This is the real Enneagram

Train with EPP to guide others through deep personal growth while continuing your own journey of self-awareness and healing.

Donate Now

Transformation On Both Sides Of The Bars. 

EPP’s work is not only transforming lives inside prisons, but also empowering our paid Guides—formerly incarcerated individuals—who emerge with powerful, life-changing stories. This growth is fueled by the creativity, courage, and commitment of our community, who lead by example. We've built a supportive, family-like environment with plenty of room to welcome more.

EValidating the inherent worth of a person as absolutely true is nothing short of a transformative conversation - no matter on which side of the prison wall you happen to stand.

Founder, Susan Olesek

Who Are EPP Guides?

EPP Guides are conscious, continually evolving individuals who have explored their own inner landscape deeply and skillfully. They use this personal insight to support others on their transformative journeys with wisdom, empathy, and grounded presence.

Our Greater Vision

EPP is committed to freeing people—everywhere—from the “prisons of our own making.” While our roots lie in working with incarcerated individuals, our mission extends far beyond. We aim to reach all who seek freedom, healing, and self-awareness.

What is an EPP Guide?

EPP Guides are like having a trail leader on the journey with you who has been walking the path for years and is not only holding the map, but can provide to the group through the curriculum tools and their experience, a compass, and a satellite phone with GPS to assist the journey.

–Dr. Heather Greenwald

Chief Psychologist Statewide Corrections Mental Health Program

Who Are EPP Guides?

Our Greater Vision

Growing Together

At EPP, one of our core values is “We do the work together.” The Guide Training Program (GTP) is designed to develop your unique gifts while also supporting growth at your personal edges. This journey is shared—with co-guides, mentors, and peers—and invites you to stay present to both yourself and those you serve.

Our Greater Vision

The pause during the global pandemic gave us the chance to redesign GTP into a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive experience. Our goal is to grow a diverse, highly skilled team of Guides who are deeply committed to their own development and aligned with EPP’s mission to free people from the prisons of their own making.

What is the Guide Training Program (GTP)?

Removing Barriers to Access

We believe some of the best Enneagram Guides are people who haven’t yet had access to it. That’s why we’ve worked to eliminate as many obstacles to joining GTP as possible—financial, geographic, or otherwise—so that everyone has a safe and inclusive place to step in and know they belong.

A Space of Belonging

EPP is rooted in the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging. Our Guide Training Program welcomes individuals from around the world to contribute their lived experience, talents, and perspectives. We are creating a space where difference is normalized, identity is honored, and everyone is reminded: you’ve always belonged here.

Guide Support

We cannot overstate the importance of growing and being in community when it comes to this work. EPP Guides are part of an ever-growing community of like-hearted people who strive to live into our core values both in and out of the EPP classroom. We meet weekly to “do the work together,” processing and bearing witness to what is alive in the students we are guiding by practicing staying present to ourselves.

Our Faculty

Susan Olesek

Founder, Enneagram Prison Project

Based in:

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

With EPP Since:

2012

About Susan

Susan Olesek is a sociologist, certified Enneagram teacher (Palmer-Daniels & Riso-Hudson), and the visionary founder of Enneagram Prison Project. Her global upbringing and academic path led her to a profound experience in a Texas prison in 2009, where teaching the Enneagram to incarcerated men sparked the beginnings of EPP.

Role at EPP

Susan founded EPP in 2012 and has since guided its transformation into a paradigm-shifting, global model of self-awareness education for incarcerated individuals. As part of the Guide Training Program (GTP) Faculty, Susan continues to support the evolution of Guides and the curriculum that fuels the mission.

Guiding Philosophy

A self-described “Human Potentialist,” Susan believes in what’s possible for all people when they truly know themselves. She sees EPP not as something she’s growing, but as something that is deeply growing her.

Susanne Gawreluk

Faculty & EPP-MN Chapter Leader

Based in:

Minnesota

With EPP Since:

2017

About Susan

With a Master's in Human Development and extensive credentials in the Narrative Enneagram and healing practices, Susanne brings a rich, heart-centered presence to EPP. She integrates art, wellness, and spiritual insight in both her personal and professional life.

Role at EPP

Since discovering EPP in 2017, Susanne has been instrumental in co-teaching at Shakopee Women’s Prison and founding the Minnesota Chapter in 2018. As Faculty, she supports guide training, curriculum development, and global expansion with deep dedication.

Guiding Philosophy

A Type 4, Susanne treasures how EPP delivers the Enneagram with unconditional positive regard. She finds deep joy and honor in guiding transformation within prison walls—witnessing light emerge in the darkest places.

Phil GebbenGreen

Faculty & EPP-MN Co-Founder

Based in

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With EPP Since:

2018

About Phil

Phil holds a B.A. in English and an M.Div., and is an IEA Accredited Professional with primary training from the Riso-Hudson school. A father of three, his personal growth journey—especially discovering his true type as an Eight—fuels his passion for transformation.

Role at EPP

After hearing Susan Olesek speak in 2017, Phil joined EPP as a Guide and helped launch the Minnesota Chapter. He became Faculty in 2018 and thrives in his roles teaching new guides and working with incarcerated women in Shakopee.

Guiding Philosophy

Phil finds joy in how EPP combines healing, learning, and community. Whether inside prisons or training rooms, he brings compassion, insight, and a commitment to transformation—for others and himself.

I'm proud to support this well crafted and determined outreach to the incarcerated. Susan Olesek and now the Enneagram Prison Project brings the spiritual quality of Truth in Action to this necessary and forward-looking Enneagram public-education program. to stand.

Helen Palmer

Author and Teacher

Next Steps

To begin your journey to becoming an EPP Guide, visit our FAQ or connect with our team.

Get Started

This is the real Enneagram

Transformation On Both Sides Of The Bars.

EValidating the inherent worth of a person as absolutely true is nothing short of a transformative conversation - no matter on which side of the prison wall you happen to stand.

Who Are EPP Guides?

Our Greater Vision

What is an EPP Guide?

EPP Guides are like having a trail leader on the journey with you who has been walking the path for years and is not only holding the map, but can provide to the group through the curriculum tools and their experience, a compass, and a satellite phone with GPS to assist the journey.

Who Are EPP Guides?

Our Greater Vision

I'm proud to support this well crafted and determined outreach to the incarcerated. Susan Olesek and now the Enneagram Prison Project brings the spiritual quality of Truth in Action to this necessary and forward-looking Enneagram public-education program. to stand.

Next Steps

Subscribe Up For Our Newsletter

Transformation On Both Sides Of The Bars. 