Episode 33: The Enneagram and the Gospel: Jo Saxton (Type 8) and Carlos Whitaker (Type 9)
Dec 15, 2020
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In this engaging conversation, Jo Saxton, a Type 8 leader known for her emotional depth, explores authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. Carlos Whitaker, a Type 9 storyteller, shares his childhood experiences and the drive for harmony. They reflect on how their Enneagram types shape their core motivations and influence their lives today. Both guests highlight how their understanding of themselves through the Enneagram and faith enriches their connections with others, emphasizing the importance of embracing identity and navigating conflict.
Jo Saxton and Carlos Whitaker share their unique journeys as Type 8 and Type 9, highlighting how their Enneagram types shape their identities and relationships.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding one's Enneagram type to cultivate healthier relationships and assert personal authenticity in both motherhood and leadership.
Both guests connect their core motivations and vulnerabilities to the gospel, illustrating how faith reinforces their identities and encourages personal growth.
Deep dives
Embracing Your Unique Parenting Style
The episode highlights the release of 'The Enneagram for Moms,' which encourages mothers to embrace their individual parenting styles as designed by God. This perspective shifts the focus from external pressures of parenting expectations to understanding how one's Enneagram type contributes to their natural inclinations as a mother. By recognizing the strengths that come with their type, mothers can cultivate healthier relationships with their children and model positive behaviors. This approach promotes self-acceptance and the idea that each mother has a unique role influenced by their personality.
Insights from Type 8 and Type 9
Interviews with Joe Saxton (Type 8) and Carlos Whitaker (Type 9) reveal how each type's strengths and vulnerabilities shape their experiences and interactions. Joe Saxton discusses how her Type 8 nature, often perceived as strong and assertive, also carries a deeply tender heart that desires to protect and empower others. Meanwhile, Carlos Whitaker shares his journey of discovering his Type 9 identity, highlighting the internal struggle between his desire for peace and the need to address difficult conversations directly. Both guests emphasize the transformative power of understanding their Enneagram types in cultivating healthier relationships and impactful leadership.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
Joe Saxton recounts her initial skepticism about the Enneagram, especially as a Type 8, feeling uncomfortable with how women in her position are often framed. She emphasizes the importance of addressing personal perceptions and societal expectations while embracing one's strengths. Carlos Whitaker reflects on his explorative journey and the challenge of asserting his voice as a Type 9, often feeling pressured to conform to an ideal instead of expressing his authentic self. Both guests underscore the significance of personal growth through the Enneagram and the revelations it can bring to individual identity.
The Core Motivations Behind Each Type
The podcast delves into the core motivations of Type 8 and Type 9, examining their fears and desires. For Type 8, the core fear centers around powerlessness and vulnerability, driving a desire for control and assertiveness. In contrast, Type 9 seeks to avoid conflict and maintain inner peace, longing for acknowledgment and significance in their presence. Both types navigate the world with distinct perspectives, leading to complexities in their relationships and self-perceptions.
The Role of the Gospel in Personal Transformation
The discussion emphasizes how the messages of the gospel resonate with the core needs of both Type 8 and Type 9, providing grounding and encouragement. Joe expresses that understanding one's identity comes from being created in God's image, while Carlos shares how the gospel offers him peace beyond understanding, especially in challenging times. This reinforcement of identity and purpose fosters resilience, allowing both types to embrace their roles authentically. The podcast ultimately advocates for the transformative power of faith in navigating personal struggles and in championing the gifts tied to their Enneagram types.
Today, Beth and Jeff speak with Jo Saxton, (a Type 8) and Carlos Whitaker, a Type 9.
This episode is part of a series of interviews with familiar voices who represent each of the 9 Types. Beth and Jeff use their Enneagram Coaching approach to pull out the emotions, uniqueness, and authenticity behind each guest's Type. You'll hear stories from their childhood and learn how their Core Motivations impact them today. More importantly, you'll learn how Christ satisfies their Core Longing and how God uses their personality style to bless others and glorify Him.