How do our early stories shape who we become, and what would it look like to embrace healing and grace along the way? In this heartfelt episode of Typology, we welcome Melanie Shankle, an Enneagram 9 with an 8 wing and author of Here Be Dragons: Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma. Melanie opens up about the impact of a turbulent childhood, the people-pleasing patterns that followed, and what it took for her to confront her past with honesty and compassion. Together, we explore how writing her book became a profound path of self-understanding and generational healing. Whether you’re reflecting on your own childhood, parenting, or your inner growth as an adult, this honest and hopeful conversation invites you to embrace grace, compassion, and deeper self-awareness. Tune in and discover that healing often begins when we dare to face the stories we thought we had to hide. &nbsp;

The Stories That Shape Us, feat. Melanie Shankle (Enneagram 9)

In this episode of Typology, I sit down with Chris Janssen, a&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;best-selling author and board-certified coach, to explore the intersection of the Enneagram, recovery, and personal growth. Chris, an Enneagram 4, shares her journey of sobriety and the insights she gained from her experiences. Together, we discuss the unique challenges that Enneagram 4s face, particularly in relation to addiction and the feeling of being different. Chris opens up about her struggles with self-acceptance and the importance of grace in the recovery process. Tune in as we dive into:   The role of the Enneagram in understanding addiction   The significance of grace on the recovery journey   How to navigate criticism and self-worth as a creative   The power of community in recovery settings   Whether you're familiar with the Enneagram or just starting your journey, this episode offers valuable insights into embracing your true self and finding healing. Don't forget to check out Chris's new book, "," available wherever books are sold. Subscribe to Typology for more episodes exploring the human personality through the lens of the Enneagram! May you have love, joy, peace, healing, and rest. Until next time! &nbsp; Connect with Chris Janssen here: www.

Grace Yourself: How to Embrace Sobriety and Self-Acceptance, with Chris Janssen

Ever feel like the world’s volume knob is stuck on “too loud”? In this week’s episode of Typology, I’m joined by my friend Sarah Boyd—an insightful Enneagram Four and author of the brand-new book, . Sarah has walked through seasons of deep beauty and deep challenge—including her own cancer journey—and she’s here to share how those experiences have shaped her understanding of creativity, meaning, and the role our emotions play in living a full, authentic life. We talk about how overstimulation impacts both adults and kids, why recognizing our limitations matters, and how setting healthy boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Sarah offers thoughtful, practical ideas for creating a home where emotional health can thrive, even when the world outside feels overwhelming. If you’ve been craving a little more peace, presence, and emotional resilience in your daily life, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we explore:   The beauty and necessity of emotional experiences   How to navigate life in a chronically overstimulated world   Simple, powerful practices for parents to nurture their kids’ emotional well-being   The freedom that comes from self-care and clear boundaries    Thank you for tuning in. We hope you enjoy this enriching episode!

Building an Emotionally Healthy Family in a Culture That Won’t Stop Shouting, with Sarah Boyd, M.Ed. in Psych

This week on Typology, I sit down with Ginny Yurich—author of Until the Streetlights Come On and Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It. Together, we revisit the freedom of childhood play, explore how modern parenting has shifted, and talk about why kids today desperately need more time outdoors. Ginny, an Enneagram Two, shares candidly about her own parenting journey—what she’s learned about boundaries, mutuality, and the deep desire to feel appreciated. She also introduces her initiative, 1,000 Hours Outside, which is inspiring families around the world to reclaim the simple, sacred gift of unstructured outdoor play. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or simply someone reflecting on your own childhood, this conversation is a powerful reminder that nature has the ability to heal, connect, and transform us. &nbsp; &nbsp; Connect with Ginny &nbsp; &nbsp;     &nbsp;

1,000 Hours Outside: Rediscovering the Freedom of Play with Ginny Yurich

This week on Typology, I sat down with the brilliant and buoyant Margaret Feinberg—author, teacher, and Enneagram 7 with an 8 wing. We talked about her new book, The God You Need to Know, and what it means to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence—not just in the highs of life, but in the valleys too. Margaret opened up about facing surgery just before her book launch, navigating the exhaustion that comes with being “on” all the time, and how her joy had to be redefined in the midst of cancer. We also explored how ADHD traits can show up in Enneagram Sevens, what it’s like being married to a Type 5, and how learning to rest isn’t easy when you live in a world that never slows down. Margaret also offered a fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit—not just in the New Testament, but throughout Scripture. It’s a conversation about joy that makes room for sorrow, faith that’s been through the fire, and a Spirit who meets us in the mess. As you listen, take a moment to consider:   What does true rest look like for you?   Has your understanding of the Holy Spirit grown or shifted over time?   Can you recall a time when joy and suffering existed side by side in your story?   &nbsp; &nbsp;

Joy, Suffering, and the Spirit Who Holds It All – with Margaret Feinberg (Enneagram 7w8)

What is an Instinctual Stack? Do you know yours? We all have three instincts. None of us are absent one. However, one does tend to be dominant.&nbsp; But what are instincts and how do they influence how each type shows up in the world?&nbsp; In today’s episode, we revisit our conversation with Elan Benami, creator of the EnneaApp and author of&nbsp; Enneagram Patterns &amp; Poetics, to provide you with a great overview of Instincts, Subtypes, and the Instinctual Stack and how they can play out in your personal and professional life.&nbsp; &nbsp; About Elan: Elan is an LPC with a MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and BA in Philosophy. In addition to his own private counseling practice, Elan is the Clinical Director of  - a non-profit that provides affordable counseling in Colorado. Elan was introduced to the Enneagram in 2008 by his first therapist. He then did intense studying with Lori Ohlson, who was his supervisor. Claudio Naranjo was Lori's primary teacher, so there is a deep kinship with his work. Other major Enneagram teachers who have shaped Elan include Helen Palmer, Russ Hudson, Don Riso, and Sandra Maitri. Elan and Lori Ohlson have co-facilitated many Enneagram classes/workshops, most of them in the narrative tradition. Through Lori’s Enneagram material (of over 25 years of teaching the Enneagram), Elan created the , initially for the purpose of having something to quickly reference between sessions. Through the years, he has adapted the content to be more reflective of his own experience while also preserving Lori’s lineage. The app has over 1.5 million downloads.

Discover Your Instinctual Stack, with Elan Benami, EnneaApp Creator

What if the real key to spiritual transformation isn’t trying harder—but receiving love more deeply? In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down once again with Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere—spiritual directors, therapists, and founders of Soul Shepherding—to explore what it means to truly receive and reflect God’s empathy. Drawing from their new book, Deeply Loved, the Gaultieres invite us to consider a radical truth: that spiritual transformation begins not with striving or self-critique, but with allowing ourselves to be seen, known, and loved—just as we are. Together, we unpack how shame, unconscious resistance, and old emotional wounds can block us from receiving love—from God, from others, and even from ourselves. Through vulnerable stories and spiritual wisdom, Bill and Kristi reveal how empathy heals the deepest fractures in our souls, allowing us to move from performance and perfectionism into grace-filled presence. We explore:   Why self-empathy is essential to emotional and spiritual health.   How each Enneagram type misses empathy in distinct ways.   The difference between tactical and transformational empathy.   How empathy, truth, and responsibility work together to produce growth.   What it looks like to experience God’s empathy even in suffering and loss.   &nbsp;

How Empathy Helps Us Experience Love Deeply, with Drs. Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

What happens when two high-achieving Enneagram Threes sit down with an Enneagram Four? You get an electric, honest, and surprisingly tender conversation about ambition, fear, and what it really means to live courageously. In this episode, Ian sits down with Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, and her Chief of Staff, Carlina Daugherty, for an unfiltered look at the drive and depth behind the Enneagram Three. Together, they explore:  ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Why fear — not talent — is often the real barrier to success  ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The nine “wild” traits that fuel courageous leadership (and how to keep them from derailing you)  ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How two Threes with different subtypes actually make the perfect team  ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jenny’s raw reflections on control, comparison, and rediscovering what “enough” really means  ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The second half of life — and why it’s less about achievement and more about awakening It’s an episode packed with laughter, candor, and the kind of vulnerability that reminds us: success without self-awareness isn’t success at all.  🎙️ Listen in and learn how to move from human doing to human being — with a dash of wild courage.

Wild Courage and the Heart of the Enneagram Three, with Jenny Wood and Carlina Daugherty

German-born spiritual teacher and self-help author Eckhart Tolle once wrote, "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." &nbsp;I found this to be true in my life as well, and as it turns out, expressing gratitude isn't just a sound spiritual practice. It's essential to our emotional and physical well-being. &nbsp;According to a recent study performed at Harvard Medical School, "Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;How can you reap the benefits? While there are many beneficial exercises that can help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, such as journaling, morning or evening reflections, and performing acts of kindness, many people focus their thoughts outward (Ex: I’m grateful for my children, a roof over my head, my job, etc.).It’s easy to lose sight of the good in ourselves. Instead, let’s focus inward. Tune in as Anthony and I share what we’re grateful for about each Enneagram type and why you should be too.

Gratitude for each Enneagram Type

This week on&nbsp;Typology, we welcomed the incomparable Lynn Smith—former national news anchor turned communications strategist, executive coach, and proud (and newly discovered) Enneagram Three with a Two wing. And friends… buckle up. This conversation is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, presence, and what it means to pursue success without losing yourself in the chase. Fresh off taking the Typology Assessment, Lynn joined us in that familiar Three-ish blend of humor, candor, and high-octane energy, joking that the results made her want to immediately call her therapist. What unfolded from there was a remarkably vulnerable exploration of people-pleasing, approval-seeking, identity, and the hidden costs of a lifetime spent earning applause. Lynn pulled back the curtain on her years in broadcast news—an industry where worth is measured in seconds, headlines, and flawless delivery—and revealed the deeper story beneath her polished exterior: a lifelong drive to achieve, a tenderness inherited from her family’s immigrant narrative, and a powerful desire to help others communicate with confidence and authenticity. But the real gem of this episode is Lynn’s groundbreaking work on what she calls “the brain bully.”  That inner critic. That saboteur whispering that you’re one misstep away from failure. That internal voice Threes know far too well. Lynn not only names it—she teaches you how to outsmart it. Her framework for dismantling fear and building resilient confidence is practical, empowering, and deeply human. And when she reveals her own brain bully’s name—“Bob”—you can’t help but laugh and exhale. Sometimes the most powerful breakthroughs come with a wink. We also wandered into a juicy conversation about magnetism versus authenticity, why your energy enters a room a full tenth of a second before you do, and how the Enneagram can radically improve communication across teams, industries, and families.&nbsp;&nbsp; Connect with Lynn Smith at&nbsp; or on socials at @lynnsmithtv &nbsp; CONNECT WITH IAN Learn more about the Enneagram at  or follow Ian at @ianmorgancron and @typologypodcast on Instagram and Facebook P.S. Interested in a 30-minute one-on-one virtual coaching session with Ian? Fill out our interest form .

Lynn Smith on Leadership Confidence and Overcoming the Brain Bully (Enneagram 3)

Welcome to Typology, a podcast that explores the mystery of the human personality and how we can use the Enneagram typing system as a tool to become our most authentic selves. Hosted by author, speaker, and counselor, Ian Morgan Cron, Typology features interviews with recognized Enneagram teachers, bestselling authors, psychologists, theologians, artists, business leaders, neuroscientists, and others who are using the Enneagram as a path for personal transformation.

New tracks tagged #Cron