Nine Lives With Jeff King: Live Your Best One

In this final episode of Season 9, we journey into the Head Center, home to Types 5, 6, and 7, and the center that perhaps more than any other knows what it is to live in a mind that simply will not be still. Panelists Gerry Gebhart (Type 5), Joy Wray (Type 6), and Marnie Thomson (Type 7) engage in an honest and sometimes disarming conversation about what it's like to think for a living — not as a choice, but as a way of being in the world. Together they explore the particular kind of restlessness that hums beneath the surface of all three types: a mind in constant motion, scanning, sorting, preparing, anticipating. "If I don't know, I can't prepare." "My mind is constant activity." These statements reveal what goes on inside the mind of this Center of Intelligence. And what's going on, it turns out, is a deep and largely unconscious negotiation with fear. Not the dramatic fear of crisis, but the low-grade, ever-present anxiety of not knowing whether you'll have enough — enough knowledge, enough certainty, enough options — when the moment of need arrives. Richard Rohr reminds us that the Head Center's great longing is for inner guidance: the capacity to trust what arises from within rather than perpetually scanning what lies ahead. This episode doesn't resolve that tension so much as honor it — and in honoring it, perhaps loosens its grip just a little. It's fascinating to observe the professional lives of our panelist. Gerry is a retired pharmacist. Joy is a nurse and adjunct instructor. Marnie is a Professor of Anthropology. Seems fitting for Head Center types!

Leslie Quilico offers an honest and insightful look at life through the lens of an Enneagram Type Three. While Threes are known for their drive and success, Leslie shares how she's learning that there is more to life. That said, she's also learning to embrace her drive for meaningful accomplishment. A natural achiever, she admits: "If we can make it a competition, it will be more fun!" — yet she challenges herself (and us) to stay grounded in what really matters. As a leadership coach and Certified TrustCentric Guide, Leslie blends Enneagram wisdom with her passion for trust-building, especially among women leaders and small businesses. She drops gems like: ✨ "Everyone can have a PhD in doing what you say you're going to do." ✨ "If you're willing to do the work at work, it affects your whole life." ✨ "Trust is simple—follow through with your promises." Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, or reach her at lesliequilico@gmail.com or leslie@trustcentricconsulting.com.

Brian Mueller on the Enneagram One Journey Brian Mueller shares his experience as an Enneagram One, exploring the inner critic's powerful call to "do the right thing." Brian discusses how recognizing his Type One structure helps him regulate it, using awareness and practice to avoid being confined by his Type. Brian also highlights the ongoing work of returning to presence—not just getting grounded, but continually regrounding. He helps men discover identity and purpose through powerfully unique processes through Illuman. Find his poetry at brianmueller.com. Find his work with spiritual formation at Choosing Presence.

Shelby Hay shares her journey as an entrepreneur through the lens of an Enneagram Four. She opens up about the highs and lows of business, the struggle with comparison, and the challenge of feeling "not enough." With honesty and creativity, Shelby reveals how she overcame self-doubt and found joy in the process. She offers practical tools to break free from self-defeating emotions and Enneagram Fours' pattern of envy. Her insights serve as a great resource to all Enneagram Fours! Discover more about her work at Sunny Day Party Art and follow her on social media under the same name.

David Tensen returns to the show to explore the importance of "eldering"—living with sacrificial love in later life. He introduces key concepts like "decentric eldering," "transcend and include," and "stages of faith." Based in Australia, David exemplifies how healthy Enneagram Nines show up and make a meaningful impact in the world. He's also a poet, author, and advocate for emotionally healthy spirituality. Learn more about David and his work, including his latest project with the Collective Wisdom Academy, at www.davidtensen.com.

Billie McGraw, Cindy Payne and Lynda Rands join together in this robust panel of Enneagram Threes. As is clear from these panelists, the Enneagram Three structure is one of energy, drive, productivity, and performing. At the top of the list comes efficiency, which can be both a superpower for the Three, but also can be their blind spot. Billie, Cindy and Lynda venture into vulnerable territory as they discuss the deceitful side of the Three structure. They explore other features of Type 3, such as Threes' reputation of being chameleons and their struggle with feelings. They raise the question, "Is there anything productive in knowing how I feel? Why does it matter how I feel when the job needs to get done?" Billie is a real estate agent in Flagstaff. You can follow her on Instagram @Flagstaffrealtorbilliemcgraw. Her website is https://billiemcgraw.com/ Cindy is an executive director of a nonprofit and is a self-proclaimed failure at retirement. Upon retiring, she promptly earned her PhD. She also resides in Flagstaff. Lynda has been a coach and resides in the greater St. Louis area. For more on Jeff's work, go to https://www.transmuto.org/

Panelists Kat Lipka, Kimberly Holt and Kezia Shine form this panel of Enneagram Twos and brilliantly describe the Type 2 structure. The constant, underlying energy of Enneagram Two consists of giving attention to others' needs and longing to be helpful. While this is one of Type 2's superpowers, it also can be a blind spot for 2's. Kat, Kimberly and Kezia unpack this tension with clarity and vulnerability. Our conversation reveals their hearts of compassion and natural gifts of bringing healing to others. Together, they demonstrate the incredible gifts that Enneagram Twos bring to our world. Kat works with The Educator Academy, Kansas City, whose mission is to prepare teachers to create transformative and equitable classroom experiences for all students in the communities they serve. Find more at https://educator-academy.org. Kezia is a chiropractor in the Kansas City metro area. Find more at https://www.drshinekc.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and on Instagram @drkeziashine. Kimberly is a couples and family therapist in the Philadelphia area. You can find more at https://councilforrelationships.org/therapist/kimberly-holt-ms-mft. Find more about Jeff's work at https://www.transmuto.org.

Anna Peterson, Susan Johnson, and Steve Garlow combine forces to form our panel of those leading with Enneagram Type 1. They masterfully excavate the Enneagram One structure to provide a clear picture of how the Type 1 personality operates. Enneagram Type 1 is known for its strong, unrelenting inner critic. As our panelists relate, the inner critic is an ever-present reality. Anna, Susan, and Steve agree, the One structure often causes them to be their own worst critic. That said, our panelists offer real hope that the inner critic doesn't have to dominate. Through centering practices, forming trusting relationships, regulating self-dialogue and pursuing spiritual formation, they have learned to have an inner critic rather than the inner critic having them. Anna, Susan, and Steve show us the strengths and gifts that the Enneagram One structure offers as well. Ones are conscientious, skilled, compassionate and live with integrity. Their pursuit of excellence is a superpower they offer the world. Jeff's website is www.transmuto.org.