Enneagram in Real Life

On this week’s episode of Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Dayo Ajanaku, founder of The Black Enneagram. Dayo discusses her journey of creating her Instagram platform to provide Enneagram education through the lens of Black culture. She shares her experiences as a Type One, balancing law school with her passion, and the challenges of showing up online. Dayo also delves into her understanding of her social subtype, the cultural nuances of her Nigerian American upbringing, and how her Type One shows up in her day-to-day life.Find the full show notes here: http://ninetypes.co/blog/the-black-enneagram-cultural-nuance-and-advocacy-with-dayo-ajanaku-type-1🔗 Connect with Dayo!📷 Instagram: @theblackenneagram🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 https://ninetypes.co/📷 Instagram: @ninetypesco🎥Youtube: @stephbarronhallWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Christina Wilcox, author of Take Care of Your Type and Take Care of Your Friends. Christina discusses the nuanced difference between self-care and self-pampering, focusing on how self-care often involves stepping out of emotional, relational, or physical comfort zones for personal growth. The conversation includes practical and emotional self-care tips for each Enneagram type, Christina’s reflections on writing her book, and updates on her current and upcoming projects.Find the full show notes here: https://www.ninetypes.co/blog/how-to-take-care-of-your-type-with-christina-wilcoxOrder Christina’s new book, Take Care of Your Friends. 🔗 Connect with Christina!💻 https://www.christinaswilcox.com/📷 Instagram: @christinaswilcox🎥Youtube: @genuinelycareaboutyoupodcast🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 https://ninetypes.co/📷 Instagram: @ninetypesco🎥Youtube: @stephbarronhallWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Sandra Smith, longtime Enneagram teacher and author of The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type. Sandra shares her personal journey of discovering her leading type as Eight, the transformative role the Enneagram has played in her personal growth, and how she now teaches the system as a map toward presence and inner freedom rather than just a typing tool. They explore how they work with clients and teams, how to utilize other points on the map, and how embodied presence can open the door to deeper truth. Sandra also offers type-specific practices from her book to help listeners move beyond their ego habits.Find the full show notes here: https://www.ninetypes.co/blog/stranscending-type-with-enneagram-8-sandra-smith🔗 Connect with Sandra Smith!📷Sandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrasmithalchemyworks/💻Sandra’s Website: https://alchemyworksevents.com/🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 Stephanie’s Website: https://ninetypes.co/📷 Stephanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninetypesco🎥 Stephanie’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephbarronhallHere are the key takeaways:Sandra shares her journey of encountering the Enneagram and finding her core type The Enneagram is a map, not a box—your type is just the beginning of your journeyStephanie and Sandra talk about working with organizationsSandra talks about utilizing the arrows and the wingsPresence arises when we’re grounded in the body and emotionally openType patterns begin early and form limiting habits, but can be softened through awarenessMoments of awe reveal our essenceSandra offers practical, embodied advice tailored to each type to help interrupt habitual defensesWe are more than our type—transcending our personality opens us to compassion and freedomSpiritual wholeness comes through embodied presence, not self-fixingHow to connect with SandraResources mentioned in this episode:Work from Sandra Maitri Work from Elisabeth Kubler-RossHeart of the Enneagram podcast (co-hosted by Sandra Smith)Chatter by Ethan KrossThe Diamond ApproachPoetry by Hafiz, Mary Oliver, Rumi, David Whyte, John O’Donohue, Denise LevertovWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Colton Simmons. Colton Simmons is the creator and host of You've Got a Type, a podcast dedicated to self-awareness, personal growth, and all things enneagram. Colton has a B.A. & M.A. in Theology, and it was during his time in seminary when he first learned of the enneagram as a tool for spiritual discernment. Since then, Colton has had a long and winding road through many different career paths, but has always reserved time in his life to create meaningful content that improves the lives of others. ​After launching You've Got a Type just over four years ago, Colton has been wonderfully surprised to see his burgeoning channel receive more than 2.2M views, hundreds of thousands of hours of watch time, and over 37k subscribers as of April 2025.Find the full show notes here: https://www.ninetypes.co/blog/self-improvement-and-that-pesky-inner-critic-as-an-enneagram-1-with-colton-simmons🔗 Connect with Colton Simmons!📷Colton’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youvegotatype/💻Colton’s Website: https://www.youtube.com/youvegotatype🎥Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/youvegotatype🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 Stephanie’s Website: https://ninetypes.co/📷 Stephanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninetypesco🎥 Stephanie’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephbarronhallWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Today’s episode is a special release from the Enneagram podcast, Around the Circle, hosted by TJ Wilson and Jeff Cook. This episode was released on their podcast in January, and I’m sharing the unabridged version here, with their permission. Check out Around the Circle:Podcast: Apple Podcasts and SpotifyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroundthecirclepodcast/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aroundthecircleWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Reverend Nhien Vuong.Reverend Nhien Vuong, JD, MDiv, is an internationally accredited Enneagram professional with distinction, a certified somatic Enneagram facilitator, and the founder of Evolving Enneagram. She has been studying the Enneagram since 2002, teaching it since 2007, and training other Enneagram professionals since 2017. She holds a juris doctor from Stanford Law School, a master of divinity from Unity Institute and Seminary, and a bachelor of arts in philosophy from the University of California, Irvine.An ordained interspiritual Unity minister, Nhien marries intellectual rigor with a heart for a more collaborative, compassionate world. Born in wartime Vietnam and raised in the United States, she comes from a family of refugees who built their lives from the ground up. Nhien spiritual companions individuals from diverse backgrounds from around the world. She regularly offers scholarships for Evolving Enneagram’s many transformational programs and donates her time to various nonprofits and the incarcerated. Her extensive experience in pastoral care, community building, and conflict resolution help to foster a world where everyone belongs.Nhien is the author of the new book, The Enneagram of the Soul: A 40-Day Spiritual Companion for the 9 Types. Find the full show notes here: https://www.ninetypes.co/blog/tag/podcast+episode🔗 Connect with Reverend Nhien Vuong!📷Nhien’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/💻Nhien’s website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/💻Facilitator Training: https://evolvingenneagram.com/upcoming-events🎥Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzOVSVloAGQNX-AJG8Niow🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 Stephanie’s Website: https://ninetypes.co/📷 Stephanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninetypesco🎥 Stephanie’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stephbarronhallWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Reagan Pugh about his journey of self-discovery through the Enneagram, his new book Too Emotional: Overcome the Thunderstorm of Feelings, Shame, and Self-Doubt, and his personal and professional experiences. Reagan reflects on his early interest in introspection and writing, his professional career as an educator and consultant, and how the Enneagram has deepened his understanding of himself as the one-to-one subtype of Type Four. They discuss themes like shame, emotionality, and the value of taking actionable steps to move beyond internal struggles. Reagan shares practical advice for people who feel overwhelmed by their emotions and emphasizes the importance of participating fully in life. Find the full show notes here: https://www.ninetypes.co/blog/tag/podcast+episode🔗 Connect with Reagan!💻 https://www.reaganpugh.com/📷 Instagram: @reaganpugh🔗 Connect with Stephanie!💻 https://ninetypes.co/📷 Instagram: @ninetypesco🎥Youtube: @stephbarronhallWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Dr. Sam E. Greenberg, a sexuality researcher and therapeutic coach, and Lyndsey Fraser, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist. The conversation explores the intersection of the Enneagram and sexuality, particularly through the lens of dominant instincts—self-preservation, social, and sexual. The sexperts share insights from their professional and personal experiences on how these instincts influence sexual desire, relational dynamics, and communication in intimate relationships. They also discuss common misconceptions about sexuality, the impact of cultural conditioning, and offer practical advice for navigating conversations about sex with partners.Join Dr. Sam and Lyndsey for their upcoming workshops:A virtual Enneagram Type & Sexuality workshop on March 13th. Pre-sale available now through Feb 7 at this link HERE.A full-day in-person workshop Enneagram & Sexuality for Transformed Relationships workshop on July 28th in Minnesota the day after the IEA International Conference. Pre- sale available now through March 31 at this link HERE.🔗 Connect with Dr. Sam and Lyndsey!📷Dr. Sam’s Instagram: @Ennea_gasm💻Dr. Sam’s website: https://enneagramsexpert.com/📷Lyndsey’s Instagram: @lyndseyfraserlmft💻Lyndsey’s website: https://lyndseyfraser.com/🎥Youtube: @lyndseyfraser🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 https://ninetypes.co/📷 Instagram: @ninetypesco🎥Youtube: @stephbarronhallHere are the key takeaways:How Lyndsey learned about the Enneagram and her typeHow Sam discovered the Enneagram and her typeThe three instincts and their influence on sexualityEach instinct's approach to sexThe challenges each instinct might face Common myths about sexuality and the EnneagramPractical advice for enhancing sexual understanding for each dominant instinctAll individuals can benefit from understanding their own sexual scripts and normalizing conversations about sexHow to approach conversations about sexUsing a book as a discussion starter can create a structured and neutral space for these conversationsRecognizing that all forms of consensual sexuality are normal can help reduce shame and anxiety around sexResources mentioned in this episode:Hot and Unbothered: How to Talk About the Sex You Really Want to Have by Jessa ZimmermanCome as You Are by Emily NagoskiWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

In this episode, we're breaking down how the arrows work, beyond "Stress" and "Growth." I was first introduced to this theory a number of years ago, and it has revolutionized the way I teach the Enneagram AND the way I apply the arrows in my daily life.This episode features one example of movement to the high side, and one example of movement to the low side, but I've written all about this perspective in Enneagram in Real Life, featuring more examples of each movement and strategies to build more of the high side of each arrow. Enneagram in Real Life is out TODAY! Be sure to grab your copy wherever books are sold.Want to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Betsy Wills and Alex Ellison, co-authors of Your Hidden Genius. The discussion revolves around the role of aptitude testing in career exploration and personal growth. Betsy and Alex share insights into how understanding aptitudes can guide individuals to find career satisfaction, overcome burnout, and navigate workplace dynamics. They explain the science behind aptitudes, the practical tools available in their book, and how these assessments complement personality frameworks like the Enneagram. The conversation highlights actionable steps to foster career wellness and equity in professional settings.Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOPl_6Ud48MBetsy Wills, cofounder of YouScience and a pioneer in aptitude awareness, and expert career coach Alex Ellison have joined forces to write an essential life and career guide, YOUR HIDDEN GENIUS: The Science-Backed Strategy to Uncovering and Harnessing Your Innate Talents. Their research provides a custom-made road map to what makes you special, revealing your distinct combination of natural talents, interests, and personality traits—a mix as unique to you as your fingerprint. 🔗 Connect with Betsy Wills and Alex Ellison!💻 https://www.yourhiddengenius.com/📖 Your Hidden Genius Book + Included Code🔗 Connect with Steph!💻 https://ninetypes.co/📷 Instagram: @ninetypesco🎥Youtube: @stephbarronhallHere are the key takeaways:Leverage Aptitudes for Career WellnessUnderstand and harness innate abilities to align with career paths or hobbies.Use aptitudes as a lifelong "compass" to navigate inflection points in professional life.Tools for Self-DiscoveryThe book Your Hidden Genius includes resources and a free aptitude test for deeper self-awareness.Personalized reports guide individuals in exploring their unique skills and strengths.Foster Empathy Through AptitudesUnderstanding diverse aptitudes among colleagues and loved ones improves communication and collaboration.Reevaluate Burnout SourcesBurnout often stems from unmet or overtaxed aptitudes; realigning roles or avocations can mitigate exhaustion.Permission to PivotAptitude insights empower individuals to explore new roles confidently, reducing fear of failure or inadequacy.Resources mentioned in this episode:Your Hidden Genius by Betsy Wills and Alex EllisonO*NET OnLineYouScience ResourcesWant to keep learning about the Enneagram? Grab Steph’s new book, Enneagram in Real Life! Find the book, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.