Steve Taylor on Maturity, Mindfulness & Meaning (Enneagram 7)

Nov 13, 2025

Steve Taylor, a filmmaker, writer, and professor known for his creative provocations, explores the depths of aging and spiritual maturity. He shares his journey of shifting from a possibility mindset to embracing life's limits at 67. Steve discusses the importance of compassion, the struggle with dark emotions, and the balance between ambition and presence. He reflects on the legacy he aims to leave as an encourager and the unfinished projects still chasing him. This conversation is rich with insights on emotional intelligence and the inner work of becoming whole.

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INSIGHT

Aging Reveals Unhelpful Habits

Steve Taylor notices aging exposes habits that once “worked” but no longer do and calls for responsibility.
He recognizes some artistic freedoms must yield to discipline and consideration for others.

INSIGHT

Storytelling Fosters Compassion

Teaching and storytelling expanded Steve's compassion by forcing him to see everyone's motives.
He now resists quick moral judgments and tries to understand complex human reasons.

ADVICE

Prioritize Mentoring Over Self-Promotion

Give your time and expertise away by helping other artists instead of always promoting yourself.
Prioritize mentoring and service over self-focused achievement in the second half of life.

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In this heartfelt, humorous, and deeply human conversation, Ian sits down with longtime friend — artist, filmmaker, professor, and Enneagram Seven — Steve Taylor. You may know him as the legendary provocateur who "invented irony for Christians," but in this episode, we explore the terrain beneath the creativity, the energy, and the relentless forward motion that has defined so much of his life.

Together we wade into the deeper waters of the second half of life — aging, character, grief, spiritual maturity, limitations, and the sacred invitation to move from doing to being. Steve speaks candidly about the shifting landscape of life at 67:

the habits that no longer serve him
the tender emergence of compassion
learning to sit with grief rather than outrun it
the uncomfortable art of slowing down
how filmmaking and teaching have reshaped his inner life
and the courageous (and often comical) struggle of a Seven learning to live in the present moment

We talk about marriage, mortality, the ache of unfinished dreams, the sweetness of gratitude, the pains and gifts of aging, and the spiritual practices that are slowly rewiring Steve's relationship with presence.

Tune in to hear this rich conversation about Enneagram transformation, emotional intelligence, creativity, and the inner work of becoming whole.

ABOUT STEVE TAYLOR

Steve Taylor is a filmmaker, writer, producer and recording artist who earned his "Renaissance Man" stripes (Prism Magazine) from a body of work that's garnered him multiple Grammy, Billboard, Telly, Addy and Dove awards and nominations. A southern California native, he was raised in Denver, Colo., and studied music and film at Colorado University. In 1983, Taylor began a career as a recording artist that spanned 12 years, selling over one million albums worldwide and garnering him two Grammy nominations for "Meltdown" (1984) and "Squint" (1993). In the process, he made history as the only artist to twice win Billboard Music Video Awards for self-directed music videos. As a concert artist, Taylor headlined four international tours, including acclaimed appearances at L.A.'s Universal Amphitheater and London's Hammersmith Odeon. He was also lead singer in the MCA-signed modern rock band Chagall Guevara.

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