Your Ni Dom

Two Halves of Life

In this reflection I talk about the two halves of life as framed by Father Richard Rohr. I also talk about my Enneagram journey between being big (Type 8) and small (Type 5). Finally, I talk about the liquification process when one moves from the first half of life into the second half.

The Uglies

In this reflection I talk about the ugly part of Enneagram Types 8 and 5. I talk about how I personally connect to those ugly parts and I talk about the value of (for personal growth and for social change) confronting our dark sides.

Anger, Violence and Fighting

In this reflection I talk about anger as relating to Enneagram Types 8 and 5. I talk about anger as relating to boundaries, injustices and violence. Finally I talk about threats and vulnerabilities when children are in physically volatile spaces and the responsibility of adults who are to care for them.

My Connection to Enneagram 8 and 5

In this reflection I talk about the Enneagram personality system (specifically Types 8 and 5) about the Meyers Briggs system (specifically the INTJ) and about the ways that personality theory is essential to personal development and social change.

Your Subjectivity Matters

This reflection evolves into a conversation about subjectivity, being human and matter-ing (having worth/value). Before getting there, I talk about personality theory (Meyers Briggs) as relating to cognitive functions, functional stack, perceiving functions and introverted intuition (Ni). I also talk about being at the margins, socially speaking, pertaining to race, gender, sexuality and mental functioning. Finally I talk about the role subjectivity plays in this podcast and its relatedness to social justice and change.

Trump and Systems Theory

In this reflection I talk about the social world as a social system in which we are all a part. In being part of the same system, we are all complicit of maintaining it as it currently exists. Where Trump builds a wall, we create barriers in our interpersonal interactions that prevent growth. By exploring systems theory specifically, I attempt to prove our interrelatedness and shared complicitness.

 

Photo Credit: Ton Zijlstra (Flickr)

Donald Trump

In this reflection I talk about Donald Trump as being emblematic of the social world. Within this conversation, I explore the "virtues" of the progressive movement and really challenge (again) what it means to be good. I end the reflection positing that we are one with Donald Trump, more alike than many want to accept or even consider. This reflection is incomplete and is expected to have a Part 2.

The Politics of Communication

This reflection is Part 3 to the episode entitled, "Effective Communication." I talk about the ways power (the unspoken and unconscious contest for power) shows up in conversations creating a challenge for personality traits such as openness and agreeableness. Finally, I talk about the ways gender and racial politics (predetermining who the listener and speaker should be) impact how effective we actually can be in a conversation.

 

 

Photo Credit: Flickr ({F}arah) 

Your Peer Group is a Social Institution

This reflection is Part 2 to the Effective Communication's reflection. In it I talk about the formation of peer groups and the challenges that surface when those in the group aren't really peers. Finally, I talk (as a set up to Part 3) about the way interpersonal politics impact peer relations and effective communications.

 

Photo Credit: Flickr (Softness)

Effective Communication

In this reflection I raise questions around effective communication and levels of competencies that are related. I drop down into a few rabbit holes around learning theory (cognitive dissonance and humans learn), cognitive functions (Ni and Se), data saturation, and gender and sexual tension. Towards the end of the reflection I make a confession about my lack of openness in certain types of conversations. Finally, I close with a set up to Part 2 where I will talk about the intersections of effective communication, socialization and politics.

 

Photo Credit:  Flicker (Piepsekuchen)