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The Real Enneagram, a Podcast by the Institute for Conscious Being
The Real Enneagram, a Podcast by the Institute for Conscious Being
Author: Dr. Joseph Howell
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© 2026 The Real Enneagram, a Podcast by the Institute for Conscious Being
Description
The Real Enneagram is not just about personality- it's a spiritual quest.
A podcast delving into the spirituality of the Enneagram and its applications for growing in consciousness. Produced by the Institute for Conscious Being.
Hosted by Nanette Mudiam, ICB faculty member, Scott Smith, and Dr. Joe Howell, ICB founder and author of Becoming Conscious: The Enneagram's Forgotten Passageway, and Know Your Soul: Journeying With The Enneagram.
Music provided by Drexel Rayford, ICB faculty member.
Learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, and the spirituality of the Enneagram: theicb.info
Discover more of Drexel's music at: vagrantschapel.com
211 Episodes
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Send a text In this episode, we delve into the tender and complex topic of grief, how the mind often struggles to comprehend the depth of grief, and the overwhelming emotions that accompany it. We begin by examining the first stage of grief, denial, as outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and how different ego types may experience grief in varied ways. Dr. Joe shares his personal experiences with grief, particularly the loss of his two children, and emphasizes that grief is not something that c...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, I, we explore the fascinating topic of the head center of intelligence and look into how our thoughts shape our identity and experience. We discuss the profound question of who we are beyond our thoughts, emphasizing that our true essence lies in our soul, which transcends the ego-driven narratives we often find ourselves caught in. Dr. Joe shares insights from his paper on the head center, explaining that many people mistakenly identify with...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the heart center of intelligence within the Enneagram framework. We explore the significance of emotional intelligence, particularly how it relates to our experiences and interactions in the world. Scott, a type five, shares his journey of reconnecting with his emotions, emphasizing the importance of feeling and accepting our feelings rather than analyzing them solely from the head. He discusses how this process began with groun...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we kick off the new year by discussing aims, how telling the truth can be an essential spiritual practice, and the importance of honoring the humanity of others even when we disagree with them. We hope you find some useful insights in today's episode, and Happy New Year! To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we continue our heart series, diving deeper into the theme of healing the heart. We explore the complexities of the heart's emotional landscape, including its capacity for both tenderness and turmoil. We also discuss the concept of emotional self-regulation and how the heart can be affected by negative passions such as envy, pride, and shame, particularly in the context of Enneagram types two, three, and four. Joe shares insights on the Ennea...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the profound topic of the heart's intelligence and its role in awakening compassion within us. We explore how our heartstrings serve as a moral compass, guiding us toward empathy and understanding, especially in today's challenging world. Joe shares a poignant personal story from his childhood that illustrates the moment he first became aware of his heart's guidance, emphasizing the importance of listening to our hearts. We disc...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we continue our two-part series on overcoming obstacles and challenges in life, focusing specifically on the obstacles posed by our own ego. We delve into the teachings of George Gurdjieff and the concept of the "fourth way," which emphasizes the importance of the soul in navigating our three centers of intelligence: the head, heart, and body. We discuss how the ego seeks control, validation, and security through these centers, but ulti...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the theme of obstacles and how they can serve as profound teachers for our souls. We explore the idea that obstacles, while challenging, can lead to personal growth and deeper understanding. Dr. Joe shares a personal story from his journey through a PhD program in clinical psychology, highlighting a particularly daunting course in multivariate statistical analysis. He reflects on how he initially felt overwhelmed but ultimately ...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the profound topic of peace, its connection to our soul child and how our early experiences shape our understanding of peace and how our ego can often lead us away from it. Joe shares insights from his daily reflections, emphasizing that while life can be fraught with anxiety and conflict, our essence is inherently tied to peace, which is a quality of the soul. We discuss how each Enneagram type has its unique fixation that can ...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the profound topic of peace, a universal desire that transcends all Enneagram types and explore how peace is not merely a reaction to our circumstances but a deeper quality of the soul that can be accessed regardless of external chaos. We begin by discussing Viktor Frankl's insights from his book Man's Search for Meaning, highlighting how he maintained a sense of peace even in the most horrific conditions of the Holocaust. This ...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we continue our exploration of the three levels of soul development, focusing on the concept of the palpable soul. We delve into the significance of the I-Thou relationship, as introduced by theologian Martin Buber, which emphasizes honoring the soul of another person rather than merely engaging with their ego. We reflect on our previous discussions about the obscured and emerging souls, noting how the obscured soul often views the world in a...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we continue our exploration of the three major levels of soul development as outlined in Dr. Joseph Howell's book, Know Your Soul, and we dive deeper into the concepts of the obscured soul and the emerging soul. We begin by summarizing the obscured soul, which represents the starting point of many individuals on their spiritual journey. This stage is likened to a moon hidden by clouds, where the soul exists but is obscured by the unchecked eg...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the concept of soul development, a central theme from the book Know Your Soul. We explore the three major levels of soul development, starting with the first level, which we refer to as the "obscured soul." Dr. Howell shares insights on how this level represents an unawakened state, where distractions, ego, and various fears obscure our true essence. He emphasizes that many people live in this obscured state, unaware of the beau...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we had the pleasure of welcoming our friend and local sound healer, Danielle Hall, the founder of Sound Embrace. Danielle shared her inspiring journey from a career in commercial photography to discovering the transformative power of sound healing after facing significant health challenges. She opened up about her skepticism towards alternative therapies and how a health crisis at the age of 28 led her to explore new avenues for wellness, ult...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Jennifer Joss, a psychologist and leadership coach who has been using the Enneagram in her work for many years. Dr. Joss shared her journey with the Enneagram, which began in 1993, and her recent deep dive into understanding the Enneagram symbol itself. She discussed how her exploration was sparked by a transformative experience during a workshop led by Uranio Paes, where she felt a profound connection to ...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we continue to delve into the theme of "Know Your Soul," exploring the profound benefits of understanding our deeper selves, beyond the confines of our surface personalities. Joined by my co-hosts Scott Smith and Dr. Joseph Howell, we discuss the pervasive divisiveness in today's world, particularly in the realms of politics and personal relationships. We reflect on how our egos often trap us in cycles of judgment and conflict, making it cha...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Finlayson, actor, and creator of Dancing the Enneagram and UnDance. Kate shared her transformative journey, which began in Hollywood as an actor and evolved through her experiences with the Enneagram, Nia, dance, and various healing practices. Kate recounted her introduction to the Enneagram in 1996 and how it profoundly impacted her relationships. She emphasized the importance of integrating physical...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we welcomed back our own Reverend Dr. Drexel Rayford, a senior faculty member at the Institute for Conscious Being. Our conversation centered around the discipline of silence and its profound role in contemplation, as well as the tenacity of the ego and its resistance to what it perceives as its diminishment. Drexel shared a poignant story from his graduate school days that highlighted the essence of spiritual maturity, emphasizing the import...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the theme of meditation, specifically focusing on a "know-your-soul" meditation. Joe shares his insights on the importance of understanding our essence and soul, emphasizing that our true identity goes beyond the mind. We discuss Joe's personal journey with meditation, recalling his first experience at a study group during his time as a graduate student at Yale. He reflects on how meditation has transformed his life, allowing hi...
Send a text In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the profound ways the Enneagram can help us understand our souls during moments of daily struggle. Co-hosts Dr. Joe Howell, Nanette Mudiam, and Scott Smith discuss how, while many people are drawn to the Enneagram through a critical mass of suffering, the Enneagram is also brilliant at helping us navigate the smaller, day to day challenges that life throws at us. We explore these everyday challenges that can lead to small suffer...



