Wiser World

Wiser World

Wiser World is a podcast built on a simple idea: history explains headlines. Hosted by world history teacher and storyteller Alli Roper, the show turns complex global history into clear, compact, approachable episodes for busy adults who want real understanding—not just sound bites. Wiser World explores the people, cultures, and turning points that shaped today’s global events, giving you the context you wish you’d learned in school. If you’ve ever read a headline and thought, “Wait… how did we get here?” this podcast helps you answer that—with more nuance, empathy, and confidence.

Episodes

70. Venezuela 101: Cultural Preface

January 6, 2026 • 26 mins
This is a Cultural Preface to the Venezuela 101 history series. It is not designed to be entirely comprehensive, as no culture or people are all the same. But, it is designed to help listeners meet the people before they study their history, and in it, we cover: 1. Population, Identity & Diversity 2. Social Personality & National Character 3. Family & Social Structure 4. Gender Roles & Expectations 5. Language, Accents & Slan...
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69. Common Ground: Birth & Death — Rituals for Life's First & Final Moments

December 9, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode of the Common Ground series, we're diving into unique rituals from around the world that honor both birth and death, which is something we all share. We cover:     •    Navajo First Laugh Ceremony – United States (American Southwest, Navajo Nation)     •    Baek-il (100-day celebration) – South Korea     •    Selapan Ceremony (35th day) – Indonesia (Javanese culture)     •    Jatakarma (Samskara birth ritual...
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68. A Table For Everyone: One Syrian’s Journey of Resilience and Welcome // Yassin Terou

November 19, 2025 • 57 mins
Today we’re stepping into a story that blends together the last few month’s topics (Syria, Food, Hospitality) with my guest, Yassin Terou. Yassin Terou is a Syrian-born entrepreneur and American dream enthusiast, best known as the founder of Yassin’s Falafel House, a Knoxville-based restaurant celebrated for its welcoming spirit and message of inclusion. After arriving in the United States, Yassin built his business from humble...
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67. Common Ground: Hospitality — The Universal Language of Welcome

November 6, 2025 • 40 mins
Food may be the universal need, but hospitality is the universale virtue. In the second episode of the Common Ground series, we're diving into how different cultures practice hospitality, and how there's much more in common than you might think. Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like ad-free episodes and additional resources, head to to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/wiserworldpodca...
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66. Common Ground: Food — The First Language We All Speak

October 22, 2025 • 33 mins
No matter where you go in the world, everyone needs to eat, and preferably eat together. Eating together is one of our oldest human instincts. In this first episode of the Common Ground series, we're diving into concepts of food and drink that are cultural universals—things we all share. We talk about grains, fermentation, earth cooking, hot drinks, and more! Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld....
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65. What Syria Can Teach Us: Why Voice, Unity, and Agency Matter

October 9, 2025 • 33 mins
This is a personal analysis of takeaways I gained from studying Syria. It is meant to be listened to after completing the Syria 101 series (which is 5 parts). Nonprofits mentioned in this episode: SAMS Karam Foundation Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you'd like ad-free episodes and additional resources, head to to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠. I quote Wendy Pea...
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64. Syria 101 Part 5/5—The Syrian Civil War, Refugee Crisis, & Fall of Assad (2012–2025)

September 30, 2025 • 44 mins
This is Part 5 of 5 of the Syria 101 series: a foundational history of Syria. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from 2012 to 2025, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers: How civilian protests for reform turned into a civil war What groups got involved and why (it was not a clear two-sided war) The rise of ISIS ...
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63. Syria 101 Part 4/5—Bashar al-Assad, the Arab Spring, & Syrian Civil War Beginnings (2000–2012)

September 25, 2025 • 38 mins
This is Part 4 of 5 of the Syria 101 series: a foundational history of Syria. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from 2000 to 2012, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers: How Bashar al-Assad gained power How corruption, crony capitalism, drought, and inequality led to unrest The Arab Spring and how it came to Syr...
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62. Syria 101 Part 3/5—Coups, Ba’athism, and the Assads (1946–2000)

September 23, 2025 • 41 mins
This is Part 3 of 5 of the Syria 101 series: a foundational history of Syria. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from 1946 to 2000, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers: How Syria’s new democracy after independence quickly fell into instability Why the 1948 war with Israel shook Syria and triggered its first coup ...
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61. Syria 101 Part 2/5: Border Carve-Up & the French Mandate (1900–1946)

September 18, 2025 • 28 mins
This is Part 2 of 5 of the Syria 101 series: a foundational history of Syria. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from 1900 to 1946, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers: Why WWI cracked the Ottoman order in Greater Syria The Arab Revolt & the Hussein–McMahon letters (this includes "Lawrence of Arabia") The Sykes...
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60. Syria 101 Part 1/5—Crossroads of Civilization (Ancient Days to 1900)

September 16, 2025 • 30 mins
This is Part 1 of 5 of the Syria 101 series. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from ancient days to 1900, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers: The difference between Ancient Syria, Greater Syria, and modern borders How geography (rivers, cities, trade routes) made Syria a crossroads of civilization The rise of E...
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59. A Brief Intro to THE NETHERLANDS - Know Before You Go

August 28, 2025 • 56 mins
In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of the Netherlands, talking about history, culture, economics, politics, geography, and so on. This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/wiserworld⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. For extra resources to further your study, head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for my email newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠ The tran...
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58. Recognizing Cognitive Bias: The Hidden Shortcuts in Our Minds

August 13, 2025 • 33 mins
This episode covers eleven common cognitive biases, giving real-life examples and ideas for how to combat them. We talk about anchoring bias, effort bias, egocentric bias, hindsight bias, optimism and pessimism biases, recency bias, confirmation bias, present bias, scarcity bias, and urgency bias. For extra resources (like a printable PDF) to further your study, head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.com/wiserworldpocast. Sign up for my f...
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57. A Brief Intro to SWITZERLAND - Know Before You Go

July 15, 2025 • 53 mins
In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of Switzerland for those who want to travel there. We answer these questions and many more: What makes Switzerland so unique? Where is it located and what is the weather like? How is the government structure so one-of-a-kind? What foods are famous in Switzerland? What festivals and traditions do they have? What is a brief history of Switzerland for those who want an overv...
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56. Updated: Iran 101 - Part 3

June 25, 2025 • 59 mins
A concise, foundational history of Iran from 1980 to 2025, designed for those who know little to nothing about Iran. This addition has been updated and improved heavily from the 2022 edition. If you'd like a downloadable PDF with a timeline/outline of this episode, go to Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast. You can pay for it a la carte for $3, or sign up to be a $5 or $10 Patreon supporter and receive the PDF, more resources, and ad-f...
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55. Encore: Iran 101 - Part 2

June 23, 2025 • 47 mins
A concise, foundational history of Iran from 1950s through the 1979/1980 Revolution, designed for those who know little to nothing about Iran's history. If you'd like a downloadable PDF with a timeline/outline of this episode, go to Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast. You can pay for it a la carte for $3, or sign up to be a $5 or $10 Patreon supporter and receive the PDF, more resources, and ad-free episodes for all Wiser World episod...
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54. Encore: Iran 101 - Part 1

June 19, 2025 • 47 mins
A concise, foundational history of Iran from the late 1800s to mid-1950s made for those who know little to nothing about Iranian history. For a FREE downloadable PDF outline of this episode, go to patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast. If you are not a Patreon member, you may have to sign in, but you do not have to pay for this one. *Correction: When discussing the AIOC (Anglo Iranian Oil Company)'s revenue, I say 40 million dollars, bu...
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53. A Brief Intro to PORTUGAL - Know Before You Go

May 28, 2025 • 45 mins
In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of Portugal for those who want to travel there. We answer these questions and many more: Before you travel to Portugal, what do you need to know? What makes Portugal so unique? Where is it located, what is the weather like? What is the government structure? What is the food culture? What is a brief history of Portugal so you have a basic understanding before you go? What ...
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52. Becoming a Better Thinker (More Logical Fallacies Everyone Should Know)

May 27, 2025 • 24 mins
In this episode I explain nine common logical fallacies, and give examples so we can thinking more intelligently in this ever-polarized political climate. This is companion to episode 35, "Recognizing Logical Fallacies for Better Critical Thinking" which aired on December 27th, 2023. This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to ⁠quince.com/wiserworld⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. For extra resources to ...
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51. Understanding Passover: History, Traditions, and the Meaning Behind the Meal

April 10, 2025 • 32 mins
This episode explains the basic concepts of the Passover tradition and Seder meal for those who know little to knowing about it and want a foundation of knowledge to build on. Special thanks for my friends Merav and Debbi for their contributions to this episode! This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to quince.com/wiserworld for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. For extra resources to further your study, head ...
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