
Wiser World
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 27, 2024 • 57min
38. Sudan & South Sudan 101 - Part 1
This is a brief overview history of Sudan & South Sudan from roughly 800BC to 1978 AD, covering from early civilizations until the end of the First Sudanese Civil War and the discovery of oil. It is designed for people who know little to nothing about this region and want a foundational education to build upon. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon.---This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WISERWORLD to begin your therapy journey.----A transcript for this episode is found here.Sources used while making this episode found here.Special thanks to my research assistant Rachel Cox for her research and editing eye on this episode.----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

Feb 28, 2024 • 24min
37. What is Nowruz?
Over 300 million people around the world celebrate Nowruz—a huge spring holiday that’s also sometimes called Persian New Year—annually on March 20th or 21st. In this episode I explain Nowruz for folks who know little to nothing about it, and if you fit that description I can guarantee you’re going to enjoy learning about the unique and ancient traditions of Nowruz. Some of them are over 4,000 years old! For extra resources to further your study, head to our Patreon.A transcript for this episode is found here.Sources used while 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/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

Feb 22, 2024 • 7min
Introducing: Even the Royals [Podcast Preview]
This is a preview of Wondery's new podcast: Even the Royals.Admit it: you’re obsessed with royal families – watching them, gossiping about them, wanting to be them. It’s the stuff of fantasy. But for real life royals, the crown jewels can be more like shiny handcuffs. There are expectations and rules – and if you break them, the consequences are big, and very public. And there are royal families and wild royal tales from around the world and throughout history that you have never heard before. Even the Royals is a new podcast from Wondery that takes you inside the cloistered world of royal families, past and present, where wealth and status often come at the expense of your freedom – and maybe even your life. In these stories, very human emotions, like jealousy, love, disgust, have the power to reshape the world. This is just a preview of Even the Royals. You can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or at Wondery.fm/eventheroyals_wiserworld. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 31, 2024 • 46min
36. A Brief History of World War I
There are countless resources to learn about WWII (and for good reason, it's important!), but what about WWI? Often overshadowed by other wars, this complex war has influenced much of our modern day more than we may realize. This episode covers a brief history of WWI for those who need an overview refresh, focusing mostly on why it began and how it ended. For extra resources to further your study, head to our Patreon.A transcript for this episode is 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/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

8 snips
Dec 27, 2023 • 27min
35. Recognizing Logical Fallacies for Better Critical Thinking
The podcast discusses common logical fallacies, such as ad hominem and straw man, and their impact on critical thinking. It explores the slippery slope fallacy and its consequences, as well as the false dilemma and hasty generalization fallacies. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing these fallacies and using critical thinking skills to navigate arguments and make informed judgments.

Nov 28, 2023 • 17min
34. What is Diwali?
This is a brief overview of the holiday of Diwali for those who know little to nothing about it. I include the stories and traditions included in the holiday, as well as explain the Lakshmi Puja. While I don't go into every detail of the (typically) five-day festival, I hope this is a primer for those who want to learn more about the holiday and can be a springboard for further research. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon.Transcript for this episode. Special thanks to my friend Abhi for his help in making this episode. 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/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, 2023 • 36min
33. The Middle East Today: Must-Know History & Country Relations
This podcast covers the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, European influence in the region, major historical conflicts from WWII to 2023, and how Middle Eastern countries currently relate to each other. It explores the controversy surrounding the name 'Middle East' and discusses the historical implications of European powers in the region. The podcast also delves into the alliances, rivalries, and petroleum policies in the Middle East, highlighting changing relations among Gulf countries.

Sep 20, 2023 • 50min
32. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 3
This podcast provides a historical overview of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from 1967 to 2023, covering topics such as the Six-Day War, the impact of Jewish settlements, the intifadas and the separation wall, the Yom Kippur War, Arafat's UN address, the Camp David Accords, the 1980s crackdowns and the emergence of the intifada, the construction of the Separation Wall, the current state of the conflict including the withdrawal of Israeli military from Gaza and the split in Palestinian governance, and an overall understanding of the complexity of the conflict.

9 snips
Aug 31, 2023 • 52min
31. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 2
This podcast explores the historical events leading up to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including World War I, the Balfour Declaration, and the establishment of Israel. It discusses the tensions between Arab Palestinians and Jewish immigrants, the challenges faced by refugees, and the division of territories. The episode also reflects on the subjectivity of history and encourages listeners to explore different perspectives.

8 snips
Aug 16, 2023 • 42min
30. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 1
This podcast provides a historical introduction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, covering topics such as the origins of the conflict, the historical background of Jerusalem, and the diverse population of Palestine under Ottoman rule.