Around the Circle: Book Q&A with Jeff Cook
Exploring the Enneagram with Jeff Cook: Deep Dive into Around the Circle and Its Excellent New Book
If you’re an Enneagram enthusiast or simply curious about how this transformative personality system can deepen self-understanding and improve relationships, this episode is a must-listen. Today, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jeff Cook, co-host of the popular Around the Circle podcast and the newly published author of Around the Circle: An Enneagram Book (June 2025).
Meet Jeff Cook and Around the Circle
Jeff Cook, a former philosophy professor at the University of Northern Colorado, shifted gears after COVID to focus fully on Enneagram work. Alongside his co-host TJ, Jeff has been creating rich content on Enneagram typology since 2019. Their podcast series includes Around the Circle, which dives deep into Enneagram insights, and Start Here, a beginner-friendly guide to discovering your type.
Their new book, Around the Circle, stands out for its unique structure: instead of profiling types individually, it explores the Enneagram through nine essential questions everyone faces, like How do I get what I want? and How do I connect with others? This fresh approach highlights the dynamic interplay between types and helps readers see themselves and others more holistically.
Why This Book is a Game-Changer for Enneagram Learners
Jeff explains that their book draws from over five years of podcasting and research. It not only covers classic typology but also introduces new layers—like how types relate through triads and stances (reactive, assertive, and withdrawn), and how centers (head, heart, body) shape our worldview and emotions.
This innovative framework offers both beginners and advanced students a richer, more nuanced understanding of the Enneagram. For instance:
Ones, twos, and sixes are “reactive” types who engage with the world by responding to others.
Threes, sevens, and eights are “assertive” types, independent and goal-driven.
Fours, fives, and nines are “withdrawn” types, reflecting inwardly.
Understanding these distinctions helps explain not only how we take in information (through centers) but also how we get what we want and cope with challenges.
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A Philosophical and Ambitious Enneagram Study
Jeff brings a philosophical lens to the Enneagram, asking bigger questions about meaning, purpose, ethics, and what it means to be our healthiest selves. He shares that this first book is part of a planned five-book masterwork aiming to be the most comprehensive Enneagram study since the late 1990s.
Upcoming books will explore topics like:
Steps for lifelong growth using the Enneagram
Balance and integration of wings, instincts, and centers
Chemistry and relationships between types
The pursuit of happiness through Enneagram wisdom
Elyse & Jeff
Why Categorization Is Not a Limitation but a Tool
Jeff explains that categorization is inherent in language itself. When we use words, we are inevitably "putting reality in boxes" — it’s how we make sense of the world. The Enneagram provides broad categories that encompass diverse individuals, yet when people reflect inwardly, they often find surprising overlaps in their inner experiences.
He points out that labeling oneself as a Type One or any other Enneagram type doesn’t mean everyone in that category is the same — it simply offers a framework to identify motives and patterns. This naming gives us power: once we can identify what drives us, we can choose whether those motives lead us toward health or harm.
Writing and Research Behind the Book
The episode also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at Jeff and his co-author’s writing process for their Enneagram book. Their extensive podcast archive—over 300 hours of recorded conversations—served as the foundation. They transcribed and refined this material with AI tools, transforming brainstorming sessions into a well-structured book.
Jeff takes pride in the thoughtful and precise writing style that characterizes the book, highlighting its mix of poetic insight and rigorous typology. The book also includes a comprehensive mistyping guide comparing 36 type combinations, helping readers and practitioners discern their correct type in complex situations.
Mistyping and Typing Resources
Mistyping is a common struggle in the Enneagram community. Jeff’s book offers a detailed guide distinguishing types side-by-side, particularly useful in relationships where two different types intersect. He encourages readers to share these resources widely, as they have helped many discover their true type.
Where to Find More Enneagram Content from Jeff Cook
Jeff invites listeners to explore their podcasts “Around the Circle” and “Start Here” for deep dives into Enneagram types and resources to help you find your type through real voices and conversations. Their book is self-published and available on Amazon with print-on-demand technology, ensuring high quality and availability worldwide.
They’ve also released a lively audiobook featuring commentary and behind-the-scenes banter, aiming to make Enneagram learning engaging rather than dull.
Around the Circle Patreon Community
Why You Should Listen
In this episode, Jeff also shares fun behind-the-scenes stories, including their famous Lord of the Rings character typings—a niche but wildly entertaining series that shows how the Enneagram can be applied in creative ways.
Whether you’re new to the Enneagram or a seasoned student, Jeff’s insights provide practical tools for personal transformation and healthier connections with others.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
Grab your copy of Around the Circle: An Enneagram Book (published June 2025) and listen to the full episode for a fascinating conversation that brings clarity and depth to the Enneagram journey.
