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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

Today's guest, Diego Vicentini, is a Venezuelan film writer, director & editor. His debut feature film “Simón”—which exposes human rights violations committed by the Venezuelan regime—was able to overcome censorship in Venezuela and was nominated for the 38th Goya Awards (Spain’s Academy Awards) in the Best Ibero-American film category in representation of Venezuela and reached the #6 spot on Netflix's Global Top 10 in its
first week on the platform. Since making the film, Diego is not able to go back to Venezuela due to threat of imprisonment.

In this episode, Diego shares about the Venezuela diaspora, growing up Venezuela and the United States, his film Simón and the journey he took to have it shown publicly in Venezuela, and his advice for non-Venezuelans when it comes to Venezuelan politics. 

Learn more about his film, Simón, at simonmovie.com. 

This episode is sponsored by Surfshark. Go to https://surfshark.com/wiserworld or use code WISERWORLD at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Find additional resources, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and support the podcast at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Join us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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75. When a Country is Held Hostage: A Conversation with Diego Vicentini

Five macro-level lessons I learned from studying Venezuela's history that I hope to remember. 

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code WISERWORLD at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/wiserworld 

Find additional resources, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and support the podcast at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Join us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

74. Lessons from Venezuela: Wealth, Power, and the Cost of Ignoring Reality

This is Part 3 of 3 of the Venezuela 101 series: a foundational history of Venezuela. This episode is a concise history of Venezuela from 2013 - early 2026, designed for those who know little to nothing about Venezuela. This episode covers: 

 
Chávez’s death and Maduro’s fragile rise to power

 
Oil collapse, hyperinflation, and economic freefall

 
Daily life under shortages, black markets, and repression

 
Mass protests, loss of legitimacy, and historic migration

 
U.S. sanctions, drug accusations, and Maduro’s 2026 capture

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.

Sources used in the making of this episode. 

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

Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠
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73. Venezuela 101 Part 3/3: Maduro, Hyperinflation, and Migration (2013 - 2026)

This is Part 2 of 3 of the Venezuela 101 series: a foundational history of Venezuela. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Venezuela from 1989 to 2013, designed for those who know little to nothing about Venezuela. This episode covers: 

 
Venezuela before Chávez and the shock of the Caracazo (1989)

 
The rise of Hugo Chávez (1992–1998)

 
How Chávez rewrote the political system.

 
Oil, media, and consolidation of power.

 
Life under Chávez and the system he left behind. 

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.

Sources used in the making of this episode. 

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

Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠
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72. Venezuela 101 Part 2/3: Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution (1989 - 2013)

This is Part 1 of 3 of the Venezuela 101 series: a foundational history of Venezuela. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Venezuela from 1498 to 1988, designed for those who know little to nothing about Venezuela. This episode covers: 

- Venezuela pre-1498 (Columbus) 

- Spanish colonization 

- How Venezuela gained independence 

- The long road to democracy: caudillos, dictatorships, and more 

- The discovery of oil and the oil boom years 

- Oil crash and inflation of the 1980s 

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.

Sources used in the making of this episode. 

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

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

71. Venezuela 101 Part 1/3: Venezuela Before Chávez (1498 to 1988)

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/⁠⁠⁠
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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

71. Venezuela 101 Part 1/3: Venezuela Before Chávez (1498 to 1988)

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