01: Who Am I? Exploring the Enneagram Through a Biblical Lens

01: In this opening episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, host Paul Basden unpacks one of today’s most popular tools for self-discovery and spiritual growth: the Enneagram. If you’ve ever asked, “Who am I?” or wondered why you keep repeating certain patterns, this conversation will help you understand the Enneagram as more than a personality test—it’s a map of motivations, fears, and desires that can lead to both transformation and healing. Paul tackles five big questions: Who am I? What is the Enneagram? How does it work? How do I use it? And where can I learn more? Along the way, he draws from Christian wisdom, Scripture, and his own counseling journey to explain how the Enneagram connects our worldview, our childhood wounds, and the vows we make that shape our behavior. He also highlights how this tool can deepen discipleship, helping us die to self and live more fully in the way of Jesus. Whether you’re brand new to the Enneagram or a longtime learner, this episode offers a clear, practical introduction that blends psychology, theology, and spiritual practice. It’s the perfect place to begin your journey of asking, “Why do I do what I do?” Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele

• The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile

• The Story of You by Ian Morgan Cron

• The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile

• The Journey Toward Wholeness by Suzanne Stabile

• The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr & Andreas Ebbert

• The Sacred Enneagram by Christopher Heuertz

• Personality Types by Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson

• The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence by Scott Allender