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 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 this episode found here.

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

----

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/

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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. respond to all the changes? What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and why did it fail? What was the Cuban Missile Crisis, and why was it important? What were the different waves of Cuban exile migrations? How did Cuba respond to the fall of the Soviet Union? What is the Special Period in Cuba, and how did ordinary Cubans adapt to survive? How did people flee Cuba in the 1990s? What was the Wet Foot, Dry Foot policy, and how did it affect Cuban migration? Who took over after Fidel Castro? How did President Obama change relations between the US and Cuba? How do President Trump’s policies affect Cuba? How did the Covid-19 Pandemic affect Cuba and what is Cuba like today? We’ll answer these questions and many more in today’s episode Cuba 101: part 3 of 3.

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 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.

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

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

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

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 the early 1900s? Who was Gerardo Machado and how did he become Cuba’s first dictator? How did Cuban citizens fight back? How was the mafia involved in Cuba? Who was Fulgencio Batista and how did he influence Cuban politics? Who is Fidel Castro and how did he and his fellow rebels launch a revolution that would change Cuba forever?

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 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/

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

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 Columbus play in the history of Cuba? How did Spanish colonization influence the island? What role did the transatlantic slave trade play in the sugar industry, and how was Cuba involved? What role did Great Britain and United States play in Cuba during the 1800s? Who was José Martí and how did he influence Cubans? How did Cuba eventually gain its independence from Spain?

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 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/

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

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. Gift luxury this holiday season without the luxury price tag. Go to quince.com/wiserworld for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

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.

Transcript for this episode.

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 

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

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.

----

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

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 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

----

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

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.

----

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

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.

----

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.

----

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. 

----

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