In this Know Before You Go episode, we answer these questions and many more: What makes Italy so unique? Where is it located, what is the weather like, and what are its regions? What is the government structure and the food culture? What is a brief history of Italy? This episode is designed to be a brief introduction to Italy for those who would like to travel there. Special thanks to my friends Edoardo, Holly, and Daniele for lending an Italian perspective to this episode. Thank you, thank...

In this short culture episode, we answer the questions: What is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead? How long has this holiday been around and what are its ancient roots? Who participates and why is it important to them? What traditions commonly go along with this holiday? This episode is designed for those who know little to nothing about this holiday. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. A transcript for this episode is found here. ---- This episode is sponsored...

In this Know Before You Go episode, we answer these questions and many more: What makes Singapore such a unique country? Where is it located and what is the weather like? How has Singapore become a City in a Garden? Why does it have such an open economy? What is the government structure, and what are some laws that are unique to just Singapore? Why is multiculturalism such an integral part of Singapore society? What is the food culture, and what traditions are followed? What is a brief...

In this episode, my guest Dheeraj Varanasi and I talk about some of the basic rites, rituals, and traditions involved in a traditional South Indian Hindu wedding. There is no way we could cover everything, but this covers many of the essentials, and is designed for non-Indians who know little to nothing about these weddings and want to learn more. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. This episode is sponsored by Stride K12 Powered Schools. For more information, head to...

How do we choose our episode topics? How do we find our research material and what is our research process? How do we retain what we learn? How does studying world history affect our relationships? Has our research ever spurred us to take action? What are some of the happiest lessons we’ve learned from making the podcast? In this episode my research assistant Rachel and I answer these questions and give you a little behind-the-scenes look at Wiser World. For extra resources to further your...

This is a brief overview history of conflict in Darfur (western Sudan) from the early 1900s to 2024, focusing particularly on 2003-2007. It is designed for people who know little to nothing about this region and want a foundational education to build upon. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Go to hellofresh.com/wiserworldapps for free appetizers for life! One appetizer item per box while subscription is active. ---- A...

This is a brief overview history of Sudan & South Sudan from 2005 to 2024, covering the end of the 2nd Sudanese Civil War, South Sudan's independence, South Sudan's civil war, and the current war in Sudan. This episode focuses more on South Sudan than north Sudan. It is designed for people who know little to nothing about this region and want a foundational education to build upon. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. A few links to options for...

This is a brief overview history of Sudan & South Sudan from 1978 - 2005 AD, covering the discovery of oil through the end of the 2nd Sudanese Civil War. This episode focuses in a lot more on South Sudan than north Sudan. It is designed for people who know little to nothing about this region and want a foundational education to build upon. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. Edit: I mention the International Rescue Committee in this episode, but called it "Refugee...

This is a brief overview history of Sudan & South Sudan from roughly 800BC to 1978 AD, covering from early civilizations until the end of the First Sudanese Civil War and the discovery of oil. It is designed for people who know little to nothing about this region and want a foundational education to build upon. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. --- This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WISERWORLD to begin your...

Over 300 million people around the world celebrate Nowruz—a huge spring holiday that’s also sometimes called Persian New Year—annually on March 20th or 21st. In this episode I explain Nowruz for folks who know little to nothing about it, and if you fit that description I can guarantee you’re going to enjoy learning about the unique and ancient traditions of Nowruz. Some of them are over 4,000 years old! For extra resources to further your study, head to our Patreon. A transcript for this...

This is a preview of Wondery's new podcast: Even the Royals. Admit it: you’re obsessed with royal families – watching them, gossiping about them, wanting to be them. It’s the stuff of fantasy. But for real life royals, the crown jewels can be more like shiny handcuffs. There are expectations and rules – and if you break them, the consequences are big, and very public. And there are royal families and wild royal tales from around the world and throughout history that you have never heard...

There are countless resources to learn about WWII (and for good reason, it's important!), but what about WWI? Often overshadowed by other wars, this complex war has influenced much of our modern day more than we may realize. This episode covers a brief history of WWI for those who need an overview refresh, focusing mostly on why it began and how it ended. For extra resources to further your study, head to our Patreon. A transcript for this episode is found here. This podcast is part of the...

In this episode I explain eight common logical fallacies—giving examples and ways to think more critically in today's ever-polarizing political climate. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon. Sources for this episode  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics 

This is a brief overview of the holiday of Diwali for those who know little to nothing about it. I include the stories and traditions included in the holiday, as well as explain the Lakshmi Puja. While I don't go into every detail of the (typically) five-day festival, I hope this is a primer for those who want to learn more about the holiday and can be a springboard for further research. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon. Special thanks to my friend Abhi for his...

This episode covers the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, European influence in the region, some major historical conflicts from WWII to 2023, and how Middle Eastern countries currently relate to each other, generally. The hope is for those who know little to nothing about the Middle East to have a basic primer that can be used as a springboard for further research. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon.  *Additions: It is also worth knowing that Nazi Germany played a...

Part 3 of 3: A brief historical introduction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This episode covers from 1967 (Six Day War) to 2023. This episode is designed for those who know little to nothing about the conflict and are looking for an approachable way to learn about it. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon. A transcript of this episode is found here. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic...

Part 2 of 3: A brief historical introduction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This episode covers from 1917 to the beginning of 1967. This episode is designed for those who know little to nothing about the conflict and are looking for an approachable way to learn about it. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon. A transcript for this episode is found here. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other...

Part 1 of 3: A brief historical introduction to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This episode covers from 4,000 years ago until 1917 with the Balfour Declaration. This episode is designed for those who know little to nothing about the conflict and are looking for an approachable way to learn about it. For resources to further your study, head to my Patreon.  Support the podcast on PATREON. Thank you so much for helping me to continue the podcast and keep it ad/sponsorship free! Sources...

 A brief historical and cultural recap of Mexico, for travelers and non-travelers who want to learn more about this incredible place.Support the podcast on PATREON. Thank you so much for helping me to continue the podcast and keep it ad/sponsorship free! I always try to look into the history and culture of a place before I go there. There are many travel bloggers and podcasts who tell us where to go and what to eat and what to do. And I love using those resources! But what about the context,...

A brief historical and cultural recap of Hawaii, for travelers and non-travelers who want to learn more about this incredible place. Support the podcast on PATREON. Thank you so much for helping me to continue the podcast and keep it ad/sponsorship free!  I always try to look into the history and culture of a place before I go there. There are many travel bloggers and podcasts who tell us where to go and what to eat and what to do. And I love using those resources! But what about the...

A brief history and cultural recap of Spain, for travelers and non-travelers who want to learn more about this incredible country. I always try to look into the history and culture of a place before I go there. Recently I was prepping to travel to Spain, and thought, “What if I made episodes that covered brief histories and cultures of places that are common travel destinations?” And the idea for the Know Before You Go episodes was born.  There are many travel bloggers and podcasts who tell...

This is a basic foundational view of the government systems, designed for non-experts who need a refresh. Vocab words explained in this episode: - Anarchy- Democracy: Direct Democracy, Republic, Constitutional Monarchy - Autocracy: Absolute Monarchy, Dictatorship, Totalitarian Dictatorship - Oligarchy - Theocracy  For more information on Wiser World:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/To join the email...

This is a basic foundational view of the economic ideologies designed for non-experts who need a refresh. When a person calls themselves a communist, or a socialist, or a capitalist, what does that even mean?  What are the basic foundational principles behind each economic ideology? Why does understanding these systems at even just a basic level matter so much? I take these complex economic systems and make them approachable in this episode on Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism.  For more...

This episode covers a few unique religious and nonreligious Easter traditions throughout Europe. Grateful to my friend, Michal Novovesky, for sharing a tradition from his home country of Slovakia. If you learn something from this episode, please consider sharing it, and reviewing the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  Links for Visuals:  Slovakian Tradition of Water and Whips (Video) Pysanky - Ukrainian Painted Eggs (Article)  Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Seville, Spain (Video)  Easter...