Typology

Today, our longtime friends, Michael and Julianne Cusick, join us as special co-hosts to interview Anne and me about how the Enneagram has strengthened our marriage of 33 years. We explore the low sides of our types and how they've negatively impacted our marriage and how we've overcome that, discuss the ways our types have helped us each grow, and highlight the important role of self-compassion. Tune in to this very special episode on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Cheers, Ian P.S. We're offering the full episode exclusively to our Typology Institute Members. So, to hear the rest of our interview, become a member today at https://typologyinstitute.com/membership.

Expressing our emotions is vulnerable, and vulnerability is the secret sauce of relationships. So how do an Enneagram Two and an Enneagram 5, who approach emotions from very different angles, maintain a strong marriage? In today's episode, I revisit my conversation with Jon and Tristen Collins, authors of Why Emotions Matter, to explore what they've learned about each other and how they meet in the middle to build a more intimate relationship.

This week we continue our focus on couples and the Enneagram by taking another look at my conversation with Abner and Amanda Ramirez (better known as Johnnyswim). I break down a few sections I found that exemplify the ways their types complement each other as well as where they might struggle. If you'd like to know more about how you and your partner can better relate to each other, get a copy of your couples report here. (Use the code COUPLES to get 10% off). P.S. Abner and Amanda have a new album out titled, Johnnsywim. Check it out.

Taking an Enneagram assessment is a great first step in learning about yourself and how you relate to others and the world. So, how do you use that information to explore who you are in relationship to your life partner? On Typology, we talk a lot about the role the Enneagram plays in how we relate to others. Over the next four weeks, we're going to focus on partnerships by reflecting on past interviews with couples on the show. These won't be straight replays. Instead, I'm going to stop at certain points and provide some commentary on how you can improve the quality of your important relationships through the Enneagram. For Annie and me, the Enneagram was probably the single most important revelation in our relationship. It has illuminated so much for us over the years. But we would have saved a ton of time and heartache if we had a tool that explained how our specific types work against and complement each other. That's why I'm thrilled to share the new Enneagram Couples Assessment from Integrative Enneagram Solutions. It does just that. This new report provides a window into how you and your partner's specific Enneagram types interact, highlights the strengths each of you brings to the relationship, and identifies potential pitfalls to look out for. Now, let's kick things off with a fresh look at my interview with Kim and Penn Holderness. Tune in for some valuable insights into what makes their marriage work. P.S. Get your Couple's Report now. Use discount code COUPLES to receive 10% off your assessment.

Life doesn't always go as we plan. As we grow up, we develop certain expectations about who we are and what we'll become. But sometimes those dreams don't come true. So, what do you do when the dreams die? Artist, Artist, and Enneagram 4, Scott Erickson joins me for a discussion about life beyond the death of those dreams. We explore the importance of grieving past expectations and he illustrates the freedom that comes from saying yes to new opportunities and finding your true self in the gifts of life.

Enneagram Threes tether their identity and self-worth to how others see them and strive for validation through their accomplishments. So, how does the Achiever see their own value without the esteem and approval of others? Today, we go under the hood of Enneagram 3, Pat Flynn. He shares how the insights he's gleaned from the Enneagram have deepened his relationship with his wife and opens up about his struggle to find self-worth apart from the love and praise of others, Tune in to this transparent conversation on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

As most of you know, I have long been an evangelist for a daily meditative practice if for no other reason than to help people on their journey of self-discovery. There's power in the silence. It trains us to be present, to hear our own voice, and to acknowledge who we truly are. In today's episode, Rick Hamlin joins me for a rich conversation about how meditation leads to greater compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance. We explore how silence helps us develop the muscle of attention that gives us the capacity to stand back and observe ourselves so we can recognize our repeating thought patterns. We cover the benefits of meditation and then offer a few recommendations on how to begin your meditation journey.

What does it mean to be "masculine." Unfortunately, there are a lot of conflicting ideas and messages about what a "real man" is (and is not). In today's episode, author, nationally syndicated radio show host, and Enneagram Five, Brant Hansen challenges us to redefine masculinity and paints a refreshing picture of what it looks like at its absolute best. We have an insightful conversation about the: importance of expressing feelings and affection value of protecting others from a place of kindness and love, rather than control and anger core task men need to take responsibility for, and Six decisions that set men apart from others Brant's vulnerability and openness will genuinely move you. Brant Hansen is an author, radio host, and advocate for healing children with correctible disabilities through CURE International. He's won multiple awards for "Personality of the Year" for his radio show, which airs on more than 200 stations nationwide. His podcast with his friend and radio producer, The Brant and Sherri Oddcast, has been downloaded more than 10 million times. The author of The Truth About Us, Unoffendable, and Blessed Are the Misfits. Hansen has written for CNN.com, the Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Relevant, and numerous other outlets on matters as varied as public policy, culture, sports, Asperger's syndrome, and faith. He and his wife, Carolyn, live in South Florida.

When was the last time someone asked you a question that set you back on your heels? I've always been more interested in questions than answers. So, I keep a notebook of powerful questions that upend me, subvert my assumptions, and stop me in my tracks. Most of us already have the answer to life's questions; it's just that we're waiting for someone to come along with the key to open the door to answers we already have in our hearts, souls, and minds. The key to that is great questions. Probably more than any other single piece of input in my life, what has driven change in me has been great questions. And today, I'm giving you a peek into my notebook of outstanding questions that force you to go inside and wrestle with ideas and feelings that can change the direction of your life. I'll also be posting a question on social media every day for the next week, and I'd love for you to engage with me. Perhaps you'll resonate with a few of mine or share your gems I can add to my notebook. I'm always jotting down new ones as I come across them. For example, I added a new one from a Typology Institute member this past Tuesday. So, listen to or watch this episode, then share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Facebook.

Trauma impacts not just our mental state, but also our emotional and physical health. So, in a world that teaches us to just "try harder" and keep pretending "we're fine," how do we make space to process our stories and truly work through trauma? Today, therapist Aundi Kolber explains what trauma is, identifies how it operates in the body, and walks us through the importance of aligning our minds and bodies to build resilience and self-compassion. She also offers up a few tips for practicing self-compassion in deep and truly meaningful ways that will begin the process of healing. Aundi Kolber is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MA LPC), writer, and speaker in Castle Rock, Colorado. She specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Looking for more conversations on trauma? Listen to our past interviews with Chris Cook, Dan Allender, or Amy Downs. You can also watch them on YouTube: Chris Cook, Dan Allender or Amy Downs.