Self-preservation dominant instinct Fives are often nicknamed “Ivory Tower” or “Castle”, representing metaphorically their tendency when un-conscious to wall themselves off from the world by way of over-using the mind.  When healthy, our precious Fives can use the time inward and away from the rest of us to think and give back to the world in amazingly deep and wise ways, but when overdone this habit can shield them from the true abundance of life and relationship.  Thus - just like in the insanity of addiction - what the Five comes to believe is the solution to their problem becomes the real problem.

That dynamic describes much of the reality of our guest today on HOW’S THAT WORKING FOR YOU before she took a chance by lowering the drawbridge and giving herself bit-by-bit to a recovery community and eventually to God.  Jenner K - molecular biologist, recovering alcoholic, researcher and author of the incredibly human and amazingly insightful book, The Enneagram for Recovery - shares her struggle with alcoholism that got its start shockingly at the age of eight.

In a fascinating interview we get to hear how the fearful “hoarding” dynamic of unconscious type Fives figured not only into the deepening of her alcoholism, but also delayed the surrender to healing community.  Stick around, though, because we also get to enjoy the ongoing fruits of Jenner’s deep dive into the powerful synergy of 12 Step work and the enneagram, as she continues to “carry the message to others”, through her book, her workshops, and her life.