Why Most Entrepreneur Couples Struggle (And How We Rebuilt) with Brad & Sarah Johnson

What if building your dream business was quietly wrecking your marriage?

Sarah and I sat down with Christa Hardin—licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and host of  the Enneagram & Marriage Podcast , to pull back the curtain on a season of our lives that we’ve never shared publicly.

Just months after launching Triad, we almost separated.

We get into what led us there—the strain of raising a family while scaling a company, the unspoken resentment, and the emotional landmines we didn’t know how to navigate. We also share what helped us rebuild: therapy, the Enneagram, and one Sunday morning ritual that changed everything.

If you’ve ever felt like you're crushing it at work, but barely holding it together at home, this episode is for you.

Three Insights From This Week's Episode

• Use therapy proactively, not as a last resort. One vulnerable conversation in Napa led Sarah and me to couples therapy. Not because we were on the brink, but because we were tired of circling the same unresolved arguments. Weekly sessions helped us reconnect, model emotional growth for our kids, and move from survival mode to real partnership. Therapy wasn’t a last-ditch effort. It was a leadership decision at home.
• I empower my EA to protect our home life. Most entrepreneurs keep their executive assistant focused on business. I expanded the role. By looping Sarah into calendar planning, we built a system that prioritizes both family and business. It reduced friction, eliminated calendar surprises, and protected one of our most important rituals—Sunday mornings together. That small shift has helped turn tension into teamwork.
• The Enneagram helped us understand each other, not fix each other. I’m a 7. Sarah’s a 6. Early on, we communicated in completely different emotional languages. That led to missed signals and growing resentment. Learning our Enneagram types helped us stop trying to change each other and start appreciating what makes us different. It’s now one of our go-to tools in marriage, parenting, and business.

“The Enneagram is a superpower when you understand it because you're not only looking through your eyes. You actually get the full perspective.  – Brad Johnson

Doing Business and Doing Life.

This week, I had the chance to be interviewed alongside my wife, Sarah, on Christa Hardin’s “Enneagram & Marriage” podcast. We didn’t just talk about the highlights of entrepreneurship—we got real about the strain it can put on a marriage.

We shared some of the ups and downs, how therapy helped us navigate one of our toughest seasons, and how understanding the Enneagram (I’m a 7, Sarah’s a 6) completely changed the way we communicate. Just having that framework helped us see where each other was coming from and connect on a deeper level.

In the spirit of Doing Business and Doing Life, I’ve included some fun snapshots from our recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya, with Stu and Amy McLaren and the Village Impact team. I’m proud to be doing the work, side by side with Sarah, and to keep using tools like the Enneagram to grow into better versions of ourselves.

Scroll down for a few pics—from the Museum of Illusions in Nairobi to an up-close-and-personal run-in with some wild monkeys at the Nairobi Arboretum.

Here’s to doing life with intention—and making sure you leave plenty of room for adventure along the way.