Around the Circle | An Enneagram Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Anger and the Danger of Contempt | "Atlas of the Heart" | Chapter 12 Sep 14, 2026

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In this episode of The Reading Room, Jeff continues through Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart with Chapter 12, “Places We Go When We Feel Wronged.”

We begin with anger: Is it a primary emotion, or is it often an indicator pointing toward something deeper—grief, betrayal, fear, shame, disappointment, or pain?

This time, we follow Brown through contempt, disgust, dehumanization, and hate, asking what happens when the experience of being hurt begins separating us from other people. Along the way, Jeff brings the Enneagram, the ethics of Jesus, and questions of prejudice and human dignity into the conversation.

Lastly, we turn to self-righteousness and the danger of becoming so convinced of our own rightness that we lose curiosity, connection, and compassion. Anger can be a catalyst—but what would it mean to transform the pain of being wronged into something life-giving: courage, love, justice, compassion, and meaningful change?

#BreneBrown #AtlasOfTheHeart #Enneagram #EmotionalIntelligence #TheReadingRoom

Twos | Stress and Security Panel Sep 08, 2026

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In this episode of Around the Circle, Jeff sits down with a panel of Enneagram Twos—Amy, Sarah, and Jennifer—for a candid conversation about how Twos experience the Head, Heart, and Body Centers. They talk about thinking through relationships, the deep drive toward connection, and the challenge of knowing when helping becomes overstepping: “Is this mine to do?”

This time, the conversation moves into rejection, relational rupture, emotional intelligence, and the complicated relationship Twos can have with their own needs and bodies. The panel considers the Heart Center as a “bonding center”—an intelligence constantly tracking connection and the state of relationships.

Lastly, they explore the Two’s movement toward Eight: the power and agency it can provide, but also the temptation toward control when vulnerability feels threatening. What does growth look like when a Two can care deeply for others without taking responsibility for everyone—and can trust that connection doesn’t have to be earned?

#Enneagram #Enneagram2 #EnneagramTwo #PersonalGrowth #Relationships

Happiness | "Atlas of the Heart" | Chapter 11 Sep 07, 2026

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In this episode of Around the Circle, Jeff continues through Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, looking at the places we go when life is good: joy, happiness, calm, contentment, gratitude, relief, and tranquility. Along the way, he asks a bigger philosophical question: What if these emotions don’t simply describe how we feel, but offer clues about what human beings are made for?

This time, Jeff brings Brown into conversation with Aristotle, Socrates, Jesus, Aquinas, and C.S. Lewis, contrasting momentary pleasure with a much richer vision of happiness as human flourishing. Aristotle’s eudaimonia, Aquinas’s union with the highest good, and the Beatitudes all point toward happiness as something deeper than favorable circumstances.

Lastly, we turn toward gratitude, foreboding joy, and tranquility—and the practices that help us build a life characterized by wisdom, moderation, virtue, and joy. What habits spiral us upward? And what if the best life isn’t simply one that feels good, but one in which our character truly flourishes?

#AtlasOfTheHeart #BreneBrown #Enneagram #Happiness #AroundTheCircle

Scientific Enneagram | What Do We Mean by "Scientific Evidence"? Sep 03, 2026

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Ep 3 | What Do We Actually Mean by Scientific Evidence?

What does it actually mean when someone says the Enneagram is “scientifically validated” - or, on the flip side, that there’s “no evidence” for it at all?

In this episode, we break down some of the basic building blocks of scientific evidence - observation, correlation, reliability, validity, replication, and predictive value - and apply them to common Enneagram claims.

You’ll also hear why:

Evidence for one part of a theory doesn't validate the whole system
Reliability and validity are not the same thing
Correlation does not automatically prove an Enneagram explanation
“Supported,” “Plausible,” and “Speculative” are useful ways to think about different claims
One study may be interesting, but it is not scientific consensus

The goal isn't to prove or disprove the Enneagram as a whole, but to ask a better question:

Which claims have earned which level of confidence?

Find more at @scientificenneagram on Instagram.

Threes | Stress and Security Panel Sep 01, 2026

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To be on a panel, sign up for a membership for opportunities : HERE

Jilian's Enneagram work is at : jilianbrown.com

Matilda and Rob Zombie is a much watch : HERE

In this episode of Around the Circle, Jeff sits down with a panel of Enneagram Threes to explore what really happens in stress and security—and how Threes experience their head, heart, and body along the way.

The conversation moves through achievement, shame, anger, identity, belonging, and the complicated relationship Threes can have with rest. What happens when the body has simply had enough? What does the move to Nine look like when it becomes withdrawal or numbing—and what changes when a Three intentionally steps off the stage, stops striving, and allows Nine to become a place of restoration and discernment?

Lastly, the panel looks toward Six and the security found in community: being one of many instead of the person at the front, risking vulnerability without performing, and discovering the freedom to champion other people’s success. For Threes, growth may not mean accomplishing something better, but learning when to put down the oars, receive the support of others, and simply belong.

#Enneagram #Enneagram3 #EnneagramThree #StressAndSecurity #PersonalGrowth

Love and Heartbreak | "Atlas of the Heart" | Chapter 10 Aug 30, 2026

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In this episode of Around the Circle, Jeff continues through Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, exploring the places we go when the heart is open: love, lovelessness, heartbreak, trust, betrayal, defensiveness, flooding, and hurt.

This time, we’re asking what it actually means to open our hearts to another person. Why does love require vulnerability? How should we think about trust and boundaries? What makes something a betrayal? And what happens when different Enneagram types bring radically different strategies to conflict?

Lastly, we turn toward heartbreak and hurt—and the courage required to simply say, “My feelings are hurt.” Opening our hearts always carries risk, but perhaps that vulnerability, paired with wisdom, is part of what makes deep relationship possible in the first place.

#Enneagram #AtlasOfTheHeart #BreneBrown #Relationships #AroundTheCircle

Celebrating Tim Curry | Our Complete Enneagram Discussion of "Clue" Aug 27, 2026

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For more deep dives into the Enneagram Types of Movie Characters : GO HERE

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A few summers back, TJ Wilson, Kelly Cook, Daniel Mothershed, and Jeff walked through the Enneagram types of the characters in our favorite ensemble film, 1985’s Clue.

At the head of the cast is the irreplaceable Tim Curry, who passed away yesterday after suffering a stroke in 2012.

We’re reposting the full five-hour discussion here with joy and remembrance for a man who gave so much to so many millions.

Dolly Parton | Enneagram 9 * Tribute Aug 26, 2026

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For the Full Episode : GO HERE

For the Movie Typing Podcast : GO HERE

In this special episode of Around the Circle, Jeff and TJ revisit Dolly Parton through the lens of the Enneagram, asking whether one of America’s biggest personalities might actually be a Nine.

From “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” to her extraordinary career and philanthropy, they explore a woman whose presence is enormous without seeming to demand attention for itself.

Along the way, they look at Dolly’s collaborative spirit, the surprising passivity in some of her most famous songs, and the way she has repeatedly used her fame, money, and influence to build other people up. Could her tremendous ambition actually reflect the Nine’s movement toward Three—bringing her presence fully into the world while still pointing the attention somewhere else?

A short conversation about Dolly Parton, the Enneagram, and what it looks like to become impossible to overlook without needing to be the center of attention.

#Enneagram #DollyParton

Fours | Stress and Security Panel Aug 25, 2026

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In this episode of Around the Circle, Jeff and TJ sit down with their biggest panel yet—six Enneagram Fours—to talk about stress, security, and what happens when Fours move toward Two and One. Along the way, the panel talks about how Fours experience their thoughts through story and emotion, what it means to feel understood, and why relationships and emotional connection matter so deeply.

We spend a lot of time on the Four’s movement toward Two: the desire to help, fix, give, and restore connection—and how that can shift from empathy and generosity into overextending, losing touch with yourself, and trying desperately to get a relationship back into place.

Lastly, we turn toward "competency," and ask : What if security for Fours isn’t something you feel before you act, but something you build by getting into your body, developing practical skills, and doing the work in front of you? Sometimes growth means honoring what you feel—and sometimes it means doing the thing anyway.

#Enneagram #Enneagram4 #EnneagramFour #PersonalGrowth #AroundTheCircle

Belonging and Disconnection | "Atlas of the Heart" | Chapter 9 Aug 24, 2026

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Join us for our weekly online gathering : HERE

In this episode of Around the Circle, Jeff continues through Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, exploring the places we go when we search for connection: belonging, fitting in, insecurity, invisibility, disconnection, and loneliness.

This time, we're not just talking Enneagram, but Spiral Dynamics, and Aristotle’s three kinds of friendship—asking what separates relationships built around usefulness or pleasure from those rooted in genuine care for one another’s growth. This episode explores why authentic belonging requires both a strong relationship with ourselves and the vulnerability to be truly known by others.

Lastly, it turns toward loneliness and the importance of investing not simply in more relationships, but in a few relationships of real depth: people who see us, know us, challenge us, and genuinely care about who we are becoming.

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Ep 3 | What Do We Actually Mean by Scientific Evidence?

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