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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

Five macro-level lessons I have learned from studying Iran's history. 

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

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82. Lessons from Iran: What Happens When You Suppress a Nation

Today's guest, Sahar Delijani, is the author of Children of the Jacaranda Tree, an internationally acclaimed novel, translated into 32 languages and published in more than 75 countries. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Literary Hub, LARB, Jewish Currents, BOMB, McSweeney’s and elsewhere. Her second novel, For Every Person You Kill, is forthcoming in Spring 2027.

In this episode, Sahar shares her family’s story — including being born in Evin Prison — and reflects on Iranian identity, cultural resilience, and the role of joy, history, and women in today’s movement for freedom. We also discuss what solidarity can look like from the international community, and how stories and literature can help humanize a struggle that’s often reduced to geopolitics.

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

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81. Iran's Unfinished Revolution: A Conversation with Sahar Delijani

This is Part 3 of 3 of the Iran 101 series: a foundational history of Iran for those who know little to nothing about it. This episode covers 1981 to early 2026. 

Sources used in making this episode.

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

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80. Iran 101 Part 3/3: Theocracy, Conflict, and the Fight for Change (1981-2026)

This is Part 2 of 3 of the Iran 101 series: a foundational history of Iran for those who know little to nothing about it. This episode covers 1953 to 1980. 

Sources used in making this episode.

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

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79. Iran 101 Part 2/3: The Pahlavi Era, Revolution, and Iranian Hostage Crisis (1953-1980)

This is Part 1 of 3 of the Iran 101 series: a foundational history of Iran for those who know little to nothing about Iranian history. This episode covers the 1800s to the 1953 coup. 

For a FREE downloadable PDF outline of this episode, go to patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast. If you are not a Patreon member, you may have to sign in, but you do not have to pay for this one.

*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. 

Sources used in making this episode.

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

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78. Iran 101 Part 1/3: Shahs, Oil, and Foreign Powers (1800s-1953)

This is a Cultural Preface to the Iran 101 series. It is not designed to be entirely comprehensive, as no culture or people are the same. The hope is to help listeners meet the Iranian people before they study their history. 

Special thanks to Ershiya and Lana Firoozi for their help with this episode; their attention to detail and generosity cannot be overstated. 

This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/WISERWORLD50OFF and use code WISERWORLD50OFF to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active. 

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

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77. Iran 101: Cultural Preface

A brief, approachable history of Greenland for those who know little to nothing about it. My hope is that this gives some nuance and context to modern headlines about this strategic island and the people who live there. Keep in mind that this is not comprehensive—just a jumping off point for further learning. 

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!

Sources used in making this episode.

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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76. Greenland: The History Behind the Headlines

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. 

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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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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. 

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82. Lessons from Iran: What Happens When You Suppress a Nation

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