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 you!

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

A 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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

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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.

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This episode is sponsored by Wondery's Even the Royals podcast. Follow Even the Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, I share about the podcast, Calm History. To give it a listen, head to: https://podfollow.com/calm-history

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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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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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 history of Singapore? This episode is designed to be a brief introduction to Singapore for those who would like to travel there.

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

A 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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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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 K12.com/wiserworld.

A transcript for this episode is found here.

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Vocabulary from this episode with some links for further information and images:

Jeelakarra-Bellam - cumin and jaggery paste tradition

Mangalsutra - thread tying

Saptapadi - 7 steps

Twin Star System Mythology

Sindoor - sometimes called Vermillion, this red powder is often used in Hindu traditions, and is sometimes placed along the hairline of women to show they are married.

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Bio on Dheeraj

I am Dheeraj Varanasi, hailing from Hyderabad, India. I am a research engineer by profession trying to blend academic research with always short-on-time industry. I am currently working at Leica Biosystems, Germany as Sr. Blade Engineer, in the domain of healthcare and cancer diagnostics. 

I moved to Hungary in 2016 to pursue my PhD in Materials Science. I defended my thesis in 2021 (Summa Cum Laude) followed by a post-doctoral position for 2 years at Academy of Sciences Hungary. I published in total 11 scientific papers and have submitted a patent application (submitted, it's a long process :P). 

I am an avid traveller, having been across the whole of Europe, Morocco, parts of the USA totaling to about 31 countries to date. I am a sports fanatic especially for football, tennis and field hockey and try to support my favorite teams/athletes by traveling to stadiums across the world. 

Besides work, I play tennis on the weekends and am learning Violin. A small pipe dream is to play as a street performer someday and donate whatever I collect for charity. 

I read a lot on History, science and politics and am confident to hold conversations in 5 languages. 

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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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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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 study, head to Patreon.

Transcript for this episode here.

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.

This episode is also sponsored by K12 Powered Schools. You can learn more about these tuition-free accredited public schools for Kindergarten through 12th grade at K12.com/wiserworld.

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A 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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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

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.

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A transcript for this episode is found here.

Sources used while making this episode found here.

Special thanks to my research assistant Rachel Cox for her research and editing eye on this episode.

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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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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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 helping:

Information on N Sudan's Humanitarian Crisis

International Rescue Committee

IRC's article on South Sudan and how to help

IRC's article on Sudan and how to help

World Food Program Interview on Sudan's current crisis

Civil War in Sudan: Global Conflict Tracker

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WISERWORLD to begin your therapy journey.

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A transcript for this episode is found here.

Sources used while making this episode found here.

Special thanks to my research assistant Rachel Cox for her research and editing eye on this episode.

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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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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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 Committee" incorrectly. Here is the link to their website.

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WISERWORLD to begin your therapy journey.

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A transcript for this episode is found here.

Sources used while making this episode found here.

Special thanks to my research assistant Rachel Cox for her research and editing eye on this episode.

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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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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

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.

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/WISERWORLD to begin your therapy journey.

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A transcript for this episode is found here.

Sources used while making this episode found here.

Special thanks to my research assistant Rachel Cox for her research and editing eye on this episode.

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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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/

Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/

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

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 episode is found here.

Sources used while making this episode found here.

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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

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 

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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 before. Even the Royals is a new podcast from Wondery that takes you inside the cloistered world of royal families, past and present, where wealth and status often come at the expense of your freedom – and maybe even your life. In these stories, very human emotions, like jealousy, love, disgust, have the power to reshape the world. This is just a preview of Even the Royals. You can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or at Wondery.fm/eventheroyals_wiserworld.

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