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What actually defines your Enneagram type if it's not your behavior? Creek, Mario, and María José explain why type is rooted in a strategy—striving toward a particular feeling—not in stereotypical actions. They show why an Eight can feel insecure, a Three can be lazy, and why that matters. Creek, Mario, and María José tackle a core problem with Enneagram literature: it leans on stereotypes and surface behaviors, but that doesn't work in practice. Type isn't what you do—it's the strategy you use most often. Specifically, you're striving to feel a particular way (powerful, perfect, unique, peaceful, etc.) more than you use the other eight strategies. Everything else varies: behaviors, thoughts, emotional patterns shift based on your circumstances and instinctual bias. The team walks through common misconceptions—Can an Eight feel insecure? Can a Three be lazy? Can a One be messy? Yes to all—and shows how to read past surface behavior to the underlying strategy. They also make a crucial distinction: striving toward a desired feeling state versus running from fear or wounding. That difference changes how type works in coaching, parenting, and your own growth. Chapters00:00 Welcome and Listener Questions 02:36 What Defines a Type Beyond Behavior 07:26 Strategy Includes Thinking and Action Patterns 18:06 How to Identify Your Own Type 28:09 Insecurity, Self-Esteem, and Type Confusion 42:22 Striving Toward vs. Running From: The Core Distinction Resources mentioned in this episodeAwareness to Action — Mario Sikora and Bob Tallon — The foundational text that introduced the 'striving to feel' framework as an alternative to vice-based type definitions.Character Neurosis — Claudio Naranjo — The source of the 'adaptive strategies' concept that inspired the Awareness to Action framework for understanding type.Enneagram in a Movie — Awareness to Action Podcast Network — Sister podcast in the ATA network, recommended by the hosts for ongoing Enneagram learning.Thinking Well and Why — Awareness to Action Podcast Network — Another podcast in the Awareness to Action network exploring critical thinking and the Enneagram.ATA on Demand Certification Program — The Awareness to Action certification program, with new cohorts launching throughout the year. Related resourcesAwareness to Action Website — The official hub for all ATA materials, including the podcast network, certification program, and core framework resources. Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about real parenting conflicts — tattoos, curfews, meals — and how their instinctual biases shape the fight. They also examine co-parenting across subtypes. These aren't type conflicts. They're instinctual biases colliding. Their kids see them clearly. Mario's principle is that kids have the right to make their own choices once they're legally responsible, while MJ describes her shift from wanting a perfect household to prioritizing trust. Both sets report surprising independence, but the real work comes from consistency, honesty about your own type and adjusting boundaries as kids develop. TIMESTAMPS [00:01] Intro [02:29] Disagreements with parenting decisions [08:29] Ruptures and repairs across the subtypes [14:56] Mario the spy? [18:04] Co-parenting with a different subtype [23:13] Navigating to who their children are [26:20] Wanting to feel like a perfect mother [29:53] Raised by wolves [35:39] How their kids see their parenting style [42:01] What it means to protect Connect with us: Awareness to Action ATA on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora and María José Munita share with Seth “Creek” Creekmore why they deliberately avoid typing their children and how they use it silently to parent better. While they worry it limits them, they instead use the Enneagram framework to spot instinctual biases and behavioral patterns. They talk about concrete parenting tools, such as manners, honesty, unconditional love, and knowing what you can and cannot control, in addition to discussing the pitfalls of typing your own kids that include confirmation bias. This episode serves as a reminder to use the Enneagram to understand, not to lecture or correct. Connect with us: Awareness to Action ATA on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about the instinctual biases and break down how preservers, transmitters, and navigators coach differently due to their natural strengths, blind spots. They lay out their framework to use the Enneagram for awareness, identify the internal narratives keeping clients stuck before they move into action. Connect with us: Awareness to Action ATA on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Nine—the type striving to feel peaceful. They break down why Nines devalue their contributions and what actually wakes them up to their own worth. Connect with us: Awareness to Action ATA on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Six. TIMESTAMPS [00:01] Intro [02:12] Striving to Feel Secure [04:38] Population selection [07:40] Fixation on the negative [11:07] Always look behind the behavior [13:22] The subtype distinctions [17:25] Subtypes in leadership roles [20:55] The connecting points [27:06] Opportunities for growth [36:09] Six’s accelerator: evidence [40:31] Final thoughts Connect with us: Awareness to Action ATA on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Threes. Type Threes – Striving to Feel Outstanding – display high integrity and genuine drive, but get painted as deceptive phonies in most Enneagram writing. The hosts push back on these misconceptions and share what they’ve learned from the Threes that they've coached. They’ve shown high integrity, strong goal orientation, and real desire to contribute, but the actual problem isn't fakery but a broken sense of worth. Mario and MJ break down the connection points through the "duck on the pond" dynamic, smooth on top and frantic underneath. They also break down why most Threes they've coached display high integrity and genuine drive, and what actually blocks them from real leadership. “I can’t tell you how many times people have assumed that I’m a Type Three because I am self-employed and I have a lot on my plate. It’s like if you’re busy, and if you’re in some way entrepreneurial and self-employed, then you must be a Three. ” -Creek [09:06] “I think the client’s level of maturity has an impact on this. When a Three is immature or insecure, they often fall into the trap of highlighting. It’s like I’m not sure if you’re seeing what I’m doing so I’ve got to make sure that you see it. So I’m going to talk about my accomplishments, and I’m going to talk about great things and possibility and that sort of thing. And then as they grow and mature and settle into themselves a little bit, they just don’t feel the need to make the point anymore, because their actions speak for themselves.” -Mario [19:45] “Threes have this built-in assumption that they have to demonstrate their worth, and maturity has to do with that, with understanding that they don’t.” -María José [22:49] TIMESTAMPS [00:01] Intro [02:10] Striving to Feel Outstanding [06:31] Dismantling the misconceptions of Type Three [10:46] The connecting points [16:46] Guarding their true self [21:46] Showing people their worth [29:47] The subtypes [35:21] Recent example of the ATA process [40:18] Purpose as the Accelerator [43:04] Final thoughts Connect with us: Awareness to Action ATA on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore tackle coaching Type Five. This type – Striving to Feel Detached – is often misread as cold as they create an emotional buffer between themselves and the messiness of the world. The hosts break down their key insight which is that Fives aren't unfeeling. They're often highly sensitive and defend hard because they care. Mario and MJ discuss this type’s strengths, such as objectivity, perspective, and sharp advisory work, and their blind spots, which are intellectual arrogance, passive-aggressive communication and treating abstractions as safer than actual people. Coaching Type Five to move toward real engagement without sacrificing the boundaries they need helps them create space instead of overwhelm and shift how they operate. TIMESTAMPS [00:01] Intro [02:58] Why Fives are deeply misunderstood [08:06] The hidden sensitivity behind the detachment [12:25] The Connecting Points [16:45] Intentional engagement over avoidance [23:58] Other strengths and weaknesses [31:33] Redefining healthy detachment [35:21] An example with the ATA Process [39:30] Difference between Type Five and Type Nine [41:25] The Accelerator: conscious practice Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: Thinking Well & Why Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Pod: Thinking Well & Why Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

Thinking Well & Why, a new podcast on the Awareness to Action network hosted by Mario Sikora, Lee Fields and Seth “Creek” Creekmore, will tackle critical thinking, reasoning, and intellectual honesty – not as abstract disciplines, but as practical tools for making sense of life. Your biggest obstacle to being right is trying not to be wrong. The same cognitive biases that shape every area of life show up in your Enneagram work. The hosts promise no guarantees, but will offer sharp, direct conversation about the thinking skills worth defending. Connect with us: Awareness to Action Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Pod: The Awareness to Action Enneagram Lee Fields: Web: enneagrammatic.com IG: @enneagrammatic Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: The Awareness to Action Enneagram Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Eight. As this type strives to feel powerful, Type Eight can be fairly extreme in pretty much everything that they do, but they tend to end up in leadership positions. But this could mean they’re great leaders or toxic ones. Mario and MJ discuss their approach to coaching this type by coming up with their own strength to match their energy. TIMESTAMPS [00:01] Intro [00:59] About Enneagram Type Eight [04:38] The Connecting Points [10:46] Strengths and weaknesses [15:41] The ATA process [18:12] Key issues [26:28] The accelerator: self-discipline [30:05] Final thoughts Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Two. They examine how this type strives to feel emotionally connected to others, clarifying the common misconception that all Twos are helpers. Twos build rapport through noticing others and creating closeness, but a common coaching challenge with a Type two are the boundary issues, where they either violate others' boundaries or fail to maintain their own. The coaches explore the "make you love me" dynamic and provide practical insights for working with this relational and emotionally aware type. TIMESTAMPS [00:01] Intro [01:10] Defining Type Two: Striving to Feel Connected [06:26] The connecting points [12:34] Becoming more comfortable [16:58] The Runaway Bride [20:11] Strengths and weaknesses [25:18] The ATA Process [30:44] Accelerators for Point Two [35:01] Final thoughts Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Four. Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Ones. Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching transmitters. Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Navigators. Connect with us: Awareness to Action Enneagram on Demand IG: @ataenneagrampod YouTube: ATA Podcast Network Email: [email protected] Send a voice message: speakpipe.com/AwarenesstoAction ATA’s Subtypes And Instinctual Biases Two-Day Workshop: thesubtypes.com Mario Sikora: IG: @mariosikora TikTok: @mariosikora Web: mariosikora.com Pod: Enneagram in a Movie Substack: mariosikora.substack.com Book: How to Think Well, and Why: The Awareness to Action Guide to Clear Thinking María José Munita: IG: @mjmunita Web: mjmunita.com Seth "Creek" Creekmore: IG: @_creekmore Pod: Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast Pod: Delusional Optimism Pod: International Enneagram Association Podcast Mentioned in this episode: Awareness to Action Podcast Network