Beyond the Type: An Enneagram-Inspired Podcast about Being Human.

Sandy Swanson, PCC, NBC-HWC, A-CFHC, Holistic Communication and Relationship Coach
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Daily

Beyond the Type is an Enneagram-inspired podcast about the beautiful mess of being human, inspired by the notion that ๐™ฎ๐™ค๐™ช ๐™™๐™ค๐™ฃ'๐™ฉ ๐™ฃ๐™š๐™š๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™—๐™š ๐™›๐™ž๐™ญ๐™š๐™™, ๐™ฎ๐™ค๐™ช ๐™ฃ๐™š๐™š๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™—๐™š ๐™›๐™ค๐™ช๐™ฃ๐™™. Hosted by Sandy Swanson, Communication and Relationship Coach, this show explores how personality, communication, and self-awareness shape our relationships โ€” with ourselves and with each other - for better or for worse. Who among us hasn't felt lost, confused, or unsure of who we are authentically and what we want out of life...? Whether youโ€™re Enneagram-curious or deep into your growth journey, this podcast is your space for meaningful conversations, gentle truth-telling, and maybe a few laughs along the way. Together, weโ€™ll unpack the patterns that hold us back, explore what makes us tick, and learn how to live with more compassion, clarity, and connection. Together, weโ€™ll unpack the patterns that hold us back, explore what makes us tick, and learn how to find ourselves again with clarity and compassion. Download my free Communication Guide here: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

  1. 5d ago

    Why "Just Be Yourself" Is Terrible Advice: The Enneagram, Authenticity, and Finding Yourself

    Have you ever been told to "just be yourself" and wondered what that even means? In this episode, Sandy explores the difference between the True Self and the False Self through the lens of the Enneagram. We look at how personality patterns develop, why authenticity can feel so difficult, and how each of the nine Enneagram types can lose touch with their deeper essence. Because before we can *be* ourselves, we have to know who that self actually is. In this episode: โ€ข What the True Self and False Self really mean โ€ข Why "just be yourself" isn't always helpful advice โ€ข How the Enneagram reveals the difference between personality and essence โ€ข The unique "static" and "signal" of all 9 Enneagram types โ€ข What authenticity actually feels like โ€ข How presence helps us reconnect with who we really are โ€ข Why personal growth is more about uncovering than fixing This episode draws on teachings from Richard Rohr, Mory Fontanez, and the Enneagram tradition. If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself, this episode offers a different way of understanding who you really are. ___ Learn more about Enneagram Typing Interviews here:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/typinginterview Podcast Ep #1 - Start Here: Coaching, the Enneagram, and Your Shade of Blue:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149050344 Podcast Ep - Stances:  Why You Withdraw, Talk Too Much,  or Bulldoze Peoplehttps://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149067197 Richard Rohr - Immortal Diamond (book):https://amzn.to/4dSQv1S Mory Fontanez - Higher Self: Reclaiming the Power of Your Intuition (book):https://amzn.to/4uornoy ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication ___ ๐Ÿ”นHi! I'm Sandy, Professional Certified Coach (ICF-PCC), National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and self-proclaimed Enneagram nerd.๐Ÿค“๐Ÿ”นIโ€™m a holistic life and leadership coach (some clients call me a "people whisperer"), and I'm dedicated to helping you understand yourself and others more deeply so you can live with confidence, clarity, and compassion.๐Ÿ”นIโ€™m also a mentor coach and love helping brand-new coaches with their coaching skills.๐Ÿ”น My coaching philosophy:  You don't need to be fixed, you need to be found. ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ Proud to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ ___Enneagram, true self, false self, authenticity, self-discovery, self-awareness, personal growth, identity, intuition, Richard Rohr, Mory Fontanez, Enneagram types, personality patterns, ego, essence, higher self, finding yourself, emotional growth, spiritual growth, coaching, mindfulness, presence, authentic living.

    41 min

  2. May 30

    Burned Out or Stuck in Survival Mode? Why Youโ€™re So Reactive or Exhausted

    Feeling exhausted, reactive, emotionally flat, or constantly on edge? It may not be burnout. In this episode, Sandy explores the difference between burnout and nervous system overwhelm - and why so many people feel exhausted, reactive, anxious, emotionally flat, or โ€œon edgeโ€ even when nothing catastrophic is happening. We'll cover: โ€ข The difference between burnout and nervous system dysregulation โ€ข Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn explained simply โ€ข How overwhelm shows up in each Enneagram type โ€ข Why productivity strategies donโ€™t work when the body feels unsafe โ€ข 3 tools to help you navigate overwhelm and stress If youโ€™ve been feeling emotionally exhausted, unusually reactive, disconnected, anxious, or unable to truly rest, this episode may help you better understand what your nervous system is really trying to communicate. Share this episode with someone you love who may be experiencing burnout. 3  ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication Episode on safety:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149114211 Yoga nidra meditation:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149101492   ___ burnout, nervous system regulation, chronic stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, overwhelm, Enneagram, fight or flight, people pleasing, stress response, nervous system dysregulation, emotional regulation, yoga nidra, workplace stress

    25 min

  3. May 23

    Why Do I Feel Lonely When I Have Friends?

    Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely, inexplicably lonely? That hollow, flat feeling has a name: relational hunger. And it's more common than you think. In this episode, Sandy explores the difference between being heard and being truly known, why so many of us are starving for real connection even when our calendars are full, and what's quietly getting in the way. You'll learn about the three Enneagram instincts (self-preservation, social, and sexual/one-to-one) and how each one shapes what you hunger for in relationships, as well as where your blind spots might be hiding. Sandy also shares why knowing your dominant instinct can help you stop showing up to the wrong table and wondering why you're still hungry. Plus: five practical, doable things you can try this week to start feeding that relational hunger -  especially if you're in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and the structures that used to create connection have mostly fallen away. In this episode: Why loneliness is not new, and what HAS changed What "relational hunger" is and how it disguises itself The three Enneagram instincts and how each one experiences loneliness differently A special look at Type 5 and why connection can be a real blind spot Five practical ways to build connection as an adult This one is for anyone who has ever driven home from a great party feeling more alone than when they arrived.  Share with someone who also might be feeling that "hunger"! ___ Learn more about Enneagram Typing Interviews here:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/typinginterview West Health-Gallup survey on mental health:https://news.gallup.com/poll/700079/mental-health-ratings-continue-worsen.aspx ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication ___ loneliness, feeling lonely with friends, feeling disconnected, how to make friends as an adult, how to meet people, sense of belonging, belonging vs fitting in, real connection, emotional connection, surface connection, Enneagram instincts, Enneagram subtypes, self-preservation instinct, social instinct, sexual instinct, one-to-one instinct, Enneagram Type 5, loneliness epidemic, mental health, personal growth, self-awareness, adult friendship, how to feel less lonely, holistic coaching, life coaching, Enneagram coaching, and Beyond the Type podcast.

    30 min

  4. May 16

    Doomscrolling, Dopamine, and Revenge Bedtime Procrastination: The Truth About Your Phone Habit

    Do you reach for your phone without really deciding to? You're mid-scroll at 11pm, exhausted, and yet... you keep going. There's a reason for that - and it has nothing to do with willpower. In this episode of Beyond the Type, Holistic Life and Leadership Coach Sandy Swanson digs into why our phones have such a grip on us:  from the dopamine loop and the slot machine design of social media apps to the algorithm that's working around the clock to keep you engaged (whether that's good for you or not). Sandy also introduces a concept that might sound very familiar: revenge bedtime procrastination, the very real psychological pattern behind staying up until 2am on Instagram after a long, demanding day. You'll also hear how Enneagram Types 2 and 9 can be especially prone to this pattern - and what it might be pointing to underneath. Sandy wraps with three simple, practical tools to help you build a more intentional relationship with your phone; no digital detox app required. This episode is a follow-up to Sandy's earlier episode on boredom and phone use. Links below! In this episode: Why phone use is a design issue, not a character flaw The dopamine loop and intermittent reinforcement (aka: your phone is a slot machine) What the algorithm is actually doing - and why it matters for kids, especially Revenge bedtime procrastination: what it is and why it happens Three tools to help you use your phone with more intention ___ Beyond the Type podcast episode on phone use and boredom:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149101958 Beyond the Type yoga nidra meditation and body scan:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149101492 Jonathan Haidt's LinkedIn post on the experiment of setting up a TikTok or IG account as a 13 y/o girl:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7452459664929099777/ Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation":https://amzn.to/4tu8uQD ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication ___ phone addiction, social media addiction, doomscrolling, screen time, revenge bedtime procrastination, how to use your phone less, mindful technology, dopamine and social media, Instagram addiction, TikTok addiction, Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation, intentional phone use, digital wellness, how to stop scrolling, nervous system and screen time, Enneagram and habits, Enneagram Type 2, Enneagram Type 9, phone habits, healthy relationship with technology, personal development podcast, self-awareness, Beyond the Type podcast, Sandy Swanson, SwansonCoaching.com ___ Some links may be affiliate links, which means I get a tiny percentage of the sale.  As always, I appreciate your support!

    26 min

  5. May 9

    I Am Not Enough (And Other Lies Your Mind Believes)

    Most of us are walking around with a set of beliefs about ourselves that we never consciously chose. Beliefs that were handed to us early, filed away as facts, and have been quietly running the show ever since. In this episode, Sandy will be digging into limiting beliefs:  What they are, how they form, and why they're so stubborn. She'll draw on the work of therapist and author Marissa Peer, including Peer's idea that underneath almost every limiting belief is some version of the same core wound: I am not enough.  You'll walk away with: A clear understanding of how limiting beliefs form and why they're so hard to shake A look at how each Enneagram type tends to experience their own version of "I am not enough" A 3-step process you can do right now to start loosening the grip of any belief If you've ever talked yourself out of something before you even started, this one is for you. ___ Beyond the Type podcast episode on manifesting: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149057729  ___ About your host:๐Ÿ”นHi! I'm Sandy, Professional Certified Coach (ICF-PCC), National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and self-proclaimed Enneagram nerd.๐Ÿค“๐Ÿ”นIโ€™m a holistic communication and relationship coach (some clients call me a "people whisperer"), and I'm dedicated to helping you understand yourself and others more deeply so you can communicate with confidence, clarity, and compassion.๐Ÿ”นIโ€™m also a mentor coach and love helping brand-new coaches with their coaching skills.๐Ÿ”น My coaching philosophy:  You don't need to be fixed, you need to be found. ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ Proud to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication___limiting beliefs, how to overcome limiting beliefs, I am not enough, Marissa Peer, I am enough, core wound, self-worth, how beliefs are formed, childhood beliefs, subconscious beliefs, beliefs that hold you back, how to break free from limiting beliefs, stuck in life, fear of failure, inner critic, negative self-talk, somatic exercises for mindset, body-based healing, nervous system and beliefs, self-sabotage, imposter syndrome, personal growth podcast, mindset work, how to rewrite your story, Enneagram and limiting beliefs, Enneagram types and self-worth, Enneagram inner critic, belief origin, where do limiting beliefs come from, how to change your mindset, future self visualization, emotional healing, self-awareness, confidence and self-worth, communication and self-belief, Enneagram, Beyond the Type podcast, coaching for limiting beliefs, somatic coaching, holistic coaching, personal development

    28 min

  6. May 2

    What Needs to Die for You to Live Again?

    Shed what no longer serves you to make space for what DOES. Spring is here, and with it comes an invitation that goes a lot deeper than cleaning out your closet. This short, reflective episode is about the kind of renewal that actually matters โ€” the internal kind. I explore what it really means to "start again," why something has to die first, and what gets in the way (hint: it's probably yourself, e.g., your ego!). I touch on: What needs to "die" in our external world (intolerance, emotional immaturity, the things that divide us) What can be released internally (old behaviors, outdated ways of thinking, patterns that no longer serve you) The role of culture, family, and identity in keeping us stuck Why the ego will resist change, and why that's completely normal Why awareness has to come before anything can shift Before death, there needs to be awareness. And awareness is where everything begins. Whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover, the spring equinox, or just a random Tuesday in May, this one is for you.___ Mentioned in this episode: Easter and Death - Progressive Christianityhttps://progressivechristianity.org/resource/easter-and-death/  Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication

    6 min

  7. Apr 25

    Listen Better: 5 Skills Nobody Taught You (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this two-part conversation on listening, we move from awareness into action, with five practical skills to help you become a more present, connected, and intentional listener. In your relationships, your workplace, and everywhere in between. We start with a framework from Otto Scharmer, a senior lecturer at MIT and author of Theory U, that will genuinely change how you think about every conversation you have from now on. From there, we get into the actual skills: How to listen for the emotion underneath the words (and why that emotion is almost always the more important message) The difference between curiosity and judgment in a conversation, and why the person across from you can feel which one you're in, even when you say nothing What your body is communicating while you listen, and the neuroscience behind why a calm, regulated nervous system makes you a better listener for everyone around you How to get genuinely comfortable with silence, including one advanced skill that most people never try What to do in the middle of a conversation when you realize you've completely zoned out (it happens to everyone, including coaches) This episode also touches on the Enneagram;  Sandy also offers thoughts on listening when it comes to her coaching practice, how she listens in her personal life, and why presence is an ongoing practice - not just something you do once like flipping a switch. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there first:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149192288 ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication Otto Scharmer, Theory U (book)https://amzn.to/4e4bLlH ___ how to be a better listener, active listening skills, four levels of listening, Otto Scharmer Theory U, empathic listening, generative listening, listening and body language, co-regulation nervous system, how to listen without judgment, nonjudgmental curiosity, listening skills for relationships, communication skills podcast, how to make someone feel heard, how to get comfortable with silence, listening and presence, Enneagram, why listening is hard, deep listening techniques, mindful communication, how to stop formulating responses, listening and self-awareness, communication and the Enneagram, personal growth podcast, relationship communication, listening as a skill, presence in conversation, emotional intelligence, how to listen with empathy, active listening in relationships, communication coach, workplace communication skills, Enneagram and communication ___ Some links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a percentage of sales from that link. As always, I appreciate your support!

    28 min

  8. Apr 18

    Listen Better: Why People Donโ€™t Feel Heard - And Whatโ€™s Really Going On (Part 1)

    Listening is the most important part of communication (imho). In Part 1 of this two-part series on listening, we look at why we don't listen as well as why we think we do - and what's actually happening in our heads when someone else is talking. We'll explore five of the most common patterns that get in the way of real listening, including: The "righting reflex" (the urge to fix things, and why it often backfires) Why rushing someone toward positivity is often more about your discomfort than the other person's well-being How denying someone's experience (even if you mean well) shuts a conversation down completely The habit of hijacking someone else's story with your own Why most people are already composing their response before the other person has finished talking We also touch on silence, and why our inability to tolerate it might be costing us more than we realize (more on that in Part 2). The Enneagram makes an appearance, too, because of course it does! This episode is for anyone who wants to show up more fully in their conversations, at home, at work, and everywhere in between. ___ Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication Learn more about my group coaching program, Communicate with Confidence through the Lens of the Enneagram:https://www.swansoncoaching.com/bettercommunication Beyond the Type episode on Enneagram Stanceshttps://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149067197 Celeste Headlee, We Need to Talk (book)https://amzn.to/3OJNkQd active listening skills, how to be a better listener, why we don't listen, listening in relationships,  righting reflex, communication skills, conversation habits, how to stop interrupting, emotional presence, listening and empathy, why people don't feel heard, Motivational Interviewing, nervous system, self-awareness in conversations, communication and the Enneagram, relational communication, personal growth, mindful communication, workplace communication, listening at work, how to improve communication, conversation skills, emotional intelligence, being present in conversations, Enneagram, Enneagram stances, coaching skills, how to be a better listener, relationship communication, stop interrupting, communication habits, conversation skills, feeling unheard, how to connect in relationships, nervous system regulation, Enneagram communication, self-awareness, interpersonal skills ___ Some links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a percentage of sales from that link. As always, I appreciate your support!

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond the Type is an Enneagram-inspired podcast about the beautiful mess of being human, inspired by the notion that ๐™ฎ๐™ค๐™ช ๐™™๐™ค๐™ฃ'๐™ฉ ๐™ฃ๐™š๐™š๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™—๐™š ๐™›๐™ž๐™ญ๐™š๐™™, ๐™ฎ๐™ค๐™ช ๐™ฃ๐™š๐™š๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™—๐™š ๐™›๐™ค๐™ช๐™ฃ๐™™. Hosted by Sandy Swanson, Communication and Relationship Coach, this show explores how personality, communication, and self-awareness shape our relationships โ€” with ourselves and with each other - for better or for worse. Who among us hasn't felt lost, confused, or unsure of who we are authentically and what we want out of life...? Whether youโ€™re Enneagram-curious or deep into your growth journey, this podcast is your space for meaningful conversations, gentle truth-telling, and maybe a few laughs along the way. Together, weโ€™ll unpack the patterns that hold us back, explore what makes us tick, and learn how to live with more compassion, clarity, and connection. Together, weโ€™ll unpack the patterns that hold us back, explore what makes us tick, and learn how to find ourselves again with clarity and compassion. Download my free Communication Guide here: https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

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