
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

Jan 18, 2023 • 13min
19. What is Lunar New Year?
Have you ever wondered about Lunar New Year? Roughly 1.5 billion people celebrate it annually! This episode covers the very basics of the holiday to give us a little more understanding and clarity on this important holiday. 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Resources used in making this episode can be found here. Transcript 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 26, 2022 • 43min
18. Iran 101 (The Last 100 Years in Iran) - Part 3
A concise, foundational history of Iran from 1980 to 2022. What are the rights given to women in Iran? How is the government set up? What happened during the Iran-Iraq War? Why is the Iran Nuclear Deal so controversial? How do Iranians express discontent with the government, and what happens when they do? What is life like in Iran today and what are some of the current issues Iranians are facing? We will learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode. *Note: I simplify the Iran Nuclear Deal way down in these episodes; it is obviously much more complex. Please do your research into this controversial deal—in my studies I have found some Iranians in favor of President Donald Trump removing the USA from the deal, and others who are against it. I failed to mention this in the 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListTranscript for this episode. Special thanks to my research assistant, Rachel Cox, for her incredible work on these episodes.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 26, 2022 • 44min
17. Iran 101 (The Last 100 Years in Iran) - Part 2
A concise, foundational history of Iran from 1950s through the 1979/1980 Revolution. How did Iran change under the rule of Mohammed Reza Shah? Who is Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and how did he change Iran? What happened during the Revolution in Iran in 1978 to 1979, and how did Iran become an Islamic Republic? How did this change the lives of Iranians? What is the Iranian Hostage Crisis and how did it end? We will learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode. *Note: I make an error in stating that there are 10,000 Jews that whittle down to 9,000. The actual number is 100,000 (not 10,000).* Additionally, I mention that the Quran is the works and sayings of the Prophet Muhammed, but Muslims believe the Quran to be the word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListTranscript for this episode.Special thanks to my research assistant, Rachel Cox, for her incredible work on these episodes.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 26, 2022 • 45min
16. Iran 101 (The Last 100 Years in Iran) - Part 1
A concise, foundational history of Iran from the late 1800s to mid-1950s. What is the difference between Persia and Iran? What is a shah? Who were the major leaders from the late 1800s until 1953? When was oil discovered in Iran? How did the British and Russians influence Iran? Who was Mohammed Mossadegh and how did he affect the Iran we know today? We will learn the answers to these questions and more in this episode. *Correction: When discussing the AIOC (Anglo Iranian Oil Company)'s revenue, I say 40 million dollars, but I what I meant is 40 million euros. 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListTranscript for this episode.Special thanks to my research assistant, Rachel Cox, for her incredible work on these episodes.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

Jun 15, 2022 • 39min
15. North Korea 101 (The Last 100 Years in N Korea) - Part 3
A concise, foundational history of North Korea from the the 1990s to present day (2022). What was life like in North Korea during the 1990s for the average person? How do people defect from North Korea and where do they go? How did the current leader, Kim Jong-Un rise to power? How does North Korea’s nuclear weapons program affect the future of the international community? We will learn the answers to these questions in 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListTranscript 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

Jun 15, 2022 • 37min
14. North Korea 101 (The Last 100 Years in N Korea) - Part 2
A concise, foundational history of North Korea from the the 1950s to 1990s. What kind of lifestyle have the Kim leaders lived, and how do they pull it off? How did North Korea do economically after the Korean War? What is the Songbun caste system and how did it affect all lives in North Korea? What is Juche and why did Kim Il Sung believe in it? Why did the economy collapse in the late 1980s? How did widespread famine affect nearly every person in North Korea? We learn the answers to these questions and more in 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListTranscript 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

Jun 15, 2022 • 33min
13. North Korea 101 (The Last 100 Years in N Korea) - Part 1
A concise, foundational history of North Korea from the early 1900s to mid-1950s. What was the Korean peninsula like before it split into two countries? How did Japan rule Korea from 1910 to 1945? How do many Koreans feel about Japan as a result? How did Korea become divided, and how did the United States and the Soviet Union play into that? What happened during the Korean War? Who is Kim Il-Sung and how did he create a personality cult that’s still alive in North Korea today? We learn the answers to these questions and more in 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListTranscript 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

Jun 1, 2022 • 36min
12. Perspectives from Taiwan // Jessica Lu and Cassia
How do some Taiwanese feel about reunifying with China? Do they live in fear of an invasion? What is filial piety and how does it affect the young people of Taiwan today? What is it like to get an education in Taiwan? How do Taiwanese treat outsiders? Today I have two guests living in Taiwan answering all these questions and more. Thank you to my friends Jessica Lu and Cassia (last name withheld) for their insights and perspectives. 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.Transcript for this episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wiserworldpodcastWebsite (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 18, 2022 • 46min
10. Taiwan 101 (The Last 100 Years in Taiwan) - Part 1
A brief, concise history of Taiwan from the late 1800s to 1970. This episode covers:
Colonial rule in Taiwan (Portuguese & Dutch, Chinese, Japanese... etc)
Sub-ethnicities within the Taiwanese people — Native Indigenous (many tribes), Hokkien, Hakka, and mainlander
Japanese rule of Taiwan from 1895 to 1945.
Post-WII change from Japanese rule back to Chinese rule
228 Incident in 1947
KMT exile to the island of Taiwan and the repercussions, White Terror
Relations with US, China, and Taiwan
+ more
Notes: - I make the mistake a time or two of calling the "Republic of China (ROC)" as the same as the KMT. The KMT is a political party, while the Republic of China is the name they often call the country of Taiwan, as they moved the headquarters of the ROC over to Taiwan in 1949. The KMT and ROC are different entities, though very intertwined. - I also failed to clarify that some pre-1949 Taiwanese people did indeed join the KMT. Not all KMT members are "mainlanders." 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.--Transcript for this episode Sources used in the making of this episode: Source List 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

May 18, 2022 • 44min
11. Taiwan 101 (The Last 100 Years in Taiwan) - Part 2
A brief, concise history of Taiwan from 1970 to 2022. This episode covers:
Chinese/Taiwanese/US relations from 1970 to 2022
The end of martial law and transition to a multi-party democratic system
The transfer of power from a mainlander (Chiang Ching-kuo) to a native islander (Lee Teng-hui)
The first free elections and subsequent back and forth between KMT and DPP parties
The future of Taiwan—possibilities and concerns
+ more
Notes: - I make the mistake a time or two of calling the "Republic of China (ROC)" as the same as the KMT. The KMT is a political party, while the Republic of China is the name they often call the country of Taiwan, as they moved the headquarters of the ROC over to Taiwan in 1949. The KMT and ROC are different entities, though very intertwined. - I also failed to clarify that some pre-1949 Taiwanese people did indeed join the KMT. Not all KMT members are "mainlanders." 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. You can also support the podcast through Patreon.--Transcript for this episode. Sources used in the making of this episode: Source ListInstagram: 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