How To Academy Podcast

Peter Jones, a medieval historian of spirituality and emotions, explores how the seven deadly sins functioned as tools to map the mind. He traces their origins from Evagrius to Gregory, explains pride, envy, anger and acedia in medieval thought, and reveals surprising links to art, confession, medicine and modern tech. Short, curious, and full of historical twists.

Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist and musician who studies music cognition, discusses how rhythm and melody influence memory, mood, and motor skills. He tells stories of music restoring motivation in Parkinson’s, why singing eases stuttering, and how preferred tunes reset the mind. Listens explore transcendent performance moments, earworms, and why everyone benefits from active musical participation.

Ayala Panievsky, a journalist and researcher on media, populism, and censorship, explores how modern populists weaponize democratic language and online tools to silence dissent. She discusses media-bashing, false centrism, self-censorship, the role of algorithms in shaping debate, and practical steps for journalism to reclaim trust through braver, more engaging reporting.

Oren Harman, historian and author who studies the history of biology, chats about how drastic animal transformations have intrigued thinkers from Aristotle to modern scientists. He explores metamorphosis as both a biological process and a cultural metaphor. Stories include Maria Sibylla Merian’s fieldwork, debates over development, and how some insects keep memories through radical change.

Dr Gavin Francis, a Scottish physician and author who explores medicine, the mind and recovery. He challenges diagnostic labels and neurochemical reductionism. He highlights social and cultural influences, the therapeutic power of listening, embodied recovery and practical routes to flourishing. He reframes recovery as active convalescence and urges curiosity, humility and kinder language around mental health.

C. Thi Nguyen, philosopher and author who studies games and scoring systems, explains why games are an art of process. He explores how scoring reshapes desires and how metrics from institutions steal nuance. Short takes cover why gameplay beauty lives in action, how quantification travels at the cost of context, and ways to resist gameifying our lives.

Guardian journalist and lifelong Nintendo superfan Keza MacDonald is the author of a new history of that reveals how the company's unique culture transformed a Kyoto playing card manufacturer into one of the most loved organisations in the history of popular entertainment. Whether you know the names of every Pokemon or are simply fascinated by how a major corporation can consistently innovate, delight, and enthral millions of adults and children across the world, this conversation is an unmissable guide to the story of a company unafraid to buck trends, resist market forces, and subvert everyone's expectations in the pursuit of excellence.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Goldsmith, an evolutionary neuroscientist and practising neurologist, explains how ancient brain systems clash with modern life. He explores social validation, social media’s hijacking of reward circuits, the importance of early life and friendship size, and practical brain-aligned tools like exercise, achievable goals, and metacognition.

Jennifer Breheny Wallace, award-winning journalist and author, explores why feeling valued is a basic human need. She outlines the SED framework—Significance, Appreciation, Investment, Dependence—and shares stories about small acts, caregiving resilience, work purpose, digital vs in-person connection, and rebuilding community through everyday rituals.

Natalie Haynes, comedian, classicist and bestselling reteller of Greek myths, discusses reimagining Medea and other classical heroines. She explains why myths change over time. Short anecdotes reveal how theatre, translation and comedy shaped her work. Conversation touches on modern resonance, missing women’s voices in classics and why retellings still matter.