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Step into an infinite world of stories

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Alli Roper

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.

Wiser World

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)

This is Part 1 of 5 of the Syria 101 series. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from ancient days to 1900, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers: 

 The difference between Ancient Syria, Greater Syria, and modern borders

 How geography (rivers, cities, trade routes) made Syria a crossroads of civilization

 The rise of Ebla, the Arameans, and the spread of Aramaic

 How empires from Rome to the Ottomans shaped Syrian culture and cities

 Why Syria was so religiously and ethnically diverse under Ottoman rule

 How Ottoman decline + European involvement + Arab nationalism set the stage for modern Syria

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 for $3, 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/⁠⁠

Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

60. Syria 101 Part 1/5—Crossroads of Civilization (Ancient Days to 1900)

In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of the Netherlands, talking about history, culture, economics, politics, geography, and so on. 

This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/wiserworld⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. 

For extra resources to further your study, head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Sign up for my email newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wiserworld.com/⁠⁠⁠

The transcript for this episode is found here.

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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

59. A Brief Intro to THE NETHERLANDS - Know Before You Go

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