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HistoryExtra podcast

HistoryExtra podcast

Preview: Master the medieval art of knowing yourself

Aug 22, 2026 · 14m

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About this episode

How can the past help us live better, happier, healthier and more productive lives today? That's the question at the heart of our series Life Lessons from History, which is back for a new run – and today on the HistoryExtra podcast, we're bringing you a taste of what's on offer. In this episode, historian Peter Jones tells David Musgrove about why the seven deadly sins were more a guide to practical self-knowledge than a list of religious prohibitions – and how medieval thinkers anticipated many modern ideas about wellbeing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices