The Pastor’s Studio with Paul Basden

S2E07: Enneagram Type 4 Explained: Strengths, Struggles, and Faith with Tara Wedemeyer

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul Basden sits down with Tara Wedemeyer — licensed professional counselor, artist, wife, mom of two boys, and Enneagram Type Four — for a raw, honest, and beautifully nuanced look at what it means to live as The Individualist.

Enneagram Fours are known for their creativity, emotional depth, and desire to live with authenticity. Tara shares how this plays out in real life: in her marriage, parenting two teenage boys, co-owning a counseling practice, and navigating her own inner world with compassion and curiosity. She opens up about the gifts of being a Four — empathy, creativity, intuition — as well as the challenges, like the pull toward melancholy, the longing to feel “unique,” and the inner critic that sometimes gets too loud.

In this conversation you’ll hear Tara discuss:

• The tension between creativity and vulnerability

• Why emotional depth is not the same as depression

• How she navigates the “inner critic” and practices self-compassion

• The power of boundaries and emotional safety in relationships

• How knowing her Enneagram type shapes her faith, counseling, and motherhood

Paul also unpacks what makes Fours distinct: a desire to be authentic and unique, comfort with the full range of emotions, and the belief that something significant is missing — both in them and in life. Tara responds with honesty, reflection, and humor, offering listeners a look inside the emotional landscape of a Four and demonstrating how this type brings beauty and depth to the world. 

Whether you are a Four, love a Four, or struggle to understand a Four, this episode offers validation, clarity, and a reminder that our deepest emotions can be invitations to connection — not isolation.

S2E06: Unmasking the Enneagram Three: Achieving with Purpose and Grace with Angel Hadley & Rick Wisner

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul sits down with two dynamic leaders from Preston Trail Community Church—Angel Hadley (Engagement Pastor) and Rick Wisner (Discipleship Pastor)—to explore the drive, discipline, and heart of the Enneagram Type 3: The Achiever.

Known for their energy, focus, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Threes are natural leaders who inspire others to reach new goals—but they also face unique challenges beneath the surface. Together, Angel and Rick offer an honest, faith-centered look at how the Achiever’s desire for success, validation, and admiration can both fuel impact and create exhaustion.

You’ll hear:

• How Threes balance ambition and authenticity in ministry, family, and daily life.

• The shadow side of achievement—perfectionism, image management, and burnout.

• How self-awareness and faith can transform performance into purpose.

• Practical ways to slow down, celebrate small wins, and lead with grace instead of striving.

With humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, Angel and Rick share how they’ve learned to root their identity not in performance, but in Christ. This episode offers a refreshing reminder that true success isn’t about achieving more—it’s about becoming more like Jesus.

S2E05: Living as an Enneagram Two: Compassion, Pride, and Healthy Boundaries with Kari Dobbs

05: In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul sits down with his daughter, Kari Dobbs, to unpack life as an Enneagram Two—the Helper and Encourager. Known for their deep compassion, loyalty, and desire to be needed, Twos are often described as the most relational type on the Enneagram. But as Kari shares, those same strengths can sometimes become struggles when pride, people-pleasing, or perfectionism creep in.

 

Together, Paul and Kari explore:

 

What it means to live with a “Helper’s heart” in marriage, parenting four boys, teaching, ministry, and friendships.

 

The strengths of a Two: empathy, loyalty, encouragement, and the ability to connect deeply with others.

 

The shadow side of a Two: pride, over-functioning, and the exhaustion that comes from giving until there’s nothing left.

 

How Kari has learned to balance caring for others with setting healthy boundaries and practicing self-care.

 

Why faith and encouragement are central to her identity, and how following Jesus has reshaped her understanding of serving and loving others.

 

Kari’s story is filled with honesty, humor, and hard-won wisdom about relationships, self-awareness, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re a Two yourself or love someone who is, this episode shines a light on both the beauty and the challenges of the Helper’s journey.

S2E04: Living as an Enneagram One: Parenting, Leadership, and Overcoming Perfectionism

04:

In this episode of Why Do I Do What I Do? Exploring the Enneagram, Paul sits down with Sarah Davidson, Executive Pastor of Ministries at Preston Trail Community Church, to unpack the gifts and challenges of being an Enneagram One. Known as the Perfectionist or the Improver, Ones are motivated by a deep desire to do what’s right, live with integrity, and make the world a better place.

 

Sarah shares candidly about how her Enneagram type shapes her marriage, parenting three boys, and leadership of a large church staff. From the high standards and reliability that make her a trusted leader, to the inner critic and critical eye that can sometimes create tension, Sarah opens up about the real-life experience of being a One at work and at home.

 

Together, Paul and Sarah explore:

 

The strengths of a One: integrity, clarity, reliability, and consistency.

 

The shadow side of a One: perfectionism, criticism, and the struggle to rest.

 

How Sarah has learned to pursue excellence over perfection and lean into grace.

 

Practical wisdom for Ones learning to silence the inner critic, embrace rest, and lead with encouragement instead of judgment.

 

Whether you’re an Enneagram One yourself or love someone who is, this conversation offers rich insight into how Ones can move from criticism to compassion, and from perfectionism to peace.