Wiser World

Wiser World

https://feeds.megaphone.fm/wiserworld
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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… ...
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Episode List

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

Feb 4th, 2026 8:03 AM

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

73. Venezuela 101 Part 3/3: Maduro, Hyperinflation, and Migration (2013 - 2026)

Jan 27th, 2026 8:03 AM

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/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

72. Venezuela 101 Part 2/3: Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution (1989 - 2013)

Jan 20th, 2026 8:04 AM

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/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Jan 12th, 2026 8:01 AM

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

70. Venezuela 101: Cultural Preface

Jan 6th, 2026 8:05 AM

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/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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