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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.

Wiser World

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 & Slang

6. Food as Cultural Identity

7. Music, Dance & Artistic Expression

8. Beauty, Spirituality & Belief

9. Race, Class & Urban Life

10. Humor, Survival & Street Smarts

11. Friendliness & Foreigners

12. Daily Life & Leisure

13. Marriage, Names & Social Bonds

If you'd like to learn more, please head to ⁠⁠Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast⁠⁠, where you can support the podcast and learn more along the way! 

The main source of information for this episode was this book, as well as Venezuelan friends. 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠

Sign up for free weekly email newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

70. Venezuela 101: Cultural Preface

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

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

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

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

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/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

67. Common Ground: Hospitality — The Universal Language of Welcome

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.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

66. Common Ground: Food — The First Language We All Speak

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 Pearlman from "⁠⁠The Home I Worked to Make⁠⁠" and Alia Malek from "⁠⁠The Home that was Our Country⁠⁠" 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. 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

65. What Syria Can Teach Us: Why Voice, Unity, and Agency Matter

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

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

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 Syria 

 How civilian protests for reform turned into a civil war 

 Why extremist Islamist and Jihadist groups got involved 

 How the civil war splintered into a multi-faceted war 

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 making this episode. 

Transcript of 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

63. Syria 101 Part 4/5—Bashar al-Assad, the Arab Spring, & Syrian Civil War Beginnings (2000–2012)

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

 The cycle of military coups (1949–1963) and Cold War involvement 

 The rise of Pan-Arabism and Ba’athism, including Syria’s union with Egypt

 How Hafez al-Assad seized power in 1970 and built an authoritarian state

 What daily life looked like under Assad — security, repression, minorities, economy, and foreign 

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

62. Syria 101 Part 3/5—Coups, Ba’athism, and the Assads (1946–2000)

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–Picot Agreement (the secret deal that carved up the region) 

 What World War I was like in Syria 

 The French Mandate: How the French ruled Syria and why it upset so many 

 The road to independence (1920–1946)

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

61. Syria 101 Part 2/5: Border Carve-Up & the French Mandate (1900–1946)

Join a community of world history seekers! Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter at wiserworld.com, check us out on Instagram, or contribute on Patreon and receive additional learning resources and ad-free episodes. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. Wiser World Podcast - Trailer

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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