What I Wish I Learned

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An overqualified middle school history teacher gives you all the history you wish you learned in school.

Steven Panchenko & Noah Sonnenberg

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    • Oct 18, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from What I Wish I Learned

    23. What is Happening in Israel?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 69:00


    To kick off our final season, we take a deep dive, over 1000 years, into the history of Israel and Palestine. We discuss the past conflicts and events that have led us to the boiling point we are at today in the region. Support the show

    22. North Korea: A Rogue State

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2023 50:24


    In this episode, Steve and Noah discuss the inner workings of North Korea. Their history - how they came to be, their current way of life, and what's next for the world's most elusive country. A relic of a forgotten time.Support the show

    north korea rogue state
    21. The Rise and Fall of China

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2023 70:16


    We're back (again)! In this episode, Steve and Noah discuss the the many socioeconomic issues facing China in 2023, and the reasons behind the immanent downfall of the Chinese economy and government.Support the show

    20. What do Nazis, Disney, and Scientology have in Common?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2022 50:20


    In this episode, we further discuss how the Nazi integration into the American science program, shaped our perception of space and the space race forever. We also introduce a special guest with a background in rocket science to help us break down some of the scientific concepts we discuss in the episode.Support the show

    19. The Conclusion of Vietnam

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2022 116:15


    Hey guys! While we haven't had a chance to record another episode in our new Space series, Steve decided that he wanted do a throwback to Season 2, where we covered the Vietnam war. Support the show

    18. How The Nazis Won the Space Race

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2022 40:02


    In this episode, we discuss the darker history of the US vs. Soviet Space Race, and how the Nazis became a crucial part of our successful mission to the Moon. In Season 4 of What I Wish I Learned, we'll be discussing all aspects of space, including the history of space exploration, space anomalies, science fiction, and so much more. Support the show

    17. What Is Happening in Ukraine?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 60:48


    In this special episode, we take a deep dive, over 1000 years, into the history of Ukraine and the Slavic region. We discuss the cultural and ethnic differences between Russia and Ukraine, and the issues that caused the current conflict facing the region. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    16. The War On: Marijuana

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 53:16


    In this episode, we discuss the economic effects of the legalization of marijuana, as well as the physiological effects on the human body. We have a heated discussion over whether or not marijuana can be called a 'gateway drug'. Stay tuned!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    15. The War On: Psychedelics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 55:29


    In this episode, hosted by Noah, we discuss the history of psychedelics in ancient cultures, and how the psychedelic era shaped the music and art of the 60s and 70s. We also discuss the unique effect psychedelics have on the human brain, and what causes the vivid hallucinations and kaleidoscopic colors associated with 'tripping'.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    14. The War On: Meth (Amphetamines)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 54:45


    In this episode, we discuss the devastating effects that the meth crisis can have on communities, and people on an individual level. We also had a guest join us for this episode.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    13. The War On: Heroin (The Opioid Crisis)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 53:56


    In this episode, we discuss the spread of heroin throughout the middle east and Africa, and the affect this has had on the United States and the rest of the world. We also discuss the dangerous propagation of opioids from Big Pharma, and how this has helped to spike the illegal trade of pharmaceutical drugs.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    12. The War On: Synthetics (MDMA)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2022 65:43


    In this episode, we discuss "synthetic" drugs, such as MDMA, and synthetic marijuana. We have a candid discussion about both the 'pros' and cons of these substances, as well as the possibility of controlled substances being used in medicine to treat behavioral issues such as PTSD.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    11. The War On: Cocaine

    Play Episode Play 31 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 5, 2022 84:18


    In the first episode of season 3, we're starting our new series on the War on Drugs with a bang. We'll be discussing the Colombian cocaine trade, lead by the notorious Pablo Escobar. We also take a closer look at the neurological effects of cocaine, and what makes it so addictive.For access to the Post Show special episode, please consider subscribing to our Patreon, linked below. We would really appreciate it!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    Midseason Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 3:02


    Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    10. A Monk Becomes a Martyr

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2021 35:44


    Our 10th Episode! This episode is great, and I don't want to spoil it with a description. Just listen!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    9. Kennedy's Mistake

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2021 29:38


    This episode focuses on John F. Kennedy's decisions in Vietnam, and the effects they had on the conflict, and the creation of the Viet Cong.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    8. The French are Coming

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2021 34:34


    In this episode, we discuss the French occupation of Vietnam, leading to a pseudo-civil war within the country, creating massive instability.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    7. Welcome to 'Nam

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 32:19


    In the first episode of Season 2, we dive into the events leading up to the Vietnam War.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    6. Gen Z (Guest Interview)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 57:20


    In this episode, we have a candid discussion with a special guest, about what it's like to grow up in Generation Z.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    5. The Return of the Taliban

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 62:10


    The finale episode of our Afghanistan series. We discuss the events post 9/11, leading up to the 2021 takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    4. The Rise of the Taliban

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 30:10


    In this episode, we discuss the events that sparked the creation of the Taliban, and the rise of Osama bin Laden.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    3. The Eagle and the Bear (pt 2.)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 35:54


    We continue our discussion about the US and Soviet involvement in Afghanistan, and the events of the Cold War.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    2. The Eagle and the Bear (pt. 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 52:42


    Part 1/2 discussing the inception of the Taliban, and the rise of Osama Bin Laden,  starting with the events of the Cold War. Afghanistan is locked in the middle of a political rivalry between the US and The Soviet Union, Capitalism and Communism. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

    1. The Age of Terror

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 44:18


    An in-depth look at the history of the US-Afghanistan war, starting with the events of 9/11.Link to slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xQarxtvCAyVifz1bozc4vKHl_TpdZZzlhlsl2xOmXcs/edit?usp=sharingWelcome to our podcast! Steven and myself created this podcast to bring bite sized pieces of history out of the classroom, and into the spotlight.Our goal with the first season of the show is to take a deep dive into the history of the US-Afghan war, through the lens of the events of 9/11. We'll take a look at all of the events and politics in Afghanistan that ultimately led to the most deadly terrorist attack on US soil. About us:Our host, Steven Panchenko  is a middle school history teacher with a degree in international affairs, political science, and Russian studies. He wants to expand the scope of his message from a room full of 8th graders, to the wider population.My name is Noah Sonnenberg, I'm the producer, editor, and co-host. I'm a musician and aspiring audio engineer. I know about as much history as the average American, and I'm excited to learn everything that Steven has to offer. We hope you enjoy the first episode, and please stick around for more!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/WIWIL)

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