Episodes
Monday Aug 29, 2016
Monday Aug 29, 2016
Are you as anxious about the upcoming election and the polarization that has gripped our nation as we are?
Given the troubled political climate, we decided to take a hiatus from our series exploring each of the nine types to talk politics through the lens of the Enneagram.
Ian and Suzanne's guest this week is Michael Wear. An Enneagram 4, Michael directed faith outreach for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. One of the youngest White House staffers in modern American history, he is an author and leading political strategist who examines the intersection of faith, politics and American public life. As you'll hear, "he's got game."
Questions on the show's docket this week include:
- What can we learn about politics when we look at them through the lens of the Enneagram?
- How can Americans on opposite ends of the political spectrum regain compassion for one another?
- Why is it important for voters to understand themselves in the context of the political process?
- How can we recover civility in our political discourse?
- Who says politics should give us value and affirm us?
- What harm does a "politics of pure power" do to our nation?
Listen now as we recklessly plunge into a discussion on the two things you should never discuss at the dinner table, politics and spirituality. Bon Appetit!
Tuesday Sep 13, 2016
Tuesday Sep 13, 2016
In our last program, we viewed politics and personality through the eyes of an Enneagram 4.
In this interview, Ian and Suzanne continue their exploration of the Enneagram 4 through the thoughts and stories of Don Chaffer, one of the singer/songwriters in the group Waterdeep. Also: producer, engineer, and, lately, musical theater composer/lyricist.
If you are a person who enjoys the unusual, the dramatic, and the textured side of life, then discover:
- Why you take such comfort in sad songs, movies, and stories.
- Why it's difficult for you to find your place in a room full of people.
- Why you have so many feelings in a day and it's hard to know which ones to pay attention to.
- Why you're frustrated when people misunderstand you.
- Why 4's enjoy long conversations in the Home Depot parking lot.
This episode is insightful, funny and it includes a live performance by Don of one of his original songs. You won't want to miss this one, regardless of your Enneagram number...Enjoy!
And, please join us next week as we interview caring parents of two small children who are both Enneagram 1's, as we explore the struggles and joy of sharing an Enneagram number and how it impacts their parenting.
Wednesday Sep 21, 2016
Wednesday Sep 21, 2016
Over the past weeks on The Road Back To You podcast, we have discovered how the Enneagram can be a helpful tool in understanding ourselves and others.
But what happens when a married couple is the same Enneagram number? Especially when that Number is Enneagram 1 (The Perfectionist)?
Join Ian and Suzanne as they interview Christopher and Amanda Phillips, parents of two young children. Hear how they...
- Navigate their different areas of focus
- Live and die by their lists and calendars
- Deal with expressing their anger
- Cope with the "out of control" aspects of parenting
- Learn how to relax when it's time to take a break
If you struggle with resentment because you feel like you have to take the responsibility to fix everything,
If you are always struggling with perfection, but you feel it never arrives,
And, if you constantly hear voices that tell you that you could have done better,
Then sit back and listen to how this remarkable couple is learning to navigate the waters of The Perfectionist to a safe harbor of self-love and acceptance.
Tuesday Oct 04, 2016
Tuesday Oct 04, 2016
Do other people see you as a winner? Are they compelled to follow you and are you excited to lead? Do you wake up with a plan for the day and a full schedule? Then there's a good chance you are a THREE.
Then there is a good chance you may be an Enneagram 3!
This week on The Road Back To You, Ian and Suzanne interview Darren Whitehead an Australian husband, father, pastor, and author living in America, who happens to be a healthy, integrated Enneagram 3.
In their conversation you will learn:
- Why it's easy for you to connect with people.
- Why it's important for you to appear successful.
- Why you control the amount of information you share with others.
- Why you want people to know about your accomplishments.
- How failure can set you free when you learn that people don't love you for your success, they simply love you.
Our hope is that all Enneagram 3's listening will begin to balance their abundant energy with a recognition of the importance of being instead of doing.
Tuesday Oct 18, 2016
Tuesday Oct 18, 2016
Do you ever wonder how the Enneagram can help in your relationship with another person?
Maybe you work with someone who is on the opposite side of the personality spectrum, and you have a hard time connecting or relating to them.
Well, this week's podcast should be very helpful for you!
Ian and Suzanne interview Cindy Morgan (Enneagram 4) and Andrew Greer (Enneagram 2); two of Nashville's finest singer/songwriters who write, tour and sing together.
While they are both in the heart/feeling triad, Cindy, as an Enneagram 4 tends to focus inward while Andrew, an Enneagram 2, directs all his energy toward others. In their delightful conversation, you will begin to see how their two orientations help strengthen their bond and make them the incredibly creative and productive duo that they are today.
And if that wasn't enough, they will perform two songs, live in The Road Back To You studio.
And Join us next time as we continue our conversation with Cindy Morgan and Andrew Greer in The Enneagram and the Creative Process - Part 2
Wednesday Nov 02, 2016
Wednesday Nov 02, 2016
Have you been listening to The Road Back To You podcast and still don't know your Enneagram number?
Then you're not alone.
Our guest this week is Austin Graff; Talent Acquisition and Branding Specialist for The Washington Post, and former social media specialist for International Justice Mission and Honest Tea.
Austin has known about the Enneagram for several years and is struggling to choose between the two numbers that sound like him. In this episode, as Austin explores whether he is an Enneagram 2 or 6, Suzanne and Ian will help you walk this road of discovery. You will take the beginning steps of living life with intentionality and awareness through life's imperfect journey!
Also, Austin will help you understand how social media can improve or damage your ability for self-awareness, and how you can utilize it to extend grace to others and be more authentic.
Wednesday May 03, 2017
The Gift of Thinking with Kenny Benge, Enneagram 5 (The Investigator) - Episode 31
Wednesday May 03, 2017
Wednesday May 03, 2017
On this week's episode of The Road Back to You, Ian and Suzanne speak with Kenny Benge who is a 5 on the Enneagram. Kenny is a Prior at Church of The Redeemer in Nashville, TN.
Thursday Nov 10, 2016
Thursday Nov 10, 2016
Do you feel like St. Paul, wondering why you continue to do the very things you don’t want to do?
Do you desire something that seems unavailable to you … knowing you are safe; feeling like you are wanted; believing your needs will be taken care of?
This week on The Road Back to You, Suzanne and Ian interview Michael Cusick, a psychotherapist, ordained minister, speaker, and author of Surfing For God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle.
Michael brings an incredible depth of professional and personal experience to our conversation as he describes his life as a broken man on a journey to wholeness.
Listen as we explore:
- The wisdom of the Enneagram as a helpful tool for healing and change in your marriage
- Overcoming the message that it is wrong to love yourself
- Understanding and awareness in dealing with addiction that is part of Enneagram wisdom
- The reality that the Enneagram shows you exactly where you fail and the gifts you have for success at the same time
Don’t miss this opportunity to understand and experience both mercy and grace. We can all experience a deeper intimacy and love for ourselves, God and others.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2016
Wednesday Nov 16, 2016
The election is over. How do you feel?
For some, the response to what happened last week is pure elation, and others complete disgust. But for most, the feelings are likely surrounded by confusion, fear, apprehension, and uncertainty about the future.
As promised, author and political strategist Michael Wear returns to The Road Back To You to help Ian and Suzanne examine what just happened and how it profoundly affects everyone.
Here are some things that you don't want to miss:
- How to approach opposing viewpoints with the expectation of gaining perspective that sharpens your thinking.
- How to avoid using your passion as a weapon to silence others, or to coerce or manipulate the conversation your way.
- How to utilize the Enneagram to help understand your motivation.
- How to respond to others instead of reacting.
- How to discover a path of hope in the midst of profound disappointment.
Join Ian, Suzanne, and Michael as they navigate the troubled waters of our current times and help us all see the need for grace, compassion and a deeper understanding of self as we move into the future.
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
Wednesday Nov 30, 2016
Our guest today on The Road Back To You is Jeff Chu (Enneagram 6), a journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Travel+Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine. He is the author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America and currently a student at Princeton Seminary.
As a writer who has professionally spent most of his career telling other people's story, Jeff explores how examining his own story has lead to the discovery of a kinder, better, more loving version of himself.
His conversation with Ian and Suzanne will help you understand how a person who comes from a culture that doesn't tend to honor self-examination and uniqueness of identity has utilized the Enneagram to help provide a better framework and new vocabulary for shaping his life.
Enjoy!