How do you repair that which is broken? You must first be willing to see the truth. We all have broken stories that directly impact the choices we make today. But, when we take the time to reflect on and see the whole truth of who we are, only then can we choose to do things differently. Only then can we craft a new narrative…one that is fueled by forgiveness, kindness, and love. Activist, author, and founder of Freedom Project, Lisa Sharon Harper shines light on the connection between the choices we make and the stories we tell ourselves, reminding us that truth-telling, repentance, and forgiveness are just a few basic things that can begin the process of healing a nation. Leading activist, author and founder of the consulting group Freedom Road, Lisa Sharon Harper has spent three decades researching ten generations of her family history through DNA research, oral histories, interviews and genealogy. In her new book, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World—and How to Repair It All (Brazos Press, February 8, 2022), Harper draws on her lifelong journey to know her family’s history to recover the beauty of her heritage, expose the brokenness that race has wrought in America, and cast a vision for collective repair.  Her work has been featured in the New Yorker, Relevant, Essence, HuffPost, The National Civic Review, and CNN, and she has appeared on PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, TV One, Fox News, NPR, and Al Jazeera America.

Typology

Truth-telling, Reparations, and Forgiveness w/Lisa Sharon Harper (Type 3) [S05-029]

How does the Enneagram help you grow spiritually?  We’ve indirectly touched on this on Typology but I’ve always wanted to specifically explore the Enneagram as a useful tool for profound spiritual formation.   Today, pastor, Enneagram teacher, and author AJ Sherrill joins me to talk about the Enneagram and Spiritualty.  With two Master’s in Theology and a Doctorate in the area of Spiritual Formation, AJ shares spiritual practices each type can adopt to gain clarity and access to a more virtuous life.   AJ teaches courses on preaching and also the Enneagram at Fuller Theological Seminary, offers workshops on spiritual formation around the world. 

Enneagram Expert and Author AJ Sherrill [S05-028]

Each Enneagram Type occupies a story about who they are and how they think the world works.  The Enneagram Nine’s story is built around the mistaken belief that they’re not really as important as other people, or sometimes it’s just that other people just seem to have more energy and investment in their own opinions, preferences, desires, and viewpoints than Nines do.  Coupled with their desire to preserve connections with other people and preserve inner and outer peace, Nines adopt a strategy of avoiding conflict and merging with others.  The risk of this story is that they can become self-less…without a self.   The healing journey for the Peacemaker is to decouple themselves from that story to rewrite a new one. So, today, one of my favorite singer-songwriters on the planet and long-time student of the Enneagram, Andy Gullahorn joins me in the studio for a conversation about how the Enneagram has helped guide his healing and growth.  In this episode we talk about: Character defects or defenses Doing Enneagram work in community Finding a different relationship with anger, and Learning to feel things and form opinions in real-time He also shares a special Enneagram song during the interview.  You’re going to love it!   Cheers, Ian

Forming My Own Opinion as an Enneagram 9, feat. Andy Gullahorn [S05-027]

As you can imagine, when you’re in the middle of a book launch, you talk to your publisher quite frequently. One of the things that kept coming up in our conversations was a desire to serve our Typology listeners with some great content from my new book. After batting some ideas back and forth, we finally decided on what I think is a great ‘thank you’ to our loyal listeners…. and that is to do a bonus episode of Typology where we actually include an entire chapter of the audiobook version of The Story of You. In this episode, you'll hear the entire first chapter of The Story of You, recorded by yours truly from a beautiful studio here in Nashville. Recording an audiobook is really one of the coolest parts of writing a book, so I’m very excited to be able to share a sneak peek of that with you all!  We'll have another great episode coming your way on Thursday with my friend Andy Gullahorn. Stay tuned for that episode and if you like what you hear of the audiobook, please consider heading over to Audible and picking up an audiobook copy of The Story of You.

Special Episode: Ian reads, "The Story of You," - Chapter One

In today’s episode, Becca Stevens joins me for a conversation about embracing the divine in our everyday ordinary and extraordinary experiences. She recounts her observations of sacredness when she opens her heart and truly listens to the stories of others and shares how redefining and rewriting our own stories leads to lasting transformational healing. Becca Stevens is a speaker, social entrepreneur, author, priest, founder of 10 justice initiatives, and President of Thistle Farms. She has been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change. Drawn from 25 years of leadership in mission-driven work, Becca leads important conversations across the country with an inspiring message that love is the strongest force for change in the world. 

Embracing the Practically Divine in Ordinary Experiences, feat. Becca Stevens,

Do you long to enjoy your spouse over a lifetime but you don’t know how to get there? How do you identify where you want to be in your relationship and what practices can you implement to help you get there? In today’s episode, Chris and Jenni join me for a conversation about the habits and rhythms that shape a strong relationship with your spouse. We explore how understanding the Enneagram can set your marriage up for success and help you awaken to the things we each can do differently to improve our relationships.  Chris and Jenni also explain: The 5 core rhythms to help a marriage thrive Important ways to support each other through different seasons of growth, and How different orientations to time can impact your relationships 

The Rhythms of Marriage and the Enneagram, feat. Chris and Jenni Graebe [S05-024]

This is a first! In five seasons of Typology, we finally have our first pair of siblings….who share the same type!  What better way to explore the inner workings of The Enthusiast than from two siblings who share the same Enneagram number? Raised in a home where creativity and deep thinking were celebrated, Nathan and Joy Clarkson join me for a conversation about all things Seven. In this episode, we share:  Tips for raising an Enthusiast from two Sevens The communication style of Sevens The role orientation to time plays in all our relationships We also discuss their new, aptly named book, The Clubhouse: Open the Door to Limitless Adventure, where they draw on their own childhood experiences and show that imagination is the best way to play and learn.   Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player then share your feedback on Instagram.  We’d love to hear your insights.

Empowering Your Imagination with the Dynamic Type 7 Duo, Nathan and Joy Clarkson [S05-023]

The Enneagram provides nine consistent, fairly predictable ways for us to understand and tell our narrative of how we operate in the world and make sense of our lives. It’s a tool that helps us enter into a conversation about the recurring themes and patterns of behaviors that are self-defeating or hurtful to others. One theme that operates as a thread in each of our lives is shame. Next to love, I believe shame is the most powerful force in the universe, but in the wrong direction. In today’s profoundly moving, heart-changing replay, author and psychiatrist Dr. Curt Thompson joins me for a deep conversation about shame and how it plays out as a human experience for all nine types. In this episode you’ll learn: What shame does as opposed to what it is How shame manifests in each Enneagram type How we can begin to heal shame through community 

REPLAY: Dr. Curt Thompson on the Enneagram and Shame [S05-022]

We’re taking a break to be with family over the holiday so we wanted to replay two topic-based episodes that have gone over extremely well with our listeners. This week, take another listen to my killer conversation with psychologist, author, and spiritual director Chuck Degroat, about the nine faces of narcissism.  We’re not talking about people with full-blown narcissistic personality disorder per se. We’re talking about narcissism on a continuum and what it looks like when each Enneagram type is manifesting a narcissistic style or type. Each of us is somewhere on that narcissistic spectrum.  In this episode you’ll learn: What narcissism actually is How narcissism shows up in all nine types, and What the healing path is for all nines types to keep narcissism in check. Chuck is the Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary Holland MI, and Co-Founder and a Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco. His latest book is, When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse. He is a licensed therapist, author, retreat leader, and spiritual director. Chuck has been married to Sara for 25 years and has two daughters.

REPLAY: Chuck Degroat on the Nine Faces of Narcissism {S05-021]

After spending 10 years as a successful nightclub promoter in New York, Scott Harrison made a huge pivot to volunteer as a photojournalist on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa.  That experience changed his life.  Founder of Charity: Water, Scott Harrison returns to Typology to reflect on stories from his childhood and how they’ve shaped who he is today. We explore his journey of transformation, what he’s learned since leaving New York, and get a peek into what’s next for him.  Scott has been recognized in Fortune Magazine’s list of 40 Under 40, the Forbes’ Impact 30 list, and Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business where he earned the #10 spot. He is currently a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Thirst. Scott recently moved to Franklin, TN with his wife Viktoria, son Jackson and daughter Emma.

Scott Harrison Writes His Next Chapter [S05-020]

In this special episode, Anthony and I drop by the studio to talk about my new book, The Story of You, and what motivated me to write it.  We all craft a story about who we are and how the world works as little people. Then, as we grow older, we think of our lives as a movie we’re in that’s unfolding in real-time. But the narrative we crafted as children no longer works for us as adults. But how do we change that story? The Enneagram teaches that there are nine archetypal stories that people tend to inhabit. However, the true gift of the Enneagram is its ability to help us challenge those self-limiting stories and move into a new narrative.   In this episode, I identify the self-limiting story of each type and explain the 4 stage process for transformation so you can become your authentic self.

Why I Wrote My New Book (The Story of You) [S05-019]

We all have stories that we tell ourselves and others about who we are and how we think the world works. Our daily behaviors and habits follow suit. Part of changing our automatic behaviors is by interrogating and changing the stories that no longer serve us.  Today’s guest, writer James Clear, joins me to talk about how he became the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, and delves into the relationship between personality styles and habits.  In this episode we: Explore what sparked his interest in the topic of habits Identify the 4 actionable steps to breaking bad habits and building new ones Take a practical look into the four laws of behavior change James is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies and his work has been featured in places like Time magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and on CBS This Morning. His popular “3-2-1” email newsletter is sent out each week to more than 1 million subscribers.

James Clear Discusses Personality Styles and Atomic Habits [S05-018]

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “What if the story I tell myself and others about who I am and who I'm becoming isn't true?”  As children, we all construct stories, or narratives, to help make sense of our environment. These childhood interpretations set in motion the patterns of behavior that shape our personality…or how we show up for life.  But, when you can understand the false story around which you have organized your life, then you can begin to play with that story a bit to find your true story. And, though you can’t change the facts of what has happened in your life, you can change the way you interpret them.   The truth is, that if you want to experience enduring transformation, you have to discover your false story, decouple yourself from it and begin to live the truth of your new story. In today’s episode, we’ll walk through the false “stories” that each Enneagram type needs to let go of in order to allow your true self to emerge.  

REPLAY: Is Your Story True? Exploring Narrative Through the Enneagram [S05-017]

CNN senior political analyst and USA Today columnist, Kirsten Powers, is back to talk about her new book, Saving Grace: Speak Your Truth, Stay Centered, and Learn to Coexist with People who Drive You Nuts. We explore her journey of moving from an unhealthy Eight—full of judgment, shaming, and blaming—to a healthy Eight with the capacity to extend grace towards those who hold opposing views without sacrificing her values and passionate beliefs.  In this episode, Kirsten walks us through the tools we can all use to become less enraged and more gracious people in the world. She shares her insights into: What grace is and what it isn't Setting boundaries to show others how to be in a relationship with you Learning how to have healthy conflict Developing humility to cultivate more empathy for others Seeing the humanity of others even when opinions clash This conversation is not just for Eights; it's for all of us. It's a master class in better relating to those we disagree with while embodying the best expression ourselves.  

Master Class: The Challenger Moving to Grace, feat. Kirsten Powers

Alice and Bob Fryling join me for a wonderful conversation about aging together faithfully. This show is for people of all ages as we talk about better understanding and relating to our older friends, family members, and coworkers.  We also explore their knowledge of the Enneagram. Both Bob and Alice provide deep insights into how they navigate their differences throughout their 50 years of marriage, ways they support each other and work with the Enneagram to uncover their blindspots, and walking through challenging spaces as they grow older together.

Aging Faithfully with Alice and Bob Fryling [S04-015]

Who are we? Why do we act, think and feel the way we do? How can we become our best, most authentic selves? 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 best, most authentic selves. Hosted by author, speaker and counselor, Ian Morgan Cron, Typology features interviews with thought leaders from every sphere of life, including renowned Enneagram authors and teachers, psychologists, theologians, artists, business leaders, neuroscientists, philosophers, and more. In other words, we’ll be talking with people who are trying to become the best version of themselves in the world.

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