

Wiser World
Alli Roper
Did you forget your world history, and now feel lost when world topics come up in current events? Designed for busy people who forgot (or never learned it in the first place) and need a quick refresh, Wiser World takes foundational world history and makes it approachable and concise. As a former teacher, Alli Roper wants to remind us of the world's foundational, basic history so we can have the context we need think historically about current events, travel, and global topics. Episodes are published once or twice a month, and consist of 101 episodes (100-ish year deep dives into various countries), Know Before You Go episodes (brief histories for highly-traveled spots), and pretty much any other world-related topic that you wish you'd been taught in history class.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 10, 2025 • 32min
51. Understanding Passover: History, Traditions, and the Meaning Behind the Meal
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 to Patreon.The transcript for this episode is found here.Sources used in making this episode found here. Sign up for my email newsletter at https://wiserworld.com/----This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 3, 2025 • 25min
50. Humanizing History: Lessons Learned from Cuba
Three philosophical lessons I've learned from Cuban history and am integrating into my personal life. 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.The transcript for this episode is found here.Sources used in making this episode found here. ----This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 6min
49. Cuba 101 - Part 3
In this episode we take Cuba's history from 1959 to 2025, giving a high-level look at Cuba for those who know little to nothing about it and would like foundational understanding. Questions we answer: How did Fidel Castro become the most powerful man in Cuba? What happened to private land and business after the Cuban Revolution? How did the U.S. respond to all the changes? What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and why did it fail? What was the Cuban Missile Crisis, and why was it important? What were the different waves of Cuban exile migrations? How did Cuba respond to the fall of the Soviet Union? What is the Special Period in Cuba, and how did ordinary Cubans adapt to survive? How did people flee Cuba in the 1990s? What was the Wet Foot, Dry Foot policy, and how did it affect Cuban migration? Who took over after Fidel Castro? How did President Obama change relations between the US and Cuba? How do President Trump’s policies affect Cuba? How did the Covid-19 Pandemic affect Cuba and what is Cuba like today? We’ll answer these questions and many more in today’s episode Cuba 101: part 3 of 3. 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.The transcript for this episode is found here.Sources used in making this episode found here. ----This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 2025 • 50min
48. Cuba 101 - Part 2
In this episode we take Cuba's history from 1902 to 1959, giving a high-level look at Cuba for those who know little to nothing about it and would like foundational understanding. Questions we answer: How did the US influence Cuba while it was a US Protectorate? What role did the Platt Amendment play? What role did race play in Cuban society during the early 1900s? Who was Gerardo Machado and how did he become Cuba’s first dictator? How did Cuban citizens fight back? How was the mafia involved in Cuba? Who was Fulgencio Batista and how did he influence Cuban politics? Who is Fidel Castro and how did he and his fellow rebels launch a revolution that would change Cuba forever? 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.The transcript for this episode is found here.Sources used in making this episode found here. ----This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 29, 2025 • 46min
47. Cuba 101 - Part 1
Explore Cuba's captivating history from its indigenous roots to its path toward independence. Discover the impact of Christopher Columbus and Spanish colonization on the island's evolution. Learn about the role of the transatlantic slave trade in shaping Cuba's economy, especially through the sugar industry. Uncover how the Haitian Revolution influenced Cuba's political climate and what it meant for the enslaved population. Dive into the complexities surrounding Cuba's independence, its relationship with the U.S., and notable figures like José Martí.

22 snips
Dec 1, 2024 • 28min
Encore: 30 Minutes to Becoming a Better Critical Thinker (Recognizing Logical Fallacies)
In this episode, I revisit an episode that aired last year, where I explain eight common logical fallacies—giving examples and ways to think more critically in today's ever-polarizing political climate. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon. I'll be back in January with a new 101 series. This episode is sponsored by Quince. Gift luxury this holiday season without the luxury price tag. Go to quince.com/wiserworld for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Transcript for this episode.Sources for this episode Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there.Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 2024 • 56min
46. A Brief Intro to ITALY - Know Before You Go
Discover Italy's unique geography and climate, from Sicily to Sardinia. Unravel the rich tapestry of its cultural and culinary heritage, influenced by Roman Catholic traditions. Dive into the historical evolution from the Roman Republic to a united Kingdom, touching on key events like the Renaissance and unification challenges. Additionally, learn about contemporary issues, including political dynamics and post-pandemic recovery. Equip yourself with essential travel tips for a deeper engagement with this beautiful country!

Sep 29, 2024 • 20min
45. What is Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)?
In this short culture episode, we answer the questions: What is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead? How long has this holiday been around and what are its ancient roots? Who participates and why is it important to them? What traditions commonly go along with this holiday? This episode is designed for those who know little to nothing about this holiday. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon.A transcript for this episode is found here.----This episode is sponsored by Wondery's Even the Royals podcast. Follow Even the Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. In this episode, I share about the podcast, Calm History. To give it a listen, head to: https://podfollow.com/calm-history ----This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 2024 • 37min
44. A Brief Intro to SINGAPORE - Know Before You Go
Discover the unique charm of Singapore, a city that beautifully blends urban life with nature. Learn about its interesting political landscape, characterized by a dominant party and strict regulations. Dive into the rich multicultural tapestry that influences society and cuisine, featuring dishes like Hainanese chicken rice and chili crab. Explore Singapore's evolution from a British colony to a global powerhouse, along with its commitment to addressing income inequality and environmental issues. Perfect for those planning their next travel adventure!

Jul 31, 2024 • 40min
43. South Indian Weddings // Dheeraj Varanasi
In this episode, my guest Dheeraj Varanasi and I talk about some of the basic rites, rituals, and traditions involved in a traditional South Indian Hindu wedding. There is no way we could cover everything, but this covers many of the essentials, and is designed for non-Indians who know little to nothing about these weddings and want to learn more.For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon.This episode is sponsored by Stride K12 Powered Schools. For more information, head to K12.com/wiserworld.A transcript for this episode is found here.----Vocabulary from this episode with some links for further information and images: Jeelakarra-Bellam - cumin and jaggery paste traditionMangalsutra - thread tyingSaptapadi - 7 stepsTwin Star System MythologySindoor - sometimes called Vermillion, this red powder is often used in Hindu traditions, and is sometimes placed along the hairline of women to show they are married.----Bio on DheerajI am Dheeraj Varanasi, hailing from Hyderabad, India. I am a research engineer by profession trying to blend academic research with always short-on-time industry. I am currently working at Leica Biosystems, Germany as Sr. Blade Engineer, in the domain of healthcare and cancer diagnostics. I moved to Hungary in 2016 to pursue my PhD in Materials Science. I defended my thesis in 2021 (Summa Cum Laude) followed by a post-doctoral position for 2 years at Academy of Sciences Hungary. I published in total 11 scientific papers and have submitted a patent application (submitted, it's a long process :P). I am an avid traveller, having been across the whole of Europe, Morocco, parts of the USA totaling to about 31 countries to date. I am a sports fanatic especially for football, tennis and field hockey and try to support my favorite teams/athletes by traveling to stadiums across the world. Besides work, I play tennis on the weekends and am learning Violin. A small pipe dream is to play as a street performer someday and donate whatever I collect for charity. I read a lot on History, science and politics and am confident to hold conversations in 5 languages. ----This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices