What happens when an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object?&nbsp; Well, it can either be a recipe for a really great relationship…or a not-so-great one.&nbsp; But when a Peacemaker and a Challenger are both healthy, they bring out the best in each other. Today’s guests, Christine and Steve Bailey show us how learning to balance their differences as an Enneagram 9 and an Enneagram 8 has helped their marriage and their business thrive. We explore the dynamics between their relationship and how learning to speak each other’s language and tapping into the other’s strengths fosters a perfect yin-yang relationship. Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player for this amazing conversation.

Thriving in the marriage-business relationship between Type 8 and Type 9, feat. Christine and Steve Bailey [S05-035]

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)

Not only is the Enneagram a great tool for gaining self-knowledge, but it is also a gateway for building strong relationships. When you understand that your way of seeing the world is not the only way to see the world, it creates room for compassion and appreciation toward others. The Enneagram teaches us how to communicate, and in turn, strengthens our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. This week I invited husband and wife, David Dark (Enneagram 9) and Sarah Masen (Enneagram 6) to join me in a conversation about how the Enneagram has helped them identify the similarities and differences in their personalities and how that knowledge has shaped their marriage.&nbsp; With Enneagram Nines “optimistic to the point of denial” and Enneagram Sixes “realistic to the point of oblivion,” Dark and Masen demonstrate how they try to live in a balanced way that fosters a supportive and secure relationship where they both feel valued. &nbsp; ABOUT DAVID:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; David Dark is the author of Life's Too Short To Pretend You're Not Religious, The Sacredness of Questioning Everything, Everyday Apocalypse: The Sacred Revealed in Radiohead, The Simpsons, and Other Pop Culture Icons and The Gospel According To America: A Meditation on a God-blessed, Christ-haunted Idea. His work has appeared in MTV News, Books &amp; Culture, Pitchfork, and the Oxford American.  Following years of teaching high school English, he received his doctorate in 2011 and now teaches at the Tennessee Prison for Women and Belmont University where he is assistant professor of Religion and the Arts in the College of Theology. &nbsp; ABOUT SARAH: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarah Masen is an American singer-songwriter originally from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. For several years she has lived in Nashville, TN with her husband, author David Dark, and their three children.&nbsp; Originally signed to Charlie Peacock’s “re:think” label, and subsequently to Word Records, she is now independent. Sarah's music has been described as pop alternative and is written from a background featuring influences as varied as Rich Mullins, Keith Green, 10,000 Maniacs, Over The Rhine, Victoria Williams and Julie Miller. Sarah's live performance has elements of the innocent approach of the last two artists, although most of her music comes from more of an intellectual background, discussing life, relationships and faith, in stark contrast with the angst-driven, dark and cynical approach you can find in a lot of the alternative music today.

Living Awake and Balanced, feat. David Dark and Sarah Masen (Enneagram 9 and 6) [S02-018]

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.

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

Typology

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