This book was quite a disappointment I went into it with an open mind, as I am a practitioner of alternative spirituality and am deeply interested in Jungian psychology, especially as it pertains to archetypes, so naturally, I was really interested in learning more about enneagrams.
Not only was the audio quality lacking, it was not your typical audiobook experience and was more like a very casual and poorly recorded webinar. Russ Hudson's demeanor was at times uncomfortable, for instance, he would often make assumptions about what the listener was thinking. When he did, he would narrate that voice in a mocking tone. I also found it uncomfortable that he made assumptions and guesses about what strangers' personality types were. But, the absolute most upsetting aspect of this book is how ableist it is. Flippantly ascribing enneagram types to folks based on generalizations and without consideration for their neurotype, disability, life circumstances and so on; he came across as arrogant and privileged. Honestly, he ought to try his hand at writing a memoir discussing his experience in the music industry, rather than name dropping in a book intended to teach an altogether different topic.
I almost never give such a harsh review, I reserve these only for books I find toxic and potentially harmful, and as a disabled neurodivergent person, I was offended.

Creativity and the Enneagram by Russ Hudson and Catherine R. Bell is a focused dive into each of the enneagram numbers and how or what creativity looks like in each of those numbers specifically. I always chuckle when the inevitable happens, they start with 8, because they want their stuff and they move on. I thought it was intriguing how Catherine started each 'chapter' with a meditation to get you focused on what is to come and how Russ brings in modern day examples of some really famous people, but not just naming them, but why he believes they are with precise specifics of whatever stated number the focus is on and what that looks like. As one who is interested in the enneagram, I found this to be extremely helpful of what my roadblocks can be, but also how to move past them to be able to tap into that creativity. Very informative and Highly recommend! Also note: this isn't set up like a typical audiobook, but more like a podcast-type setting. Still love it.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

I am interested in the Enneagram theory, enough to select this ARC. However, I'm also hesitant to categorize anyone as one type of ____ or another. I've taken the Enneagram test several times and don't always end up with the same number - but that's not the point of this point, nor the book's fault. I digress.

This book's purpose is to shed light on how our Enneagrams directly correlate and influence our creativity. A fantastic premise - as long as you are VERY well-versed in the Enneagram sphere; I am not.

So, maybe this book is for the advanced Enneagram enthusiasts who understand what the heck Russ Hudson & Catherine R. Bell are talking about without having an Enneagram code-breaking cheat sheet. Clearly, I am the former, not the latter.

But, say you are the Enneagram enthusiast this book is written for, the audio quality is just crap. It sounds like the audiobook was recorded in their kitchen, budget production at best.

All that said, I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you, Net Galley and Sounds True Audiobooks, for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Creativity and the Enneagram is a unique and insightful listen that explores how each Enneagram type can access and expand their creative potential—not by comparing who is “most creative,” but by honoring the distinct strengths and challenges inherent to each type.

The audiobook begins with a brief yet helpful overview of the nine Enneagram types and their core centers (head, heart, or gut). From there, it transitions into an in-depth exploration of each type’s relationship to creativity, offering thoughtful reflections on how to move beyond blocks and into inspired flow. This content is rich, especially for those already familiar with their Enneagram number and foundational concepts.

It’s important to note that this isn’t a traditional audiobook in the polished sense. The content feels more like a recorded workshop or Zoom session, complete with background noises and a more casual, unedited audio quality. While this may be off-putting to some listeners, the value lies in the depth and perspective of the material itself.

If you know your type and are looking for a more nuanced, practical understanding of how to work with your creative energy, Creativity and the Enneagram offers plenty of food for thought—just be prepared for a less-than-studio experience in terms of production.

Thank you, Sounds True Audiobooks and NetGalley for the copy of this Audiobook. The following opinions are my own.

I love the enneagram but I did not love the presentation or material of this audiobook. I was confused and put off by the language used by the authors Hudson and Bell. I think this book would better suit someone who has attended a lot more yoga than myself, or anyone whose interested in going on a retreat described as "spiritualist." The way they use the types of the enneagram felt too abstract for me to gain any specific advice on how to use it in my creative process.

I've been obsessed with enneagrams for quite some time and I really liked how this book broke down what they are and the different types but I think I realized that I don't really care about any of the other enneagrams but mine or that of people very close to me so if I couldn't picture a person that was a certain type, it took a while to get through that part of the book. Overall very good and in depth book though!

So I wanted to listen to this because I just did some work training where they encouraged us to learn more about Enneagrams. I took the test to get my personality type and thought this would be interesting.
The one thing I liked a lot was the practical advice on how to use assets you already have to their greatest advantage depending on your personal characteristics. However, the presentation wasn't good. The format itself wasn't great and the quality wasn't great and by the end I was really annoyed with the guy who kept saying "uh, uh, uh" -- this is a recording, go back and do it without that.
Many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thank you to NetGalley and Sounds True Audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review

The enneagram has always fascinated me and I loved learning about how the enneagram can cultivate creativity.

I would say that a person needs a basic understanding of each enneagram type in order to get the most from this audio. The speakers are very knowledgeable and go in depth into each Enneagram type’s approach to creativity, offering thoughtful insights and practical examples. I found myself taking away something meaningful from each talk, even when it wasn’t my own.

I do wish the audio format was better quality. I was expecting more of an audiobook format and this came across more like a podcast or zoom meeting, even hearing sirens in the background etc. it was very distracting.

I'm so sad to say that this book wasn't for me. I expected an audiobook, but it was more a podcast. This format made it hard for me to keep track of the loads of information this book contained. It was interesting though, and there's definitely an audience for it :)

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced ALC of this book.

Thank you Sounds True Audiobooks and NetGalley for the copy of this Audiobook. The opinions are my own.

This audiobook is presented in what feels like a podcast format with zoom call sound quality. The presenters are knowledgeable about the subject matter and provide relatable examples. Following a quick review of the enneagram types, each enneagram is discussed in an “episode” for how that style can be harnessed in the creative process.

The main speaker (Russ) does mention how he isn’t speaking from a script, but relaying the material for each type organically. It may speak to my personal enneagram style that I would have preferred a little more structure and tangible takeaways for how to implement the material presented.

This book would be best fit for someone with a good foundation in the basics of each enneagram type looking to enhance their creative experience.

3.5⭐️
This was a fascinating listen. I’ve long been interested in the Ennegram and have known my type since my early teens (thanks mum & dad!). Also as someone more analytical than creative I wasn’t sure whether this would have resonated with me, but it did! It discusses the energies of the creative process, and how to harness and help your creativity, there was a lot of content but there was also a lot of insight, analysis, information, practical advice and anecdotes which was really helpful. This is definitely worth a listen to, however I think the book (when published) will be invaluable, it will be a “handbook” you’ll be able to consult from time to time. I really enjoyed the podcast kind of format to it, it made it feel spontaneous and natural. The approximate 15 minute introduction to the Enneagram was a great recap, and each type got approximately 45-50 minutes of talk time which I felt was the exact right amount of time - if much shorter there wouldn’t have been enough detail and if too much longer it would have been too long. Loved that this was presented by individuals with impeccable credentials in this space, Russ Hudson and Catherine R. Bell!

Creativity and the Enneagram - I love the topic, respect the teachers, and have appreciated many Sounds True workshops in the past. I hope Russ Hudson and Catherine Bell take these teachings and turn them into a book. I would give it five gold shiny stars. The material presented in these lectures is gold. Hudson has been teaching the enneagram for a long time to a wide variety of people in many contexts. His experience shines through. Bell's grounding exercises anchor the teachings in a meaningful way. Unfortunately the audio quality on these lectures is distractingly bad. I am interested enough in the topic to wade through the distortion but I would only recommend this workshop to people already deep into their enneagram journey. A book would solve the audio problem and provide a bit more structure to the information. I appreciate Hudson's approach, allowing his years of experience to inform his teaching in a creative flow. But I do think it makes the information difficult for beginners to follow. This one is for people who have studied for years and are ready to dive deep. Beginners should start elsewhere. I listened to an ARC so perhaps some of the audio issues will be fixed before publication? Thank you to the authors, Sounds True, and NetGalley for the audioARC.

✨ Audiobook Review: Creativity and the Enneagram by Russ Hudson & Catherine R. Bell
🎧 Published by @soundstruebooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Whether you're a writer, artist, entrepreneur, or someone simply seeking to live more intentionally, this audio journey is transformational. 🌀

Hudson & Bell don’t just explore the Enneagram—they invite you to live it. With insight-rich analysis and grounding meditations, each session opens a new door into how your Enneagram type uniquely engages with creativity. From understanding your blocks to unlocking your flow state, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their self-awareness and ignite their creative spark. 🎨💡🧠

Highly recommend for creatives, spiritual seekers, and fans of tools like Human Design, MBTI, or mindfulness-based practices. 🙌

📖 What you'll find:
🔹 Type-specific creative strengths & challenges
🔹 Guided meditations for deeper integration
🔹 A holistic blend of spirituality, psychology, and artistic freedom
🔹 Timeless tools for personal & creative growth

#CreativityAndTheEnneagram #RussHudson #CatherineRBell #NetGalley #SoundsTrue #EnneagramWisdom #CreativeSpirit #MindfulLiving #SelfHelpReads #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualWellness #AudiobookReview #CreativeHealing #Type1ToType9 #TheEnneagram #ConsciousCreativity #Bookstagram #NonfictionRec #AudioLearning #SpiritualTools

This was very insightful information! The audiobook played more like a podcast and while I get the point of starting “out of order” with 8 I would consider going in order for an audio for easier continuity.

4⭐ (audio) The audio was fine here. It didn't really add or subtract for me, so my neutral rating for that is good. 🙂

3⭐ (content)
This was very much not what I expected it to be. I'm sure it will be right for certain audiences, it just wasn't for me so I don't think it's fair to give it a rating. I'm leaving my rating on NG but won't leave it on other review sites. I wish the author the best of luck though, as I'm sure the audience is out there for this!

Did not finish. This was not what I expected, but that might be on me. It seems to be guided meditation and sounds more like a podcast formatted as an audiobook.

For the past few years, I have been very intrigued by the enneagram, but have not done any deep dives into it other than taking the test (I'm a 2) and making friends and family take the test as well. I love seeing infographics on instagram about them but that's about how far I've gotten! This audio book dives into how each enneagram type approaches creativity, as well as some roadblocks.

This book reminded me of a long form content ted talk (appealing for some, not for others). There definitely is A LOT of information. I listened on 1.25x speed, and I would recommend listening on the set speed of 1x if you really want to take in the information. The audio quality reminds me of a zoon call, it is not crystal clear, which again, is tolerable for me, but I could see how others may be bothered by it.

I listened through each section for this review, but it is split up into each enneagram after the introduction by Catherine Bell, explaining characteristics of each number for you to get an overview of all 9.

I could see just listening to the deep dive of what number you identify with, but as I mentioned, I have friends and family who have taken the test, so I enjoyed listening to each section to get a better understanding of who they are and how they move through a creative process.

Overall, I would give this audio book 3 stars. There's a lot of information, good information and insight, but A LOT of it. I think this is worth the listen though, even if you just want to tune into your type and see how you resonate. I found myself nodding along and saying "mmhmm"

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ALC of this book.

Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me and I didn't like the format of how it was done, I was expecting an audiobook but felt like I got an ongoing conversation where at times things were repeated and became annoying.

I hope this works for others but for me it didn't