The New Year brings motivation, pressure, excitement, anxiety, and reflection — and every Enneagram type experiences it differently. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through all nine Enneagram types and explain how each one approaches the New Year, where they tend to get stuck, and how their core motivations are intensified during this season.You’ll learn why some types feel energized by goals while others feel overwhelmed or behind, why resolutions work for some and backfire for others, and how trying to change behavior without understanding motivation often leads to frustration. This episode is not about fixing yourself or your spouse — it’s about awareness, compassion, and learning how to support each other well as you step into a new year together.Michael and Heather break down practical ways spouses can encourage one another based on personality wiring, offering language that affirms identity rather than performance, creates emotional safety, and strengthens connection. From the Type One’s inner critic, to the Type Two’s tendency to over-give, to the Type Three’s drive to achieve, to the Type Nine’s quiet tendency to disappear, this conversation helps couples see each other more clearly and love each other more intentionally.Rooted in faith and real-life experience, this episode reminds couples that growth is not about reinvention — it’s about alignment. When you understand how your spouse enters the year, you can move forward together with grace, patience, and unity instead of pressure and comparison.Join the Imperfectly Married Newsletter below to get your free download of our 2026 new year reflection worksheet:https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Find us online:Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married

The New Year comes with a lot of pressure—new goals, big expectations, and the fear of falling short. But what if a strong marriage isn’t built on resolutions or quick fixes?Today we talk about how couples can use the New Year as a healthy reset—without perfection, shame, or unrealistic expectations. We explore how to reflect on the past year honestly, celebrate real progress, and identify patterns that no longer serve your marriage.You’ll hear practical ways to talk through what to leave behind, what to carry forward, and how to move toward growth together—one intentional step at a time. We also introduce the idea of choosing a shared “word of the year” for your marriage, giving you a simple anchor to guide decisions, communication, and conflict throughout the year.This conversation is about progress, not perfection. About choosing consistency over burnout. And about building a marriage that grows stronger in ordinary, everyday moments.Happy New Year—and here’s to growing forward together.

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Christmas with the in-laws can feel like a mix of twinkle lights, nostalgia, and quiet tension — and somehow you and your spouse are expected to keep the peace no matter what happens. In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather walk through how each of the nine Enneagram types uniquely experiences in-law dynamics during the holidays and how understanding those differences can protect your marriage instead of straining it.They break down what each type is secretly thinking when family stress shows up, how healthy versus challenging in-law relationships affect each personality, and practical ways to nurture your spouse based on their wiring. From the Type One trying to keep everything “right,” to the Type Two overextending to feel loved, to the Type Five hiding in the bathroom to recharge, to the Type Nine disappearing just to keep the peace — this episode helps you recognize patterns before they turn into conflict.You’ll also hear practical tools for every couple, including setting boundaries before gatherings, using code words when things feel overwhelming, checking in with your spouse before and after events, and debriefing together so future holidays feel safer and more connected. Rooted in faith, humor, and real-life experience, this conversation reminds couples that the Enneagram isn’t a limitation — it’s a map. And when you use it with grace and intentionality, even the most challenging in-law dynamics can become opportunities for unity, understanding, and growth.Find us online:Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married