in general, or in just one or two areas of your life, you know how draining and torturous it can be. Are there ways to overcome the tyranny of perfectionism? Is it possible to quiet or tame the negative self-commentary of our inner critic? How can we stop harshly judging ourselves and others, awaken self-compassion, and find peace in our "perfectly imperfect world?"

No one's more qualified to discuss the perils and perks of being a perfectionist quite like a mature Enneagram One, a.k.a. The Perfectionist. On today’s episode, my dear friend and wise Enneagram One Dr. Lee Camp shares how everything changes for the better when we live by the wise motto “progress, not perfection."

If you’re looking for a book to go along with the theme of today’s episode, start here:

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are—Brené Brown

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life—Byron Katie

And then don’t forget to check out our guest Lee Camp's book, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World.

Be sure and check out what Lee’s doing with the Token Show at TokensShow.com.

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