On August 15, 2026, Kasie and Rex continued their trek through the seven deadly sins with ‘envy’. Here are the show notes:

Theme for the day

Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

Agenda

• Quick Catch Up
• Seven Deadly Sins: what are they?
• Focus on Envy

Segment 1

We’ve done envy before, the first time was back in 2021 with Episode 154 and the second time was in 2024 with Episode 273.

The idea here is that individuals who want something that doesn’t belong to them, something they haven’t earned, are sinful for destroying the relationships they could have with others by coveting their possessions.

This link explains the psychology behind envy. Of course we know it’s wanting something you don’t have, but are there nuances to it? From the site:

1. Wanting what someone else has
2. Desiring other’s stature objects
3. Displeased about an event desirable for another
4. Feeling inferior to another person.

Envy is caused by a dissatisfaction with self-image—your perception of your actual stature. This dissatisfaction is also called low self-esteem—a poor self-appraisal of your actual stature. Because you feel inferior to the person you envy, envy is related to shame. Envy encourages you to achieve higher stature.

You believe that “if I had what you have, then I would be happy.”

How do you create a character so totally preoccupied with what they want but can’t have that they throw away everything that’s actually available to them? Um….

Also according to DeadlySins.com, “medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas said of Envy: “Envy according to the aspect of its object is contrary to charity, whence the soul derives its spiritual life… Charity rejoices in our neighbor’s good, while envy grieves over it.” (2, 36, ad 3)”

What kinds of characters are envious? 

What kinds of envy are there?

What famous characters have acted on envy to upend a protagonist’s efforts?

Segment 2

Lindsey’s blog gives us this How To strategy including, first, the types of envy:

Sexual Jealousy – when a character’s spouse or significant other displays or expresses sexual interest in someone other than your character.

Romantic Jealousy – when your character fears the loss of a romantic partner or fears rejection from a potential or current romantic partner.

Possessive Jealousy – when he/she is feeling threatened by someone who could interrupt a friendship or relationship that they value.

Separation Jealousy – when your character has fear of separation or loss of a lover, partner, friend or parent due to their relationship with another person.

Work Jealousy – when your character feels cheated out of a promotion at work, or feels jealousy towards a specific person at work.

Friend/ Sibling Jealousy – When he/she feels inadequate when comparing themselves to their friends/family/siblings. They always try to one-up their friend/sibling.

Abnormal Jealousy – extreme psychological jealousy that results in or a combination of morbid, psychotic, psychological, delusional, anxious, controlling, immature and insecure behavior.

Segment 3

How does this feeling manifest?

From Episode 273:

• Negative talk: They may gossip or speak negatively about others, especially those who have something they desire.
• Resentment: They may feel threatened by others’ success or good fortune, which can lead to bitterness and resentment.
• Unhappiness: They may be unhappy when others around them are successful, and may find joy when others experience failure or setbacks.
• Judgment: They may frequently scrutinize or judge what other people are doing.
• Comparison: They may compare themselves to others.
• Dismissiveness: They may have a dismissive attitude.
• Downplaying: They may downplay the achievements of others.
• Frustration: They may feel frustrated or disbelief at others’ success.
• Longing: They may show signs of longing or desire.
• Grudging admiration: They may show grudging admiration.
• Copycat behavior: They may exhibit copycat behavior.
• Low self-esteem: They may show signs of low self-esteem.

Segment 4

How can you do it? Try this blog’s advice:

• Figure out why they’re jealous – a few options: low self esteem, insecurity, the desire to impress someone, a competitive situation or nature
• Figure out what they’re jealous of – this could be big (someone’s life that looks easy or comfortable) or small (someone’s getting attention the character wants)
• Establish why they can’t get that thing – what’s in the way of them achieving the thing they desire (and someone else has)
• It’s not always toxic – sometimes jealousy is motivating, sometime it’s an appreciation for someone else’s good fortune or achievement
• Emotions – all of them, there’s a wide variety of manifestations for jealousy and while some people feel sorrow, others might feel rage
• Personality – what is the character’s personality and is it within their arc to be jealous?