Episode Details

What if the stories we've inherited about history—and about each other—are incomplete?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Story of Us, Jeff Ellison sits down with historian, veteran, and author Roger Persaud for a conversation that begins with history but ultimately becomes an exploration of what it means to be human.

Growing up in British Guiana (now Guyana) without electricity or running water, Roger's journey would take him from the Caribbean to New York City, through military service in the U.S. Air Force, into a lifelong passion for uncovering overlooked chapters of history. His work challenges conventional narratives, particularly surrounding the Caribbean, colonialism, race, and identity—not to rewrite history, but to better understand it.

Together, Jeff and Roger explore how the stories we inherit shape our perceptions, why curiosity is more powerful than certainty, and why the deeper we study humanity, the harder it becomes to see one another as strangers.

Along the way, Roger offers one of the most hopeful observations of the entire conversation:

We are much more similar than we are different.

In This Episode

• Roger's remarkable journey from rural Guyana to the United States
• Growing up with limited resources and the lessons that shaped his life
• Military service and the search for understanding
• Why history is often incomplete—and whose voices get left out
• The complicated legacy of colonialism, slavery, and migration in the Caribbean
• How inherited narratives influence race, identity, and belonging
• The importance of intellectual curiosity over ideological certainty
• Why empathy begins with understanding another person's story
• Learning from failure and embracing life's unexpected turns

Memorable Quotes

"We are much more similar than we are different."

"There are no mistakes in life. You learn from failure."

About Roger Persaud

Dr. Roger Persaud is a U.S. Air Force veteran, historian, and author whose work explores overlooked historical narratives and the common threads that unite humanity. Drawing on his background, he encourages audiences to question assumptions, embrace curiosity, and seek a more complete understanding of our shared past.

Connect with Roger Persaud

Learn more about Dr. Roger Persaud and his work through his books, speaking engagements, and historical research. https://rogerpersaud.com/

Connect with The Story of Us

🌐 Website: https://thestoryofusproject.com/start-here

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If this conversation resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. Your support helps us continue exploring the stories that connect us all—from cosmic dawn to the depths of being.

Because history is more than a record of the past.

It's the story of how we came to see ourselves—and one another.

And together, those stories become The Story of Us.