Did you know that suicide is one the leading causes of death in the United States? According to the CDC, “In 2022, an estimated 13.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.6 million attempted suicide.”

Today on Typology, Enneagram 6, Chris Morris, joins us for an important and vulnerable conversation about his new book “Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons About Suicidality from the Psych Ward.” We discuss his experiences as an Enneagram Six, the impact of trauma on personality, and his journey through mental health challenges, including a suicide attempt.

Throughout this impactful conversation, Chris discloses his insights on trust, relationships, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable, especially in writing about personal struggles with depression and suicidality.

We candidly explore:

• the intersection of faith and mental health, addressing common myths within church communities that can negatively impact mental health
  
  
• the importance of transparency about mental health struggles
  
  
• the church's role in supporting individuals with mental health conditions, and the need for inclusive communities
  
  
• biblical examples of mental health struggles, highlighting the importance of seeking help and the belief that healing is possible

If you, or someone you know, are struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, I urge to seek help. It’s vital to speak aloud the darkness you are internalizing and experiencing, and to surrender yourself into the hands of people right away before overwhelm feels irreversible. Please reach out to someone you trust or contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. They are available online or dial or text 988 from your phone.

Resources:

Suicide Prevention Resources for Action - Website

Suicide Prevention Resources for Action - Download

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or dial/text 988

Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons About Suicidality from the Psych Ward

German-born spiritual teacher and self-help author Eckhart Tolle once wrote, "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance."

I found this to be true in my life as well, and as it turns out, expressing gratitude isn't just a sound spiritual practice. It's essential to our emotional and physical well-being.

According to a recent study performed at Harvard Medical School, "Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."

How can you reap the benefits? While there are many beneficial exercises that can help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, such as journaling, morning or evening reflections, and performing acts of kindness, many people focus their thoughts outward (Ex: I’m grateful for my children, a roof over my head, my job, etc.).It’s easy to lose sight of the good in ourselves.

Instead, let’s focus inward. Tune in as Anthony and I share what we’re grateful for about each Enneagram type and why you should be too.

Welcome back to the Typology Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by special guest William Vanderbloemen, an Enneagram 7, and author of the new book Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits That Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest.

Join us as we explore how self-awareness can transform not only our professional lives but also our personal relationships. William shares his journey with the Enneagram, the importance of understanding our wiring, and how it can lead to better communication and teamwork.

We discuss the 12 habits that distinguish top performers and how these habits can be learned and applied in various aspects of life. Whether you're a leader, a team member, or simply someone looking to improve your self-awareness, this episode is packed with insights that can help you thrive.

This week we welcome back special guest and Enneagram 3, AJ Sherrill. This time, we explore AJ's journey of spiritual direction, his insights on the Enneagram, and his new book, Rediscovering Christmas: Surprising Insights into the Story You Thought You Knew.

We discuss the importance of slowing down during the busy holiday season, the emotional homes we all have, and how the Christmas story can be re-examined through a fresh lens. We explore the fascinating characters from the Nativity, including the often-overlooked roles of the Innkeeper, Zechariah, and Herod, and how their stories resonate with our own lives today.

Join us as we reflect on the deeper meanings beneath the story and what it truly means to encounter the divine. Plus, we speculate on the Enneagram types of various biblical figures and how their stories can guide us in our spiritual growth.

This episode is packed with insights and humor that you won't want to miss!

Join us for a heartfelt episode of the Typology as we welcome author Stephanie Duncan Smith, an Enneagram Four, to discuss her new book, Even After Everything: The Spiritual Practice of Knowing the Risks and Loving Anyway.

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of joy and sorrow, exploring the dissonance that often accompanies our life experiences. Stephanie shares her personal journey through pregnancy loss and the profound lessons she learned about resilience, empathy, and the importance of embracing both beauty and pain.

Discover how the liturgical calendar can provide a framework for understanding our own stories and the significance of naming our darkest nights. This conversation is a rich exploration of what it means to love deeply, take risks, and find meaning in the midst of life's challenges.

Connect with Stephanie at https://slantetter.com or on Instagram at @StephDuncanSmith

Have you ever wondered how to you use the Enneagram with teens? In this episode of the Typology Podcast, we welcome Ainsley Britain, author of the new book The Enneagram for Teens: A Complete Guide to Self-Discovery and Spiritual Growth. Together, we explore how the Enneagram can be a powerful tool for self-awareness and personal growth for teenagers.

Ainsley shares her journey of discovering the Enneagram and how it helped her navigate the challenges of adolescence. She discusses the importance of understanding personality types in fostering empathy and connection, particularly in the parent-teen dynamic.

Join us as we discuss:

• The significance of the Enneagram for teens and its potential to aid in self-discovery.

• The challenges and joys of being an Enneagram Type 2.

• Practical advice for parents on introducing the Enneagram to their children without forcing it.

• The role of mental health awareness in today’s youth and how the Enneagram can facilitate important conversations.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply curious about the Enneagram, this episode is packed with insights and laughter that you won't want to miss!

Links:

• Order Ainsley's book: The Enneagram for Teens

• Follow Ainsley on Instagram: @AinsleyB

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes exploring the mystery of human personality through the lens of the Enneagram!

What is the essential self and how do we get in touch with it enough that it becomes a trusted leader for all of our parts? Today we welcome Dr. Alison Cook, therapist and host of the top-ranked podcast, The Best of You, to talk about the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and how it can help all of us do some important healing work toward integration. We also discuss her new book, I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What’s Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage into Brave Action.

In this episode, we explore:

• What the 3 distinct parts of the personality are and the role each plays

• The 8 Cs of the Self

• The importance of learning to honor the inner tension of mixed emotions

Dr. Cook also shares her 3-step process to reconcile mixed emotions and foster self-acceptance. Tune in for practical insights that can help you integrate your parts and find harmony with your essential self.

About Dr. Alison Cook

Dr. Alison Cook is a therapist and host of the top-ranked The Best of You podcast. Originally from Wyoming, Dr. Alison studied at Dartmouth College (BA), Denver Seminary (MA), and the University of Denver (PhD), where she specialized in integrating psychology and theology. Dr. Alison’s doctoral dissertation centered on the relationship between religion and prejudice. She is certified in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and is the author of the ECPA bestselling book The Best of You and coauthor of Boundaries for Your Soul, with nearly 100,000 copies sold– based on the popular IFS therapy model. Widely recognized as an expert at the intersection of faith and psychology, Dr. Alison empowers individuals to heal from past wounds, develop a strong sense of self, and forge healthy relationships. Her newest book, I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What’s Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage into Brave Action released earlier this year.