The Inner World of a 4w5: A Creative Struggle for Authenticity with Hanna Howard (S08-050)

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This week I had the joy of sitting down with author Hanna Howard, an Enneagram Four with a Five wing. Hanna’s not only the author of the young adult fantasy novel Our Divine Mischief, but also a great example of how our Enneagram type shapes the stories we tell — on paper and in life.

We talk about what sets a 4w5 wing apart — that mix of emotional depth and intellectual curiosity. While Fours with a Three wing may lean toward image and achievement, Hannah shares how her Five wing draws her inward, toward reflection, research, and a rich world of ideas.

Hannah opens up about her lifelong search for authenticity — that familiar Four longing to feel significant — and shares a moment from her college years when a single line from Twelfth Night put words to that ache for belonging.

We also get into the struggles many Fours face with social media — the comparison, the envy, the challenge of self-promotion — and how those moments can trigger old patterns of feeling “not enough.”

Of course, we talk about Our Divine Mischief — Hannah’s alternate-history fantasy set in a magical version of Scotland. At its core, it’s a story about belonging, something every Four knows well, complete with a wish-granting dog (yes, really).

As you listen, I encourage you to reflect on the following:

How does your Enneagram type show up in your creative work or the stories you tell yourself?
Where do you feel the pull between your emotions and your thoughts?
Who in your life helps anchor you when you feel adrift?

It’s a rich conversation about creativity, personality, and the longing we all carry to belong. I hope you enjoy it. And if you’re looking for a beautiful read, check out Our Divine Mischief.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And as always — stay curious.

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