The Blindspot An Enneagram Podcast

Meet your hosts, John Luckovich and Kara Nance as they share with listeners why the instinctual drives are so important when using the Enneagram for personal growth and development. John and Kara describe their own journey with the Enneagram and their own process around discovering their type. The mission and purpose of this podcast are described.

Kara and John introduce the concept of the instinctual blindspot and define some key terms around “The Work” 2:00  – Why we can’t we always type ourselves? 4:00 – What do we mean by “identity”? How is this different from consciousness? What’s the role of attention? 8:00 – What is self preservation, social, and sexual instincts and what do we mean by a stack? 9:30 – Is our Enneatype and our instinctual stack nature or nurture? What’s the relationship between the two? 15:30 – How do we work with the personality, our identity, ego, and increase levels of consciousness? 17:00 – What do we mean by “spiritual”? 19:00 – Humans as unconscious machines 21:30 – What’s the difference between spiritual work and upgrading the circumstances of the personality? 23:45 – What do we mean by “presence” vs ”an attitude” vs “awareness” vs “rejecting our experience”? 26 – What do we mean by “sensation”, “emotion”, “thoughts”, “perception”, “feelings”, and “essence”?

Kara and John discuss what this work means to them and where they hope to go. How are we using what we’re learning about the Enneagram and the instincts? What are the three lines of work that we can all form a personal intention around? 5:45 – why does John find the Enneagram to be fascinating? Why does he get so excited about working with the blindspot 10:15 – What do we mean by authentic self and transformation? 17 – The First Line of Work – working on yourself – what strategies have John and Kara been exploring? 30:30 – The Second Line of Work – Working with others consciously and “Being” in a group 41 – The Third Line of Work – Working for the sake of the work and paying the debt of our existence 44:30 – What are our egos working for and how do we “suffer consciously”

Kara and John dive into describing the instinctual drives, subtypes, and the controversies that exist in the field Please send comments or questions to contact@EnneagramBlindspots.com John's book is available at https://www.amazon.com/Instinctual-Drives-Enneagram-John-Luckovich/dp/0578784971/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24V4IPCZEML19&keywords=the+instinctual+drives+and+the+enneagram&qid=1660515580&s=books&sprefix=The+Instinctual+driv%2Cstripbooks%2C92&sr=1-1 8 – What’s the relationship between the instinctual drives and the personality structure? Subtype as “Disease” and our growth path as a “treatment plan” 11 – Being dominant in an instinct doesn’t mean you’re good at it and what is Kara’s experience of being self preservation dominant 13 – How can our experiences with substances help us to understand our instinctual fears? 16 – If fear itself is not just Six what is Six? What does that mean about the Head Center? 18 – How might the self preservation dominant person experience the body? 22:30 – What’s the difference between an instinctual need and a strategy that’s manufactured by the personality 24:45 – What is the definition of essence? What is an Essence Quality? 32:45 – How does John look at the instincts verses how other teachers might look at the instincts? 37 – How do we differentiate competition coming from an ego structure versus the sexual instinct 40 – What is the special relationship between the instincts and the Enneagram? 42 – How can family be a strategy to meet self preservation needs in addition to social needs? 46 – What are the needs of each instinctual drive? 48 – What’s the difference between self esteem and self regulation in regards to the self preservation instinct 50 – What’s the difference between transcendence and individuation? Is this found in the self preservation instinct? 52:55 – What are resources and foundations and why is this important to the self preservation instinct? 55 – What are the needs of the sexual instinct? 61 – What are the needs of the social instinct?

Kara and John dive back into the needs of the Instinctual Drives and instinctural Intelligece as the ultimate form of preventative medicine on our quest to be a more sincere humanity 6:20 – watch Kara lose presence and get stuck in her one fix and shame spiral of point three and self-compassion her way out of it 11 – John describes what we mean about the instinctual stack and how the dominant instinct arises and the blindspot threatens it 13 – Kara discusses the impact of trauma on the development of our instinctual stack and her personal narrative 17:20 – John describes his personal narrative of how his instinctual stack emerged 19 Kara describes her theory of why certain instincts may become dominant or blind 22:30 – John and Kara describe the Enneatype of The Blindspot podcast 23:45 – John and Kara describe the instinctual fears of the self-preservation instinct 27 – John explains what an SP4 is and how it’s NOT “sunny” 33 – John describes the instinctual fear of the sexual instinct and how this is expressed in the frustration types 4, 7, 1 41:54 – The instinctual fear of the social instinct 48:42 – The competing interests of the three instinctual drives; what is each drive drawn to and what do they avoid?  

Kara shares something about the pain her blindspots have caused her. John and Kara how the instinctual energies show up in film and television and provide an overview of attachment types as well as a summary of attachment theory. Kara and John discuss the different ways attachment and hexad types enter relationships. Kara describes her theory on the anxious/avoidant dance of the attachment types. Kara describes the journey towards developing earned secure attachment and how to navigate the repair process when there’s a rupture in a relationship. John describes more nuance of the SX instinct and what we mean by “merging”. Put in links to Diane Poole Heller and Sarah Peyton attachment theory stuff https://dianepooleheller.com/attachment-test/ https://sarahpeyton.com/attachment-quiz/ https://robbell.com/audio/find-me-a-straight-river-a-3-hour-audiobook-on-fear-and-failure/ Want to contact us? Please email contact@enneagramblindspots.com Want coaching with Kara? Contact her via her practice website at WellessenceMD.com

This week we’re exploring the relationship chemistry between a SP/SO/SX 3 INTJ with a 395 trifix and a SP blind 9 ENFP with a 926 trifix  Listen to how tritype can help some find their way to core type Listen to how Caryn & Sebastian found their way to their types and stack Kara explains how Meyer’s Briggs type can also influence expression of subtype Kara unpacks how SP dom can look very different depending on the zone we’re focusing on Kara highlights how the SO instinct shows up differently in the 3 and 9 Sebastian and Caryn share how they’re working with their blindspots How does an SP dom and a SP blind manage finances? How does Sebastian’s “J” and Caryn’s “P” show up in how they keep their environments? Sebastian and Caryn discuss the experience of their sexuality Caryn and Sebastian talk about what the want to keep bringing presence to in their blindspot in order to keep their relationship strong and connected Want to learn more about Caryn? Find her podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enneagram-typecast/id1565551381 and her website at https://www.carynberley.com/  Any comments, questions or reflections about this interview? Please email me at contact@enneagramblindspots.com

This week I share my experience of 30 years of intimate partnership with three different 9’s and invite you into the dynamic with my SO dominant 9w1, 964 trifix. 3:00 – Listen to Kara talk about what she loves about nines 7:00 – Kara shares her experience of growing up with two body centered parents 11:00 – How do we help 9’s get in touch with their anger? 12:30 – How do nines avoid the experience of discomfort? 14:00 – Meet Kara & Drew 17:30 – How did Drew find his way to Type 9? 19:00 – Why do nines mistype as fours? 21:30 – How do nines punish through withdrawl and how do you know when your nine is pissed? 27:00 – How do nines manage their exposure to unpleasant experiences? 33:20 – How did Kara discover she was a Three and not an Eight? 38:00 – Why do attachment types mistype? 40:00 – Drew talks about why he doesn’t think “having an instinctual stack” is descriptive or helpful 43:00 – Kara descries why she think we DO have an instinctual stack that we’re born with and isn’t going to change even though all instincts express at different times 51:00 – Kara and Drew describe the different wiring in the 3 vs 9 nervous system 54:00 – Drew describes his experience of his SP instinct 1:01:20 – Kara describes how her ENFP shows up so differently from Drew’s INFJ cognitive processes 1:04:00 – Kara describes the difference between Drew’s SO dominance and Kara’s SO middle 1:08:00 – Kara and Drew describe their experience of the SX instinct 1:15:00 – We discuss that SO dominant may not enjoy groups 1:18:30 – Kara and Drew express their experience of sexuality 1:23:00 – What does attachment to disconnect look like when two attachment types are together? 1:24:15 – Why nines hate having their location pinned down and how do attachment types help each other find their locations? 1:26:30 – The many different no’s nines will give you. 1:28:30 – Why Nines can’t give an emphatic yes. 1:35:00 – Kara gives final thoughts on what SX blind looks like and how’s she coming to identify it

Meet Ben! Our SP/SO/SX 6w5 with 694 trifix Why boundaries are important to Ben and how he works with his tendency toward rigidity How does type show up in our sleep patterns and why do we both love cuddling up with 9’s How does Ben know he’s SP dominant? How can Kara have so much “buzz” and be SX blind? Kara and Ben describe their relationships to their SX blind instinct How has Ben worked with his sexual blind spot? Kara explains how Ben’s INFJ functions show up in his personal growth path Ben talks about his Enneagram constellation Ben talks about his philosophy around typing Ben talks about what he learned from his breakup and gives us some great relationship advice Learn more about Ben and his offerings at WildEnneagram.com Questions or want to work with Kara? Email contact@enneagramblindspots.com for information.

Meet Linda! Our SO/SP/SX 1w9 and hear about her experience of type an stack Linda expands on the importance of the social instinct How does Linda connect with her sexual blindspot? What is body center’s relationship to anger? Linda talks about the defense mechanism of point one – reaction formation What are the cultural issues around anger? Why do all mother’s have to work with some Type 1 anger   Braiding Sweetgrass https://www.amazon.com/s?k=braiding+sweetgrass&i=digital-text&crid=71YCQNNEZCGW&sprefix=braid%2Cdigital-text%2C121&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_5 Ben Campbell – WildEnneagram.com Mark Coleman - https://www.awakeinthewild.com/ The School For Good Mothers https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0zCgxTU82qSwzYPSSLslIVShOzsjPz1FIyy9SSM_PT1HIzQeKFhUDAD0FDw4&q=the+school+for+good+mothers&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS985US985&oq=The+Schoo&aqs=chrome.2.0i131i355i433i512j46i131i433i512j46i512j69i57j0i512j46i512j46i199i433i465i512j46i512j46i433i512j46i512.5305j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

This week we meet Natalie and hear about her life path as a SX/SO/SP 9w8. If you would like to work with Natalie you can email her at natazolg@gmail.com.  Her new wellness coaching business is mindyourwellnesscoach.com where she uses her enneagram informed techniques to help others navigate the places in their lives they feel stuck.  Kara Nance is offering free consultations to work on typing, Enneagram coaching, Nonviolent Communication, Resonant Healing for Trauma, and mindfulness based strategies for working with unhealthy habits. Please email her at contact@enneagramblindspots.com if you would like to schedule. Please also email if you would like to be interviewed on The Blindspot or have questions or topics you would like to have addressed.

Meet Chris and hear about her life path as a SO/SP/SX 8. We cover what a traumatized 8 can look like and what a recovery journey for this type can be. We talk about trauma and how the rejection types deal with stress.  Check out the free trauma summit going on right now for some access to great learning! https://collectivetraumasummit.com/ Please contact me at contact@enneagramblindspots.com if you would like to be interviewed or have concepts you'd like me to talk about on a current episode. I'm also available for coaching on Enneagram, MBTI, Nonviolent Communication or Resonant Healing. Call 847-207-2705 if you'd like a free consultation.

Kara continues her conversation from last week with Chris where they explore Chris' instinctual stacking and hear the joy she is experiencing from the integration of her sexual blindspot. Kara summarizes how the instinctual drives show up both in health and unconsciousness and helps Chris unpack her relationships to these drives. We also explore the use of psychedelics to support healing trauma and Kara demonstrates how she approaches typing an individual with the example of Chris' mother.  Addiction and recovery strategies are explored. Trying to quit smoking, vaping, or change unhealthy eating habits? Download Craving To Quit or Eat Right Now and join Kara on zoom Wednesdays 6-7pm CST for support by calling 847-850-8185 to try a free class. https://www.sharecare.com/digital-therapeutics/tobacco-cessation https://www.sharecare.com/digital-therapeutics/weight-loss Buy John's book here https://www.amazon.com/Instinctual-Drives-Enneagram-John-Luckovich/dp/0578784971 Learn more about David's work here https://www.patreon.com/EnneaSite/posts Connect with Deborah Ooten here https://www.goconscious.com/about-clc/staff/deborah-a-ooten-ph-d/ Learn about addiction with Sarah Peyton here https://sarahpeyton.com/category/healing-from-addiction-is-possible/ Questions or want to be interviewed? Please email me at contact@enneagramblindspots.com   

Meet the magnificent Maggie Oberman SO/SX/SP 2w1. Maggie was born with lipodystrophy which gives her face and body a very unique look. Listen to this inspiring and heartwarming interview about how she has really leaned into her true power as a vibrant and inspiring being. How does Maggie’s SO dominance show up in her nonprofit work? How is Maggie’s SP instinct show up in relation to her health challenges? Maggie talks about how she experiences body image as a person with a unique form. How does Maggie use her “smile”? How does Maggie experience her sexual instinct as someone that has not had sexual relationships at this point in her life?

In this episode we meet SO/SX/SP Catherine Bell, the founder of the Awakened Company and the host of Russ Hudson's Green Room group that I've been a part of since its inception in 2021. Catherine is the embodiment of a SO dominant individual as is further exemplified in her many offerings depicted below. Enjoy hearing her story and what she's about as she radiates the SO/SX/SP instinctual energies!  https://twitter.com/AwakenedCompany https://www.facebook.com/awakenedcompany https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellcatherine/ https://www.instagram.com/theawakenedcompany/ https://www.instagram.com/awakenly.app/ https://catherinerbell.com/ https://awakenedcompany.com/   Inc Magazine Article - Building Highly Successful Companies - INC Magazine - The Awakened Company   Purchase the Awakened Company Book - The Awakened Company: Bell, Catherine R: 9781897238790: Amazon.com: Books   Here is the link to download Awakenly on the app store - https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/awakenly/id1574147038

Meet the brilliant and wise 3w4 ENFP Belinda Gore for an exploration of object relations and wings. We discuss how the enneagram intersects with Meyers Briggs, astrology, meditation, and the Diamond Approach. And did you know there is a FOURTH instinctual drive? Belinda learned about the Enneagram 30 years ago from Russ Hudson and Don Riso and has been a member of the IEA since its inception. Belinda is the expert in the field on object relations and the Enneagram and offers both introductory and advanced trainings on her website at BelindaGore.com.  If you are interested in learning mindfulness and meditation through one of my online groups please call my office at 847-850-8185 to schedule a free consultation. I also offer private sessions for resonant healing for past trauma. Feel free to also email me at contact@enneagramblindspots.com to request a consult, ask questions, or offer your insights and feedback.

Meet the magnificent Manya, a 72 year old SP/SO/SX 6 with INFP cognitive preferences. Manya started as a massage therapist, went to medical school and became a physician at the age of 37 and then transitioned into corporate coaching and facilitation. She will be a certified Enneagram teacher by August 2023 and has amazing insights from her journey as she shares her wisdom about the SP instinct if we listen to its instinctual intelligence. Manya is also well versed in MBTI and astrology and shares how this also influences her experience of type. You can find Manya for personal coaching services at AwakeintheAndes.com This episodes was fun for me because I'm starting to feel brave enough to start sharing my impressions of Mario Sikora, Russ Hudson and John Luckovich’s teachings on the instincts and my current thoughts about how the instincts may be showing up in more of a primary, secondary and tertiary type way instead of the typical "blind" concept. 

Meet Timothy Sommerlad! A 21 year old point six, ENFP film student from University of Southern Queensland, Australia. Timothy has a background in theology so we unpack where his journey has taken him so far and discuss why the dragon is the embodiment of the integration of all three instinctual drives.  Timothy has been producing Enneagram videos at @timothysommerladenneagram on YouTube and is the founder of the Wisdom & The Enneagram group on Facebook.  David Gray, who taught me about the bhavacakra and the symbolism tied to the dragon. Please go to his Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/EnneaSite to support his work. Questions, comments or want a free consultation? Reach out at enneagramblindspots.com or call Kara's office at 847-850-8185 to schedule!

Meet Carolyn, a 41 year old midwife from Canada willing to speak so bravely from her heart about her expression of stack and type. What does it mean to be integrated in body, heart, and mind? What are faux feelings? Kara explains the difference between emotions, thoughts, and feelings and how her sensing, looking, and listening practice, Nonviolent Communication and Resonant Healing skills support her self observation. We revisit attachment theory and explain the difference from being an attachment type. How do Kara and Carolyn use difficult intimate relationships as a ground for learning? How did Carolyn discover the Enneagram and how does she know she’s a 2w3? How does rejection show up in an Enneagram type 2 How can we integrate the knowledge of “attachment style” with the Enneagram? Hear Carolyn talk about her tritype interview with Katherine Fauvre How does Carolyn experience her sexual and intimate relationship preferences? Why is SP second in Carolyn’s stack? Why is Carolyn identifying as tertiary social If you are willing to be interviewed or have a topic you'd like to discuss, please reach out to contact@enneagramblindspots.com to schedule. Please call my office at 847-850-8185 to schedule a free consultation if you would like to work with Dr. Nance.

Meet Derek Kirkland, a strategic change leader at DPR Construction as well as a Professional Certified Coach through New Ventures West. Enjoy a spontaneous first time conversation between a SO 3w2 and a SP 3w2 and have fun noting the similarities and differences.  Learn more about the idea of "competition" in the Three, attachment types, and the vision of Kara's new business venture. We also clarify the misconception that "social" means you have a wide group of friends and explore the "role" of being an attractive partner or a "good" parent. Please email me at contact@enneagramblindspots.com if you have questions or have a topic you think would be good to bring to the community. Also feel free to contact me at 847-850-8185 if you would like a free consultation about the services I can provide.