How do our early stories shape who we become, and what would it look like to embrace healing and grace along the way?

In this heartfelt episode of Typology, we welcome Melanie Shankle, an Enneagram 9 with an 8 wing and author of Here Be Dragons: Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma.

Melanie opens up about the impact of a turbulent childhood, the people-pleasing patterns that followed, and what it took for her to confront her past with honesty and compassion. Together, we explore how writing her book became a profound path of self-understanding and generational healing.

Whether you’re reflecting on your own childhood, parenting, or your inner growth as an adult, this honest and hopeful conversation invites you to embrace grace, compassion, and deeper self-awareness.

Tune in and discover that healing often begins when we dare to face the stories we thought we had to hide.

This week on Typology, I sat down with the brilliant and buoyant Margaret Feinberg—author, teacher, and Enneagram 7 with an 8 wing.

We talked about her new book, The God You Need to Know, and what it means to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence—not just in the highs of life, but in the valleys too. Margaret opened up about facing surgery just before her book launch, navigating the exhaustion that comes with being “on” all the time, and how her joy had to be redefined in the midst of cancer.

We also explored how ADHD traits can show up in Enneagram Sevens, what it’s like being married to a Type 5, and how learning to rest isn’t easy when you live in a world that never slows down. Margaret also offered a fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit—not just in the New Testament, but throughout Scripture.

It’s a conversation about joy that makes room for sorrow, faith that’s been through the fire, and a Spirit who meets us in the mess.

As you listen, take a moment to consider:

• What does true rest look like for you?

• Has your understanding of the Holy Spirit grown or shifted over time?

• Can you recall a time when joy and suffering existed side by side in your story?

This week on Typology I had the joy of sitting down with author Hanna Howard, an Enneagram Four with a Five wing. Hanna’s not only the author of the young adult fantasy novel Our Divine Mischief, but also a great example of how our Enneagram type shapes the stories we tell — on paper and in life.

We talk about what sets a 4w5 apart — that mix of emotional depth and intellectual curiosity. While a 4w3 may lean toward image and achievement, Hanna shares how her Five wing draws her inward, toward reflection, research, and a rich world of ideas.

Hanna opens up about her lifelong search for authenticity — that familiar Four longing to feel significant — and shares a moment from her college years when a single line from Twelfth Night put words to that ache for belonging.

Of course, we talk about Our Divine Mischief — Hanna’s alternate-history fantasy set in a magical version of Scotland. At its core, it’s a story about belonging, something every Four knows well, complete with a wish-granting dog (yes, really).

It’s a rich conversation about creativity, personality, and the longing we all carry to belong. I hope you enjoy it. And if you’re looking for a beautiful read, check out Our Divine Mischief.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And as always — stay curious.