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.

05: In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul sits down with his daughter, Kari Dobbs, to unpack life as an Enneagram Two—the Helper and Encourager. Known for their deep compassion, loyalty, and desire to be needed, Twos are often described as the most relational type on the Enneagram. But as Kari shares, those same strengths can sometimes become struggles when pride, people-pleasing, or perfectionism creep in.

04:

03: Knowing your Enneagram number is just the beginning. In this episode, host Paul Basden dives deeper into the Enneagram to uncover the layers that reveal not only your type, but also your habits, motivations, and path toward transformation.

The Enneagram Made Easy by Elizabeth Wagele & Renee Baron

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile

The Story of You by Ian Morgan Cron

The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence by Scott Allender

02: In this episode, Paul takes a deep dive into all nine Enneagram types—revealing how each type’s core motivations, strengths, and struggles can shape the way we live, love, and follow God. From the Perfectionist’s drive to do things right, to the Peacemaker’s longing for harmony, each number offers both unique gifts and unique challenges.

Additional Resources: 

The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele

The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile

The Story of You by Ian Morgan Cron

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile

The Journey Toward Wholeness by Suzanne Stabile

The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr & Andreas Ebbert

The Sacred Enneagram by Christopher Heuertz

Personality Types by Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson

The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence by Scott Allender