EPISODE · Apr 18, 2026 · 17 MIN
How Strangers at an Airport Reminded Me Why This Matters
from The Unpatterned Podcast · host Deb Watson
I was sitting in an airport when I overheard two strangers talking about family drama that felt all too familiar. One sister showed up expecting things to be done a certain way. The other sister felt judged for her spontaneous approach to life. Both were hurt. Both were defensive. That conversation reminded me why understanding protection strategies matters so much. When you see that most behavior is protection - not personal attacks - everything about relationships shifts. In this episode, I'm sharing why we all develop different strategies for feeling loved and safe, how these strategies take control without us realizing it, and why the Enneagram is the best tool for seeing what's been unconsciously driving your decisions. This is why this work matters.
What this episode covers
I was sitting in an airport when I overheard two strangers talking about family drama that felt all too familiar. One sister showed up expecting things to be done a certain way. The other sister felt judged for her spontaneous approach to life. Both were hurt. Both were defensive. That conversation reminded me why understanding protection strategies matters so much. When you see that most behavior is protection - not personal attacks - everything about relationships shifts. In this episode, I'm sharing why we all develop different strategies for feeling loved and safe, how these strategies take control without us realizing it, and why the Enneagram is the best tool for seeing what's been unconsciously driving your decisions. This is why this work matters.
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How Strangers at an Airport Reminded Me Why This Matters
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