In this opening episode of Childhood and the Enneagram, licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones lays the foundation for the journey ahead. Discover how the Enneagram—especially through the lens of the Harmony Model—can help us understand the stories we formed in childhood and the patterns we carry into parenting, relationships, and personal growth.

We’ll explore the three centers of intelligence (Head, Heart, and Body), the emotional dragons of fear, shame, and anger, and how our early coping strategies shape our reactions today. This isn’t about labeling or diagnosing—it’s about deepening compassion, expanding awareness, and beginning to heal the Inner Childhood Narrative that lives in us all.

Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, or someone curious about your own story, this episode invites you to reflect, grow, and begin the journey toward greater clarity and connection.

In this heartfelt episode of Childhood and the Enneagram, Susan Parker Jones invites you to look beneath the surface of children’s behavior and discover what’s really going on inside.

Whether it’s a tantrum, defiance, or withdrawal, every behavior carries a story — and a need. Drawing from trauma-informed strategies like Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and real-life examples, Susan explores how we can move from correction to connection.

You’ll learn the importance of nervous system safety, emotional regulation, and why “acting out” is often just a child’s way of saying, I don’t have the words yet.

Plus, a powerful reflection on your own childhood behaviors — and how offering your inner child curiosity instead of criticism can begin the healing process.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, therapists, and anyone who’s ever wondered, What’s really going on here?

Because when we stay curious about the story underneath the behavior, we offer something more than discipline — we offer dignity, safety, and connection.

From the moment we’re born, we’re wired for connection — but what happens when our early experiences disrupt that connection?

In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram, licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones unpacks how attachment theory and the Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) intertwine, shaping how we view ourselves, others, and the world.

Drawing from her book The Wholehearted Child, Susan walks through the six early risk factors that impact secure attachment, the four major attachment styles, and how each may show up across the Enneagram types using the Harmony model.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone doing the brave work of healing your own story, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and reflection — plus questions to help you uncover the deeper patterns at play in your relationships.

Tune in to begin understanding the story behind your story — and take your next step toward healing, growth, and secure connection.