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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.

  1. DEC 9

    69. Common Ground: Birth & Death — Rituals for Life's First & Final Moments

    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) – India (Hindu communities)     •    Newborn Singing Traditions – West Africa (e.g., Yoruba, Akan, Ewe, Fulani, etc.)     •    Oríkì (praise poetry for babies) – Nigeria (Yoruba culture)     •    Aqiqah (naming and sacrifice ceremony) – Islamic tradition     •    Whenua (placenta burial) – New Zealand (Māori culture)     •    Miyamairi (shrine visit) – Japan (Shinto tradition)     •    Traditional Christian European Funerals — Europe     •    Ghanaian Fantasy Coffins & Celebratory Funerals – Ghana (Ga culture, especially near Accra)     •    Torajan “Death Feasts” & Body Preservation – Indonesia (Sulawesi, Toraja people)     •    Pacific Islander Vigil & Communal Mourning – Various Pacific Islands     •    Jewish Shiva & Chevra Kadisha with Tahara – Jewish communities globally     •    Japanese Family Body Preparation – Japan     •    Hindu Cremation (especially along the Ganges) – India     •    Sky Burial & Miniature Yurt Graves – Mongolia & Himalayan Buddhist regions     •    Obon Festival & Lantern Floating (Tōrō Nagashi) – Japan     •    Famadihana (“Turning of the Bones”) – Madagascar     •    Islamic Burial & 3-Day Mourning Visits – Many Muslim-majority countries (especially Arab nations)     •    Chehelom (40th Day Mourning Ceremony) – Iran (blend of Islamic and Persian traditions) 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. 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

    43 min
  2. NOV 19

    68. A Table For Everyone: One Syrian’s Journey of Resilience and Welcome // Yassin Terou

    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 beginnings into one of the most beloved restaurants in Tennessee. His restaurant was named “The Nicest Place in America” by Reader’s Digest and Good Morning America for its commitment to kindness and community. Yassin is passionate about using food to bring people together and create understanding across cultures. This passion also inspired him to start a nonprofit organization called Seeds and Bridges, which supports people in need and helps new entrepreneurs pursue their dreams—regardless of race, color, or beliefs. Through both his business and public speaking, Yassin continues to spread hope, compassion, and unity. In our conversation, Yassin shares his journey out of Syria, and his process of starting over in a new country. We talk about immigrant challenges, food, advice he has for all people, and what he wishes more people understood about Syria and Syrians. It’s a story of courage, community, and the quiet power of hospitality.  Support Yassin's nonprofit: Seeds and Bridges. 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. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  3. SEP 30

    64. Syria 101 Part 5/5—The Syrian Civil War, Refugee Crisis, & Fall of Assad (2012–2025)

    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 The internationalization of the war The Syrian refugee crisis The fall of Assad and the current transitional government 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, 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 episodes. 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. Sources used in the making of this episode. Transcript for this episode. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website (sign up for email newsletter): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  4. SEP 30 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    64. Syria 101 Part 5/5—The Syrian Civil War, Refugee Crisis, & Fall of Assad (2012–2025)

    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 The internationalization of the war The Syrian refugee crisis The fall of Assad and the current transitional government 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, 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 episodes. 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. Sources used in the making of this episode. Transcript for this episode. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website (sign up for email newsletter): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠

    42 min

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AIRWAVE HISTORY +

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About

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.

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