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Intellect vs. Intelligence: Do we rely too much on our analytical mind as an Enneagram 5?
Manage episode 516126925 series 2921846
Fives are proud of being “smart.” But what if that thing we trust most is also the thing holding us back?
In this episode, we talk about the difference between intellect and intelligence, and why Fives tend to obsess over one while ignoring the other. We get into why being analytical can make you feel powerful but also isolated, emotionally numb, disconnected from your body, and limited in real life. We also share how we’ve been building other forms of intelligence like emotional awareness, body awareness, social intuition, and even a sense of connection to the world around us.
We look at how these other kinds of intelligence change creativity, connection, confidence, and energy. And why, as Fives, learning to trust them can be a bigger unlock than getting “smarter.”
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Intellect vs. Intelligence — We break down why intellect (analysis, logic, problem-solving) is just one slice of a much bigger system of intelligence. We talk about how Fives overuse that one tool and what it costs us.
• “I’m a Genius… and an Idiot” — Josiah shares how his high IQ scores gave him confidence but also blinded him to other ways of knowing. We explore why being clever can actually hold us back from growing wiser.
• Emotional, Body, and Social Intelligence — We explore what it means to reconnect with our emotions, tune into our bodies, and build social intuition — and how those neglected forms of intelligence help us feel more alive and connected.
• Overthinking, Intuition, and Letting Go — We look at how over-analysis kills momentum, why intuition deserves more trust, and what happens when you stop trying to think your way through everything and start experiencing your way forward.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
📩 Join the weekly newsletter: enneagramfive.com/newsletter
💬 Join the community: enneagramfive.com/community
🗒️ Full transcript and show notes: enneagramfive.com/56
🎬 The Princess Bride (1987) – “Battle of Wits” scene reference
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
What kind of intelligence have you undervalued in yourself because it didn’t feel “smart enough”? Has that cost you anything in your real life (energy, relationships, confidence, or momentum)? Tell us in the community.
The Newsletter Built for Fives
🔹 Get weekly insights tailored for your overactive mind.
🔹 Practical strategies to stop overthinking and start engaging.
🔹 Growth, connection, and energy management—without the fluff.
👉 Sign up free at enneagramfive.com/newsletter.
***
JOIN THE FULLY FIVE ACCELERATOR (FFA):
Break free from observer mode with a proven growth framework and the weekly support of people who truly understand how your Five brain works.
🚀 See if you're ready for FFA
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE:
***
CONNECT:
📷 Connect on Instagram
🧵 Connect on Threads
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SAY THANKS:
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
Chapters
1. Introduction and Initial Banter (00:00:00)
2. Discussing Intellect and Intelligence (00:01:41)
3. Personal IQ and Cognitive Tests (00:01:58)
4. The Princess Bride Analogy (00:05:02)
5. Intellect vs. Intelligence in Personal Growth (00:08:26)
6. Childhood and Family Dynamics (00:12:41)
7. Creative Struggles and Growth (00:14:27)
8. Emotional Awareness and Relationships (00:15:54)
9. Body Awareness and Personal Training (00:19:38)
10. Challenges of Overthinking (00:23:05)
11. Overthinking and Decision Making (00:25:58)
12. Body Intelligence and Training (00:26:29)
13. Meditative Exercise and Consciousness (00:27:17)
14. One-on-One Training and Social Connections (00:28:18)
15. Nature Intelligence and Awareness (00:33:55)
16. Social Intelligence and Subtypes (00:38:59)
17. Holistic Intelligence and Society (00:46:35)
18. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (00:49:19)
57 episodes
Manage episode 516126925 series 2921846
Fives are proud of being “smart.” But what if that thing we trust most is also the thing holding us back?
In this episode, we talk about the difference between intellect and intelligence, and why Fives tend to obsess over one while ignoring the other. We get into why being analytical can make you feel powerful but also isolated, emotionally numb, disconnected from your body, and limited in real life. We also share how we’ve been building other forms of intelligence like emotional awareness, body awareness, social intuition, and even a sense of connection to the world around us.
We look at how these other kinds of intelligence change creativity, connection, confidence, and energy. And why, as Fives, learning to trust them can be a bigger unlock than getting “smarter.”
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Intellect vs. Intelligence — We break down why intellect (analysis, logic, problem-solving) is just one slice of a much bigger system of intelligence. We talk about how Fives overuse that one tool and what it costs us.
• “I’m a Genius… and an Idiot” — Josiah shares how his high IQ scores gave him confidence but also blinded him to other ways of knowing. We explore why being clever can actually hold us back from growing wiser.
• Emotional, Body, and Social Intelligence — We explore what it means to reconnect with our emotions, tune into our bodies, and build social intuition — and how those neglected forms of intelligence help us feel more alive and connected.
• Overthinking, Intuition, and Letting Go — We look at how over-analysis kills momentum, why intuition deserves more trust, and what happens when you stop trying to think your way through everything and start experiencing your way forward.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
📩 Join the weekly newsletter: enneagramfive.com/newsletter
💬 Join the community: enneagramfive.com/community
🗒️ Full transcript and show notes: enneagramfive.com/56
🎬 The Princess Bride (1987) – “Battle of Wits” scene reference
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
What kind of intelligence have you undervalued in yourself because it didn’t feel “smart enough”? Has that cost you anything in your real life (energy, relationships, confidence, or momentum)? Tell us in the community.
The Newsletter Built for Fives
🔹 Get weekly insights tailored for your overactive mind.
🔹 Practical strategies to stop overthinking and start engaging.
🔹 Growth, connection, and energy management—without the fluff.
👉 Sign up free at enneagramfive.com/newsletter.
***
JOIN THE FULLY FIVE ACCELERATOR (FFA):
Break free from observer mode with a proven growth framework and the weekly support of people who truly understand how your Five brain works.
🚀 See if you're ready for FFA
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE:
***
CONNECT:
📷 Connect on Instagram
🧵 Connect on Threads
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SAY THANKS:
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
Chapters
1. Introduction and Initial Banter (00:00:00)
2. Discussing Intellect and Intelligence (00:01:41)
3. Personal IQ and Cognitive Tests (00:01:58)
4. The Princess Bride Analogy (00:05:02)
5. Intellect vs. Intelligence in Personal Growth (00:08:26)
6. Childhood and Family Dynamics (00:12:41)
7. Creative Struggles and Growth (00:14:27)
8. Emotional Awareness and Relationships (00:15:54)
9. Body Awareness and Personal Training (00:19:38)
10. Challenges of Overthinking (00:23:05)
11. Overthinking and Decision Making (00:25:58)
12. Body Intelligence and Training (00:26:29)
13. Meditative Exercise and Consciousness (00:27:17)
14. One-on-One Training and Social Connections (00:28:18)
15. Nature Intelligence and Awareness (00:33:55)
16. Social Intelligence and Subtypes (00:38:59)
17. Holistic Intelligence and Society (00:46:35)
18. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (00:49:19)
57 episodes
All episodes
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