Best Alli Roper Podcasts (2025)

1
69. Common Ground: Birth & Death — Rituals for Life's First & Final Moments 43:11

Play Pause

15d ago43:11

43:11

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 (Jav…

1
68. A Table For Everyone: One Syrian’s Journey of Resilience and Welcome // Yassin Terou 56:34

1M ago56:34

56:34

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 incl…

1
67. Common Ground: Hospitality — The Universal Language of Welcome 40:13

2M ago40:13

40:13

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 epi…

1
66. Common Ground: Food — The First Language We All Speak 32:32

2M ago32:32

32:32

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…

1
65. What Syria Can Teach Us: Why Voice, Unity, and Agency Matter 32:45

3M ago32:45

32:45

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,…

1
64. Syria 101 Part 5/5—The Syrian Civil War, Refugee Crisis, & Fall of Assad (2012–2025) 44:05

3M ago44:05

44:05

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 go…

1
63. Syria 101 Part 4/5—Bashar al-Assad, the Arab Spring, & Syrian Civil War Beginnings (2000–2012) 37:21

3M ago37:21

37:21

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, drou…

1
62. Syria 101 Part 3/5—Coups, Ba’athism, and the Assads (1946–2000) 41:08

3M ago41:08

41:08

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 instabil…

1
61. Syria 101 Part 2/5: Border Carve-Up & the French Mandate (1900–1946) 27:54

3M ago27:54

27:54

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 & th…

1
60. Syria 101 Part 1/5—Crossroads of Civilization (Ancient Days to 1900) 29:18

3M ago29:18

29:18

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, c…

1
59. A Brief Intro to THE NETHERLANDS - Know Before You Go 55:53

4M ago55:53

55:53

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. …

1
58. Recognizing Cognitive Bias: The Hidden Shortcuts in Our Minds 32:59

4M ago32:59

32:59

This episode covers eleven common cognitive biases, giving real-life examples and ideas for how to combat them. We talk about anchoring bias, effort bias, egocentric bias, hindsight bias, optimism and pessimism biases, recency bias, confirmation bias, present bias, scarcity bias, and urgency bias. For extra resources (like a printable PDF) to furth…

1
57. A Brief Intro to SWITZERLAND - Know Before You Go 53:01

5M ago53:01

53:01

In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of Switzerland for those who want to travel there. We answer these questions and many more: What makes Switzerland so unique? Where is it located and what is the weather like? How is the government structure so one-of-a-kind? What foods are famous in Switzerland? What festivals and tradit…

1
56. Updated: Iran 101 - Part 3 58:15

6M ago58:15

58:15

A concise, foundational history of Iran from 1980 to 2025, designed for those who know little to nothing about Iran. This addition has been updated and improved heavily from the 2022 edition. 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 u…

1
55. Encore: Iran 101 - Part 2 46:48

6M ago46:48

46:48

A concise, foundational history of Iran from 1950s through the 1979/1980 Revolution, designed for those who know little to nothing about Iran's history. 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 a…

1
54. Encore: Iran 101 - Part 1 46:55

6M ago46:55

46:55

A concise, foundational history of Iran from the late 1800s to mid-1950s made for those who know little to nothing about Iranian history. 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 discu…

1
53. A Brief Intro to PORTUGAL - Know Before You Go 45:13

7M ago45:13

45:13

In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of Portugal for those who want to travel there. We answer these questions and many more: Before you travel to Portugal, what do you need to know? What makes Portugal so unique? Where is it located, what is the weather like? What is the government structure? What is the food culture? What …

1
52. Becoming a Better Thinker (More Logical Fallacies Everyone Should Know) 23:51

7M ago23:51

23:51

In this episode I explain nine common logical fallacies, and give examples so we can thinking more intelligently in this ever-polarized political climate. This is companion to episode 35, "Recognizing Logical Fallacies for Better Critical Thinking" which aired on December 27th, 2023. This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to ⁠quince.com/wiserworld…

1
51. Understanding Passover: History, Traditions, and the Meaning Behind the Meal 31:53

9M ago31:53

31:53

This episode explains the basic concepts of the Passover tradition and Seder meal for those who know little to knowing about it and want a foundation of knowledge to build on. Special thanks for my friends Merav and Debbi for their contributions to this episode! This episode is sponsored by Quince. Go to quince.com/wiserworld for free shipping on y…

1
50. Humanizing History: Lessons Learned from Cuba 24:51

9M ago24:51

24:51

Three philosophical lessons I've learned from Cuban history and am integrating into my personal life. 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. The transcript for this episode is found here. Sources used in making …

1
49. Cuba 101 - Part 3 1:06:11

9M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

In this episode we take Cuba's history from 1959 to 2025, giving a high-level look at Cuba for those who know little to nothing about it and would like foundational understanding. Questions we answer: How did Fidel Castro become the most powerful man in Cuba? What happened to private land and business after the Cuban Revolution? How did the U.S. re…

1
48. Cuba 101 - Part 2 49:41

10M ago49:41

49:41

In this episode we take Cuba's history from 1902 to 1959, giving a high-level look at Cuba for those who know little to nothing about it and would like foundational understanding. Questions we answer: How did the US influence Cuba while it was a US Protectorate? What role did the Platt Amendment play? What role did race play in Cuban society during…

1
47. Cuba 101 - Part 1 46:12

11M ago46:12

46:12

In this episode we take Cuba's history from pre-1492 (Columbus) to 1902 (Independence), giving a high-level look at Cuba for those who know little to nothing about it and would like foundational understanding. Questions we answer: Where is Cuba located, and what is it like geographically? What was it like before 1492? What role did Christopher Colu…

1
Encore: 30 Minutes to Becoming a Better Critical Thinker (Recognizing Logical Fallacies) 27:55

1y ago27:55

27:55

In this episode, I revisit an episode that aired last year, where 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. I'll be back in January with a new 101 series. This episode is sponsored by Quince. …

1
46. A Brief Intro to ITALY - Know Before You Go 55:53

1y ago55:53

55:53

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 li…

1
45. What is Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)? 19:31

1y ago19:31

19:31

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 …

1
44. A Brief Intro to SINGAPORE - Know Before You Go 37:22

1+ y ago37:22

37:22

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…

1
43. South Indian Weddings // Dheeraj Varanasi 39:52

1+ y ago39:52

39:52

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. …

1
42. Behind the Scenes of Wiser World // Rachel Cox 53:05

1+ y ago53:05

53:05

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 researc…

1
41. Darfur Conflict 101 49:33

1+ y ago49:33

49:33

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 Hell…

1
40. Sudan & South Sudan 101 - Part 3 1:10:56

1+ y ago1:10:56

1:10:56

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 fou…

1
39. Sudan & South Sudan 101 - Part 2 59:31

1+ y ago59:31

59:31

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 extr…

1
38. Sudan & South Sudan 101 - Part 1 57:15

1+ y ago57:15

57:15

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 s…

1
37. What is Nowruz? 24:02

2y ago24:02

24:02

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 trad…

1
Introducing: Even the Royals [Podcast Preview] 7:08

2y ago7:08

7:08

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 b…

1
36. A Brief History of World War I 45:35

2y ago45:35

45:35

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…

1
35. Recognizing Logical Fallacies for Better Critical Thinking 26:46

2y ago26:46

26:46

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. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education…

1
34. What is Diwali? 16:33

2y ago16:33

16:33

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 ca…

1
33. The Middle East Today: Must-Know History & Country Relations 36:00

2y ago36:00

36:00

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 f…

1
32. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 3 49:02

2+ y ago49:02

49:02

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…

1
31. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 2 51:05

2+ y ago51:05

51:05

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 transcr…

1
30. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict 101 - Part 1 41:15

2+ y ago41:15

41:15

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 m…

1
29. A Brief History of MEXICO - Know Before You Go 44:42

2+ y ago44:42

44:42

A brief historical and cultural recap of Mexico, for travelers and non-travelers who want to learn more about this incredible place. For additional resources, head to our Patreon. 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 …

1
28. A Brief History of HAWAI'I - Know Before You Go 45:08

2+ y ago45:08

45:08

A brief historical and cultural recap of Hawaii, for travelers and non-travelers who want to learn more about this incredible place. For additional resources, head to our Patreon. *Corrections: Despite best efforts, I mispronounced some words in this episode and want to correct them here—most I did not pronounce the glottal stop that comes with the…

1
27. A Brief History of SPAIN - Know Before You Go 38:02

2+ y ago38:02

38:02

A brief history and cultural recap of Spain, for travelers and non-travelers who want to learn more about this incredible country. 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 advert…

1
26. What are Democracy, Autocracy, & Oligarchy? Government Systems 101 19:18

2+ y ago19:18

19:18

This is a basic foundational view of the government systems, designed for non-experts who need a refresh. *Correction: The United States is more correctly defined as a Constitutional Republic, as the Constitution does serve as the supreme law of the land. While it does have democratic processes, the Constitution plays a more powerful role in the Un…

1
25. What are Communism, Socialism, & Capitalism? Economic Ideologies 101 22:53

2+ y ago22:53

22:53

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 mat…

1
24. Global Easter Traditions: Europe // Michal Novovesky 23:01

2+ y ago23:01

23:01

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. Transcript for this episode…

1
23. What is Ramadan? // Shahnila Ahmad 39:27

3y ago39:27

39:27

In this episode, my guest, Shahnila Ahmad (from @bravemuslimparents on Instagram) does a wonderful job of explaining the basics of the holy month of Ramadan. This episode is specifically designed for those who know relatively little about this special month for Muslims around the world. My guest, Shahnila Ahmad, is a Muslim American who grew up in …

1
22. What is Holi? 13:25

3y ago13:25

13:25

This is a brief summary of the Indian holiday of Holi. I share about the origins of the holiday, the traditions and celebrations, and the foods that are often made. *CORRECTION: In this episode I talk about how Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, when in reality the gods and goddesses of Hinduism are actually embodiments of one main god. Thus is a…